*PDP Accuses APC Of Destroying Adeleke’s Billboards In Osun*
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State on Thursday blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the destruction of billboards belonging to its governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, in the State.
The Osun State governorship election will hold on July 16.
The Chairman of PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, who disclosed this in a statement in Osogbo, said the billboards were destroyed in the state capital and other parts of the state.
The statement read: “Let us, for the purpose of emphasis, warn those behind this plot that they will be matched, not necessarily by an equal measure of violence but by whatever it takes legally to resist such attempt as to intimidate the good people of Osun State or coerce them into submission.
“This will mean that we will not hesitate to mobilise Osun people against the violence that is being promoted by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“It is on this note that we want to urge the whole world to hold the APC responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Osun as we will no longer watch destruction of our candidate’s billboards or any other attack on our campaign materials go without a response.”
*BAT Speaks On His Preferred Running Mate*
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), said his preferred running mate will be announced soon.
Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos, stated that the choice of his running mate is his right and would keep the name of the candidate in his “pocketbook”.
The APC Presidential candidate said this on Thursday while speaking to State House Correspondents after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and the Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu.
He said, “I won’t tell you that. That is my right, it’s in my pocketbook.”
Tinubu commended Buhari for allowing all the presidential aspirants to contest the primary election and ensuring a free process that led to his emergence as the party’s flagbearer.
He recounted that the president had promised many times that he would support the democratic process and he had proven that with the party’s presidential primary.
“He promised the whole country and the world that he will build a legacy of transparency and consistency; legacy of level playing ground for all the aspirants.
“He will be committed to democratic principles and values and he did so.
“He didn’t endorse anybody, he didn’t impose anybody, and he did not at any time attempt to tinker with the process of this election to favour one tribe or the other. He was steadfast, he was trustworthy, and he was dependable.
“If he had to give it to anybody yesterday, it is not my victory that is important, it is the process and the management of that election that gave it to President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
Tinubu disclosed that his brilliance and experience in the private and public sectors would help him win the 2023 general elections.
He promised to hit the ground running the same day he is sworn into office if elected as the next President and not mess up the legacies of President Buhari.
“That I’m brilliant, I am experienced, from the private sector, to public sector and ready to hit the ground running same day and not mess up the legacy of progress and honesty that is left behind for me and handed over to me by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“All APC family members should celebrate in a limited manner, we just begin the hard work ahead to win the victory for our party is a hard one and we will win,” he said.
*Dogara Urges Osinbajo, Ameachi, Others To join Tinubu Campaign*
Having lost their bid to clinch the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi and others have been urged to join hands with the winner of the primaries, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The call was made by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara who described the emergence of Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the APC as the beginning of good things to happen in Nigeria.
Yakubu Dogara stressed the need to form a formidable team with the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2023 General elections.
In a statement by his media aide on Thursday, Dogara said that, “I urge all aspirants to close ranks and form a formidable force ahead of the 2023 general elections. This is the surest way to victory for the APC”.
Yakubu Dogara therefore appealed to all the contestants with Bola Tinubu not to see their inability to win as a failure but as a game where only one person will emerge, stressing that it was just a family affair.
He expressed confidence that with Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the APC, victory was sure in the 2023 General elections because according to him, “Asiwaju has a very large political followership across the country, he is a bridge builder”
*Atiku: Wike, Okowa Battle To Emerge Running Mate As Tambuwal Reveals What He Wants*
The battle line has been drawn in the race for who emerges the running mate of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Those currently being favoured for the ticket are former presidential aspirant and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
The two South-South governors are lobbying their fellow governors to back their vice-presidential bid.
It was gathered that the Rivers State governor has firmly planted his feet in Abuja to continue his plot to realise an Atiku-Wike presidential ticket.
“The governor is not in town as we speak. It is not out of place if he is pushing to become the running mate of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar,” a source told The PUNCH.
“But it will be unfair if he (Wike) is not picked as Atiku’s running mate going by his contributions to the party, both in terms of finance and other levels of support.”
The source noted that Wike came second in the PDP presidential primary in Abuja, adding that that shows his capability and pedigree.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State governor, Olisa Ifeajika, has described Okowa as eminently qualified to emerged as Atiku running mate.
He stated that all governors both in the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will attest to Okowa’s suitability for the VP slot.
Ifeajika said, “Yes, they (governors) met yesterday and today, Thursday, in Abuja. Of course, it is no longer news that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is among the people being tipped as the running mate.
