The Coordinator of the Centre for Democratic Institute and Legislative Agenda, Mr Kunle Balogun has called for seamless emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Surulere Federal Constituency 1 Bye-Election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Bye-Election for August 19th, 2023.
The seat became vacant following the decision of the holder and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila to accept the position of Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Kunle Balogun said the need for a peaceful conduct of the primary election within the ruling APC became imperative for members of the party to go into the by-election united.
According to him, the leadership of the party both at the State and the Local Government level should ensure fairness and transparency in the process of chosing a flagbearer for the August 19th Bye-Election.
He said there was every need for the party to sustain the exceptional scorecards and leadership quality of Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, adding Surulere has become a pacesetter for development in the state.
The top contenders for the APC slot are Mr Fuad Laguda; the current APC Chairman in Surulere, Hon Kabir Lawal; former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Agboola Dabiri, former Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District.
The primary election earlier scheduled for Saturday July 22nd is now expected to hold on Tuesday July 25th.
Wike and his T-Pain Collaborators playing politics with the suffering of Nigerians
…Atiku preoccupied with genuine issues affecting Nigerians
Our attention has been drawn to the recent remarks made by Mr. Nyesom Wike, which can only be described as another of his theatrical outbursts. Ordinarily, we would not respond, but we recognize that silence might be misinterpreted.
However, we remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbours from his defeat to the Waziri Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.
Mr. Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances. If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself. This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities.
While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians. It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people.
Mr. Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.
Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has described Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon as a refined and uncontroversial public figure with unwavering commitment to national unity and integrity.
Gowon
In a statement on the occasion of Gowon’s 90th birthday anniversary on Friday, the former Vice President joins Nigerians and others to celebrate this great statesman who had demonstrated leadership acumen, finesse and sagacity in handling the Nigerian civil war.
According to Atiku, “healing the wounds of the civil war through national reconciliation was one of General Gowon’s greatest and indelible achievements.”
He explained that the introduction of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a shining example of Gowon’s commitment to national integration by encouraging our youths from different cultural backgrounds to interact with other people outside their own ethnic zones.
“Happily, the NYSC has gone a long way to encourage intermarriages, thereby breaking down the barriers of cultural, ethnic and religious prejudices,” Atiku added.
The former Vice President also recalled that the impact of General Gowon’s national development plan in building infrastructure to boost economic development is still visible on the ground.
Similarly, Gowon was instrumental in the founding of one of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has helped in forging socioeconomic economic and political integration in the sub region.
He further praised Gowon’s humility and integrity, saying that his modesty and simplicity are some of the remarkable virtues for which he is widely respected.
He prays to the Almighty God to continue to bless him with a longer life and good health in the service of humanity.
Oyebanji, at S/W APC Assembly, urges Support for Tinubu’s Reform Agenda
MUBARAK LUKMON EKITI
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has called on the Yoruba Nation to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its bid to implement key reforms aimed at revitalizing the country.
The Governor made this appeal on Saturday during the Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) Assembly, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos where past and present officeholders and political leaders from the six states in the region gathered to chat the way forward for the party.
Governor Oyebanji emphasized that the Yoruba people must play a leading role in defending the transformative policies of the current administration, assuring that the present economic challenges would soon be overcome.
Stressing that the policies and programmes being introduced by the President are crucial to rescuing the nation from its current difficulties, Oyebanji urged the Yoruba race to seize the moment to demonstrate unity and showcase the region’s renowned human capital, rather than allowing negative narratives to prevail.
“I just want to plead with us, that we have a sacred duty to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. History has put it on our shoulders now to stand by him. We don’t have a choice other than to give him our total support. We, from the south West don’t have a choice.
“It is not in our place to criticize this Government. We have access to the President through the Governors, through our party leaders. And if there are things we feel strongly about, we should put heads together and look for the right channel to pass it across to him. This is because we don’t know when we will have this kind of opportunity again.
“I also hope that one of the resolutions of this meeting will be to go back to our various states and replicate this kind of forum at every level.” Governor Oyebanji remarked
In his keynote address at the event, immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, reflected on the historical struggles of the Yoruba people for political prominence at the national level. He encouraged the Yoruba to remain steadfast in the face of present challenges and to continue advocating for their interests within the framework of the country’s politics.
Dr. Fayemi also called for a unified effort among political officeholders, particularly those within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reminding them of their responsibility to the masses, emphasizing the need to create jobs for the youth and address the growing insecurity in the nation.
“While we can be proud of the road we have travelled since 2015, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels as a party or be complacent about anything. It is imperative that we openly and honestly acknowledge current challenges and develop a coherent and comprehensive plan that can enable us to confront them.
“This we must do by resolutely learning lessons of experience. We should also be ready to mobilise ourselves for the urgent and necessary task of rebuilding the hope of our compatriots both in Project Nigeria and in our ability as a party committed to leading the charge against underdevelopment, disunity, and insecurity” Dr Fayemi said.
Other notable figures at the event included the Coordinator of the Southwest Political Caucus and Chairman, Southwest Governors’ Forum, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; former Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba who charged the Yoruba people to be patient and to channel their grievances through their governors, assuring them that President Tinubu remains committed to addressing all concerns brought to his attention.