₦airaland Forum

Olawepo urges electorate to vote out corrupt politician

A presidential aspirant under the platform of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has charged the electorate to vote out political parties and corrupt leaders who have failed in delivering on their campaign promises.
Insisting that Nigerian should take back their country by taking advantage of the 2019 general elections, he said the electorate should beware of corrupt politicians who are now regrouping to buy their conscience.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos, he said there was the need for Nigerians to avoid politicians who do not have the interest of the country at heart, but are only interested in amassing public wealth through corruption to buy votes for their re-election.

According to him, although the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were defeated in 2015, could not present themselves as credible alternatives soon after.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to de-market corrupt politicians and vote buyers by voting them out, noting: “The only reason why Nigerians vote for APC or PDP is gratification, because they neither have electoral value nor credible registered members, but depend largely on rented crowds.”

lawepo-Hashim stated that ANN was targeting 14 million first time voters, who could not be bought with money or gifts, but are determined to make a difference next year.

https://guardian.ng/news/olawepo-urges-electorate-to-vote-out-corrupt-politician/

Olawepo-Hashim cautions against recycling corrupt politicians

Presidential aspirant on the platform of Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has warned against allowing corrupt politicians to use looted funds to hijack the electoral process, as the country prepares for the 2019 general elections.

Consequently, he charged the electorate to be wary of the corrupt politicians now regrouping to present themselves as credible alternatives to All Progressives Congress, APC, which, according to him, has failed in office.

Olawepo-Hashim, who gave the warning in Lagos while addressing friends sympathetic to his ambition, said the populace must be vigilant not to fall into the hands of politicians who have woefully failed them in the past. He noted that though the APC has failed, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which was defeated only in 2015, could not present itself as a credible alternative. He said: “The APC is no doubt vengeful and has underperformed as a party in government but we have to resist the temptation to regard the PDP as the solution. “Doing so will mean we have forgotten so soon why they lost a general election only a few years ago. Nigerians cannot afford to do that.” According to the business mogul, the APC and the PDP cannot also be presented as the only options before the citizenry. He noted: “We cannot permit things to look like we just have a choice between two evils. We now have a credible option in Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN.” He said the ANN remained a fantastic alternative to take Nigeria out of the woods because it had clear programmes and was not under the shadow of anyone. He saif: “It has no baggage anywhere. It is a viable third force, and miles apart from the worn-out APC and PDP..”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/olawepo-hashim-cautions-against-recycling-corrupt-politicians/

bundox304984:
hehheheheheh, which party are we now to support

ANN. Alliance for New Nigeria. GOH2019 #NigeriaGOHBetter

BigSarah:
Abegii

Olawepo has said it, we should not leave Nigerians to have to choose between two evils. They must be presented with a credible choice that is unquestionable. This is why he his running.

Being a global investor in at least 7 countries in Africa, Europe, Middle East and America, you and i can agree that he knows how to create jobs and more jobs. He knows how to grow the economy and make it better. Actually, he plans to grow our economy by sevenfolds.

Instead of chosing between two evils of APC and PDP, you have a better option. GOH2019. ANN is the party and NIgeriaGOHBetter

basty:
APC I know, PDP a devilish party that stole Nigeria blind. Any Nigerian voting PDP after what they caused Nigeria needs brain check.

You are right, any Nigerian voting PDP needs brain check. Also, any Nigerian voting APC also need brain check as PDP is APC, APC is PDP.

So, where do we go from here? A New Nigeria. ANN.

That's the party for victory in 2019

Dannyset:
We hope a day like this would come. We are hoping and praying for it to come.

We can make the day to be now... Let's support GOH

Buhari2019:
Wait till 2023. Buhari till 2023. Join the movement.

Even you don't want a lifeless president. ANN is the way

excomarow:
GOH go Seat down

Even you, you can't fix the problem of this country.

Fixing Nigeria is not a big problem. Just set the agenda on the right path and everything will fall in line.

