February 13, 2023

Osinbajo inaugurates APC legal compliance committee

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has remained the only party anchored on social democracy, social protection and social mobility, especially for the poor.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, said the vice president inaugurated the APC Legal Compliance Committee on Monday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The committee has responsibility for more than 1,400 federal and states elective positions in polls holding in February and March.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, the Minister of State, Labour and Productivity, Mr Festus Keyamo, and the APC National Legal Adviser who is Coordinator of the Committee, Mr Ahmad El-Marzuq, attended the event.

Osinbajo said that the committee was crucial to the achievement of the party’s electoral ambitions in the 2023 elections both at federal and state levels.

Osinbajo and some members of APC legal team

The vice president urged its members to be proactive and remain committed to this critical assignment.

“Ours is the only party anchored on social democracy, social protection, that is, social mobility for the poor, and justice for the wronged.

“I am, therefore, glad that we have here an assembly of very committed members of the party, who, by their calling as lawyers, will be able to offer tremendous value for the party through protection of its interests at every step of this electoral process.

“Those of you that have worked with us in the build-up to the 2015 and the 2019 general elections know that the proactive approach we adopted, especially through the ear-on-the-ground work of the Presidential Legal Team, has provided us crucial head-start in tackling some of the challenges that we were confronted with,” he said.

Osinbajo said that the party’s manifesto in 2014, 2015 and 2023 contained the most detailed social investment policy.

He said that in 2015 APC became the first government to make budgetary provision of N500 billion for a comprehensive Social Investment Programme

“Feeding 9.5 million children in our Home-grown School Feeding Programme, providing jobs for 500,000 unemployed graduates through our N-Power programme.

“Many deployed to primary schools in the hinterland as teachers, others trained under the N-TECH, N-BUILD.

“Our Government Enterprise and Empowerment (GEEP) programme provided two million informal traders with small loans via its TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni schemes.

“We also built up the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.

“Along with the World Bank and local communities we complied a register of the poorest Nigerians and began a programme of giving them a total of about N20,000 monthly per household and introduced livelihood support,” Osinbajo said.

The vice president said though APC’s opponents criticised the party for providing money for the poor to do their businesses, the party remained committed to lifting the poor out of poverty.

Osinbajo recalled that the GEEP microcredit programmes, managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI), won several awards including the African Bankers Award twice, as well as getting, other global recognitions.

He said that the party remained committed to progressive left-of-the-centre ideology.
Osinbajo added that despite global economic challenges, the APC administration under President Muhammadu Buhari had achieved much in the pursuit of this vision.

“Every person given a loan is properly documented on our electronic perform; they were given money by alerts on their phones, so all loans are trackable and the entire process is auditable.

“These are achievements known to even our detractors, though they admit so only behind closed doors.

“Knowing where we were in 2014, and the challenges we were able to overcome, and knowing the very likely danger of reversal of all that has been achieved by the Buhari administration, our governors in states, and our legislators at national and state levels, we cannot afford to be nonchalant.
“Rather, we have to be proactive,” he said.

The vice president listed the responsibilities of the committee to include ensuring that all internal structures of the party and external engagements of the party are conducted in accordance with established operating procedures and the law.

He said it also entailed insulating the campaign of the party at all levels against breaches of rules, regulations, guidelines, and laws by ensuring strict compliance thereof.

“And to develop compliance checklists and protocols, conduct trainings for campaign personnel, and prepare compliance reports for the party, among others,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Keyamo, while thanking the vice president for his commitment to the service of the party and nation, underscored the importance of the committee particularly in the forthcoming elections across the country.

He said that the task before the committee was huge but expressed confidence that with the support of the vice president and other stakeholders, it would succeed in delivering on its mandate before, during and after the general elections.

On his part, El-Marzuq, said that the group composed of carefully selected lawyers tasked with the provision of comprehensive legal services to the party during the electioneering period.

He said that members of the committee were prepared to serve in the different capacities assigned to them.

