Tag: Oshiomhole

Omo-Agege Condemns Alleged Attacks On Oshiomhole

‘We Are Not Happy’, Senate Condemns Security Situation In Zamfara, Other States
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege addresses reporters in Abuja on July 15, 2019.

 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has condemned the attacks on the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Benin City, Edo State.

Omo-Agege said this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, in Abuja on Sunday.

Describing the development as callous, cowardly, inhumane and totally unacceptable that should be condemned by all, he noted that political practice in the country should not be allowed to degenerate to a situation where violence becomes the language of activism by both politicians and their supporters no matter how disgruntled such persons may be.

Oshiomhole was reported to have escaped a major attempt on his life by armed thugs who swooped on his Benin residence in Okorotun Street, GRA, on Saturday. The thugs were said to have shot sporadically into the air.

The lawmaker called on the police to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.

This, he noted, will serve as a deterrent to others that political violence is not the best way to resolve conflicts, if any.

“Such criminal attack, remains utterly condemnable and illegal. Whatever their grievances, they should learn to explore dialogue rather than resort to violence.

” I call on the police to get to the root of the matter by prosecuting those involved in the act. It is my belief that the fine principles and ethos of democratic practice do have inbuilt mechanisms through which internal wranglings can be resolved without recourse to violence as it was the case in Edo State on Saturday.

“I would like to call on the parties involved to explore those options that would strengthen the party as entrenched in the constitution of the APC as that is the best way to move the state and the nation to the Next Level in which all citizens are expected to reap the dividends of the trust they reposed in the government led by President Muhammadu Buhari”, he stated.

Omo-Agege also called on parents to warn their wards against political violence, adding that the attack negated democratic principles.

We Have No Knowledge Of Alleged Attack On Oshiomhole – Edo Govt

Governor Godwin Obaseki addressing a gathering in Abuja on July 19, 2019.

 

 

The Edo State Government has said it has absolutely no knowledge of the purported attack on the person or the residence of former Governor of the state and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, who was reacting to the alleged incident said, “We have no knowledge of the attack. We have also reached out to the Police, and they affirmed that they do not know about such an attack.

Speaking to Channels Television on the matter through a telephone conversation, media aide to mister Oshiomhole, Simon Ebegbulem insisted that the Edo state government were behind the alleged attack.

He said that some hoodlums laid siege at the Benin city residence of the APC national chairman, who was away at the time, attending a function in town on Saturday night, but were eventually chased away by security operatives.

PHOTOS: Oshiomhole, Secondus Embrace Each Other At Presidential Election Tribunal

Adams Oshiomhole and Uche Secondus Embrace Each Other

 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and the National Chairman of the opposing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, embraced each other at the court room of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja.

The presidential tribunal will today deliver judgement in the petition brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23 Presidential election.

READ ALSO: Tribunal Rules On Atiku’s Petition Challenging Buhari’s Victory

See Photos Below: 

#RevolutionNow: Does Sowore Want Nigerians To Make Him President – Oshiomhole

 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said that the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore must be clear on what he wants. 

Oshiomhole made this remarks while condemning the #RevolutionNow protest as planned by Mr Sowore who is the convener of the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy.

The APC chieftain noted that though every Nigerian has the right to protest, still every protest action must be properly coordinated with the grievances of those involved, stated clearly.

READ ALSO: Charge Sowore To Court, Falana Dares Government, Security Agencies

He stated this while speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“What is it that Sowore the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, a Presidential Candidate cleared by INEC to bid for power, who had opportunity to ask Nigerians to vote for him, now Nigerians have voted, the voted have been counted and he was not the favoured candidate.

“What does he want now, to say that Nigerians must make him the President? We all have to be careful nobody should talk as if we have another country.

“We have challenges but somehow we have all resolved as a people that the way and the route to power is through the ballot box.

“Our task as a people is to continue to work to clean up the system so that only Nigerian people and Nigerian people alone shall determine who governs them at all levels. That I believe is a legitimate thing to fight for.

“But if you want overthrow, you want a revolution then you should have spared us, the INEC from going to put his name on the ballot paper,” Oshiomhole said.

He further stated that though people have the rights to disagree and contest issues, and government do not have the right to dictate to people how to protest, but it must be stated clearly what exactly the people want.

We Have What It Takes To Move Nigeria To The Next Level – Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole

 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the party and Buhari’s administration has all it takes to move the country forward.

He stated this on Monday while speaking to journalists on the ministerial nominees.

“Theses ministers coming, all of us working together, the party, the executives which the ministers belong to and the National Assembly which we have an overwhelming majority.

“We have what it takes to take Nigeria to the next level and the next level we are going there”.

READ ALSO: I Will Not Be Part Of A Rubber Stamp National Assembly – Melaye

He expressed concern over the reactions of Nigerians dismissing the ministerial list before receiving or seeing it.

“In the President second term, our party and our government at the Federal, state and local government level must deliver”.

He commended the President for running an all-inclusive government as evidenced by his nomination of two ministers from an area where he received the only five percent of the vote.

