APC website has been hacked

The All Progressives Congress(APC) on Saturday said its official website, apc.com.ng, had been hacked with unauthorised content posted on its pages.

Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, who disclosed this in a statement, said he had directed for the site to be taken down.

“Our attention has just been drawn to the fact that the APC’s official website, apc.com.ng, has been hacked with unauthorised content posted on our pages.

“I have instructed that the site be taken down. Steps are underway to clean it up, strengthen the security and restore it as soon as possible.
“We won’t allow desperate people to succeed in their evil plots,” the APC spokesman said.

Exclusive Update: Ogun APC protesters, security operatives trade words at INEC HQ

There was tension on Thursday at the Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission as protesters from Yewa Senatorial District in Ogun State exchanged words with security operatives .

The protesters numbering over 200 under the aegis of Masses Against Electoral Fraud , are all members of the All Progressives Congress and Yewa Collective Action Movement .
They were protesting against the alleged irregularities which produced Dapo Abiodun as the governorship candidate of APC in Ogun State .
As early as 8 :30am , the protesters bearing anti -APC placards , including “ INEC must disqualify Dapo Abiodun ” and “ Security agencies should investigate Dapo Abiodun ” , marched towards INEC office .

But they were barred from getting close to the electoral commission headquarters by a combined team of security agencies , who insisted that the protesters cannot block the road .
While the security agencies were asking them to move or regret their actions , the protesters said they were on a legitimate mission .
The protesters insisted on going into the INEC office , even as the police and officers of the Department of State Services threatened to shoot at them if they do not go back .
The protesters went ahead with the protest and thereafter proceeded to APC national secretariat .

The spokesperson of the protesters and chieftain of APC in Ogun state, Ishola Adeshina , told The PUNCH that “ the emergence of Dapo Abiodun is a fraud . ”
He called on the chairman of INEC , Prof . Mahmoud Yakubu and the relevant organs of the commission not to recognise Dapo Abiodun until all cases were settled .

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President Buhari deserves second term, Abia APC chieftain declares

Mr Chidike Ukauwa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term, in spite of misgivings by some Nigerians over the performance of the administration.

Ukauwa said this during an interaction with members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia council on Friday. He said that Buhari’s administration had acquitted itself in the effort to enhance the nation’s socio-economic development.

He cited the various economic interventions by the Federal Government to states, including the bailout fund, as part of the administration’s initiatives to stabilise the economy.“It was during this administration that states were given bailout fund to enable them pay salaries. This is the first time in the history of Nigeria.“Buhari has also initiated programmes and projects that have positive impact on the people.“He is the Messiah of Nigeria today and looking at his performance, he deserves a second term,” said Ukauwa, who claims to be the president’s die-hard supporter. Ukauwa, who was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, announced his withdrawal from the race.

He said that he decided to stepdown for Uche Ogah, one of the front line governorship aspirants, who he described ashis master. He said, “I want to say that I am not withdrawing because I have been settled by Ogah.“No, I have not been settled, he has not given me any dime,” he said, while debunking the rumour that he was settled.“Ogah is my master and I do not want to fight him,” Ukauwa said. He described the aspirant as credible and imbued with the leadership qualities to liberate Abia from bondage.“Abia needs a credible candidate that would help to salvage the state from many years of slavery, misrule, exploitation and underdevelopment.”He said that present and past leaders in the state did little or nothing to transform the state.

Ukauwa regretted that 27 years after the creation of Abia, Umuahia, the state capital, still looked like a glorified village.He urged the Presidency, state and national leadership of APC to ensure the conduct of free and credible primaries in Abia.“I urge other chieftains of our party to join me to ensure the emergence of a credible candidate,” adding that any attempt to manipulate the process would be unacceptable to members.“

There would be no imposition in Abia APC and I want the world and Abians in particular to know that there is no zoningin APC.“Let all the aspirants be allowed to contest the primaries, whether direct or indirect,” he said.Ukauwa however faulted the APC leadership over the high cost of the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.He said: “The cost of the forms contradicts the administration’s acclaimed fight against corruption.“It was a conspiracy against the Nigerian youth and has defeated the objective of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Law.”

via Vanguardngr

Ex-Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Timi Frank praise Yakubu Dogara for dumping APC

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, for dumping the ruling party for the opposition party,People Democratic Party (PDP), describing the decision as “courageous and in interest of the country.”

