₦airaland Forum

Following the criticisms that trailed the Muslim/Muslim ticket of the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, the APC leader’s camp has gone to hire some Christians bishops to attend the formal unveiling of his Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

The bishops who were in their robes were sighted at the event which is currently taking place at Shehu Musa Yar,adu Centre Abuja.

The incident that caused stir at the entrance of the event as crowd taunted them and shouted "The bishops are here."

Meanwhile the so-called bishops could not get seats at the main hall of the as they were seen being ushered to the gallery which served as overflow.

Recall that many Nigerians have continued to express disappointment in the choice of a Muslim-Muslim pairing ticket by the APC flag bearer for the 2023 general elections.

They described the action as an attempt to trample on the religious rights of Nigerians.

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said former Senator, Magnus Abe worked against the party.

The Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone stated this in a press conference on Wednesday.

He accused Abe of conniving with Governor Nyseom Wike to truncate the electoral chances of the APC in 2019.

Finebone spoke in reaction to the resignation of Abe and a number of his followers

The spokesman said the individuals acted “in every way to destroy the APC in Rivers” in recent years.

Finebone alleged that they “connived endlessly” with Wike and “used some elements in the state judiciary” to frustrate the party via litigations.

“The culmination of their evil machinations was the exclusion of Rivers APC from the ballot in 2019.

“Evidence exists how Senator Abe and his lieutenants broke into celebration the day the Party was excluded by the court.”

Finebone said after the 2019 loss, Abe continued to receive support from outside the state and persisted in undermining Rivers APC.

He further alleged that Abe and supporters attacked and damaged the then Rivers APC Secretariat at Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.

“Recently, they also hired hoodlums and attempted to destroy the present secretariat of the party.”

“Senator Abe and the few persons still with him had concluded plans to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on whose platform Abe will run for governor.”

This, according to Finebone, was why his close associates started resigning and proclaiming their APC exit on social media.

The spokesman noted that part of their exit plan was to act as though they have been functional members “just to hoodwink the public”.

“Rivers APC considers the formal exit of Abe and his associates from the APC as good riddance. We liken it to a successful excision of a debilitating cancer from the body.”

The platform said it can now heave a sigh of relief “from the sustained destabilizing onslaught by Senator Abe” and wished him well “as he joins the SDP”.

The statement declared that Abe and others had, by their actions and utterances, long ceased to be functional members of APC.

“They shunned and refused to participate in the Membership Revalidation exercise that was carried out nationwide”, it added.

A Southern Ijaw chieftain, Prof Barango Opukumo Matthew Wenke, Jnr, has resigned his membership in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In a two-page letter addressed to the chairman, Ward 1, Constituency II, he noted that this decision became necessary following the crisis in the party.

Prof Wenke, Jnr, noted that he was unhappy with the maltreatment given to Governor Nyesom Wike despite all his contributions to keeping the PDP afloat thus far.

Stressing that those who maltreated Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State did the same to Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2015 thwarting his second-term ambition, he stated: “This is a disrespect to the Niger Delta Region politically.”

“Therefore, as a foot soldier and strong supporter of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Governor Wike, I can no longer tolerate this disrespect for the Oil Rich Region and her leadership.

“Following this continuous use and dump style of the PDP, I, therefore, see the flagrant disrespect for my godfather as disrespect for me and the Niger Delta Region at large.

“I, hereby, formally resign my membership of the PDP, because I want to be obedient and useful to my fatherland Nigeria.”

The letter was dated July 19, 2022. He controls over 10,000 party members across Bayelsa State.

Reasons have emerged why five political heavyweights dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST in Gusau, the state capital, the leader of the group, Alhaji Mai buhu Gumi lamented that there were deep cracks on the walls that the leadership of the party has failed to amend.

“These internal crises would not allow the party to move forward hence we have to dump the party for PDP,” he added.

According to him, one cannot play politics successfully without the total support of the people, especially the grassroots, pointing out that APC has lost the confidence of the people, especially the grassroots that are the voting powers.

“The inability of the ruling party to end the banditry activities ravaging the entire country has forced many members to look for alternatives and we will be left alone,” he added.

Speaking further, Mai buhu Gumi pointed out that most of the women in the rural areas have been forcefully turned into widows roaming the streets aimlessly due to banditry activities.

“It is no longer news that farming activities which had been the livelihood of the people, especially the grassroots have been stopped because bandits do not allow the people to go to their farms,” he said.

He noted that the bandits have continued to roar like wounded lions, saying that even the security operatives whose duty is to protect lives and properties are no longer safe and talk less of defenseless people.

Responding to the claim by the state chapter of APC that he and his political associates have no followers Mai buhu Gumi said that it was just empty propaganda that can be thrown into another waste paper bin.

“I cannot join issues with the State APC publicity secretary because I have been in politics even before he was born.

“The APC should put their house in order first of all before making empty propaganda that every one has known that the party is a toothless bulldog,” he said.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Moshood Adegoke Salvador has collapsed his political group, Conscience Forum, into the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos.

