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Amaechi’s My Friend, Buhari’s Loyalist – El- Rufai

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Amaechi's My Friend, Buhari's Loyalist - El- Rufai

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has said that a presidential aspirant in the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is his friend and President Muhammadu Buhari’s loyalist.

El-Rufai narrated how his friendship with Amaechi was strengthened through different circumstances.

“There was a time I was in the opposition, the DSS was looking for me, they wanted to arrest me. Amaechi told me where to go and wait for him. I waited and he drove me to the DSS himself and insisted that I should be questioned and released to him same day and that was what happened. So, who is my friend? Who is my confidant?” El-Rufai said.

El-Rufai’s statement came barely two days days after he and Kaduna delegates to the APC national convention endorsed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Murtala Square, Kaduna.

Rotimi Amaechi was in Kaduna yesterday and told APC delegates he was prepared to be the President in 2023.

READ ALSO: Obi For President, Zulum For Vice President

” I am young and the most experienced of all the presidential aspirants. The presidency requires agility of a young man, the elderly people should go home and rest,” he said.

Governor El-Rufai described Amaechi as his own friend and confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the former minister won  Buhari’s heart in 2011 when as a PDP governor of Rivers State, he funded the convention of Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

He said:  “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was here two days ago and you promised him support, today, here is my friend, my confidant, what are you going to say?

“Many people contesting election always say delegates will hardly make heaven, because they don’t keep to promise, but I always say Kaduna delegates are different. You were in a hurry and didn’t listen to what other aspirants will tell you.

”Amaechi is here and I told you that, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is also coming after him, Governor Kayode Fayemi is also coming. Also, my big brother who took CPC, Pastor Tunde Bakari, is also coming. As a result of that, you should be prepared and know what to tell them.

“Let me tell you people something, in 2011 when we were in CPC, we were to go to convention and we didn’t have money. Amaechi then was governor of Rivers State under the PDP, I don’t know how he got to know, then he asked how much was needed to hold the convention, and he gave the money. It was the money we used to organise the 2011 convention.

“Since then, President Muhammadu Buhari asked me to continue talking to him. When they were meeting, thinking of defecting to APC, we used to meet with the seven governors before two chickened out.

”Amaechi turned his back against his own neighbour, Goodluck Jonathan and said he was going to follow Buhari. He held on to that trust, that is why Daura Emirate gave him that title of Dan Amanan Daura.

“We are followers of Buhari. It is what he tells us that we do. So, here is my friend and Buhari’s loyalist, what are you going to do? You should know, after today’s discussion, there are going to be discussions.

“Others will come too, but who is your friend? Who is your loyalist? Your friend and your loyalist is someone who remembers  you when you had nothing and nobody with you. Governor Amaechi gave that support, he did it for Buhari and he did it for me.

“There was a time I was in the opposition, the DSS was looking for me, they wanted to arrest me. Amaechi told me where to go and wait for him. I waited and he drove me to  DSS himself and he insisted that I should be questioned and released to him same day and that was what happened. So, who is my friend? Who is my confidant?”

“Now, I am going to ask you people two questions, one you can answer the other you can choose not to answer. Have we agreed that it is justice that presidency should go back to the south? The delegates replied him yes.

“The second one is, Asiwaju came on Thursday, now Amaechi is here, what are you going to say, or are you going to tell me later?”

Amaechi had earlier told the delegates that he would be resigning as the Minister of Transport today. He said he was one of the youngest of all the presidential aspirants in his party the APC, saying ” our elders should go home and rest…I governed a state that was ravaged at the time with insecurity but I  was  able to successfully tame the situation.

” If elected President, I will do same in Nigeria, I will continue with President Buhari’s agricultural transformation to address hunger, the administration of President Buhari inherited poverty but has been able to change the situation positively.

“You need to vote for a candidate that will protect and provide for all regardless of region, religion and tribe and that is what am promising you.

“As speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, I was elected chairman of Nigerian speakers twice and as governor, I was also elected Chairman Nigeria Governors forum twice. It shows I have what it takes to govern.
I am asking you not to waste Kaduna votes, please give me your votes and I will come back to Kaduna to thank you.”

 

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Abiodun Congratulates Ododo, Uzodimma On Winning In Kogi, Imo

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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

 

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State as the affirmation of the confidence Nigerians have in the ability of the ruling party to extricate Nigeria from the current economic woes.

The APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo emerged winner of the Kogi governorship election with 446,237 votes to beat Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who polled 259,052 votes to come second.

The win followed the earlier one in Imo State, where Governor Hope Uzodinma, also of the APC was declared the winner of Saturday’s election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Prince Abiodun, who is also he Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council For Kogi Governorship Election, said Ododo’s victory was the culmination of the successes recorded by the APC in the last eight years and the confidence reposed in the governor-elect.

Abiodun praised voters in Kogi State who trooped out en masse on Saturday to vote for Ododo, even as he acknowledged the resilience of Governor Yahya Bello in ensuring the electoral victory of the ruling party.

