Adam Oshiomole reveals - ‘When I was NLC president, I mobilised Lagos ‘area boys’ for protests’

At the presidential rally in Lagos today, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole said when he was President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), he didn’t find it difficult to mobilise ‘area boys’ in Lagos for protests.

He made this remarks during the APC presidential rally held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday. According to Oshiomhole, the 16 years the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spent in power brought poverty. He also compared PDP to “barren women” tagged as “witches”, who Nigerians should “divorce”

In his words: “I don’t think there is anything new to be said in terms of giving you report of the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari over the past three and a half years. I think that has been eloquently done by Comrade Fashola, both in Yoruba, in English and probably some Latin in-between. And of course, Governor Emeritus, our National Leader, Comrade Asiwaju ‘Jagaban’ Tinubu, has also elaborated where Lagos was.

“The first quarrel I had with Asiwaju, and later, I extended it to Fashola, was that when I was President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, I didn’t have difficulties mobilising area boys under the bridge of Ojuelegba. Once we get them out, we block the bourgeoisie of Eko, Victoria Island, and other parts of the state.

“Those who know what Lagos was before Bola became the Governor, and later Fashola, now Ambode, and by the grace of God, Sanwo-Olu is coming to continue from where they stopped, will see the beauty when a state and a people are united and [bound] together by sheer commitment to embark on sustainable growth and development.”

Condemning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he continued: “My comrades, if you marry a woman for 16 years, no pikin, and even your brothers and sisters are dying and they say she’s a witch, and you divorce her; you marry another one, and in three and a half years, ‘he’ delivers on rail, power, giving Trader Moni, giving pensioners money, paying Biafran pensioners that have been forgotten, doing N-Power, creating jobs, infrastructure, why will any man or woman suggest the old [party] that for 16 years delivered poverty, corruption, mismanagement; why will you bring them back?”

Via Yabaleftonline

Exclusive News - Oshiomhole calls for united labour movement to confront challenges

Abuja – Mr Adams Oshimhole, National Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC) has called for a united Labour movement that would confront the challenges bedeviling workers welfare in the country.

Oshimhole said this at a programme in honour of the new President of the International Trade Union of Confederation (ITUC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, on Tuesday in Abuja.
On Dec. 5, Wabba, who is the president, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was elected President of ITUC in Copenhagen, Denmark for a term of four years.
ITUC is the largest trade union federation in the world and represents 207 million workers across the globe with 331 labour centres in 163 countries.

Oshimhole said that the unity had become necessary as there were a lot of distractions to divide the labour movement in the country.
He said: ”I congratulate Comrade Wabba. But this must force us to do serious reflections if we are going to preside over the workers of the world.
“What do we do to deal with the distractions at home when we still have some of our brothers and comrades who still think that at this time, we can make sense out of a divided labour movement.
“The slogan that united we stand, divided we fall will always be valid. I hope that the spirit of your election will touch the heart of those who seems to be confused. There can be no question that united we stand, divided we fall.

“There is only one organised Labour and I am happy that President Muhammadu Buhari, speaking through the lips of the Vice President has reassured Nigeria Labour Movement that his government will not provide a platform for anyone to factionalism Organised Labour.
“You are not under the kind of threat that we faced when I was President of NLC when the former President sent a law to the National Assembly, not only to deregister the NLC, but also to make it possible for any three or four unions to form a Labour Centre,” he said.
He said that Buhari believed that the country needed more national institutions and that organised Labour was a potent unity bridge that must be sustained.
He added that under this government, there would not be another registered Labour Centre in the country.

“We need to be fired by the spirit of our people to work together and deal with all the issues that are bedeviling our country,” he said.
He therefore, charged the new president of the ITUC to confront the new challenges as it concerns trade unions around the world.

Also speaking, Mr Mustapha Boss, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said the Presidency was delighted about the international recognition.
“I want to congratulate Comrade Ayuba and assure you that as a government, we will give you all the support that you desire to succeed, because we believe that from this elevation, you have become ambassador of Nigeria to the international arena.

“They will watch you as they will watch the President of Nigeria because by extension, every decision you take there within the context of the fact that you are first a Nigerian before leading the world.
“I plead with you that in your representation, let the spirit of excellence with which you have led in this country be reflected in your leadership so that for once, it will be adjudged by the entire world that Nigerians are competent, efficient, and effective when it comes to the provision of leadership.
Boss however said that Nigeria would continue to give effective leadership to the different organisations to which Nigerians have been appointed.

