COVER
2023: Atiku, APC Trade Words Over Comments at Meeting with Northern Leaders
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress(APC) and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar, were embroiled in a war of words yesterday, over comments purportedly made by the former Vice President in Kaduna at the weekend.
Atiku had moved his campaign a step further weekend at a meeting with Northern political leaders, where he declared that national inclusivity and not ethnicity should define support for any presidential candidate in the forth coming elections.
The former Vice President spoke in Kaduna, where he featured as a guest of the Arewa Joint Committee interactive sessions with various presidential candidates of political parties on Saturday in Kaduna.
In a separate meeting with the Ulama and the Clergy also in Kaduna, Atiku called on religious leaders in the country to intensify prayers and seek divine solution to the myriads of challenges facing the nation.
Referencing his political career that he claimed spanned more than three decades, Atiku said he stood shoulder high as a Northerner who has built bridges of unity across the country.
“I have been in politics for more than three decades and I am a Northerner. So, if you ask me why I am the best candidate to lead Nigeria in 2023, I will simply say that what Nigeria needs is a pan-Nigerian president, not whether he is Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa-Fulani” Atiku was quoted to have said in a statement by his media office.
The session, held at the Arewa House had in attendance, high ranking leaders of various North socio-cultural bodies from the three geo-political zones of the North.
The Presidential candidate highlighted key policy issues, which he said would be vigorously pursued if was elected president to include promoting national unity through deliberate actions that will secure mutual trust and confidence amongst all tendencies.
He also pledged comprehensive reforms critical sectors like in education, agriculture and pledged to reverse the economic downturn of the country.
Atiku Pays Lip Service to National Unity – APC Campaign Council-APC
In reaction to Atiku’s comments however, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) said Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was only paying lip service to national unity.
Director, Media and Publicity of the council, Bayo Onanuga stated on Sunday in Abuja that Abubakar had resorted to ethnic jingo in the face of imminent defeat at the 2023 election.
He stated that Abubakar’s recent statement to the effect that northern Nigerians did not need a Yoruba or Igbo president was the worst expression of ethnocentric opportunism ever uttered by a former vice-president.
“This clearly demonstrates how low a man once honoured with the second highest office is willing to sink in search of a perennial wild goose chase after the highest office in the land.
“It confirms that Abubakar feasted on such base, cheap primordial sentiments to use the masses and northern elites as ladder to ascend to power in 1999 without any dividends to show,’’ Onanuga said in a statement in Abuja.
Onanuga argued that with the statement, Abubakar had cast himself as a northern candidate that should solely be supported by the people from his region.
He stressed that Abubakar’s public declaration which framed him as an ethnic and regional champion was unbecoming of a man who was once a former vice-president of Nigeria.
“He has himself and not anybody else to blame for his expected electoral misfortune. First, he broke the fundamental rules of power rotation in his party and in the country.
“The Nigerian public now knows better that a man who has been campaigning as a so-called unifier of our disparate groups is a tribal jingoist.
“He has now totally eviscerated all pretensions to being a detribalised Nigerian. He is demonstrably the anti-thesis of a pan-Nigerian politician,’’ Onanuga stressed.
He added that Nigerians of goodwill, who daily sought a united and prosperous nation, should reject Abubakar and his party at the polls in February 2023.
“Abubakar only pays lip service to national unity in spite of the fact that it features as one of the five cardinal points of his so-called covenant with Nigerians.
Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition, Rude Attack on Integrity-PDP
The camp of PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has said It was regrettable that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would decide to cause a show of shame by a disingenuous attempt to turn fact on its head about what its Principal, Atiku Abubakar said during a public engagement at the Arewa House on Saturday.
“For the benefit of the innocent public who might be hoodwinked by the usual behavior of APC in telling a big lie, what transpired was a direct question to Atiku to address the Northern audience on why he should be voted for by the Northern electorate.
“In answering this question, Atiku started with a joke by addressing the questioner as ‘Mr. Northerner’ which is a veiled criticism of why he limited his question to the Northern audience in the first place.
Continuing, Atiku explained without a slur, unlike the APC candidate would, that what matters the most to the Northern electorate is a candidate who has built bridges of unity across other parts of the country and not necessarily a Northern candidate who lacks the credentials of national spread and acceptability,” Atiku’s Spokesperson, Paul Ibe said in a statement last night in Abuja.
