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Lai Mohammed, Gbemi Saraki Raise Funds for 2019 Elections in Kwara – Group

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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)

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POLITICS

I Didn’t Call for Ganduje’s Resignation – Alia

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has denied calling for the resignation of Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CPS was reacting to some media reports that the governor has called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.

The Kula said the governor at no time called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.
He said the governor enjoyed a good relationship with the Ganduje-led leadership of APC.
“It is imperative to clarify that at no point did Governor Alia assembled, attended and sent a representative or participated in any meeting to discuss the removal or call for resignation of Alhaji.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“The Benue State governor remains firm in his support and allegiance to the leadership of the National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Alhaji Ganduje.
“Furthermore, at no point, whether publicly or privately, has the governor advocated or expressed any desire for the resignation of the National party chairman”, he said.
He said the governor was focused on positively changing the fortunes of the state.
“He is alive to his responsibilities as the leader of APC in Benue State and is doing everything legitimate to reposition the party for future victories.” Kula said.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State said it has withdrawn the only case filed by the embattled state chairman of the party, comrade Austin Agada that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
It said the said case has been consequently struck out by Justice T.A. Kume.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomun,  said this was done in compliance with the directive of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its 146th meeting held on the 20th March, 2024, wherein resolutions targeting peace were made directing all pending cases filed by members of the party in Benue State against the party or concerning the party and its members be withdrawn within 7 days.
Mr. Ihomun in a statement, made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said the State Legal Adviser of the APC, Alyebo Mathew Esq, at the instance of the state chairman, filed a Notice of Withdrawal on the 25th March, 2024, in the only case filed by the chairman that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
The party urged all members affected by the directive to withdraw all matters in court to clear the way for proper reconciliation that will ultimately pave the way for peace in the party.

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Mutfwang Meets PDP North Central Leadership Calls for Unity among Officials

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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has called for unity a purpose among officials of the North Central geopolitical political zone towards the growth of the party in the region.
He noted that the region has consistently remained a stronghold for the PDP since its inception, attributing it to the party’s ideologies and its developmental impact on the citizens at any given opportunity.


Governor Mutfwang made the commendation during a meeting on Wednesday with PDP officials from the North Central, led by the zonal National Vice Chairman, Hon.
Theophilus Dakas Shan, at Plateau House in Abuja the nation’s capital.

While applauding the dedication, patriotism, and steadfast support of the PDP officials in the region for their role in promoting unity and internal democracy in the party reiterated that such dedication will not be forgotten by the party.
Governor Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs expressed his gratitude to the zonal officials for their commitment during the 2023 general elections, an effort he said aligned with the party’s principles.
He reiterated that the party’s mission is to govern not for personal gain but for the people’s liberation, voicing his expectation that the PDP will continue to be the people’s party, deserving of significant involvement in its administration.
As the opposition party, the Governor emphasized the need to strive for the governance Nigerians aspire to, stating, “We must offer constructive criticism to the government and ensure the Nigerian people are not shortchanged.”
The Governor announced plans to reform the party into a robust, dependable, and credible political platform that enables Nigerians to run for elections and fulfill the promise of democracy.
The National Vice Chairman of the PDP North Central Zone, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, congratulated Governor Mutfwang on his election and Supreme Court victories.
He pledged full support to his administration, noting that the Governor’s unique position as the sole PDP-elected Governor from the zone will not be taken for granted.
He acknowledged the North Central’s role in electing the National Chairman of the PDP by consensus before the 2023 elections. However, recent political events in Benue State, has set aside the Chairman from office adding that the zone needs to address the matter as a family.
Hon. Shan said plans are underway to hold congresses of the Party and called for unity to ensure that the process is reliable, credible, and universally accepted, thereby minimizing potential litigation.

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FG Seeks Swedish Govt Support on Technical Education

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government is seeking the support of the Swedish Government to help drive its ongoing efforts of integrating technology and skills into the education sector.The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman who made the appeal while hosting the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englung, on a working visit to the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja, said it was important to leverage Sweden’s technical expertise.

The Minister also said the Federal government is seeking the support of the Swedish government in the development of indigenous languages to aid sound educational development in Nigeria.
He said: “The presence of (Swedish) tech companies in education and training is very important for us because one of the major things this ministry is focusing on now is to bring technology and skills into our education system right from the very early stage of education and we feel it is a very important mechanism tool for learning and teaching.
”And so we will be looking at your experiences to see how we can grow from that because what we want is right from primary school we want our students to be exposed to technology and skills so that at that stage they can grow with it and nurture critical thinking capabilities.“Right now education is not all about just providing training for jobs and skills of today, but preparing them to think about the skills of tomorrow and the best way to do that is by nurturing critical thinking capability right at the early stage.“So we will be leveraging your expertise and experience in order for us to develop our plans and integrate skills and technology into the curriculum at all the levels of our education system in Nigeria.”Mamman who noted that some agreements had been signed between Nigeria and Sweden in the past, however, stressed the need for both countries to deepen bilateral relationships by committing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in several areas of partnerships.The Swedish envoy had earlier named some Swedish firms in Nigeria engaged in educational and entrepreneurship programmes.Hahn – Englung who expressed Sweden’s readiness to deepen existing relationships, especially in the area of education, noted Sweden’s desire to have more students study in the country’s institutions of higher learning.“We have quite a number of companies especially when it comes to EdTech but then also, we have ideas to see what we can do more together.“We have many Nigerian students going to Sweden every year. They are very competitive students we have noticed but we will like to see that expand more.”

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