Vanguardngr - (NAN)

Uche Nwosu, Adams Oshiomole will give me back Imo APC ticket

By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri The former Chief of Staff to Imk state governor Rochas Okorocha, Uche Nwosu, yesterday said the National chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomole, will give him back the Imo APC, guber ticket before December 1.

Nwosu disclosed this newsmen at the Sam Mbakwe airport in Owerri, Imo state, adding that he has full assurance that the ticket would be given to him soon.

He also said that there was no plan by him (Nwosu) to join the Democratic Alternative, DA, party as alternative to pursue his governorship ambition, should the APC, fail to give him the ticket.

via vanguard

Exclusive Update: Adams Oshiomhole Meets With APC Governors

The National chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, is meeting with Governors under the party at his campaign office along Aso Drive in Abuja.

Further report had it that the Governors had earlier met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The reason for the meetings is due to the controversies that have trailed the party’s governorship and senatorial primaries in some states such as Zamfara, Ondo, Kaduna and Ogun.

The meeting with Buhari was attended by Eight Governors and lasted for over an hour.
The Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, while speaking briefly with State House correspondents, state that they were in the villa to “review the various crises characterising our primaries especially the APC with a view to finding solution .”

Okorocha also said they met Buhari to find a way out of the crises.
“So, we are looking for a way out in this regard. We are going to find solution, our party believes in justice, equity, and fairness.
“We are requesting that let the right thing be done and let everyone contest the elections, ” he added.

NEWS - APC presidential, gov aspirants to pay N45m, N22.5m for nomination forms

The All Progressives Congress will today (Wednesday ) begin the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms to its aspirants for the 2019 elections .

The APC, in a statement on Tuesday, said that during the sale of the forms, which would end on September 10 , a presidential aspirant would pay N 45 m , as against N 55 m reportedly fixed by the party last week .

With the sale of the forms closing on Monday , it means those seeking elective posts on the platform of the APC have six days to pay the fees .
According to the party, each presidential aspirant will pay N 5 m for expression of interest form and N 40 m for the nomination form .
It added that a governorship aspirant would pay N 2 . 5 m for expression of interest form and N 20 m for nomination form making it N 22 . 5 m .

For a senatorial ticket , an aspirant will pay N 1 m for the expression of interest form and N 6 m for a nomination form .
The House of Representatives aspirant will pay N 3 . 85 m , including N 350 ,000 for the expression of interest form and N 3 . 5 m for the nomination form .
The APC asks a House of Assembly aspirant to pay N 850 , 000 , including N 100 ,000 for the expression of interest form and N 750 ,000 for the nomination form .
It, however , gave a 50 per cent discount for female and physically challenged aspirants.

Recall that in 2014, those who sought the presidential ticket of the party paid N 27 m for both forms (expression and nomination).

Incumbent governors , who ran for a second term paid N 10 . 5 m , while fresh aspirants paid N 5 . 5 m
Incumbent senators paid N 5 . 3 m , while fresh aspirants paid N 3 . 3 m . Members of the House of Representatives , who sought re-election , paid N 3 . 2 m , while fresh aspirants coughed up N 2 . 2 m . In the 36 states , sitting lawmakers in the Houses of Assembly paid N 800 , 000 , while fresh aspirants paid N 550 , 000 ,
Besides the fees, the APC on Tuesday stated that its nationwide congresses to elect delegates would be held on September 12 , while on September 13 and 14 appeals arising from the congress would be heard .

It added that from September 15 to September 18 , aspirants who had purchased forms would be screened .
On September 19 and September 20 , there will be appeals arising from the screening of aspirants to various posts.

According to the APC, its presidential primary would hold on September 20 and its appeals on September 22 . It added that it would hold its governorship primaries on September 25 and its appeals on September 26 and 27 .

The APC will hold its senatorial and House of Representatives primaries from September 27 to September 29 , while state assembly primaries will take place on October 2 and their appeals

via punchng

UPDATE President Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu arrive for crucial NEC meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo , and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress have arrived the APC National Secretariat for the party’s National Executive Council meeting .

The party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole , is leading other members of the National Working Committee to the meeting .
President Buhari arrived the venue at about 11 : 20 am .

