Politics
APC: Bello Receives Report On Zoning
The acting Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, has described the zoning system in the party as a representation of fairness and equity.
Bello stated this on Monday in Abuja when he received the report on the zoning of party offices ahead of the March 26 national convention.
The report was submitted by the Chairman of the Committee and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, at the National Secretariat of the Party, Abuja.
Bello, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, commended members of the Committee for a job well done.
He said: “I will like to thank you for this assignment handled in a very mature manner. This is the beginning of good things to come to our party. This exercise was hitch-free and by God’s grace every other exercise will be hitch-free”, he said.
“Governor Sani Bello described the zoning system as a representation of fairness and equity in the Party.”
Earlier, the chairman of the committee thanked the Party for giving them the opportunity to serve, adding that the assignment was completed within the time frame of the responsibility.
Abdulrazaq also commended members of the committee for their commitment to the success of the assignment.
Meanwhile the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed why the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, was absent at the national headquarters.
The Tide source reports that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State presided over a meeting of the committee held on Monday, March 07, 2022, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja in Buni’s absence.
In a chat with newsmen after the meeting, Secretary of the committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, said Buni was absent due to medical reasons.
Akpanudoedehe said that the Yobe State governor was in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a medical trip.
Also speaking with reporters, Sani Bello, said he had been the acting chairman of the party for a while since Buni travelled out of the country.
He said: “I have been acting chairman for a while since the chairman (Buni) travelled.”
Regarding the meeting he had with states’ chairmen, Bello said, ”The states’ chairmen took their oath of office today.”
“We discussed the progress made so far on convention and what needs to be done next so that we will achieve the March 26 date for the convention.”
The Niger governor also added that President Muhammadu Buhari gave his support and blessing to take over from Governor Buni, as acting chairman.
Bello stated that he would be in charge of the ruling party pending the March 26 convention, stressing that the success of the much-anticipated event is his priority for now.
The Niger governor added that he would be visiting the party’s national secretariat on a daily basis to discharge his duties following his new role as the party’s caretaker chairman.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.