Imo: Uzodinma fires more salvo at Okorocha, speaks on video showing him ‘congratulating’ Ihedioha

Imo State Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma, says the embattled Governor of the State, Rochas Okorocha is the real mole in the APC.

He said this barely 24 hours after he lambasted Okorocha, declaring the governor “politically dead”.

Uzodinma, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, said it was laughable that the Imo State Governor who had all long worked against the interest of the APC in the state, South East and indeed, Nigeria, would suddenly turn around to accuse others of being moles in the party.

He noted that events preceding the governorship election in the state clearly showed that Okorocha was against the interest of APC, citing the Zonal Youth and Women Presidential Campaign rally, the APC Presidential rally in Imo State and the adoption of another political platform-Action Alliance (AA) which he mobilized state resources to get some members of the APC in Imo State to defect to, in pursuit of his son-in-law’s governorship ambition.

“The clearest evidence of this sabotage was on live television when the result of Ideato Local Government Area (Okorocha home Local Government Area) was declared as more than 70,000 in favour of AA which created a stalemate and was later illegally reduced to 40,000.The question to ask is what was the basis for reducing the result at a Local Government Area (LGA) Collation Centre?”, he asked.

The Governorship candidate stated that Okorocha had brazenly continued to work against the APC and this manifested on the governorship election day in the state when having realised that “I was cruising to victory, the Governor quickly moblised thugs dressed in military and police uniforms to snatch ballot boxes to manipulate scores in favour of the PDP candidate when it became apparent that his anointed son-in-law will not make it. It was at this point that they falsified the scores for PDP and AA.

“Prior to that, the Governor used the same thugs dressed in military and police uniforms to forcibly chase away APC Polling Agents at the various Polling Units and fielded those of the AA. So who is more of a mole in the APC than Rochas Okorocha?”.

Uzodinma said Okorocha was simply reaping the result of his anti-party activities “but instead of accepting his fate, he is busy looking for whom to latch on as a drowning man”.

On the purported report that he had felicitated with Emeka Ihedioha over the latter’s declaration as winner of the state governorship election, the APC Governorship Candidate reiterated that the video of him and Ihedioha trending on social media ”was at a different occasion, way before the election, which is a wedding ceremony”.

He said it is the handiwork of mischief makers and detractors wondering how he could have congratulated the PDP Candidate when he has vowed to challenge the outcome of the election in court to reclaim his mandate.

Debunking the claim that he (Uzodinma) ensured that only his supporters were made agents of the APC during the Governorship Elections in the South East, the Senator said that was a white lie from Okorocha, as the agents were duly approved and sent by the National headquarters of the party but that Okorocha’s hired thugs chased them away.

Uzodinma thanked his supporters and appealed to them to remain steadfast, assuring them that the APC led-Federal Government under the mature leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari would not abandon Imo State in the scheme of things.

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Rivers guber: APC, security agencies plotting to postpone polls, kidnap INEC REC -Wike

Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State has raised the alarm over alleged plot by security agencies and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to kidnap the INEC’s Resident Electoral

Commissioner (REC) of the state ahead of governorship election.

 Wike said the ploy to kidnap INEC REC was to ensure the postponement of the Governorship and State Assembly elections in the state.

Wike further exposed that the State Government had also intercepted credible intelligence that the APC also plans to use the security agencies to generate mass violence to disrupt the distribution of election materials on March 9, 2019

 Wike said this in a statement signed by Simon Nwakudu, S.A. on electronic media to Governor .

The statement read: “They are struggling to ensure that the Governorship and State Assembly elections don’t hold in Rivers State.

“The APC is planning with security agencies to kidnap the Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission REC.

 “They will send people wearing army uniforms to kidnap the Resident Electoral Commissioner so that INEC will be forced to postpone the elections.

“That is their latest strategy and so I have to let the world hear that if anything happens, they should hold the APC and security services responsible.

“These people are not kidnappers; they are security agents organised by security agencies working for APC to see that the Governorship and State Assembly elections don’t hold in Rivers state.