“Okowa is one those being considered. He is not only eminently qualified but acceptable by all. If there is an election, all governors, even those in the APC, will attest that Okowa is the best man for the position. He has worked hard for it.”
A source close to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has also revealed what he wants.
He told The PUNCH that the Sokoto Governor believed the party should pick somebody who could mobilise votes for the party.
*Sowore Wins AAC Presidential Primary*
The convener of the RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday won the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential ticket for the 2023 election.
The activist was returned unopposed at the party’s presidential primary held in Abuja.
Sowore also stepped down as AAC national chairman shortly before the commencement of the exercise.
He represented the party in the 2019 election and finished in sixth position.
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*Ben Ayade Makes Promise To Tinubu After APC Presidential Primary*
Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade has assured Bola Tinubu of his unwavering support ahead of the 2023 general election as he congratulated him for emerging the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate.
Ayade in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, expressed optimism that Tinubu, who he described as a soldier of democracy, will lead APC to victory.
The Governor said Tinubu has laboured and sacrificed for democracy and his immeasurable contribution to the formation of APC cannot be undermined.
The statement read: “Your Excellency, from your NADECO days to the ACN era and then to your immeasurable contribution to the formation of the APC and its subsequent ascension to power, there is no doubt that you have laboured and sacrificed for democracy and its enthronement in our nation.”
“Therefore, your emergence as the presidential candidate of our great party is a fitting and deserving reward for a man who has been in the trenches for democracy and good governance for decades now.”
“I have an unwavering belief that as a soldier of democracy who has seen it all, you will lead the APC to seamless victory next year. Rest assured that as you look back, you will find me marching with you 100 per cent to the threshold of victory.”
“I heartily and warmly congratulate you on this monumental milestone.”
*Nigerian Govt Blames ISWAP For Church Attack That Killed 40 People In Owo*
The Nigerian government has stated that the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) was responsible for the attack on a Catholic Church in Owo town, Ondo State in which 40 people have been confirmed dead and many more injured last Sunday.
The National Security Council states on Wednesday that ISWAP was behind the attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House Correspondents after the National Security Council meeting in Abuja.
He said that security agencies have been instructed to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are swiftly apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The former governor added that the attack was unconnected to ethnic-religious circumstances.
The minister also touched on the recent killings such as in Sokoto and Abuja in the name of blasphemy, affirming that perpetrators of the incidents would be dealt with.
In a recent meeting between Governor Akeredolu of Ondo state and Catholic Bishops from the South-West, it was confirmed that more than 40 people died in the attack and 26 survivors discharged from hospitals.
The governor said: “The figure I have now shows that 127 persons were involved and that the number of death now is 40. On admission receiving treatment, we have 61. Twenty-six have been discharged.
“Those are the figures we have now from the Commissioner for Health. So, the government is not hiding anything.”
*2023: Buhari Had A Preferred Candidate But Didn’t Influence The Outcome Of APC Primaries – Presidency*
The presidency has declared that despite having a preferred candidate in the build-up to the presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t impose his wish on the leaders and members of the party.
The special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina made this known in an opinion statement released on Thursday night titled ‘Knock, Knock! Who’s There?’.
According to him, as a true democrat, President Buhari decided to remain neutral in the entire process despite having a series of meeting with party leaders and stakeholders on how to ensure the APC produces the best candidate for the 2023 elections.
Recall the APC primaries which was concluded on Wednesday, 8th June produced former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu as the party’s flagbearer.
Speaking further, Adesina pointed out that with the emergence of the presidential candidates from all interested and eligible political parties, it is left for Nigerians to decide who will be their next leader come 2023.
“The two major political parties have held their primary election, and presidential candidates have emerged. Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There are some other smaller parties who have come with their own candidates too. One is not discountenancing them, and miracles do happen. But APC and PDP can be called the major parties, having both produced Presidents for the country since return to democratic rule in 1999.
“Knock, Knock! Who’s There? This would happen to all the political parties in the contest on February 25, next year. Millions of voters would knock on their doors, they’ll ask; who’s there, and answers would come.”
Referring to an interview granted by President Buhari in January 2022, Adesina affirmed that the Nigerian leader had a preferred person in mind to emerge as the candidate of the APC.
He however added that, unlike former President Olusegun Obasanjo who went all out to ensure his preferred candidate emerged during his own time, President Buhari allowed the will of the people to prevail.
“Let me first talk of the last one week that led to the primary election of the APC. In an interview he granted in January, this year, President Muhammadu Buhari had indicated that he had a favorite candidate. Would he name the person? He balked, saying he would be exposing the individual to too much risks, including possible elimination.
