Politics
APC Chairman Urges Party Governors To Uphold Manifesto
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulahi Adamu, has called upon the governors who were elected under the party’s banner to uphold the principles outlined in the party’s manifesto within their individual states.
Adamu made this statement during a gathering of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC and members of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Acknowledging the challenging circumstances faced by the country, Senator Adamu recognized that the APC governors were assuming office during a difficult period, particularly due to the recent removal of fuel subsidy.
His remarks coincided with the appointment of Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Governor of Imo State, as the new Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF).
Uzodinma further added that almost all the potential presidential candidates had pledged to eliminate subsidy if elected into office.
He recalled that immediately after those elections, then president-elect, Bola Tinubu, travelled abroad and was away for about five weeks.
He added that to have an important meeting with the governors, the party thought it was advisable Tinubu was on ground before holding the meeting.
He noted that by the time Tinubu returned to Nigeria, the space was agog with the issue of zoning of leadership positions of the 10th National Assembly, which he said took the winds off their sails.
The APC national chairman said, “So we got engaged trying to see how best we can reach some understanding and before we got over that, we had inaugural activities and we are better placed now to settle down, to invite our governors.
“For us, anything that we will want to say to you is adherence to the manifesto as much as you can. We have a general framework for the governance of the country and you represent those who fly the flag of the party and it is expected that whatever you do, you will have in mind the manifesto that the party gives the country.
“You, as the chief executive officers of the states, must key into this manifesto, but there are peculiarities, there are priorities you must have set and you are bound to do as much as you can to meet the expectations of those who voted for us.
“We are in a very difficult moment and you have come at a very difficult period. Even with the timing of the lifting of the fuel subsidy, this is going to be very specially challenging to us, particularly to you because you are where it matters most.”
Adamu added that the party’s governors were the shock absorbers in the various states of the federation.
“You live with the people. You wake up with the people and you work with them. The expectation is that you could have a better appreciation of their pains as citizens of this country. So, a lot of expectations will be on you as governors of the federating units of this great country.”
The chairman assured them that the leadership of the party would cooperate with them.
He told the APC governors, “If you have any problem, turn to us and we will give you the best advice we can. But whatever we do with you, you are the one wearing the shoes and know where it pinches.
“Two years are for actual governance. Before you know, you will finish with the tribunals, it will be getting to two years and you will start seeing posters and billboards flying, newspaper publications. This is a tradition in our democracy, fortunately or unfortunately. We must be ready for that. So, you have no time to waste.
“Fortunately, you are lucky to have a president, who will listen to you. He has come with the same urge, the same desire to deliver. So, you are lucky. But whatever you do, do not forget that you will bear your cross. You will bear your cross. We will not as a party stand in your way for a good programme. If someone does so, please draw our attention so that we will stop it.”
Uzodinmma said, “I want to assure you that the APC governors understand very clearly that the government each of us are presiding over belongs to the party and we know both at the federal and sub-national levels, the government belongs to APC; it is APC-led government.
“Under my watch, we will be very close to the party. The purpose of the forum is to add impetus to the activities of the party and the government. We are only going to act as salesmen that will market the policies and programmes of government.
“APC is the only party we’ve got in Nigeria. The governors of APC seem to be the most active governors in Nigeria. So, my assurance is that we are just constructive partners to work with the party and our loyalty to the party is absolute. And, indeed, the party will become the envy of other parties in Africa.”
Among the governors present at the gathering were Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Mohammed Bago of Niger State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State has called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to apologise to residents or resign over his recent comments concerning the 2027 general elections.
The PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Darlington Peter-Onwe, made the demand during a live radio programme on Friday, describing the governor’s remarks as capable of stoking political violence ahead of the elections.
Peter-Onwe was reacting to Nwifuru’s directive to newly sworn-in local government chairmen to ensure that the All Progressives Congress wins their respective councils in the 2027 elections or risk being removed from office.
SEE MORE: 2027: Massive Turnout as Adebutu, Iyabo Obasanjo Kick Off PDP Campaign in Ogun
“The Governor should apologise to Ebonyians or resign. He should retract the statement or step down because he has violated the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” Peter-Onwe stated.
