APC governors shun party governors forum in Katsina

Governors elected under the All Progressives Congress have shunned a planned meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum in Katsina, forcing the organisers to cancel the event.

APC Governors

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting scheduled to hold between September 14 and 16, was to set legislative agenda for the implementation of the APC manifesto.

Also absent was the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Speakers of APC state assemblies and key officers of the party.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, told newsmen that the parley had to be postponed due to poor attendance.

According to him, most of the expected dignitaries have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.

Inuwa, who is the Secretary to Katsina State Government, said although the state was fully prepared to host the event, “the postponement was necessary in view of low turnout of participants.”

The Director General of Progressive Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman said that a new date would be announced for the inaugural parley later.

Lukman said that the parley would assist APC governors to adhere to the party’s vision and mission and translate it into good governance.

APC governors shun party governors forum in Katsina

Jonathan threatens to arrest those behind Interim National Government rumour

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday took his re-election campaign to Daura, the home town of his major contender, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), with a vow to wield the big stick against those behind the news that his government was planning an Interim National Government.

President Goodluck Jonathan

He restated his position that the nation’s general elections would on March 28 and April 11 as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Jonathan spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar.

He was accompanied on the visit by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Muazu; members of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation; top government functionaries and prominent northern leaders.

Jonathan said he should not be accused of haunting people once he decides to deal decisively with those spreading the news of ING after he had made his position known that such move was treasonable.

He said, “Let me use this opportunity to make a statement again because sometimes I read in the papers of people talking about interim government.

“Even yesterday (Friday), some people were making pronouncements that some people are planning interim government.

“And I will say that anybody who is planning or who is linked to anything that has to do with interim government must be dealt with according to the law. It is treasonable and government will not allow it.

“So, if people are arrested and being prosecuted, people should not say government is haunting people.

“There is no reason why people should talk about interim government that is not known to our constitution. It is treasonable and I will advise Nigerians to keep away from it.”

Noting that elections must hold as scheduled, the President said, “Elections are coming on March 28 as scheduled by INEC and on April 11 for governors and state assemblies as scheduled by INEC.

“Nigerians should prepare to go and vote for those we believe that can run the affairs of the country at the state level and the federal level”.

Jonathan took time to highlight his administration’s achievements in the last four years in the areas of education, transport and health among others to the traditional ruler.

He said he was ready to do more if re-elected on March 28.

On his part, the Emir thanked the President for the visit and told him to always count on his support and counsel.

He urged Jonathan to ensure there is peace throughout the country during the forthcoming national elections.

The royal father and his council of chiefs offered prayer for the president.

Jonathan threatens to arrest those behind Interim National Government rumour

Several APC members dump party for PDP in Katsina

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kafur local government area of Katsina State, have dumped the party for the ruling PDP.

PDP and APC

The defectors led by one Musa Yaro Sabuwarkasa, surrendered their APC membership cards.

They were received by the DG of SMEDAN, Bature Umar Masari who also doubles as director general of PDP campaign organisation in the state, during campaign rally.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Musa Yaro Sabuwar Kasa said their decision to abandon APC was based on the realisation that the PDP is the only party that could ensure sustainable development in the state.

Sabuwar Kasa accused the APC of deceiving them into believing that it would change the lives of Nigerians but “happenings indicated that the party was merely making empty promises.”

“We have realised that APC has nothing to offer except empty promises, advancement of self aggrandizement and personal gain of their leaders,” he added.

The DG of SMEDAN, Bature Masari said development recorded in Katsina State under the PDP led government from 1999 to date cannot be matched by any party.

“The best we could do as a people who appreciate good work is to support the PDP by voting its candidates at all levels during the forth coming elections” he said.

Several APC members dump party for PDP in Katsina

PDP sponsors attacks on President in the north as part of election-shift ploy – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has pointedly accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring the attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi as part of its devilish plan to demonize the opposition and force a postponement of next month’s general elections.

Buhari supporters destroying Jonathan’s billboard in Katsina

In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the coordinated hysterical reactions to the attacks by the presidency, Senate President David Mark and the leadership of the Ijaw nation have exposed the sponsors of the attacks.

