The All Progressives Congress in Lagos State invites the party's national legal adviser, Muiz Banire to face public trial over complaints filed against him by two members of the party.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
PMB and the descendants of Shimei: Femi Adesina
We would always have scumbags around. It is inevitable. They are the descendants of Shimei, the son of Gera, whom I want to introduce to you now.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Osinbajo opens creative industry financing conference in Lagos today
Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
With ‘Financing the Film, Television and Music Industries,’ as its theme, the conference is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in conjunction with Think Tank Media and Advertising headed by Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
The conference’s primary objective, according to Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is to take the industry into a golden era of smooth access to short and long term financing, world class management as well as local and international distribution.
Speaking at a news briefing in Lagos at the weekend, the minister said the conference was conceived to address the lack of access to financing, which is stunting the growth of the creative industry. “It is the latest in a series of conferences and other events that we have held since assuming office. Recall that we held the landmark National Summit on Culture and Tourism last year to chart the path for the industry. Most of its recommendations are already being implemented,” Alhaji Mohammed said, adding that the conference reflects the significance that Buhari administration attaches to the creative industry as the government sees it as the new oil that is going to propel Nigerian economy to greater heights.
Essentially, the conference grows fro the understanding that Nigeria, as the third largest film industry in the world, the most successful music industry on the continent, and the second largest television household market in Africa, evolved without a plan, without government effort and without well-structured financing.
“Now, we are desirous of exploiting and exploring these potentials,” the minister said
‘’As you are undoubtedly aware, this Administration attaches a whole lot of importance to the Creative Industry. This is in line with its cardinal programme of diversifying the economy away from oil,’’ he said, adding: ‘’There is no better demonstration of the high priority given to the Creative Industry than the fact that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, himself will declare open the Creative Industry Financing Conference.’’
The Minister said the overall essence of the Ministry’s efforts is to transform the Creative Industry to a Creative Economy. “We also believe that this transformation must be driven by the private sector, with the government providing the enabling environment,” he said.
The topics to be tackled by experts from within and outside Nigeria include ‘Government’s Role in Funding Creative Industry: The Bank of Industry Experience’, ‘Fundamentals of Financing Film, Television and Music Production’ and ‘Film, Television and Digital Distribution’
Speakers at the conference include, chair of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Hamzat Ayodele Subair; CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission; Yewande Sadiku; founder of Iroko TV, Jason Njoku; Alex Okosi of Viacom International Media Network; Jeff Kalligheri of Waterstone Entertainment and Kene Mkparu of Filnhouse Cinemas.
Others are Lindsey Oliver of Chiswick Park Studios, Rachel Glaister of EVP International Brands and Press; Adeola Bali of Garment Care Limited, Sanjay Salil of MediaGuru and Pai Gamde of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Mega party: PDP will not change its name — Gana
Dr Jerry Gana
Gana, who chairs the PDP Strategic Review and Inter-party Affairs Committee, made statement on Thursday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen during a meeting of the committee.
Asked for his comment on the recommendations of the committee on the issue of mega party, Gana said that the party’s relationship with other political parties would be based on principle and cleared guidelines.
He said: “on the progress of the alliance, I will not like to give details of what is being recommended, but the PDP is desirous of attracting all lovers of democracy across the country as we move forward.
“There are details I cannot divulge at the moment because the committee’s recommendations will be passed on to the party leadership. It will not be wise to disclose the details before we submit the report.
“On the issue of mega party, we are not yet aware of PDP involvement, but all we can say is that the party wants to relate with lovers of democracy in all the parties.
“We have a syndicate committee working on this chaired by former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu.
“They are to give us the guidelines for any re-alignment plan and the number of parties that are willing to join us.
“Our engagement will be based on principle and cleared guidelines.
“PDP is the only party that can be found in every ward, it is the only party that has not changed its name, and we are not going to change the name of our party.’’
Gana said that the committee, which was broken into 11 syndicates, would come up with recommendations that would help to re-position and strengthen the party.