“Section 14 of the Constitution explicitly provides that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property. By making such statements, he is now the one insinuating violence.”
The PDP’s reaction followed comments made by Nwifuru during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki on Tuesday.
While dismissing allegations of harassment and intimidation of political critics by APC members and supporters, the governor warned opposition politicians that they would “see real threats at the right time.”
Nwifuru also charged the council chairmen to ensure that the opposition does not win their respective local government areas in 2027.
“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” the governor told the chairmen.
“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office.
“We will use your councillor and remove you.
“If you allow anybody to come to your Local Government council and mess up, deal with that person mercilessly.”
The governor further said he deliberately made the remarks publicly because politicians do not speak in secret.
“I want this information to make the headlines because, as politicians, we do not speak in secret,” he said.
Reacting further, Peter-Onwe compared Nwifuru’s approach with that of Abia State Governor Alex Otti, whom he described as an example of leadership accountability.
“Look at what Governor Alex Otti did when there was a disruption in the education sector. He came out openly and apologised, admitting that it shouldn’t have happened.
That is the true strength of a leader,” he added.
The PDP spokesperson also alleged that the governor’s comments had contributed to hostility against opposition members and media practitioners in the state.
The development comes amid growing political activities and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
engagement
Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the perception that former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, does not spend money in pursuit of political office.
Olayinka alleged that Obi gave money to delegates while seeking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general election.
ALSO READ: Peter Obi Demands Tinubu’s Resignation, Says Governance Has Collapsed
He made the allegation during an appearance on AIT’s Democracy Today programme on Friday, while responding to a question on whether politics was a business for Wike.
According to Olayinka, politicians should stop pretending that money does not play a role in Nigerian politics, arguing that candidates routinely spend money during consultations, party primaries and election campaigns.
“One of the issues with most of us Nigerians, we like to pretend, politics is business. Don’t let us pretend. It’s a service but you can only serve when you get to power,” he said.
Olayinka, who said he contested a House of Representatives seat in 2023, noted that spending money was also part of the political process at the primary election stage.
“Why do politicians spend money? Will anybody tell me why politicians in this country, even outside Nigeria, in US, everywhere; don’t they spend money to campaign? They spend money to seek election,” he said.
Speaking specifically about Obi, Olayinka rejected the narrative that the former governor does not give money during political engagements.
“For instance, we have read that the candidate of NDC, Peter Obi, does not spend shishi. It’s a lie,” Olayinka said.
He claimed to have personally witnessed Obi distributing money to delegates when he was still seeking the PDP presidential ticket.
“I was a delegate in Ekiti when he was in PDP before going to Labour Party. He came to Ekiti. He dropped money for delegates. From the money he dropped, they gave me my own in 2022,” he said.
Olayinka, however, acknowledged that the amount Obi allegedly gave may have been smaller than what some other presidential aspirants offered.
“The money might be smaller than what other people gave, but he gave money,” he said.
Obi later left the PDP and contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party.
Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Obi has moved to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while several opposition figures continue to position themselves for another challenge against President Bola Tinubu.
Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has warned that Peter Obi may not be able to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he contests without a broader opposition alliance.
Okonkwo made the statement during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, amid renewed efforts by opposition figures to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, a united opposition front remains the only realistic strategy for defeating Tinubu at the polls.
ALSO READ: Presidency Clears Air on Tinubu’s US Court Case
He argued that Obi would face difficulties securing enough support in Northern Nigeria if he chooses to contest against Tinubu alone.
“Coalition is the only way out,” Okonkwo said, while referring to Tinubu’s political approach and his previous comments about the nature of political power.
He further dismissed the possibility of Obi defeating Tinubu on his own, even if former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso joins him as running mate.
“So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” Okonkwo said.
He questioned whether Obi would receive sufficient support in Kano, noting that the former Anambra State governor did not secure the state in the 2023 presidential election.
“Will Kano people accept Peter Obi? In 2023, when we had the opportunity, they did not accept him. In 2027, they will not accept him,” he added.
Okonkwo also played down Kwankwaso’s political influence, claiming that the former Kano governor had lost some of his strength, including in his home state.
“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” he said.
His comments come as opposition politicians continue discussions over the possibility of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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