“These security agencies have been organised to ensure that the elections are postponed. This ugly plan has failed. I am calling on Nigerians to take note of this undemocratic plot.

“We have also gathered that the APC and security agencies plan to disrupt the distribution of electoral materials and compel INEC to postpone the Governorship and State Assembly elections

“He wondered why some politicians are keen on unleashing violence on Rivers people.

“The governor urged the people of Rivers West Senatorial District to be vigilant all through the Governorship and State Assembly elections for the purpose of ensuring that the elections hold in line with the extant laws.”

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March 9 election: INEC provides fresh updates on Saturday’s polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) are mandatory in Saturday’s governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

 Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja.

Okoye said the clarification was important going by allegations since the conduct of the Feb. 23, Presidential and National Assembly elections that INEC was selective in its use of smart card readers in its conduct of the elections.

 He said that those allegations had led to speculations that INEC may be forced to jettison the use of SCRs in the state and federal capital area council elections.

“INEC hereby states categorically that the allegations are absolutely false and the speculations are without any basis, whatsoever.

“The use of the smart card readers is not only mandatory but its deliberate non use attracts the sanction of possible prosecution of erring officials in accordance with the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections.

 “This is in addition to the voiding of any result emanating from such units or areas, as was done in the presidential and national assembly elections of February 23.

“The general public and all officials engaged for the elections are hereby informed that the commission is not reconsidering the use of these smart card readers which has greatly improved the credibility of our elections and instilled a high level of public trust in them.

“To clear any doubt or ambiguity, we wish to state that the deployment and mandatory use of SCRs in next Saturday’s elections will not only be uniformed but also universal, and the provisions of the regulations and guidelines will be strictly and vigorously enforced.

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Falana predicts what will happen in Atiku’s court case against Buhari

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has predicted that Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 23 election, will face “insurmountable legal obstacles” at the Presidential Election Petition’s Tribunal.

Falana in a statement on Tuesday, however, warned that Atiku should not be blackmailed not to take the legal step, adding that the calls prevailing on him not to approach the tribunal were uncalled for.

He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari who was declared the winner of the February 23 election, had challenged his losses in court in the successive presidential elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Falana, however, stated that the failure of successive administrations to reform the electoral process, had created insurmountable legal obstacles for election petitioners.

“The campaign that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should not seek redress is totally uncalled for.

“Aggrieved by the general elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011 conducted by INEC, Candidate Muhammadu Buhari sought redress in court.

“The chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomole and other APC leaders have had cause to claim their mandate through the court.

“Even some APC members who lost the just-concluded National Assembly elections have announced plans to challenge the return of their opponents by INEC.

“Therefore, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should not be blackmailed or begged by any group of people not to challenge the presidential election held in the country on February 23, 2019.

“Regrettably, however, the failure of the PDP and APC-led Federal Government to reform the electoral process has created insurmountable legal obstacles for election petitioners,” he said.

Falana added that “the frustration of election petitioners has been compounded by several judicial authorities”, with some decisions holding that “an election cannot be questioned on grounds of corrupt practices.

“For instance, a petitioner is required to prove that there is substantial non-compliance and that the non-compliance has substantially affected the results of the election.

“In Yussuf v Obasanjo, it was held that an election cannot be questioned on grounds of corrupt practices.

“In Falae v Obasanjo it was held that it has to be proved that financial inducement was authorised by the winner of an election.

“In Buhari v Obasanjo it was held that the onus of proving electoral malpractice rests on the petitioner.

“Several fraudulent elections have been upheld under the doctrine of substantial compliance.

“In several cases, winners of fraudulent elections that were annulled were allowed to take part in rerun elections ordered by the courts.”

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Dino Melaye: What happened in court Tuesday

Senator Dino Melaye was on Tuesday docked before an FCT High Court, Apo area of Abuja on a six-count charge, bordering on attempted suicide and attempt to escape from custody.

Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, was also charged of damage to police property, NAN reports.

The senator, however, denied committing the offences preferred against him.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji said that he was aware that the court had granted bail to the defendant when he was arraigned before him on July 25, 2018 on the same charges.

Oriji said that the earlier bail conditions, which included the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum, were still valid and should be sustained in the current charges.

In the earlier bail condition, Melaye was to produce two sureties who must be directors in the civil service, reside in the FCT, and depose to affidavits of means.

The prosecuting counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on April 24.

He said the defendant, while being conveyed in a police vehicle to Lokoja, allegedly forced his way out of the vehicle and attempted to escape.

Izinyon said that the defendant held a substance in his hand and threatened to drink it to kill himself so that he would put the police officers in trouble.

The prosecutor also said that the defendant broke the glass of the vehicle with his elbow and caused damage to police property.

He said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 148,153,173,231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code.

The counsel to the defendant, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) was, however, not in court.

The judge adjourned the case until April 5 for hearing.

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No living Nigerian has given country much like Obasanjo – Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has hailed ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for his contributions to Nigeria as a whole.

Atiku, while celebrating with Obasanjo as he clocks 82 today, described the ex-president as the “only living Nigerian that has given much to Nigeria”.

According to him, Obasanjo has given so much to Nigeria in “peacetime and at war”.

The former Vice President, on his Twitter page, wrote: “On his very happy 82nd birthday to you, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. No living Nigerian has given as much to Nigeria in peacetime and in war as you have.

“May almighty God grant you many more years in good health and continued service to Nigeria and the world at large.”

Recall that the former president had before the presidential election made a U-turn and endorsed Atiku Abubakar whom he earlier accused and condemned over corruption claims.

Obasanjo has, however, remained silent since the presidential result was announced with President Muhammadu Buhari re-elected.

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How APC govt ‘plans to scuttle’ Atiku’s case against Buhari – CUPP

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of frustrating move by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to retrieve his “stolen mandate” through the court.

 CUPP said this after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the Deputy Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN, on Monday.

Imo Ugochinyere, CUPP spokesperson, in a statement on Tuesday, said President Muhammadu Buhari was jittery and was scared of defeat in court.

 It said: “The learned Senior Advocate only went to the EFCC office in connection to the signing of bail papers for other Atiku associates who are in custody. The mode of his arrest and detention clearly shows it was upon a spontaneous realization that he was a coordinating factor in the expected legal challenge of the rigged Presidential election of 23rd February.

“Inside source within the Commission informed us that Mr. Turaki is not being questioned by EFCC officials but by a team from the Presidential villa who are only questioning him about the details of the petition of the PDP. They are questioning him on the evidences the PDP has in its possession and the location of the documents/legal Secretariat and list of witnesses.

“This is obviously with a view to storming the location, carting away relevant papers and derailing the filing of the papers in the Tribunal which must be completed within 21 days from the date of announcement of the election results.

We, therefore, make bold to say that his arrest at this time was not a mere coincidence but a well orchestrated plan to ensure that they scuttle the plan to challenge the illegality that happened on February 23 in court by making sure that the suit is not filed within the time-frame allowed by law.

“We have consistently been alerting Nigerians and friends of the country on all steps being taking by this government to stop any legal means to retrieve the mandate it stole on February 23, particularly how millions of naira from taxpayers’ money are being doled out to individuals, political parties and groups to continue to mount pressure on Alhaji Atiku to accept “defeat.”

“It is noteworthy that all these harrassments and intimidations of opposition leaders are going on without a word from the National Peace Committee that midwifed the signing of peace pact ahead of the general elections.

“How can there be peace where the people’s mandate was brazenly stolen? How can there be peace when barriers are consistently being mounted against the victim of executive theft so that he cannot seek redress in court?

“Let this desperate administration that will lose its legitimacy on May 29 know that the eyes of the world are on this country and its illegal
actions. Nigerians should not be surprised when documents begin to get missing from the Registry of the Tribunal or when indeed very strange things begin to happen.

