President Muhammadu Buhari would prefer men of integrity like Malam
Salihu Mustapha if the president were to make his pick among the
people jostling for the APC national chairmanship job.
A former Director of The Buhari Organisation (TBO), Malam Ballah
Usman, made the disclosure in Abuja on Monday.
Usman was speaking at the inauguration of the national leadership of
the Grassroots for Saliu Mustapha Campaign Headquarters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mustapha has been a top
contender among APC stalwarts jostling to clinch the chairmanship
position of the ruling party.
“It is only Saliu Mustapha that does not have any integrity issue,’’
Usman said, describing Mustapha as coming to the contest with a clean
slate unlike the other contestants.
“If it was up to President Muhammadu Buhari to make a pick among those
jostling for the APC National Chairman, he would pick Mustapha.’’
Usman said that Mustapha was a former National Deputy Chairman of the
defunct Congress for Progressives Change and a member of the APC
Presidential Campaign Councils in 2015 and 2019.
“The president would always consider integrity, agility and loyalty in
making his pick and of all the contestants, only Mustapha ticked
relevant boxes.
“Mustapha is not only one of the first generation Buharists, he also
comes to the table of the contest with a clean slate.
“He is unlike other contestants, who have had running battles with
anti-graft agencies.
“It is only Saliu Mustapha that does not have integrity baggage. He is
a successful businessman and a consummate politician.’’
Usman said that other contestants had one or two integrity issues
around their necks, adding that the development makes them unsuitable
for a position as sensitive as the party’s national chairman.
“Mustapha is young, agile, smart and calculative. He is a bridge
between the generations of the young and the old.’’
According to the former TBO director, Mustapha comes into the contest
with adequate experience in party administration. He will do things
differently to the admiration of all.
Usman pleaded with state coordinators of the Mustapha Support Group
not to relent in their efforts, saying that they should double their
efforts at canvassing for Mustapha.
He told the support group to ignore insinuations that a particular
candidate had been endorsed by Buhari, describing the insinuation “as
outright falsehood that should be ignored’’.
Meanwhile, Usman has inaugurated a five-member steering committee to
aggregate and coordinate activities of various support groups of the
Mustapha campaign project across the country.
The committee is led by Mr Olayiwola Suleiman from Kwara with Ishiaq
Adamu from Sokoto State as Publicity Secretary, while Yusuf Muideen
serves as Secretary. (NAN)
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has condemned the ban on political rallies and convoys imposed by the state government.
State Chairman of SDP, Mr Ahmed Attah, issued the condemnation in a statement signed by the SDP Press Secretary, Isaiah Ijele, on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The party described the ban as an attack on democratic principles and a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices.
Attah urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to learn from the past and avoid repeating old, harmful practices that have hindered the state’s progress.
“The party views this action as an attempt to suppress the freedom of association and movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Attah insisted that the state is not at war and urged the government to focus on development instead of engaging in political manoeuver.
He warned that Kogi must not return to the dark days of repression, particularly against the opposition. (NAN)
The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.
Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.
“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.
“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.
“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.
“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.
He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.
Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.
He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested
Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.
He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.
NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.
Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Monday granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.
Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.
He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.
“The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.
He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”
He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.
“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.
He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.
Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Tinubu’s decision.
He applauded the President for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis. (NAN)
