A faction of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), has adopted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the election, three weeks after another group headed by Senator Abubakar Mahdi adopted President Muhammadu Buhari

Mahdi led a delegation comprising chairmen and leaders of PDM from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja who conscientiously had resolved on the Jan.1 to support Buharis candidature in the forthcoming presidential election.

But in a twist, another group said to be chaired by Chief Dapo Sarumi, a former minister and a Lagos based politician said today the group was backing Atiku. The endorsement communique was released by the Sarumi group at an event at the Shehu YarAdua Centre in Abuja.

The communique was signed by Sarumi, who was a former Minister of Information, and six others, Dubem Onyia (South East), Chief Bode Ajewole (South West), Chief Ejiofor Onyia (South South), Dr Bala Tafida (North Central), Alhaji Kabir Bawa (North East) and Fatima Abba (North West).

PDM, which started as Peoples Front, was founded by late former Chief of General Staff (Supreme Headquarters), Gen. Shehu YarAdua.

It is registered as a political party by Independent National Electoral Commission, with Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim as chairman and Dr. Joseph Akinwunmi as secretary.

It appears that both Mahdi and Sarumi are operating the movement in a parallel mode, even distinct from the party headed by Ibrahim.

The Sarumi group said it was gratifying to note that one of its founding members emerged a candidate of one of the biggest political parties participating in the forthcoming election.

It is noteworthy to point out that even though membership in this political family cuts across all the major political parties in the country, it has always been our prayers that one of our own be given the opportunity to showcase our outstanding leadership qualities irrespective of the political parties that throws up such a candidate for as long as he/she is a member of the political family.

To this end, and with the 2019 Presidential election exactly a week away, it has become incumbent on us, as founding members of the Yar Adua political family, PDM, to lend our voice to the conversations around the epochal electoral contest.

We are conscious of our position as proud members of the oldest political organisation in contemporary Nigeria and it is noteworthy to say that this particular election cycle presents itself as a test to the virility of democratic governance in our country.

The group also called on key participants in the electoral process to play by the rules, adding that everything possible must be done to make the forthcoming elections peaceful and credible.

The tension that has been generated by the 2019 elections is getting to a disturbing proportion and we call on all actors in the electoral process to ensure that peace ensues before, during and after the elections.

We call on the security operatives to be impartial and to focus on their main mandate of preserving and protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian and foreigners alike.

Politicians should refrain from making insidious statements and anyone caught going against this should be duly prosecuted.

It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with the provisions of the relevant laws in the conduct of the elections.

PDM National Chairman, Bode Ajewole said that though members of PDM belong to various political parties, they resolved to rally behind Atikus quest for the highest elective office given his contribution to the growth of democracy in the country.

Sarumi called on Nigerians not to vote in ex-military as President of Nigeria again.

Convener of the meeting, Chief Ejiofor Onyia said the family chose to come together having drifted apart for years.

Onyia said that in the event Atiku is elected, the bridge dreamt about by the late YarAdua would have been completed

Source: NAN

Chief Olu Falae, a former federal government secretary and presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in 1999, said he has quit politics.

His not-too-surprising announcement came hours after the National Executive Committee of the party he founded, Social Democratic Party endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for next weeks election.

Falae, who had expressed preference for Atiku Abubakar, said he has stepped down as National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He also announced at a news conference in Akure he will no longer be actively involved in politics, citing health challenge as a major reason for his action.

Falae also cited irresolvable differences in the Social Democratic Party for his action.

The SDP is facing crisis over who should be the presidential candidate, between former minister, Professor Jerry Gana and former governor of Cross River Donald Duke.

Falae was 80 years old on 21 September 2018. He was the secretary to the military government headed by Ibrahim Babangida between 1986 and 1990, at a time government introduced the ill-advised Structural Adjustment Programme, responsible for laying the foundation for the increased poverty in Nigeria.

Source: NAN

Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday ordered the sack of an aide, Mr Friday Eluro who was caught on video assaulting a woman.

The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said the Governor frowned at the assault on a woman especially by an appointee of government who should uphold the law.

Governor Okowa having watched the video of the assault on a certain woman has directed that the appointment of Mr Friday Eluro as Security Aide be terminated forthwith to serve as deterrent to others.

In the last three and half years, our administration have worked so hard to entrench the enduring peace in our state and we will not sit back and fold our hands to watch appointees of government or any other person no matter how highly placed in the society to take laws into their hands, he said.

He warned appointees of government to be of good behaviour and always remember that they are ambassadors of government and are supposed to be role models in the society.

