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There are strong indications that two power blocs within the All Progressives Congress are now engaged in a fierce battle for the soul of the party. Saturday PUNCH’s investigations on Friday revealed that the battle between the two power blocs to control the party: one led by Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and the other led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, played out during Tuesday’s National Assembly leadership elections. The ruling party’s preferred candidates in both the Senate and the House of Representatives were defeated by party members who contested the elections against the wishes of the party. The battle for supremacy between the two power blocs led to the emergence of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Ike Ekweremadu, as the Deputy Senate President. Saturday PUNCH learnt that both Atiku and Tinubu were desperate to have maximum control over the party structure so that party decisions could favour them at all times. It was learnt that the two blocs wanted their candidates to emerge principal officers of the National Assembly since that would automatically qualify their candidates to become members of the party’s National Executive Committee, which is the highest decision arm of the party. Senator Bukola Saraki emerged the President of the Senate at a time when leading figures of the party including Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande and APC Senators as well as members of the House of Representatives were waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari at the International Conference Centre for a crucial meeting. The party’s NWC earlier held a shadow election in which Senators Ahmad Lawan and George Akume emerged as the party’s candidates for Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively. But, Atiku, Saturday PUNCH learnt that Atiku was never in support of the mock election believed to be spearheaded by the APC national leader as the former Vice President was bent on breaking Tinubu’s influence on the party’s NWC. As things stand, most of the current members of the APC’s National Working Committee are Tinubu’s loyalists. With the outcome of the National Assembly leadership elections, there are strong indications that the Tinubu camp, which many agree, boasts of the likes of Lawan and Akume are not prepared to let the matter rest. Sources said the Tinubu camp, though still jolted by its initial ‘defeat’ would likely spring a surprise in the days ahead. It was gathered that members of the Senators Unity Forum, who supported the party’s candidates are queuing behind Tinubu and are likely to continue to do so in the days to come. It was learnt that in supporting the aspirations of Saraki and Dogara, Atiku had argued that democracy could better be served when the principle of internal democracy is respected. It was further learnt that Saraki’s publicised visit to Atiku’s residence a few hours after his emergence, was part of the power play. By virtue of their new positions as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Saraki and Dogara, have become automatic members of the National Executive Committee, the highest decision making body of the party. Their positions also confer on them automatic membership of the party’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee. A leading member of the party’s NWC, who confided in Saturday PUNCH, explained that the unfolding scenario is likely to open up new frontiers in the power struggle within the party. According to him, decisions at NEC from now on will be keenly contested by the two power blocs. Saturday PUNCH learnt that the outcome of the National Assembly elections would likely affect decisions to be taken on ministerial nominees as some of the candidates in Tinubu’s camp may be rejected during screening by the Saraki/Atiku group. He said, “It is obvious that with what happened on Tuesday at the National Assembly, two (dominant) power blocks have emerged in the party. “We hope to heal the wounds created by the contests, but there is mutual suspicion between the two groups.” When contacted, the Director-General of the Atiku Media Office, Mazi Paul Ibe, said, “Atiku did not orchestrate the emergence of the new leadership in the National Assembly and insinuating that amounts to nothing but political mischief, as he had refused to leave the party or work for the PDP even when the then President Jonathan was desperate for Atiku’s support. “The visits of politicians and APC leaders including that of the Senate President are common political rituals in Atiku’s Asokoro residence. For the purposes of emphasis, the President has confidence in him and that explains why he had drafted him as an envoy of sorts in the race leading up to the emergence of a Nigerian President of African Development Bank. “It is baseless and unfounded to suggest that Atiku conspired with the PDP or Saraki to ‘sabotage’ the APC. He would have congratulated Senator Ahmed Lawan (or any other leader) if he had won. It is simplistic to attribute conspiratorial agenda to an innocuous congratulatory visit. “Atiku’s loyalty to his party is indisputable. He remains a loyal party member. He, in fact, threw his political assets behind the Buhari presidential campaign. Any suggestion that he conspired with Saraki or anybody is the figment of someone’s imagination.” Attempts to get a reaction from Tinubu’s Spokesperson, Mr. Sunday Dare, were unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile phone at 5:21pm and at 7:14pm were neither picked nor returned. A response to a text message was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report at 7:24pm. But, a member of Saraki’s Like Minds group of Senators, Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South), said Saraki’s emergence, has no negative implication for party cohesion. He said, “We are already reaching out to everyone. At the leadership level, we are reaching out to individuals. “The Senate President is a very generous Nigerian with a very large heart. He has already extended his hands of fellowship to every senator and he has assured us all that he would carry everybody along. It is not