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Kaduna APC group tells President Tinubu not to appoint El-Rufai, cites corruption, religious bigotry

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The Kaduna Progressives Forum, an arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kaduna State has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to appoint the former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai into political office.

The political group which came into being in 2014 as a wing of APC, lamented the many failures of the former governor in the past eight years, accusing him of APC’s woeful outing during the presidential election.

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In a statement which was jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Abdullahi Garba, General Secretary, Mohammed Baba Zaria and two others, which was made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, described El-Rufai as a religious bigot.

Part of the statement read: “We are members of the All Progressives Congress operating under the aegis of Kaduna Progressives Forum and having been in existence since 2014.

“Our activities and loyalty to the party has been unalloyed, despite some leadership failures we have experienced in the past eight years of Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai as Igovernor.

“Having the future of Kaduna State and APC in mind, we are compelled to draw the attention of His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to some salient issues which he must take into consideration in assembling his cabinet and to see reasons, El-Rufai shouldn’t be given any political appointment.”

The group said El-Rufai was responsible for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP winning the presidential election in Kaduna State.

“The Presidential election which held on February 25, 2023, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP won in Kaduna State and the reason could be traced to El-Rufai’s anti-peoples’ policies in the State, particularly in his second tenure.

“He crudely demolished houses, markets without compensation and retrenched teachers and civil servants against advice of elder statesmen in the party, particularly as he was not seeking elective office after his second tenure.

“The development put the party at variance with the wishes of Kaduna people, hence, their rejection of APC at the polls.

The reminded President Tinubu of El-Rufai’s pending unaccounted N32 billion sales of FG houses during his tenure as FCT Minister, saying, he should be made to face the wrath of law.

“El-Rufai is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over N32 billion sales of Federal Government Houses when he was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the former President Olusegun Obasanjo government.

“The Civil Society Organisations and Transparency and Accountability groups have been urging the Federal Government to expedite prosecution of the former governor, given that he could not account for the money, apart from Court injunctions retraining the EFCC from investigating and prosecuting him.

“Recall that in 2019, Malam El-Rufai threatened foreigners that if they come to Nigeria and interfere in the general election, they would return to their country in “body bags”, an outburst was condemnable across the world.

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai is clearly a religious bigot. This could be best explained by the Southern Kaduna people who are predominantly Christians on how they were maltreated in the last eight years.

“Apart from the muslim-muslim governorship ticket, where he never allow Christian to deputise him, he forced a muslim woman on his successor and the development has pitched against the party.

“He created chiefdoms in Christian dominated south and appointed traditional rulers of muslim religion, thereby promoting hate and malice among the communities.

“Your Excellency, you have proven your mettle of distaste for injustice and corruption and we plead that Malam Nasir El-Rufai should not be offered a slot of appointment representing Kaduna State.”

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Echocho begins three-day training and empowerment of youths in agriculture across Ankpa Federal Constituency [Pictorials]

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The training and empowerment of youths in Agriculture in Ankpa Federal Constituency commenced on Wednesday at the conference hall of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees.

The exercise which was facilitated by the Senator representing Kogi East, Distinguished Sen Isah Jibrin (Echocho), would see to the training of youths from Ankpa Federal Constituency .

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The programme designed for beneficiaries from Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro local governments aims to equip youths with essentials agricultural knowledge while providing them with capital and seedlings, facilitated by Sen Isah Jibrin (Echocho).

Participants at the training on Wednesday

Declaring the training and empowerment open, Senator Isah who was represented by his Senior Legislative Aid, Alhaji Danlami Garba, called on the youths to be committed to the training in order to be self-employed.

He said, the youths should leverage on peace prevailing in Kogi East to get back to agriculture in order to sustain food security in line with the Federal Government’s agricultural policy, adding that the best form of security for any nation is food security.

According to him, the training of youths was part of his constituency projects targeted at youths because of their strength and passion for self development, stressing that the nation stand to benefit by redirecting their focus to self employment through agriculture, assuring that the training will be extended to other Federal Constituencies in few weeks.

He said: “As you undergo a three-day training, it’s an opportunity for you to delve into agricultural enterprise productively, leveraging on various government agricultural initiatives.

