₦airaland Forum

nairavsdollars:
Prince Tony Momoh, a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC ) and former Minister of Information in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI speaks on the chances of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election and other issues of national interests. Excerpts:

Afenifere and some civil society groups are asking President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the N45.5million APC presidential nomination form bought for him by a shadowy group, Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN). What is your perspective on this?

That is an expression of opinion. Afenifere and the other groups that are talking, are they members of APC? So, people have a right to comment on what is happening in the environment in which they live. I don’t grudge them and I can’t deny them of their right to freedom of expression. People bought forms for Buhari, it is for him to accept or not to accept. I don’t see anything wrong in anybody showing interest. Atiku Abubakar even shed tears and broke down emotionally when people presented him with PDP nomination form because he was overwhelmed by that show of love. So, it depends. Some people can even say ‘No, I don’t want the free forms. I am going to look for money myself’. Buhari may thank the group and say he doesn’t want and he may accept it and show gratitude. If I am Buhari, I will say thank you for the assistance. But I am not Buhari. So, it is left for the President to react on whether to accept the gesture or not.

But do you think it is morally right for people to purchase free forms for politicians?

What is wrong in that? The truth is that no one man can fund an election. You need help from others. Do you know what it cost to even say you want to be an elected person at any level even as a councilor? If you know that as a councilor, within 18 months, you can build a house and then buy a Jeep, what will you not do to accept that office? That is why I have been asking for restructuring which will make politics a service and not a business. But today, it is a business. It is only people like President Buhari who are unique in themselves because of their attitude to service where at the presidential primaries of the APC in Lagos in 2014, he said ‘People may want Dollars or Naira, I don’t have. Even if I have, I won’t give’. That is when money was flowing all over the place among the aspirants to the delegates; $2,000 per delegates. Yet, despite not giving out money, Buhari still won. This monetising of politics is what a lot of people are fighting against when they said there should be direct primaries instead of indirect. In Osun state, some delegates were even demanding N750,000, so we had to have a direct primary where all the party members voted. So, making politics less expensive is a task that we must attend to but as it is right now, it is a very expensive business.

You once said President Buhari will score more than 25 percent votes in the South- South and South- East. Given recent defections by key stakeholders in the region to your party, do you see your predictions coming true?

I have always told you that there are indicators to assess now so that by the time the results are declared, nobody will say the election was rigged. In 2015, it is only in my state, Edo that Buhari scored more than 25 percent. He had 46 percent of votes. All other states in the South- South and South- East, he did not get up to 15 percent votes anywhere. But this time, he will have more votes in those regions than he had in 2015. First of all, the results in those places were packaged; they were just written up and I know that.

How do you know that the results were written up?

They were written up. In the case of Anambra, Imo and other places, how can the president have 98 percent votes? There was no state where he had less than 97 percent votes yet the governors of those states did not have up to 60 percent votes. That is because the results were written up.

But people have always contested the results Buhari got in the North too that the result in Kano was written up. What is your perspective on that?

I can assure you there is massive voting in the North. In our area, during the 2011 presidential election, information came that the political leaders have decided that the region should be delivered to Goodluck Jonathan. I was the national chairman of Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) that time. Then we agreed that let our people vote according to their conscience. So, the writing up of results did not affect our area and we had the highest vote for Buhari in the whole of the South. We had about 29,000 votes but in all other places, they just wrote up the results. The whole of the South- West was overrun by the PDP because there was an agreement between CPC and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) but it did not bear fruit. Even ACN then did not support their presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu. It was only Osun state that supported Ribadu. Even in Adamawa, Ribadu lost. We didn’t have money to have agents in the South-West, so many of CPC votes were packaged in Ghana-must-go bags and thrown away. PDP overran the South- West because in fairness, if there was an agreement between ACN and CPC, ACN had no obligation than to protect our votes in the South West because they didn’t even pay agents to protect their own votes. They abandoned Ribadu. Later, after the 2011 election, we decided that the only way to achieve meaningful results is not through alliances but through merger. I, national chairman of CPC we dissolved our party. ACN also dissolved their party, ANPP also did the same and we merged into APC. That is why I tell you that PDP forming CUPP, it cannot work unless they dissolve and call themselves CUPP; one party with one symbol. You will see, when primaries start, everything will scatter. Alliances can be broken even on the eve of election. So, it is a big sacrifice to dissolve yourself and merge into one group. That is why I said all these talks about youth coming together in 2019 is a fallacy, they won’t come together. PDP has about 15 aspirants but only one will emerge and I am telling you that one who emerges will have to look for money to prosecute federal election. None of them is going to bring his own money to say they want to support him. Again, the centre which PDP controlled and were raiding as the ruling party is no longer there to control now. In the South- South and South- East, people of high caliber are moving into APC. So, what we expect is that Buhari coming and winning in 2015 is because of the massive contribution of the South West which allow for the presence of 25 percent spread. We are going to have at least 25 percent votes because there is hardly any state in the South- South and South- East where Buhari will not have up to 25 percent. That is certain. And if there is going to be any rigging, it will not work because Buhari has said nobody should rig for him. if there is going to be any rigging, it will be in the favour of the incumbent, so we don’t have a disadvantage. Those who were rigging before and writing up results cannot now write up results for anybody and if they do, it will be for Buhari but the President have said nobody should write up results for me. If I lose, I will go. ‘

