POLITICS
Lai Mohammed, Gbemi Saraki Raise Funds for 2019 Elections in Kwara – Group
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Integrity Group in Kwara says Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Sen. Gbemi Saraki raised funds to prosecute the 2019 elections in the state.
The group’s spokesman, Alhaji Abdul-Rahoof Bello, said this in Ilorin on Tuesday in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
NAN reports that the group was reacting to an allegation by Gov.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, pocketed the campaign fund for Kwara.According to Bello, the truth of the matter is that Mohammed, Saraki and other APC chieftains sourced for the fund to finance the 2019 elections in Kwara.
“Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in collaboration with the junior Minister, Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyat Saraki, and other national leaders of the party, worked round the clock to raise funds to finance, not only the 2019 general elections,” he said.
Bello also explained that Mohammed and other chieftains sourced for money to conduct party primary elections; campaigns; training of party election officials; mobilisation; security; logistics and funding of the presidential rally in the state.
“Since we (APC) was fighting the 2019 elections from the trenches of opposition, the planning could not have been conventionally perfect.
“Not surprisingly that a mixed-grill of approach that was improvised did achieve the desired goals beyond imagination.
“For Kwara APC as an orphan, the national leadership of the party came to the rescue by making the most senior Minister from the State, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the defacto leader of the party in the State.
“That was the money Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq claimed to have been ‘stolen’ because he was supposed to be consulted before disbursement.
“But at that point in time, who or where was Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq? What locus standi has he to query the sources and uses of funds he knew nothing about?
“It is sickening to note that the character and quality of leadership in Kwara, a State of Harmony, continue to depreciate like a weak currency, as the helmsman, Gov. Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq unabashedly waxes stronger in mastery of barefaced lies, denials and goals displacement.
“The APC Integrity Group, like many right-thinking Kwarans, is worried and apprehensive about this ugly trends in our body politic.
“Therefore, we are constrained to speak out against the abnormality with a view to giving a sense of direction to the drifting ship of the state.
“It leaves a sour taste in the mouth that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (GAA) has become unremorsefully notorious in propounding different conflict theories to make his ends justify his means on the crisis rocking the APC since assumption of office.
“The governor has been entertaining Kwarans with overdose of lies and half-truths to a nauseating level, that his administration becomes synonymous with deceit and falsehood personified.
“This is a contradiction in context and reality to the stated objectives of ‘O To Gẹ́ẹ́’ revolution in Kwara State,” Bello added.
The spokesman who blamed AbdulRazaq for causing the crisis rocking the party, said the governor however preferred to blame everyone except himself.
“He tarred party leaders with corrosive bitumen, portraying them as fastidious and gluttonous elements with insatiable lust for power and material gains.
“The governor was also never tired of appealing to public sentiments that he was under the pressure by Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and a few clique, who were trying to undermine his authority as the custodian of people’s mandate and as the APC Leader in the state,” he added.
According to Bello, the governor should however tell the world what happened to the N1 billion he collected from the national headquarters of APC instead of accusing the minister of stealing campaign funds.
“Curiously, the governor has added a new stanza to his political anthem by taking refuge under immunity clause, to make a libelous allegation of ‘stolen’ campaign funds and neglect during 2019 elections.
“He made such other fallacious accusations against the leadership of the party that delivered victory on his lap without tears!
“These slanderous statements were made at a book launch by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, last weekend.
“Despite the Divine intervention in his political career, it is unbelievable that Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who allegedly collected and sat on a whooping amount of money (N1bn) from the national headquarters of APC, part of which was meant to reimburse the nomination fees paid by all aspirants who lost the tickets in the botched primary elections.
“Was he, by then, not a dark horse and an unknown quantity who was later to gate crash to have benefited from the harvest even without tilling the soil.
“Anyone could be at liberty to blame the laundry but certainly not a bed wetter! A deity that cannot help should rather leave the worshipper intact.
“What an irony that this same man is playing holier than thou, weaving spurious allegations against his benefactors,” Bello said.
He said that the APC Integrity Group was forced to react to the allegations against the minister and ithe leaders of the party because of the gravity of the allegations which, he said, amounted to perjury.
“Ordinarily, the APC Integrity Group wouldn’t have bothered responding to the acidic darts from the irritant GAA group at the book launch, but for the possibility of it misleading a section of the public.
“By generous impulse, we had wanted to give a benefit of doubt for the governor that he would come out, as usual, to disown and deny the message and the messenger after gauging the trend of public opinion on it.
“This optimism was influenced by the temerity of GAA to lie on oath before a Court of records, to disown the illegality of TIC Chairmen, sworn-in and inaugurated by the same deputy governor recently.