Bishop Timothy Cheren and Senator Smart Adeyemi

February 13, 2023

Christian group endorses Tinubu, Shettima

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bishop Timothy Cheren

The Clerics Congress of Nigeria(CCN) a Christian group has endorsed Sen.Bola Tinubu as its preferred candidate in the Feb. 25 presidential election.

Bishop Timothy Cheren, the group’s leader said this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Cheren said that the group’s action was based on Tinubu’s competence, capacity and possession of the needed vision for a progressive leadership and nation building.

“The expression of preference and endorsement are not strange in any given political evolution.

“That is why we are here today as a body of Christian leaders across the nation under the auspices of the Clerics Congress of Nigeria (CCN), a body comprised of Christian leaders to make a clear statement on our preferred candidate.

“This candidate will change the trajectory of leadership in Nigeria at this critical moment of our national journey.

“After a cursory look at the presidential aspirant and without any dent of sentiment attached, we have found one candidate suitable to deliver the required needed result, needed to take our nation out of the present predicament and usher her into required development that will take us to the next level,” he said.

Cheren said Tinubu is the only candidate without shadow of doubt in the Feb. 25 election.

He said that the group decision was predicated on his track record of past performance and his ability to unite the country and fight insecurity.

He said Tinubu’s economic programme of development and ability to build a steering leadership succession distinguished him above all other presidential candidates.

“Looking at his track record, in Lagos, Bola Tinubu succeeded in turning Lagos into a mega city and an economic giant in Nigeria and Africa.

“This legacy of development has continued in Lagos, he has built bridges of unity across the country, and these are qualities that help us to draw our conclusions.

“On issues of Muslim-Muslim ticket , that has engendered debate, he said the CCN has carefully considered the issues, and realised that the reason was more of elections winning strategy,” he said.

In his remarks, Tinubu, represented by Sen.Grace Bent, commended the clerics for rising above religious sentiments in making their choice.

” Both Senators Tinubu and Shettima are men of honour who are needed at the helms of affairs at the highest level in Nigeria today, ” he said.

L-R: Shettima, Tinubu and Governor Yahaya

February 13, 2023

Buhari: Stop the rumour, I am in full support of Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gombe rally, President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has emphatically restated his support to the All Progressives Congress presidential flag bearer and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Buhari made the emphatic statement of support in a message delivered to the mega rally in Gombe on Monday. The occasion was also used to inaugurate the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the state.

President Buhari’s message was delivered by Prof Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

Buhari said insinuations that he was not supporting Tinubu was untrue, adding that he would continue to work for Tinubu’s victory towards ensuring that APC returns to power in May.

He said all candidates presented by the APC for various elective offices across the country have his full support.

Tinubu, Shettima and Governor Inuwa Yahaya in Gombe on Monday

“I am in full support of all the candidates produced by my party and also in support of the party’s presidential candidate 100 per cent.

“So, anybody who comes and tells you contrary is not saying the truth,” he said.

He enumerated several projects executed by the Federal Government in Gombe State, including oil exploration, which he said was discovered about 40 years ago but was not explored till the coming of his administration.

He said that his administration had implemented several projects in the state that had improved on the welfare of citizens, adding that voting Tinubu would help consolidate on gains so far recorded.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan also canvassed votes for Bola Tinubu at the rally, which was attended by some APC governors and the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.

Lawan said Tinubu and Shettima were competent enough to succeed President Buhari.

He said that the Northeast region of the country had benefited a lot from the APC-led government hence, the need to vote for the party to sustain the good governance it was enjoying under the party.

He said that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for 16 years left the Kolmani Oil project unattended to while Boko Haram and infrastructural challenges were not addressed, leaving the people of the Northeast to suffer.

He cautioned the electorate not to allow themselves to be deceived by PDP, because “some candidates are saying they should be voted for because they are from Northeast.

“Yet they did nothing for the people of Northeast when they were in power until the coming of APC.”

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State said the APC has done a lot for Nigerians and Gombe State, hence deserved to be returned to power to protect the interests of Nigerians.

“Vote APC from top to bottom; vote Tinubu and Shettima and Inuwa Yahaya for Gombe State and we will not disappoint your confidence and trust.”

The APC National Chairman, Adamu said the APC will continue to deliver on its mandate of developing the country, hence urged electorate in Gombe State to vote all candidates of the party.

