Today, the presidential candidates of major political parties in Nigeria assembled today to sign peace pact. This has been historic in the political time of Nigeria where all candidates come together to agree to shun violence during or after electioneeing time.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, was absent as the presidential candidates of other political parties were physically present for the signing of the now-customary peace pact.
However, Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, was present at the signing alongside, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party among others.
In a leaked letter obtained in the wee hours of Thursday, September 29, Adamu accused Tinubu of breaching the agreement he had with the NWC with regard to the composition of the campaign council.
The recommendations of the NWC team are to have Senator Adamu as Deputy Chairman of the Council; the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Abubakar Kyari as Deputy Regional Coordinating Chairman (North) and his counterpart in the South, Hon. Emma Eneukwu as Deputy Regional Coordinating Chairman (South).
The demand also includes having APC National Secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore as Vice Chairman (Party Affairs); the National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu as Deputy Director-General (Organizing); the APC National Vice Chairman (South South), Hon. Victor Giadom as Deputy Zonal Campaign Coordinator, South-South and the APC National Vice Chairman (South West) as Deputy Zonal Campaign Coordinator of the zone.
Others are APC National Vice Chairman (South East) as Deputy Zonal Campaign Coordinator; APC National Vice Chairman (North Central) as Deputy Zonal Campaign Coordinator; APC National Vice Chairman (North East) as Deputy Zonal Campaign Coordinator and APC National Vice Chairman (North West) as Deputy Zonal Campaign Coordinator of the zone.
The NWC team was said to have also recommended the creation of more directorates like the Directorate of Media Relations to be headed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary; Directorate of Compliance to be headed by the National Legal Adviser; Directorate of Organizing, Contact and Mobilization to be headed by the National Organizing Secretary.
“The NWC also wants the National Women Leader to coordinate the Women Wing; the National Youth Leader to be in charge of Youth Wing and the National Leader, People With Disabilities (PWD) to coordinate people with disabilities in the Presidential Campaign Council PCC,” a top-ranking party official was quoted as saying.
The letter read in part, “On behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I present my compliments to Your Excellency, and have the honour to convey to you, in truth and respect, the Committee’s opinion and position, regarding the above-mentioned subject matter, with a view to having a clear understanding about the respective roles and responsibilities of the principal organs of the Party charged with the duties of conducting the campaigns in the forth-coming general elections.
“It is against this background that the NWC received with astonishment and regret, the press release by the PCC on 23rd September 2022, in which a purported list of appointees was announced, which effectively served as the approved roster of participants in the Party’s Presidential Campaign Council.
“The purported list not only came as a complete surprise to the NWC and the Party’s leadership, but also contravened the principles and purposes of the arrangements that you and I had led towards the adoption of the Organogram of the PCC, and its principal officials.
“Perhaps it has become necessary owing to the passage of time, that I should draw Your Excellency’s attention to the agreements that we reached in principle around the final adoption of the PCC list, based on the understanding that it was a work in progress, until such a time that the Joint NWC/PCC Committee that was established to formalise the structure and populate the list, submits its report.
“Your Excellency will no doubt recall our meetings in my office and also at the NWC Conference Room at the Party’s National Secretariat, on Wednesday, 7th September 2022, during which we discussed the details of the Organogram of the PCC and its composition, as a collaborative project between the two entities. Our recollection of those meetings clearly leaves us in no doubt that a breach of agreement has occurred, and that a return to the principles of cooperation and respect for each other is required.
“In Your Excellency’s own words, which I take the liberty to quote here, which I also hold dearly, you stated that “there is a burden on everyone’s shoulders towards delivering the elections to the Party and the candidate”.
This has been the view of the NWC and myself all along since Your Excellency’s emergence as our Great Party’s Flagbearer.
“The NWC is striving under trying circumstances to keep faith with this vision, and to take our Party and candidates to victory, not only in the Presidential elections but in all others across the elective strata of offices.
The Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde was on Wednesday honoured with the ‘Golden Prize of Teachers’ award at the just concluded 58th National Delegates Conference of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT. Speaking at the event, which held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, after receiving the award on behalf of the governor, the Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi noted that the current administration in Oyo State would continue to prioritise the welfare of teachers as a crucial part of educational system.
He stated that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration is doing everything humanly possible to give the welfare of teachers topmost priority, with a view to boosting their morale and make performance better while dispensing their duties.
“Gone are the days when you have signages on properties that a particular house is for rent but not for teachers. Of course, we have changed that narrative in Oyo State by restoring the dignity of the teaching profession through the various incentives we have provided.
