Politics

I Consoled Buhari When He Wept After Losing Election Thrice — Tinubu (VIDEO)

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2022

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress and one of the leading presidential aspirants of the party for the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that he should naturally get the support of President Muhammadu Buhari for his ambition.

Tinubu said this on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State when he addressed the leaders and members of the party.

The former two-term Governor of Lagos State, who spoke largely in Yoruba during his address, said he was there for Buhari when the then candidate of the All Peoples Party, rechristened All Nigeria Peoples Party, and later Congress for Progressive Change lost his elections to be president thrice.

He also said that for the first election that brought Buhari to power in 2015, the then presidential candidate of the APC offered him the vice presidential ticket, which he then handed over to the incumbent, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

https://youtu.be/GTYesDe0k80

He said he has now become tired of “enthroning” his “children” as political office holders and that his turn to take a shot at the presidency had come.

Tinubu said in part in Yoruba: “If not for me standing in front of you that threatened war, that said Buhari move forward and let’s go ahead with it, he would not have become president.

“He did the first one, he fell down.

“He did the second one, he fell down.

“He did the third one, he fell down.

“And he was then crying on television, saying in his life he will never run again.

“I then went to meet him in Kaduna that you will run.

“This is not a matter of crying.

“I will stand by you.

“And you will be elected.

“The only condition is that you will never joke with the affairs of Yorubaland.

“And he agreed.

“And since the day he got there, I did not get a ministerial position, I didn’t get any contract, I did not beg for soup, I did not beg for garri, I did not beg for fury from him and I did not take a loan from there.

“I now said this time around o, it is the turn of the Yoruba.

“And if we pick from among the Yoruba, it is my turn.

“The one that I have protected the children I am carrying is enough.

“I also want to be president.

“I don’t want to be consigned to the dustbin of history.”

Tinubu also gave a hint of the thinking of President Buhari on his would-be successor in 2023.

He said it was the turn of the South now as only the North cannot continue to rule Nigeria.

Recall that the major opposition party at the federal level, the Peoples Democratic Party, has already elected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

It was the decision of the PDP to leave the presidential contest open that led a former Anambra State governor and Abubakar’s running mate, Peter Obi, to leave for the Labour Party.

Obi has since emerged the candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 polls.

Tinubu added at the meeting in Abeokuta on Thursday: “I have been there from the days of the Alliance for Democracy through the Action Congress of Nigeria and which eventually metamorphosed into the APC.

“I have served for over 25 years and helped many achieve their political ambitions.

‘Your Governor, Dapo Abiodun, could not have become governor without God’s and my support.

“Go and check the video.

“They did not want to hand over the party’s flag to him as the APC flag bearer for the 2019 gubernatorial election in Ogun.

“I was the one that insisted that it should be given to him….”

He said it was the same way in which he sacrificed the position of vice-president offered to him by Buhari in 2015 for Prof. Osinbajo, whom he nominated.

Tinubu, therefore, appealed to the delegates to vote for him to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

-THE EAGLE ONLINE

Politics

PDP, NNPP, 5 other parties form coalition

Published

4 days ago

December 7, 2023

Web Administrator

On Wednesday, a new coalition consisting of seven opposition political parties was formed with the aim of enhancing democracy in the country. The Coalition of Concerned Political Parties was officially established in Abuja during a meeting of political party leaders held at the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The parties involved in the coalition are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Allied Movement (PAM), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The formation of this coalition follows concerns raised by Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, who, during a meeting with the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) in November, expressed worry about the country heading towards a one-party state. The opposition leaders recognized the need for unity in response to these concerns.

The coalition, while addressing the prevailing insecurity in the country, urged the judiciary to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and maintain its independence from political and governmental influence. Shehu Gabam, the national chairman of SDP, emphasized the importance of a robust judiciary as the last hope for the common man and called for caution in the face of recent developments in states like Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kano, and Plateau.

Gabam clarified that the coalition is not advocating for a merger and expressed opposition to IPAC. Setonji Koshoedo, the acting national secretary of PDP, representing the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, highlighted that the coalition aims to provide a strong opposition. Chief Ralph Nwosu, the national chairman of ADC, stressed that the coalition’s objective is to strengthen democracy, citing instances of government officials attempting to stifle viable opposition.

Politics

AA sympathises with Kaduna govt, victims of drone attack

Published

5 days ago

December 6, 2023

Web Administrator

The Action Alliance (AA) has conveyed its astonishment regarding the military drone attack resulting in casualties and injuries in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In a statement on Tuesday, the National Chairman of AA, Dr. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, extended condolences to Governor Uba Sani and the residents of the state.

Expressing deep sadness over the incident, Omo-Aje highlighted the party’s concern about the accidental bombing that claimed the lives of innocent civilians and caused severe injuries to others. He emphasized the need for measures to prevent such incidents in the future, particularly regarding the safety and well-being of civilians in conflict zones.

Omo-Aje urged for a comprehensive investigation into the occurrence, echoing the sentiments of other Nigerians. Additionally, he commended Governor Uba Sani for his swift response to the unfortunate incident, acknowledging the governor’s efforts in addressing the aftermath of the military operation.

Politics

Why I won’t suspend Wike, others – PDP Chairman, Damagum

Published

1 week ago

December 3, 2023

Web Administrator

Umar Damagum, the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that the National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership will refrain from suspending or dismissing any ‘disloyal’ member. This statement follows recent calls from some PDP stakeholders urging Damagum to take action against individuals, including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, for alleged anti-party activities during the recent general elections.

Addressing the PDP Mobilisers Group in Abuja, Damagum dismissed the calls for sanctions and revealed that the NWC had approved the establishment of a committee to review and reconcile all aggrieved members. He emphasized the party’s focus on reconciliation and expanding its membership rather than punishing alleged anti-party activities that could harm the party.

Damagum clarified, “They are always telling you these people are not doing the right thing. But when you are in a position of leadership, you are bound by a set of rules, and these rules, even though they are itching you, you don’t apply them—not because of anything, but so that you don’t destroy the house.”

He also described the 2023 presidential election defeat as “most painful” and cautioned party members against engaging in a blame game. Damagum highlighted the party’s commitment to a thorough review of the 2023 elections and reconciliation efforts, expressing his belief in the strength of the PDP.

Acknowledging that some members were involved in anti-party activities at various levels, Damagum stated, “If I said we should start suspension, I will end up suspending many people because they were involved in anti-party activities. So, please bear with us. We intend to keep this party together and to manage it. This is my mandate.”