“Of course, Kogi East has rich history of agriculture that ocassioned the famous Afor Gam Gam, Ikanekpo in Ankpa, Bagana, Aja Abejukolo, Anyigba, Ejule, Aja Itobe, Oguma in Bassa and other markets which were highly patronised by people from adjoining States.

“It’s our collective resolve that the district would be returned to the good old days through agriculture, economic and empowerment that ensures that our youths are mobilised to farms in the forthcoming season.

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Anambra guber: Group purchases APC Nomination Form for Ozigbo

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Another governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial elections.

A group, Valiant Movement purchased the N50 million forms on his behalf in the party headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

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The Movement described Ozigbo as a leader whose vision, integrity, and deep-rooted connection with the people, embody the true aspirations of Ndi Anambra.

In a statement signed by the leader of the movement, Chief Teddy Ezeike, the reason for purchasing the forms for Ozigbo is to demonstrate its resolve to ensure that transformational leadership is entrenched in Anambra State this year.

According to them, “It is a rallying cry from the streets of Onitsha to the fields of Ayamelum, from the marketplaces of Nnewi to the hills of Aguata—a call for a leader who understands our struggles, shares our dreams, and possesses the competence, character, and compassion to chart a new course for Anambra.

“Valentine is the people’s choice — a rare bridge between the grassroots and the elite, between tradition and innovation, between the Anambra of today and the Anambra of our dreams.

“A multiple-award winning global CEO, one of Nigeria’s most recognisable philantropists, an international sports promoter, and an icon for youth development and excellence, Valentine’s record speaks for itself: a corporate business leader who has demonstrated excellence, a political force who has inspired millions, and a statesman whose commitment to good governance has never wavered.

“Ozigbo is a shining beacon of hope and progress in a time when Anambra yearns for true leadership and our decision to present this form to Valentine Ozigbo is an affirmation that we will no longer accept mediocrity in leadership, that we will not settle for politics as usual, that we will not allow Anambra to be governed by anything less than the best.

“We are making a statement that we deserve more, that Ndi Anambra deserve a leader who listens, understands, and delivers, that the era of empty promises and broken systems must come to an end.

“We call on all members of the All Progressives Party (APC) and lovers of democracy, all believers in progress, and all Ndi Anambra who dream of a state that works for all to rise, unite, and join us in this mission.

“The Valiant Movement has made its choice, and we urge every son and daughter of Anambra to stand with us, to stand with Valentine Ozigbo, and to stand for a future that is bold, visionary, and unstoppable”.

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June 1993 election annulment was ‘Nigerian coup, not Igbo coup’ – Senator Kalu faults IBB’s claims

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Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has declared that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election which wws won by the late business mogul, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was a Nigerian coup and not an Igbo coup, as former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) recently portrayed.

Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, Kalu said, it was an action carried out by the Military and not Igbo, thereby faulting the narrative in IBB’s book.

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“I don’t need IBB’s revelation to know that Igbos were unjustly blamed for what happened. The coup was a Nigerian coup, executed by the military. Some people failed to do their job, and unfortunately, Igbos have had to bear the brunt. That is not fair.”

The former Governor of Abia State criticised the boo,, who he said, it wasn’t detailed in naming g those who were responsible for the annulment, hence, he wanted a second edition of the book with names of those behind the annulment for Nigerians to know.

“I’m waiting for the second edition of IBB’s book because the first one did not fully capture the realities of what happened, especially concerning Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who was unfairly called names after the annulment,” he said.

Despite his criticisms, Kalu reaffirmed his respect for Babangida.

“You all know that Babangida is my master, and I will be visiting him very soon to discuss this matter. Nigerians deserve to know the names of those truly responsible for stopping the election. Not just General Sani Abacha—there were others. I was there, so I know what happened.

“IBB should name them in the second edition of his book so Nigerians can understand the full picture. People think Babangida may have omitted or altered some facts, and the truth needs to be known.”

Kalu also acknowledged that Babangida admitted that Moshood Abiola won the election, emphasizing that this should be officially recognized.

“There is no doubt that Abiola won. I believe his picture should be placed alongside those of past presidents. Even though he wasn’t sworn in, he deserves that honor.

“I appeal to President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize him posthumously and swear him in. That way, his family can receive the rights and recognition given to former presidents’ families. It would be a significant step toward healing the wounds of that period.”

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