On his part, Tinubu, while addressing a huge crowd of supporters at the 12,000-capacity Pantami Township Stadium in Gombe, said if elected he would ensure the prosperity of Nigeria for the benefit of Nigerians.

He appealed to voters in the state to give him their votes and also vote all APC candidates at all levels.

Tinubu was accompanied by his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

Others in attendance were the Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council and Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe, Babagana Zulum of Borno and Muhammadu Badaru of Jigawa State.

February 13, 2023

We can overcome our challenges: Bola Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Progressive Sisters of Nigeria(PSN)

The challenges facing Nigeria are surmountable with unity, faith and commitment, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has said.

Tinubu said this at the Meet the Mentor Dinner organised by the Progressive Sisters Network (PSN), a national women-led and focused organisation, on Sunday in Abuja.

“As a nation, we are facing some challenges, but these challenges can be overcome. We have the capacity to find our way in situations where there seems to be no way.

“Please let’s work together to build the Nigeria of our dreams. I know it is difficult not to look for the easy way in today’s Nigeria, but together with our faith in one another and our nation, we can solve our problems,” he stressed.

He added that we are where we are today as a nation because we failed to effectively harness the country’s God-given abundant mineral resources.

He said if elected as the country’s president, he would ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are effectively harnessed to bring her greatness.

“We will achieve greatness in this country, let us just believe in ourselves,” Tinubu assured and thanked the organisers of the dinner.

Earlier, Ms Rinsola Abiola, PSN National Co-ordinator, said the event was convened to make it clear to any Nigerian woman who still had doubts, that Tinubu was the candidate who deserved her vote.

She said PSN was supporting Tinubu and was committed to actualising his presidential ambition because he had demonstrated commitment to the women folk.

“We are dedicated to his campaign because he has dedicated several decades of his life to the country that we all call home.

“From the bitter, drawn-out struggle against military dictatorship to his relentless efforts to steady the ship of our nascent democracy.

“Tinubu has proven himself to be a patriot in every sense of the word and a man who loves Nigeria and can be trusted to lead the country.

“He has also displayed an uncanny ability to spot and nurture talent, and so we are confident that when he wins by God’s grace, he will constitute a team made up of those who are eminently qualified,” she said.

Abiola expressed optimism that having done it in Lagos State when he served as governor for two-terms, Tinubu could do it again at the national level if given the opportunity.

She added that many Nigerians had at different points, benefitted from Tinubu’s guidance and mentorship, including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila and Babatunde Fashola, Minister for Works and Housing among others.

The PSN national co-ordinator noted that during his time as governor of Lagos State, women played key roles in his administration, including late Olukemi Nelson who served as his Commissioner for Women Affairs.

She recalled that Nelson later became a rallying point for women politicians in the South-West region who benefitted from her support and guidance.

“Tinubu understands that tackling the issue of women’s under-representation in all spheres of life is something that must be done from different angles: political inclusion, economic empowerment, and girl-child education.

“Lagos, the state which Tinubu once governed and is being managed in accordance with his blueprint, also lead the way in legal protection for women.

“With an agency dedicated to diligently prosecuting all forms of domestic and sexual abuse, Lagos has signalled that there will be zero tolerance for the oppression and violation of women.

“It is also key to note that it was Tinubu who appointed the first female Chief Judge in Lagos State: Justice Ibilola Sotuminu now retired.

“His wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has also shattered records as the first woman in history to serve for three terms in the Nigerian Senate,” Abiola said.

She added that a man who had demonstrated equity in his own home, would deal with Nigerian women equitably.

She thanked all PSN executives and co-ordinators for their commitment to a common cause and for all the work being done.

“I appreciate you all a great deal and feel deeply honoured to know you and to lead you, may God crown all our efforts with success and may renewed hope become a reality in this election cycle,” she said.

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Day: February 13, 2023

Osinbajo inaugurates APC legal compliance committee

Christian group endorses Tinubu, Shettima

Buhari: Stop the rumour, I am in full support of Tinubu

We can overcome our challenges: Bola Tinubu