APC

Kano 2023: No govt will succeed without NGO’s and CSO’s – Gawuna

By Aisar Fagge

Kano State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said no serious government will succeed without the contributions of Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) and Non-Governmental organizations (NGO’s).

Gawuna made this statement on Monday, 14th November, 2022 during a continuation of interactive session series organised by a coalition of 21 Kano CSO’s and NGO’s aiming to promote peace and development of Kano State.

Gawuna said, “We are not enemies of NGO’s. That’s why we are here. We’ll work together with NGO’s and CSO’S especially on the issues concerning education, youth and women.

“In many places, government alone cannot do all it’s work. They need the intervention of NGO’s. I have seen one person in Kenya teaching the whole school. We too here are going to involve NGO’s in improvising classrooms to cater the needs of our school pupils,” he stressed.

“I urge you journalists, NGO’s and CSO’s to to enlighten people about the activities of government and its programmes,” Gawuna appealed.

Other issues the APC candidate discussed were his development agenda on employment, health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, climate change, etc.

Convened by Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, the sessions allowed the gubernatorial candidates to interact with members of NGO’s, CSO’s, media practitioners and community leaders and share their blueprints on critical areas such health, education, youths, women, environment, commerce, agriculture, technology among others.

The event that commences on 9th November was graced by gubernatorial candidates of People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Salihu Tanko Yakasai; Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mal. Ibrahim Khalil of African Democratic Congress (ADC); Engr. Bashir I. Bashir of Labour Party (LP) and Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada of Action Democratic Party (ADP). Participants were hoping to see Abba Kabir Yusuf of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Sadiq Wali of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the subsequent meetings.

On the needless war of billboards in Bauchi

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Indubitably, Bauchi State is one of the hottest political spots in Nigeria. With a very volatile electorate, the state has remained one to watch whenever Nigerians are to go to the polls. More so, especially in recent times, the opposition in Bauchi state is hardly passive. In most cases, the government in power is challenged by a strong opposition which, from recent experience, the latter defeats the former at the polls. 

For instance, in 2015, the then-opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated the ruling Peoples` Democratic Party (PDP), culminating in the emergence of M. A. Abubakar as the governor of Bauchi state. And in 2019, the now-ruling PDP succeeded in ousting the APC from power. Such is the case of Bauchi State, where the electorate is apparently democratically well exposed, so much so that the political landscape is as undulating as it is sophisticated.  

And as Nigerians walk to the polls next year, the political temperature in Bauchi state is already rising, with the two main governorship contenders working hard to outdo each other. However, instead of issues to characterize the electioneering campaigns where the government in power will try to convince the electorate that it has performed well, just as the opposition APC will try to show the electorate how the former has not done well, it beats even the wildest imaginations that politicians in the state have resorted to destroying the billboards of their opponents. There is obviously no need for that.

The PDP-led government in Bauchi state can present its performance sheet to the electorate with a view to convincing the people how it delivered all the promises it made ahead of the 2019 governorship election. It should tell the world how it impacted the lives of the people. On the basis of indices, let the world learn how governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has not failed to transform education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, transportation, roads, security and the civil service in the almost past four years. 

And for the opposition APC, let it convincingly tell the good people of Bauchi state how the PDP-led administration has failed. Also, on the basis of indices, it should prove that it can do better by presenting reasons, amongst which should be the credentials of its standard bearer, Sadique Baba Abubakar. Let the world know how the erstwhile Chief of Air Staff met the Nigerian Air Force in almost the same situation Bauchi state is in today and turned around matters only to leave it a better place. 

In essence, rather than develop primitive tendencies, politicians in Bauchi state can focus on issues so that the electorate can know who is the best and can therefore make informed decisions on election day. After all, democracy is about the people in terms of their well-being and general development. 

Jarmajo wrote from Wuse, Abuja. 

I’m healthy enough to rule Nigeria – Tinubu slams critics

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, slammed his critics who claim he is unhealthy.

The presidential candidate argued that he is healthy and capable enough to occupy the highest office in the land.

Tinubu stated this in Kano during a meeting with businessmen in the state on Saturday.

He said, “I am not running for 100 yards or 500 yards; I am running for presidency. I’m not competing for WWE Wrestling. If I go out there, they would say he is sick. I’m standing before you, do I look like a sick man?” Tinubu asked.

“To everyone of you who had come out today, I say a big thank you. Thank you for walking and spending your time for a better Nigeria. Walking for the mission and the vision of a prosperous country. You have done it with your expectation, that this country must be inclusive and serve you as a nation.

“For everyday I spend as your President, when elected I promise you with strong determination that you will not be disappointed. Your hope is renewed. Our nation will be accomplished.

“You will be successful as Nigeria will be successful. Thank you for your strong effort and raising the hope of other millions that will come after you. Thank you. God bless you and God bless our country,” he said.

Tinubu also promised not to disappoint his supporters if elected President.

Justification: Zamfara gov’t seals media houses for breaking law – APC Spokesperson 

By Uzair Adam Imam

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara said the state government did not shut down media houses but only sealed them for breaking the law. 

The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Yusuf Idris, clarified this on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, saying the affected media houses collaborated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to break the law.

The Daily Reality recalls that Zamfara State Government, through the announcement by its Information Commissioner, Ibrahim Dosara, ordered the immediate shutdown of the affected media houses.  

Since he announced the order, trials have continued to knock the state government over the closure of the broadcast stations in the state.  

Justifying the move, Idris said, “The information reaching you out there is incorrect. What I read from the government is that it sealed the media (houses), not shut down. 

“The government doesn’t have the right to shut down, it only sealed; no going in, no going out. Shutting down means they are not going to operate and cancelling their licenses; this is the responsibility of NBC.”

