Pastor Adeboye’s refutes reaching out to Tinubu for Ambode- Nigerians react

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Report had surfaced towards the end of last week that former Governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu was under pressure to endorse Governor Ambode for a second term in office after it was revealed that the APC would be going in another direction as it regards the 2019 elections in the state.

Chief among those asking Tinubu to support the ambition of Ambode was said to the the General Overseer of of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye.

However, Adeboye had since denied making any such overture to Tinubu stating that the church is not in the business of partisan politics.  To this end, Nigerians took to Twitter to let their views on the matter known..

Osun Election: Don’t come with your phones to the pulling boot- INEC tell voters

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has instructed electorates looking to participate in Saturday’s Governorship elections in Osun State not to go to the polling unit with their phones.

The commission took the decision after it was discovered that electronic devices were used during the 2018 guber elections in Ekiti state, observers at that election discovered that voters were mandated to take pictures of their ballot paper indicating the party they voted for in exchange for money.

Both major political parties in Ekiti state were accused of using this approach to buy votes and it is feared that such may repeat itself in the guber elections in Osun state.

To stop this from happening, INEC advice voters keep their phones and other electronic devices at home when going to cast their votes.

It is however not clear if the electoral body would adopt the same policy during the 2019 general elections.

The battle for Lagos- Why Tinubu can’t save Ambode

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The coming days is sure going to be interesting for those watching the political intrigue playing out in Lagos. The dramatic personae are dishing out an healthy dose of entertaining intrigue for the neutrals but for core members of the APC these are trying times in the life of the party.

Perhaps for the first time in the history of the state, at least in the 4th republic, the sitting governor is not likely to pick the ticket of his party for re-election and he has very little public opinion to bank on.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is the man on the receiving end of the irk of member of the APC leadership and it seem that group of persons are now influencing he dynamics of the state machinery and ultimately who fly the kite of the APC in the state guber elections next year.

Over the years it was believed that the party leader and former governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu controls the party machinery at a whim, now, people are getting better informed, the Jagaban is not a medieval lord dictating the affairs of his fief, no, Tinubu a democrat, first among equals and decisions are taken collectively though many defer to his wisdom and political sagacity.

To this end, Ambode’s fate appeared sealed. Tinubu has been under pressure in recent days to publicly endorse his estranged political son for a second term in office, from the height of Aso Rock to the pulpit of major churches, calls have been making the rounds for the Jagaban to accept Ambode back into the fold.

But Tinubu’s hands are tied, Ambode’s quarrel is not with Tinubu but with the party leadership, a group of elders who along with Tinubu make decisions. Indeed, report has it that the Lagos APC leadership have pitch their tent behind Jide Sanwoolu and they have in turn warn Tinubu not to endorse Ambode.

So it seems the Akinwunmi Ambode ship has reached its final destination and is on likely to take to sea anytime soon, at least not in the 2019 election.

KWAM 1 deny support for Saraki, accuse Senate President of illegal use of his songs at campaign rallies

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Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1 The Ultimate by his fans has refuted claims that he is supporting the presidential ambition of Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

In a statement issued by his manager, Kunle Rasheed, KWAM 1 reiterated his support for the second term ambition of President Buhari accusing Saraki of using his songs at campaign rallies without his consent.

The Fuji legend warned that he would take legal action against anyone who use his song for campaign purpose illegally revealing that his lawyers are already on the matter.

The Statement reads:

“The only person he is rooting for to become the president in 2019 is no other than President Muhammadu Buhari. This he has shown by telling the world where his loyalty belongs at every occasion lately.

“K1 has also on countless occasions granted interviews to several media organisations that he is for Buhari till 2023.

“K1 is also using this medium to sound it clear that he will never ever endorse someone who has acted as a betrayal to his party right from when he assumed the office till the time he left the party for the opposition.

“I will liken that to artifice. I am highly disappointed that someone like the senate president can be involved in such a fraud because it is evidently clear that the only person I am rooting for to become the president in 2019 is no other than President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The only time I had an encounter with the senate president was at the marriage ceremony of Mohammed Mustapha’s son in Ilorin in 2015.

“So, he has no right to circulate any song without his approval; doing so amounts to fraud.

“I remain a strong party member and the only person I support to become the president in 2019 is Muhammadu Buhari.”

“Hold APC and Buhari responsible for threat to Atiku’s life”- PDP tell Nigerians

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The PDP has asked Nigerians to hold the ruling APC responsible if any harm should befall Atiku or members of his family as we approach the 2019 elections. The former Vice President and presidential aspirant under the PDP had some days ago written to President Buhari requesting for additional security after he and members of his family were threatened with rape and kidnapping.

Atiku suggest that the threat had intensify since he declared his intention to run for the office of president under the banner of the PDP.

The PDP on its part in a statement accused the ruling APC and President Buhari of intimidating the party aspirants stating that the Buhari’s administration should be held responsible if any harm comes to Atiku or any other aspirants under its platform.

“It is public knowledge that the APC has been on frenetic mode over the caliber and popularity of Presidential aspirants arraying in our party platform.