Beyond sacking of the Aide, the Governor has also directed full investigation into the incident with a view to serving the interest of justice.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari promising to prosecute looters declared Friday that only God would punish the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for looting Nigeria dry during its 16 years in power.

reported that Buhari said this at a meeting with local and international support groups at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said ill-gotten properties of the guilty would be confiscated and sold and the money realised would be put into the treasury for public use.

Buhari said that upon his assumption of office, he approached the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who told him there was no money in the federal treasury.

He noted that there was no infrastructure or any developmental achievements to justify the draining of the substantial earnings from crude oil.

He said: I have said this for the umpteenth time and I have challenged them to prove me wrong. In those 16 years of the PDP rule, Nigeria was getting 2.1 million times 100 (2.1 million barrels by $100 per barrel) every day, every week, but when we came on board, the price fell to between $37 and $38 and hung around $40-$50.

I went to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and asked him for money and he said there was no money.

The last time road rehabilitation took place, he said, was under General Sani Abacha, when he served as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, stressing that the roads were rehabilitated up to the east.

Speaking on his integrity, Buhari said: If I didnt stick to my principle of accountability, I would have been in trouble by now and I have no regrets.

Everybody wants to be comfortable, but the most important thing is to live within your means and bear the consequence.

On why he visited the neighbouring countries shortly after he was sworn in, he said: If you dont establish good relations with your neighbours, you will spend more on security.

The leader of the delegation, Dr. Mahmud Mohammed, said the groups supported him because of his integrity and commitment.

He said for the first time in the history of campaigns, they were campaigning with meagre funds generated from well-wishers because the president specifically directed that no money from the public funds should be spent on his campaign.

He said: From tomorrow, we will not sleep. We still start house to house, shop to shop and market to market campaign to ensure your victory.

President Buhari also received leaders of Igbo World Union and faction of Ohaneze Ndigbo at the Villa on Friday.

He said his administration has successfully created a level playing field for all Nigerians and will continue to ensure equitable provision of developmental projects across the country.

Buhari, who noted that the nations diversity was its biggest asset, said as citizens, it is our collective responsibility to harness and apply this diversity positively for the purposes of nation building.

He explained that his administration has been executing critical infrastructural projects across the country such as the Second Niger Bridge and social investment programmes to support the less-privileged in the society.

As you all know, the key issues that affect our country today are insecurity, corruption and an economy that solely relies on a single revenue source.

These issues impact all Nigerians regardless of tribe or religion. The perpetrators and victims of corruption and terrorism are from all tribes and religions. Poverty and unemployment also cuts across all tribes and religions.

We also did not discriminate in our response. We restored security in most of the conflict impacted areas.

Please, be rest assured that my commitment to creating a peaceful, inclusive and corruption-free Nigeria for all Nigerians remains as strong as ever, he added.

Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Uche Okuku had apologised to President Buhari for the purported endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2019 elections by the socio-cultural group.

The President General of Ohaneze, Chief John Nwodo, whose tenure was believed to have expired, had last week joined three other socio-cultural groups to announce Atikus endorsement at a news conference in Abuja.

However, Okuku, while apologising to the President, said that Nwodo only expressed his personal views and not that of Ohaneze Ndigbo, saying that nine-man panel had been instituted to investigate the issue.

He said: Our visit is to declare our stand.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other groups that expressed support for the President during the visit include World Igbo Congress, World Igbo Union and Ndigbo Delegate covering the 19 Northern States.

Source: NAN

Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun, on Friday at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall shared with President Muhammadu Buhari memories of his train ride in 1958 from Abeokuta to Osogbo.

Osoba was the book reviewer at the presentation of `Nigeria on Firmer Ground, Towards Lasting Peace and Progress which is a compendium of Buhari achievements in the last four years.

The veteran journalist, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that rail transportation in Nigeria was left in comatose until Buhari revived the sector.

The former governor said that he believed that God brought Buhari to restore the years that corruption had destroyed in Nigeria.

It is my strong belief that God gave us Buhari, a man of towering integrity to restore the years that locust of corruption has eaten deep into our fabrics. May we never go back to those years.

On Thursday, the Alake of Egba Land took the rail from Lagos to Abeokuta; for me 61 years ago I took a train ride from Abeokuta to Osogbo.

Mr President I am going to present you a picture on me in a train 61 years ago, 1958.

The train went dead but you came and revived it; we in Yoruba land are always with you because your philosophy is same with our political father, Awolowo whose philosophy is welfarism and egalitarianism; we will massively support you in Ogun State and Yoruba Land in general.

Osoba also recalled that in June 12, 1984, Buhari appointed him the Manager Director of Daily Times and Tony Momoh, the General Manager of Daily Times.

He said that throughout the tenure of Buhari, he never invited him or Momoh, neither did he interfere in how Daily Times operated.

