Connect with us

Politics

PDP minority caucus asks Buhari to sign electoral act without delay

Published

on

PDP minority caucus asks Buhari to sign electoral act without delay

 

***Mocks APC over lack of BOT, trying to win FCT council polls by all means

*decries excessive loans, says APC has sold Nigeria to China

The minority caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the National Assembly has demanded that President Muhammadu signed the reworked electoral bill into law without further delay

The Caucus also berated the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) for setting up 133- member campaign committee inclusive of 16 serving governors for the forthcoming Area Councils Election in FCT.

The leader of the caucus who is also the senate minority leader senator Enyinaya Abaribe and his counterpart in the House of representatives Honorable Ndidi Elumelu gave the indication on Tuesday during the caucus meeting with the PDP Board of Trustees.

According to Abaribe, “We are asking President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the electoral act which we have passed. We made sure that everything he complained about we have given it to him.”

“The President in rejecting the earlier one transmitted to him in November last year, said indirect and consensus mode of primary elections were added to the new one as requested by President Buhari .

“Now that we have bent  backwards, no any excuse or reason should be given again. Provisions of the bill are very critical for expected credibility of the 2023 general elections ” , he said.

Honorable Elumelu during a vote of thanks alleged that some APC Governors are again plotting to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from assenting to the reworked electoral act.

“They said they wanted direct primaries, we said if it would mean giving Nigeriand a very sound electoral reform we accept, they came back again they said oh we have rejected it. They are the ones rejecting.

“They say okay, they want Indirect we say we agree but give Nigerians electoral reform. They came back again and said they want consensus, we have given them consensus, we have given them consensus again I am hearing that among them, those APC Governors are still plotting for the President not to sign the act

The Clerk to the National Assembly Mr. Olatunde Amos Ojo had on Monday, transmitted the authenticated copies of the Electoral Bill 2022 to  President Muhammadu Buhari .

This was done in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004.

Mr. President had withheld assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 transmitted to him on 19th November 2021. The Electoral Bill was thereafter reworked by the National Assembly and both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed same on 25th January 2022.

For constituting 133- member campaign committee inclusive of 16 serving governors for the forthcoming Area Councils Election in FCT Elumelu berated the ruling APC.

“Let me say that, It is disheartening that APC, for just a small council election they have turned it to a battle ground

“Even those who could not win their polling units are finding themselves in FCT instead of administering their States, they have abandoned their states for just FCT council election.”

He reminded the ruling APC that in the last election the president lost his unit in the villa. “So I wonder why all of them are battling to come and take what they know they can never get, the FCT area Council election.”

“Let me also state that we are not like APC. Let me thank the BOT for finding it worthy to come and interact with us. We can never be like them. “They have promised

Nigerians so many things: N1 to $1 today it is N596 to a Dollar. They have Promised Nigeria that farmers would be able to go to farm and produce good food for us.

“Today no farmer to go to the various farms because of insecurity. They have promised Nigerians that they will give us good roads but today go to the Airport you see crowds because we don’t have good roads.

“The legacy left by PDP government is still what we are enjoying today because of failed promises by APC. “They are trying to mugage the future of our children by trying to get China to colonise us. Loan, Loan, Loan. APC is known for loan taking and that is very bad.

“The PDP BOT coming here to interact with us is something that a focused party can do. APC can’t do it, they set out to elect State officers they succeeded in electing 92 chairmen.

“They have not reconciled them in 36 States plus FCT and they said they are going to do convention. Let me take Kano for example, Ganduje is leading some, Shelarau is
leading some so I wonder which people are coming for the convention.

“It is going to be another promise like N$ to N1 and we can go on and on, we are not like them who will go to United Nation and lie that they have built specialists hospitals in 36 States, you know that it is a lie. “But for the President of Nigeria to get there and say such a thing, it is a big shame. We can also go on and on and we will not leave here.