going to be a case of winner-takes-all.” Also, a member of the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central), said the party leadership is currently working tirelessly to ensure that the party remains a formidable and united entity. The South East Zonal Spokesperson for the APC, Osita Okechukwu, said the party was seeking ways of moving forward. According to him, it will be futile to begin to apportion blame and look for scapegoats because doing so will provide an avenue for those who do not wish the APC well to cash in. He said party leaders deserve the respect of all party members, adding that if the wise counsel of President Muhammadu Buhari for non-interference in National Assembly issues was adhered to, the party would not have found itself in this situation. He, however, said it was time to move on. Okechukwu said, “It is the desire of our opponents for there to be a rift but there is no rift. As a party, the only thing we need now, more than ever before, is unity. “We need to unite especially in the National Assembly to be able to deliver on our promises to the Nigerian people. I dare say, we also need bi-partisan support if we are to get things done because we need each other.” Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/atiku-tinubu-fight-to-control-apc/ |
saintandsinnerz:My insinuations are actually correct in this instance, it was about a rude and uncouth journalist who couldn't stick with the professionalism of her job. Her advice was then directed at the womenfolk consequently labelling the generality women as being impolite. |
The Peoples Democratic Party has called on the National Emergency Management Authority to donate relief materials, especially food, to workers in Osun State because of the non-payment of their salaries for the past seven months. The Director of Media and Strategy of the PDP in Osun State, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, made the appeal in a statement in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday. The party praised the Christian Association of Nigeria for rallying support for the workers but that the mobilisation of aid for the state workers could not be left for CAN alone to bear. The PDP also directed its members to begin to bring foodstuff to the party’s secretariats in all the local government areas in the state for onward distribution to the workers. It said, “The situation in the state requires much more than what religious bodies can cope with. We are calling on the National Emergency Management Authority, Red Cross Society and well- meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the workers in the state. “The situation of unpaid salaries is so bad that many of those in the employment of government have now resulted to begging to feed their family while many have attempted to hang themselves. “On Wednesday, a man slumped and died in broad daylight at the popular Olaiya Junction, Osogbo, after begging for money to buy drug, albeit unsuccessfully from the traders around and the passersby. “The man openly shouted that his relatives that usually give him money to buy drugs have not been paid salaries for months. The sad aspect of the story is that the corpse was left at the spot where he foamed and bled through the mouth for a day before his remains was evacuated. “We also have it on good authority that many of these helpless workers have been evicted from their rented apartment while many others are said to be considering suicide.” Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/pdp-begs-nema-to-donate-food-to-osun-workers/ |
The fighters of Boko Haram sect have killed 37 people in separate attacks on six villages in Borno State, a youth vigilante told journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday. He revealed that the notorious group drove in a convoy of Sport Utility Vehicles to Koshifa, Matangle, Buraltuma, Darmanti, Almeri and Burmari villages – all in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, on Wednesday night. He said the insurgents opened fire indiscriminately on the villagers and burnt down houses. A top member of the youth vigilante group in Biu, a neighbouring local government to Damboa, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some of the villagers who fled from the villages under attack, narrated their horrible experiences to vigilante in Biu. He said those that escaped were mostly women, who said the insurgents killed their husbands and burnt down their houses. The women were afraid that the insurgents might come back to finish off the villages and they had to flee. He said, “At least, 37 persons were killed in coordinated attacks on the six villages and they were mostly men and youths and their homes razed down completely. “The women said many people were still missing but they believed that they will still come to Damboa or Biu town so that they can reunite with their families. I must say Boko Haram has almost wiped out everybody. ‘’ A police officer, who did not want to be quoted, confirmed the attacks but could not state the exact figures of the victims. He told our correspondent in Maiduguri on Thursday that, “We are aware of yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) raids on the villages in Damboa Local Government, many of them were killed and some weapons were recovered by the troops.’’ Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/bharam-kills-37-in-borno/ |
ellechrystal:It would be better if you had directed your advice to humans in general rather than women because her actions was as a journalist not a man/woman. Rudeness and disrespect have nothing to do with gender. |
jossyj:WHO not approving his drug has nothing to do with him being a Nigerian or an Igbo man , it is high time we stop seeing ouself has victims in every situation because it is unhealthy and it destroy's self-esteem. For your information , the drug has not been tested on any human being , how can a drug that has not been clinically proven be approved ? If it is true that the drug really works, it will in no time promote itself because an AIDS sufferer doesn't care if the government approved a drug or not , all he /she needs is a cure. |
