…as ex-gov declares presidential bid in hotel

John Alechenu and Olusola Fabiyi

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has denounced the last-minute cancellation of the approval earlier granted to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, to use the Eagle Square for his 2019 presidential declaration.

The denunciation is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Saraki was quoted as saying “The refusal to allow Senator Kwankwaso to utilise the Eagle Square for his presidential declaration, despite an earlier approval, sends a wrong message about our democracy, particularly the tolerance level in our politics.

“That square belongs to all Nigerians because it was built with public funds. We hope this is not what we will be seeing as we approach the 2019 General Elections.”

Recall that the Federal Capital Territory Administration denied him the use of the Eagle Square and the International Conference Centre, which he had initially booked for the occasion.

The FCTA had claimed that it took the action because Wednesday was work day and that the event would impede movements of workers.

The Senate President insisted that the “Eagle Square belongs to all Nigerians,” noting that the cancellation sent a wrong message about the tolerance level in our politics.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Kwankwaso, who used a private hotel for the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday, promised to provide what he called “value -added leadership” if elected.

Dressed in white kaftan with a red cap, Kwankwaso exuded confidence as he spoke amidst shouts of “kwankwasiya” by his supporters, who came from across the country for the event.

He said, “As I formally declare my intention to vie for the office of the President on the platform of the PDP, I promise you a value-based leadership.

Kwankwaso listed national unity and cohesion, restructuring and qualitative education as some of the key areas he would focus on if he was elected President.

The former governor, who was a minister of defence, stressed that his administration would focus on economy, human capital development, global competitiveness as well as research and innovation.

He said, “The primary responsibility of the government is security of life. My understanding of national security transcends the stereotype limiting it to the armed forces and other security agencies.

“As former Minister of Defence, I understand security from that point; it covers more and includes the entire scope of food, health care delivery, education, economic prosperity, and enjoyment of human rights on the physical defence and security side.

“There is the need for welI-timed, motivated, well-equipped and intelligence-propelled security architecture. That requires decisive options of strengthening and equipping the military while restructuring the police to make it more effective.”

He said his administration would also pursue other institutional reforms in the polity.

Kwankwaso maintained that the priority of his leadership would be the enhancement of a united Nigeria driven by productivity.

He added, “A key propellant of our journey must be a committed desire to ensure that the labours of our heroes shall truly not be in vain.

“We will strive to create an atmosphere where every Nigerian has an equal opportunity to contribute.

“Our restructuring will be to ensure an inclusive political, social and economic space for all. All of this will ensure that first we are Nigerians.”

Kwankwaso pointed out that he would lead a Nigeria where people are educated and exposed beyond the confines of their tribe, religion, linguistic group or place of birth.

“l want to lead a Nigeria where citizens respect their leaders and leaders lead and forge a team to promote and protect the interest of all Nigerians.

“I want to lead a Nigeria where all are comfortable anywhere and on any positive issue can compete fairly with their peers without favour or discrimination.

“Education in Nigeria will be rejuvenated and restructured to make future generations not only problem solvers but proud custodians of their culture, heritage and history and also for creating confidence in all Nigerians across all the states, sectors and talents,” he added.

Linking us to Kwankwaso’s inability to use Eagle Square mischievous – APC

The All Progressives Congress has described attempts to link it to the inability of an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party to secure the use of the Eagle Square, to declare his intention to run for the office of President as mischievous.

Although the APC did not name the aspirant, only former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, was on Wednesday denied access to the Eagle Square after he had paid for the use of the facility for his declaration.

In a statement signed by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, in Abuja on Wednesday, the APC described attempts to link the party to the development as mischievous.

The statement read, “We frown on mischievous attempts in some quarters to blame the All Progressives Congress for the inability of a Peoples Democratic Party presidential contestant to secure the Eagle Square for his declaration.

“The party read in the media reasons given by the facility managers of the Abuja International Conference Centre and Eagle Square not to allow campaigns on its facility on Wednesday to avoid disruption of work flow at the federal secretariat, the main hub of civil servants in Abuja.