MORE NEWS DETAILS - PUNCHNG

Adams Oshiomole, APC will be fair, just during primaries

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress says the party’s preparation for the forthcoming general elections , particularly how to conduct transparent primaries formed the major discussion held during the party’s caucus meeting held on Tuesday night.

Oshiomhole disclosed this in an interview with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja .
He said the party would ensure that all its activities ahead of the elections were in conformity with the nation ’ s constitution and the Electoral Act .

The former Edo State Governor also promised that the party’ s leadership would ensure that the principles of internal democracy are followed .
He said, “The meeting just had a conversation around the forthcoming primaries .

“As you know, based on INEC timetable on primaries , this is the season from the President down to House of Assembly and the exercise must end on October 7 , according to INEC guidelines.

via PUNCH
“We are obliged to comply with the guidelines because the guidelines are derived from the provisions of the Electoral Act .
“So , we basically discussed how to ensure full compliance with the INEC guidelines and also ensure that we observe all the principles of internal democracy, participation , ensuring fairness and justice .
“I think those are the issues basically. ” Oshiomhole indicated that the resolutions reached at the caucus meeting would be tabled before the party’s National Executive Committee at its meeting holding on Thursday.

He said it was after the NEC had ratified the outcome that it would be made public.“By Thursday we will go to NEC where the formal decisions will be rectified and once they are rectified there will be no problem ; they are not being kept because every member of the party and indeed Nigerian are entitled to know how we agreed about the exercise .

“But I think everybody has confidence that we will do very credible primaries to ensure that those who fly the flag of the party have the mandate of their various constituencies,’’ Oshiomhole said.

via punchng

POST - APC , PDP Test Might In Katsina , Bauchi, Kogi Today

In the aftermath of the gale of defections that blew across the All Progressives Congress (APC ) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the two leading political parties in the country will today test their might and popularity in the senatorial and House of Representatives by -elections holding in Katsina , Bauchi and Kogi states.

Weekend gathered that there is tension in the two political parties at the national level over the by -elections to fill the vacant seats in the federal legislature .
Stakeholders who spoke to our correspondent from both camps said the two parties consider the polls crucial because it would determine how Nigerians view them after the gales of defection in both the APC and PDP.

In Bauchi, Senator Isa Misau caused a major upset for the APC few weeks ago when he joined 13 other Senators that defected from ruling party to the PDP , while another Senator from Kogi State , Senator Dino Malaye , was also among the 14 APC Senators that defected to.
In Katsina State , two brothers from the same parent, Kabir Babba Kaita of the PDP and his younger brother , Ahmad Babba Kaita of the APC , are the two major contenders who will slug it out in the senatorial bye -election for Katsina North district today .

The seat became vacant last April following the death of Senator Mustapha Bukar, an APC lawmaker.
The elder Kaita , a retired Customs officer , had emerged the PDP candidate by consensus as his only opponent, Mani Nasarawa, withdrew from the race before the primary polls .
Ahmad Babba Kaita , a serving member of the House of Representatives, received the highest votes of 1 , 723 to beat 10 other aspirants during his party ’s primary election for the senatorial seat .

The Katsina State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa , said four other political parties are expected to contest the seat alongside the APC and the PDP .
During the APC rally held on Thursday in Katsina , Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had said that the APC must win Saturday’ s Katsina North senatorial district by -election .
He stated that the party ’s victory at the poll would honour the late Senator Mustapha Bukar who occupied the position before he died on April 4 this year.

Osinbajo added that APC victory would also ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari who hails from the senatorial zone would be honoured as the party ’s leader.
In Bauchi, the APC candidate in today ’s Bauchi South senatorial by -election , Hon Lawal Yahaya Gumau , said all the wards that constitute Toro federal constituency which he represents have felt the impact of his representation at the National Assembly and that he is sure of victory in the by -election .
But the PDP in the state said the “APC is jittery of losing the senatorial seat in their desperation for power apparently to used it to impeach Saraki” .

The PDP Bauchi spokesman , Alhaji Yayanuwa Zainabari , stated that APC is no longer popular and accepted among Nigerians having failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people , stressing that the PDP is the party to beat in today ’s senatorial bye -election .

He said, “They know the party is not popular again ; that is why they are hell bent in intimidating even their supporters resulting to the recent gale of defections to PDP which prompted Buhari’ s leave for England apparently to recover from the shock he suffered from the defections of Saraki and others. ”

 Leadership 

Bukola Saraki to Adams Oshiomhole - One million of you can not remove me from office

Senate president Bukola Saraki has replied Adams Oshiomhole who called for his resignation yesterday.