“The APC knows that President Buhari is no match for any of our aspirants hence the resort to violence, harassment and death threats, with a view to frighten and put our presidential aspirants out of circulation ahead of the 2019 elections.

“Nigerians are already aware of how the APC-led Government has been using security and anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Police, Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to harass and hound presidential hopefuls and perceived political opponents of the President, as well as the members of our party on various trumped-up allegations and charges.

“The dysfunctional APC has become distraught by the resurge of Nigerians to our platform since the commencement of electioneering activities, while the APC national secretariat and its state offices have become deserted like graveyards,” The statement reads.

 

PDP accuse APC of unleashing charm bearing thugs on national secretariat

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Nigeria’s leading opposition party, The PDP has accused the ruling APC of unleashing thugs with charms and other weapons on its national secretariat last week.

In a statement released by the party’s national publicity secretary, the PDP stressed that the regime of intimidation by the ruling APC has taking a turn for the worst in recent weeks following the defection of highly influential personalities from the party.

It also stated that it is obvious that the APC fear for its political relevance and survival after 2019 hence its resolve to harass and intimidate those it perceived to be opponent to President Buhari.

“Rather than accepting the reality of their failures ahead of the 2019 elections, the APC has scaled up its proclivities for violence against the opposition.

“Only last week, the APC unleashed their thugs to attack our national secretariat with charms and dangerous weapons and attempted to disrupt our activities. This is in addition to series of other attacks on our members in various parts of the country by APC sponsored thugs.

“The PDP wants the APC to note that, in all, it is fighting a lost battle. The PDP family will never be cowed or intimidated by the evil machinations of the APC as we stand shoulder to shoulder with majority of Nigerians, across the board, in this national emergency of ending the misrule of the Buhari-led administration, which has caused so much harm to our dear nation,” PDP said.

“Top Senators, Abacha, 50 other launder loots through HSBC”-Buhari

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The President Buhari’s administration has reacted to a report which states that a second term in office for the incumbent president would spell economic doom for the country.

The report which was published by HSBC, a multinational banking and financial servicing company, also revealed that it is unlikely that Buhari would retain power after 2019 stressing that the opposition, PDP would win the presidential election.

However, the Presidency has refuted such claims stressing that the firm was notorious for aiding corruption across the world. The statement also stated that investigation had revealed that the firm is also culpable of aiding to starch the loot of serving senators and former dictator, General Sani Abacha. It was also stated that over 50 individuals are currently under investigation for siphoning public funds with the help of HSBC.

“A bank that soiled its hand with ‘‘millions of US dollars yet-to-be-recovered Abacha loot’’, and continued until a few months ago to shield the stolen funds of one of the leaders of the Nigerian Senate has no moral right whatsoever to project that a ‘second term for Mr. Buhari raises the risk of limited economic progress and further fiscal deterioration.’

“With the coming of President Buhari, it is not a secret that corruption, corrupt individuals, banks and other corporate entities that aided corrupt practices are under investigation for various offenses.

“For many of them, including their friends in the media, they would rather have President Buhari out of their way, for business as usual to return.

“Our investigation agencies believe that HSBC had laundered more than USD 100,000,000 for the late General Sani Abacha in Jersey, Paris, London and Geneva.

“Among these accounts on the records are: AC: S-104460 HSBC Fund Admin Ltd. Jersey ($12,000,000); AC 37060762 HSBC Life (Europe), U.K ($20,000,000) and AC: 38175076 HSBC Bank Plc. U.K ($1,600,000).

“The bank is also suspected in the laundering of proceeds of corruption involving more than 50 other Nigerians, including a serving Senator as earlier indicated,” the statement reads.

Buhari to HSBC: Return Nigeria’s stolen asset and stop making doomsday predictions

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President Buhari has condemned a multinational banking and financial service company, HSBC for what he termed their doomsday prophesy.

HSBC in a report had stated that a second term in office for Buhari would spell doom for Nigeria’s economy, the firm also predicted that the lead opposition party, the PDP would win the 2019 general elections.

However, in a statement released by the State House, Buhari accused the firm of enabling corrupt politicians and helping them to secure loots stolen from the nations commonwealth as evidence by their refusal to release the Abacha loot in their coffers.

“The Presidency wishes to make clear to all Nigerians, and particularly the global banking giant HSBC which said the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari would stunt the economy, that what killed Nigeria’s economy in the past was the unbridled looting of state resources by leaders, the type which was actively supported by HSBC.”

“A bank that soiled its hand with ‘‘millions of US dollars yet-to-be-recovered Abacha loot’’, and continued until a few months ago to shield the stolen funds of one of the leaders of the Nigerian Senate has no moral right whatsoever to project that a ‘second term for Mr. Buhari raises the risk of limited economic progress and further fiscal deterioration.’

“Rather, we ask them to heed President Buhari’s constant refrain: return our stolen assets, then see how well we will do,” the statement reads.

The president further accuse HSBC of looking to discredit his administration due to its campaign to clampdown on mismanagement of public funds and the efforts to ensure that due practice is entrench in the nation’s financial sector.

