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Buhari’s Sole Candidacy ‘ll Crush APC -PDP …Says President ‘ll Not Remain Beyond 2019
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said with the “emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has become grossly unpopular among Nigerians, as sole presidential candidate,” the All Progressives Congress (APC) “is now irredeemably doomed for a crushing defeat in the 2019 general elections.”
PDP pointed out that President Buhari’s “fear to contest an elective presidential primary, for which he and a few APC leaders scared away other presidential contestants within their party with threats and high nomination form fees, ended up ruining APC’s chance of fielding a good candidate for the election.”
A statement by PDP’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, yesterday, said, “Had President Buhari shed his desperation for power and allowed for internal democracy within the APC, particularly when it became clear that Nigerians across board have become averse to his re-election, due to his incompetence and insensitivity to the plight of the citizens, there would have been little hope for the APC.
“In muzzling contest in APC and gleefully emerging a sole candidate, President Buhari has merely won a pyrrhic victory; a General without a troop, with no capacity to face a general election, as the army of stakeholders and the masses that supported him in 2015 have since left him because of his unfulfilled promises and many failures in governance.
“Now that Mr. President has confirmed by his body language that he had no chance in a party he leads, how then can he stand a chance in the general elections where millions of Nigerians, who are suffering untold hardship because of his misrule are only waiting to deal him a blow with their votes?
“Owing to Buhari’s incompetence, Nigerians’ purchasing power has become abysmally low, industries have wound up with attendant mass job losses, foreign direct investments have hit all time low, international partners have totally lost confidence in doing business with our compatriots, while this administration has no economic blueprint except borrowing.
“Since President Buhari’s declaration to contest the 2019 election, true democrats and other well-meaning citizens have continued to leave the APC in droves to the repositioned PDP, which has now become the rallying platform for all Nigerians, in their collective quest for a new President among the array of very credible aspirants in the PDP.
“Moreover, while it is settled that President Buhari is no match to any of our presidential aspirants, all indices points to his imminent defeat as the PDP remain committed to a credible, free, fair and transparent Presidential primary, where Nigerians will freely participate to throw up that President that will lead our nation to the path of unity, peace, good governance and economic prosperity for our people.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has warned “President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to perish the thoughts of staying in power a day beyond May 29, 2019.”
PDP issued the warning in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, yesterday.
The opposition party also cautioned the, “Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu not to allow the APC and the Buhari Presidency to use him to execute their plots to frustrate the conduct of credible 2019 elections and push for illegal tenure elongation for President Buhari.”
PDP said it was, “Aware that the mooting of postponement of the already scheduled general elections by the INEC chairman is a product of series of clandestine meetings between his commission and the APC on ways to frustrate the 2019 elections, having realized that there is no hope for President Buhari in the polls.”
The statement reads, “Nigerians and the international community have also noted the various ploys by INEC to frustrate a credible elections, including its stiff opposition to the amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly to check APC rigging plans in addition to its exposed collaborations with INEC to manipulate the voters register, enrol underage voters and secretly creating 30,000 illegal polling centres in certain remote areas from where it plans to allocate fictitious votes to the APC.
“Nigerians may recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of the plot by the Buhari Presidency to enmesh the 2019 elections into a needless controversy by deliberately delaying the presentation of the election budget to the National Assembly until the time the parliament was proceeding on annual recess.
“Ostensibly to ensure that the election does not escape controversy, President Buhari demanded that the fund be taken from already approved budget for lawmakers’ constituency votes, despite entreaties by well-meaning Nigerians for a fresh budget for the elections.
“Seeing that Nigerians are standing shoulder to shoulder with the PDP to resist and dismantle their rigging machinery, the APC and Buhari Presidency are now trying to use INEC to frustrate the elections and cause crisis in our country.”
The party, therefore, “rejects this plot by APC and INEC. The 2019 election must hold as scheduled. Nigerians are ready for elections and cannot wait to vote out President Buhari and his dysfunctional APC.
“In that wise, our party cautions the INEC Chairman to open up, expose the Buhari Presidency and immediately commence the application of its constitutional First Line Charge funding instruments instead entangling itself with the plot to destroy our nation,” the statement added.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP0, yesterday, said the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, “misfired in his attempt to lampoon Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, as his claim of absentee leader best suits President Muhammadu Buhari,” and not the governor.
PDP made the remark while reacting to Oshiomhole’s comment that APC would give Taraba State a “resident governor” in 2019.
However, the spokesperson of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement said, “Unlike Governor Ishaku and other PDP governors, who are busy developing their states, in line with the manifesto of the PDP, President Buhari has spent more days gallivanting across the globe, shopping for elusive international endorsements, than the time he spent in actual governance of our nation.
“We know that Oshiomhole is distraught by the increasing popularity of our party, and particularly the soaring approval rating of our governors, including Governor Ishaku.
“We are not surprised by Oshiomhole’s resort to childish mudslinging and smear campaign, instead of concentrating on ways to solve the problems he created in his derelict party, which is now stuck with an unpopular Presidential candidate.
“Moreover, whereas President Buhari, APC’s brand face, cannot boast of any developmental project he has initiated and executed in the last three years, Governor Ishaku has been busy commissioning projects that have a direct bearing on the people in all critical sectors of their lives.
“Also, while APC governors are only good at moulding statues, commissioning boreholes and regular bus stops, PDP governors are commissioning mega landmark projects, many of which President Buhari’s handlers lobbied for him to be allowed to cut the tape in an attempt to shore up his performance rating before Nigerians and the international community.