Matawalle shuts down media over covering Zamfara PDP rally

By Uzair Adam Imam

There has been tension among journalists in Zamfara as the state government shuts down all the federal and private media houses for covering political rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The state’s Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, in a statement made available to journalists, disclosed on Saturday.

Dosara said the state governor, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, also directed the State Commissioner of Police to arrest all pressmen that attended the event.

The Daily Reality gathered that the event was organized by the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare.

Several reports indicated that Matawalle earlier announced a suspension of all political activities in the state over the resurgence of insecurity.

However, the PDP went ahead with its inaugural rally which enjoyed media coverage by the affected media.

Radio Nigeria Pride FM Gusau, NTA Gusau, Gamji Television, Vision FM, Al’Umma TV are among the media affected by the order.

2023: Gawuna, Garo should be prosecuted for electoral offences – NNPP

By Uzair Adam Imam

The All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates for Kano state lack the integrity to run for any public office, says the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

The party argued that the duo should be prosecuted by now for disrupting the 2019 general election.

This was disclosed in a statement signed and issued Friday by the Spokesperson to the party, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

Dawakin Tofa lambasted the ruling party for giving tickets to Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo for their “uncivilized behaviour.”

The Daily Reality recalled that, in a viral video, Gawuna and Garo were seen under police custody after allegedly tearing election results that led the electoral body to declare the 2019 governorship election inconclusive in the state.

The statement said, “It is morally reprehensible for the party to give tickets to those whose videos depict them disrupting elections that have globally smeared the image of Kano.

“It is on record and cannot be disputed that on February 14, 2019, the state police command nabbed two individuals after discovering 14 sacks containing ballots that had been thumb-printed in favour of the APC.

“For the APC to accuse us or any other party of rigging is silly and a public show of lack of shame,” the statement added.

Hoard of PVC: NNPP demands immediate prosecution of arrested APC chairman

By Uzair Adam Imam

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Civil Society organizations, under the Auspices Alliance for Good Governance, demanded the immediate prosecution of the APC Chairman, Aminu Ali Shana.

The APC chairman of Yautan Arewa, Gabasawa LGA, was arrested on Friday by the police in possession of over three hundred permanent voter’s cards (PVC) in Kano.

A statement issued and signed by Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, the Kano Publicity Secretary of the party, demanded legal action against the chairman.

It was gathered that the police has already transferred the suspect to the department of criminal investigation (CID) of Kano state command in Bompai for further investigation.

The NNPP said it will pursue this case to a logical conclusion in the interest of protecting democratic principles.

The statement says, “The offence is contrary to sections 21 and 22 1 (a), (b) and (c) of the electoral act 2022 as amended.”

It also stated that the NNPP chairman of Kano State, Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa had directed the party’s legal team to file a petition against the suspect and his core sponsors.

“I directed our legal advisor to also write to the electoral umpire (INEC) to as a matter of responsibility pursue necessary action on the matter” Doguwa confirmed in the statement.

He said the issue of PVC hoarding subsections source of major concern in Kano ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“We are naturally vindicated by this arrest, we keep our fingers crossed as we await the next steps to be taken by both the Independent National Electoral Commission and Nigeria Police,” he added.

APC not worried about growing strength of NNPP – Senator Gaya 

By Uzair Adam Imam

Former Kano State governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya, said the All Progressive Congress (APC) was not worried by the growing strength of the New Nigerian People Party (NNPP).

The senator said NNPP would only strike terror into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party would split the votes that belong to the PDP. 

He stated that the APC would sweep the votes in all the electoral positions, predicting that the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) would come second while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would come third.

Gaya disclosed this to journalists in Kano when he was debunking the rumour going around that the vice president, Yemi Osibanjo, was sidelined in the formation of the presidential campaign team of APC. 

He said the information was misleading and fake and that Osinbajo remained committed to the presidential ambition of the APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said, “I am a member of the Tinubu campaign team, so the issue of sidelining anyone does not arise. Even the president has said he wants Osinbajo to be with him in running the affairs of the country to ensure a seamless handover.

“There is nothing like Osinbajo is sidelined because, after the primaries, we were in Osinbajo’s house when Tinubu came and said he needed our support. We had over two hours’ discussion. They are working together. Politics should not divide us,” he stated. 

Gridlock as Tinubu supporters roam Lagos’ major roads 

By Uzair Adam Imam

Reports from Lagos indicate that the supporters of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) roamed the state’s major roads and caused a gridlock. 

The supporters were said to have taken the streets as a solidarity rally for the candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

The former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, announced on Sunday. 

He said, “Many vehicles struggled to make their way as the crowd occupied a significant portion of the road.

The Daily Reality recalls that this is coming after the supporters of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, marched on various streets of Lagos last week.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for not having a valid presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections. 

The National Publicity Secretary, PDP, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the party’s conference on Saturday. 

However, the challenge appeared to have been unfavourable and did not sit well with the APC and Tinubu supporters. 

APC has no valid presidential candidate – PDP

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for not having a valid presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary, PDP, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the party’s conference on Saturday.

He stated that the ruling has nothing to offer and should go home and face the “issues of inconsistencies in his educational qualifications, name, ancestry, age as well as corruption allegations.”

Ologunagba added that the nullification of the candidacy of Osun State governors Gboyega Oyetola, confirmed the stand of the party that the executives and candidates put together by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, were illegal.

The Daily Reality recalls that a Federal High Court in Abuja invalidated the nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, as APC candidates in the Osun State governorship election.

Olgunagba stated that the judgment by the Federal High Coury invalidated the decision made by Buni, including supervising the election that produced the Abdullahi Adamu APC leadership and by extension, the primaries that produced Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.