Connect with us

POLITICS

Unity: PGF DG Preaches Ethnic Tolerance to Foster Peace

Published

on

Share

Dr Salihu Lukman, the Director-General, Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), has called for ethnic tolerance to foster peaceful co-existence and national unity.

Lukman, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, noted that the level of intolerance in the country on account of ethnic background was alarming.

He attributed the source of such intolerance on compromising issues of justice in virtually every part affecting every section of the country.

He said in the circumstance we found ourselves as a nation, we should begin to campaign that any political leader who overtly or covertly defended criminality must be regarded as either a criminal or one with intention to commit crime.

He wondered why any form of defense of criminality was allowed to dominate political debate and contest in the country.

Lukman noted that given that ethnic groups were being tagged as criminals, there was all manner of political mobilisation based on ethnic undertone.

This, he said, would create problems as we move towards 2023, adding that political parties should consider new approaches that should challenge political leaders to become leaders and champions of peaceful co-existence.

He, however, noted that with all the attacks against the All Progressives Congress (APC), it had the best potential of coming up with initiatives that could push political leaders to work for peaceful co-existence in the country.

According to Lukman, this is because apart from being a ruling party with the responsibility of providing political leadership, it is also a party that has committed itself to bringing about political change in the country.

“As a member of the APC, I am always proud to acknowledge the fact that our leaders don’t shy away from recognising problems,” he said.

He noted that in the current circumstance, recognising the problem should revive the commitment of political leaders for the unity of the country founded on peaceful co-existence based on justice.

He added that part of the advantage the APC presently had over other political parties was the fact that it is in the process of reconstituting its leadership at all levels.

Lukman advised that for the party to be able to exercise this advantage and gain the appeal of Nigerians, it should consider taking necessary steps to ensure that ethnic bullies and warlords were disqualified from emerging as leaders at all levels.

He further added that only candidates with proven commitments to peaceful existence as a nation should be qualified to hold party positions at all levels going forward.

The PGF DG, however, noted that this may not happen if meetings were not taking place through which positions of all groups and sections of the country could be considered.

“We must therefore appeal to our leaders to prioritise the need for meetings and ensure that when meetings hold honest and open debates take place.

“Without debating and taking all the necessary steps to produce leaders in our parties who are committed to the unity of the country founded on peaceful co-existence based on justice,

“it is almost predictable that candidates for elections would largely be ethnic bullies and warlords. Once candidates are ethnic bullies and warlords, political competition will continue to be characterised by violence,” he said.

He said there was need to appeal to political leaders to take steps required to move the country forward away from politics of ethnic hatred.

He further added that instead of hating each other, political leaders should take steps to begin to push to love each other.

Lukman stressed that the need to guarantee justice at all times, irrespective of who was affected was about the only route for peaceful co-existence in the country.

He added that once that was compromised, the foundation of our democracy would be eroded.

According to him, the burden facing our political leaders is to begin to take every necessary step to move our people and our nation from all parts of the country towards ensuring fairness in every part of the country.

He added that the basis of fairness must be such that to love ourselves, we must love others.

He stressed that political leaders should show love to themselves by ensuring fair conduct of all citizens as a basis for citizens’ love to leaders and the country. (NAN)

POLITICS

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

Published

on

Share

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.”

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

Published

on

Share

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.”

Continue Reading

POLITICS

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

Published

on

Share

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.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS1 hour ago

NIS Trains Passport Officers, Announces Arrests of Aliens

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu Godson, Abuja The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has begun a capacity building training for its Passport Control Officers...

NEWS1 hour ago

APC Senators Rise to 70 in Senate as Four PDP Lawmakers Defect

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The number of All Progressives Congress senators in the National Assembly rose to 70 yesterday, following...

NEWS1 hour ago

Threat on Peter Obi Challenges Nigeria’s Unity, Democracy – Abaribe

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu Godson, Abuja Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has described the threat and restriction of movement placed...

NEWS1 hour ago

Police Arrest Bayelsa Judge’s Abductors

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Abductors of a Judge of the Bayelsa State High Court, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, have been arrested...

OPINION7 hours ago

The Impact of Incessant Attacks in Farming Communities

ShareBy Efe Omoghene Rural communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the North, which were once the major cities’ food pipeline,...

Federal Ministry of Education Federal Ministry of Education
NEWS7 hours ago

What’s Going on with Education in Nigeria?

ShareBy Dakuku Peterside Walk into almost any public school in Nigeria, and you feel the weight of history pressing down...

NEWS7 hours ago

Reps Vow to Ensure Timely Justice Delivery in FCT

ShareBy Ubong Ukpong, Abuja The House of Representatives on Wednesday, said that timely justice delivery in the Federal Capital Territory...

NEWS7 hours ago

SEC Committed to Promoting Innovation, Safeguarding Investments – Agama

ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has reaffirmed the...

NEWS7 hours ago

Sule Denies Involvement in Benue Killings, Mulls Legal Action over Allegations

ShareFrom Abel Zwanke, Lafia Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has dismissed as “Malicious and unfounded” allegations linking him to the...

NEWS7 hours ago

Residents Protest LG Boss’s Decision to Deny Approval for Hospital Project in Ilorin

ShareFrom Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin Residents of Ilorin East Local Government Area in Kwara State on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc