The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to end the perennial petrol scarcity in the country if elected president.

He made the promise while addressing party faithful who thronged the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta for the Ogun State APC presidential rally.

Tinubu praised the party supporters for coming in their large numbers to receive him despite the current fuel scarcity across the country.

While stating that he would put an end to the fuel crisis, he described the upcoming election as a revolution, urging the party supporters and indigenes of Ogun State to come out in large numbers, the same way they did for the rally, on February 25 to vote APC.

Speaking to the youth, the APC candidate all promised to ensure that they enjoy quality education not truncated by strikes, while also making jobs available for them once out of school.

He said: “I guarantee you one thing, there will be student loans, nobody will drop out of university because of school fees; nobody will have to repeat one class for eight years and not graduate, we will make a four-year course four years course.

“The fine and skilled graduates of the Ogun Tech Hub will be able to find work as they continue to contribute towards our overall economic well-being.

“My industrial policy will carry you to the finish line. 

“My plan is to deploy all available measures, from tax credits and youth employment incentives to tariffs to affordable loans and investment so that your industrial base is strengthened, broadened and widened.

“This will produce more wealth and valuable goods, improving the living standards of all Nigerians. 

“It will also spur such job creation in Ogun that everyone looking for work will be able to find it. 

“We will seek to cut youth unemployment nationwide by a third.

“Here, in industrially active Ogun, the decline in the jobless rate will be even more than that. 

“We shall invest in infrastructure in such a manner that all aspects of your daily lives will be touched. 

“Roads and public transportation will be augmented, reducing traffic congestion and allowing you to go from home to work or to the market faster and cheaper.

He also promised to bring back to life hitherto dead factories in the state through investments in power generation to make the factories more efficient and reduce downtime.

With its proximity to Lagos, the APC candidate promised to create agricultural and industrial hubs, while working with local farmers to increase the production and exportation of agricultural produce.

“Rice, corn, plantain cocoa and palm kernels from Ogun will be more actively traded. 

Moreover, we shall spur investment in the agro-allied businesses to create additional jobs while also generating more income for our local, state and national economies.

“We will support other drivers of value within the start-up ecosystem, including technology hubs and parks. 

“Ogun is truly a place of innovation and growth for it is the home of many great local and international factories including Dangote Cement, Nestle, Lafarge Cement, and Procter & Gamble.

“As we become a nation of producers and not just consumers, Ogun State will play a critical role. 

“We will support the development of the best that the modern digital and IT-driven sectors have to offer. 

“We will provide the complementary infrastructure required for growth, including wider internet connectivity. 

“With innovation, courage and creativity, we will harness modern technology to create jobs and provide goods and services that will unlock greater prosperity. 

“By harmonising the National Infrastructure Policy with the National Industrial Policy, we will develop key sectors and spur economic growth. 

“Our goal is to grow our industrial base, encourage industries vital to national development and become a global contender,” added.

Tinubu again did not fail to recognise the importance of security in economic and social development, promising to make the nation safe and habitable for all.

He added: “As we work towards achieving overall peace and stability, we will continue to strengthen the economy and renew the confidence in our citizens of a home where they can live and thrive.

“With regard to security, we will ensure that Ogun continues to be a safe and peaceful state. Our security policy is bold yet wise and pragmatic. 

“We shall keep trouble from coming to you. We shall pursue terrorists, kidnappers and criminals where they are.”

Earlier, Governor Abiodun had urged the people to look at the track record of Tinubu, which place him above all other candidates and to give him their votes come February 25.

He said: “Asiwaju was a senator, so he is knowledgeable in the area of the country’s laws, he became the governor of Lagos State and transformed it into the biggest economy in Africa. 

“He then brought up successors who have worked on the template he put in place to continue to bring progress in Lagos.

“This is the man that now wants to replicate the same in Nigeria and bring joy to our faces. None of the other candidates can be compared to him in any way.”

This was also reiterated by former Ogun State Governor Aremo Segun Osoba who urged the people of the state to make Tinubu replicate all he has achieved in Lagos State.

The rally had in attendance the vice presidential candidate of the APC, Kashim Shettima; House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahmaan AbdulRazaq and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Also at the rally were Lagos State Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat and his wife, Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa who represented Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, former interim National Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Akande, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola and former APC National Chairman who is also the Deputy Director-General of the presidential campaign council, Adams Oshiomhole.

