Politics
Tinubu, Atiku Dispute Over Fuel Scarcity, Anti-Poll Plot
On Thursday, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council engaged in another dispute over Tinubu’s claim that the PDP is planning to disrupt the upcoming February election.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, has accused the PDP of misusing $16bn earmarked for the power sector.
Meanwhile, the Atiku-Okowa campaign council has called on the Department of State Services and other agencies to investigate Tinubu for allegedly plotting to destabilize the country through a violent revolution and riots.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State on Thursday, Tinubu said that his previous statements about fuel scarcity and currency redesign had been misunderstood.
He emphasized that what he meant was that the PDP had neglected the oil industry and had given oil blocs to themselves and their allies.
He said, “They (PDP) met good oil prices for 16 good years, they didn’t remember gas pipelines. They are what I called saboteurs yesterday. They gave PMS licences to their supporters and sympathisers. They are the ones who started creating fake queues. PDP, enough is enough.”
He also stated that the $16bn reportedly invested in the power sector was allegedly distributed among PDP leaders and their allies in Abuja.
Tinubu promised to establish student loan programs and provide hope to Nigerians, especially internally displaced persons in the state and workers who he said were not being paid their salary arrears.
Earlier, the leader of the party in the state and the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. George Akume, said that the Muslim/Muslim ticket was not a bad thing. He added that Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, had the qualifications to rebuild Nigeria if given the chance.
However, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) responded to Tinubu’s accusation that the PDP was responsible for the ongoing fuel scarcity in order to disrupt the elections.
PCC stated that Tinubu’s statement at the APC’s presidential rally in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Wednesday was an indication of the violence he was planning.
Recall that Tinubu, while addressing the crowd at Abeokuta, Tinubu almost proclaimed himself as the winner of an election that is still 29 days away, using the same sense of entitlement that he used to coerce his party members into giving him the ticket for the general election.
The PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) cited Tinubu’s statement that the upcoming election is a revolution and argued that Tinubu should be questioned by security agencies, as he has no immunity from prosecution.
It stated, “Tinubu is not too big and he has no immunity neither is he above the law of the land to be interrogated by the Department of State Services or by the Nigeria Police.
To avoid bloodshed in the coming election, the APC standard bearer’s comments must not be waved aside. For clarity, in political science, a revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system.”
The media aide of the People’s Democratic Party, further alleged that “from the information available to us, Tinubu has begun releasing money to some of his quack activists to stage protests in some strategic locations in the country, especially in Abuja, to cause violence ahead of the polls which he will lose.
Shaibu further argued that Tinubu’s claim that the PDP was responsible for the current petrol scarcity and shortage of new naira notes was a ridiculous accusation, considering that the PDP has not been in power for the past eight years.
In response, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that Tinubu’s allegations against the opposition party indicated that “he has lost his mind.”
He added, “All this underscores the unstableness and unsoundness of mind of the APC presidential candidate. He cannot stand on an issue. He is unsteady and he cannot decipher the issues. I am not sure he is aware of where he is.
“He is saying today that the PDP is sabotaging and encouraging fuel shortages when the Minister of Petroleum is the President of the government that he boasted of installing and he turns around to blame the PDP.
‘’That goes to show whether indeed this man has the soundness of mind to aspire to be the president of this country. He is not aware of his environment. It is sad and terrible.’’
Meanwhile, PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, once again emphasized his support for restructuring as called for by southern states in the country.
He stated on Thursday that his administration would undertake the restructuring of the country if he becomes president.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that his administration would do everything within its powers to take care of Edo State civil servants and make them happy.
He made the pledge on Friday when he received Executives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, led by its Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Egwekhide said they were in Government House to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the governorship election tribunal that affirmed his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
On his part, the Governor said whatever Edo State workers are enjoying in the state is the responsibility of his administration to do because it is worker friendly.
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Okpebholo said, “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.
“We embrace transparency in all what we do as a government to enable the people to trust us as we are not afraid of criticism. Positive criticism will put us on our toes to work harder for Edo people.
“The renewed hope agenda of the president has given us room and platform to perform and serve Edo people better as we embark on practical governance.
“We are doing everything in the State to ensure peace, unity, growth, and development. That is why we ensure smooth collaboration amongst the three tires of government. In all we do in the State, we ensure the three Senatorial zones are carried along.”
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate.
He said the visit was necessary as the body had come to congratulate the Governor for his deserved victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
According to him, “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers.
“Without asking, workers received their 13th month. You raised the subvention of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) from N41 to N500 million. You regularized casual workers in Edo State. You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion naira for both local and State pensioners.”
He noted that a committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action.
“We thank the governor for several employments given to our people in the very short time in office,” he added.
In a related development, Gov Monday Okpebholo also received the new branch controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Edo State, Apanke Utande who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, where the Governor urged him to collaborate with his administration to improve the lives of Edo people.
Sir Jude Idimogu, a former two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has strongly stated that there will be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock come 2027, reaffirming his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Idimogu, who served as the representative of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II from 2015 to 2023, shared his views during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
His comments followed the recent declaration from an opposition group promising to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
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A steadfast member of the APC and deputy leader of the Ndigbo socio-cultural group in Lagos, Idimogu dismissed the opposition’s chances of defeating President Tinubu in 2027, asserting that no coalition of opposition leaders could pose a significant challenge to the president’s second-term aspirations.
“The ruling party has strong leadership and unwavering grassroots support that will carry us through to victory in 2027,” Idimogu stated, branding the opposition’s efforts as “futile.”
He further noted that power rotation between the North and South made it clear that it was the South’s turn to complete its eight years in office.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027, and I am appealing to all Northerners in the APC to support the president in completing his eight years,” he added.
In his assessment of the current administration’s progress, Idimogu lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, citing positive developments such as better power supply, the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, and the implementation of policies that have helped reduce food prices and boost agricultural output.
“With the restoration of the naira-for-crude deal and the export drive, we are seeing tangible results. I don’t see any opposition candidate who can present a policy better than what Tinubu’s administration is already doing,” he explained.
Looking ahead to 2027, Idimogu expressed his firm belief that he would be among those advocating for President Tinubu’s re-election, given the progress already made under his leadership.
Idimogu concluded by urging the opposition coalition to reconsider its stance, suggesting that they join forces with the president for the greater good of the nation.
The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) under Julius Abure has been vindicated by the content of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgement between Nenadi Usman and the party.
This was contained in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Wednesday night.
According to the National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh
As promised earlier, we warned that Senator Nenadi Usman and her cohorts have been in the voyage of misleading Nigerians with wrong interpretation of the judgement of the apex court.
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There is no where it stated that the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure led executive has elapsed or that Nenadi Usman and her National Caretaker Committee has been directed to take over the leadership of the Labour Party.
The Supreme Court emphatically stated that issues within the political party are internal affairs of the party and that party supremacy must be observed.
It is pertinent for us to state clearly that there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The highest organ of the party, the national convention has in March 2024 elected its leaders in line with the constitution of the party and electoral act and their tenure is subsisting.
Consequent upon that, any meeting convened in disregard to the constitution of the party is illegal and the outcome null and void. We are therefore warning all those involved in the illegal meeting holding in Abuja to refrain from further factionalising the party and respect the constitution of the party as we will not fail to activate the provision of the party on disciplinary actions.
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