In his response which was released by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said Oshiomole is behaving like a rain-beaten chicken.
Read his statement below

Response to Adams Oshiomhole

1. It is rather surprising that Mr. Adams Oshiomhole is behaving like a rain-beaten chicken, crying all over the place about Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as if the Senate President is the apparition haunting his life and the sinking ship that he captains.

2. Having decided not to join the pigs in rolling in the dirt; we would not like to be involved in any meaningless exchange with the demagogue now in charge of APC. However, because he claimed that he was reacting to the issues raised by the Senate President during his World Press Conference, we thought it necessary to give the APC chairman some attention.
Alas, we found that instead of addressing any issue raised by the Senate President, his press conference merely showcased his obsession and those of his sponsors with Saraki’s removal, which he did without any decorum befitting of his age or his awarded office. He brimmed with hate, hurled abuses, threw tantrums, told lies, huffed, puffed. In the end, he said nothing.

3. It is indeed amazing that the same Oshiomhole, who is now describing Saraki as a politician of no consequence was the same one who only a few months ago was crawling all over the place pleading for Saraki’s support to become chairman. We are sure that those who took him to Saraki several times to plead his case must now be thoroughly embarrassed by his reckless and uncouth manner.

4. By his conduct and utterances, Oshiomhole, who accused Saraki of not acting in national interest needs to do more to convince Nigerians that his desperate desire to become party chairman is not simply to feed his over-

5. The position of Oshiomhole and his cohorts in the APC that the Senate President must resign is a mere wishful thinking. They will continue to dream about their planned removal of the Senate President. They will need 73 Senators to lawfully remove Dr. Saraki and they will never get that in the present eight Senate.

6. The argument of APC that the Senate President must come from a majority party; that the Senate Presidency is their crown  and National Assembly is their palace is only supported by ignorance and dangerous delusion. First, the issue of which party is in the majority will only be resolved when the Senate resume. Two, Section 50 (1) (a) of the constitution is clear that any Senator can be elected as Senate President. If the only thing left of the APC change agenda is to change the Senate President we can only wish them goodluck.

7. Perhaps, Mr. Oshiomhole needs to be better educated about our parliamentary history when he Stated that “For the first time in parliamentary history in Nigeria, we had a situation where the APC had majority of Senators and went on to elect a PDP as Deputy Senate President”. Where is Mr. Oshiomhole when Senator John Wash Pam of the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) became Deputy Senate President in the Second Republic even when the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had the majority. The same thing happened in the House of Representatives when NPP’s Rt. Hon. Edwin Umeh Ezeoke was elected Speaker in an NPN majority House. But then, it would require a level of education to understand these things.

8. What hypocrisy! To think that this same APC were jubilating when Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal retained his position after he defected from the PDP and still retained his seat, even when his new party was in the minority. These are people whose standards of morality are infinitely elastic.

9. We are sure the remaining APC Senators need to do a lot of work to bring Oshiomhole up to speed about parliamentary practice. His ignorance are too clear in his comments about how the Senate was adjourned on July 24, 2018, the distribution of committee chairmanship in the Senate and the difference between the post of Senate President and Minority Leader.

10. He has made so much song and dance about Mr. Godswill Akpabio resigning as Senate Minority Leader when he left the PDP to join APC. For this, Akpabio has become his hero and a symbol of honour. He obviously does not understand that the post of Minority Leader is a strictly party affair. And the PDP simply decided who to give it as it is not even a position that was mentioned in the constitution. Whereas, the Senate President position is a constitutional creation, which required majority votes of all the members. Again, we don’t expect people whose only experience in politics is at the provincial levels to understand this. No wonder they are talking of crowns and inheritance.

11. The fair distribution of the Committee chairmanship is one of the stabilizing factors in the 8th Senate and has helped it in achieving more than all its predecessors.

12. We need to inform this divisive element who now leads APC that if he wants to know why the 2018 budget was delayed, he should ask the heads of the MDAs. We reckon that should be easy for him since he is now their ‘headmaster’, moving around with canes to whip ministers into line.

13. Oshiomhole once again demonstrated his lack of sense of history by talking of Buhari winning more votes in Kwara than Saraki. We are sure President Buhari himself will disagree with the APC chairman. We invite the APC chairman to look at the figures of votes secured by the President in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 to know that the difference is clear, like a commercial advert stated.