“If there is one man that has shown the capacity to patronise all including where he did not win an election, it is President Muhammadu Buhari.

Where we got less than 5 percent I saw two ministers coming from that state, inspite of the fact the President got less than 5 percent, that speaks volume of a large heart and to have an all-inclusive government”.

He maintained that the new ministers will help the President in this second term to deliver on the party’s mandate.

Senate Presidency: I Can’t Appoint Or Impose Anyone On The Senate – Oshiomhole

 

Adams Oshiomhole has said that contrary to claims in some quarters, he does not possess the power to chose who becomes the Senate President of the 9th National Assembly (NASS).

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made this statement on Friday while featuring as a guest on Channels Television’s Hard Copy.

He said all that he has done with regards to the issue of who becomes president of the 9th NASS, is to engage members of the National Assembly and members of the executive, in a bid to bring the two together to discuss questions of how the party can manage its huge majority in the parliament.

READ ALSO: INEC Was Grossly Biased Against APC, Oshiomhole Claims

Oshiomhole said he stressed that he has no power to appoint or impose anyone on the Senate.

“Do I look like someone who can appoint and impose somebody on the Senate, even if I wished to?” Oshiomhole asked.

He said all he has is the power to “persuade, the power to negotiate and the power to point out what might go wrong” if the party does not organise itself as to obtain a process for electing leadership.

Oshiomhole also assured that each of the six geopolitical zones will have a principal officer in the Senate and a principal officer in the House of Representatives.

“What that Principal officer will be, has not been resolved, we are currently discussing the zoning,” he added.

Osinbajo Visits Delta, Akwa Ibom Ahead Of Governorship Election

 

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not batting an eyelid even as it mobilizes supporters from the party ahead of the governorship elections, especially within the South-south region.   

On Monday, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo was in Delta and Akwa Ibom states, to encourage party members and supporters, ahead of Saturday’s elections.

Osinbajo made the trip on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In Delta, the Vice President visited Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, where he told stakeholders at a town hall meeting that the much-expected change is coming to the oil rich state.

He also promised that the government will tackle the security challenges in the state.

After the town hall meeting, the Vice President departed for Akwa Ibom state on a similar mission.

READ ALSO: PDP Seeks Legal Redress Over Presidential Result

Osinbajo encouraged supporters of the APC in Akwa Ibom state to come out in their numbers to vote in Saturday’s governorship and state house of assembly elections.

The Vice President who was accompanied by the National Chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, reassured party supporters of adequate security during the elections.

At Akwa Ibom, Prof Osinbajo and Oshiomhole engaged members of the APC in the state, to clarify issues surrounding the party’s poor performance in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Members of the chapter raised among other grievances, an allegation that the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini was biased in the February 23rd polls, they demanded that the REC be removed or redeployed.

The vice president told the party supporters that all the issues raised will be tabled before President Buhari, he assured them that the best solutions will be employed to tackle every problem encountered.

Imo Women Protest Okorocha’s Suspension, Demand Oshiomhole’s Resignation

Imo women in their numbers have taken to the street of Owerri the Imo state capital to protest against the suspension of the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the National Working Committee of the party.

Addressing newsmen during the rally, the leaders of the group say they will resist any attempt by the National leadership of the APC and the National Chairman of the party, Adam Oshiomhole to discredit the hard work and achievement of the governor in the state.

READ ALSO: APC Suspends Okorocha, Amosun, Queries Akeredolu

The protesting women carrying placards with various inscriptions urged the National Chairman of the party to rescind his decision or resign his position.

They also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call Adams Oshiomhole to order to avert any crisis in the state.

See Photos Below: 

Why I Did Not Call To Congratulate Buhari – Atiku

 

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, said on the 23rd of February that he would have called to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari, had the presidential election be free and fair of all inconsistencies. 

Atiku made this assertion when he addressed the nation regarding the outcome of the polls.

He said, “If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.

“However, in my democratic struggles for the past three decades, I have never seen our democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019.”

The former Vice President said that he would challenge the outcome of the polls in court.

Meanwhile, in reaction to Atiku’s challenge, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, says the party is looking forward to meeting with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, in court.

The APC chairman said, “from day 1, Atiku made up his mind that unless he wins, the election is not free and fair and it is only free and fair if he is returned as the candidate”.

He, therefore, stated that Atiku is free to go to court.

“You cannot possibly deny anyone the right to challenge the outcome of an election however free and fair… like myself when I believed I was cheated out,” Oshiomhole said Wednesday during a briefing in Abuja.

“If you have cause to dispute the outcome of an election, the only lawful way open to you is to go to court.

“So, we hope and we are looking forward to meeting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in court and the facts will be laid bare but if I might dare him, we might also choose to cross-petition”.

Fashola Disagrees With Oshiomhole On Call For INEC Chairman’s Resignation

 

The Director of Planning and Monitoring of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Babatunde Fashola, has disagreed with the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, on the call for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Both the chairmen of the APC and its rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had asked the INEC chairman to resign following the postponement of the General Elections earlier scheduled to hold on February 16 and March 2nd, 2019.