In the North, in spite of what anybody is saying, since 2003, Buhari has been winning the North even when there were PDP governors. So, why do you think it will change now that majority of the Northern governors are APC? They said they are fielding a northern candidate, what difference will that make?

So in essence, are you saying all the votes President Buhari scored in the North during the 2015 elections were legitimate, none was written up for him?

Yes, all his votes are legitimate. None was written up for him. In fact, his votes were deducted in 2011. I protested to INEC. They had in the computer a programmed to deduct votes and they said it was a mistake. In Kano, 10 percent of the votes were deducted especially when there was counting. We said they should count physically. They did that but votes counted physically were different from the others. In Katsina, it was the same thing. INEC admitted it was a programming error. The 2011 election was rigged yet we had that number of votes. Let me say this with all sense of responsibility that the Northerners, you can say they are illiterate but they are more politically enlightened than the average Southern voters. If you see the Fulani herdsman, one thing he has apart from his stick is a radio and he is listening to Hausa service. You have Hausa service in BBC, Radio France, Germany, Russia and America. The Northerners listen to radio more than they watch television or read newspapers. It was Maiguard (security guard) here in Lagos who told me that MKO Abiola had died on July 7 1998. I said no, they were talking of the man being released. He said BBC said Abiola has died. And it turned out to be true. That is my own maiguard. In the whole of the northern belt, from Cameroun down to Senegal, they speak Hausa. When I was Minister, I used Radio Kaduna short wave to reach Voice of Nigeria. So, let us not deceive ourselves, these people are more politically enlightened than the average Southerners. When it is time for voters registration, they go home to register. When it is time for election, they go home to vote. How many of my people here travel home to vote during elections? Look at social media for example. A lot of our people are very active on social media but social media don’t vote. Those who manage social media should go and have their PVC. It is only PVC that gives you what you want through expression of your civic right by voting. On the day of election, some of the elites don’t even get out to queue and vote. We sit down in our house and watch televisions. More than 80 million people have been registered by INEC to vote but I am telling you, not up to 40 million people will vote nationwide. So, northerners are more politically enlightened than us.

https://independent.ng/northerners-are-politically-enlightened-than-southerners-tony-momoh/

amaniro:
You can take Nina out of the village but you can never take the village out of her. Nina still be looking like one orlu village girl *spits*



Dear Nina, Is this payback

Dear people, am receiving too many mentions and am sick and tired of the mention please quit quoting me

Roger3D:
Shut up what has Buhari got to do with this?

killsmith:
Why are the yorubas willing to allow these gruesome killings continue all in the name of power?


Spits on afonjas.

Angelanest:
Suspected herdsmen have killed three policemen at Bujum Kasuwa community in Taraba State. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, David Misal, disclosed this reporters on Friday in Jalingo, the state capital.

Mr Misal said the assailants also killed two vigilante officials during the attack on the community in Lau Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that the slain security operatives ran into an ambush on Thursday while responding to a distress call from residents of the community.

The police spokesperson said the remains of the officers have been moved to the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.

He also condoled with the families of the slain officers on behalf of the police authorities in the state.

The police officers were killed two months after suspected herdsmen invaded Lau LGA, destroying properties belonging to residents in the area.