The PDP presidential candidate accused the APC resorting to “dubious tactics of diverting public attention away what it called the failures of their party in the past seven years and the embarrassing gaffes of their presidential candidate in his public communication, which they frequently shy away from.
“Of course, a failed political party and a presidential candidate who cannot withstand five minutes of unscripted speech would not have anything tangible to talk about other than to resort to irritating scavenging like they have done in this case.
“On the same day when Atiku Abubakar stood agile and cerebral before his hosts at the Arewa House, the APC candidate, whose only entitlement for president is because of an ethnic identity claim was also at a public function in Kaduna State and publicly embarrassed his host, Governor Nasir el-Rufai, by saying that he should not contemplate pursuing higher educational qualifications and likening him to ‘a rotten case that has turned into a bad situation.’
“Are we to play to the gallery, we could have rushed to the press to make a bad case for such rotten remarks. We did not because we know that the upcoming election is not about scoring cheap political gains, but about ensuring that Nigerians have a fair deal in the next president that they will be electing.
The very ambition of former governor Tinubu to aspire to become the Nigerian leader is a rude attack on the integrity of every Black country and certainly an act of disgrace to all Nigerians,” the Atiku Media office said in the statement.
Former Vice President Seeks Prayers, Spiritua Intervention to Nation’s Woes
The PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has urged religious leaders in the country to intensify prayers and seek divine solution to the myriads of challenges and problems facing the nation.
The former Vice President made the call when he met the Ulama and the clergy in Kaduna.
During an Interactive session organized by the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) in conjunction with the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), the Northern Islamic Youth Scholars and Imams as well as Leaders of Women In Daawah on Sunday in Kaduna, the PDP presidential candidate observed that wherever the freedom of religion, peace and stability were under threat, development and good governance would remain far-fetched.
According to him, the prevailing situation of insecurity, poverty and economic doldrums in Nigeria “affects all facets of life and engender general underdevelopment.”
“Even if there is good governance whereas people are not free to profess and practice their religion, enjoy peaceful coexistence in a rancour free and progressive atmosphere, then the country will continue to retrogress.
“This is the reason why the Ulama, the Clergy and all Nigerians should pray for divine intervention so that there will be good leadership that would engender overall national development beneficial to all,” Atiku said at the Forum attended by PDP Stalwarts including
former Vice President, Arc. Muhammad Namadi Sambo, PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, his deputy in charge of the North, Umar Ilyasu Damagum, the Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
Also at the event were the former Governors of Cross River, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi and Niger states: Sen. Liyel Imoke,, Alhaji Sule Lamido,, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema,, Sen. Adamu Aliero and: Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu respectively.
Two former Governors of Kaduna state, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Makarfi and Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero were in attendance.
In his remarks, the Director General of the PPCO and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described Atiku as a statesman with sterling leadership qualities and explained that the gatherings were to seek the blessings of the Ulama and the Clergy for success at the polls.
While urging the religious Leaders in the country to continue praying for peace, Governor Tambuwal rationalized the decision of the party to appoint a Christian southerner, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as Atiku’s running mate.
“We all know that the need for inclusiveness, justice and fairness cannot be overemphasized, thus the reason the PDP selected Governor Okowa to be the running mate of our presidential candidate”, Tambuwal was quoted to have explained in a statement by his Media Aide, Mohammed Bello.
In his speech, the leader of the SCSN, Sheikh Sambo Rigachikun raised issues about agricultural development, insecurity, unemployment and volatility in the nation’s foreign exchange as areas where future leadership of the country should focus its attention.
He also harped on the need for any government that will be elected to prioritize speedy appointment of qualified persons as Ministers of the central governemnt.
In the same vein, Sheikh Umar as-Sudani who appealed to the Ulama to be honest and God fearing in supporting candidates, noted that as “apolitical stakeholders, the Ulama has veritable roles to play in the emergence of leaders, freedom of religion and the establishment of proscriptive norms and laws that will deter commitment of vices in line with Islamic teachings.”
He also pointed out that the Ulama, whose opinions and support was often sought during electioneering campaigns were neglected in the scheme of things after victories. He, therefore, sought for inclusion of the Ulama in future administrations.
Former Governor of Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who also spoke at the Forum justified the meeting saying it was in line with Islamic injunction, which prescribes that man should strive and pray for their ambitions to be realized.
“The message of the candidate is in tandem with this injunction. We will go out and campaign vigorously as we also ask of you to pray, advise and offer constructive criticisms to us until we achieve what we seek, God willing.