The party leaders who witnessed the rally were APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, National Women Leader Betta Edu and National Youth Leader Dayo Israel.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2023-01-25

The contention over the role of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the wave of infrastructural transformation being witnessed in Lagos State in the last two decades may now be put to rest.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, set the record straight, saying Tinubu was the brain behind the development master plan being implemented by successive administrations in Lagos, which has elevated governance in the State. This, Sanwo-Olu said, is a fact that could not be denied by anyone who worked closely with the former Lagos Governor from 1999 to 2007.

Sanwo-Olu was the special guest at Your View, a broadly watched show on Television Continental (TVC), where he spoke about his Government’s achievements, his re-election, family values and relationship with the APC presidential candidate.

Lagos is widely believed to be the model for good governance, infrastructure renewal and innovation. The State recently made history as the first sub-national entity in Africa to complete modern intra-city rail infrastructure without federal budgetary allocation – feat widely applauded.

Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu could not be deprived of the credit for the reforms that set the direction for the infrastructural programmes delivered by his successors to transform Lagos to one of the biggest economies in Africa. The Governor, who said his working relationship with Tinubu began in 2002, emphasised that he was a living witness to development of Lagos State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LASEEDS) under the leadership of Tinubu.

The LASEEDS document, Sanwo-Olu said, was harmonised with a 10-point agenda document and became the precursor to the Lagos State Development Master Plan (LSDP) that originated from the Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti) initiated by the Tinubu administration.

He said: “With all sense of humility, I joined the Tinubu government over 20 years ago. I was General Manager in my bank before I joined Tinubu in November 2002. From the very first day of my appointment, I was in Tinubu’s cabinet and I saw things first hand. I am a living witness to the development vision put forward by Tinubu. It’s not something we should be blabbing about; it’s a fact we all know. Under the leadership of Tinubu, we set up documents called LASEEDS and SEEDS, which are economic development blueprints for Lagos. We also had what we called a 10-point agenda, which laid the foundation for revenue generation drive, transportation reform and public infrastructure renewal. 

“LASEEDS and SEEDS documents were working blueprint for transformation in Lagos. We set up the Ehingbeti Economic Summit to run year on year, where we collate inputs from the private sector and put them in flesh of public documents and generate a working paper we could implement. I was the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, so I was part of those that developed the documents. Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), for example, did not just come out of the space; Tinubu set up LAMATA with the World Bank in 2002. I was part of the first set of personnel that worked in LAMATA, which is one of the best transportation agencies in the world.

“That’s how the blueprint was developed and we had a 20-year development plan for it, which former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola improved on. He expunged some items and replaced them based on the realities of the period. Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode did similar thing. Our Government is doing same, because there is continuity. We’re able to see the challenges of previous governments and we decided on those things we can take quickly. Tinubu deserves the credit because he is the one that was able to bake the first retinue of very intelligent people that worked with him to develop implementable blueprint.”

Sanwo-Olu dismissed the speculation in certain quarters that Tinubu had been running Lagos by proxy, noting that the former Governor had since moved to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last six years where he had been contributing his quota to national development and building the ruling party.

The Governor, however, said Tinubu’s experience in governance qualified him as the right person from whom advice is sought regularly for direction. 

“Tinubu is a father and a man that I respect personally. I cannot take that away. Critics always want to say anything, but are we keeping our eyes on the ball? Yes. Are we doing the things Lagosians want us to do? Yes,” the Governor said.

On why Lagosians should trust him with another mandate in the coming general election, Sanwo-Olu said: “One of the strongest points of a leader is for people to underrate you. You don’t have to be in people’s faces to get your tasks done. All you have to do is to roll up your sleeves and get the job done. Check out my background, integrity is what I live by. As a treasurer in a bank, my word is always my bond. If I give commitments, I keep to those commitments. 

“It is not about me alone. It is about our future and the legacy we should be leaving behind. We have kept faith with all the things we said we would do under the THEMES agenda. With all sense of responsibility, we have performed and earned people’s trust. Let’s join hands and be on this train together. We can imagine what’s coming in another four years.”

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2023-01-03

The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, mourned the death of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Ademola Seriki, whom he said died in active service.