Source; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2018/09/suspected-herdsmen-kill-three-policemen-in-taraba.html

NobodyKnows:
Lies everywhere.
How do we know this is London or the Nigerian embassy there ?
Mtchwww

redflame:
This is Aba today.....ntoor

LIFEisSIMPLE:
Which is why i say that Ikpeazu has not earned an E for his effort. I have gone round the five eastern states, and Abia state is currently the worst. Not comparable to Enugu, Anambra, Imo and the last 3 years has seen Ebonyi state overtake God's own state. This rubbish will not continue. We cannot continue insulting God in the name of playing politics. This rubbish must stop

FrankFrenzy:
Not his fan though.
I still believe his scorecard is very poor, indeed unsatisfactory, however some of his projects are..
Dualization and expansion of several Owerri township roads
Dualization of Orlu - Ideato express way
Dualization of Orlu township roads (several adjoining dual carriageways within Orlu metropolis)
Standard general hospitals in each of the 27 LGAs (almost all of them completed)
Heroes square
Concord tunnel
Another tunnel along PH road
Completion of 2 flyovers linking Orlu road with Okigwe road (met the project at a level less than 15%)
Completed the renovation/expansion of Orlu Road from Warehouse.
Rebranded former Modotel to a five star magnicent Rockview hotel giving the Douglas a befitting look.
Also dualized Umuna Okigwe road by the express.
So many other structures like the Ikemba square, Ochiedike diagnosis centre, the ICC, the ecumenical center, Trade and investment center etc.
Eastern Palm University Ogboko
IMO state college of edu Ihitte Uboma
IMO state college of Nursing (along Orlu Owerri road Orlu)
Several modern markets (Mgbidi, Umuaka, Anara, Akokwa ) etc

Please note, I'm not based in IMO state but as my home state,i come in from time to time and everything I listed above here are projects I have seen with my eyes not on paper
Okorocha's greatest undoing is his attitude to civil servants where he has made workers salary look like a favour he's doing them rather a statutory obligation as well as their inalienable right... That's the Genesis of his downfall.

SolutionMee:


Something must have motivated him to go into military. He must have relied on a hidden charm. This is the side effect of trusting too much in chams and Jazz. I'm also sure that his parents must have advised him not to become a soldier. But because he took delight in disobeying his parents, he joined the military without their consent and blessing. That's why it's not good to disobey our parents. Joining the military is like being on a suicide mission. He knew this. His lack of foresight killed him. I feel for his parents though.

Qsscruz:
Behind Aso rock and you aint throwing a party? I hope there is a NEC meeting going on in there. That way we have solved our problem at a time. Maybe nature actually wants to help implement the not too young to run bill. We are fed up with old wines in new bottles all the time.

kahal29:
His Excellency Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko depart to China to attend FOCAC, discuss infrastructure financing with president Jinping,

Chairman Northern Senators forum today Friday depart for China to participate in the 7th summit of the forum on China-Africa cooperation (FOCAC) shaduls to hold September 3 - 4, 2018 in Beijing.

Before the formal opening (FOCAC) summit, President Muhammadu Buhari in his capacity as current chair of ECOWAS, is expected to deliver remark at the high level Dialogue between China and African leaders, business representatives and African entrepreneurs.


https://mobile.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2087702574878602&id=1883381391977389&refid=17&_ft_=top_level_post_id.2087702574878602%3Atl_objid.2087702574878602%3Athrowback_story_fbid.2087702574878602%3Apage_id.1883381391977389%3Aphoto_attachments_list.%5B2087702031545323%2C2087702074878652%2C2087702118211981%2C2087702171545309%5D%3Apage_insights.%7B%221883381391977389%22%3A%7B%22role%22%3A1%2C%22page_id%22%3A1883381391977389%2C%22post_context%22%3A%7B%22story_fbid%22%3A2087702574878602%2C%22publish_time%22%3A1535735077%2C%22story_name%22%3A%22EntStatusCreationStory%22%2C%22object_fbtype%22%3A266%7D%2C%22actor_id%22%3A1883381391977389%2C%22psn%22%3A%22EntStatusCreationStory%22%2C%22sl%22%3A4%2C%22dm%22%3A%7B%22isShare%22%3A0%2C%22originalPostOwnerID%22%3A0%7D%2C%22targets%22%3A%5B%7B%22page_id%22%3A1883381391977389%2C%22actor_id%22%3A1883381391977389%2C%22role%22%3A1%2C%22post_id%22%3A2087702574878602%2C%22share_id%22%3A0%7D%5D%7D%7D%3Athid.1883381391977389%3A306061129499414%3A2%3A0%3A1535785199%3A8298846135363872341&__tn__=%2As-R