Quoting Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President, Osoba said that funds that were meant to support our soldiers were diverted by previous administration.

Contractors, godfathers and politicians helped themselves to millions and as a result many of those on the front-line and those they were supposed to protect were killed.

These were all the problems inherited by this administration by those who are seeking to return to power.

Still quoting Kyari, he said that in the boom years, from 2000 to 2015, almost nothing was saved and almost nothing was invested.

So, when the oil price crashed in 2016, we had no spare capacity to boost production and check the shock, he quoted Kyari as saying.

Osoba said that those that termed TraderMonithe micro-credit scheme for petty traders as vote-buying were fools.

According to him, the government had said before its implementation across the country the fund was approved by the National Assembly.

Earlier, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said that the compendium was to remind every Nigerian of the Federal Governments commitment to good governance.

On his part, Adams Oshiomhole, APCs National Chairman, said that the difference between Buharis administration and the previous ones was that he kept to his promises.

He said one major problem that hampered the delivery of democratic dividends was corruption.

When government makes a policy statement, it is sustained; that is the differencepolicy consistency and coherence, he said.

The book was unveiled by a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, who advised Nigerians to get themselves copies of the compendium or read it online and get informed.

He implored Nigerians to give Buhari another term to complete his good works.

Source: NAN

By Angela Atabo

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has advocated laws to empower women to run for political offices.

The Deputy Representative of UN women, Mr Lansana Wonneh made the call at a stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Women Participation in Elections Support Bill, 2018 on Friday in Abuja.

Wonneh said that there was the need for Nigeria to deliberately formulate laws to enhance women participation in politics in line with global best practice.

He said that womens inclusion in politics was about their human rights, yet most parliamentarians dont understand or agree why the Women Participation in Elections Support Bill, 2018 should be signed into law.

Some arguments are structurally redundant, at this time and age, I do not expect that people in parliament will think like that, we have seen ministers and prime ministers around the world that do well so why cant we learn from that.

In Africa, Nigeria is leading in almost everything but it is appalling to see that she is one of the countries with the lowest participation of women in parliament.

A small country, South Sudan is leading this country in the areas of progressive development by the clear commitment to include women in governance, countries like Rwanda, Ghana among others are doing better than Nigeria in inclusive governance.

We need to do everything to ensure that gender equality is adhered to, particularly in decision-making because it is fundamental for economic reasons.

According to Wonneh, the best places that resources are distributed are in decision-making because the parliamentarians decide on budget, what is allocated and where.

He said if there are no women seated on decision tables, if women were not given opportunities to play roles, it then means that they would have nothing to take away.

According to him, it is predominantly because of that reason that poverty has become the face of women in Nigeria since resources are hardly accrued for the right purposes.

Mrs Onyinye Ndubuisi, Lead Governance Department, UNDP said the organisation decided to support the passage of the bill because of low participation of women in politics in Nigeria.

Ndubuisi said that though Nigeria was a signatory to many international treaties that support women in politics like the 35 per cent affirmative action, there were no local laws to support i

She said that women were disenfranchised and their mandates were taken from them so the Women Participation in Elections Support Bill when passed would guarantee them space in politics

Ndubuisi said it was disheartening to hear lawmakers argue during the second reading of the bill that women participation in politics had no correlation with economic development.

She said that the UNDP was supporting the commission in ensuring the passage of the bill because such project was laudable and involved the whole country.

Prof .Joy Ezeilo, former Special Rapporteur on Rights of Women said the bill sought to prescribe women quota for elections into the senate ,House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly among others.

Ezeilo said that the bill would support and enhance women participation and representation in certain elective office, adding that it would mandate political parties to have one third of candidates as women.

She said there was the need for Nigeria to deliberately work toward the inclusion of women in governance because it would give the nation relevance internationally.

Source: NAN

By Douglas Okoro

A civil society organisation, Development and Integrity Goals (DIG) Foundation, has embarked on a road walk inAbakaliki, the Ebonyi capital to sensitise the electorate on the need to eschew violence during the general election.

Over 40 participants took part in the walk, which commenced at 7 a.m. on Friday from Onwe Road section of the capital city and terminated at the Ebonyi State Police Command Headquarters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the walk was organised in partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and 2Baba Foundation.

The participants stopped at major motor parks and mass transit loading bays in Abakaliki and distributed election fliers.

The group appealed to the electorate to vote and not fight; stressing that voting is a civic responsibility and must be exercised with utmost responsibility.

The group also urged the electorate who has not obtained their voter cards to do so, before the end of set deadline.

Mr Oliver Aja, Executive Director of DIG, briefed the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ebonyi, Prof Godswill Obioma, when the group walked to the state headquarters, of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Aja said that the essence of the peaceful road walk, was to raise awareness on dangers of election violence and need for all to maintain peace during the elections.