“It was human to have a favorite in such situation, and the President did no wrong. But would you unduly favor the person? Would you throw your weight around, ride roughshod over the others, and impose your favored one on your political party and the nation? We have seen it before. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, did it with Umaru Yar’Adua. He did same, though to a lesser extent with Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Can Buhari do it and remain a democrat, fair, impartial?
“That was the matter of interest in the week before the primary election. There were at least 23 aspirants. Who would the President give the nod? Could he remain neutral, non-aligned? At least, he had confessed he had someone in mind. Would he remain even-handed, detached, non-discriminatory?
“There were at least four consultative meetings, towards getting an acceptable candidate for the party. One was with the APC Governors, called Progressive Governors Forum. The other was with the presidential aspirants themselves, then with the National Advisory Council (formerly called Board of Trustees), and finally with the Northern Progressive Governors Forum.
“The main thing on the agenda was usually who would be the preferred aspirant. What part of the country would he come from? Would the President name his favorite, or leave it to democratic principle of voting? How did the President do it? How did he remain neutral, when he had earlier confessed that he had a favorite? It’s a test of fairness, being a democrat or not, and the President passed it, despite all the odds.
“Knock, Knock! Who’s There?
“Each time a consultative meeting ended, there were twists and contortions to whatever the President said. They imported and imputed all sorts of interpretations, mostly unfounded and incorrect. Oh, this is what he meant. He said this and that. This is what he was actually saying. He just didn’t come straight. The man held his peace.
Primary Election Day came. And the President still remained neutral, despite having confessed that he had a favorite aspirant. How did he do it? Strange. Supernatural. Curious. Knock, Knock! Who’s There? But President Buhari remained unobtrusive, demure, self-effacing, till a candidate finally emerged.
“While the process lasted, I had observed people who were core Buharists, but now on different sides of the divide, go for one another’s jugular. Some were virulent, odious, descending to the level of indecency. But now that the race is over, can they sheathe their swords? Is there anything in life that should make us become indecent, uncouth in both language and action? Fie! Fie, I say.”
He ended by saying President Buhari has done his best for Nigeria and the party and it is left to the citizens of the country to decide who will be their next leader through votes.
“The day of the decision will come in February. May God spare us till then, and beyond. President Buhari has done his level best for his party, and the country. He has been beleaguered by some forces and interests since 2015, and it had largely been about the quest for power. He is exiting decently, orderly, doing his best till the last day. The onus is now on Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and the other candidates to answer the ring at the door. Knock, Knock! Who’s There?”
*APC Sets Machinery In Motion, As Debate Rages Over Christian Or Muslim Running Mate For Tinubu?*
Speculations are now raging within the polity over the religious affiliation of the potential running mate of Bola Tinubu, the presidential aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who emerged victorious at the party’s convention on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, the party clarified this position on Thursday, through Hannatu Musawa, Secretary, APC Presidential Screening Committee, during an interview on Channels TV, ‘Sunrise Daily.’
According to Hannatu, any choice would be determined via the pulse of the people while ensuring the best candidate gets the position.
She further cautioned against presumptions and speculations, noting that it was too early as talks were ongoing among the party’s stakeholders on the matter.
“What outlets party displayed yesterday is to consider the mood of the nation and we are gonna take the religious angle into consideration but it is still too early to say whether it will be a Muslim or a Christian and the party will consider the interest of the country before making any choice.
“There would be a very nuanced conversation on that to see how the party can manage any fallout from that. What Nigerians should expect from the party is that every Nigerian would be taken along and I also agree with former Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu that the South-East should be taken along and seen as an important part of Nigeria,” Hannatu noted.
According to reports, Tinubu is expected to meet with party leaders, including National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and APC governors before the end of the week, to pick a running mate.
*Atiku ‘Offers’ Wike Petroleum Ministers Slot As Ex-VP Identifies Preferred Running Mate*
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has reportedly offered Governor Nyesom Wike the position of Petroleum Minister if he wins the 2023 elections.
A source close to the negotiation told Premium Times that Atiku also offered the Rivers governor the opportunity to nominate one should the party win the election.
However, Wike camp is insisting on the vice-presidential slot, saying “a promise is not as important as what is currently on hand”.
It was gathered that the Rivers governor insistence in picking the PDP VP slot is behind the delay in the announcement of Atiku’s running mate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed June 17th as the deadline for political parties to submit a list of all presidential candidates.
Those in favour of Wike, including some governors, have pointed out his roles in rescuing the party at numerous times and how he had also supported PDP chapters without State governors.