Frank said Dogara’s decision to change his political party is a right decision expected of a true patriot, “who can no longer be identified with failures of the current APC administration.”He was however shocked that the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole,who recently praised the Speaker could suddenly come out to condemn him over his decision to change party.

Recall that Oshiomohle had expressed confidence in Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of House of Representatives recently. Precisely on August 10, 2018, these were Oshiomhole’s words on Dogara: “The APC as a party and myself as Chairman, we have confidence in Hon. Dogara. I have had very useful interactions with him. We have had couple of meetings. He has shared with me in trust, his concerns that have to do with issues in Bauchi state and I have taken steps to address those issues to the best of my ability and I have shared with him that I am excited that we are getting very positive results. So, Hon. Dogara has no problem whatsoever with the APC and he did not do anything similar to what Sen. Saraki did. He emerged as Speaker and he also ensured as a patriot that an APC member emerged as Deputy Speaker.

He was not so desperate as to mortgage that position to PDP in order to cling on to his speakership. He knew the difference between personal interests and his party interests.”Therefore , the question begging for an answer by the APC National Chairman is whathas changed that warranted his latest attack on the Speaker?“Is it because Dogara honourably resigned his membership of APC in the interest of Nigeria? Oshiomhole and other few leaders remaining in APC should know that Nigerians are tired of the kind of change their party has brought on them.“Is it the rise on the number of people loosing their means of income daily, high number of people committing suicide, hunger, high inflation, killings and all kinds of backwardness the country is going through?“I have said it even before I left the evil characterized APC that the party does not have what it takes to move Nigeria forward.

So, I have to commend the Speaker Dogara for his courage, not minding the position he is holding but decided to join forces with others to rescue Nigeria from the evil hands of the current handlers,” Frank stated. The former APC spokesman, while assuring that more APC lawmakers in the lower chamber will soon join Hon. Dogara in the PDP by the time the House resumes,also declared that “the Speaker is not bothered about the empty threat of impeachment by the APC and its national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole."

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Emmanuel Uduaghan Revealed Why He dumped PDP for APC

The immediate past governor of Delta State , Dr . Emmanuel Uduaghan, who has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress , said he ditched his former party owing to President Muhammadu Buhari ’ s “passionate” interest for the development of the Niger Delta region .

Uduaghan in a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday morning and titled “Moving On To The Bigger Playing Field”, the former governor noted that despite Buhari inability to score the required 25 per cent in the 2015 election in the region , he has given direct focus to the development of the region . While listing some of the development efforts by Buhari ’s government, Uduaghan said, “Since the inception of the current All Progressives Congress , APC, administration at the federal level, there has been an encouraging interest and activities by President Muhammadu Buhari to bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis .

This has pointed in a direction that is at once progressive and developmental.
“Topmost in these activities are the ‘Engagement Processes . ’ Rather than using the military to harass our people , the Buhari administration has embarked on various engagement processes that have led to agreements and brought hope to the people of the Niger Delta . In the last years , Mr . President has personally engaged several regional leaders and youths . Senior officials of his administration also engaged many Niger Delta leaders and youths .

“Very significant is that Mr . President mandated the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN , to visit virtually all the oil producing states, engaging various stakeholders . This is unprecedented in the history of the region . Such engagement processes have brought some measure of peace in the Niger Delta. Things can only get better . ”
The former governor who is contesting the Delta South Senatorial District in 2019 , called on leaders in region to support efforts being made by the present administration to bring lasting peace to the area , adding that his defection to the APC was to offer such support .

“In this era of partisan politics, it is necessary for the people of the Niger Delta, and Delta State in particular, to identify more with the Federal Government led by the APC. By so doing, we can push some of the agreements between our leaders and the Federal Government through, and also engage the government to do more . Politics is about interests .