It said those who have gone into a frenzy in condemning the attacks should direct their anger at the PDP, which hired the hoodlums who attacked the President in Katsina and Bauchi and gave them brooms to make them look like APC supporters.

”Information is now in the public domain that these attacks were self inflicted, with the aim of demonizing the APC and instigating retaliatory attacks in the southern states, thus precipitating chaos which the PDP and the Presidency will then use as an excuse for the postponement of the elections

”Apparently they did not envisage that the information about their complicity over the attacks will leak to the public. It is common knowledge that the security around the President is such that no hoodlum can come close enough to pelt him with stones,” APC said.

The party said the Presidency distorted facts when it accused the APC of breaching the Abuja peace accord that was signed by the presidential candidates of the various political parties, saying the PDP and its band of thugs did not allow the ink with which the agreement was signed to dry before they started breaching it.

”The second attack on our offices in Rivers took place after the pact was signed, just like the serial attacks on our supporters in Sokoto, organized by a PDP stalwart in the city and aided and abetted by the police. The death-wish-for-Buhari advert by the incautious Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in the name of President Jonathan, which could have triggered unimaginable violence if not properly managed by the APC, also breached the agreement.

”Where was the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, when all these breaches were taking place? Not once did he issue a statement to say ‘this nonsense must stop’.

”Where was the Senate President, David Mark, when these breaches were taking place? He was never on record as condemning the attacks on the APC offices and its supporters or the irresponsible and downright repugnant advert by Gov. Fayose. Are those in the opposition not Nigerians who also deserve the care and attention of the nation’s

number three citizen?’

”Mr Senate President, sir, if any party is guilty of ‘despicable desperation’ as you claimed, it is your party, the PDP. Which party has been using all the cheap tricks in the books to postpone the elections at all cost? Which party has been sponsoring attacks against itself to demonize the opposition and force a postponement of next month’s election? Which party has deviated from issues and become fixated on the person of the APC Presidential Candidate, savaging and lying against him at every point? Mr. Senate President, remember the saying that he who must come to equity must come with clean hands,” it said

APC also slammed the self-serving, self-styled leadership of the Ijaw nation for vowing retaliation over the sponsored attacks on the President in the north, and threatening the very existence of Nigeria if President Jonathan is not elected into a second term, wondering where in the world threats have ever won an election.

”The last time we checked, elections are won and lost by the votes of the people, not by infantile threats. The last time we checked, no one is guiltier over attempts to undermine the oneness of Nigeria than than some self-styled leaders of the Ijaw nation.  Had they been duly prosecuted and punished in accordance with the laws of the land, they would not have dared to continue threatening the nation’s existence, even as those saddled with the responsibility of preventing such threats look on,” the party said.

APC appealed to its members and supporters nationwide to continue to maintain peace in the face of the most egregious of provocations, in order not to play into the hands of the PDP and the Jonathan Administration who are incredibly terrified of the forthcoming elections and will do anything to make sure it did not hold..

”As we were writing this statement,. news filtered in that the venue of our rally in Okrika in Rivers State was attacked with an explosive device in the early hours of saturday, even though no one disrupted the First Lady’s campaign there earlier in the week. Also, soldiers have taken over the state-government owned stadium in Port Harcourt after beating and expelling the workers there, in a disgraceful show of force by an increasingly desperate and despotic federal government. Yet, there has been no word from the Presidency, the Senate President and the

leadership of the Ijaw nation.

”Now that the antics of the PDP have been exposed for the world to see, we are once again calling on Nigerians and the international community to prevail on President Jonathan and his party to desist from its plot, using the excuse of violence and PVCs, to shift next month’s polls. If President Jonathan is sure he has utilized the mandate given to him by Nigerians in 2011 to their satisfaction, he should be eager to know the verdict of the citizens come Feb 14th 2015,” APC said.

PDP sponsors attacks on President in the north as part of election-shift ploy – APC

APC, Buhari behind attack on Jonathan in Katsina - PDP

Warn of consequences of a repeat

As APC condemns attack

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation have accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), of allegedly masterminding the attack on President Goodluck Jonathan, Tuesday, in Katsina State and asked the APC and Buhari to call their supporters to order.