According to an expert, the country can be set on the path of progress in just 72hours. You can read here https://www.lasgidionline.com.ng/2018/05/fix-nigeria-in-72-hours.html

So, GOH can fix this country. He has what it takes to do it. He has done it in the business world and he can do it for the country.

Support him.

SpecialAdviser:
By that he mean Don't allow Buhari to highjack 2019 elections.

You get sense die. But not just that, even the PDPlooters must not be allowed. Its time for a new Nigeria and ANN is the way to go

BigSarah:
So says an aspiring looter

Nobody can fix Nigeria, it's destroyed, failed, bamboozled, depleted, emancipated, fVvcked..

There are men of integrity in Nigeria and Olawepo Hashim is one of them The looters are very few in number, but unfortunately, they have been allowed, for far too long to make the whole country look like they are the majority.

It is time to allow men of good conscience to lead the way and one of them is Olawepo Hashim, who has not only demonstrated capability as a global investor, but also as a man with unrivaled ideology in his political trajectory.

Don't say you don't have a choice in 2019, this is a credible choice.

hum

GOH2019 #NigeriaGOHBetter

Don’t allow looters hijack 2019 elections, ANN aspirant urges Nigerians

A presidential aspirant on the platform of All for New Nigeria, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has urged Nigerians to reject both the ruling All Progressives Congress and all the people “regrouping to present themselves as credible alternatives to the failing APC.”

He urged Nigerians to be vigilant and not allow the nation to fall into the hands of politicians who had failed the country, for another four years.

Olawepo-Hashim, who was the founding Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, begged Nigerians not to give the PDP a chance to capitalise on the failure of the APC to take over power next year, saying they were birds of the same feather.

He urged the people to embrace the ANN as the alternative to both the APC and the PDP rather than think that their choices were limited to the “two evils.”

A statement on Tuesday quoted the businessman, who is the Chairman of Oilworld Limited and Transnational Energy Limited, as saying this while engaging with his supporters recently in Lagos.

“The APC is no doubt vengeful and has underperformed as a party in government, but we must resist the temptation to regard the PDP as the solution. Doing so will mean that we have forgotten so soon why they lost a general election only a few years ago. Nigerians cannot afford that.

“We cannot permit things to look like we just have a choice between two evils. We now have a credible option in the Alliance for New Nigeria.

“Confederating corrupt politicians should not be allowed to capitalise on the failure of the vengeful APC because they are birds of the same feather. You can feel the confederating people; they are already moving looted funds around.

“The ANN should be embraced in 2019. It should not be made to appear as if we are trapped between two evils – the APC and the PDP.”

https://punchng.com/dont-allow-looters-hijack-2019-elections-ann-aspirant-urges-nigerians/

ETEYEN79:
Hamzat, all I can say is keep it up, the sky is your starting point.

hum

I quite agree

In defense of Abba Kyari By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
https://mrrightsng..com/2018/09/in-defense-of-abba-kyari-by-abdulrazaq.html

The integrity of Nigerian state has been questioned and all its security agencies including Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are on public trial. Whether they would pass this test is left to the current administration.

In particular, the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government which prided itself as an anti-corruption administration is on trial in public glare and the whole world is watching to see, if the integrity of this great nation will be protected or shattered on the basis of personal interest and loyality.

During the weekend, I watched a video of popular human right radio program, Brekete family anchored by Ahmad Issa, the ordinary president. The segment in question was the continuation of a fraud case, allegedly involving Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The matter in question also involves allegation of impunity, human right violation and high level criminality perpetrated by legitimate state institutions such as Department of State Security (DSS) under the leadership of the recently sacked Director General of the agency, Lawal Daura, with the involvement of Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris as well the as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Surprisingly, some people came in defense of Abba Kyari from his home state of Borno and according to them; they came to speak about the character of the accused and to testify to his reputation. Amongst them were many old people, as well as some young men. However, apart from explaining how long they have known Abba Kyari and the jobs he has done before his current position as chief of staff to the president, nothing relating to the matter in question is within their knowledge.

