Nigeria: APC Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Abakalaiki — Eight All Progressives Congress (APC) Christian leaders within the northern a part of the nation, led by former Speaker of the Home of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Prof Doknan Sheni, have dissociated themselves from former secretary to authorities of the federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, over his public declaration of assist for the presidential candidate of the Labour Social gathering, Mr Peter Obi.

The APC northern leaders mentioned Babachir Lawal was expressing a private selection and never that of the group.

The group, in a press release collectively signed by Simon Achuba, Albert Atiwurcha, Prof Doknan Sheni, Mela A. Nung, Gen Ishaya Bauka (retd.), Prof Ibrahim Haruna and Mrs Leah Olusiyi final evening mentioned the group was but to endorse any presidential candidate forward of the 2023 polls.

The assertion, which was in a response to a narrative entitled ‘Dogara, Babachir Lawal-led Northern APC Members Endorse Peter Obi,’ reads partly: “We want to state that crucial consultations have been concluded, and based mostly on manifestly unassailable empirical knowledge, the group is poised to undertake a place which might be made identified to the general public at an interfaith occasion to be held very quickly.”

In accordance with the assertion, nobody within the group, together with the chairman, Engr B. D. Lawal, had been mandated to talk to the general public concerning the group’s place in the meanwhile.

It mentioned based mostly on its modus operandi, the group’s place was meant to be offered to most people on the inter-faith occasion referred to above.

“Consequently, the choice to endorse a selected candidate and the assertion credited to the chairman are solely the choice and views of the chairman which he’s completely entitled to however not that of the group. We hope this assertion clears all of the queries most of us have been inundated with on this all-important subject material.”

LEADERSHIP reviews that earlier yesterday, former SGF Babachir Lawal, had launched a press release which purportedly conveyed the choice of aggrieved Northern APC Christian group to assist the Obi/Datti ticket of the Labour Social gathering within the 2023 presidential election.

The assertion declared the Muslim-Muslim ticket fielded by the APC as satanic and referred to as on all their members to reject each the APC presidential candidature, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his Peoples Democratic Social gathering (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar.

The assertion, entitled “Why we have now chosen to endorse the Obi/Datti ticket” and signed by Babachir Lawal, mentioned it got here to the choice to assist Peter Obi and his working mate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed after a painstaking evaluation of the choice tickets.

The group described the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket as a deliberate and well-calculated plan to sow a seed of non secular discord amongst Nigerians, including that Northerners are their supposed goal.

“As one of many foremost critics of APC’s single-faith presidential ticket, and in addition in deference to those that have patiently waited for our steering as to the place to pitch our tent, after a painstaking evaluate and evaluation of the choice presidential tickets, we now want to suggest the Obi/Datti presidential ticket.

“We want to briefly narrate some few causes amongst many why we have now endorsed this ticket and commend it to all Nigerians of fine conscience who want justice, fairness and a harmonious co-existence of all Nigerians throughout tribes, faith and geopolitical areas. Furthermore, there’s at present in circulation the pretend information that I’ve thrown in my towel with the PDP. Nothing might be farther from the reality. To me the PDP and APC are completely different sides of the identical coin.”

He identified that Northern Nigeria is at present mired in a number of intractable socio-economic issues because of the actions of a number of nebulous prison teams and agriculture, the mainstay of the northern economic system, has been virtually deserted because of the nefarious actions of kidnappers and bandits, amongst different challenges just like the excessive variety of out of faculty youngsters, with colleges shut because of worry of terrorists.

In accordance with Babachir Lawal, government-owned universities additionally needed to shut store, depriving the youngsters of the already impoverished Northern plenty entry to reasonably priced larger schooling, with out-of-school and idle youngsters changing into straightforward targets for recruitment by bandits and kidnappers and no resolution in sight.

The assertion went on: “Then, out of nowhere this man, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a renown Yoruba-hegemonist, a person who championed the institution of a Ministry of Regional Integration in every state authorities of the South-west geopolitical area which he bestrides as an emperor, and a person who was as soon as quoted as saying “I don’t consider in a single Nigeria” (THISDAY, The Sunday Newspaper, April 13, 1997, web page 9) comes up with a Muslim-Muslim ticket realizing absolutely nicely that faith is the underbelly of Northern Nigeria. APC’s same-faith ticket is a ploy to additional sow discord amongst Northerners utilizing probably the most potent weapon of social discord- faith. As Karl Max as soon as mentioned, “faith is the opium of the folks”. Nigerians from all shades of the society should see this Tinubu/Kashim same-faith ticket as a proposal from the pit of hell that may solely be conjured by probably the most Machiavellian minds identified to man and subsequently should be rejected healthful by all lovers of our nation and its nascent democracy.