Salvador, one-time Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had defected to the APC in Lagos prior to the 2019 General Elections with over 300,000 members of his group spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

But the outcome of ward, local government and state congresses of the APC had seen members of the forum sidelined even as those of them who bought forms to contest Party offices at all levels were allegedly denied the rights to contest.

His group also conducted a parallel state Congress which was not recognised by the APC leadership at the national level.

This has compounded the grievances of members of the group.

However, there are indications that Salvador has been adopted as the governorship candidate for Labour Party in the state.

Already, Salvador had announced in a Sallah message to his members the collapse of the group into Labour Party as well as his endorsement as the governorship candidate.

He said, “I am delighted to inform you that conscience forum structure has been adopted by the LABOUR PARTY.

“This is the greatest opportunity to regain our political relevance, recognitions and benefits that was lost in in APC.

“Also, Hon. Salvador is now the governorship candidate for Labour Party in Lagos state. The window of substitutions is also available for our members. If you’re interested in contesting for reps, assembly, or senate, office is opened at Salvador towers to meet the state chairman and complete your INEC form.”

Prominent members of Labour Party in the state, who do not want their names mentioned revealed to our correspondent that Salvador would officially announce his defection soon.

The source said the former Peoples Democratic party (PDP) state chairman was at the national headquarters of the Labour Party to officially notify the party of his interest to join them.

According to the source, Salvador’s interest is to become the governorship candidate of the party in 2023.

He said, “Salvador has declared his intention to become our member and he has equally met the National Chairman of the party. I was among the delegation that went to Abuja to meet the the chairman.

“Salvador said some party members approached him to come and lead the party in the state. He is welcomed into the party…”

When contacted, Salvador confirmed the development, saying a formal announcement would soon be made.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has directed all churches in Nigeria to advise their members to vote against presidential candidates who have been linked to hard drugs, Boko Haram, corruption or any violent religious groups before.

This was disclosed in a circular which emanated from the Political and Strategy Committee of CAN and was sent to all churches in Nigeria.

According to the circular, titled “2023 General Elections; Whom To Vote For,” CAN enumerated qualities that the presidential candidate must possess and the policies that should either be implemented or rejected.

Among the qualities CAN said Christians should look out for in a candidate are honesty, truthfulness, respect for the rule of law, respect for religious and ethnic diversity, compassion, disciplined and credibility.

The body said the candidate must not be a member of any cult, and must not have any involvement with drugs, witchcraft, Boko Haram or any violent religious group.

CAN said the candidate is required to have performed excellently in previous positions, must have good education sufficient to manage a complex society, and have effective management skills of human and natural resources.

The circular reads: "Offices must be shared fairly to every section of Nigeria. There must be equal ethnic and religious representation in military and security agencies. We say no to the RUGA settlement policy and yes to ranching. There should be education and free healthcare for all Nigerians including almajiris.

We reject open grazing, rather, there should be modernisation of animal husbandry, local control of economy including waters, rivers and forests. Everyone should control what we have.

“The candidate must not be a member of any cult, must have no involvement in drugs and witchcraft, no fanaticism, no relationship to Boko Haram or other violent religious groups. The person must have quality performance in previous positions, good education sufficient to manage a complex society, effective management of human and natural resources.

The person must have the ability to envision transformation, ability to communicate the vision to diverse peoples, ability to effectively effect the vision of transformation, must be in good health, sound mind and physical fitness for the job.”

Tongues have been wagging on social media over Seyi Tinubu’s luxury timepiece that was listed online for up to $550,000 — or N340 million at the prevailing parallel exchange rate since the CBN has restricted official rate for luxury items.

Mr Tinubu, 36, was noticed in a March 24 Instagram post sporting the Richard Mille RM 055 as he met with some people that appeared to be his staff members. The watch was part of the custom series on sale in the name of professional golfer and Masters giant Bubba Watson.

While flaunting the .34 billion naira watch, Mr Tinubu asked his followers to “Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”

Jewellery expert Edward Garvey told Peoples Gazette that Mr Tinubu’s watch had been sold for more than $680,000 at a point since it was introduced by the top Swiss brand in 2011.

Mr Tinubu’s exquisite preference seemed writ large across his Instagram page: he has posted photos of himself playing polo or spending the weekend in Lake Como.

Being the son of Bola Tinubu, the ruling APC presidential candidate notorious for looting Lagos’ public treasury with impunity, Nigerians could not help but be astonished by Seyi Tinubu’s exorbitant display of wealth, especially at a time of historic unemployment and abject poverty racking residents of the nation’s commercial capital.

The federal minimum wage, the highest of the three layers of government, has stagnated at N30,000 since 2019 — or $48 and $71 for parallel and official rates, respectively.

Whereas Seyi Tinubu’s professional background remained unclear — an online profile said he obtained a law degree from Buckingham and entered the Nigerian bar in 2013 — Peoples Gazette can report that he has been a major beneficiary of his father’s apparent capture of Lagos.