But his critics are of the opinion that the Rivers State governor is not “presidential in conduct”.
They also claim that he would be a dangerous deputy and divisive figure in the presidency should they take over power in 2023.
On the other hand, Okowa who enjoys massive support among PDP leaders was instrumental in the emergence of Atiku as the presidential candidate of the PDP.
According to Premium Times, Atiku is said to also prefer Okowa to run as his vice president.
But the possibility of Wike adding a stronger political structure and financial muscle to the ticket is delaying Atiku’s decision.
*Gov. Ugwuanyi imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew on Igbo Eze North, South LGAs*
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas of the state, between the hours of 6pm to 6am.
According to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the dusk-to-dawn curfew takes effect from Friday, June 10, 2022.
The statement disclosed that the curfew was “Pursuant to Executive Order No. 3, 2022 and consequent upon security challenges in Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas of Enugu State”.
Prof. Ortuanya added that Gov. Ugwuanyi imposed the curfew in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 215 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The statement directed the Chairmen of Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South LGAs as well as Forest Guard and Neighbourhood Watch Officers of the affected two council areas to ensure strict compliance with the Executive Order.
It also directed the Enugu State Commissioner of Police to take all lawful measures to enforce the order, “including arrest and prosecution of defaulters”.
*Jubilation as Gov. Ugwuanyi restores land to Enugu health workers*
…As labour lauds governor’s transformational strides in health sector
There was jubilation in Enugu on Friday as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi formally restored 230 plots of land belonging to the health workers of the state which were purportedly revoked by the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development without the consent of the governor.
Addressing the health workers when they visited him at the Government House, Enugu, on the purported revocation of their land registered as Villa Estate in Ozalla Abor, Enugu, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed dismay, saying that the land was revoked without his consent, contrary to the Land Use Act.
Reiterating the commitment of his administration to the wellbeing of the people of Enugu State, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that the state government will formalize the land and give it back to the health workers, amid jubilation.
He told the elated health workers that “We will do what we did for other people their land was revoked without my consent”.
Recall that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration recently restored Plot No. P/23CA Independence Layout, Enugu, to the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), which was purportedly revoked by the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development without the governor’s approval pursuant to the Land Use Act.
Speaking further, the governor, therefore, directed the health workers to liaise with the present Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh for necessary action, and promised to retrieve every land in the state taken from people illegally.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Aroh, pointed out that his attention was drawn to the purported revocation on assumption of office, revealing: “We have been looking through the processes in the files and I can confirm that before the acquisition of the Golf Annex 2, there existed a Villa Estate owned by these health workers and they owned those plots of land there.
“Your Excellency, I have tried to look for all the documents that concerned the purported revocation of their land. I sorted all the documents in the ministry and I am unable to find any document where you gave consent to the revocation of the land belonging to these health workers”.
In their presentation, earlier, the health workers led by the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Bennett Asogwa, told Gov. Ugwuanyi, who they described as “a Peace Maker, Labour-friendly Governor, father that cares and silent achiever” their ugly experience in the hands of the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development.
According to them, they acquired the land from Ozalla Abor community in 2015 with their limited resources.
Speaking on behalf of the health workers, the TUC State Chairman, Comrade Asogwa, expressed optimism that the governor will wipe away the tears of the affected workers, stressing that the workforce in Enugu State are appreciative of what his administration has done for them in spite of the nation’s economic challenges.
According to him, “Your Excellency, we are highly grateful the way you have revitalized the health sector in Enugu State. Before you came in, most of our primary healthcare centres were not functional but we can stand today boldly and say clearly that in any of these healthcare centres somebody enters he will know that something has happened, including the secondary healthcare sector. There is none of them that did not receive a boost.
“We know Your Excellency that before you came in we had a litany of issues including the implementation of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and others. We remember that we came to you and you put a smile on our faces.
“The Colliery Hospital, Enugu (now Enugu State Infectious Disease Isolation and Treatment Centre) was looking outdated, now it is wearing a new face courtesy of your massive interventions. That health facility has become a centre of attraction. Anybody coming into Enugu through that axis will equally appreciate it.
“Your Excellency, we are very grateful. We know that every other thing we request for as workers has been coming to us without pains including the minimum wage.
“You changed the face of workers for good and I remember that when the minimum wage was approved at the federal level, you didn’t wait for us to come. You were the one that called us and when we came you told us that we will sit down and implement it seamlessly”.
PUBLISHED BY LEADERSHIP SCORECARD.