“From the facts available to our investigation agencies, HSBC’s put down on President Buhari is no more than an expression of frustration over the administration’s measures put in place which has abolished grand corruption, the type which this bank thrives on in many countries.

“They may also just be out to discredit the President out of the fear of sanctions and fines following the national assets that are stolen.

“With the coming of President Buhari, it is not a secret that corruption, corrupt individuals, banks and other corporate entities that aided corrupt practices are under investigation for various offenses.”

 

Former Presidential candidate predict tough 2019 poll for Buhari, others

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A former Presidential Candidate of the now defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, said the 2019 General Elections would be much tougher than that of 2015, due to the current challenges confronting both the ruling party APC and the PDP.

Tofa, however advised the leadership of the APC to be prepared for the challenges, so as to ensure the total victory of the party against the opposition parties, who are also not leaving anything to chance. Tofa, who spoke as a Guest of Honour at the official launching of the APC Volunteer group, held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Friday, said the APC at this time need to take appropriate measures to ensure that it emerges victorious.

“I am part and parcel of the APC Volunteers and would like to see a situation, whereby the people, who agreed to work in principles and as a matter of personal sacrifice will do so without fear or favour.

We are desperately in need of an association, like this, which we were unable to get but now we have a group that is all out to change the way things were being done in the past for the better”

Tofa posited that, if we are divided, the possibility of actualizing this concept would not be achievable in our quest to bring about good governance. Earlier, the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje told the mammoth crowd that gathered at the launching of Volunteers that he is the number one volunteer, who believes in the new innovative ideas brought about by the founders of APC Volunteers, whose main objectives is to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari and the current administration continued with the good work they started.

” I am very happy because all of you are happy, because you have seen that we have taken the route to modern democratic system. This occasion is the official launching of APC Volunteers Group, it is a new innovation by our great party in Kano, it is a new idea, in order to sanitize our system and give everybody a sense of belonging by abiding by the doctrine of democracy.

“We abide by the rules and regulations of our politics, we abide by due process to ensure that this democracy is nourished , we build it so that it can be strong, like any developed democracy.”

“We thank you very much for forming this association, which will guide the conduct of our primaries, as well as guide the conduct of our elections. And will also instill into our followers that you have value, your worth as a party faithful, it is not the amount of money we have but the amount of integrity that we have. This is what we mean by this important group. As Volunteers in the APC, we must work assiduously to ensure that there is credible free and fair primary elections in the APC at all levels and should be ready to face whoever is going to disrupt the process of election during the forthcoming general election”

Ganduje noted that it is mandatory for the Volunteers to also match their words with action by protecting all the electoral boxes from the ward to the local governments levels or State INEC offices and wait till the votes are cast and results announced. In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Kano APC Volunteers and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, informed the gathering that “ours is a voluntary service to the people and an effort to build up strong pillars which our next democratic steps will be based on.

“Let me use the opportunity to call on you to make good use of this golden opportunity you found your selves by contributing your individual and collective quota in electing people of impeccable character, as we have seen in PMB and His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje”

Atiku writes Buhari, request for protection says his family has been threatened with kidnap and rape

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Former Vice President and a presidential aspirant under the PDP, Atiku Abubakar has stated that  his life and those of his family are under threat by unknown persons because of his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election. Atiku in a petition to President Buhari requested for more police protection for himself and family.

In a petition, which was dated September 7, the former vice president told the president that his wife and daughters have received separate text messages, warning them that unless he backs out of the presidential race, they would be raped and killed. He gave the mobile number used to send the threat message as 08148228704, adding that the author said his family was being watched closely.

Atiku called on the president to order an urgent investigation into the matter, pointing out that it could lead to serious breaches and may constitute real danger to national security.

According to him, the author threatened that if he doesn’t withdraw from the contest, “we will kill, rape your wife and daughters”, whom they identified as Mariam who worked at CBN and Fatima, the former commissioner in Adamawa State.

He added that the author further threatened: “We will blow your plane off the sky and we will poison you and your family. You are going to see what we will do with your family. We know where and where your children travel to.”

The petition, which was copied to National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus revealed that the author of the message threatened that they will blow up all his property and those of his wife’s, adding “we control the aviation towers in Nigeria and South Africa.

“We are in government and Buhari will win again. Your party members will never select you and if they do, we will assassinate (sic) you. We will kill you by blowing up your plane.”

In the separate text messages to the wife and daughter, the author, according to Atiku, asked them to ask him to back down from the contest or they will be harmed.

“From the foregoing, Mr President can see that if adequate and urgent steps are not taken to identify and deal with these threats, it could lead to serious breaches and may constitute real danger to national security.

“Considering that this threats border on the right of my family and I to life, as well as my freedom to aspire for and contest for the presidency in Nigeria, I urge you to commence urgent investigation with a view to identifying the person (s) behind the threat, expose and prosecute the culprit (s) in accordance with the laws.

“I request that you ensure the continued protection of my rights to life, that of my family, my property and my rights and freedoms to associate and aspire to any political office as guaranteed under the 1999 Nigerian constitution (as amended),” he further demanded.