14. We hereby assure this garrulous, tactless and reckless APC chairman that a million of Adams Oshiomhole cannot remove Saraki as Senate President. His illegal plots, can only feed his insatiable ego and keep him awake at nights. But it will remain an exercise in futility.
Signed
Yusuph Olaniyonu

National APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomole appoints Akpabio as APC leader in Akwa Ibom State

National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomole announced Senator Godswill Akpabioas the new APCleader in Akwa Ibom State during the mega rally in Ikot Ekpene that saw the senator defecting into the ruling party.Oshiomole described Akpabio as an uncommon transformer for pulling a mammoth crowd to the Ikot Ekpene Stadium.

Oshiomole appoints Akpabio as APC leader in Akwa Ibom State.Oshiomhole said:“Today (yesterday) is historic in the life of our party (APC). For too long, when I was governor of Edo State,even now my successor, Godwin Obaseki, we have always said that in the whole of the Southsouth, it is only in Edo State that APC has a governor.We are determined to find other states in the Southsouth to joinforces with Edo State to sustain the changes that Nigeria badly requires”.

“There are people who are giving the impression that AkwaIbom State belongs tothem, but today, with what my eyes have seen (mammoth crowd), in February next year, the great people of Akwa Ibom State will effect a change, under the leadership of a man of honour, Akpabio, who did what other people failed to do, bysaying enough of the umbrella that has been badly shattered by terrible political weather, after misruling Nigeria for 16 years.What other people areafraid to do, Akpabio did it after deep reflection and he listened to the yearnings of his people, by sacrificing the title of Minority Leader of the Senate to join the APC. Akpabio did what Senator Bukola Sarakiis unable to do and hehas shown that the people of the Southsouth zone can be different, where it matters.

We can stand up and be counted.I know that with your (Akpabio’s membership of our great party (APC), we will benefit from your uncommon transformational qualities that you demonstrated while you were the governor of this great state. You (Akpabio) are an uncommon defector.There are ordinary defectors, who want to move, but they want to steal the crown. We have an uncommon rally in Ikot Ekpene. 

“Akwa Ibom people are united that in 2019, under the leadership and guidance of Akpabio, this state will join the states of progressive governance.

ADAMS OSHIOMOLE, We’ll humiliate Saraki, Ortom in 2019

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has opened up on the strategy he will deploy to defeat defectors like Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Samuel Ortom and Aminu Tambuwal in Kwara, Benue and Sokoto states respectively. He therefore called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to remove thieves and looters who believe it is their birthright to continue to loot the country.

Fielding questions on unfolding political development in the country, Oshiomhole said the interest of Nigeria was greater than the sum total of the political parties. “We must engage and engage and pro-attack whether they call me attack dog. I will rather be an attack dog than be a mushroom eater. I asked you to understand that what is at stake is beyond the APC and the PDP. Nigeria is much more than the sum total of all the political parties.
“We will see who is who next year February. In Edo, they made this argument that politics is different from labour, we used labour tactics to humble them and they became converted. Exactly the same way we used it in Edo, we will use it either in Kwara, Benue or Sokoto or anywhere.

“Be fair in your reportage, this is not about me, it is not about them, it is about the Nigerian people. For those questioning my choice of style, I will not adopt the ruling class tactics to deal with a cankerworm of disease. I offer different style in order to get different outcome”, he said.
While addressing party supporters who came to welcome him at the Benin Airport on his way to Delta State yesterday, he stated that working with the President, he would ensure that government focuses on the people, rather than a few at the expense of the majority, adding that government must do everything possible to ensure that those who work have something to show for their labour.

“We must support the President and the APC to remove all those thieves, all those looters who believe it is their birthright to continue to loot; those who say that their purpose in government is for juicy contracts not for the welfare of the people.”
The APC National Chairman who expressed his gratitude to the people, promised that he will represent their feelings, their aspirations and meet their expectations as far as the running of the party was concerned.

“At this point, I am very clear: we will have to fight odds on the basis of our conviction and we will adjust our style; we will not borrow other people’s style. I am very proud of my working class background and we will bring those values into the leadership and management of the All Progressives Congress”, he said.
In apparent response to youths and party faithful clamouring for attention from the state government, Oshiomhole said: “I assure you that I will work together with our governor and ensure that any error, any concern that you have that they are addressed satisfactorily.