The late diplomat died in the wee hours of Thursday in Madrid, Spain at the age of 63. A statement issued on Thursday by his media officer, Tunde Rahman, labeled the deceased as a prominent individual in Lagos politics.

He said, “I’m deeply saddened and disturbed by the passing in the early hours of Thursday of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, H.E. Ademola Rasaq Seriki.

“A Nigerian patriot and prominent Lagosian, Ambassador Seriki was my friend, brother and close associate. He served Lagos and Nigeria in various capacities, the icing on the cake being his appointments as Minister of the Federal Republic and much later as Ambassador to Spain till his death. Indeed, Ambassador Seriki died in active service.

“He made invaluable contributions to Lagos in all spheres – economic, political, social, traditional, and religious. Popularly called Otun-Are, his traditional title in Lagos, Seriki was visible on the social scene and within the Islamic community where he was respected as a devout and knowledgeable Muslim, as he was influential in politics.

“In politics, he played important parts in the struggle for democracy and within our progressive front for which he will always be remembered. Seriki would have been on the hustings with us, but for his ambassadorial work.

“We are all deeply touched by this unexpected passing. I must, however, offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family, particularly his wives and children.

“I commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari who graciously appointed him as an ambassador as a mark of honour to us in Lagos.

“I mourn with the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is from his immediate constituency. While commiserating with his friends and associates, I also sympathise with the people of Lagos State for we have lost an eminent son of the state. May Almighty Allah grant repose of his soul and protect all that he left behind.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,has described the death of Ambassador Seriki,as painful, shocking and a big loss to Lagos State and Nigeria.

In his statement, “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends, and political associates of the late Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Chief Demola Seriki. 

“The death of Chief Demola is a big loss to Lagos State and Nigeria, especially the diplomatic community. He made a lot of positive impact and contributions during his lifetime to the growth and development of Nigeria as a notable politician, minister and ambassador. He particularly made significant impact in Lagos politics as a member of the ruling party.

“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give the immediate family, friends, political associates, and the people of Lagos Island, our dear State, and the country the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

By

Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-12-15

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has returned to the country after visiting Saudi Arabia.

Tinubu was in Saudi for Umrah (lesser hajj), a religious pilgrimage recommended for Muslims.

In April, the APC standard flagbearer also visited the holy land before clinching the party ticket as presidential candidate.

Tinubu who arrived the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday night was welcomed by Muhammad Badaru, Jigawa governor.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2023-01-02

Aminu Muhammad, a student of Federal University Dutse (FUD), has been remanded in prison over his tweet on Aisha Buhari. Muhammad, who hails from Azare in Bauchi state, is a final-year student at the department of environmental management.

The Student was arrested by the police over a tweet that appeared to mock Aisha. The tweet, which was posted in Hausa in June 2022, reads: “Su mama anchi kudin talkawa ankoshi.” meaning  that first lady Aisha Buhari feeds fat on masses’money.  Muhammed was secretly arraigned before FCT High Court on Tuesday, contrary to earlier statement by the police that he would be arraigned on Wednesday.

It is not immediately clear if the student was allowed legal representation in court but his uncle, Shehu Baba-Azare, Mr Muhammed’s uncle, described his trial as a “secret arraignment”

“It’s clearly a secret arraignment because they did not inform us. We are very concerned about his situation. He will sit for his final exam on December 5,” Mr Baba-Azare said.

Mrs Buhari has come under criticisms for illegally incarcerating Mr Muhammed, with many Nigerians and human rights organisations calling for his unconditional release. 

Mrs Buhari and her media aides have not made any comment on this development since it was reported. 

Amnesty International on Sunday, berated Mrs Buhari and the SSS for illegally jailing Mr Muhammed, while calling for his immediate release.

Condemning Mr Muhammed’s detention by the SSS on the order of Mrs Buhari,  human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, in tweet said:

“It is petty, ridiculous and unconstitutional for the SSS to arrest a citizen for “mocking” the wife of the President on social media. 

