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Presidential Poll: Jonathan, Kwankwaso Pick Forms
National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu with President Goodluck Jonathan as he picks Expression of Interest to contest the 2015 Presidential election next year at the Party headquarters in Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan visited the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to collect his expression of interest and nominations to enable him contest the February, 2015 Presidential election.
President Jonathan who promised to work with all Nigerians to move the country from its present level to where Nigeria should be, however boasted that he would have still picked the form if the party had refused him right of first refusal and did not give him the forms.
Speaking at the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC hall shortly after he received the two forms from the National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, the elated President said,
“First let me thank God for today, and thank Nigerians that were here today for this brief ceremony. Let me thank the leadership of our party and all member of our party for believing in me and for giving me the right of first refusal. I could have still picked the form if they did not give me. But giving me the right of first refusal has attracted more people that ordinarily it would have had.
Also, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso yesterday in Abuja picked the N27.5 million nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for the presidency on the platform of the APC in 2015 general elections.
He promised to regard his co-aspirants as a family and strive to play by the rules, to ensure a rancour-free primary.
’’Mr Chairman, at the convention yesterday (Wednesday) you said all the aspirants who have shown interest have ýpromised to work together. ‘’It is not a do-or-die affair. I assure you we will play the game according to the rules. Our participation is to add value to the party,’’ he said.
The governor said many of his friends were still willing to defect to the APC.
’’I assure you sir, that many more decampees are on the way after Tambuwal because they desire change and this party has all it takes to give Nigerians desired change,’’ Kwankwaso said.
He commended the National Working Committee of the APC for ‘’its determination to bring change and forming a formidable group for the success of the party’’, ‘’I also want to thank those who contributed to ýpurchase these forms. I have the capacity to buy the forms but they secretly paid and assured me there is enough money for the campaigns.’’
Responding, the APC Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, expressed happiness that more people planned to defect to the party.
’’Part of the amendment to our electoral constitution makes it possible for any eligible son to join the party today and contest tomorrow; so tell them they’re welcome, we have more forms for them. ‘’I am also glad to hear you’re ready to play politics without rancour; your words show your love for the country and personal commitment,’’ Odigie-Oyegun said.
The chairman further expressed delight that APC ‘’is the number one newsmaker today’’, adding that the party was popular both locally and internationally.
He prayed to God to give Nigeria a man ‘’that will give us tangible change we can see or touch’’.
Meanwhile,efforts by son of Nigeria’s late prime minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Abdul Jelil to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms to challenge the decision of the National Executive Committee, NEC to participate in the Presidential primary election was frustrated, just as the doors were closed behind him.
The PDP yesterday asked Jelil Tafawa Balewa who has dared the PDP’s decision by storming the National Secretariat with his supporters to pick the forms having paid the mandatory N2 million for expression of interest and N22 million for Nomination form totally, N22 million to come tomorrow, Thursday, the last day for the sale of forms to aspirants.
It would be recalled that NEC had at its 66th NEC meeting endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole Presidential candidate of the party whose candidature would be ratified at the December 6 National Convention.
The party had also said after the endorsement that all law abiding members of the party must adhere strictly to the decision of PDP by not picking presidential nomination forms to kick against the decision of the organs of the party.
Speaking with Journalists at the National Secretatiat after he was denied opportunity, Balewa, a medical doctor said that having consulted widely, he was convinced that Nigerians have been yearning for a new leadership capable of fulfilling the high expectations and aspirations of the majority in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Abdul Jahlil Tafawa Balewa, he paid the required N22m, displayed a Zenith Bank teller with account number 1012436478.
Balewa who noted that he went to see the National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha and the National Secretary, Prof. Wole Oladipo said, “I have paid for my forms, I was however told that they don’t have the forms ready. No matter, I am still here, I will send some of my people here on Thursday to come and pick the forms. People came from Bauchi and from different parts of the nation to support me. We have signature of over 40million Nigerians that want a change. I am in the PDP, I have always being in the PDP, I have no intention of leaving the PDP, but I have every intention of making my country a better country, a country that we will all be proud of.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