“And I want to assure you that the tradition of carrying our people along will be sustained; you represent what I call our infantry division, you are the ones on election day who ensured that our voters come out, you are the ones who ensured that the PDP rigging machine was defeated. We must keep you as a standing force, together we will march on and will ensure that everyone who works is looked after.”

Adams Oshiomole urge Nigerians to Support Buhari, APC to stop looter

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday, called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to remove thieves and looters who believe it is their birthright to continue to loot the country.
He made the call while addressing party supporters who came to welcome him at the Benin Airport on his way to Delta State.
Oshiomhole stated that working with the President, he would ensure that government focuses on the people; that government will not focus on the welfare of the few at the expense of the majority and that government must do everything possible to ensure that those who work have something to show for their labour.
“We must support the President and the APC to remove all those thieves, all those looters who believe it is their birthright to continue to loot; those who say that their purpose in government is for juicy not for the welfare of the people.”
The APC National Chairman who expressed his gratitude to the people, promised that he would represent their feelings, their aspirations and meet their expectations as far as the running of the party was concerned.
He continued, “At this point I am very clear, we will have to fight odds on the basis of our conviction and we will adjust our style; we will not borrow other peoples style.
“I am very proud of my working class background and we will bring those values into the leadership and management of the All Progressives Congress”, he said.
In apparent response to youths and party faithful clamouring for attention from the state government, Oshiomhole said: “I assure you that I will work together with our governor and ensure that any error, any concern that you have that they are addressed satisfactorily.
“And I want to assure you that the tradition of carry our people along will be sustained; you represent what I call our infantry division. You are the ones on election day who ensure that our voters come out. You are the ones who ensure that the PDP rigging machine was defeated.

“We must keep you as a standing force. Together we will match on and will ensure that everyone who works is looked after.
“I know there are people with all kinds of stories but let me assure you that after the storm the weather will settle.
“Trust me, as you have not abandoned me, I will never abandon you and to our youths, I want to particularly appeal to you; don’t lose faith.

“There will be work, there will be participation; there will be involvement, there will be crucifix we will not throw away anybody.
“Nobody will be used and dumped. If yesterday has come beautiful, tomorrow will be better”, the APC National Chairman said.
Earlier in an interview, he spoke on unfolding political scenario in the country and said the interest of Nigeria was greater than the sum total of the political parties.
Oshiomhole continued, “We must engage and engage and pro-attack whether they call me attack dog. I will rather be an attack dog than be a mushroom eater.

“I asked you to understand that what is at stake is beyond the APC and the PDP. Nigeria is much more than the sum total of all the political parties.
“We will see who is who next year February. In Edo, they made this argument that politics is different from labour, we used labour tactics to humble them and they became converted.

“Exactly the same way we used it in Edo, we will used it either in Kwara, Benue or Sokoto or anywhere.
“Be fair in your reportage, this is not about me, it is not about them, it is about the Nigeria people. For those questioning my choice of style.
“I will not adopt the ruling class tactics to deal with a cankerworm of disease. I offer different style in order to get different outcome”, he said.

ADAMS OSHIOMOLE - Defectors are big masqueraders without electoral value

The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole , on Tuesday met with President Buhari a few hours after some members of the party in the National Assembly dumped the party.

Oshiomhole told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting with the President that he and the party were not disturbed by the gale of defection.

He said, “ My attitude is like I have told you before, as the National Chairman, I am committed to listening to very legitimate grievances and engaging all those who are aggrieved that we can see through their grievances , but I insist that I will not miss sleep for one minute over mercenary activities.
“I have said it and I want to repeat it that this business of governance must be driven by men and women of honour .

“If the only motivation is personal interest ; ‘ what is in it for me ?’ ‘What have I gained?’ and ‘ How many people have I done xyz for ?’ If that is the basis, the earlier those in this business of personal gains return to where they belong , the better.
“This party that I am privileged to chair is not worried at all , we are not disturbed . I am not going to miss my sleep and we will go into the campaign .

“Check the electoral results , you will find that a lot of those who claimed to have defected , on a good day, the votes they got that made them members of the Senate, our President got much more votes in their constituencies. So , we are not fooled at all .
“The thing going on is that you have a lot of so - called big masqueraders with very little and no electoral value . ”

Oshiomhole said he had tried his best in trying to give comfort to those who claimed to be aggrieved .
He however said he would not appease those who had other hidden agendas that were not negotiable.
He said those under such category were those who expected a level of personal return and the system was not delivering .
The party chairman said he was happy that over time, water would find its level.