“However, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, Tinubu’s Vice-Presidential working mate, is a person who as soon as mentioned “restructuring my foot, let’s restructure our minds”. For eight years he presided over Borno State at a time when Boko Haram was overrunning the state virtually at will and restructuring the minds of its victims in opposition to Christianity and western schooling. The kidnapped Chibok and Dapchi ladies and plenty of extra are actually slowly trickling out of captivity within the Boko Haram indoctrination camps absolutely Islamised and carrying youngsters born into Islam in captivity – a real instance of “thoughts restructuring” if there ever was one.”

The assertion additionally pointed to an allegation of a really shut relationship between Kashim Shettima and Boko Haram.

He mentioned: “And, which Christian can neglect one Kabiru Sokoto, the alleged Boko Haram kingpin accused of complicity within the Christmas bombing of St Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, that resulted in 44 deaths and 77 injured Christian worshippers? Or that the mentioned Kabiru Sokoto was ultimately arrested at his hiding place within the Borno State Authorities Lodge, Abuja? Are Christians not justified in being petrified of a authorities run by this duo?

“Certainly, APC’s same-faith ticket is meant to disgrace Christians and bestow on them and their faith a second-class socio-political standing in their very own nation. Particularly it’s a validation of the discrimination and oppression being meted out on Northern Nigerian Christians the place they’re now denied employment, promotion, contracts, and admission to learn prestigious and marketable programs in government-owned colleges merely on account of their faith.

“It’s no surprise then that Alhaji Bola Tinubu thinks that the Bible is a ebook of jokes from which he can freely assemble his “jokes” like his “Poisoned Holy Communion” and “Talking in Tongues” jokes. If he’s man sufficient, I problem him to ridicule the Holy Qur’a fair as soon as as he freely does the Holy Bible. This man has no respect for Christians and Christianity in any respect.”

In accordance with Lawal, the APC identical religion ticket goes in opposition to the grain of Nigerian politics which in follow had all the time sought to attain a non secular stability in its politics and governance.

He famous that every one the opposite 17 political events fielding presidential candidates have gone the way in which of established conventions and practices by fielding different-faith tickets.

He additional mentioned of their quest for justice and fairness within the socio-political and non secular area of the nation, it’s apparent that solely the Obi/Datti ticket has the potential of chatting with the real clamour for energy shift to the South-East and on the identical time converse to the cry of marginalisation by folks of the South-East.

The previous SGF cautioned Nigerians in opposition to the temptation of being dominated by politicians recycling themselves, their youngsters and their mates in a monarchal trend, out and in of presidency to the exclusion of different segments of the society.

He additional acknowledged that “the Obi/Datti will give us a breath of contemporary air and the best alternative to redeem our nation from the quagmire into which we have now been plunged by a recurring group of self-centred reactionaries.

“There may be additionally this palpable worry and nervousness over a potential transition of the present presidency from one Fulbe to a different – identical tribe, identical faith, identical area, identical courtiers. This has given rise to a heightened worry of a potential perpetuation of a Fulbe hegemony within the nation. Moreover, there’s the notion by many Nigerians that the Fulbe are the principle actors within the banditry and kidnappings at present ravaging the nation. Due to this fact, there’s a widespread notion that one other Fulbe-led authorities is not going to have the inclination or political will to deal with the nation’s safety challenges as a majority of the perpetrators are its kindred.”

Obi-Datti Marketing campaign Welcomes Babachir’s Help

In the meantime, the Presidential Marketing campaign Council of the Labour Social gathering has mentioned that the choice of the APC Northern Christians leaders to assist the Obi-Datti ticket is an efficient improvement and a significant enhance for his or her victory within the 2023 presidential election.

Talking to LEADERSHIP Friday final evening, the spokesman of the Labour Social gathering Presidential Marketing campaign Council, Dr Yunusa Tanko, mentioned each right-thinking Nigerian is aware of that Peter Obi is probably the most competent individual to steer the nation come 2023.

“The choice they’ve taken is the most effective determination. It has proven that they’re working for the progress and improvement of Nigeria.

“The endorsement of Obi by the APC Northern Christian leaders is a lift to our marketing campaign and a lift to the Labour Social gathering Victory come 2023,” Tanko, a former Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) nationwide chairman mentioned.

… Say ‘We Will not Pressure Dogara Group To Help Obi’

In the meantime, following the response to Babachir’s declaration by different Northern APC Christian leaders, the Obi-Datti Presidential Marketing campaign Council has mentioned that it’s going to not power the previous speaker of the Home of Representatives Yakubu Dogara to assist its candidate.