After the victims had narrated their story and opportunity was given for observation, a young man who claimed to have investigated the matter as a concerned observer took the microphone and attempted to discredit the fraud case without minding the facts already established as claimed by the two victims, Ayuba Bako and a Police DSP.

The young man who was obviously doing a spin job wanted to fault the claim of the victims in a pathetic way. Thankfully, the host, Ahmad Issa did a wonderful job by setting the ball rolling in the right direction. The very passionate ordinary president also did justice to the other elderly men who tried to override issues with personal sentiments. Brekete family must be really commended.

I have keenly followed the matter from inception and have become an interested observer like the rest of the citizens and from my observation, the facts that has been established so far is as follows:

1. A citizen of fraud, Ayuba Bako who is from the same town as Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari was duped to the tune of N30 million over a contract worth N300 million. He alleged that the fraudulent action was carried out by Abba Kyari along with one Ado Sanni.

2. A police DSP, who was brought into the matter by people owed by the victim investigated the matter and established some facts that are incontrovertible. The officer established contact with Ado Sanni, who confirmed the deal and subsequently reached out to the Abba Kyari who claimed ignorance. Ado Sanni confirmed he was paid the sum totaling about N30million by the victim under the instruction of Abba Kyari as alleged.

3. As a result of the police investigation and possible exposure of the culprits, more than 10 fully armed security vehicles full of DSS officers were dispatched by Lawal Daura, Director General of Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest the DSP dead or alive.

4. Upon his arrest, the DSP was made to call the victim and both of them were illegally kept in DSS detention for over a month without any charge. In the course of their detention, they were separately asked to criminalize each other, which they refused to do. The police DSP was also asked to criminalize Ado Sanni as the culprit, thereby exonerating Abba Kyari, but he refused to compromise.

5. At the DSS office, the police DSP claimed to have established that indeed, the Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari was responsible for the fraud, which was why he ordered his unlawful arrest and detention. The DSP claimed to have not only met face to face with DG DSS, Lawal Daura during his detention, he also claimed to have met with Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president, both of whom queried him on why he wanted to expose the chief of staff before he was dumped in detention.

6. If we leave the issue of fraud aside, it has been established, as claimed by the police DSP that the chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari in conjunction with DG DSS, Lawal Daura are responsible for their unlawful arrest, assault, illegal detention and violation of human dignity. Unraveling the reason for their illegal detention may likely lead us to those behind the fraud.

7. The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris was also involved needs to explain his role, because after the police DSP was released by DSS, he was handed over to the office of police IG, who took his statement containing indicting allegation against Abba Kyari and Lawal Daura, yet proceeded to put him in another illegal detention for over a month without investigating those he indicted in his statement.

8. And after a month in police detention, the DSP was eventually released without any charge, and sent on a course by the police.

9. Few months after their release, the victim of fraud, Ayuba Bako who is determined to get justice proceeded to write a petition to the acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and after several rejection by agents of the commission because the name of Abba Kyari was featured, some courageous EFCC agents investigated the matter and established a case of fraud against Abba Kyari as alleged by the victim, but before they could act any further on the matter, those agents were removed from their offices.

10. The victim waited in vain for EFCC to help him get justice, so he decided to report to a human right radio, Brekete family.

What surprised me is that despite the nature of the matter and the many numerous questions begging for answer yet to be provided by the authority, some over bearing busy bodies didn’t allow the chief of staff to defend himself, if indeed he was wrongly accused, neither did they allow DSS, Police and EFCC to deny the allegations made against them by the victims. They came to the public glare to expose their inhumanity by associating with possible oppressors who could turn around to also oppress them.

They came to defend Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president who can easily defend himself to the highest level if indeed he his innocent. How easy do we defend people who can defend themselves, while leaving those who really need our help?