He called on lovers of democracy in the country to rise up against what he described as `degeneration of democratic and electoral process gained during PDP administration.’
“Democracy in Nigeria is under threat and we must rise and defend democracy, because that is the best form of government for humanity now.
“This is not the age for military rule or autocracy.
“In democracy, there must be freedom of voters to choose freely, peacefully, in a free and fair election that is credible,’’ he said.
He said that the PDP condemned in strong terms the current degeneration of electoral process with violence being brought into political arena as witnessed in Rivers.
Gana said that the committee would reconvene in the middle of January 2017 to continue on its deliberations.
The committee, inaugurated on Nov. 8 by Makarfi was given three months to submit its report.
The committee among other mandates is expected to map out strategy how the PDP would reclaim power in 2019 through democratic means.
Enugu Guber Tussle: Court reserves judgment
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State
The Court of Appeal Abuja has reserved judgment on a suit challenging the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Enugu State governorship primary that produced Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as candidate.
Sen. Anyogu Eze, an aspirant in that contest, had filed the appeal at the appellate court.
Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson, who led the 3-man panel on Thursday, reserved the judgment after counsel to the parties had adopted their written addresses.
Akomolafe-Wilson said parties would be duly informed when the judgment was ready.
Eze had prayed the court to remove the governor, adding that he (Ugwuanyi) was not validly nominated by the PDP to contest the April 11, 2015, governorship election.
According to him, the governor emerged from an invalid primary election conducted on Dec. 8, 2015, by strange people who had claimed to be leaders of the party.
Mr. Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), counsel to Eze, said Ugwuanyi was merely picked by some persons at the National Headquarters of the party in Abuja.
“My Lords, the purported primary election was organized with doctored list of delegates.
“We have provided substantial evidence in this case to cause the removal of the governor,’’ he said.
The appellant had also prayed the court to set aside the judgment of Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja which dismissed his suit on March 2, 2015.
Eze had prayed the court to give approval to the parallel primary that produced him.
The appellant had further prayed the court to declare him as the authentic governorship candidate of the party in Enugu State.
Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to the governor had however urged the court to dismiss the pre-election, adding that it is bereft of merit.
Olanipekun said his client did file an appeal marked CA/A/157b/2015, wherein he challenged validity of the parallel primary election that produced Eze.
He argued that Eze lacked the locus-standi to query his ticket since he did not participate in the primary conducted by the National Working Committee of the party.
“My Lords, the appellant had walked out on the committee that conducted the election. In fact, he refused to abide by the modalities of the primary known to the NWC of the party,’’ he said.
However, NAN reports that the counsel to the governor exhibited result of the primary approved by national leadership of the party.
The document contains names of all the governorship aspirants, including that of appellant.
Olanipekun said: “Though the document contained Eze’s name, but no result was credited to him considering that he boycotted the process.
“He boycotted the election alongside another aspirant, Dr Maduka Onyishi.’’
Former Nasarawa lawmaker dumps PDP for APC
Ahmed Wadada
A three-term member, who represented Karu/Keffi/Kokokona Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wadada, has moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Thursday at the APC State Secretariat in Lafia, Wadada said he was attracted to the party as a result of the developmental strides of the APC-led government at the national and state levels.
He said that his decision to decamp with all his supporters was done in consultation with the critical stakeholders and communities from his constituency.
Wadada said that, though he was in PDP for more than 16 years, he dumped the party due to his concern and love for his people and in response to their calls.
He said that it was not a one-way traffic as he benefited a lot from the PDP while he was there, adding that the party had also benefited so much from him.
“The name I have today, the honour I have today and the credibility I have today, all came due through the benefits I got while I was still in PDP.
“I also worked seriously for the successes the party had recorded in the past both at the state and federal levels before all those benefits came,” Wadada said.
He said his decision to move to APC was not to escape from being prosecuted for any corrupt activities or dealing in the past by the ruling government.