“There is a blank cheque for the security agencies and they have been directed that there are no off-limits for them in ensuring that the PDP challenge is derailed. President Buhari should make it easy for everybody and just direct his people to announce the names of every member of the Atiku legal team for arrest and stop this deliberate groping when there is light.”

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EFCC releases Atiku Campaign Deputy DG, Turaki

The Deputy Director-General (Admin) of the Atiku Campaign Organization, Barr. Tanimu Turaki SAN, has been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His release was confirmed by Channels Television on Tuesday.

EMIRATCO recalls that PDP, had on Monday, warned that Turaki should be released immediately and unconditionally. 

 Its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement, said Turaki’s arrest and detention is part of the grand plot by the Buhari presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use state apparatus of power to intimidate PDP leaders and scuttle PDP’s determination to reclaim its February 23, 2019 Presidential election victory in court.

He said: “Since the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the PDP expressed our unwavering determination to reclaim our victory at the tribunal, being armed with overwhelming evidence, our leaders have been subjected to escalated harassments, constant threats, blackmails, cajoling and contrivances by the APC to drop our legal option.

“It is instructive to state that Tanimu Turaki was arrested and detained upon invitation by the EFCC to endorse a bail document for the Finance Director of Atiku Abubakar’s company, Babalele Abdullahi, who was arrested earlier by the commission over flimsy allegations.”

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Waec has released its West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has released its West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, WASSCE results for private candidates in the 2019 January/February Examination.

Olu Adenipekun, Head, Nigeria National Office of WAEC, announced that 39, 557 candidates obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics in the last West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates in the country.

Details later…

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Assembly election: PDP candidate raises alarm over plans to use fake police in Kogi

The Police and Directorate of State Security (DSS) have been called upon to pay special attention to Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State before and during the governorship and House of assembly elections holding on March 9.

 Alhaji Suleiman Babadoko, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Lokoja 1 Constituency, made the call on Monday in Lokoja during a press briefing.

He said that the call became necessary following reports that some political elements were planning to cause mayhem in election day.

Babadoko said that the allegations of importation of fake police and military uniforms into the state by some politicians should not be taken lightly by security agencies.

He reminded the leaderships of security agencies in the country of how armed thugs in fake police and military uniforms were used during the Aug.11, 2018 bye-election for Lokoja/Koto federal Constituency, saying that the such incident must not be allowed to repeat itself.

The candidate appealed to the police and DSS to make a special arrangement for the protection of life and property of citizens in Lokoja Local Government.

“Nigerians of voting age irrespective of their tribe and religion should be allowed to freely vote for the candidates of their choice.

“This idea of using government machinery to intimidate and harass innocent citizens because of elections must stop,” Babadoko said.

He then called on the electorate in the constituency not to succumb to intimidation and lure of money, saying that they should come out enmass on March 9 to vote for candidate of their choice.

 

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Dangote speaks saying there is a lot happening in Nigeria

Business mogul and owner of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,has broken silence on the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

 Dangote said there is a lot happening in Nigeria, and elections did not deter his companies from investing in the country.

According to him, there are better days ahead for the business community in Nigeria, despite the elections ongoing in the country.

“I think from the business community, things are going to continue to grow in terms of trajectory.

“When I say it; I mean there are quite a lot of things that are happening in Nigeria.

“We didn’t really bother whether election period or not, we have been investing heavily in the country and we would continue to invest. I think we would have better days ahead” he told Channels TV.

Dangote was recently declared as one of the top 70 billionaires in the world.

 

                                                

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Buhari sponsoring parties” – PDP mocks APC as 12 presidential candidates ask Atiku to concede

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday accused the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of bribing parties to accept him as winner of the February 23 presidential election.

 Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said this on Twitter.

He said the move will not stop PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from going to court.

 Ologbondiyan tweeted: “It doesn’t matter the number of parties sponsored by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to demand that the Peoples President, Atiku to accept the outcome of rigged February 23 presidential election.

