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The Nigeria Union of Pensioners(NUP) has advised its members to vote credible candidates who will prioritise the welfare of pensioners in the country in the forthcoming general elections.
Mazi Godwin Abumisi, the National President of NUP,gave the advice at the opening of its National Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Jos.
Abumisi, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for being pensioner- friendly, said members must vote someone that would continue in that regard.
”Our President has proven to be a pensioner-friendly president and as he prepares to leave office in 2023, we are duty-bound to elect a successor who will ensure our interests,as pensioners, are
adequately catered for and protected.
”This is why we invited to this occasion, all the leading presidential candidates to come and and address this gathering as regards their plans for pensioners’ welfare and the nation in general.
”So, it is very important and instructive that Nigerian pensioners will choose leaders that will treat us as human beings and not spare tyres or parasites”, he said.
Abumisi explained that the choice of ”Pensioners Fate in the Unfolding Political Events in Nigeria ” as theme of the meeting, was deliberate, to capture the yearnings of pensioners and Nigerians in general.
Declaring the meeting open, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, represented by Mr Sunday Hyat, Head of Civil Service (HoS) of the state, thanked NUP for the choice of the state for its 2022 NEC meeting.
”The decision to host this event in Plateau is a demonstration of your confidence in the efforts of this goverment toward restoring lasting peace to the state”,he said.
Lalong explained that his administration had prioritised regular pension payments to beneficiaries, adding that the payments were up-to-date.
”We inherited over eight months pension arrears when we came on board in 2015, but today we have cleared everything.
”We have placed high premium on the welfare of our senior citizens; payment of pension is a frontline charge and we will not renege on that,” Lalong added.
In a brief goodwill message, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) promised to prioritise the the welfare of pensioners if elected in 2023.
Kwankwaso, who was represented by Pastor Alfred Dabwan, the governorship candidate of the party in Plateau, also promised to address all challenges being faced by pensioners in the state.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate for Kaduna Central Senate seat at the National Assembly, says his target is to help address the problem of security challenge in the area.
Tijani, also a philanthropist, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Kaduna.
“Actually, I never dream of contesting for Kaduna Central Senate seat, because my original plans was to try through whatever means to ensure two things in the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna Central.
“The first issue is to ensure that the prevailing security challenge bedevilling the area is tackled, it is a well known fact that the Boko Haram terrorists and bandits have moved from the North East to the North West and in the North West their camp is in Kaduna.
“I felt that I can do something about this security problem if am the state governor, I even started making moves to contest for the position on the NNPP platform, but for some reasons, our leader Dr Rabi’u Kwankwaso asked me to go for the senate rather.
“So that was how I found myself in the Senate race,” he said.
Tijjani said that the second issue was to ensure mass employment of youths to tackle youths restiveness in the area.
He said however, that even with the decision to go for the Senate seat, he remained focused on achieving his target.
“But I told myself that since I already had a focus on what to do for the state, then I can equally narrow that to the Kaduna Central.
“Everybody knows that the bandits are now in Kaduna Central and am seeking for the Senate seat to help wipe them out from the area which is called zone 11.
“I want to use this as a test run for subsequent elections, so that the people will see whether am capable of fitting in in 2027.
“If am given the opportunity to serve, I will embrace everyone in the state, including the Muslims and the Christians, inshort whatever you are or your tribe should not be my concern because you are my brother.
“That was what was lacking in the APC administration in the state,” he said.
Tijjani said that the NNPP was the party to beat in 2023 general election.
“Basically, Kaduna and other Northern states in the country have not benefited much from the present administration.
“So, Nigerians are well prepared for the 2023 election, this time it is not going to be business as usual because the electorate is fully prepared to vote out leaders who have nothing to offer them.
“Those who don’t care about the wellbeing of the citizens and they are prepared to vote in people that they can trust because of what they have done before.
“Our party the NNPP will be voted in by the masses who are the victims of successive governments in 2023, so we are just waiting for February 2023 for the Nigerian masses to vote massively for us,” he said.
Tijjani expressed optimism that he would win the Senate seat.
“Like I said, it’s not about my popularity as a person, it’s about what I have done before and what I have to offer that’s how to convince people that you have something to offer.
“The PDP came to kill us and the APC is burying us, so no matter how good you are, you can’t win an election on their platforms in 2023.
“The two parties have dealt with the Nigerian people badly, especially those in the North, it is out there for people to see, as a Muslim I don’t think that it is proper for me to start praise singing myself.
“I have been a philanthropist for over 20 years touching People’s lives through my foundation, the Ahmed Tijjani foundation,” he said.
Tijjani said that he has touched so many lives through his foundation.
“Many masses especially widows, children and the less privileged have benefitted from the foundation.
“In 2019 I was the Kaduna governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in fact they called me mai gero or mai shikafa wherever I went for campaign because of what I have been doing.
“I know that today people have their own microscope which they use to screen any seed before planting in their farms,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A Chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani, says the presidential candidate of the party, Sen, Rabi’u Kwankwaso will beat other candidates to win the 2023 general election.