“Since assumption of office on May 29, 2019, His Excellency, Gov. ‘Seyi Makinde, has ensured that all workers in the state, including teachers, get paid on the 25th day of every month, which is popularly regarded as ‘GSM Day’. “Aside that, arrears of primary school teachers’ salaries for four months were cleared off immediately the governor assumed office in 2019.” Ogunwuyi asserted. He further disclosed that the disparity in the payment dates for teachers’ salaries and that of other civil servants was removed immediately. “Teachers were paid a month after civil servants before we assumed office but, today, there is nothing like that. All workers and pensioners in Oyo State receive their emoluments the same day. “Part of the achievements of this administration include 27.5 per cent teaching allowances, leave bonuses, 13th month salaries, regular training for teachers, appointment of 10 Tutors-General and 10 Inspectors-General with equivalent rank of a Permanent Secretary.
Ogunwuyi, however, appreciated the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers for honouring his principal, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, with the award and for giving him a new name – ‘The Teachers’ Governor”, he stated. While saying it was a call to do more as one good turn deserves another, Ogunwuyi maintained that the award was an attestation to the fact that the people-oriented governance style of the governor is yielding results. While speaking on behalf of over 40,000 Teachers in Oyo State, Comrade Oladimeji Ismael Raji, the NUT Chairman, Oyo Sate Chapter appreciated Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for prioritising their welfare and for the teachers’ friendly policies which always motivate them towards outstanding service delivery. In the meantime, some of the dignitaries who graced the event were: Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the representatives of Lagos State Governor; Minister of Education, House of Representatives Speaker, amongst others.
The crisis rocking Peoples Democratic Party PDP has taken new dimension as some Governors’, party loyalists failed to show up at the inauguration of Campaign Committee of the Party’s presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
Recall some governors and party faithfuls led by Gov of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike had requested that the party chairman resigns from his position before they could participate in the campaign of the presidential candidate of the party..
The List Of PDP Chieftains Who Didn’t Attend The Inauguration Of Atiku’s Campaign Council And Are Demanding Ayu’s Resignation.
1-Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike 2-Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde 3-Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom 4-Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu 5-Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi 6-Ex Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang 7-Ex Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo 8-Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose 9-Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko 10-Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke 11-Bode George of Lagos 12-Jerry Gana 13- Dan Orbih from Edo and a host of others.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has nullified all primaries conducted by the various factions of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Ogun state.
The presiding judge, Justice O.O Oguntoyinbo has however called for fresh primaries within fourteen days
The Court ruled that all the primaries conducted didn’t follow the principles of the electoral act.
A governorship aspirant, Jimi Lawal had approached the court to challenge the delegate list used during the primary by the Sikirulahi Ogundele faction of the party, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in the state capital.
Segun Showunmi had also approached a court to challenge the neutrality of the Sikirulahi Ogundele-led state executive on the matter.
The former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun has denied having political deal with governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP in Ogun State.
Amosun in a statement made available today by his Media aide, Bola Adeyemi to newsmen as read in part:
“The attention of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has been drawn to media reports, claiming that he has entered into a political deal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State and Hon Oladipo Adebutu.
“We wish to state that the report is false and malicious. Senator Amosun has NO AGREEMENT with neither Hon Oladipo Adebutu nor the PDP in Ogun State.
“This story is nothing more than a mischief to mislead the public and discredit the hard-earned reputation of the former governor of Ogun State.
“We have stated before and wish to state once again, categorically, without any fear of contradiction that, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has nothing to do with the PDP in Ogun State. And he is not a party to any alliance formed with anyone or group of persons in the party.
A socio-political group in Ogun State, Gateway Dialogue, has slammed the duo of Oladipupo Adebutu and Adekunle Akinlade, who are Governorship candidate and Deputy Governorship candidate respectively in the State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Recall that a document, titled ” Alliance Agreement” surfaced on different social media platforms on Friday, detailing how Adebutu and Akinlade had planned to share positions and privileges if elected .
In it’s reaction, the group, through a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Thomas Ishola, described the document as a manifestation of fraud and cluelessness.
It argued that by the import of the document, it shows that the original motive of the duo and their party, the PDP was purely ‘business’ and far from governance, adding that the document also exposed the two politicians as nitwits and clueless, without iota of intelligence and capacity for governance.
According to the statement, the reactions that trail the said document from all over the world should have given the duo of Adebutu and Akinlade the clue of their fate in the forthcoming election in the State.
“By the import and tone of the alliance agreement between Adebutu and Akinlade of the PDP in Ogun State, it shows the duo are rogues in Agbada, unrepentant political jobbers, who are totally bereft of little idea of governance other than power and money.