“The Niger Delta is a major area of interest for me , because I staked my life going into the creeks severally without security and sometimes coming back at night negotiating peace. I will, therefore, give the strongest support to any President that shows commitment in the affairs of the Niger Delta. I call on , and enjoin, other well- meaning leaders in the region , who have very useful contributions to make, to come on board and join hands in helping this Federal Government to pursue a robust development agenda that would uplift our people . Whatever milestone that appears not to have been achieved yet is not for lack of efforts. Joining hands with and supporting the process will lead to a faster delivery on expectations .

“ It is in the pursuit of this noble objective that I ’m offering myself to help drive a process that would give the lives of our people in the Niger Delta more meaning . President Muhammadu Buhari needs people who will join hands with him to uplift our people . From my political experience , you have to be well represented and actively so at the “board room ” when decisions are being taken. Delta State must be well represented . Niger Delta must be well represented ” the statement added.

Uduaghan, who thanked leaders and members of his former party for urging him to stay , added that he prayed fervently divine direction before agreeing to leave the PDP where he served as commissioner, Secretary to the State Government and two- term as a governor .

“I have, therefore, after series of consultations and prayers, taken the decision to leave the PDP and join the APC. In doing this , I want to thank the numerous leaders , supporters and interest groups that have been urging me to remain in PDP . I am happy that after explaining some of the deeper issues to you, some of you that are politicians have agreed to join the APC in the near future .
“So I am going into APC as “John the Baptist” to the numerous Deltans that are coming in , soon – very soon. ”

via punchng

Ekiti Poll - Political supporters of PDP, APC disrupt INEC

Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State forced the stakeholders ’ meeting convened by the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris, and the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in Ado Ekiti , to come to an abrupt end .

Trouble began when a member of the PDP and Chairman, Committee on Information of the Ekiti State House of Assembly , Samuel Omotoso, rose to speak at the forum.

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress started booing him trying to shout him down.
Omotoso had raised observations that the candidate of the APC and ex -Governor of the State , Dr Kayode Fayemi, had allegedly been boasting that he would be declared winner whether or not he loses the election .
He also raised concerns about how he and his family were harassed by APC supporters and his mother shot at.

When Omotoso started mentioning Fayemi’s name consistently, the APC members became uncomfortable and raised their voices to shout him down.
But he rebuffed all attempts to make him stop talking .
The moment Omotosho stopped talking ; the PDP seized the initiative and started shouting Eleka – Ibo, Eleka - Ibo. Eleka is the family name of the Deputy Governor and the PDP governorship candidate , Prof. Kolapo Olusola.
Efforts of the IG to control the surging crowd failed thus making him to beckon on the Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers and Oloye of Oye - Ekiti , Oba Oluwole Ademolaju , to intervene . Oba Ademolaju was also unsuccessful .

In the ensuing confusion , the INEC chairman, the IG and other heads of security agencies left the venue through the back door.
But Fayemi went through the crowd to leave the venue shielded by his supporters and some security men.
Idris and Yakubu had addressed the gathering before the uproar.

Earlier , the IG said no fewer than 4 , 390 soldiers and paramilitary officers would be deployed to complement the 30 ,000 policemen that had been deployed in Ekiti for the election .
Idris added that a Deputy Inspector General of Police, an Assistant Inspector General of Police and five Commissioners of police would be in charge to give directive and ensure that the election was conducted under a conducive atmosphere .
Idris said, “We want all the party supporters to refrain from all acts that can precipitate violence at the polling booths such as canvassing for votes , wearing of party insignias , dissuading voters from voting for candidates of their choice , loitering and blaring of the siren on the day of the election .
“We will also not tolerate ignoring of restriction of movement orders by the police . Don’t see the election as a matter of life and death.
“Let me state that police will not hesitate to deal with anybody no matter how highly placed found flouting electoral laws .
“Let me call for the collaboration and support of the entire sister agencies and the INEC officials . Police officers have been warned to be of good conduct during and after the election .
“If you notice any misconduct on the part of any policeman, do not hesitate to report to the senior officers on the ground or contact me directly. ”
In his contribution , Yakubu said the commission decided to distribute the Permanent Voter Cards to the ward level to motivate the electorate to collect and exercise their civic rights .
He announced the extension of the PVC collection to Wednesday .
“For transparency , all uncollected PVCs will be brought to the INEC office in Ado Ekiti and warehoused for safekeeping until a new date is fixed to resume the PVC collection.
“However, since the Anambra State Governorship election held in November 2017 , we have introduced an additional measure of transparency.
“I wish to reassure that our officials are under strict instructions to remain neutral. We have also accredited credible foreign and local observers to monitor this election .
“We are confident that with the arrangements we have put in place , the Ekiti State Governorship election will be another good example of free, fair , credible and peaceful election and a further affirmation of the maturity of our democracy,” he stated .
Also affirming that the election would be credible, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti , Prof Abdulganiyu Raji , said a total of 913 , 334 persons had been registered by the commission out of which 667 , 064 had collected their PVCs.