“Nigeria is not Iran, North Korea or China. We’ll not tolerate such reckless abuse of power. Anyone related to the young man should reach out,” Mr Effiong added.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-11-30

The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, says his administration has reconstructed over 400 kilometres of highways in three years and seven months.Abiodun said this on Monday during the inauguration of the 18-kilometre Ejirin -Idowa-Ibefun-Itokin road in the Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state.Abiodun said that since the commencement of his campaign, his administration had been able to inaugurate road construction in all the local governments visited so far.Abiodun added, “we inaugurated the Itori township road in Ewekoro Local Government Area last week. We are in Ijebu East where we inaugurated the Esure road.

“The road we are commissioning today is a connecting road between Ogun and Lagos states. It is a Federal Government road but in a deplorable condition. We must not allow our people to suffer.

“We have paid attention to roads that connect neighbouring states, especially Lagos. We are determined to build the future of Ogun State together.

“We have reconstructed over 400 kilometres of highways in three years and seven months.“After spending eight years, we may not have constructed all roads but we would have made a positive difference.”

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2023-01-16

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Sunday broke his silence on his preferred presidential candidate for the February election, endorsing the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, ahead of other candidates.

Obasanjo, in a letter written to Nigerians, declared that Obi has an edge over other presidential candidates.

The letter titled: ‘My Appeal To All Nigerians, Particularly Young Nigerians’ was made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, Sunday.

Obasanjo said his decision was informed by his interactions with the major constants, who he referred to as his “mentees”.

According to him, Nigeria needs “selfless, courageous, honest, patriotic, in short, outstanding leadership with character and fear of God beyond what we have had in recent past”.

Obasanjo took a swipe at the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying ‘Emi Lokan’ (my turn) and ‘I have paid my dues’ are one and the same thing and are wrong attitude and mentality for the leadership of Nigeria now. 

He said: “They cannot form the new pedestal to reinvent and to invest in a new Nigeria based on an All-Nigeria Government for the liberation and restoration of Nigeria.  

“Such a government must have representation from all sectors of our national life – public, private, civil society, professional, labour, employers, and the diaspora.  The solution should be in ‘we’ and ‘us’ and not in ‘me’ and ‘I’.”

The former president listed “track record of ability and performance; vision that is authentic, honest and realistic; character and attributes of a lady and a gentleman who are children of God and obedient to God; and physical and mental capability with soundness of mind” as factors that should form the decision of youths while voting for their choice in the 2023 elections.

Obasanjo said: “None of the contestants is a saint, but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge. 

“Others like all of us have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively. One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost.  

“In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. Needless to say that he has a young and able running mate with clean track record of achievement both in public and private life.”

The former president lamented that the last seven and a half years of President Muhammadu Buhari administration “have no doubt been eventful and stressful years for many Nigerians. 

“We have moved from frying pan to fire and from mountain top to the valley. Our leaders have done their best, but their best had turned out to be not the best for Nigeria and Nigerians at home and abroad.  For most Nigerians, it was hell on earth”.

The former military head of state appealed to Nigerian youths to take charge of their future by deploying their large population to reposition the nation on the path of change and progress in the next polls.

’The power to change is in your hands. Your future, my future, and the future of grandchildren and great-grandchildren are in your hands. Politics and elections are a numbers game. You have the numbers, get up, stand up and make your numbers count.

“I appeal to the young Nigerians to stop inheriting other people’s prejudices and enemies. Make your own friends and stop inheriting your father’s enemies.  Let’s stop criminalising and demonising one another on the basis of the civil war on which we are all wrong. And let’s praise and thank God for preserving the oneness of Nigeria,’’ he appealed.

He urged Nigerians to “brace ourselves for the remaining few months of this administration and pray and work very hard for an immediate better future – future of liberation, restoration and great hope and expectation”.

Meanwhile,Obasanjo's endorsement of Peter Obi,has attracted angry reaction from the camps of other political parties.

Responding to Obasanjo’s lengthy message, the Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu, would not lose sleep over the endorsement of his Labour Party counterpart by the former president.

Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday, described the endorsement as worthless, adding that Obasanjo was a paperweight with no political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a councillorship election let alone a presidential election.

The statement read, “We read with amusement the endorsement of Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in his New Year message on Sunday.

“Following calls by journalists from various media houses who asked for our reaction, we decided to make this preliminary statement, though we didn’t consider the so-called endorsement to be of any value.

“We respect the democratic right of former President Obasanjo to support and endorse any candidate of his choice in any election. Except that he made it known formally in his New Year message, any discerning political watcher in Nigeria knows that Chief Obasanjo’s preference for Peter Obi is expected.