“The criminal offence taken for granted by GAA is known to Law as perjury, which carries a minimum of five years imprisonment on conviction.
“The same face-saving denial was made when the first attempt at Banquet Hall to remove Hon. Bashir Ọmọlaja Bolarinwa from office as party Chairman failed.
“The governor, who was physically present at the occasion, drafted his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, to paint the town red with media denial.
“However, the need to straighten records has taken priority over the speculation of repentance for posterity sake,” he added.
According to him, AbdulRazaq has lost focus because he has abandoned the APC Manifesto and Roadmaster, which were the key elements in the party’s ‘Social Contract’ with the people of Kwara in 2019.
On the allegation of a cabal trying to frustrate his government, the APC Integrity Group spokesman therefore threw posers to the governor thus:
“Are the cabals or past administration responsible for the diversion of LG statutory monthly Allocations?
“Who were the cabal that armtwisted the APC local leaders to foist your candidature on members against all odds?
“On whose behalf was Hon. Bashir Ọmọlaja Bolarinwa prostrating to a congregation of members, pleading for continued support and cooperation, at Savannah Event Centre?
“If the party did not campaign for you, in whose interest did Rotimi Amaechi came to Ilorin to launch a digital ‘Election Situation Report Website? Was the idea yours?
“Was the ‘cabal’ or past administration responsible for corruption in high places such as SUBEB; Ilorin Government High School inflated contracts; false claims on road rehabilitation, etc?
“Who are the ‘cabals’ stalling the staggered nomination and appointment of mediocres into your administration?
“Was it the ‘godfathers’ preventing Ifelodun from having a Commissioner till date?
“Who was responsible for the illegality of suspension and appointment of TIC? Who was responsible for the denial?
“Was the cabals or past administration responsible for your uncountable failed promises?,” he asked.
Bello therefore challenged the governor to provide satisfactory answers to these and other issues bothering the state, concentrate on good governance and wait patiently to log out in 2023. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
A coalition representing four local government areas in Zamfara North Senatorial District has launched a scathing attack on Governor Dauda Lawal, branding his administration a “monumental failure” after two years in office.
In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition—made up of Kauran Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi communities—accused Governor Lawal of abandoning his campaign promises and worsening the region’s insecurity, poverty, and infrastructure decay.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Chairman Yakubu Ibrahim Shinkafi lamented the dire conditions residents now face.
“People can no longer sleep with both eyes closed.
They cannot go to their farms. They wake up and sleep in hunger,” Shinkafi said.“Yet, during the 2023 campaign, he promised to end insecurity and hunger within two weeks.”
The coalition highlighted the unrelenting wave of banditry, kidnappings, and extortion plaguing their communities.
Shinkafi claimed thousands have lost their lives, while others have been forced to pay millions in ransoms, even as the state government celebrates its second year in office.
“What is he celebrating? He is celebrating failure,” Shinkafi remarked bitterly.
“The situation has deteriorated. Bandits now operate with confidence while the government remains silent.”
Governor Lawal, who came into office in 2023 on promises of swift action to tackle insecurity, had assured voters that peace would return within two weeks of his inauguration. But two years on, residents say the crisis has only deepened.
“Not only has peace remained elusive, but insecurity has now become a permanent nightmare,” the coalition’s statement read.
The group commended the Nigerian Army and other security forces for their sacrifices but argued that the state government has failed to provide necessary support and leadership.
“There is no adequate intelligence cooperation, no visible engagement with communities, and no strategic direction from the governor,” the statement added.
“He has abandoned his duties and disconnected from the people’s plight.”
Beyond security concerns, the coalition criticised the collapse of essential services, pointing to deteriorating healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
“The hopes people had when Governor Lawal took office have turned into despair,” Shinkafi said.
“Our communities are calling for a serious reassessment of priorities. We demand leadership and an end to the deception.”
“Zamfara State deserves better,” the statement said .
“We will not allow our lives to be destroyed under the weight of a failed administration.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC), has commended Nigerians for their understanding and support to President Bola Tinubu-led administration in the last two years.
Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary made the commendation on behalf of the party, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on the midterm anniversary of the Tinubu-led administration.
He said that the country was on a progressive path under Tinubu, adding that more support and understanding were needed from the citizens.
“We applaud Nigerians for their invaluable understanding and support so far and we crave their continued support to Mr President for the second half of the tenure and beyond.
“The support will enable the administration unpack the fullness of the Renewed Hope Agenda for the overall good of Nigerians,”Morka said.
He noted that in the face of daunting generational challenges, Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated political will never before recorded in our contemporary political history.
Morka said that like a confident surgeon, Tinubu had enacted and continued to enact policy reforms skillfully designed to give the country, not just a chance for urgent resuscitation, but a real shot at rejuvenating its wellness.