He added, “If you remember what I said the day I formally declared my interest to contest ; I said to be a progressive party means we must be clear that it cannot be a party for everyone.

via punchng

“We have to be sure that you subscribe to the values and ideals of a progressive party. If indeed you belong to the extreme right , and you mistakenly find yourself in a progressive party, obviously that is not where you belong .
“As soon as you realise that you can’ t adjust to the requirement of the progressive, which is people - driven , people - based , people - oriented and you choose to return to the right wing where you know that the name of the game is, share the money , it is your choice . ”

On the adjournment of Senate plenary, Oshiomhole said it was their choice if the lawmakers found it more politically convenient to suspend the process of legislation ahead of time because it was not convenient for their political interests .
He also said he was not privy to the circumstances surrounding the reported siege at the houses of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, hence he could not comment on it.

“To be very honest with you, it is better you formalise where you belong and be properly identified by your father ’s name than purporting to bear my name and you are working for my opponent .
“Every observer knows that there has been opposition to this APC government, that opposition has come within the ranks of members of the APC , some in the National Assembly .

“I mean , how can we be in the majority for example and we use that majority to elect opposition to take the number two slots in our own party ? How could we have been in the majority and the President makes nominations and those nominations are lying on the floor of the Senate and the Senate will not confirm those nominations?
“Even if that Senate was formally led by the opposition , the issue will be much clearer. But they have become much more complicated when those refusing to confirm the nominees purport to be members of our party . The earlier everybody properly identifies where he belongs in my view, the better.
“It is not in anybody ’ s interest , certainly not in the national interest that we continue to patch this democracy in a way that birds that are incompatible find themselves in the same nest .

“The point I have been trying to make is that we need to build a political party that goes beyond the platform for election . So , if you find that you can’ t win because there is somebody in your constituency in the same party then you jump to other party so that you can win . And once the election is over we wait for the next four years , that ’ s not good enough ,” he added.

OSHIOMOLE says, If President condones disrespect for his office, I’ll not condone same for the party

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress , Adams Oshiomhole , on Monday lamented that ministers are taking advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari ’s “fatherly disposition ” by not being up and doing in the various ministries they head .

He also threatened to prevail on Buhari to sack such ministers from the federal cabinet , adding that if President Buhari condones disrespect for his office, he will not condone disrespect for the party.
Oshiomhole handed down the threat during an interview with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja .

He said the APC under his leadership would not continue to tolerate ministers who abuse their offices and disrespect President Muhammadu Buhari by refusing to carry out his orders.
The former Edo State Governor said if Buhari decided to condone disrespect for his office , he would not allow any government official to disrespect the party.
He said, “You know, we must return to internal discipline. You cannot purport to be an honourable minister and you act dishonourably. Nobody is greater than the party.
“If the President condones disrespect for his office , I will not condone disrespect for the party .
“And when we expel the minister, we will prevail on the President that he can’ t keep in his cabinet people who have neither respect for his own decisions nor have respect for the party without which they would not have been ministers .
“There are no independent candidates in our system. Nobody , I emphasise, no minister is above the party and they have taken undue advantage of the President ’ s fatherly disposition . ”
Oshiomhole said it was the same “green pen ” that made them ministers that also appointed the board members that they are refusing to inaugurate.
He said it was illegal for a minister in a democracy to subvert the powers of the boards because the laws establishing the institutions are clear.
The party chairman said he was sure that affected ministers did not have the President ’ s backing in their actions .
He added, “ When a minister sits in his office to appropriate the powers of the board in a democracy — not in a dictatorship — and award contracts that didn ’ t go though boards, those are clear abuse of office for which they are liable.

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“I am convinced that what they are doing is not with the endorsement of Mr . President . Over the period, they have tried to drop the President ’s name, but I tell them it is the same authority that appointed these people .
“So , we are informing them that it is either they comply with the President’ s instructions or they comply with the party ’s position or they go and administer outside the government.

“We have respect for ministers , but only to the extent that they recognise that they are products of a political party and we are not negotiating that .
“If they did that in the past, under our leadership we will not tolerate it.
“They either comply or we will expel them from the party .
“When we expel them, we will find out how a government can keep a rebel in the cabinet .
“There is no question about that . ”