These defenders of the powerful were not there when the victim was allegedly discussing with Abba Kyari in a hotel in Abuja, they were not there when money was allegedly paid into the account of Ado Sanni under the instruction of Abba Kyari, they were not there when the DSP investigated and allegedly established some facts indicting the chief of staff, they were not there when DSS allegedly arrested the victim and the DSP and kept them in unlawful detention for months, they were not there when the DSP was subsequently handed over to the IG of police and was further remanded in Asokoro Police station for more than a month, neither were they there, when the victim allegedly went to EFCC to submit a petition and those who investigated the matter were removed from their positions.

These are issues that should concern any well meaning Nigerian who truly want to stand for justice.

If these defenders of the powerful man were not there to witness these entire scenarios, how can they confidently come to the public to defend a man who can defend himself but has not done so?

To see some of our people queuing behind people who don’t need them, while abandoning those who truly do has caused me so much grief and discomfort.

While it is not in my place or that of anyone to conclude that Abba Kyari is indeed guilty as charged, I think the information in the public space has sufficient merit to warrant a proper investigation to unravel the role played by all the identified suspects and the indicted security agencies. This is what will uphold our integrity as a nation or shatter it.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat is a human right ambassador and Executive Director of Foundation for Peace Professionals (FPP). He can be reached at discus4now@gmail.com

https://mrrightsng..com/2018/09/in-defense-of-abba-kyari-by-abdulrazaq.html

Greatzeus:
Wake up bro,ain't nothing new gonna happen in 2019,just the same old same.If not for Nairaland,I wouldn't have known he existed, talkless of vying for President. How many market women or abokis with no internet has heard of ANN,not to talk of Hashim.
You know I'm right,the only good thing that will come out of sowore,duro, Hashim etc is that few more people get to know them, little fame that's all.

You need to pay more attention. I mean, pay attention to the development in your area.

Hashim is not a noisemaker, not in quest for media fame or getting known. He his known across the business world with massive investment in atleast 7 countries of the world in Africa, Europe, Middle East and America. Unknwon to many, this is a man whose independent company is generating about 200 megawatt of electricity for this country. In Nigeria, those familiar with the student movement revered him as the leader of Nigerian students in late 80's who led the Anti Sap struggle against military Government. Then he transformed from student politics to civil society and was part of the political movement G34 which led Nigeria back to democracy in 1999. He was actually the first Deputy National Publicity Secretary of PDP in 1999 before he and others opposed the tenure elongation of party officials during OBJ regime. This ideological battle made him and others quite the party about 12 years ago and he left politics. Now that he has returned, before he ever mentioned his ambition on the media, the grassroot work in at least 25 states has been completed. This is not a media aspirant, he his only coming ou full force now, after the grassroot work has been completed. If the election is held today, Hashim will not have anything less than 5million votes. But as this campaign progress and good people like you see the movement, many more millions will join the team and victory shall emerge.

Guild of bloggers target fake news in 1st annual lecture
https://mrrightsng..com/2018/09/guild-of-bloggers-target-fake-news-in.html

The Guild of Professional Bloggers Of Nigeria is poised to tackle the problem associated with Fake News as it concludes arrangement towards holding its first annual lecture.

The event scheduled for Saturday 13th October 2018 will hold at Raddison Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street GRA, Ikeja Lagos.

The theme of the lecture is ““Combating Fake News In Cyberspace”

The event according to the organizing committee of the Association will be attended by Nigerians from all walks of life including online media, bloggers, main stream media, those in politics, economy and other stakeholders

It will afford the participants the opportunity to rob mind on very critical issues relating to online communication and publication especially at this critical moment when the country is getting prepared for another general election in 2019.

The President of the Guild ,Chris Kehinde Nwandu said major keynote speakers are being penciled down to deliver papers at the occasion ,the first of its kind by bloggers in Nigeria

The Guild of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria is an association of professional bloggers cutting across Nigeria set up to streamline the practice of blogging in the country.

It aims at setting out ethical standards for its members while at the same time bring some level professionalism into blogging profession.