“My advice to APCites is to return our stolen mandate or come to the tribunal.”

The spokesman spoke after twelve presidential candidates congratulated Buhari.

Acting under the aegis of Forum of Presidential Candidates and Political Parties for Good Governance, the group said at a news conference in Abuja, that the victory was deserved.

Chairman of the forum, Mr Shittu Kabir, said “we are indeed not oblivious of the fact that only one candidate will emerge as president.

”Now that the candidate of the APC, President Buhari has been re-elected, we have no qualms accepting his victory.

Kabir, who is a member of Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), appealed to Atiku, not to

contest Buhari’s victory in court.

”We urge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to disregard the advice of those asking him to challenge the outcome of the election in court.

”To borrow the popular adage in Africa, two litigants cannot resolve their differences in court and return to the same house as brothers. President Buhari and Alhaji Abubakar are brothers.

”We strongly urge Alhaji Abubakar to drop the legal option in expressing his grievances. This is consistent with the counsel of many well-meaning Nigerians, including Chief Olisa Agbakoba and General Ibrahim Babangida.

”We also believe that the former Vice President has made a mark among Nigerians of means who have positively impacted their communities.

”We think he has a lot more to contribute to developing humanity and promoting peace and progress in our nation, even without holding any political office.

”At his age, he should now avoid any action and utterances capable of fanning the embers of discord, disagreement and violent conduct. Nigeria is greater than any personal or class interest,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner having polled 15,191,847 votes as against Atiku’s 11,262,978 votes with a victory margin of 3,928,869 votes

 

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Presidential election: How Wike, Secondus caused Atiku’s defeat to Buhari Niger Delta group

The Niger Delta Freedom Volunteer Force (NDFVF), has accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of being responsible for the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar during the just concluded presidential election.

The group claimed that the leadership style of Wike and PDP’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus was responsible for Abubakar’s defeat.

NDFVF stated this in a communiqué jointly signed by its President and the Secretary, Harry Lawson and Preye Wilson and issued at the end of its emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

They also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election for another four years.

NDFVF further urged Abubakar to accept the defeat as the sincere outcome of the exercise.

The communique reads: “Atiku simply lost because Wike and Secondus hijacked the party structure to themselves before the elections, former governor of Ogun state and Director General of Atiku’s presidential campaign, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was nowhere to be found close to him again. It was just impossible for PDP to have won.

“Wike and Secondus in their selfishness sold out the party in Kano state where they would have secured more votes, by insisting that former governor of the State, Rabiu Kwankwaso take fifty five percent (55%) of the state PDP exco.

“This decision infuriated another former governor of the State, Ibrahim Shekarau and forced him out of the party to join the All Progressive Congress (APC), where he delivered the state to President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC, producing the highest votes from all states in the country.”

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Scores killed as bandits strike in Zamfara

Several persons have been killed in two communities of Shinkafi and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

The incident came less than 24 hours after Governor Abdul Aziz Yari swore to deal with bandits in the state.

The Governor had ordered security agencies to deal ruthlessly with bandits before the latest attack.

The bandits, who move in high number on motorcycles, were said to have attacked the community and Danjibga in the local government areas by residents, Nation reports.

Army spokesman of Operation Sharar Daji confirmed the two incidents.

He said the casualties and extent of damage in the attacks will be released later, stating the Commander- in- Charge of the operations has arrived the area to provide security and get on-the-spot assessment.

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Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor asked to leave office

The Nigerian government has asked the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to proceed on leave ahead of expiration of his tenure.

 Emefiele was said to have received a letter to the effect on Monday.

The financial expert has been Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria since June 3, 2014.

He was Chief Executive officer and Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc and previously the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc.

Emefiele served as Executive Director in charge of Corporate Banking, Treasury, Financial Control and Strategic Planning of Zenith Bank Plc and has been on the Management team since inception.

Emefiele was one time a director at Zenith Bank Plc and Zenith Bank (Gambia) Limited.

