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Fulani Groups Pick APC Presidential Forms for Jonathan

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Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
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.Promise him block 14m Votes
. Say it’s Payback for his pro-herders and Almajiri Programmes in Govt

Senate President, Sylva Join Race Too

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The rush for the presidential nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general elections continued on Monday with a northern group, buying the form for former President, Dr.

Goodluck Jonathan.
This happened even as the former president is not known to be a member of the ruling party. Jonathan ruled the country for six years on the platform of the current main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)
 

On the same day, the Senate President, Dr.

Ahmed Lawan and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Silver also got their own Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.

Jonathan who has been speculated to join the presidential race had his nomination forms obtained for him by a Fulani group which said they are Almajiris and Fulani elders.

Leader of the group, Ibrahim Abdulahi told newsmen that they decided to buy the forms for the former president because of his outstanding leadership qualities and most importantly, the good gesture he showed to them while in office.

“I represent two of the most vulnerable communities in our country, the Nomadic Pastoralists and the Almajiri communities who have decided to purchase this form for our former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, to come back and rule this country and continue with good work he has started. 

“You may recall that during the Goodluck Jonathan era, he is the first president since Independence of Nigeria, who found it expedient and magnanimous enough to remember some of the vulnerable communities in this country, including the Almajiri community.

“He brought a comprehensive policy of reformation and integration of Almajiri into the mainstream educational system in Nigeria.

“It was the dream and the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan, that if that programme has continued would one day, produce from the Almajiri system of education, doctors, engineers, unlike what obtains today. 

“Unfortunately, that programme was kept aside as soon as he left.

“The other part of the vulnerable community that Goodluck Jonathan wanted to really, you know, give a sense of belonging was the Fulani community and Nomadic Pastoralists. 

“Recall that he set aside N60 billion in the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which was to be used to develop livestock in Nigeria. I believe that if government has continued with that programme, today, we will have been like Denmark, the Sweden, the whole of the entire Africa we could have been what Denmark is in Europe, in terms of livestock production, in terms of milk, in terms of beef, and so on.

“Now looking at this, you know the situation and of course the problems Nigeria is facing today. We believe that only a leader with that kind of, you know that kind of patriotism, a leader with that kind of fairness, a leader who is ready to give every Nigerian a sense of belonging can be able to rule this country. And that leader is Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Abdulahi added that they will not only stop at purchasing his nomination forms, but to also go ahead and campaign for him to win.

We are ready not only to purchase this form for President Goodluck Jonathan, but I want to assure you that our communities, the Nomadic Pastoralists have the voting power of about nine million votes plus the advisory who also can produce about five million, about 14 million, all we are asking other Nigerians is to give us at least two million and we are home and dry”.

When asked if Jonathan has  agreed to run, the Fulani leader said; “As you may have heard, a lot of you know that interest groups have been coming out to urge him to come and contest but we felt that because of the deadline that was given whether he agrees or not, we need to purchase this form. Goodluck, Jonathan is not for himself, he is for all Nigerians.

“As a Nigerian whom we believe has the interest of this country at heart, he will accept us. You can see that we are almost late, you know coming to buy this form was not easy, we sol our cows. We were able to raise this fund just yesterday and we decided to come and purchase this one. 

“We call on Nigerians to support this project, if you are talking about Goodluck Jonathan, I don’t think there is any aspirant so far that we have seen that can be compared in any way with him,  unless if Nigerians are not serious or if we don’t want to reintegrate and unite in this country, unless if you want to continue playing the politics of religion and tribalism. You can see I’m a Fulani man coming from the far North, but I tell you, there is no Nigerian today that I can cast my vote for, there is no Nigerian today that I can campaign for except Goodluck Jonathan. He is the best candidate among all the candidates irrespective of where you come from, irrespective of your faith and irrespective of your region”.

 Abdullahi further urged all the other aspirants to show patriotism and step down for Jonathan to “heal the country” in 2023.

Also, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan who obtained his forms through his friends and associates including senators and members of the House of Representatives led by Sam Nkire said the APC decided to jettison zoning because the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have refused to zone its ticket to the South.

Speaking after collecting the documents, Nkire who is a foundation member of the APC in Abia state said they decided to come and pick the forms because they are convinced that Nigerians are in need of a new president who can deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

“We are here you can see beside and behind me Senators and senior members businessmen and politicians who are members of the APC and some other Nigerians who want a new president.