Wadada, therefore, called on all well-meaning citizens of the state to join hands and support the good work the state government is doing for the peace and progress of the state.
Receiving the new members, the State APC Chairman, Mr. Philip-Tatari-Shekwo thanked the former lawmaker for appreciating what the party is doing in the state.
He commended him, adding that Wadada was not just coming to contest the election but had come in order to contribute to the development of the state.
Tatari-Shekwo, therefore, assured all the decampees that now that they had seen reasons and joined the APC, they would enjoy all the privileges, just like any other person who had been in the party since 2011.
Wadada, who represented Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2011, was the Nasarawa West PDP Senatorial candidate during the 2015 general election.
Buhari congratulates APC stalwart, Akande
Chief Abdukareem Adebisi Akande
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated elder statesman and founding Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Abdukareem Adebisi Akande, as he turns 78 years on Jan. 16.
This congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president.
Adesina said Buhari joined all members of the APC, friends and immediate family of the eminent leader in celebrating the birthday of Akande.
The president noted with delight that Akande was one of the pillars of the opposition party that had successfully ensured a round victory and smooth transition to unseat an incumbent president in 2015.
According to him, Akande’s wisdom, sacrifices, patriotism and commitment to the unity and development of Nigeria will always be remembered by posterity.
Buhari affirmed that Akande’s present role in the APC as a strong, visionary leader, a reconciling voice, strategist and stabiliser had paid up substantially in the enormous challenge of healing the ruling party, and the country.
The president extolled the passionate and relentless efforts of the statesman in ensuring the entrenchment democracy in Nigeria, and sustenance of the rule of law.
He prayed that the almighty God would grant “Chief Akande longer life, more strength and wisdom to continue serving the country he loves, and humanity”.
Akande was former governor of Osun between 1999 and 2003 and had meritoriously served as deputy governor of old Oyo State from 1979 to 1983.
We’ll win Lagos LG poll, PDP boasts
PDP logo
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Taofik Gani who stated this during an interview, added that the catchment areas of the PDP in Lagos State were well outlined now and that the party was working hard to increase the catchment areas.
He took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress, APC, led government in the state for failing to conduct council elections at the expiration of the tenure of democratically elected council chairmen.
“The Lagos State PDP is well prepared for the council elections. We were expecting that local government elections would be conducted at the expiration of the democratically elected council chairmen but for whatever reasons, the former Governor Raji Fashola shied away from conducting the elections.
“But now, a new governor is there and we are insisting that new governments are democratically in place as stipulated by the constitution. We are indeed better fortified to win elections now, if the elections had been held, there would be no reason for us to challenge the government but now that we have won seats in the House of Assembly and House of Representatives, if any election is conducted now, the PDP is better positioned to win.
“Indeed, the catchment areas of the PDP in Lagos State are well outlined now and what we are doing now is to increase the catchment area. On our side, what we are doing is to increase those catchment areas, so we will implore the chairman of the Lagos State Independent National Electoral Commission, LASIEC, who was a former chief judge of Lagos and his members to put in place immediately the guidelines and date for the conduct of local government election. If they have obstacles put by the governor, they should let Lagosians know.
“Lagosians are not happy that up till now, they do not have democratically elected representatives at the council level, this is unfortunate. It is not only illegal, it is also immoral on any governor not to conduct elections. It is deliberate in Lagos State and the reason is because APC was shocked, we jolted them when we won the number of seats in the legislature.
“They never expected it. They are jittery that if they conduct local government elections, apart from the acrimony within the APC, the acceptance of the PDP at this point in time due to the irresponsible governance that we are getting from the Federal government led APC, they will meet their waterloo. That is why the conduct has been deliberately delayed,” he said.
-Jamiu Yisa
APC lures former Kebbi governor, PDP chairman
APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi, has commenced moves to lure two prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the party.
Alhaji Sani Hukuma, a chieftain of the APC, and chairman, Kebbi State APC elders’ forum, made the disclosure on Friday in Birnin Kebbi while addressing newsmen.