He reiterated the earlier pledge of President Tinubu to revamp the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and the National Iron Ore Mining Company at Itakpe, saying that the resuscitation of the companies will scale up socio-economic activities of the state and Nigeria in general.

Abiodun said: “I congratulate Governor-elect Usman Ododo on his well-deserved victory as the newly elected Governor of Kogi State. This resounding success at the polls reflects the trust and confidence the people of Kogi have placed in you to lead them into a future of progress and prosperity.

“Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people have been evident throughout your political career. As you assume the mantle of leadership, I have no doubt that you will continue to serve Kogi State with utmost integrity, diligence, and passion.

“Your election victory not only signifies the triumph of democracy but also presents an opportunity for transformative change in Kogi State. I have tremendous faith in your ability to successfully navigate the challenges that lie ahead and bring about positive growth in various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and economic development.

“Furthermore, I am confident that under your visionary leadership, Kogi State will witness a renewed sense of unity, purpose, and inclusive governance. Your administration will prioritize the needs and aspirations of the people, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.

I also congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Yahya Bello and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the successful conclusion of Saturday’s election.”

On Sunday, Abiodun said the re-election of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State is a confirmation of the trust the citizens have in his All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

INEC on Sunday declared Uzodinma, who is the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, the winner of Saturday’s governship election with wide margins.

Uzodinma scored 540,308 votes to beat other candidates in the election.

Prince Abiodun expressed delight that the resounding victory of Uzodinma attested to his leadership quality and delivery of the dividend of democracy to the people.

He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and INEC for the hitch-free Electoral process in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states on Saturday.

He said: On behalf of the people of Ogun State, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on your re-election as the Governor of Imo State. Your resounding victory is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of Imo State have in your ability to lead them towards progress and prosperity.

“We are delighted to see that your vision for Imo State has resonated with the people and that you have been given a renewed mandate to continue the good work that you have already begun. Your commitment to transforming Imo State into a modern, vibrant, and prosperous state is a shining example to other leaders across the country.

“As you embark on your second term in office, may your leadership continue to inspire and uplift the people of Imo State. We look forward to working with you to deepen the ties between our two great states and to create a brighter future for all our citizens.

“Congratulations once again, and best wishes for a successful tenure.”

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Supreme Court Ruling Seals Unshakable Victory of Tinubu In 2023 Presidential Election – Abiodun

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Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has described the ruling by the Supreme Court, which dismissed the petitions of the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party against the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a watershed and a moment of joy for all Nigerians.

Governor Abiodun, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday described the judgement as rooted in law, even as he praised the judiciary for standing by the truth at all times.

The governor said the victory is for all Nigerians, moreso as it came when President Tinubu’s policies aimed at lifting Nigeria out of her malaise were beginning to take shape.

He siad: “In confirmation of his victory as a true reflection of the wishes of the majority of Nigerians who trooped out to exercise their franchise on February 25 this year, the Supreme Court, today, threw out the appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), putting to rest eight months of contestation over the outcome of the poll.

“I congratulate Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of our great Party, and indeed all Nigerians on this great victory. This is a great moment for Nigeria, a watershed in our history, a moment of joy and pride for all of us.This is not just a victory for the President, it is a victory for the Nigerian State.

“I salute the judiciary for standing by the truth and giving a judgment that is rooted in the law, data and logic and overwhelming evidence. I salute the justices of the Appeal Court for giving a very solid, detailed and meticulous judgment that laid the foundation for today’s verdict by the Supreme Court, which is a well- thought out judgment that will further enrich our jurisprudence. I believe that this judgment will be seen worldwide as confirming with the global best practices in law.

“To be sure, this victory belongs to all Nigerians, including even the opposition parties which contested the outcome of the poll, because it affirms Nigeria’s irrevocable commitment to democracy and civil rule and further consolidates the entrenchment of the democratic ethos across the Nigerian landscape.

“Coming at a time the policies and programmes of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration are beginning to take shape to lift Nigerians out of the morass of despondency and despair, this victory is indeed a sweet one. It confirms the trust reposed by Nigerians in President Tinubu, the man made for a time like this when Nigerians yearn for radical change in their affairs.

“Like the President himself has said, I enjoin all Nigerians to unite as we collectively tackle the things that hold us together and reach for greater heights, firmly anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

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Confusion In APC As Sylva Is Disqualified From Bayelsa Gubernatorial Election

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Timipre Sylva

The All Progressives Congress (AP) is in confusion as its gubernatorial candidate in the Bayelsa election of November, Timipre Sylva, has been disqualified.

The disqualification came to the public attention as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released amended lists of governorship candidates on Tuesday, excluding Sylva and his running mate, Joshua Maciver.

The disqualification stems from a Federal High Court ruling on October 10, which held that Sylva is not qualified to contest the election because he has already served two terms as state governor. The judge ruled that allowing Sylva to contest again would breach the 1999 constitution.

But the APC gubernatorial campaign council has urged its supporters not to be deterred by the disqualification and has said that the party is appealing the decision.

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