Buhari supporters destroying Jonathan’s billboard in Katsina

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, described the action of the APC supporters at Buhari’s home state as despicable, barbaric, shameful and highly reprehensible, warning that Buhari would be held responsible if anything untoward happened to Jonathan.

They also warned that the consequences of a repeat of such an act would be grave.

In his address, Fani- Kayode said: “Let us take this opportunity to also serve them notice that if anything untoward happens to our candidate or his supporters during the course of this campaign we shall hold Buhari and his party responsible and the consequences would be grave, unimaginable and far-reaching.

Despicable, barbaric and shameful

“Meanwhile, we call on our millions of supporters all over the country to remain calm and not to indulge in any form of violence or revenge attacks despite this massive and unwarranted provocation.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), while going to Katsina for his scheduled rally, a group of broom-wielding vandals, chanting ‘sai Buhari’, hurled stones at the convoy of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who, as you all know, is our presidential candidate in the February 14 election.

“We consider that action despicable, barbaric, shameful and highly reprehensible. It shows very clearly the violent nature, disposition and character of those individuals that were involved and the presidential candidate that they support.

“The Katsina show of shame was the first case of violence unleashed on our candidate by supporters of the candidate of the APC, General Buhari, after the signing of the historic Abuja Accord by the presidential candidates of all the parties participating in the election. The purpose of that accord was to discourage violence before, during and after the elections.

“The laudable intention of the accord has now been irresponsibly violated by a group of miscreants and vandals whose leader has proved to be wholly incapable of keeping them in check and restraining them from indulging in violence. It is worrisome that this kind of violent reaction would manifest when the election has not held and their candidate has not yet lost.”

Buhari’ll suffer crushing defeat

Speaking further, Fani-Kayode said Buhari and his party would suffer very serious defeat next month, adding: “We are taking this opportunity to serve notice today that by the grace of God and the support of the well-meaning Nigerian electorate, General Buhari will suffer a crushing defeat in the hands of our candidate, President Jonathan, at the polls.

“When we remember the post-election violence of 2011 after this same candidate lost, you must appreciate the reason why we are raising these concerns.

“Were it not for the gallant efforts of the security personnel, this small group of violent vandals would have harmed the President and caused damage to the vehicles in his convoy.

“It is pertinent for us to point out the fact that our candidate, our party and our numerous supporters have so far behaved reasonably and responsibly during the course of this campaign and the world can attest to this with the peaceful rally that General Buhari had in Bayelsa State, the home state of our candidate.”

APC was never committed to the Abuja accord

Also, the national leadership of the PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, while condemning the attack on Jonathan, said the attack was “a clear indication that the APC is not ready to dial back on its rabid desire to attain power through violence despite signing a peace pact a week ago in Abuja.

He said the party would “no longer tolerate such acts of violence on any of its members.

“This brazen attack on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our presidential candidate clearly shows that the APC was never committed to the spirit and letters of the Abuja peace accord which they signed in the presence of prominent Nigerians and international personalities.

“It is unfortunate that while the PDP and other parties are busy ensuring that their members and supporters remain committed to a peaceful electioneering, the APC has been hatching plots to unleash violence on our candidates and members.

“We invite Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and all lovers of democracy to rise in condemnation of this dangerous phenomenon. These early developments clearly demonstrate that the comments and declarations by the leaders of the APC that Nigeria would be thrown into chaos and bloodshed should it lose the February general elections were real.

“We commend the maturity and the ever peaceful disposition of President Jonathan and the leaders of the PDP even in the face of this unwarranted attack.”

APC condemns attack

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has strongly condemned the reported stoning of the campaign convoy of President Jonathan in Katsina State, saying “violence of any kind is totally unacceptable to the party.”

In a statement signed yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Jonathan should be free to campaign anywhere in the country without hindrance.

It said: “Even though the attack on the President’s convoy took place a day after the provocative death-wish newspaper advertorial that was put out in the name of the President, nothing justifies the stoning of the President’s convoy anywhere in the country.”