In accordance with the marketing campaign council, it was glad with the assist of Nigerians in the direction of guaranteeing that Peter Obi emerges as the following president, including that individuals who have been benefiting from a corrupt system might wish to stay in it.

“We cannot maintain anyone on the throat to assist Peter Obi. We are going to proceed to thank and admire individuals who have taken the daring determination to assist our candidate, Peter Obi. We hope and consider that those that are but to see the sunshine may have a change of thoughts.

“Obi is probably the most certified candidate for the election and we admire folks, together with the previous SGF Babachir Lawal, who’ve taken the lead on this.

“We all know and we’re assured that many individuals will be part of us earlier than the election,” Tanko mentioned.

Tinubu Vows To Finish DisCos’ Extortion, Estimated Billing

In the meantime, the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday expressed concern over what he described as extortion by DisCos throughout the nation and vowed to finish estimated billing throughout the nation come 2023.

Tinubu who described the DisCos throughout the nation as extortionist mentioned that Nigerians will now not undergo the agony of the extortion by way of estimated billing if elected President come 2023.

The APC customary bearer mentioned the 16-year misrule of the Peoples Democratic Social gathering (PDP) introduced Nigeria to its knees, including that the APC authorities is rebuilding the nation’s sectors destroyed by the PDP.

Tinubu made the remark on the Pa Ngele Orunta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, throughout the Ebonyi State presidential rally and Ebonyi governorship marketing campaign flag-off.

He promised to revamp the schooling sector, the well being sector and restore the nation’s economic system, including that as president of the nation, Nigeria will witness an excellent turnaround.

Tinubu mentioned his administration will even focus extra on the transport sector of the nation, noting that the transport sector would allow merchants, farmers and different companies within the nation to thrive.

The previous Lagos State governor disclosed that the schooling of the Nigerian little one is essential for at this time and tomorrow, saying schooling is the best weapon in opposition to poverty.

He acknowledged that he’ll maintain talks with all of the agitators within the nation and discover a lasting resolution to the wave of insecurity within the nation which, he mentioned, had affected the nation enormously.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to elect visionary leaders that can lead the nation to grow to be a viable nation and warranted the folks of South East of remodeling the area to the Taiwan of Africa.

Earlier in his deal with, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi had urged Nigeria to eschew all

types of tribal -religious and sectional politics and warranted the South East that the emergence of Bola Tinubu because the president of the nation will profit the South-East area.

The rally additionally witnessed the defection of the Social Democratic Social gathering (SDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ikechukwu Nwankwo, and that of the previous Minister for Tradition and Tourism who was additionally a Senatorial aspirant below the PDP, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu.

Tinubu was accompanied to the rally by the governors of Imo, Cross River, Borno, Jigawa and Kebbi. Others on the rally included the nationwide chairman of the get together represented by the deputy nationwide chairman, South, Chief Emma Eneukwu, amongst different nationwide officers of the get together.

Atiku Unveils $10bn Youth Employment Scheme

Additionally yesterday, the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, mentioned he would earmark the sum of $10 billion to deal with youth unemployment if elected as Nigeria’s president within the 2023 basic elections.

Atiku disclosed this in Ilorin, Kwara State, on the flag- off of the PDP North Central marketing campaign rally, on the Metropolitan Sq., Ilorin.

The previous vp mentioned that the cash can be used to assist Nigerian youths in establishing micro, small and medium=sized enterprises.

“I wish to guarantee you that the youth unemployment which is all around the nation isn’t peculiar to Kwara State or the North Central zone. Most of you listed below are below the age of 30 and most of you right here haven’t any jobs or companies. We are going to make it possible for in our programme, I’ve promised that I am going to put aside $10billion to make it possible for youth unemployment is catered for in micro, small and medium enterprises to empower you and to just remember to are gainfully employed so that you’ve got an honest dwelling.

“We’re not right here to let you know lies. We’re your dad and mom. We wish you to be like what we’re. We are going to bail you out. We are going to convey you up. We are going to be sure to acquire your targets, no matter your lofty ambitions. That is why we’re right here. Do not vote for APC once more. Vote for all candidates of the PDP come 2023.”

Atiku additionally promised to revive safety all around the nation if elected.

“After they got here, they mentioned they’d deal with insecurity in six months. However what will we see? We now see insecurity all around the nation. It is a complete failure by the APC in all its ramifications”.

The presidential hopeful urged Kwarans to elect all PDP candidates throughout the 2023 basic elections.