senatordave1:
The four rerun polls held across the country has given signals and pointers on how next year polls will pan out.pdp failed to record at least 25% votes in the rerun polls held in bauchi and katsina something they achieved in 2015 which shows they have regressed and have failed to penetrate apc bases.on the other hand,apc have won several polls held in the ss/se.magnus abe won heavily in rivers denying pdp 25%.apc have not failed to at least record 25% in any staggered election in this zone.
Before 2015,apc never got up to 25% in any polls in the ss/se.even in obudu,rivers,delta national assembly polls in 2015 apc got less than 15% while struggling to win in the north.it clearly shows that apc will get at least 25% in all the states except bayelsa,enugu and maybe abia.
Imo:okorocha is in the forefront to succeed buhari in 2023.he will do anything to deliver imo to buhari in order to brighten his chances.plus,he will be going to the senate to represent orlu zone.worst case for apc here is 30%.
Anambra:tony nwoye is going to the senate and therefore will put more efforts in delivering for buhari.he may go back to his thuggisgh ways by enploying thugs and security to defeat pdp.vote buying will be rife.i see him easily winning stella oduah.since in the presidential polls it will be between apc and pdp,buhari will win anambra east,west,ayamelum and oyi.apga wilk secretly side apc or remain neutral because of the beef with peter obi.again anytime apga ally with pdp take advantage to sweep out pdp in the legisative races.uche ekwunife and ngige who needs to convince buhari of his seriousness in succeeding him in 2019 will deliver njikoka,dunukofia,idemili north and south.ekwunife did this for gej in 2015 and will re enact it.andy uba should win ekwusig and his aguata.
Ebonyi:umahi is pro buhari and will largely be neutral allowing ogbonnaya onu who has presidential desires in 2023 and elechi plus the growing muslim population to get 25%.
Enugu:buhari will lose woefully here but pdp wont poll more than 500k.
Abia: buhari best showing here will come from abia north.bende lga which orji kalu comes from has a large voting capacity and will deliver for buhari courtesy ouk.apc lacks strong chieftains in abia central and south and may lose heavily there if apc dont go into a pact with apc.
Rivers: apc is assured of 25% here already
Akwa ibom: with akpabio's defection,apc will get at least 30%.
Cross river:apc hold sway in cross river central.buhari may win here or lose narrowly to pdp.buhari will also get reasonable votes in the south and north.many here dislike pdp and are grateful to buhari for giving them an avalanche of federal appointments,the highest in the south.it is unprecedented.the governor is also pro buhari.if the two apc factions can unite,they will get 25%.
Edo:buhari will win here albeit narrowly.
Bayelsa:buhari will lose here heavily but pdp wont poll more than 300k.
Delta:the ayiri influence in warri,the ogboru and agege influence in the central should give buhari 25% or more.




In summary,the 2019 polls wil be similar to that of 2015.apc will win heavily in nw/ne,pdp winning ss/se.the deciding factors will be the sw/nc in which apc has an edge.yesterday rerun has shown that apc will likely win kogi next year through a combo of money,foodstuffs and violence.apc will also employ it in nasarawa and plateau to record narrow wins.only kwara is safe for pdp but apc should get 30% here.

afroniger:
Well, if Buhari really wanted to bear his fangs, he would just ensure that Saraki is picked up on some fresh trumped up criminal charge, which shouldn't even be difficult since saraki is a well-known criminal (I remember how far his admin went in hunting down Umaru Dikko in the 80s). Ben Bruce, Dino Melaye, FFK, their online supporters and the rest will just make some usual noises, while the APC Senators would handle the rest at the senate. They can then slug out the legality of his impeachment for another 6-months or so in court.

But the current Buhari is too senile to be that daring these days.

yazach:
Never, how can you actualize fraud

may be when they return to Israel where they claim to have come from.

Quote me and get a dirty slap from SARS

gidgiddy:
It is written in the heavens as it is written on Earth that one day, my Igbo nation shall be Independent of the British colonial disaster called Nigeria