Agency Reports

By Sani Idris

The 2023 candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency of Kaduna State, Hauwa Abdullahi, has given reasons why menfolk should give way to the womenfolk in the forthcoming general elections, restating the assertion that, 'what men can do, women can do better'.

The House of Representatives hopeful stated this during a media parley at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency had been dominated by Yakubu Barde, since 1999.

Barde is fondly called “No Shaking” by his supporters and admirers of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Gambo who would be slugging it out with Barde, said it was imperative for male contestants to step aside because the female counterpart are better managers of both domestic and national resources.

According to her, no man can run a successful home without a woman, and as such men should stay behind in the next political dispensation, especially at the grassroots politics.

She called on women in her Constituency to vote female representatives running for leadership position in the region for adequate representation.

“I know that strong women don’t joke with responsibilities given to them which is reflected in the way they handle their homes hence the need for the electorate to trust them with their votes.

“If you cannot run a home successful without a woman, what makes you think you can run a nation successful without her? without doubt when women are in a place of leadership,a larger percentage of the problems are solved.

“I want to assure you that one of the most significant places of nation building that would have served as a strong pillar has been neglected for decades, the women folks; and when we bring them back to the table of leadership, we will begin to heal and return back on the path of sustainable development.

“Today, women have risen and are offering themselves for service and we are asking you to give us your votes because it will matter”. she said.

Abdullahi appealed to women to come out in their numbers and occupy their leadership space that have remained vacant for decades for sustainable progress of the country.

The House of Representatives candidate further said that the country needed more women with fresher ideas that will deliberately and intentionally move it forward to the desired height.

“I come with a mandate of rehabilitating, supporting and building the women of my constituency because they have suffered.

“From those whose spouses and children have been killed or kidnapped and those that are displaced if given the mandate,they will be supported and reintegrated back to the society," she added.

Speaking on the number of graduates running the street especially in Chikun Kajuru Federal Constituency looking for jobs, she reassured that she will train unemployed youths and move them for job opportunities outside the country.

“We are going to mop up the number of our unemployed youths and expose them to both local and global opportunities in ICT capacity building and the use of the internet; and we will remind them of their responsibilities to leadership in their respective homes and constituency.

“We are still talking about the girl child education,out of school children, infant mortality, maternal mortality which are issues that are easily solvable with deliberate, intentionally and good leadership”. she said.(NAN)

News Politics

It's not a bribe - APC defends Tinubu over cash gift to elderly man

NURUDEEN SHOTAYO

December 21, 2022 8:43 PM

The ruling party argued that it would be unfair to label Tinubu's act of compassion as bribery.

APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has jumped to the defence of its candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over a cash gift to a physically challenged man.

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What happened: Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, came under severe condemnation following a trending video that captured the duo dolling out crispy naira notes to an elderly man at a meeting with people with disabilities in Abuja on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

The two-minute clip, which has now gone viral, was circulated all over social media with critics and opposition members tagging it as a brazen attempt to induce voters.

Among those who condemned the act were Reno Omokri, a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan and Emeka Obasi, media aide to Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

APC replies critics: Reacting to the development, the Deputy Spokesperson of Tinubu/Shettima APC-PCC, Hannatu Musawa, said Tinubu can't be held for any wrongdoing.

In a statement on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, titled, 'Misrepresentation of a harmless video I, Hannatu Musa Musawa, posted of my principals giving alms and charity to a poor and disabled elderly gentleman,' Musawa expressed dismay over the negative spin on the act.

The statement partly read: “My attention has been drawn to the dishonest, erroneous and incorrect narrative spun by unctuous, dissipated, debauched and desperate elements within the opposition to turn a perfectly innocent video I posted of a kind act I witnessed my Principals carrying out into something mendacious and devious.

“A few days ago I attended a gathering with the Presidential candidate of the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Alhaji Kashim Shettima where they had a robust engagement with persons with disability. During the event, our principals had the opportunity to interact with a poor and disabled elderly gentleman. Borne purely out of compassion, my principals spoke to this gentleman, listened to him and performed the tenant of charity and alms giving towards him.

“As I watched this tender moment between the three men, I wanted to capture it and show the world the empathy that organically runs through the veins of my principals, and that raw spirit of charity that they both imbibe.”

Musawa explains why she shared the clip: Explaining further, the legal icon, who shared the video online, said she didn't do so out of error, rather, she intended to tell a compassionate and compelling story of leadership as shown by her principals.

Musawa noted that it's unfortunate that the opposition has refused to make their campaigns issue-based and has resorted to extreme methods to maintain relevance.

The statement partly read: “I posted the video, not out of mistake, but with the intention of telling the compassionate story of the empathetic leadership that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, supported by Alhaji Kashim Shetima will surely give to Nigeria after they emerge victorious in the upcoming election, by the grace of The Almighty.

“As I watch the negative chronicle being spun by the opposition Svengali’s, trying to enforce a specific negative narrative on the public, it is clear that the falsehood being spread stems from the devious imagination and wicked machinations of a desperate and self combusting opposition.

“I would have dismissed the musings as the rantings of an inconsequential opposition. However, I am compelled to make this response because of innocent Nigerians that may be misled by such devious rhetoric.

“On Monday the 19th December 2022 at approximately 4:48 pm, I watched with appreciation and approbation as my two principals, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Kashim Shettima performed an act of kindness towards a poor and disabled man who was truly in need. After watching them, I was further convinced that these were two men of precious faith that have the heart of kindness, empathy and compassion. And I believed it was a story that needed to be told.

“In the Bible under Psalm (112:5-9), it is written “It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. For he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever. He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

“In Islam we are taught that The prophet (PBUH) says the following in a hadith: “Muslims help each other only by passing the bridge of almsgiving. Almsgiving by virtue of the two holy teachings, giving charity and alms specifically to help the poor becomes a core tenant for Muslims and Christian to abide by.

“That 2 minute video clip was a visual reflection of my principals compassion towards the needy. Rather than commend Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Kashim Shetima, for a kind act towards a man that was clearly in need, the opposition have regrettably decided to put a negative spin on a story of good will and sheer kindness.

“With the trajectory of the upcoming election showing that the pendulum is swinging to the benefit of an APC victory, there is no question that the opposition is behaving like the proverbial “drowning man” determined to pull others down with them. And while there is hardly any purpose in joining issues with a losing opposition, it is important to highlight their diversionary rhetoric and tactics.

“Even though I do understand the despondency and misery of the PDP, who have been hit worse than the Titanic racing towards the iceberg with their loss of 5 ‘brightly shining’ governors and the anguish and despair of the Labour party who have a ‘Constitutional Impossibility’ of winning the next election based on Section 134 of The Constitution, it would be advisable for them to remain on the issues while they try to sort out their in-house complications.

“I have thorough confidence that, come February 25th 2023, Nigerians will exercise their constitutional right and resoundingly vote for the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 17th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I urge Nigerians to disregard any fabrication attached to my video of an act of kindness and compassion, and rather concentrate on collectively working to move our nation forward by making the upcoming voting exercise the freest and fairest elections Nigeria will ever have.”