Category: Politics

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members, leaders and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in rejoicing with National Leader of the party and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 70th birthday, March 29, 2022.

President Buhari affirms the contributions of the party stalwart to the political, economic and social development of the country, setting a standard in leadership, governance and philanthropy.

As the former Governor of Lagos State turns 70, the President notes and salutes his courage, resilience, selflessness and nobility in always placing the welfare and unity of the nation above self, backed with vision of a greater Nigeria through investments in people, institutions and governments, without minding tribe or creed.

President Buhari joins family members, friends, business and political associates in celebrating the septuagenarian, who has diligently and progressively risen on the nation’s political ladder since 1992, fighting for democratic rule against many odds, angling for people-focused development and supporting visionary and purposeful leadership.

The President prays that the Almighty God will increase Asiwaju Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, in strength, good health and wisdom to keep serving the nation, and humanity.

The Ovation Magazine Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu has on Friday obtained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential form at the Party Secretariat in Abuja.

“I humbly come into this political contest with a pedigree of integrity, reputation, solid education, tolerance, business acumen, sharp vision, and competence.

“I possess everything it takes to win the 2023 presidential election on behalf of my party PDP and I will be greatly honoured to get the ticket and support of my party for this purpose,” he said.

The Ovation Magazine publisher also urged the party to align with morally upright aspirants who are keen to work for the good of Nigeria.

Momodu said he believes he is a unifier, and that he will help to promote the unity of the country and also urged his party to provide a level playground for aspirants irrespective of region.

He also said the 2023 election is time for Nigerians to stand against those he describes as career politicians who are bent on running the country aground.

Earlier in January, Momodu made his intention to run for the 2023 presidential race known to the PDP Chairman.

He joins the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and popular politican and businessman Peter Obi in the race under the same party, PDP.

Some Southwest leaders of the People’s Democratic Party says it is in support of the southern governor’s forum agreement that the next Nigerian President should come from the south.

The PDP stakeholders made this known through a communique read at the end of a meeting held by the Extended Zonal caucus of the party in Ibadan.

The communique which was read by the Southwest Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Soji Adagunodo also reaffirmed the position of the leaders in the unity of Nigeria.

According to him, the Southwest Zone is in support of the Southern Governors’ Forum that the next President of the federal Republic of Nigeria should come from the south.

They also called for the for the distribution of Federal positions in all geopolitical zones with fairness and equity that will aide national cohesion.

In his remarks, the Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde called for unity amongst members of the party, saying the party needs to put aside it’s differences and give support to the Ekiti and Osun State gubernatorial candidates.

Present at the stakeholders meeting were the former governor of Ekiti state Ayodele Fayose, former Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, a Chieftain of the Party, Bode George and other big wigs of the party.

There seems to be rumble in the All Progressives Congress APC as Southwest Governors have alleged plot to impose candidates in Southwest by some insiders who work at the corridor of Aso Villa to upsurge the decision of Southwest Governors.

This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen by the Commissioner of Information to Ondo State Governor, Donald Ojogo as read in part:

“This is to confirm that one of our own, the former APC state chairman, Hon. Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke is in the race for the position of National Vice Chairman(South West). Kekemeke has the full backing of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his brother governors in the south-west.

“It should be noted that critical stakeholders in the south-west had earlier microzoned the positions that were brought to the region. Among these were the National Vice Chairman which was retained in Ondo and the Secretary which was microzoned to the Oyo/Osun axis.

“Succinctly, Kekemeke’s aspiration is not just an Ondo project; it’s a Southwest project. He has paid his dues and that is exactly what Mr Governor has rallied his colleagues to reciprocate. Those who are peddling other stories such as National Secretary outside Oyo and Osun axis are instruments in the hands of external forces desirous to create division amongst leaders in the South west in order to impose persons on the Party.

“For emphasis, what we are going for is National Vice Chairman with Kekemeke as our candidate and not National Secretary. Those outside the southwest who are attempting to microzone our offices for us in Southwest are only creating unnecessary confusion and any such of their permutations outside the decision of stakeholders in the Southwest should be ignored”.

Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central Senator, has reacted to calls by National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, urging the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria to create a department of political affairs ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Tinubu made the call at the Annual National Conference and Pre-Ramadan meeting of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) which was held in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

According to him, the move to establish a political wing among them, would help to mobilize support for the faithful who are vying for different political positions.

Reacting, Shehu Sani who kicked against the idea, said once religious groups in the North create a political department, it will be a breeding unit for fanatical religiously-crafted political ideas in pursuit of a theocratic State.

He wrote on Twitter, “Once religious groups in the North begins to set up political departments, it’s not just going to be ‘a department’ like in the RCCG, it’s going to be a breeding unit for fanatical religiously-crafted political ideas in pursuit of a theocratic State.

“Abeg, let the sleeping Lion lie.”

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Bode George on Saturday said he will leave Nigeria if Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes President of Nigeria.

Mr George was speaking at a press briefing in Lagos.

“I am happy the President has signed the new electoral bill,” he said. “If by whatever chance he gets to the villa, I won’t be part of this country. And I am not joking. I can go to Ghana and be watching with binoculars from afar. You will see what will happen.

“This is Alpha-Beta in Lagos. He will create some Alter-Beta somewhere to carry your money. His wife will now be Senate President. His son will be Governor of Lagos. His daughter will be Iyaloja of Nigeria.

“What has he done to prove that he deserves to be honoured by anybody in this country?”

Mr Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, has declared his intention to run for President in 2023.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has today led his Bauchi counterpart, Gov Bala Abdukadir to Oyo Town to commission 5.2km Gedu-Oroki-Sabo-Asipa Road project.

The Governor confirmed in a short statement released via his official Facebook account as read in part:

“Earlier today, we commissioned the rehabilitated 5.2km Gedu–Oroki–Sabo–Asipa Road project. I thank my brother, His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who graced the event to do the honours.

“In my remarks at the event, I said our administration would continue to fulfil our mandate to our people, in small ways and big ways. Part of that mandate is to stem rural-urban migration by ensuring a good road network and interconnectivity outside Ibadan Zone”.

Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has begged his teeming supporters on social media to contribute money towards the realization of his 2023 presidential ambition.

Dele in his tweet posted today on his official Twitter account as stated thus:

“Good morning fellow Nigerians, have good news for you. A new Nigeria for all is possible and the epic journey has started. I was on Twitter Space, Facebook and Instagram last night & many Nigerians asked for the Dele Momodu Support Account and started paying immediately.

“These accounts will be strictly audited and we shall compile all donors and reach out to you once you attach your details.
Grateful for your decision to join A NEW NIGERIA FOR ALL MOVEMENT”.

Dele Momodu who made available some bank accounts on his Twitter account asked his supporters to donate to the listed accounts in order to pursue his presidential ambition.