Tijjani said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Kaduna.
“What the NNPP achieved in just three months of its registration, both the APC and the PDP couldn’t achieve in one year.
“If you look at the general acceptance of our party by Nigerian masses, you will agree with me that nothing is stopping us from winning the 2023 general election.
“Just look at the massive reception that our leader, Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso gets each time he visited one state or the other, you can see the large turnout of people coming out of the streets to receive him, even before the campaign.
“I think that this is clear enough for people to see that we are in the process of winning the presidential election, ” he said.
Tijjani said that unlike other presidential candidates, Kwankwaso has so many achievements to show in his previous leadership positions in the country.
“Take a look at the four major presidential candidates for 2023 for example, Bola Tinubu will tell you, vote for me and I will do this and that, Atiku Abubakar will say the same thing.
Peter Obi appeared to be a presidential candidate only on the social media.
“But NNPP is telling people that Kwankwaso has done this and that in Kano State and other states of the federation, if he gets the mandate in 2023 he will replicate what he did before and even add more.
“He is not just coming to make empty promises like others, what we are saying is that Kwankwaso has done it before, he will do it again if he gets the opportunity,” he said.
Tijjani said that the PDP and the APC have failed Nigerians in all aspects, hence the need for a new party to takeover the leadership of the country.
“Basically, Kaduna and other Northern states in the country have not benefited much from the present administration.
“So, Nigerians are well prepared for the 2023 election, this time it is not going to be business as usual because the electorate is fully prepared to vote out leaders who have nothing to offer them.
“Those who don’t care about the wellbeing of the citizens and they are prepared to vote in people that they can trust because of what they have done before.
“Our party the NNPP will be voted in by the masses who are the victims of successive governments in 2023, so we are just waiting for February 2023 for the Nigerian masses to vote massively for us,” he said.
Tijjani said that the issue of bigger parties wouldn’t count in the 2023 poll.
“This time around the issue of big parties won’t count at all, infact if there’s a chance for an independent candidate to contest the election, people might vote for him based on his credentials leaving candidates from the so called bigger parties.
“This is because if you are big and cannot be helpful, people will dump you, a big goat that can’t be useful to the owner is only suitable for the market.
“The masses are ready to vote for credible leaders in 2023, only candidates with proven integrity will be voted for, irrespective of how big their parties are, this is what will happen, ” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expressed optimism that the 2023 general election will be free, fair and credible.
Tijjani, also the NNPP Kaduna Central Senate Candidate for 2023, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Kaduna.
He said going by the successes recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship election, it was obvious that the 2023 general election would be hitch-free and credible.
Tijjani, also a philanthropist, said that although Nigeria was faced with the problem of increasing money politics, only popular and credible candidates would excel in 2023 poll.
He said that the NNPP would win the 2023 poll at all levels going its popularity across the country.
“Honestly, like I said before, many Nigerians are battling with daily survival trying to get even a meal per day, so whoever gives them money they will take it.
“But am sure that with what they have experienced before, they won’t allow politicians to deceive them with money, they will collect the money and vote for credible candidates.
“Nigerians will only vote for people who they think will do the right thing,” he said.
He said that with the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Results Viewing Portal, it would be difficult for unpopular candidates to rigg the election.
“With what INEC has been saying and with what happened in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun election and the increasing use of technology in election, I think the electoral umpire is set for a credible election in 2023.
“Am talking today because I confidence in my creator, the Almighty Allah and I believe that with what INEC has done in those states the election will be credible.
“I believe there will be no late arrival of election materials and with the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Results Viewing Portal once you vote it will be automatically recorded in the system.
“It is not going to be business as usual, so it will be difficult for people to vote three four or five times, or just hire thugs to thumbprint on thousands or millions of ballot papers like before,” Tijjani said.
He said that if INEC remained impartial in the conduct of the election, then it would be most credible.
“And if INEC stick to its impartial stance, then the most popular candidates will win, even if they are the poorest among the contestants,” Tijjani said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabi’u Kwankwaso, on Saturday commissioned a leadership institute in Kano to commemorate his 66th birthday.
During the ceremony, the former Kano governor said the Amana Leadership Institute would run foundation Programmes on intellectual development.
According to him, “The Institute has affliation with national and International learning institutions in the United Kingdom, India and Asia.
“It will run the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMB), to allow youths qualify for admissions into Nigerian and foreign universities at advanced level,” he said.
Kwankwaso appealed to Kano populace to make judious use of the Institute.
While speaking at the occasion, the Senatorial candidate of the NNPP in Kano Central, Sen. Rufai Hanga, commended Kwankwaso for the laudable achievement.
He appealed to other politicians to emulate Kwankwaso, by marking their birthdays with beneficial projects rather than travelling abroad “to cut cakes.
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He expressed optimism that the Institute would shape upcoming leaders and provide quality academic results to students of the institute.
A cross section of Kano residents also commended Kwankwaso for the project, saying that it would boost Kano youths’ leadership skills.
Mr Umar Alhassan, one of the residents, said the initiative would breed a new set of well oriented and talented leaders.