The group also acts as a forum for networking, interaction and exchange of ideas among blogging practitioners and other related stakeholders.

Saraki is Mr. Poverty transfer, Kwara Must Change fires back at Toyin Saraki
https://mrrightsng..com/2018/09/saraki-is-mr-poverty-transfer-kwara.html

Kwara Must Change, a pro Democracy group in Kwara State has fired back at Mrs Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate president over certain comments she made on the social media. In a statement released by its president, Abdulrazaq O Hamzat, the group describes Mr Saraki as Mr poverty transfer.

Read full state below

The attention of Kwara Must Change has been drawn to some fallacious claims made by Mrs Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who claimed in an Instagram post that an imaginary project she referred to as conditional cash transfer took place in Kwara State during the administration of her husband, Bukola Saraki.

Kwara Must Change, a pro-Democracy group in Kwara State hereby informs the general public that the claim of Mrs saraki is a fat lie, being told openly by the wife of a discredit man who has dragged many Kwarans further into the ditch due to excessive mismanagement of Kwara common wealth and high level corruption.

Kwara Must Change maintained that, the only project executed during the administration of Bukola Saraki as Governor of Kwara State was the domestication of poverty, endemic corruption and conditional poverty transfer, whose effect we are still witnessing today.

Recall that an Instagram user, who goes by the name Crystal_Cellina had rightly alleged that the Saraki family is a family of thieves and saboteurs and Kwara Must Change can’t agree less with such fact.

However, what the user is yet to be aware of is the fact that, the atrocities committed and being committed on daily basis by the characters in question is far beyond thievery and sabotaging.

While responding to the comment of the user, Mrs Saraki had launched a series of falsehood under the guise of image laundering and embracing free expression, which include the false claim of imaginary conditional Cash Transfer to alleviate poverty and vulnerability.

We reiterate that Bukola Saraki domesticated poverty in Kwara State through series of initiatives which include forceful joint account with local government, which prevented local government that is closest to the people from being able to cater for their basic responsibilities.

The takeover of tax collection within the area designated for local government by Saraki’s administration without any pro masses consideration finally crippled the Kwara local administration in such a way that a whole local government cannot implement any project as small as N500,000.

This is in addition to deliberate mismanagement, endemic corruption, illegal acquisition of state resources and failing to implement the minimum wage policy as stipulated by the National Assembly in Kwara State.

The result of the above, is the unimaginable increase in the rate of poverty, crime and criminality, lack of education and youth restiveness.

Kwara Must Change hereby restate that the user who describe Saraki family’s as family of thieves and saboteurs is correct and in fact, contrary to the claim of Mrs Toyin Saraki, the Bukola Saraki’s administration in Kwara State should simply be described as the administration of poverty transfer from generation to generation and he should be regarded as Mr Poverty transfer.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
Kwara Must Change

Nigeria GOH Better

I am awake. I think it;s time for you to do the same. Wake up

Olawepo Hashim

more

pix

gmercy713:
Just made a quick research about the party and came up with some idea for promoting the new party.
Only few people knows the party.
Would like to "join" and promote the Presidential aspirant for the coming election.

Don't mind if can discuss outside this forum.

Sure. Discus4now@gmail.com

WomenTrainer:
Blessed are the peacemakers like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Goodluck Jonathan...

lol

ANN welcomes first legislator as Ebonyi minority leader defects

THE minority leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Maria Nwachi, yesterday formally defected to the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, becoming the first political office holder to openly identify with the newly registered political party.

ANN which styles itself as a political party for technocrats in politics immediately celebrated it as a change in the permutations in Ebonyi State. ANN in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi while describing it as an epoch event said: “Today, Thursday 6th day of September, 2018 is a significant day in the political history of Nigeria and our dear party, Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, as the party is welcoming into its fold, the honourable member representing Afikpo North-East State Constituency and Minority Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Honourable Maria Ude Nwachi at her ward in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state, making her the first serving political office holder of our party.”