The party restated its commitment to a continuous enlightenment of its members and supporters to eschew violence before, during and after next month’s general elections, and urged other parties to follow suit.”

‘’We consider election as a celebration of democracy, not a do-or-die affair. Whether or not one agrees with the campaign message of any party, engaging in violence negates the very essence of democracy and should be condemned by all,” the party said.

 

APC, Buhari behind attack on Jonathan in Katsina - PDP

Katsina Stoning: Niger Delta “ll retaliate, says Dokubo Asari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA – Leader of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari Thursday reacted to the attack on the convoy of president Goodluck Jonathan by some irate youths in the state during a campaign rally on Tuesday, saying the Niger Delta would respond in due course.

Asari also warned the Igbo and the members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC who currently reside in the north to return home as they would have themselves to be blamed should anything happen to them.

Dokubo wants seven “dissident” governors to renounce their membership of PDP.

The NDPVF leader while addressing a press conference in Abuja faulted the Abuja peace accord entered into by President Jonathan and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Mohammadu Buhari with 12 others, saying it was unnecessary.

Going into memory lane, Asari recalled that the north has always had the penchant for causing election violence.

“There is an established pattern of pre and post election violence in the north. In the 50s when late Awolowo was campaigning in the north, he went with helicopters and he was mocked. People said he was flying over the houses and peeping their wives. That has continued and everywhere in the country, people say leave them alone. We don’t want any trouble. But I think the game has changed. The rules of the game have changed.

“For every action, there will be an opposite and equal reaction. I knew that the signing of the accord was useless and that the president subjected himself to sign such an accord. For me, it was out of place for a president and commander in chief of the armed forces of a country. But the president is a humble person. He does things that even marvel some of us and make us sometimes to be very angry.

“To be frank, I was very angry on that day they were signing it. The president has sworn to protect the lives of every Nigerian. So, why would he after taking a constitutional oath subject himself to another oath?

“So what happened in Katsinah is not a surprise. But don’t be surprised. We are putting the world on notice that they have started first. When we reply, let no body talk. Because we are going to reply. We did not sign any accord with them. They did not sign. They are talking about about election violence now because they know that other people will respond.

“Before, they had the monopoly of violence, so nobody cared who died. Our lives were not valuable and they had all the latitude to wreck havoc and did what they liked. But the game has changed. Be bold enough to tell them that game has changed. If they slice our throat, we are going to slice your throat. They stoned the president, you will hear from us. That’s the answer.

“My concern is what happens after the election because we know they will do what they are known to do every time. But this time, they will cry. So all Igbo people who are there, if you don’t come back home and you want to continue to be there and something happens to you, there is nobody to be blamed. If you have a child who is a youth corper and you allow him to be there, you will not hold anybody responsible.”

Asari who was also the former President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, reiterated his stand on victory for president Jonathan, saying he would win the February polls.

“There is no way Goodluck will not win the election. We will win them and we know they are preparing for violence in consonance with some foreign powers. When they do that, we will respond disproportionately. We will respond. That’s what we are going to do. If you hit me with a stick, I am going to hit you with iron. I am not speaking in riddles. I am speaking in plain language. My English may not be very good. I am speaking in my own street language. We are going respond disproportionately and we are apologetic.

“The people who are in Katsinah who did not hold their children should also know that I will not hold my children”, he said.

Reminded that Buhari has repeatedly dissociated himself from violence, Asari said “He is a liar. This is the same man who said that the blood of monkeys and baboons will flow on the street. He sounded a note of warning in clear terms. Who are the monkeys and the baboons? He has not explained to us. So, for him now to say whatever he says, that is his business.They burnt president Jonathan’s campaign vehicles in Jos and they were singing “sai Buhari oyoyo”. Why is it that violence is always initiated by the people shouting his name?”

He however said that there would not be violence unless the north “asks” for one.

“I assure you, nothing will happen anywhere if they do not initiate violence. Did we ask them to stone the president yesterday? Do you want us to fold our arms so that they will kill him? Let them stop the violence. When they do, we will stop. A situation where Shakua will stand and say Niger Delta we are coming for you. Goodluck I am coming for you. You are a man and I am a man. We are going to look at each other eyeball to eyeball. You can shoot and I can shot. You can kill and I can kill. You can destroy and I can destroy.