“We’re asking God to make it possible for Atiku to be President. If he doesn’t become, may Allah replace the setback with what is better for him and the county at large. May Allah continue to bless our country and make it safe for all of us,” Shekarau, a former Minister of Education stated.
Kaduna state gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan commended Atiku and the PDP for organizing the event in Kaduna and assured delegates that the presidential candidate will take seriously the germane issues raised by the Ulama and the Clergy..
By David Torough, Abuja
In what appears like a marketing war, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reduced the petrol pump price from N1,020 to N899 per litre.
This pricing competition emerged in the downstream sector emerged on Saturday after NNPCL reduced its depot price of petrol.
This just few days after the Dangote Refinery reduced its price to N899.
The new price indicates a reduction of N141 or 13.
56 percent, from N1,040 per litre it sold to customers living in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).According to the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), the price reduction was based on regional pricing scheme.
The association said under the arrangement, it would sell for N970 per litre in parts of the South South region.
A statement signed by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, and quoting a document released by NNPCL’s Commercial Department, said marketers could offtake products based on the regional pricing scheme.
The document indicated that marketers would buy the product at N899 per litre in Lagos State, matching the price offered by the Dangote refinery a few days ago.
Marketers purchasing from its Warri, Oghara, Port Harcourt, and Calabar depots would pay N970 per litre to offtake products.
The statement read, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has taken a significant step in response to the competitive impact of deregulation in the downstream sector.
“The company recently reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit from N1,020 to N899 per litre.
“The price reduction by NNPCL is seen as a response to the competitive impact of deregulation, which has led to increased competition in the downstream sector.”
However, the NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, declined to speak when contacted.
But Obele noted that the price reduction by the national oil firm was a response to the competitive impact of deregulation, which had led to increased competition in the downstream sector.
He expressed optimism that PMS prices would drop further before the end of January 2025 given the global decline in crude oil prices and the naira’s recent gain against the dollar.
Obele described the trend as a price war and emphasised that the price reduction by the Dangote refinery and the NNPCL demonstrated the benefits of competition. He advocated the immediate privatisation of government-owned refineries.
The move is expected to spark a price war among oil marketers, ultimately benefiting consumers.
In his reaction, National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, said Nigerians would get fuel at cheaper rates once the marketers start taking the product at the reduced rate from NNPCL.
“The two most critical stakeholders in the sector have already reduced the rate, which is a very good development for us.
“So once we start taking fuel at the reduced rate, we are going to reduce our price too. We will also apply the price reduction percentage of the NNPCL,” he stated.
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Mr Chinedu Ukadike, expressed satisfaction with the price reduction.
According to him, the price adjustment underscores the benefits of healthy competition brought about by the deregulation of the downstream sector.
“It’s a welcome development. And that is the duty of deregulation. Once the competition is held, there will be constant reduction in price of fuel,” Ukadike said.
He attributed the price drop not only to NNPCL’s readiness for the deregulated pricing regime but also to a reduction in the foreign exchange rate.
“As we continue to have multiple choices, we will also have multiple chances of continuous reduction. So IPMAN is very happy, and as we are buying the product cheaper, we will also see it cheaper to the consumers,” he added.
By Johnson Eyiangho & Laide Akinboade , Abuja
Following the tragedies that followed attempts to distribute food to Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu yesterday cancelled all his official events in Lagos, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta to mourn the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra.
Tinubu was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi, his spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement.
Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State Government and chiefs from the state, were already seated when the president cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.
Commiserating with the victims of the incidents in Anambra and the FCT, Tinubu urged states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately.
Tinubu said local and state authorities should no longer tolerate operational lapses by organisations and corporate bodies involved in charitable and humanitarian activities.
No fewer than 39 Nigerians have lost their lives following stampedes during food-sharing events in Okija, Anambra State, and Maitama, Abuja during the weekend.
In the struggle to get ahead and obtain the free food items distributed by organisers, the residents trampled upon one another, leading to the deaths.
While 10 residents died in Abuja, 29 were reported killed in Anambra.
These stampedes came days after a similar incident occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children lost their lives and several others were left critically injured during a funfair.
Similarly, 10 persons were confirmed dead at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja in a stampede, where a food outreach was held on Saturday.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around 6am during an annual charity event organised by parishes of the Catholic Church to distribute foodstuffs to the poor and the vulnerable in the community.
An eyewitness said the crowd remained orderly until around 5am.