The defection ceremony according to the statement took place at her ward in Afikpo North LGA and was witnessed by her supporters, party members and officials led by the state chairman of the party, Mr. Nweli Ifeanyichukwu Hilary, his deputy Mr. Irem Austin Obiahu, the State Secretary, Mr. Orji Ifeanyichukwu Ude, the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Esheya Kelvin, the Organizing Secretary, Mr. Agwu Onyemakaeze, the Afikpo North LGA Vice chairman, Mr. Maxwell Isu, the Afikpo North LGA Organizing Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel and many other officials who received and welcomed her into the ANN’s fold.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/ann-welcomes-first-legislator-as-ebonyi-minority-leader-defects/

Ebonyi Assembly Member Dumps PDP for ANN

A member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, representing Afikpo North-East State Constituency, Honourable Maria Ude Nwachi, has defected to the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

She had earlier in the life of the current dispensation in the state defected from her former party‎ to the PDP.

In a statement to the press signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ANN, Akinloye Oyeniyi, the party said it was another epoch in the political history of Nigeria as the nine-month old political party has produced its first serving political office holder.

Nwachi was the former Minority Leader in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

The statement reads “Today, Thursday 6th day of September, 2018 is a significant day in the political history of Nigeria and our dear party, Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, as the party is welcoming into its fold the member representing Afikpo North-East State Constituency and former Minority Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Honourable Maria Ude Uwachi at her ward in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state, making her the first serving political office holder of our party.

“To many, political parties have merely been vehicles of thuggery and social disturbance, but as Nigerians have seen for themselves, the coming of ANN is not only to exercise government power by winning political offices, but also to serve as the true political party for government and political recruitment, interest articulation and aggregation, political education, goal formation, link between governments and the people, political representation of all and sundry and making governments accountable to the people.

“These and many other qualities are what havee been endearing the party to multitude of people across all divides which Honourable Nwachi described as a better platform with good ideology where her impacts can be felt.

“We have seen her performance and have listened to her people back home, and from their own mouths they have confirmed she is a community development enthusiast and popular grassroots mobiliser loved by her people.

“Her joining us is not a shocking occurrence to ANN members and large supporters because we share same ideology of selflessness and altruistic community development traits.

“Honourable Maria, as young as she is, in a rare exhibition of selfless service to her people and community as the Minority Leader of Ebonyi House of Assembly, refused riding in her official Toyota Prado but sold the SUV to provide badly-needed amenities and seed funds to traders and artisans in her constituency.

“This is what ANN stands for. This is the same reason you see the party having five presidential aspirants, numerous governorship, senatorial, House of representatives and state assembly aspirants as young as the party is.”

The defection ceremony which took place at her ward in Afikpo North LGA was witnessed by her teeming supporters, party members and officials led by the state chairman of the party, Mr. Nweli Ifeanyichukwu Hilary, his deputy Mr. Irem Austin Obiahu, the State Secretary, Mr. Orji Ifeanyichukwu Ude, the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Esheya Kelvin and the Organising Secretary, Mr. Agwu Onyemakaeze, among others

http://metrowatchonline.com/ebonyi-assembly-member-dumps-pdp-for-ann-2/#.W5IrWEokt3M.whatsapp

25 points from Interview of ANN Presidential Aspirant, Olawepo Hashim
https://mrrightsng..com/2018/08/extract-from-interview-of-ann.html

Mr Rights present 25 points extracted from an interview by ANN presidential aspirants, Olawepo Hashim