“And that new president they are seeking is Alhaji Ahmed Lawan, the current president of the Senate of Nigeria.

“We want the Senate President to be the president of Nigeria for national stability one, and a president that we are bringing for the Nigerian people is a Nigerian president, not an Igbo president, not a Fulani president, not a Yoruba president. But a Nigerian president who we have watched and see that there would be no other candidate that will be so level-headed and someone who has the feeling of the poor Nigerians”.

When asked to react to the clamour for the presidency to be zoned to the South, Nkire said; “Let me tell you, every politician is in politics to win. It is PDP that is driving us to do this. We have to say so. But we don’t want PDP to take the government from us. If you give the position to a southerner and PDP gives to a northerner, APC will go into the wilderness and we are not ready to go into the wilderness”.

Meanwhile, Chief Sylva who addressed the media after his forms were presented to him by his supporters said, “I feel very honoured and humbled for the show of love and this show of commitment not to me, but to Nigeria. I have tried my best since I was appointed by Mr. President to this office to do my service to Nigeria. But to realize that my efforts have been noticed by you Nigerians and that you Nigerians by yourself will go and take the trouble of obtaining the nomination and the expression of interest forms for me is very humbling. And I must also say that it is very shocking at the same time. 

“But I’m very happy and pleased by this gesture. So what I will do now, I will not give you a straight answer right now. But I’m really thankful for what you have done because I need to consult I need to consult my constituency and consult leaders of this country and then I’ll come back to you to let you know if I have taken the position also to run for this office. I thank you very much. So you’ll give me a very short time. I will start right away with the consultation. I will go to my leader, for example the Ijaw Leader Sir SK Clark, I will talk to him. I will also consult other leaders of the country and I will get back to you.”

Suleiman Abdullahi, spokesman of Northern Solidarity group for Timipre Sylva who presented the form to the Minister of State for Petroleum said, “We picked this presidential nomination forms to surprise the former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva, to contest for the presidency of this country, which we found him capable to do. We are his fans from the Northern part of Nigeria.

“Nigerians can see from his antecedents from the state level to the federal level that he has garnered necessary experience and well acceptable across the country. So we know that his chances of withe ticket of the APC is brighter.”

So far, some of the aspirants that have picked their forms include: Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Rotimi Amaechi, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Sen. Chris Ngige and Sen. Rochas Okorocha.

Others include; Gov Mohammed Badaru, Prof. Ben Ayade, Gov. Dave Umahi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Emeka Nwajiuba, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Yahaya Bello, Godwin Emefiele, Ahmed Sani Yerima, Ajayi Borriface, Mrs Uju Ohnenye, Pastor Nicholas Felix Nwagbo, Dimeji Bankole and Aishat Alubankudi, Sen. Ibikunle Amosu, Pst. Tunde Bakare and Com. Adams Oshiomole.

POLITICS

Osun 2026 Guber: APC Aspirants Should Not Waste Money Contesting Against Adeleke – Ex Party Chieftain, Jackson Ojo

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo has advised those in the race for the APC ticket not to waste their resources as the victory of Governor Isiaka Adeleke is practically a done deal.

In a video post on his Facebook page, Jackson Ojo said Governor Adeleke has won the heart of the people of his state with his transformation of all the 30 local governments in the State and prompt payment of workers and pensioners.

According to him, the achievements of Governor Adeleke has already done 80 percent of his campaign ahead of the election.

Jackson Ojo, who is a Security Expert and global affairs analyst, from Osun State, stressed that he has always advised political office holders to perform while in office as this is the greatest strategy and tactics to win future elections.

He stressed that the abysmal performance of the APC at the Federal level and the poor performance of previous APC governors in Osun state will count heavily against any candidate that is presented by the party to contest against governor Adeleke.

The former APC chieftain added that he is not patronizing the governor for any personal gain as there is nothing that the governor can give him that God has not already given him.

He stressed that his intervention in the Osun governorship race is to stop opponents of the governor from wasting their resources for an election they can never win.

His words: “Two weeks ago I resigned from partisan politics, so I am no longer member of any political party in Nigeria. When I speak now I am not speaking in favour or against any political party. So, I am very free to air my views

“This is my views on the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state. I still see some people struggling for governor in Osun state come 2026.