He further urged the commission to live up to its mandate of conducting free, fair and credible elections.

He commended the commission for its effective partnership with the foundation and stressed the commitment of the group to complement INECs enlightenment programmes.

He said: Charge your staff and ad-hoc staff to be professional and neutral, in the discharge of their responsibilities before, during and after the election day.

Display openness and transparency in all your activities and in its relationship with all the stakeholders.

Discipline any staff found to have betrayed public trust, during the Feb. 16 and March 2 general elections.

Exhibit high patriotism by ensuring the sanctity of the ballot box and be sincere in handling election results at all levels by declaring rightful winners, he said.

Obioma, represented by Mr Cornelius Ali, of the Publicity Unit of the commission, reiterated commitment to peaceful, credible, fair and free elections.

He assured that all votes validly cast, would count while maintaining that the commission would adhere strictly to the mandate of conducting credible elections.

At the police headquarters, the group solicited the cooperation of the police for adequate security throughout the election periods.

Source: NAN

By Douglas Okoro

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a gender based Civil Society Organisations, Initiative for Social Change in Africa (ISCA) have advocated for enhanced participation of women in politics in Ebonyi.

They made the call at a town hall meeting organised by the INEC in collaboration with ISCA for women groups including market women, Muslim women group, women-based CSOs and the National Council for Women Societies among others.

Mrs Esther Idam, gender desk officer in INEC, said the meeting was to sensitise women to effectively participate in the political process including voting in the elections.

Inclusive elections is central to democracy; this meeting is part of the commissions action points towards ensuring a more inclusive electoral process in Nigeria where all eligible voters are given equal opportunities without unfair barriers to choose their leaders.

Idam noted that women have particular needs which included the need to make informed electoral decisions, adding that these needs should be deliberately achieved.

She added that INEC was committed to promoting gender equality in the political space in line with its assigned mandate as the administrator of the electoral process.

Prof. Eugene Nweke, ISCA executive Director, said women must be encouraged to participate fully in the general elections through training, sensitisation and reorientation.

He said that the meeting would address some fundamental challenges inhibiting women participation in politics and in the electoral process.

This interactive town hall is designed to address issues and challenges facing women in an election and priorities that need to be addressed.

The meeting will allay the fears of the women, address their challenges and ensure that they participate actively giving the peculiarities of women who are vulnerable and marginalised in political and electoral process in Nigeria, Nweke said.

He said that the organisation had carried out grassroots door-to-door awareness campaigns to sensitize the women and youths on the importance of participation in the elections.

He appealed to the women not to sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or exchange them for any price.

Source: NAN

By Bolaji Buhari

The Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos, on Saturday bubbled with a lot of activities as residents and the All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful thronged the venue for the 2019 Presidential campaign rally.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the atmosphere was charged with excitement as thousands of people holding brooms sang and chanted APC slogans, while awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari.

While supporters in APC attires and dresses were waiting as at 11:54a.m., musicians like King Wasiu Ayinde and some other upcoming acts delighted them with various musical renditions.

Nollywood personalities like Jide Kosoko, Funke Daramola and `Remi Surutu were also around, adding spice to the gathering.

Market women, youths holding brooms and APC flags danced endlessly to rave songs being dished out by the DJ.

Members of various interest groups and special groups, including people with disabilities, were in their hundreds chanting Sai Buhari, Sai Buhari, dancing to music.

Some of the prominent personalities present so far included Sen. Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos-West), a key member of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Festus Keyamo, South West APC Woman Leader, Mrs Kemi Nelson, and APC Chairman in Lagos, Alhaji Tunde Balogun.

Mr Tunde Braimoh (Kosofe) and Mr Bisi Yusuf (Alimosho 1) were among some of the state lawmakers present.

The president was still being awaited as at 12:05 p.m.

Source: NAN

Former chief of army staff and Afenifere leader, General Alani Akinrinade has described as an insult to our collective intelligence former president Olusegun Obasanjos endorsement of Atiku Abubakar as his choice in next weeks election.

Akinrinade who took out a page in the Punch newspaper on Thursday to advertise his condemnation of Obasanjos political choice, advised Nigerians not to trust Obasanjos sense of judgment.

Some of us who knew him in the military and were privileged to see him operate during the civil war know if there is one thing Obasanjo is not blessed with, it is a good sense of judgment.

What do you say to a man who once gave a damaging testimonial against an employee now coming back to tell you to follow the same employee as the CEO of your organisation?What do you say to a man who once said: with what I know of Atiku, if I support him to be president of Nigeria, God will not forgive me?

Source: NAN