• The country we want to build is the country where your regional descent should not define you politically.
• I’m completely a cosmopolitan person and we have a lot of Nigerians having dual citizenship. I don’t have dual citizenship. I have only the Nigerian passport. I’ve had the opportunity of taking citizenship of other countries but I had never done that.
• What I’m saying is that you have people who were born abroad who could even contest to become British Prime Minister. So, why should that be a big issue in Nigeria?
• The Nigeria of our dream is the Nigeria where any Nigerian can get up from anywhere and contest for public office.
• I was just talking about Sir. Kashim Ibrahim running election in Benue – a Borno man in a predominantly Christian state, a Muslim and he was elected into the Northern Assembly.
• You talk about Zik of Africa who was elected into the Western House of Assembly. I think what we have now is a complete degeneracy in our polity in this era.
• The founding fathers of our Republic were more progressive and more forward looking, whether they were from the North or West or from wherever. They were more nationalistic and more patriotic.
• It beats my imagination that the younger generation who claim to be more educated and more exposed, are regressing into clannishness which wasn’t even the case in the First Republic.
• We need to take Nigeria back to those values that gave Nigeria independence; a Nigeria where an Ibira man became the Mayor of Enugu and Enugu people had no qualms about it. That’s the Nigeria our founding fathers left for us.
• We cannot bequeath a Nigeria of the herdsmen that will start slitting the throats of citizens. That’s not the Nigeria we want to leave for our children.
• I think there is lots of irresponsibility on the part of the leadership where the body language of the various leaders have been encouraging division, rather than bringing Nigeria together.
• The fact that I’m happy to say that Abuja is my base now, we are also sending a message that that is the Nigeria we want to build. That is the Nigeria we want to have, where you can play politics from where you live and you don’t have to retreat to your ancestral origin before you can do politics. That’s the new Nigeria we want to build.
• After 2015 election, I promised myself that as long as I live in this country, I will never sit back and disallow the Nigerian electorate the opportunity to have a choice in an election by saying oh, we don’t have a choice.
• We have to present them with a credible alternative because in 2015, a lot of people really didn’t have a choice. The 2015 election was like a referendum to remove Jonathan and of course you see the consequence of what happened.
• People like us and you should not be in a country where people would be going to the polls and saying ‘just any idiot but this one’. That’s not a good election. Election should not be just any idiot.
• People should have concrete choices to make in terms of programmes, in terms of ideology and that is the least responsibility that we owe Nigerians.
• If we can present that alternative and that programme, regardless of how they vote, we would have done our duty and then it will be for the electorate to live with the consequences of their choice.
• I can put Nigeria back together. Nigeria is badly divided and it needs a unifier and a bridge builder.
• Nigeria’s economy needs to be rescued from complete collapse. Even the growth rate of 7 percent that we had for about 15 years until 2015 was not a good enough number to grow Nigeria out of poverty.
• We needed our GDP to expand sevenfold to be able to be at par with the countries that were in the same rank as Nigeria at independence such as Malaysia.
• We want to evolve a middle income country, having a per capita income of between $16,000 to around $25,000 and if we are going to be at that level, we need to grow within ten years, our GDP by sevenfold.
• I understand how the modern economy is organized and I’m an investor myself in different countries and I have done business for 27 years.
I have practical understanding of how to expand our GDP and grow our economy, as one who is on top of both economy, practically and theoretically.
• There are very few people in Nigeria who have the privilege of having strong level of political training and also sound economics and that’s important for Nigeria.
• We have to unite the country and at the same time, we have to deal with the economic challenges.
• Some months ago, we were discussing with some people who came to visit us from Shiroro (Niger state) and we were talking about insecurity.
• They said the kind of insecurity we are seeing now is not just about herdsmen and farmers clashes; that in Shiroro now, once they bury their yams in the ground around the planting season, some people will go and unearth the yams; some will even go and sell the seedlings in the market in order to have some money.
• So, what they do now is they mark the yam seedlings with paints so that when it shows up at the market, everybody will know that this is a stolen yam. This is where we have come to in Shiroro in Niger State.
• So, are you going to send policemen to be manning every farm in Nigeria? This is a huge social economic crisis. That one is no longer just security problem. It’s a serious problem of chronic poverty and collapse of all the economic lever of hope.
• You cannot discuss some of these security challenges outside the issue of poverty and the collapse of the economic support system for the people to live to be human beings in the first place. That demands an urgency of now.