“That is highly impossible for an APC aspirant. What is the APC government doing at the national level, what are the doing in the Senate, what are they doing in the House of Representatives to encourage Nigerians?

“If we are in a place like America or United Kingdom (UK) APC will not be able to win ordinary councillorship again in this country. Is it in the management of economy, education, health, security and others?

“In all these areas put together they have not scored up to 10 percent. I can boldly mark them today they they have woefully failed in area of agricultural development, educational development, health development, security, economy and infrastructural development. In all ramifications this party has failed.

“Look at the antecedents of the APC in Osun state. Aregbesola tried a bit, yes, but then Aregbesola left the State aground.

“When Baba Jeje, Mr. Go Slow, the unfortunate Minister of Blue Economy or whatever they call it, came there was nothing to write home about during his tenure as governor of Osun State. He came, he bartered the state, he rubbished the State, he insulted the state, he disgraced the State on the platform of APC.

“Now another APC is coming out now thinking of winning? Winning where, defeat who?

“Governor Adeleke does not know me, there is no benefit Adeleke can give me that God has not given to me. I can’t be a Commissioner in Osun state. No. I can’t be Special Adviser or whatever. I can’t even take their contract. I don’t think they can award the kind of contract that I need to an individual.

“But then, Adeleke has tried. If you go to my community you will see the way he has positively turned the community. Even if I am the governor of Osun State I don’t think I can do what Adeleke has done in my town and that transformation cuts across all the 30 local government areas of Osun State. All the communities, all the local governments, all.

“This man is no longer paying half salary of quarter salary. This man is not owning workers, he is not owning pensioners. This alone has spoken, this alone has done 80 percent of his campaign.

“If you perform well in office that is the highest strategy and tactics that you can use to win the heart of the people.

“Come 2026 whoever is putting money on ground in Osun state to go and contest governorship in Osun state, honestly that person has money to waste. It is sadaka, the money they have stolen they want to come and do sadaka. It is Adeleke till 2030.”

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POLITICS

Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Hon C.I.D Maduabum has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement made available to Daily Asset in Abuja on Sunday, Hon Maduabum said he is dumping the PDP because the party has been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

Part of his statement read: “After deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful evaluation of the current political realities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.

“As a committed democrat, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I have dedicated significant portions of my political life to building the PDP as a platform for democratic consolidation and national development.

“However, the soul of the party I once served with pride has been hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

“The PDP today is a shadow of its former self. It has descended into chaos, internal betrayal, and systematic destruction by diverse forces who have no regard for the principles upon which the party was founded. Sadly, voices of reason are no longer welcome, and genuine reformers are vilified or silenced.

“I can no longer in good conscience remain in a house that has been stripped of its moral compass and overrun by opportunists.

“In light of this, I am proud to announce that I am joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party that now stands as the only credible democratic alternative for Nigeria.

“The ADC is emerging as a beacon of hope for good governance, integrity, accountability, and inclusive politics. It offers the opportunity for principled politics, genuine people-oriented leadership, and a platform for rebuilding our nation from the grassroots up.

“The ADC Coalition includes progressive minded people like Mr. Peter Obi and others.

“I join the ADC not merely as a defector but as a reformer committed to helping build a new political culture — one based on merit, ideology, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.

“The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to take a stand against the decay in our political system. I call on all patriots, especially those disillusioned by the dysfunction in the traditional parties, to rally around this movement for a new Nigeria through the ADC.

“I remain committed to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and service to the people. The struggle to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise continues — and it begins now on a new, firmer footing.”

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POLITICS

Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise by three days in Anambra.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja, after its weekly meeting.

He said that on the preliminary stage of the CVR, 56,017 representing 58 per cent of new registrants were female while 50,429 52 representing 48 per cent were young people between the ages of 18 and 34.

“The commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra and the peaceful conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in all the 326 registration centres in the state.

“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days. On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day.

“In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

“The CVR in Anambra ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, July 20,” he said.

Olumekun said that the commission would thereafter display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law.

This, according to him, will be followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information,” he said.

Olumekun also disclosed that INEC had received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

According to him, the new application brings the number received so far by the commission to 134.

Olumekun stated that the details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships were already published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.

He said that INEC would continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities.

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