“This dubious document had brought serious embarrassment to Ogun State and the good people of the State since it surfaced on different social media platforms on Friday.
“We make bold to say that the duo of Adebutu and Akinlade are the worst of politicians we have in Ogun State, they are not even fit to be elected as ordinary councilors not to talk of governors and deputy governors.
“It is now incumbent on Ogun electorate to shine their eyes and never fall for the gimmicks of megalomania who is sponsoring a surrogate as a way of sneaking back to Oke-mosan, neither a combination of ‘ Awon Didirin Agbalagba Meji’ in PDP”, the statement read.
The Media aide to Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has denounced claim on social media that the APC Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu offered him Senatorial ticket.
This was made known today by Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant on Media to the Rivers State governor in a press statement made available to newsmen as read in part:
“Our attention has been drawn to a misleading report in some national dailies and online newspapers, particularly, Sahara Reporters that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offered the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, senatorial ticket to defect the APC.
“Governor Wike was alleged to have disclosed this during the media chat that was aired on Channels Television, African Independent Television, Nigerian Television Authority and TVC on Friday, 23 September, 2022.
“We wish to state emphatically that this news is false, baseless and ludicrous as the Rivers State governor throughout the media chat never mentioned the name of the APC presidential candidate or alluded to him offering him a senatorial ticket.
‘To lay the facts bare, we have decided to include herein the transcript of what governor Wike said concerning senatorial form.
“First of all, this is how you know those who are prepared to run an election. Some of them collected presidential form at the same time collected senatorial form. You’ll know that those people are not serious to run.
“I never collected senatorial form. Even after the whole thing, people said come and go for Senate, I said no. I won’t do that. I’ve already made a commitment that this Senate ticket should be zoned to this area (Etche) because they’ve never had it before. I must not be in power.”
In an era of increasingly divisive political climate, the tendency to pervert the truth is extremely high. It is on this basis that we wish to remind journalists that journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.
“At this critical juncture in our nation, we wish to remind journalists that getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. Journalists are enjoined to always strive for accuracy and give all the relevant facts in their report.
“We, therefore, urge the unsuspecting public not to give any credence to this false, baseless and ill motivated reports.”
The Director of Media and Publicity for the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo has denounced rumour flying around that the absence of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in the council list was deliberate.
He made this known in a press release signed and made available today by Festus Keyamo to the newsmen as read in part:
“Our attention has been drawn to some stories making the rounds that there may be something amiss within the family of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the name of our own revered and respected Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, is not included in the list of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.
“Nothing can be farther from the facts. For the avoidance of doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari , GCFR, is the Chairman of the Campaign Council. As a result, Mr. President has SPECIFICALLY directed that the Vice-President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha should be left out of the Campaign Council to concentrate on the governance of the country and administration of Government. As a responsible Party and Government, all the key functionaries of government cannot abandon their positions for electioneering campaigns. The APC has the mandate of the Nigerian people to administer the country on their behalf at least till May, 29, 2023, and this we intend to do with all sense of responsibility.
“We will not toe the path of those who governed the country in an irresponsible manner before us and our Party is not in total disarray like those who wish to ‘rescue’ the country, but cannot simply manage their own internal affairs”.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has taken over as the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, held at the Aso Rock Villa Abuja transferred power of the NGF to the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
A statement by the Director, Media and Public Affairs of NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo read, “Tambuwal has served meritoriously and harmoniously as Vice Chairman of the Forum under Dr Fayemi in the last four years.
“Dr John Kayode Fayemi who was only a few weeks ago elected as the President of the Forum of Regional and State Governments in Saidia in the state of Casablanca in Morrocco attended the NEC virtually from New York City, where he is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
“The Sokoto State Governor will be holding fort until May next year when a proper election is conducted among the governors.
“Before making the announcement, the Ekiti State Governor acknowledged the result driven output of the NEC and thanked his colleagues and other members of the council for their support, explaining that yes, we may be occasionally troublesome, coming from the Forum of Governors, and we do test your patience but you have never really expressed any frustration with all our truculent questions and the insistence that the federation must be a true federation.”
“The new President of the FORAF also did not forget to thank the Secretariat of the NEC and through the NEC thanked the President and Commander in Chief of the Country for taking the resolutions of the NEC seriously by implementing them.
“In his response the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo said the NGF chairman had taken the wind out of their sail, because he was “meant to, on behalf of the NEC commend the Ekiti Governor and NGF Chairman’s informed and patriotic services to the council in the last four years and that was enhanced by your chairmanship of the NGF, admitting that the NGF has ensured that we move to a true federation, not just in words but in deeds as well.”