He said that the leadership of the party is making efforts to lure Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, the former governor and Alhaji Musa Dan-Illela, PDP state chairman to defect to the APC.
“Yes, I led a delegation to the state chairman of the PDP; he organised an unprecedented dinner to welcome us to his house.
“We are still consulting the former governor Alhaji Saidu Dakingari to join our fold in order to move the state forward.
“As soon as the consultation is over, the opposition is over in Kebbi,” he said.
Hukuma said that Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, the incumbent governor, supported his predecessor during his (Dakingari’s) two terms in office.
“Some hypocrites, who were bent on ensuring that the state is not united, caused the misunderstanding between them by spreading unfounded rumour,” he said.
The APC chieftain commended President, Muhammadu Buhari for appointing an indigene of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Malami as Minister of Justice.
He described the minister as a “man of honesty and integrity.’’
“Malami is a man who is respected throughout the country; he is patriotic and loyal to traditional leaders.
“He is not corrupt and has dedicated his time to his profession. Buhari made a good choice by appointing him minister.
“We support the President’s decision and we will vote for Buhari should he decide to contest in 2019,” Hukuma said.
More reactions trail Nnamani’s defection to APC
Senator Ken Nnamani
Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East have described the defection of a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, to the party as a `welcome development’.
The APC chieftains, who spoke in separate interviews with newsmen on Tuesday in Enugu, said that the gale of defections by South East politicians to the ruling party was good for the zone.
Mr Osita Okechukwu, Director-General, of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), said the APC welcomes with open arms the political bigwigs who had found it worthy to identify with the progressives.
Okechukwu, however, called for caution in order not to admit those who participated in dislocating and subverting the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“My fear is that those who have excess baggage may also wittingly or unwittingly infect the APC in Enugu State with such anti-democratic and less than transparent tendency,” he said.
Okechukwu described Nnamani as `a politician with high integrity’ who worked hard to reorganise his former party and also stood firm against the infamous third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The APC Chairman in Enugu State, Chief Ben Nwoye, said the defection of the former senate president was a clear indication that the party was on ground in the state.
Nwoye said that the APC needed men of integrity such as Nnamani to capture states in the zone, adding that it would be a different story in the next general elections.
“We are galvanising the people of the state to embrace APC; they know that their votes have never counted.
“I am glad we have dismantled the rigging machine of other parties,’’ said the APC chieftain.
Nwoye said that the APC is a party for Nigerians and not for the Northerners or Muslims as people were made to believe during the 2015 elections.
According to him, the APC suffered campaigns of calumny in the South East ahead of the 2015 election.
He said that with the entrance of Nnamani and former Abia governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, the party would capture the South East.
A former member of the House of Representatives from Abia State, Chief Acho Obioma, said that time had come for the zone to take its proper place in the political scheme of things in the country.
“No meaningful development had happened in the South-East and South-South under the PDP and before the end of 2018, the zones would have seen massive infrastructural development under the APC.
“Our people will now see a reason to embrace our party because we do not like to be in the opposition.
“I believe that the scenario that played out during the last election will not repeat itself,” he said.
Obioma said that the turnout of people in the ongoing registration of members by the APC was a clear indication that the zone was ready to embrace progressive ideas.
Meanwhile, Prof Aloysius Okoli, of the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka said that the defection of Nnamani and Jim Nwobodo to the APC was rooted in pursuit of personal interest.
According to him, their defection would have little or no impact as far as politicking is concerned in Enugu State.
“I believe that their defection to APC is for them to be in the news, so that people could see and hear them,” Okoli said.
Nnamani on Sunday officially announced his defection to the APC in his country home, Amechi in Enugu South Local Government of the state.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Vice President, Osinbajo Pays Fashola a Visit, Photos
Fashola is very happy to see the VP. We hope BRF will cop a ministerial slot in PMB’s government.
NASS crisis: Buhari to meet Dogara, Saraki, Lawan groups
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