Agency Report

By Muhammad Tijjani

A Coalition of groups in Kaduna, have on Friday, mobilised support for the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the party's Governatorial candidate in Kaduna state Sen. Uba Sani for the 2023 general election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the groups included, Tinubu/Uba Sani grassroots mobilization, We 2 Gether, Kaduna association of Nupe, Kaduna youth mobilization group and Kaduna traders.

Others include farmers association, Tinubu coliation group, focus for jagaban, kinkinau development association, Kaduna Igbo community, Kaduna Yoruba community, kawo grassroot, and association of Katsina indigenes living in Kaduna.

At a meeting, discussing on modalities and strategies for Tinubu's and Uba Sani's victory for their respective ambitions, the Convener, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad, said the groups came together under one umbrella to mobilise voters at various levels for the two candidates.

He noted that it was necessary and important to join hands for a common goal, while advising for general mobilization of supporters at all levels by considering credibility of the candidates and their popularity.

Muhammad vowed to contribute immensely towards achieving the groups targets and objectives.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Coalition, Dr. Bashir Ibrahim, said the APC led administration has brought tremendous development particularly in Kaduna state and Nigeria at large.

He stressed the need for proper awareness to enlighten people of the great achievement the APC has brought in Nigeria and the the hope and plans it has for the future.

Ibrahim noted the various social security interventions by Sen. Sani, all in efforts of reducing unemployment among youths and curbing poverty level in women.

Ibrahim assured of the Coalition's commitment to continue mobilisation to the grassroots, and especially to women who do not have access to internet, noting that they are the real champions of democracy who usually come out en masse to vote on election days.

He commended Gov. Nasir El-rufa'i for the achievements his administration has recorded in the last seven and half years.

"The administration has done well in the areas of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, empowerment, job creation and security, "Ibrahim said.

He disclosed that an Information Technology firm, DotNET, who are also enthusiastic on the APC's victory in Nigeria and Kaduna state has expressed interest in general Information Technology support to the coalition and pledge their commitment towards Tinubu and Uba Sani's aspirations at all levels.

Also, Alh. Magaji Nalele, Chairman of Katsina indigenes living in Kaduna, said the level of mobilization achieved so far is tremendous .

According to him, the group has increased representative and brought various meaningful activities in Kaduna and the North in general, in line with the vision and promises made.

Also speaking, Abdulhamid Chawai, a member of the coalition, declaring his unreserved support forTinubu and Uba Sani, stated that APC meant well to the electorates.

Also, Leader of 'We 2gether', a group in the coalition, Hajia Halima Liman, stated that as non Governmental political organisation, they were ready to go for competent candidates in the coming 2023 election.

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Wike drags Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal to court

IMA ELIJAH

August 12, 2022 10:42 AM

Wike is insisting that for peace to reign, the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, must resign from office.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike. (DailyPost)

Following the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential primary election held on May 29, 2022, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has sued PDP; its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

The PDP crisis: Wike and his loyalists have been in a face-off with Atiku’s camp since the conclusion of the PDP’s primary election.

Wike's next step: Following the prolonged crisis rocking the party, Wike and a PDP chieftain, Newgent Ekamon have now dragged Atiku, Tambuwal and the PDP to court in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022.

What Wike is suing for: In the originating summons, Wike and his co-applicant asked the court to determine eight issues including whether the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku by the PDP was illegal and void.

The plaintiffs asked the court to determine if Tambuwal lost his claim to votes the moment he stepped down for Atiku.

Wike and Ekamon argued that should these issues be determined in their favour, the court should grant nine reliefs including a declaration that the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku be declared null and void.

The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration that the PDP acted negligently and in bad faith by assigning the Sokoto governor’s votes to Atiku at the primary.

They prayed the court to “cancel the transfer of votes and a corresponding order restraining the 3rd respondent (Tambuwal’s) withdrawal in the primary was done after voting had commenced.”

The applicants also prayed the court to declare that the PDP and Atiku took undue advantage of Tambuwal’s withdrawal when they allowed the Sokoto governor to persuade delegates to vote for the former Vice-President in the primary.

They are also seeking an order commanding the PDP to recount the votes of the primary that was held on May 28 and May 29.

Lastly, the applicants are seeking an order of the court “directing the 1st respondent (PDP) to declare the 2nd applicant (Wike), a presidential aspirant in the May 28 and May 29 primary as the winner of the aforesaid primary with a corresponding order directing the 1st respondent (PDP) to forward his name as the candidate to contest the presidential election in 2023.”

What happened during the PDP primaries: During the primary election held in Abuja, the Sokoto Governor, while addressing delegates, asked them to vote for him but later declared that he stepped down for the former Vice President, Atiku.

At the primary, Atiku polled 371 votes while Wike and Bukola Saraki garnered 237 and 70 votes respectively. After the convention, the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, described Tambuwal as the “hero of the convention.”

Dele Momodu sends message to Wike: Former presidential aspirant of PDP, Dele Momodu has urged Governor Wike of River State to thread softly before it becomes too late.

He said, “My dear Brother, good evening. I have watched you in recent months with trepidation. I’m scared about your inability to comprehend the country called Nigeria. You must have underrated how the owners of Nigeria operate.

“I studied the biography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I was an insider in the June 12 1993 crisis, and a veritable witness to the tribulations of my great mentor, Chief Moshood Abiola. Closer home, you must have seen how your predecessor, Dr. Peter Odili, was stopped in his tracks in 2007.

“You’re certainly one of Nigeria’s best performing Governors, if not the best. Personally, I’m very proud of your uncommon achievements. I know you are very angry. It is your right to be. But I’m begging you in the name of God not to take decisions based on anger… Nigeria has been very kind to you."

Wike's condition for peace: Governor Wike is insisting that for peace to reign, the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, must resign from office.