Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has disowned its erstwhile presidential candidate and former Minister of Education Dr Oby Ezekwesili, saying she merely wanted to use the party platform and ticket to lobby her way into a ministerial appointment in the next political dispensation.
The party also announced it was endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate for the February 16 presidential election following the withdrawal of Ezekwesili from the race without consultation with leadership of the party.
Reacting to the decision of the former Minister to drop out of the presidential race, National Chairman of the party who also doubled as it’s vice presidential candidate, Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima asked Ezekwesili to render account of all monies she received while flying the party flag.
The party threatened to sue her if she refuses to return all the party material and donations she received within the little time she was in the party.
The former Minister announced her decision to withdraw from the presidential race early hours of Thursday to devote her time in building a coalition that would the defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Galadima said the former Minister did not officially inform the party of her decision before making it public.
He added information available to the party indicate the former minister did not officially inform officials of her decision.
While announcing the decision of the party to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid, Galadima accused Ezekwesili of not showing any seriousness in her campaign.
He said: “The reason for calling this press conference is to let the world know about the presidential aspiration of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, which in actual fact is not the truth.
“I have been put into confidence by one of her aides named Iyinoluwa Aboyeji that she only wanted to use the platform of the ACPN to negotiate to be Nigeria’s finance minister.
“This is why she does not deem fit to inform the party whose mandate she is holding. If you observe, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, is the only presidential candidate who was so militant in her campaign without any tangible thing on ground to indicate any seriousness in the prosecution of her campaign.
“No campaign secretariat, billboard or great commitment on ground to indicate any seriousness.
“It is on this ground that the ACPN is withdrawing support for her presidential aspiration and endorsing the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari to take Nigeria to the next level. We may take her to court during her brief sojourn.
“She must return whatever money she collected from people on behalf of the party because whatever is given to her belongs to the party.
“Don’t forget that at the end of the day, as a party, we must render account to INEC, this is mandatory and it is in the electoral Act.
“We want to use this medium to tell her that we are not that was given to her not unaware of the various accounts that herself and her personal aide has opened to generate funds.
“We are aware that monies were coming to get in droves but we didn’t know the successes of this funds, she should please come and render account to us.
“She should please come and render account to us and to come and give back to the party all that belongs to it because, without the party, nobody will give her any fund or donate anything to her,”
…as APC Apex leader, Dr. Ajose, LGA Chairman, Alhaja Adeshina Others applaud her exemplary virtue and kind-hearted role in the LCDA
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
It was another colourful and well attended political gathering yesterday at the prestigious Ola-Oki School of Health Auditorium, Ibereko Olorunda LCDA in Lagos state as the former Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Nurat Olayinka-Zubair hosted over 300 widows and aged in the LCDA as she presented them food items and cash gifts to cushion the current economic hardship as part of efforts to celebrate her political associates and mark her birthday anniversary.
Report has it that, this is the seventh edition of its kind since she assumed office as Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation before and during the era of the present Council Chairman Honourable SAMOLA.
In her welcoming address to the mammoth crowd, Zubair acknowledged each leader and guest with utmost respect adding that their support, advice, mentorship and prayers have made her to continue steering.
According to her, “I have invited you all here today to come and thank God for what he has done in my life, because this is a time and avenue to appreciate God and to continue to demonstrate the covenant I made with God even before I got appointment that I will continue to feed and support the widows and aged.”
Our correspondent gathered that over 300 widows and aged across the 5 wards in Olorunda LCDA received food items such as rice, garri, salt, tomato paste and cash from the celebrant.
Political gladiators and leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who attended the gathering applauded Zubair for her kindness, support and love for the party as they all expressed their promise to support her candidature during the forthcoming local government poll.
According to the representative of the Badagry APC Apex Leader, Dr. Sunny Ajose, who was ably represented by the Badagry Central Party Chairman, Alhaji Gafar Meyon, said this is commendable from a former office holder who is not currently serving. He added that what he witnessed here today will be reported to the party and leaders of the APC as he call on other political officer holders in Olorunda LCDA to emulate Zubair leadership style.
The second speaker at the gathering who spoke about Zubair’s unique and leadership style was Alhaja M.l Adeshina. In her words, she said, “I am a living witness to what zubair has been doing in Olorunda since the inception of its first edition up to this seventh edition, claiming that the empowerment program had brought succour to many homes and we need to support the program because this is coming from a woman.”
Also Speaking at the event, Alhaja Princess Kikilemo Pesu Ladipo said Zubair’s humility and generosity is second to none and this good act will take her to places because God will never undermine her intention.
On his own side, Hon. Ashade Joseph said what the celebrant did was purely human as he personally donated the sum of 20,000 Twenty Thousand Naira to support the good initiative and kind gesture of Hon. Zubair.
it will be correct to say, Zubair, a former supervisor for WAPA in the LCDA who work rigorously towards the success of the party during the last Presidential and Governorship poll in state is now vying for the ticket of the number one seat of OLORUNDA LCDA come 2025.
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake and presentation of the packed food stuffs to the widows.
Special Guest at the event where senior staff of the Lagos state Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr, Ayo Afuwape; Olori Aholu Agano, The First Ajara Agamathen Kingdom, Dr. Chief Mrs. Busola Onilogbo Odedina, Senior lecturer from the Lagos State University, (LASU) Dr. Mrs. Fatimoh Abass, current Supervisor for WAPA in Olorunda, Hon. Chief Mrs. Taibat Abisoye and The LGA Woman leader of Olorunda LCDA, Mrs Esther Asade and other Wards Woman leaders.
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.