omenka:You can continue mourning for the whole year , but you must note that Saraki remains the senate president. No amount of weeping will change that. |
DaBullIT:Why not simply ignore the thread if you have no meaningful contribution. Buhari this and that all over the place. I will have love to read your comment which read : if not for Buhari , You won't be having a brain this year. |
koligs:Why not ask Babaonechance to fish out your fishbrain first because you need it urgently. |
blackpanda:Mumu , I don't expect people like you who lack comprehension skills to comment on topic like this. Hints: it isn't what he wrote that mattersv , it is what he meant. |
Let us not forget that the G7 are currently supporting countries such as Iraq , Yemen , Afghanistan , Pakistan and Ukraine. Does anyone knows what is common to these countries ? Only a dullard will think G7 will help in solving armed conflict problems. |
I wonder how this man got his "doctorate" , he couldn't support any of his argument with defensible facts, all he did I was rants and rants. Who the hell cares if you like Bukola Saraki or not. The house have decided and he is free to go to court if he feel offended. It is bad enough that some reporters have become Tinubu's propaganda mouthpiece let alone a supposed intellectual responding to remote control from Bourdillon. SMH. |
RichDad1:Wake up please, When will you learn to attribute blame to who it is due. For you , anything wrong must be blamed on PDP. I am sure each time you accidentally hurt your toe , you also blame it on PDP. |
swezenberg:How difficult was it foryou to type, you are but a master in pretentious subterfuge. I know you are deeply pained that your party leaders lost out in the NASS leadership tussle. This house election is not about which party the winners belong to but which party got his wishes. |
This guy is a big incompetent fool, rather than name the faceless people he concocted in his imagination he prefer to call them "Jonathan" men. He should understand that he wasn't voted so that he can blame Jonathan. There is no excuse for failure. For those rooting for this man , please answer the following questions: What are the names of the offenders ? How much have they returned ? Which band account was the money paid into ? Which agency or ministry is in chargeof the account ? How much have been rrealized so far ? |
saaedlee:Sorry , I don't like people grieving a lone but I like you because you summoned courage to accept defeat via deceitful joy. |
blackpanda:I am sorry for your crude mind, what "great" thing have you heard about APC ? Oh , APAC won the election ,how has that improved your life. Even if APC has increased your e-warrior crumb , you must note that it adds nothing to you on the long run because Crumbs/Crumbs = Misery |
No, Gumi is completely wrong it is GEJ that is killing the Northerners ![]() |
philips70: |
Babaonechance the minister of tourism and petroleum resources. I hail thee . How vis vacation. |
handsomeclouds:May God run your life the way Babaonechance is run ng Nigeria. Can I hear a loud amen. |
Naijacitizen:Like master like slaves . This is zombie syndrome of the highest order. The Dullard of Daura clearly states that he knows nothing about the petroleum industry and you still saw it fit to quote him and confirm his cluelessness. SMH. Thank you for showcasing Buhari as a visionless ruler. |
Iroh88:I never knew the word "reason" existed in your dictionary. Everything GEJ was evil , regardless of reason or motive , now that the emotional frenzy is over you crave for "reason". Well it is good to have hope , just know that your wishes won't come to reality. |
@ Sweetlemon I am shocked with the content of your writeup. Who the hell are you to tell people "how to play opposition" ? Your advice is neither needed nor welcomed. Your lamentation is not different from Tecno telling Samsung how to be a competitor, I am sure you know that only a foolish and dumb Samsung will accept such insidious sermon. I know your reason for writing this topic is to reduce the pressure being heaped on Babaonechance, I am sorry to inform you that no preaching can save him , only fulfillment of his promises can give him a respite. |
philips70:Nigeria has passed the stage of blame games. Everyone knows that our current president is Buhari , not some other person you referenced. Nobody cares if someone had ruled for a hundred years , all that interest Nigerians is problem being solved and from experience problem do not get solved by wishing them away or running away from them. From your post , I may infer that since thousands were killed in the past , it is okay it continues that way no questions asked. |
Clerverly:You obviously lack basic comprehension skills, the OP simply stated some possibilities not certainties as your bigoted eye saw. Next time you don't understand a post simply stay in the background so as not to embarrass yourself in public. |
Can someone please remind Babaonechance that he was elected by Nigerians and for Nigerians , not for him to become an errand boy for western nations. Since he wanted petroleum ministry for himself, I think he should add tourism ministry to his personal portfolio. Three countries in few days. Na wa! |
philips70:I don't know how you think but the suspense you love has cost Bornu people hundreds of lives. You can keep "loving" it while Nigerians die enmass on a daily basis. |
ashson:Big fool , Babaonechance who is the role model for this fake doctor is to blame here. The man thought if Buhari can become a general and a president without school cert, he believed he can fly too! Police should free the man as he committed no offence. Evenif he presented a NEPA bill ,he can practice medicine |
folabayo1:In your cave in Daura , confusion and conflict is synonymous with progress. |
redgem:Nonsense! How dare you ask for more time so that boko boys can kill more people. Do you think they are killing chickens and rats ? It is human life we are talking about and you have the effrontery to plead for more time. Only a selfish and heartless person will type that . Is it because you are not from Bornu state ? Next time , if you have nothing constructive to say , just ignore the thread OK. |
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