Politics
Secondus Slams APC, Buhari For Impoverishing Nigerians
Nigerians have never had it so bad as in the past four years of President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration which has witnessed the worst of insecurity, poverty, hunger coupled with multiple taxations that have made nonsense of its acclaimed poverty alleviation programmes.
These were part of the lamentations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and other guests at the official presentation of flags to the 25 local government council chairmanship candidates at the party’s secretariat in Minna, Niger State.
Secondus described as unfortunate a situation whereby President Buhari and the APC care less as most Nigerians groan under the weight of taxes and charges coupled with the increase in prices of commodities enacted just to satisfy the federal government’s aggressive drive to generate more revenue to fund its expenditures.
The PDP National Chairman speaking through the Zonal Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mr. Theophilus Dakashan said: “People have tested the two eras, Nigerians will bear witness that the past four years have been more of cries or hardship, insecurity and other vices”.
He argued that governance and leadership is about protection and wellbeing of citizens, regretting however that, what is being witnessed in today’s Nigeria is the worst of insecurity, poverty, harsh economic policies that have reduced the country to the world’s first ranking in poverty level.
The PDP candidate of the party in the 9th March 2019 governorship election, Alhaji Umar Mohammad Nasko said it is unfortunate that while his adopted policies to promote peace in Niger State, the APC jettisoned same and came up with policies that have created more division among the different ethnic nationalities in Niger State.
Umar Nasko, however, assured that there is hope for better days again for Nigerians, adding: “The PDP is strong and getting stronger and we will continue to appeal to the conscience of Nigerians. Free education for all in Niger State is still possible”.
Nasko said Nigeria’s problems is worst with the increase in hunger, kidnappings, job losses, armed robbery/banditry, adding that in Niger State, for instance, thousands have become refugees due to the activities of armed bandits who have taken over and now turn their homes into operational camps. Niger State PDP Chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji had earlier told the gathering that the PDP was ready and has 25 chairmanship and 274 councillorship candidates to battle the APC in next month’s local government council election in the state.
Beji, who enjoined all party members to come out and vote on 30th November and to protect their votes said 23 of the candidates emerged through consensus except for, Chanchaga (Minna metropolis) and Agwara local government areas where the aspirants emerged after contests.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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