Both parties had accused each other of colluding with the electoral umpire to postpone the polls with a view to influencing the outcome in each other’s favour.

READ ALSO: Polls Shift: Don’t Lose Hope In Our Electoral System, Buhari Urges Nigerians

However, during a briefing with journalists to outline the rights, responsibilities and action points of the APC agents for the forthcoming elections in Abuja, Mr. Fashola said those calling for the resignation or sack of the INEC chairman should realise that the electoral process was too far gone for a change in the leadership of the commission.

“Every party is disappointed. Every fair and well-meaning person is disappointed. But that’s no reason to throw the baby away with the bath water. It is for the INEC chairman and his team to reclaim the confidence that Nigerians expect in them and show us that they can be trusted to do this job properly,” he said.

The minister added, “People have said he should resign but would that give us election? What we want is election. So if he resigns, how does that take us to election? So sometimes, when people prescribe solution I wonder if they thought through the consequences.”

He said any party calling for the resignation of the INEC chairman at this time does not understand how government works.

“If the person who has been there for four years is having challenges, who is going to replace him, who is prepared to what he has not been able to do in three and half years in three days or four days?” he queried.

He applauded the INEC chairman for his decision to brief the media on a daily basis on plans and progress made by the commission to ensure that the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections hold successfully.

According to Mr Fashola, who is also the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, INEC has a responsibility to prove that it can conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Dogara Criticises Buhari, Oshiomhole Over Comments On Postponed Elections

Yakubu Dogara, Lawmakers,
Dogara

 

More criticisms have continued to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment at the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday, calling on the security agents to deal ruthlessly with those who attempt to disrupt the electoral process on Saturday.

While expressing his displeasure with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for postponing the general elections originally scheduled to commence last Saturday, the President said that anyone who snatched ballot boxes during the rescheduled elections would do so at the expense of their own life.

But the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described the statement as a call for extra-judicial killing. Mr. Dogara who briefed journalists at the PDP Presidential Campaign Council office in Abuja said such comment was an indication that Nigeria’s democracy had become a full-blown dictatorship.

READ ALSO: Shehu Sani Raises Concerns Over Buhari’s Comments On Ballot Snatching

“In this context, we categorically deny these false claims and unnecessary blackmail and regard the President’s statement as a call for extra-judicial killings considering the fact that there are adequate provisions in our laws to address electoral offences,” he said.

“These statements clearly indicate that our democracy has become the victim of a full blown dictatorship, when one considers that a democratically elected President would give a directive that is in clear violation of the laws of the land which by his oath of office he is to defend and protect,” the Speaker added.

He also condemned the comments of the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who alleged at the meeting that the PDP colluded with INEC to postpone the elections.

According to the APC National Chairman, the PDP was given prior notice of the postponement of the elections.However, the House Speaker described APC National Chairman’s comment as mischievous and inflammatory.

Election Postponement: Oshiomhole Queries Timing Of INEC’s Decision

Election Postponement: Oshiomhole Queries Timing Of INEC's Decision
Adams Oshiomhole                                                                                                            Mahmood Yakubu

 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for postponing the general elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday in Abuja, the APC chairman raised concern about the timing of the announcement to shift the polls.

“The key issue is not that election was postponed, why at 2am on the day of the elections?” he questioned.

“It does not offer me any comfort, I feel you must go further to apologise to the Nigerian nation because you have embarrassed us as a country, and as a people,” Oshiomhole told the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who was also at the meeting.

READ ALSO: INEC Chairman Explains Reasons For Postponement Of Elections, Seeks Understanding (Full Speech)

 

He noted that why elections have been postponed in the past, the polls that were postponed in 2015 were at the instance of the then president who attributed the decision to security reasons.

The APC chairman added that the postponement of elections in 2011 was as a result of inconclusive materials, stressing that the nation ought to have learned from mistakes of the past.

He wondered why INEC waited until the day of the elections before realising that there was a need to shift the polls.

Oshiomhole decried that the late announcement by the electoral umpire has resulted to losses on the party of the stakeholders, especially the political parties who have deployed resources for the exercise.

He said, “Serious inconveniences have been caused, Nigerians have been subjected to rude shock, and I think they are extremely cold.

“I think we should be honest; I am shocked, I am disappointed, I am disgusted.”

The APC chairman said, “Mr chairman, with all due respect, tell us why by Wednesday you were not in a position, since you acknowledged that the weather was bad, you should have taken all of these into account and announced this postponement at least 48 hours before the due time so that political parties do not have to mobilise resources across 176,000 polling units.”

In his response, Professor Yakubu admitted the electoral umpire regretted the decision to postpone the elections.

He, however, said the commission was confident that the polls would go on as scheduled until the early hours of Saturday.

The INEC chairman said, “For three days, since Wednesday, many of the commissioners, including myself have virtually been sleeping in Abuja Airport.

“We mobilised all national assets to ensure that we deliver what remains of electoral logistics to locations and to conduct the elections.”