“Finally, since Oshiomhole has identified absenteeism as a major defect for which a leader should be removed, we charge him to start scripting his party’s handover note ahead of 2019 election, as President Buhari ranks as the most absentee leader in the history of our nation.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the State stands as the best investment destination for good economic achievement.
Fubara stated this while providing investment details to industrialists during the 3rd Nigeria-Indonesia Forum in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He said that, as the oil and gas hub of Nigeria, Rivers State stands as the best investment destination for good economic achievement.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, enumerated the vast opportunities Rivers State holds to potential investors in the marine and blue economy, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, health, transportation, amongst other sectors.
He commended the leadership of the Nigeria-Indonesia Commercial Association and the Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) for its continuous support to keep Rivers State at the peak for investors.
“Your decision to convoke this business forum is indeed apt. It will provide a robust platform for discussions in the areas of health, education, trade, investment, energy, environment…Vast opportunities exist in agriculture and agro-based industries, marine resources and blue economy, hospitality and tourism, transport, petroleum and other natural resources such as clay, raffia palm and textile with promising labour”, he emphasized.
He urged participants to use the forum to build partnerships for mutual economic benefits for both Rivers State and Indonesia.
“I am optimistic that this Forum will explore the investment opportunities in the State as well as harness them for our mutual benefits. I assure you that doing business in the State is strengthened by the enabling environment provided by the State Government to potential investors.
“I encourage you all to engage actively in discussions, share your insights, and learn from one another and create new collaborations and explore the investment opportunities in the State. Your ideas would no doubt spark the next big innovation or partnership that will drive meaningful change in our economy,” he stressed.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Ussra Hendru Harahap, gave insight into the Nigeria-Indonesia dynamic similarities and that Rivers State is host to Indonesia’s biggest investment in Nigeria.
He further indicated that Indonesia and Nigeria can mutually benefit from the diverse use of palm fruit and other businesses as he urged participants to explore new grounds for business development and expansion for both Indonesia and Rivers State.
The President of the Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Sir Mike Elechi, said the aim of the business forum is to provide more business opportunities to the people of Rivers State in view of attracting more business opportunities that will expand and promote commercial activities and investments in the State.
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt commiserations to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away, yesterday.
Chief Iwuanyanwu was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. He was an accomplished businessman and notable politician.
President Tinubu condoled with the Imo State Government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Ndi Igbo over this irreparable loss.
The President in a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, affirmed that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort to his family.
Meanwhile, former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, has expressed rude shock over the demise of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The former Chairman, South East Governors Forum described Iwuanyanwu’s death as “ a big disaster and colossal loss to the Igbo nation”.
He said Chief Iwuanyanwu sacrificed so much in the advancement of Igbo cause but regretted that he exited at a time his fatherly counsels were most needed.
Senator Orji who said Iwuanyanwu was a personal friend, said he was highly devastated by the news of the departure of the late Igbo leader.
The former Senator representing Abia Central, a statement by his former Chief Liaison Officer , Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, said the death of Iwuanyanwu, had added to the pain of the loss of some other Igbo leaders who excited in the recent times.
He said that Iwuanyanwu would always be remembered for his patriotism, sacrificial leadership and passion for the Igbo cause.
Senator Orji condoled with the family of the late Ohanaeze helmsman while praying God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal repose in heaven.
Iwuanyanwu’s death was announced by his son Jide Iwuanyanwu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri, yesterday.
According to the son, “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announced the demise of our Patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday July 25, 2024 after a brief illness. He was aged aged 82.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu, before his death, was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, lady Princess Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren including Dr Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Managing Director Champion Newspapers.
“Details of the burial will be announced later by the family after due consultation.”
The German Consul- General, Weert Börner, has said that Nigeria was capable of providing a good healthcare system, rather than encouraging promotion of medical tourism.
Börner said this during the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) yesterday, in Lagos while highlighting Germany’s role in enhancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.
He listed some of his country’s areas of support to include Good Health and Well-being; Quality Education; and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
According to him, there are discussions on how the COVID-19 pandemic still influences the SDG achievement and the challenge to overcome the gap and its impacts.
“I can assure you that Germany was very impressed how Nigeria handled the pandemic, especially Lagos State, with Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi.
“We have been increasing our support to modernise Nigeria’s health sector.
“I can assure you the German government is not a government promoting medical tourism to Europe. We think that’s not a solution.
“The solution is to improve the healthcare system in Nigeria.
“And there is no tourism needed in the future to get good treatment because we think that Nigeria is capable to have its own good health care system,” he said.
To support the health sector, Börner said that the German government has been training medical personnel, offering scholarships to medical students and has active presence of German companies in Nigeria’s health sector.
The envoy also said that Germany offers annual scholarships for both master degrees and PhD students globally through the German Academic Exchange Service, (DAAD).
“And in 2023, for the first time ever, among sub-Saharan African nations, Nigeria ranked number one.
“The number of Nigerian scholarship receivers went up within 13 years from just 200 to 1,600. So that’s a big success for your country, but I think also for the world,” he said.
Börner emphasised that vocational training was a traditional strength of the German system, noting that it was cooperating with the government and the private sector, citing training for solar energy engineers in Nigeria.
The consul-general stressed the need for best practices and strengthened cooperation to actualise SDGs in Nigeria, Africa and globally.
The Africa Social Impact Summit is a multi-sectoral platform dedicated to accelerating action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria and across Africa.
The Summit organised by Sterling One Foundation, United Nations and the Lagos State Government has the theme: “Reimagining Progress: A New Blueprint for Sustainable Growth in Africa.”
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