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Rivers APC Ex-governorship Aspirant Resigns From Party Over Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket

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Rivers APC Governorship Aspirant Resigns From Party Over Tinubu's Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are still protesting against the decision of the presidential candidate of the party Bola Tinubu to make a Muslim his running mate.

A former governorship aspirant of the party, Tonye Princewill, has resigned in protest against the choice of a Muslim running mate, describing the move as “immoral and insensitive”.

Princewill accused his now erstwhile party of immoral conduct and acting against religious sensitivity in a pluralistic democracy like Nigeria in the selection of its vice presidential candidate.

He stated this in a letter he personally signed informing the party of his exit from the party for fielding a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

APC presidential flagbearer, Tinubu, a Muslim, announced Shettima, a former Governor of Borno State, as his running mate, on Sunday, July 10, 2022 in Katsina, Katsina State.

A part of the letter, which was made available to reporters reads:

“I can’t argue for equity in my state and defend inequity in my country….I cannot defend the decision of my party, in fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket, especially, at a time like this, against all protestations from well-meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides.”

“It sets a very wrong precedent, it is totally insensitive and even if you win, will prove bad for good governance.”

READ ALSO: Crisis In Kaduna APC Over Muslim-Muslim Governorship Ticket

“Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to still remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory, OVER the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens.”

He condemned Tinubu and APC’s decision to disregard the clamour for a Northern Christian as a vice presidential candidate, stressing that his continued stay in the party will connote his alignment with such insensitivity and disregard for equitable engagement with the Nigerian people.

“An APC party that totally disregards the basics of the same equity we preach, is alien to me. Buhari resisted the same temptation and chose a little known Osinbajo and won. By doing this, Tinubu is saying that a Northern Christian has no electoral value. My staying means I agree.”

The exit of the Kalabari prince followed a pattern of unprecedented resignation of members of the embattled party in the state with the likes of former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ibim Semenitari, former federal lawmakers, Dr. Dawari George, as well as, members of the Senator Magnus Abe’s faction of the party resigning from the party.

On his part, a former chieftain of the PDP in Rivers State, Opunabo Nko-Tariah, in a television programme monitored from Port Harcourt on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, also thumbed down the APC and Bola Tinubu’s decision to fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

READ ALSO: Why I Won’t Lose Sleep Over Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket – Kukah

Opunabo Nko-Tariah
“It is not about competence as espoused by Tinubu but about winning the election. He thinks Kassim Shetima will deliver the Northern votes that will help his party win.”

“He does not care about Nigerians and their feelings otherwise he will not make such choice. Is he saying that he couldn’t find a competent Christian anywhere in the North?”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has, however, dismissed concerns raised about its decision to fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket, maintaining that it was waxing stronger and will retain power come 2023.

This position was advanced by the Publicity Secretary of the APC In Rivers State, Chris Finebone, who was reacting to the resignation of Semenitari, George and Princewill, insisting that the party is still very formidable without these individuals.

With the wave of resignations going on in the party, it is becoming clearer that the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, may not have received wide acceptance among the party’s stalwarts even among the famous 19 elders of the party who sat and declared him as the preferred candidate of the party.

 

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

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Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

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