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Election Committee Member Says Osinbajo ‘Won’ APC Presidential Primary

Published

3 years ago

June 14, 2022

Eric

A member of the All Progressives Congress’ Election Management Committee at the just-concluded Special National Convention of the party, Senator Abubakar Girei, has claimed that the actual winner of the contest is Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Girei also said those propagating the Muslim-Muslim ticket as running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the party were propagandists for their selfish interests.

According to him, the Vice President never encouraged vote-buying during the just-concluded presidential primary of the party won by the APC’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with 1,271 votes.

However, the former lawmaker, who contested the position of the National Deputy Chairman (North) but stepped down to respect the consensus arrangement that brought in Senator Abdullahi Adamu, noted that the presidential primary was free, fair, and credible.

Girei, while speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, said, “But I can tell you that the Vice President won the special convention without fear of contradiction.

“As the Vice President, he is an heir to the throne, a crown prince, who should have been given the right of first refusal in the contest in which he offered himself to serve the nation, and in which he had national acceptability.

“He had the best speech and his manifesto at the convention was the best. He identified problems and proffered solutions to them more than all other aspirants. For someone who had never contested any election before and with no politicking knowledge, to emerge third at the convention, I consider him the greatest winner of the convention.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria has lost the best presidential candidate that would have been produced.”

He added that in the “politics of today, it is very clear that the highest bidders always have their way and the election goes to not necessarily the best, but those who could buy their way in a cash-and-carry manner.”

While congratulating the former Lagos State Governor as the standard-bearer of the APC in the 2023 general election, Girei
promised to work for the overall victory of the APC from bottom to top.

“As a loyal member of the APC, I will work for the total victory of my party’s candidates from bottom to top and I’m confident that our party will emerge victorious in the general election,” he said.

Noting that the Vice President was against vote-buying, Girei said “even his friends and associates who tried to help him could only do so without his knowledge or consent.”

“His teeming supporters are those of us who are committed to his ideals out of the convictions that he has the knowledge, experience, capacity, capability, mental and physical fitness, and all that is required to transform our dear nation to greatness.

“It may also interest Nigerians to know that PYO is opposed to monetisation of our democracy and politics, and has refused to encourage delegate or vote-buying.”

On the rumoured Muslim-Muslim ticket, the APC chieftain noted that it was an issue being championed by propagandists for selfish political interest, apparently by those who were neither good Muslims nor Christians.

“Politics, however, is all about winning strategy, so in my opinion, whatever strategy can be employed to win elections, that is within the confines of the constitution, to me, it is okay,” Girei added.

The Punch

News

Obi Has Offered to Meet Farotimi’s Bail, Says Tanko Yunusa

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Eric

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has offered to meet the bail conditions of human rights lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi, according a statement by Tanko Yunusa, on X.

An Ekiti court has said Farotimi can be released on bail in a case where he’s accused of damaging Afe Babalola’s reputation.

The bail requirements are as follows: N30 million bond, two people to vouch for him (and one must own a house), give up his passport, and agree not to talk to the media.

Yunusa, who is an ally of the former presidential candidate, wrote that Obi believes in following the law and wants to see this situation resolved in a way that works for everyone.

Yunusa quoted Obi’s offer directly: “I consulted His Excellency, Peter Obi, as the leader of the Obidient Movement. As a respecter of the rule of law, due process, and order, he offered to take Dele Farotimi on the bail conditions.”

Yunusa also mentioned that Obi thanked the courts and everyone involved, saying Obi wants to see the situation resolved fairly for all parties while respecting the legal system.

News

Ekiti Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Eric

A magistrates’ court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted N30 million bail to embattled lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi.

At the hearing of the bail application on Friday, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled in favour of Farotimi’s bail request.

The magistrate stipulated that the bail conditions included two responsible sureties and required Farotimi to surrender his international passport to the court. Additionally, he was instructed not to grant media interviews while the case was ongoing.

The Ekiti Police Command had arraigned Farotimi following a petition from an elder statesman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, who accused the activist of criminally defaming him in his recently-released book.

News

Ooni Commiserates With Families of Slain Ibadan Stampede Children, Stands with Embattled Ex-wife

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Eric

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has commiserated with the families whose children died in the stampede during a funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.

“We share in the grief and pains that have engulfed the affected families. We pray that Olodumare grants them the fortitude to bear this trying time,” the monarch’s spokesman Moses Olafare said in a statement on Thursday.

At least 35 persons have been confirmed dead in a stampede that occurred at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event organised by Wings Foundation owned by a former queen at the Ooni’s Palace, Naomi Ogunseyi.

The police have arrested the ex-wife of the monarch and seven others for their various involvements in the funfair.

The police said the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigation.

Ooni’s spokesman expressed sympathy with the Government of Oyo State and the families of the children whose lives were lost in the tragedy.

The Palace also showed solidarity with the ex-queen, saying she genuinely cared for children and organised similar events in Osun State when she was queen.

The Palace spokesman said, “While at the Ile Oodua here as a queen, Miss Naomi Silekuola Ogunseyi demonstrated love and care to the children of Ile-Ife through similar events which she executed passionately to give succour to children of indigent parents every December period like this.

“The House of Oduduwa pledges to support all efforts aimed at bringing solace and healing to those affected by this devastating loss.

“The House of Oduduwa calls for immediate actions to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for rigorous adherence to safety standards and child welfare policies in educational institutions.”

“While the situation calls for solemn reflection and collective responsibility, we would want to express dismay at the unprofessional conduct of some bloggers who have chosen to sensationalize the tragic incident rather than uphold journalistic integrity.

“The House of Oduduwa encourages all stakeholders, from government officials to the media and citizens, to unite in compassion and constructive dialogue. Let us honour the memories of the departed by fostering a culture of care, respect, and accountability in our communities,” the statement added.