UPDATE! Owerri Federal High Court nullifies Imo APC congresses, orders

A Federal High Court in Owerri on Thursday nullified wards, Local Government Areas and state congresses of the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress.

The court also ordered the party to hold fresh congresses .
The presiding judge , Justice Lewis Allagoa, in a judgment that lasted for one hour , ordered APC “to be responsible , save our democracy by conducting free and fair congresses in Imo State.”

The judge who dismissed a motion filed by the defendants, insisted that his court had jurisdiction to hear the matter .

He said that the exhibits tendered by the plaintiffs suggesting that there was no ward congress in the state on May 5 , “ was factual . ”

Allagoa also said that the recorded “press interview between the state commissioner of police , the state governor, Rochas Okorocha and Senator Osita Izunaso that there was no APC ward congress in Imo State on May 5 “was justiciable in law . ”
The Judge also cited a report of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which confirmed that there was no APC ward congress in Imo State on May 5 .

The judge said, “APC should go and be responsible and save our democracy. The defendants and the plaintiffs are members of the same political party , APC . There is no victor, no vanquished . ”

The plaintiffs, who are a faction of the party loyal to the state governor, had approached the court seeking , among other things , a “declaration that the ward congress of the APC in Imo State which was fixed for May 5 was inconclusive and did not hold, since there was no result therefrom . ”

Via - PUNCH

APC lawmaker says, Nigerians are just experimenting with us - Jimoh speaks on 2019

√ Honourable Olumuyiwa Jimoh says the federal government was very slow inhandling the herdsmen, farmers' crises in parts of the country

√ Jimoh argues that even though the crises escalated, the people of middle-belt would still vote for the APC in 2019

√ The lawmaker advises the APC to consolidate on the areas it has so far won before spreading its tentacles to the south-eastern part of the country Honourable Olumuyiwa Jimoh, the deputy majority leader of the Lagos state House of Assembly and representative of Apapa constituency 1, says though the federal government's response to the herdsmen/farmers' clash in some parts of the country was very slow, the people of the middle-belt would still vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

He speakswith Eromosele Ebhomele:Benue and Taraba have been two major states hit by herdsmen in the country. What do you think can be done about this menace?It is quite unfortunate that we have to look at incidents like this to determine our political consciousness and this is dangerous for our development as a people. The herdsmen historically are from the Fouta Djallon.

They are Nomads. They move and do not have a specific place. But in the modern world, but in the modern world, cattle are not moved from one place to another. Thereis and should always be a ranch. I don't think the entire Nigeria produced the number of cattle produced by Texas as a state but they have so many ranches and curtail what could have become some excesses. Comparing with the western world is even too distant.

Let us look at our neighbouring African countries. Many of them have succeeded in managing what has become crisis in Nigeria. Imagine as a farmer, I labour to produce my crops, maybe perennial or whatever as the case may be, and under two to three hours, they are destroyed by the movement of cattle. It is very painful and nonsensical. Imagine how it has ledto killings.I think in my own opinion, the federal government reacted very late. The government has decided on measures which might be good but it came out very late. Unfortunately now, people are linking it with political developments. Political sensibility tells us to see our neighbours as ourselves. I think as a student of dialectics that the most turbulent century was the last in which we had series of Civil Wars, the two world wars and some ethnic and some ethnic issues.

I mean the century that ended in the year 2000. It should have been a new leaf instead of these carry over that we still see.

Source | Read more  - Naij News