“Let me tell the BOT that the two chambers PDP caucuses are doing very well
“Nigerians are tired of APC, so for coming here we are proud of you people. Your coming has further energized us to know that we are doing the right thing and we will never let you people down

He however sent a strong message to the PDP not to impose candidates

“Please tell our party, that this is the time that we should imbibe true democracy and there must be transparency in all the primaries that we are going to organise, let the popular people be chosen.

“The issue of imposition should be shunned by our party. This is what my colleagues asked me to tell you.”

As the PDP caucus were holding a meeting with it’s BOT, the APC caucus also met but in closed door.

When their meeting ended they failed to address the media

Politics

ACF Pledges Support For Northern Presidential Candidates Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Published

on

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.

In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.

READ MORE: JUST IN: FG Dissolves Nnamdi Azikiwe University Governing Council, Removes VC

The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.

According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.

The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”

The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.

“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.

The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.

“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.

It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.

“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”

The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.

It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”

Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.

“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.

 

 

Continue Reading

Politics

No Room For Abandoned Projects – Ganduje Warns Aiyedatiwa

Published

on

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prioritize completing ongoing projects and avoid leaving any abandoned during his second term in office.

Ganduje made the call on Wednesday at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented Certificates of Return to Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s re-election was marked by a sweeping victory in all 18 local government areas of the state during last Saturday’s governorship election.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Nigerian Beauty Queen, Chidimma Adetshina Quits Peageantry

Ganduje praised the outcome, describing it as a testament to the people’s confidence in the APC-led administration.

“I am happy about the landslide result. The election is not the effort of the elite and middle class alone; it is also through the effort of the grassroots,” Ganduje said. “Out of 203 wards, APC won 202, losing only one ward. This is a victory embraced by all.”

Ganduje highlighted the importance of continuity and urged the governor to leverage his experience from the previous administration led by the late Rotimi Akeredolu.

“As a deputy, you knew how projects were started by your late governor. You were part of it, also as a governor for 10 months, and now as a re-elected governor. For the next four years, you will continue,” he said.

“You know the terrains, geography, and physical landscape of all 18 local government areas. Use these insights to carve out projects that will improve the lives of the Ondo people.”

Meanwhile, Ondo APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, commended Ganduje’s leadership and strategic direction, which he credited for the party’s success in the election.

He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support for Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, despite internal opposition from some party stakeholders.

“We have finally killed PDP in Ondo,” Adetimehin declared. “Most of the leaders of that party have defected to the APC. With the landslide victory in this election, it is clear to the whole world that there is no PDP in Ondo.”

He further described Ganduje as a mentor whose leadership had been instrumental in uniting the party and ensuring victory at the polls.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu and completed his tenure before securing re-election, has pledged to focus on delivering on his mandate and completing critical projects in his second term.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Ondo Governor-Elect, Aiyedatiwa

Published

on

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally issued certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, following their victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

The presentation ceremony took place on Wednesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja, where the commission’s National Commissioner for Ondo State, Kunle Ajayi, handed over the certificates.

Biztellers reports that Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent governor, emerged victorious in the election, securing 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.

Related News:

The results were announced in Akure on Sunday by the Returning Officer, Professor Olayemi Akinyemi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja.

Election observers described the polls as peaceful and credible, commending INEC for improved logistical arrangements.

The event was attended by top APC officials, including the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and other party members.

Ganduje hailed the outcome as a triumph for democracy in Nigeria.

“Since 1999, we have been enjoying democracy, and we always fine-tune it to ensure it is fair, free, and decent, so that it is the vote of the people that counts,” Ganduje said.

PDP Rejects Results

Despite widespread praise for the conduct of the election, the PDP has rejected the outcome, describing it as fraudulent. Its candidate, Ajayi, vowed to challenge the results in court.

Aiyedatiwa Pledges Better Leadership

Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude to the people of Ondo State for renewing his mandate.

“The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across 18 LGAs where we won convincingly has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I did before now,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa initially assumed office in December 2023 following the death of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.