He said that the APC leadership remained conscious of the challenges Nigerians were going through because of the inevitable policy reforms the Tinubu-led administration had to take in the interest of all.
He added that in all, the best interest and well-being of the current and future generations remained at the core of Tinubu’s thinking and actions.
Morka noted that some of the reforms of the administration include; the removal of fuel subsidy and harmonising multiple exchange rates among others.
These he said were inevitable and crucial steps to stabilising and positioning the economy for steady and sustainable growth.
“At midterm, the pall of gloom over our nation has been lifted and replaced by a dawn of rebounding optimism and progress.
“Signs and indications have never been clearer in our recent history, of a resurgent economy heralding strong prospects of a vibrant and prosperous future for our country, “Morka said.
He said that the Tinubu-led administration’s relentless war against oil theft had helped boost oil production, adding that our production now standing upwards of 1.8mbpd.
The APC spokesman said this surpassed the Organisation of Petroluem Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) quota, for the first time in recent history.
According to him, the massive reforms and investments in oil and gas sectors totaling over 8 billion dollars, had improved the ease-of-doing-business in the country.
He said that the development had revitalised stock market for enhanced profitability and attracted Foreign Direct investments (FDIs) in excess of 50 billion dollars.
Morka added that under the administration, the country had posted trade surpluses all for consecutive quarters since 2023.
“The historic Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth of 3.38 per cent in Q4 of 2024 has been lauded by both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) as incontrovertible index of a rebounding economy.
“In its determination to enhance peace and security, the administration has left no stone unturned in its renewed fight against terrorism and banditry.
“Thankfully, the massive supports for military welfare and funding of the Armed Forces have resulted in the neutralising of more than 13,500 terrorists and arrests of nearly 18,000.
“With many internally-displaced persons (IDP’s) camps being shut down and displaced persons returning to their homelands, farmers are now accessing their farms with attendant crash in food prices,” Morka stated.
He said the administration had done remarkably well in the education and health sectors as well as improving basic infrastructure across the country.
“In the critical health sector, the administration has equally left indelible footprints by approving 21 strategic policies with direct bearing on the health of Nigerians.
“It has disbursed more than N80 billion to revatilise more than 8,000 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Empirically, a lot more have been accomplished in the creative industry, solid minerals, power, energy, oil and gas sectors among others,’’ he said.
Morka advised Nigerians to continue to support the administration, saying that Tinubu is determined to serve Nigerians better in the concluding half of his four-year tenure,” he said.(NAN)
Mr Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo, has said that he would not allow injustice to go unchallenged.Ighodalo stated this in a statement on Thursday in reaction to the Court of Appeal’s judgment which affirmed the electoral victory of Gov.
Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “My good people of Edo State, today, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the declared outcome of the September 21st, 2024 governorship election in Edo State. “As with the judgment of the tribunal, we have received this decision with deep disappointment, but also with unwavering resolve to continue our pursuit of justice.“As democrats and patriots, we remain anchored in our belief in the rule of law.“But we cannot, and will not, allow injustice to go unchallenged,” he said.According to him, I have therefore instructed my legal team to approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria to seek redress.“We do so for every voter who queued patiently with hope in their hearts, for every young person who dreams of a better Edo State, and for every Nigerian who still believes that democracy must be well practised to yield a great country.“The Supreme Court now bears a profound responsibility, not only to interpret the law and apply same to available facts, but to defend the democratic principles that give the law its meaning.“We approach the apex court with full confidence in its integrity, its independence, and its role as the final guardian of justice in our republic.“We believe their Lordships will consider not just the letter of the law, but the greater implications for democracy, justice, and public trust.“The eyes of Edo people, and indeed all Nigerians, now look up to the Supreme Court with hope,” he said.He said though he acknowledged the court’s pronouncement, he believed that the judgment, like that of the tribunal before it, “failed to address the grave concerns we raised regarding widespread acts of non-compliance with, and clear violations of the Electoral Act.”According to him, our struggle has never been about personal ambition.“It has always been about standing with the people of Edo State and defending their sacred right to freely choose their leaders through a credible, transparent and fair election.“That right was brazenly subverted on September 21st, 2024.“The decisions of both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, though rendered in the name of the law, in effect ignore the will of the people and reward blatant electoral irregularities,” he added.Ighodalo, however, urged all his supporters to remain peaceful, vigilant and steadfast.“This is not the end. It is simply the next chapter in our collective struggle for truth, justice, and a bright future for our dear Edo State.“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We remain undaunted.“And we shall not rest until the voices of our people are heard and their stolen mandate restored,” he concluded.(NAN
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