Before commencing his banking career, he lectured Finance and Insurance at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and University of Port Harcourt, respectively.

He is an alumnus of Executive Education at Stanford University, Harvard University (2004) and Wharton School of Business (2005).

Emefiele holds a B.Sc. degree in Finance in 1984 and an MBA Degree in Finance in 1986, both from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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APC: Tinubu speaks on‘moving against’ Ajimobi, meeting with Akala, others

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State is his partner, not rival and that his intervention in Oyo APC is to engender genuine reconciliation not to hide or supplant the governor.

 The APC leader was reacting to a report that Tinubu was moving to ban Governor Ajimobil from leading APC campaigns in Oyo and bringing back to the party’s fold, former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Tinubu described Governor Ajimobi as an excellent governor and a faithful member of the APC

“He has brought progress to the state and in serving two consecutive terms, Ajimobi made history in Oyo. He is instrumental to anything the APC can achieve in Oyo”, he said.

A statement on Monday by Tinubu’s Media Adviser, Tunde Rahman, said Asiwaju was only lending his support to the governor and APC’s efforts in the state.

It reads: “The report titled “Tinubu Bans Ajimobi from Appearing at APC Governorship Rallies” is another of SaharaReporters’ excursions into falsehood. The report claims that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu somehow has banned Governor Abiola Ajimobi from attending APC campaigns for Saturday’s governorship election in Oyo State.

“This report goes beyond a lie. It is a vindictive attempt to sow discord because the writer is angered by the APC’s success in the presidential election. Thus, the writer has cast truth aside in his angry desire to inflict some kind of electoral wound on the APC. However, the writer should refrain from this path of falsehood. It would be better for the writer to come to grips with reality and to accept the fact of the APC presidential victory and the likelihood of APC victories in most governorship elections, including that of Oyo.

“The mischief that SaharaReporters cites is not between Tinubu and Ajimobi. It is solely in the mind of SaharaReporters. By its unsubstantiated report, the medium seeks to set brother against brother. Asiwaju and Governor Ajimobi have been political brothers and allies for a long time. Their friendship existed long before SaharaReporters came to the scene and will endure long after this self-diminishing online site is no more.

“Moreover, Governor Ajimobi has been an excellent governor and a faithful member of the APC. He has brought progress to the state and in serving two consecutive terms, Ajimobi made history in Oyo. He is instrumental to anything the APC can achieve in Oyo. The truth is that Asiwaju is not trying to supplant or hide the governor. Instead, Asiwaju is lending his support to the governor’s and APC’s efforts in the state. They are partners not rivals.

“As such, he has held strategic meetings with some notable groups and important individuals. The heart of the discussions was the need for all to come together to achieve victory for APC in the March 9 governorship poll. At no time did the issue of banning anybody, talk less of Governor Ajimobi, enter into the discussions. We want and need Governor Ajimobi to be a visible figure at the forefront of this campaign during these final decisive days. He will prove pivotal to our hope for victory in the state.

“SaharaReporters betrayed its abject bias with this report. It makes absolutely no sense to even try to stop a sitting governor from campaigning in that governor’s state. Such a move would only create enmity and hinder, not help a campaign. For SaharaReporters to claim this is to claim that Asiwaju is a political novice. Asiwaju has never barred anyone from participating in a campaign. Why would he now start with Ajimobi in Ajimobi’s own state?

“In addition to not having such a negative inclination, Asiwaju wields no such power and has no desire to have such power. Ajimobi is a sitting governor who can travel his state as he pleases. Who can dare stop him? We want him in and at the rallies. Asiwaju’s intervention in Oyo was to engender genuine reconciliation. To exclude this good and able governor would have aborted this mission before it started.

“Asiwaju views Governor Ajimobi as highly disciplined and a committed and respected party leader, unlike some others who have no respect for party supremacy. The relationship between them remains solid and loyal. And one hundred false reports by one hundred SaharaReporters cannot change that reality”.

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