APC National Officers May Emerge This Week

A series of activities meant to strengthen the ongoing merger of Nigeria’s opposition parties has been lined up, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY has gathered. They include the election of national officers of the new All Progressive Congress (APC) this week, a prominent leader of one of the parties said.

To avoid the mistakes of the past, the merger committee will meet on Wednesday to work on the constitution, manifesto, convention and other topical issues to ensure the smooth take-off of the party, said the source who did not want to be named.

Yet another leader of a major party in the alliance said the major stakeholders are expected to hold their national convention to officially dissolve into the new platform on or before June this year.

He hinted that the interim leadership to pilot the affairs of the party may emerge at the planned meeting but refused to disclose the venue and time of the parley.

The leading opposition parties in the country had, last week, sealed a deal to merge ahead of the 2015 presidential election to wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was learnt that when the merger becomes a reality, its key offices could go this way: ACN -- national chairman and national publicity secretary; CPC -- national secretary; ANPP -- treasurer and national vice chairman; while APGA would produce the national organising secretary.

Although none of the members of the merger committee accepted to be quoted on the issues, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY has it on good authority that the failure of the opposition to come together in 2011 was due to its lateness in addressing critical issues such as the sharing of key party and elective positions.

‘‘We still have two more years to prepare. I can tell you categorically that meetings are going on at the level of leadership. We know some would go and some would join. We are also aware that sacrifices, dedication and commitments are important. Give and take would also come in. All these would be addressed before the general election. I can assure Nigerians that we would not disappoint them this time around,’’ a member of the committee said.

Another member of the panel disclosed that, but for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the ANPP would not have been carried along because of the way and manner they treated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who had contested under its platform twice. ‘‘But Asiwaju Tinubu told Gen.Buhari that the new national chairman of the party is more credible and reliable as he has never been a member of the ruling party. We are aware of how a former governor wanted the BoT of that party to vote against the merger but it was the chairman that stopped him.

‘’All these differences would have been resolved before the election. This was why we are starting on time. Some would come as spies; events would expose them. All we saying is enough is enough,’’ he said.

The opposition governors had met in Lagos to discuss the merger, saying it was necessary to bring change to a country that is Africa’s largest oil producer but where deep poverty remains and corruption is endemic.

“At no time in our national life has radical change become more urgent,” said a statement read to reporters in the capital Abuja by ex-foreign affairs minister Tom Ikimi of the Action Congress of Nigeria. “And to meet the challenge of that change, we the following progressive political parties, namely ACN, ANPP, APGA and CPC, have resolved to merge forthwith and become the All Progressive Congress.”

PDM Lauds Opposition Over Merger
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a political pressure group founded by the late Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua, has welcomed the recent merger of opposition parties in the country.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting, PDM urged the opposition to go beyond rhetoric and provide Nigerians with progressive ideology capable of pulling the country out of its current predicament.

The communiqué reads in part: “The movement received briefing on the ongoing merger talks among opposition political parties in the country and commended the opposition for its resolve to give Nigerians an alternative political platform. We call on all opposition political parties and organisations across the country to close ranks in order to provide Nigerians with a clear choice between conservative and progressive ideologies.

“While we are gladdened by this development, we implore the opposition to define its own identity based on progressive ideology, with clear and contrasting policies and programmes capable of pulling Nigeria out of the current state of despoliation, despair and debasement. Telling Nigerians how bad things are simply won’t suffice. Clear and practical solutions are what Nigerians need.

PDM is developing a clear roadmap for the entrenchment of profound national social, political and economic reforms which will lead to creating jobs, steady power supply, improved security, transparent and credible elections and bringing corruption in all its manifestations to a standstill.”

Continue ReadingAPC National Officers May Emerge This Week

Maitama Sule, Nwabueze, Others Want National Confab

Eminent Nigerians under the platform of the Project Nigeria have called for the convocation of a national conference before 2015 for the country to tackle its current challenges.

At a meeting in Lagos held inthe residence of the late legal icon, Chief FRA Williams, the leaders from the northern and the southern parts of the country stated that a comprehensive bill that would address the issue would soon be presented to both the presidency and the National Assembly.

Co-chaired by the country’s former permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule and Prof. Ben Nwabueze, the meeting also urged the government to urgently convoke the conference before preparations for the 2015 general elections.

While Alhaji Maitama Sule led a delegation of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof.Nwabueze headed.The Patriot, dominated by members from the south.

Other members of the group that met yesterday evening were a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen.Alani Akinriande, one-time governor of Delta State,Chief Felix Ibru, a former Minister for Commerce, Mrs. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi and scores of others representing various ethnic organizations.

Reading the communiqués issued by the meeting, Nwabueze said “the convocation of the conference has become very essential before any election must hold in 2015. To us, any election that holds before the convocation of the conference might spell doom for the country.”

In expressing their belief in the corporate entity called Nigeria, the group stated that disaster and anarchy might befall the country if the conference was not organised and the people of the country make the necessary inputs into the grund norm.

To achieve their aim, the group said a pan-Nigerian platform would be set up as an advocacy platform for the realisation of the objective.

Continue ReadingMaitama Sule, Nwabueze, Others Want National Confab

Centenary: Buhari, Obasanjo, Gowon, Abubakar, Shagari, Others Storm Aso Rock

Former Heads of State and Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Alh Shehu Shagari and Abdulsalami Abubakar yesterday night stormed the presidential villa for the flag off dinner of centenary celebrations billed to hold January next year. 