In February 2021, The Gazette published bank documents highlighting Seyi Tinubu’s exploits in Lagos’ advertising market — alongside his father’s ex-aide turned sports ministers Sunday Dare. His father’s Alpha Beta, broadcaster TVC and metro line businesses have cornered hundreds of billions of naira from Lagos’ taxpayers since it started processing revenues for the state about 15 years ago.

Some Nigerians on social media have raised concerns over how Seyi Tinubu’s lifestyle could only be funded by public resources and how it could be an indication of more assault on the national purse should his father be elected president next February.

Seyi Tinubu did not return a request for comment, but some of his followers were either delighted or indifferent about his lifestyle and offered to help his father’s campaign.

“I will be so much happy if I can campaign for Asiwaju sir,” an Instagram user said under the March 24 post.

The Inspector-General Of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered the probe of music star, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, over his alleged ties to One Million Boys, a notorious gang.

In a video, which went viral on Monday, Portable was heard saying he formed the gang and another notorious group known as Ajah Boys.

“Open your ears and hear me, Have you heard about Ajah Boys, One Million Boys, I’m their founder. Go and ask Sammy larry.”

The singer spoke Yoruba in the now-deleted video.

In a statement, Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, said the Lagos Commissioner of Police has been asked to investigate Portable.

“Sequel to the trending video of one Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable where he claimed to have formed the One-Million Boys cult group terrorising some parts of Lagos State, the IGP has ordered CP Lagos to investigate the indicting statement and take necessary legal action. This directive is premised on the continuous effort of the Nigeria Police Force to fish out pillars and sponsors of cult groups in order to decimate their activities and restore sanity to our society.”

Ever since he came to the limelight in December 2021 after the release of his song, ‘Zazu Zeh’, in which he featured top artiste and record label boss, Olamide, practically no month has gone by without Portable, being in the news for negative reasons.

He was ridiculed some hours ago for congratulating the Osun State governorship winner, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after supporting the opposition party.

OnlineBusinessC:
Imólé!

This is exactly how Tinubu and Atiku will be disgraced in 2023 by God's Grace

Typing.....

senatordave1:
Vote obi

senatordave1:
No reasonable southerner should support atiku or any northerner.it is either tinubu or obi

senatordave1:
What stops se from fighting and hustling like sw

PaChukwudi44:
North know it is turn of the south?

But the SW do not know it is the turn of the SE,?

Very funny dude.Wetin concern almajiris and anybody's turn

mvem:
good take...nice analysis

Mintum:
Adeleke wins obokun LGA

PDP 13, 575
APC 9727

senatordave1:
I am a Nigerian

senatordave1:
Did you people accept that in 2019? What we are saying is that those people that deliver those votes are with tinubu.pdp does not exist in borno,yobe,zamfara

senatordave1:
Atiku can only win kebbi,sokoto,Adamawa,taraba,plateau,nasarawa ,gombe narrowly.that's all.they north know its the turn of the south so they will vote southerners

Reader530:
I am from the north. Atiku is getting votes in Kano and other parts because of these two factors:
They use to say Atiku is not good but better than Tinubu religious wise and in terms of health.
Obasanjo castigating Atiku is making him more accepted and finally many people outside Kano knows voting Kwankwaso is a waste of vote, so they have no option other than Atiku. Obi will get good votes in North Central, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna,etc. Know these and Know peace.

senatordave1:
And they gave buhari almost 900,000 votes? No state in southern nigeria polled such figure madam

mvem:
whoever Kwankwaso supports...he really to an extent determines how Kano people vote

senatordave1:
That of borno and yobe is special.right fro.1999,they go kamikaze on pdp.same with zamfara

mvem:
Atiku can't win Kano despite being a northerner. He isn't unanimously supported in the North...you can confirm this from people that truly stays up north

senatordave1:
Yes,they vote according to how shettima, sheriff and zulum directs.they are remote controlled.

TimmyA:
Northerners follow fellow Northerner ahead of any southerner except if the candidate does not represent them. My own view is that on the average Atiku have more upper hand on this basis based on the region of other contestants

senatordave1:
Funny you.why contradicting yourself. you said they dont vote there which is true so how will atiku win? Nothing like blood,borno is kanuri,atiku is fulani so they are not related

senatordave1:
That is not true.kwankwaso is loved more than atiku. the north dont like pdp and atiku.except atiku becomes a fanatic,they won't vote.common to divide votes in the north,he couldn't in2019.he is overrated

Reader530:
I am a northerner too. You are right. It's only in Yobe and Borno that he is not all that popular because most of our electorates can't vote without party agent

JAWBONE:
Adamawa his state of origin will not give him bloc votes right. Same state where he won at Federal and State level even defeating an incumbent governor. Taraba, Benue, Plateau that has always voted PDP at Federal level won't give him votes.

I laugh

senatordave1:
No state in the north will give atiku bloc votes.they dont like him,smell the coffee