“The question is not for me. It is for Buhari, el-Rufai, Shakua. They are the people you have to direct this question to. Go and ask Buhari why he allowed his people to stone the president and commander -in-chief in Katsinah. There must be balance of terror. One person does not have the prerogative to kill, main and destroy.

On the preparedness and readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct the polls, Asari said INEC was not ready. He however did not support the idea of postponing the elections

“From what INEC has done so far, it is not because of the violence, so many people have not collected their PVC. Look at the “ojoro”that is going on in INEC. Twenty of the twenty seven local governments in Borno are in the hands of Boko haram but more people have collected PVCs in Borno than in Abia state where there is no crisis.

“For me, let every person be allowed to vote without PVC. If we are going to use the PVC, then INEC is not ready. But I am not calling for the postponement of the election. We will win the election decisively. On the 14th of February, there will be “failbuhari” and will win decisively.”

On the saga trailing the academic qualification of Buhari, the Niger Delta activist challenged the presidential candidate to produce his WAEC certificate.

“A man rose to the rank of a General in the Nigeria army with a note from a principal that this man is in Form six, he will pass English, Mathematics, etcetera, he should be recruited and commissioned into the army. A year after this Mr. Saint deposited an affidavit that he has a WAEC result which has not been found. He said the military board has my result. Where on earth do you give your original certificate to your employers?” He asked.

 

Katsina Stoning: Niger Delta “ll retaliate, says Dokubo Asari

APC condemns attack on Jonathan’s convoy in Katsina

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the reported stoning of the campaign convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina State, saying violence of any kind is totally unacceptable to the party.

In a statement, in Lagos, Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said President Jonathan should be free to campaign anywhere in the country without hindrance.

It said even though the attack on the President’s convoy took place a day after the provocative death-wish-for-Buhari newspaper advertorial that was put out in the name of the President, nothing justifies the stoning of the President’s convoy anywhere in the country.

APC restated its commitment to a continuous enlightenment of its members and supporters to eschew violence before, during and after next month’s general elections, and urged other parties to follow suit.

”We consider election as a celebration of democracy, not a do-or-die affair. Whether or not one agrees with the campaign message of any party, engaging in violence negates the very essence of democracy and should be condemned by all,” the party said.

 

APC condemns attack on Jonathan’s convoy in Katsina

10-Year-Old Female Suicide Bomber Arrested In Katsina

The Federal on Wednesday announced the arrest of a 10-year-old girl in Katsina State, suspected to be a suicide bomber.

The Chairman, National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, who briefed the press in Abuja, said the teenager was among three suspected Boko Haram members that were arrrested on Tuesday night.

He said the girl had a belt strapped with explosives at the time of her arrest.

Omeri said, “Security forces on Tuesday, July 29, at about 10pm along Zaria Road, Tudun Wada of Funtua Metropolis, arrested three suspects believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

“The three suspects consisted a male named Iliya Haliru, and two females – Zainab Musa, 18, and Hadiza Musa, 10. The three suspects were arrested in a Honda CRV.

“When they were directed to disembark for security check, 10-year-old Hadiza was discovered to have been strapped with an explosive belt. And immediately, Iliya and Zainab made attempt to escape with the car but were later blocked by other concerned Nigerians and subsequently arrested.

“The police successfully unstrapped the explosive.”

He added, “It is on this note that we appeal to parents to cautiously observe and watch their children’s activities to prevent them from participating in unwholesome activities particularly acts of terrorism.

“It is clear that some parents are also into this that they are willing to take their children, as young as 10 years, into act of cowardice and self-destruct. However, we wish to express our appreciation at the level of the consciousness of Nigerians on security issues and their contributions to supporting security agencies.

“The government is closely liaising with domestic and international intelligence agencies within the newly established regional intelligence fusion unit to track and capture all terrorists and their sponsors in the country”.

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10-Year-Old Female Suicide Bomber Arrested In Katsina