“He had earlier stated his position at various public events, the last being at the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief John Nwodo, former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu.

“We make bold to say that our party and candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not lose sleep over Obasanjo’s move, as Obasanjo is notorious for always opposing progressive political forces, as he did against MKO Abiola in 1993.

“The endorsement is worthless because the former president does not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a councillorship election, let alone a presidential election.  He is a political paperweight. He is also not a democrat anyone should be proud to be associated with.’’

Onanuga alleged that while in power, Obasanjo in 2003 and 2007 used the coercive instruments of state at his disposal to railroad people into elective offices against the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls.

“In 2007, he declared the polls a do-or-die affair after he failed in his bid to amend our constitution to have a third term. From our records, former president Obasanjo has not successfully made anyone win an election in Nigeria since then. Not even in Ogun State can anyone rely on his support or endorsement to become a governor or councillor,’’ he contended.

Expressing pity for Obi, Onanuga said the APC is confident that Obasanjo cannot win his polling unit and ward in Abeokuta for the LP candidate in the coming presidential election.

Speaking in a telephone conversation with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba said, “What is important is the endorsement of the Nigerian people. The endorsement of an individual no matter how highly placed does not translate to victory at the polls.

“As a former President, Chief Obasanjo has the right to endorse any candidate of his choice but we are very excited with the outpouring of support coming in for our candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

“The issues on the ballot are comatose economy, insecurity, hardship and despair in the land. The nation requires a steady hand, a man of experience and vision to address these challenges. What the country needs today are not men sharing their experiences at the state level. While we agree that these other candidates boast of experiences as governors in the past, none of them come close to what Atiku has.’’

He added, “Our candidate was chairman of the National Economic Council that midwifed several initiatives and reforms that culminated in the reduction of the unemployment rate to seven per cent, banking sector consolidation, the revamp of the telecom sector that has today given millions of Nigerians opportunity to own mobile telephones.

“Atiku is an investor in education and what he has done over the years in other sectors is remarkable. As a party, we are not in any way disturbed by the endorsement because we know it will amount to nothing.’’

On his part, the spokesperson of the PDP Campaign Council, Senator Dino Melaye said, “Baba Obasanjo is talking his age. America, the most civilised democracy on earth, voted for over 70-year-old man.

In a statement he signed and made available to the media on Sunday, Ologbondiyan said, ‘’The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation says the subjective support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is his wish which does not reflect the opinion or position of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the country.’’

The SDP National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba said if anything, “Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi has enhanced the chances of our candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, considering that he ticks the boxes as espoused by the former president, Baba Obasanjo.”

He declared, “Prince Adewole Adebayo undeniably meets the Southern presidency advocacy of many as led by the former president and many other prominent national leaders. Adebayo meets the boundless and essential energy requirement for the top job; he meets the requirements of the deep grasp of transformational leadership and development issues, vision and soundness of mind, as well as the character and integrity quotient as listed.’’

For the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Oye, Obasanjo’s support for the former Anambra State governor would not deter Nigerians from voting for the party’s candidate, Justice Peter Umeadi.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2023-01-02

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), on Tuesday, unveiled a mobile channel for crowdfunding for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Kashim Shettima presidential project ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The QR code-enabled platform was initiated to give Nigerians who believe and share the vision of Tinubu-Shettima presidential ticket to contribute towards realisation of the project. 

The APC presidential campaign team targets to raise N5 billion from the crowdfunding platform known as “BlessMi”, launched at the Civic Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Donors can freely donate to the project, using the QR Code. The amount ranges from the least currency denomination to any amount affordable.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the fundraiser, described the approach as another “creative way” of using the technology to democratise funding for political activities. He said the mobile platform would offer opportunity to Nigerians supporting APC to be part of the process of forming the next Federal Government.

The Governor said every little contribution received from the channel would matter in funding the APC’s presidential campaign council’s activities across the federation.

He said: “There is no better place to launch this innovative project than Lagos, which is the nation's hub of innovation and technology. This fundraising effort speaks to our support and those who share the vision of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Kashim Shettima presidential ticket to have an input to the realisation of the project. The ticket strongly considers the interest of every Nigerian, regardless of social status or ethnic origin.