He said, “Many people came from Mararaba, Nyanya, and Mpape areas to benefit from the church’s food distribution.
“To be honest, the church didn’t anticipate the size of the crowd that showed up. Although there were two security operatives on duty, they couldn’t manage the growing crowd effectively.
“Initially, everyone was orderly, but as the day broke, the number of people doubled. In their desperation to get the rice first, people began pushing and shoving.
“Before we knew it, we started hearing cries for help from those who had fallen or sustained injuries. The police came to rescue those injured and dispersed others who waited behind with the hope that the distribution would continue.”
In Anambra, no fewer than 29 persons have been reported dead and many others injured during a stampede that occurred at the gate of the Charity Event at the Obijackson Centre in Amanranta, Okija, Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
It was also gathered that the stampede, which occurred at the venue of the sharing of palliatives, including 25kg bags of rice, vegetable oil, and money, was a result of poor crowd control.
It was learnt that the victims, particularly elderly women and children, were trampled upon as they struggled to gain entrance amid a large and uncontrollable crowd.
It was observed at the scene that many shoes and slippers belonging to the victims were littered on the ground in front of the gate as security operatives battled to control the surging crowd, who were still forcing their way onto the premises.
Despite the stampede and the tragic incident, the sharing of palliatives continued, with beneficiaries going home with 25kg bags of rice, vegetable oil, noodles, and cash gifts from the foundation.
The palliatives were being donated by a notable member of the community, Chief Ernest Obiejesi (Obijackson), on behalf of the Obijackson Foundation.
Eyewitnesses at the venue said many who collapsed were rushed to hospital, while those who died were taken to the morgue.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, confirmed the incident.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also mourned victims of the stampedes, describing the development as a reflection of poverty and systemic failure.
Obi, in a tweet on his official X handle at the weekend said the desperate quest for survival in the harsh economy drove the people to the extremes in search of food at the cost of their lives.
He said, “While I will not cast blame, but instead appreciate the organisers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.”
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the widespread food stampede in the country as a testament of an alarming level of misery, poverty, hunger, starvation, sense of hopelessness and desperation for survival by the citizens under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
The party said it was devastated that the APC-led administration had wrecked the nation’s once thriving economy and pushed millions deeper into abject poverty and hunger with many citizens, not being able to afford their daily meals, now resorting to desperate measures including slavery mission abroad and fighting for crumbs for survival.
In a statement by its Spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, yesterday lamented the tragic stampede at private events in Oyo and Anambra states as well as Abuja which claimed the lives of more than 60 vulnerable citizens including children in their desperate struggle for food as a result of the pervasive hunger in the land.
The statement called on Nigerians to hold the Tinubu-led APC administration responsible for the remote cause of those tragic occurrences for which it must recompense.
The PDP accused the APC of false performance claims including empty assurances of food sufficiency while deliberately failing to make the required investments to boost the productive sector, particularly in agriculture and food production.
It demanded the immediate review of all the ‘suffocating economic and tax policies’ of the APC administration which it said are bringing misery and death to Nigerians daily.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, expressed deep concerns over the unorganised distribution of palliatives and relief items across Nigeria during the festive period.
The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the IG had ordered the Commissioners of Police in the affected states to investigate the deaths for possible legal actions.
He stated that the organisers of this charity are liable for criminal offences, citing relevant provisions in Nigeria’s Penal and Criminal Codes.
By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragic incident at the Children’s funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries.
Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement stressed the importance of determining whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful development, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.
The president, who expressed profound sadness over the tragic incident on Thursday, extended condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children.
The statement read, “In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event.
“President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly. He emphasises that it is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful incident, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.
“The President urges the Oyo State Government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring.”
The president wants a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues.
He called on event organizers to prioritize the safety of all attendees, especially children, just as he stressed the importance of integrating professional security, protocol, and logistics at events to ensure the utmost safety of all participants.
According to the president, “Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives.”
So far, police have confirmed that 35 children died while six others were critically injured.
According to a statement by the Oyo State Police Command through the spokesman, Adewale Osifeso, yesterday, the organisers of the event, including the main sponsor, Naomi Silekunola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and her media partner, Agidigbo FM, the principal of the school, and five others, have been arrested in connection with the tragedy.
The police stated that the event was organised by the Wings Foundation and media partners Agidigbo FM, without proper permission or safety measures in place.
The police said they have commenced an investigation into the incident and have promised to bring those responsible to justice.
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