News
Nobody Can Stop My Presidential Ambition -Tinubu
Former Governor of Lagos State and a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has declared that nobody can stop his ambition in 2015 if he declares for the presidency or any public office.
Tinubu said he has the right to be the President of Nigeria regardless of his religion and state of origin, telling those mounting opposition against his political aspiration to find something else to do.
His words: “We must choose the right person to lead the battle. And nobody, no one under the sun, under the United Nations Human Rights Charter can stop a Bola Tinubu’s ambition.
“If I want to be the President, I have that right, regardless of which zone, religion and which state.”
Already, there are permutations in the APC of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which will feature Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu in the 2015 presidential election.
Speaking yesterday at the APC secretariat in Lagos, the former governor said APC will feature the best candidate in 2015 election, whether the person is a Christian or Muslim. Tinubu later told the party members, who asked him about his decision on the 2015 presidency, “I will let you know my decision.”
Tinubu also took a swipe at the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the state of the nation, saying that President Goodluck Jonathanled PDP government has failed Nigerians in terms of security of lives and properties, youth employment and delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
His words: “The solution to the suffering of the masses is not about the prayer of a pastor or about the Islamic cleric. What we are talking about is not an election of a vicar or bishop not of a Muslim Imam or cleric; it is about individual with the character and the brain and the capacity to govern. “If you are a Christian and you are good, you will win our support.
If you are a Muslim and you are good, you will win our support. At the time of need, we must choose right leaders to face the battle and confront the challenge facing the country.” Also speaking on whether Governor Babatunde Fashola’s successor should be a Muslim or Christian, Tinubu urged the party’s faithful to shun those promoting Muslim or Christian agenda in Lagos. He also advised Lagosians to use their votes wisely.
“We are not going to listen to them; we are going to do our best. If a Christian is competent and qualified in Lagos, we would vote massively for him or her. Don’t listen to their campaign; listen to your leaders.
“We will give you the best support,” the APC national leader disclosed. Ahead of the April 23 state congress in Lagos State, Tinubu advised the party members to vote for credible people as the state party executives. He also disclosed the party decision to zone 30 per cent position to women and 30 per cent to youths, while the remaining 40 per cent is allocated for elders in the party.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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