“This campaign is about people and people have been asking how they can participate to contribute their own effort to the overall success of the campaign. This is why we used our creative minds and leveraged technology as innovative ways to create access for people towards supporting our party’s presidential campaign. People can donate through their mobile phones and be part of this campaign. Every donation, no matter how small the amount is, will matter and take its proper place.”

Sanwo-Olu maintained that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket represented a pan-Nigerian mandate, noting that the APC candidate remained the most competent of all presidential contenders.

The donations received at the fundraiser were transparently displayed on digital screens, which showed the donors’ names and amount contributed. 

APC Vice Presidential candidate, Sen. Shettima said the initiative was aimed at leveraging the nation’s diversity to inflame loyalty in the people. 

The former Borno State Governor urged Nigerians to vote for APC, stressing that only the party’s presidential ticket boasted of candidates with practical ideas to move the country forward.

Shettima said the objective of the project was to bring average citizens into the mission of building a better country for the youth and improve lives. 

He said: “We have to look beyond the fabulous things happening around and look at somebody that wish to push and elevate the nation to the next level. And with all sense of modesty, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the best material we have and we need in this nation to stand.

“I urge Nigerians to look beyond sentiment, look beyond the lies that are being peddled and make the best choice for the nation and next year will be a very great opportunity for Nigerians to make the right choice.”

Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, hailed the APC Fund Raising Committee for the initiative, noting that the mobile platform would democratise election funding.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-11-30

Following his conviction for money laundering,the director-general of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (LPPCO), Dr. Doyin Okupe, has resigned his position in the Campaign Organisation.

Okupe in a letter dated December 20, 2022, addressed to the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, said given his personal travails of seeking justice and to clear his name through the nation’s legal system, and the fact that he has invested too much in Obi’s campaign to allow his personal travails to become a source of distraction, he has opted to step aside and plead that the candidate appoint a new Campaign DG, who can continue the assignment without distractions.

 Okupe was on Monday jailed for money laundering with an option of fine in a case preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“You will recall that I briefed you yesterday about my personal travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian Legal System to pursue same.“I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my personal travails to become a source of distraction.

“In the circumstances, I have opted to step aside and plead that you appoint a new Campaign DG who can continue the assignment with zero distractions,” Okupe said in the letter.

He, however, said he would remain with Peter Obi, the ‘Obidients’ Movement and campaigns till they achieve electoral victory in 2023.

In a post on his verified Twitter handle, Okupe wrote: “It’s time to step aside. But I am with PO and the Obidients and the Presidential Campaigns till God gives us victory in Jesus Name.”

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-12-20

Like other Presidential candidates have done,the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, will embark on foreign trips from December 4 to meet global leaders and discuss his ambition.

This was disclosed by the APC Presidential Campaign Council on Monday in a series of tweets.

The campaign council noted that Tinubu would travel to key western capitals from December 4 and expected to return to Nigeria latest December 12 to continue his campaign rallies and stakeholders’ engagement.

“The APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will embark on foreign trips from December 4 to meet global leaders and pitch his presidential aspiration.

“The APC presidential candidate will travel to key western capitals from December 4 and is expected to return to Nigeria latest December 12 to continue his campaign rallies and stakeholders’ engagement.

“Tinubu and his delegation will be in London, United States, France and key European Union member states to share his vision and plans and to also solicit the support of the western powers for the democratic process that will usher in new administration in Nigeria from May 29, 2023.

“Tinubu hopes to succeed the APC-led admin of the President Muhammadu Buhari. Since the party took over the leadership of the central government in Nigeria in 2015, this is the first time it will be organising an election where it hopes to transfer power to another candidate from its own fold.

“While in London, Tinubu according to campaign sources will address the Chatham House, the United Kingdom’s elite Foreign and Policy Think-tank institution where he will speak on security, economy and foreign policy on Monday December 5, 2022.

“Asiwaju Tinubu will embark on foreign trip to meet global leaders and influencers. Western powers are still very influential on elections in Africa and they have more than passing interest in Nigeria’s election as the largest economy in the continent and biggest black nation on earth. Asiwaju will use the opportunity of this trip to sell his agenda for national development and also solicit the support of the Western leaders for our transition programme,” the tweet read.

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Ayobami Adedeji Politics 2022-11-29