Ironically, Obasanjo who presented the centenary theme challenged Nigerians to love their country and speak positively about the President. The former resident had been critical of the Jonathan's administration of late, accusing the president of being the cause of the Boko Haram insurgence.

High point of the event was the lighting of the centenary torch by Jonathan who walked straight to Buhari and held him hand in hand as they climbed the platform to conduct the lighting the torch.

They were later joined by Vice President Namadi Sambo, all former Heads of States, first lady Dame Patience and the vice president's wife.

President Jonathan in his speech expressed hope that the country was destined for greatness, as a powerful and great nation which would be the pride of generations yet unborn despite its challenges, including the civil war.

According to the president, what makes the country great is not the abundance of mineral resources, but the interactions of Nigerians everywhere in the country as well as the efforts of people from all works of life.

Citing the victory of the Super Eagles in the quarter finals against Cote D'Ivoire in the quarter finals of the on-going African Cup of Nations in South Africa, he said the hardwork of all Nigerians promotes the country's sense of unity.

Gowon who unveiled the centenary logo, described Nigeria as a nation of strong, peaceful and hard working people. He expressed hope in the future of the country.

The logo, he said embodies the country's values for faith and courage ans symbolises unity. He prayedl for Nigeria to experience peace and progress. He presented the logo to Mr President.

Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar presented the centenary theme song, while Speaker Aminu Tambuwal launched the centenary web portal before Senate President, David Mark launched the centenary lottery.

Also present at the occassion were SGF, Senator Anyim, Pius Anyim, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha also made the event as well as other members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Others are Senators Ken Nnamani, Prof Jeryy Gana, PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Ben Obi, Andy Uba, Chris Ngige, Zack Orji, Aliko Dangote, Ben Murray Bruce, Barnabas Gemade

Governors present wre TA Orji (Abia), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) 

Nollywood stars present were Monalisa Chinda, Segun Arinze, Jide Kosoko, Charles Okafor, AGN president, Ibinabo Fibresima.

Continue ReadingCentenary: Buhari, Obasanjo, Gowon, Abubakar, Shagari, Others Storm Aso Rock

UPDATE: Police Disarm Parcel Explosive Targeting Okonjo-Iweala

Men of the Anti Bomb Squad of the Nigerian Police Force on Monday, detonated a device believed to be Improvised Explosive Device in front of the Nipost Office in Area 10, Abuja.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the IED, contained in a parcel with N100 postage stamp, was addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Federation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and deposited in front of the Nipost office premises.
Speaking with journalists, a Nipost staff, Ibrahim Musa, said that they came to work this morning and noticed a funny looking package with two N50 naira postage stamp on it in front of their premises and notified their boss who promptly invited the anti bomb squad.
Musa said, "When the anti bomb squad came they controlled human movement around the area and went into work with their instruments and after a while we heard an explosion and another explosion followed later."

He said no injuries was sustained as a result of the explosion.

Continue ReadingUPDATE: Police Disarm Parcel Explosive Targeting Okonjo-Iweala

Fans Advise Keshi To Reinforce Eagles’ Attack

Football stakeholders in Ilorin have advised Coach Stephen Keshi to reinforce the Super Eagles attack, ahead of the team's make-or-mar encounter with the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia on Tuesday.

Scores of football fans, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Saturday, said that the team had so far performed poorly.

NAN reports that the 1-1 draw the team played against the Zambians would be the second in a row after its earlier 1-1 draw with the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

The Stallions had meanwhile, trounced Walya Antelopes 4-0, to boost their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The Eagles would have to defeat the Walya Antelopes by a wide margin, without conceding any; to stand a chance of progressing to the Quarter finals of the tournament.

Alloy Chukwuemeka, the General Manager of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC of Ilorin, said the performance of the Eagles in the championship was below average.

He stressed that the team’s attack should consist of Ike Uche, Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike for the desired results in the team's subsequent matches.

``The defence is better, especially with the removal of Joseph Yobo from the line. You can see that his omission was not felt at all.

``Let him combine Uche, Musa and Emenike together, instead of substituting one for the other,” the ABS manager said.

In the same vein, Coach Tunde Kazeem, the Director, Kwara Sports Council, also described the team’s performance as unimpressive.

The coach told NAN that he was, however, optimistic that the team would qualify from the group stage.

He harped on the need for Keshi and his technical crew to be on their feet during matches in order to appropriately direct the proceedings from the sidelines.

``All departments needed to be reinforced.

``The issue of substitution and the time to do so is a decision that should be left to the coaches.

``They are also monitoring as well. I noticed that their game is improving with each match; their performance against the Zambians was an improvement on their performance against Burkina Faso,” he added.

Mr Kunle Alao, said that the Eagles should strive to score as many goals as possible, to avert the disappointment of having a slender lead being cancelled out through an equaliser.

``If Nigeria had scored more goals in the first place, the issue of a shock equaliser at the dying minute would not be,” he said.

Meanwhile Julius Ogunro the Special Assistant on Media to Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the Minister of Sports has said that the team was improving with each match.

``I urge fans to be patient and not relent in their support for the Super Eagles.

``The team will surely defeat the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia to boost its chances of playing in the quarter-finals of the AFCON,’’ he added.

 

Continue ReadingFans Advise Keshi To Reinforce Eagles’ Attack