“Hence the allegation is unnecessary and misplaced. We should not be dragged into a private transaction involving entities we have no business with.”

It added, “In any case, the 2019 elections will not be won by cheap campaign ground antics but actual votes from the Nigerian electorate who are wise and know who is working in their interest.

“Never again will we return governance of our dear country to the hands of those that selfishly have held us back for years.”

Source :https://punchng.com/kwankwaso-eagle-square-belongs-to-all-nigerians-says-saraki-2/

When a tyrant is on the throne.

They just want to squeeze the opposition

“That square belongs to all Nigerians because it was built with public funds. We hope this is not what we will be seeing as we approach the 2019 General Elections.”

Tell them
Buhari is a tyrant
Election fever is about to hit the dullard

All PDP should cry foul, we don't care

Most of this so called supporters don't even know anything about him... Same set of people I meet at ph airport when he came to visit wike under d rain they were shouting when I asked 1 who is he, he said he doesn't know buh they asked them to come....

#ouryouthsarelost

post=70737092:
LOSERS UNITED!

lifeless ZONE B federation.

DONMAYOR19:
lifeless ZONE B federation.

FAILURE FC you will always walk alone!

A power drunk Mallam thinks otherwise

Kwara state money belongs to all kwarans

PDP should pls cry more

They keep looking cheap point to campaign.

Buhari sef

All thanks to the face of modern day democracy in Nigeria

The lifeless ones are currently on the GEJ saraki thread just below.. they are brain dead and utterly lifeless, to think one even said, PDP can do theirs when they get power makes you commend trumps assertion.

All fighting for there selfish interest

Check my signature for phone deals

Nigerian Government is full of FOOLS..they thought they hold the keys to everything...one day I mean One day the Supreme Being will visit THEM one by one.... before 2019 the Goliath and his armies that caused Nigeria to be backward will be slaughtered in their respective camp

We like to sensationalise things in this country. British PM was due to be in Abuja the same day with this declaration, whoever is conversant with Abuja will tell you how strategic the Eagle square is and how an event of that magnitude will bring the flow of vehicular traffic to a halt.

I read that the police gave the above reason for refusing to grant him clearance but then, this is Nigeria where everything is about politics!

Our leaders know how to get us talking when they whip up emotions but when it favors them, dem go do padi padi forget us.

bubu will lead duara while you will lead kano. we don't want Islamic terrorist in asorock

Can Saraki please STFU and stop politicising everything

And shot himself in the leg.


It was a work day and such authorization could not be granted. #Simple

Buhari is a specialist in failure

magoo10:

“That square belongs to all Nigerians because it was built with public funds. We hope this is not what we will be seeing as we approach the 2019 General Elections.”

Tell them
Buhari is a tyrant
Election fever is about to hit the dullard

Can you wail till 2023?

nrexzy:
Most of this so called supporters don't even know anything about him... Same set of people I meet at ph airport when he came to visit wike under d rain they were shouting when I asked 1 who is he, he said he doesn't know buh they asked them to come....

#ouryouthsarelost

#ouryouthsarelost #justthewayyougotlost

Ur point?,

henry49:
#ouryouthsarelost #justthewayyougotlost

Racoon:
This is not a case of PDP but rule of law being trampled.Dont worry one day even it will also be your turn.He that rides on the back of the tiger will ends up in its stomach.

It's quite pathetic how you guys forget easily, when a whole sitting governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amechi was disallowed entrance into the government house sometimes in 2014....Now you know rule of Law...... You'll soon be in pains like your Uncle, Fayose...

Very insensitive of you! Now you can come out to tell us that Eagle Square belongs to all, but when you guys share and nominate for appointments it doesn't belong to all, when you guys keep padding budget with all your bougous constituency projects it doesn't belong to all. Park well Oga, how about you declaring that those multi million dollar mansions home and abroad and all the wealth you gathered by Siphoning our common resources belong to all. Don't be deceive Eagle Square did not belong to all, even Bukola Saraki Knows that.