Politics
Atiku’s claim of winning 2023 presidential election most comical – APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the claim by Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, that he did not lose the election but stolen, was most comical.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said this, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, while reacting to comments made by Abubakar on the outcome of the election.
Abubakar, also a former vice president, on his X handle, stated that he did not lose the 2023 presidential election, claiming the election was stolen from him.
Morka, in his reaction, described Abubakar as Africa’s most infamous presidential election loser, noting that since serving as vice-president, he had lost election to every elected president.
“Six times in the last 17 years, Nigerians have declared their verdict of untrust and lack of sportsmanship on Abubakar’s presidential candidacy, and roundly rejected him at the polls.
“Abubakar’s long record of electoral defeat was serially certified by Nigeria’s highest courts, sealing his rejection by the electorate with judicial and constitutional finality.
“However, a clearly unabashed Abubakar continues to lay a bogus claim that he did not lose the 2023 presidential election. That is beyond comical,” the APC spokesman said.
He said that this was so as the former vice president probably believed that he was cheated out of all previous five presidential elections that he also lost.
Morka added that Abubakar’s inability to come to terms with the reality of his rejection cuts an ominous portrait of extreme and disturbing political desperation.
He added that Nigeria’s intelligent and discerning electorate would not act against their best interest by electing Abubakar into office.
According to Morka, the former vice president is a central and recurrent player in some of our country’s most vile roll call of corruption scandals perpetrated by the PDP administrations.
“He was the vice president in the government that created crooked and viscerally corrupt petrol subsidy hydra-headed dragon that has crippled our country’s economy,
“And laid the foundation for the endemic corruption and inefficiency that have undermined our power sector through the years.
“His desperation to be president can only be understood in the context of his determination to complete the full subversion of Nigeria’s economic life from where he left off as vice president.
“Nigerians will not entrust their country to someone who puts his selfish interest, and the interest of his cronies over and above the national interest,” Morka said.
He added that having demystified himself with his recent release of what he would have done differently if he was the president, showed that he had nothing to offer Nigerians.
Morka added that from Abubakar’s release, it was obvious that all he would had offered was his stale, tired, tested and failed economic ideas that were at polar relevance to the current existential economic challenges facing the country.
He added that the former vice president had a chance to execute whatever economic ideas he may have ever had, but failed to do so.
He further added that as vice president, Abubakar also failed to get his party, the PDP, to do so in all of its 16 years government.
“Abubakar thinks himself capable of fixing Nigeria but cannot fix the rot and hopeless dysfunction in his PDP,” the APC spokesman said.
He urged Nigerians to be steadfast in support of the APC-administration of President Bola Tinubu and valiant efforts to restore vitality to our economy for the good of all Nigerians.(NAN)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated the newly elected executive members of the party in the North-East zone.
Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who inaugurated the members on Monday in Bauchi, tasked them to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, the governor said that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has failed Nigerians, hence the leadership of the PDP must develop strategies to enable it to wrestle power and meet the aspirations of the electorate.
“The APC has failed to deliver on its promises instead created more hardship for Nigerians and deepened poverty.
“It is time for a change, and the PDP is poised to reclaim the hopes and dreams of the Nigerian people,” he said.
He urged the new party executives to recognise the enormous responsibilities on their shoulders, stressing that, “they are the vanguard of change in the region.”
According to Mohammed, the next general election is not just about political power but the future of children, security, and overall wellbeing of Nigerians.
While assuring support to the party, Mohammed charged the leadership of the party to be change makers, leading with integrity, compassion and dedication to the people.
Responding, the Zonal Chairman of the party, Babangida Umar promised to work collectively to achieve the desired objectives. (NAN)
…I’m not afraid, victory is certain – Fubara
….Ex-Rivers LG Chairmen handover
The 27 members of Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule on Monday issued a 48 hours ultimatum to Governor Similanayi Fubara to present the 2025 state appropriation bill.
The development comes after the supreme judgement ordered Martins Amaewhule and the 26 other members of the Assembly loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to resume sitting as the legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The 48 hours ultimatum was issued by the lawmakers during plenary in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Governor Fubara had on January 2nd , 2025 signed N1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law after it was presented to the Victor Oko Jumbo led 4 member house of Assembly.
Governor Fubara had in a state wide broadcast on Sunday said that he would implement the supreme court judgement without reservation after studying the content of the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the judgement.
In the meantime there is heavy security presence at the GRA Assembly quarters where the lawmakers use as their temporary chambers.
I’m not afraid, victory is certain – Fubara
Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured his supporters that victory is inevitable, despite the political challenges in the state.
He assured the immediate past council chairmen in attendance that there was no reason for concern.
Before addressing the crowd, Fuubara opened his speech with a passage from the Holy Bible, Philippians 3:18-19, emphasizing faith and resilience in the face of challenges.
“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things,” the governor read.
“Despite everything, victory is sure,” he declared, stating that the struggle is not just about winning but about standing for truth and fighting gallantly.
Governor Fubara declared that the era of deception in Rivers State is over, emphasizing that the state is now determined to take control of its destiny.
While reaffirming his commitment to peace, Fubara stated that when the time comes, the necessary decisions will be made in the best interest of the state.
“I am not afraid of anything. The worst that can happen is for me to leave office,” he said, underscoring his resolve to stand by his principles.
Addressing the youth, the governor assured them that at the right time, they would receive the necessary direction.
While reacting to the Supreme Court’s ruling which nullified the local government elections and also ordered that the Martin Amaewhule-led group resume sitting, the governor maintained that the future holds greater promise than the past.
He pledged to complete his tenure with honour and integrity, ensuring that his decisions remain defensible.
Fubara also emphasized the need to counter political propaganda with evidence of purposeful governance, citing the ongoing inauguration of state projects as a testament to his administration’s commitment to progress.
He stated that the newly commissioned project was designed to enhance work efficiency among public servants in government houses.
Cross River chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has objected to the recall of the suspended state Chairman of the party, Mr Venatius Ikem, by the National Working Committee (NWC).
This is contained in a statement issued by the state Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Edako, on Monday in Calabar.
The party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) insisted that the chairman remained suspended until NWC and stakeholders met to decide otherwise.
According to the party, any purported decision to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having an expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint is null and void.
“We have been made aware of a letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by the national organising secretary reinstating the suspended state chairman.
“We wish to state categorically state that this letter is null and void, as it did not emanate from the proper channel having the authority to write such a letter,” the statement said.
The party said that only the national chairman and national secretary were authorised to write such a letter.
“So, the national oganising secretary overstepped his bounds, and his actions are consequently deemed ultra-vires,” it said.
The secretary recalled that on Nov. 20, 2024, NWC dismissed the suspension of the chairman of Cross River Chapter of PDP, Venatius Ikem, which was made on Nov. 15, 2024.
“The reason for the dismissal of the suspension was communicated to the SEC of the party.
“Consequently, the SEC of the party, on Nov. 22, 2024, suspended the state chairman based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee of the state and communicated same to the national,” he said.
He further stated that SEC was invited by the NWC and after deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that NWC should convene a meeting with stakeholders from Cross River to determine Ikem’s fate.
“The meeting between the NWC and stakeholders from Cross River has not been convened yet.
“The meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that the decision-making process is transparent, fair and in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.
The secretary said that any purported decision taken to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having the expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint was, therefore, null and void.
He urged party members and stakeholders to disregard the said letter and continue to recognise the suspended chairman as such. (NAN)