He commended Kwankwaso for his huge investment in the education sector when he was the governor of Kano State.
Another resident, Mr Shu’aibu Aminu, lauded the efforts of Kwankwaso, saying that the Institute would surely provide “a modified set of politicians and leaders”.
The event attracted the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party, Bishop Isaac Idahosa.
Also in attendance were the party’s Chairman, Prof. Rufai Alkali and other key personalities in the party from across the country.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, INEC in Lagos State says 394 candidates of different political parties are jostling for the 40 seats in the state’s House of Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that governorship and houses of assembly elections were scheduled to hold across the country on March 11, 2023.
According to the Final List of governorship and house of assembly candidates displayed on Wednesday at the commission’s office in Yaba, 16 candidates of different political parties are contesting for the 2023 governorship election in Lagos state.
The list was signed by Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary of INEC.
According to the list, the candidates for the assembly seats in Lagos state are contesting on the platform of 16 out of the 18 registered political parties in the country.
The list showed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had contestants in all the 40 state constituencies.
While the Action Alliance (AA) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) fielded candidates in 36 state constituencies each, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Boot Party (BP) had candidates for 34 state constituencies each.
The African Action Congress (AAC) is contesting in 21 state constituencies while Accord (A), Action People’s Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and People’s Redemption Party (PRP) filed candidates in less than 10 state constituencies each.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) did not field candidates for the state assembly election in the state.
NAN reports that the governorship list shows that only 16 of the 18 registered political parties fielded contestants, out of which only two candidates are female while the remaining 14 are male.
Only candidates of APM and APP are female, Mrs Funmilayo Kupokiyi, 51, and Mrs Abiola Adeyemi, 44 respectively.
The other governorship candidates are Messrs Dickson Olaogun (A), Abdulrasaq Balogun (AA), Akeem Olayiwola (AAC), Olufunso Doherty( ADC), Bamidele Ishola (ADP), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (APC), Olawale Oluwo (BP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (LP) and Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal (NNPP).
Others are: Braithwaite Ishola (NRM), Olajide Adediran (PDP), Taofeek Uthman (SDP), Wasiu Ajayi (YPP) and Adenipebi Mode-Adekunle (ZLP).
APGA and PRP did not field candidates for the governorship seat in the list published for the 2023 general elections.
According to the list, Olaogun (65) of Accord Party is oldest while Rhodes-Vivour (39) of LP is the youngest.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Rep. Mark Gbillah (LP-Benue) said he remained the candidate of Labour Party (LP) for Benue North-West Senatorial in the 2023 General Elections and not that of New the Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Gbillah said this on Friday in Abuja at a news conference.
He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published his name for both LP and NNPP for the Benue North-West Senatorial district elections.
He said the publication was without his knowledge, adding the he had initiated legal action against INEC and NNPP in order to correct error.
He said INEC published his name as sent by NNPP even as he had already resigned his membership of the party and withdrawn his senatorial candidature on the platform of the NNPP.
The said his resignation and withdrawal from ANPP candidature was accompanied by an affidavit he deposed to on July 7.
He said he joined the LP and participated in its rescheduled senatorial primaries for the district on July 11.
He said the error occurred because of NNPP’s failure to upload the name of the candidate that replaced him to the INEC portal within the timeline provided by the electoral umpire.
The House of Reps member said he was returned unopposed as the LP candidate in the election, adding that the documents are all in INEC’s possession.
“It is therefore curious why INEC still published my name as the candidate for both parties when it is privy to all the above-mentioned facts and accompanying documents,” he said.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The leadership of the 18 registered political parties and their presidential candidates signed the first peace accord on Thursday in Abuja to commit themselves to peaceful electioneering campaign.
The candidates included Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by his running mate, Aljhaji Kashim Shettima.
Others were Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Some more were Mr Adewale Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Justice Peter Umeadi, the flag bearer of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
In his remarks, Chairman of the National Peace Accord, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the signing of the peace accord which started in 2015 was still relevant for 2023.
He noted that the issue of fake news and misinformation posed a singular threat to the 2023 general elections.
Abubakar thanked political parties, party chairmen and candidates, and indeed everyone that turned out for the 2015 and 2019 peace accord.
He noted that NPC’s efforts contributed significantly to mitigating violent conflicts in previous elections in spite of the challenges.
“Now that the 2023 general elections are around the corner, issues of major concern that have the potential to negatively impact on the integrity are better imagined.
“One of such issues is the spreading of fake news.
“Fake news and misinformation continue to pose a significant threat to the 2023 general elections.
I am told already that fake news has also declared the winner of the 2023 election even before the exercise.
“It has shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns and created the platform for political parties to resort to name calling, personal insults and character assassination.
“It has taken away our civility and decency in public discourse and conversations and created a toxic atmosphere that has the potential to incite citizens against the state, against other political parties and candidates.
“It is for this reason that the NPC has organised the signing of two peace accords with the 2023 general elections on the way,’’ he said.
Abubakar explained that Thursday’s peace of accord was to commit political parties, presidential candidates and their spokesperson to peaceful political campaigns and rallies, devoid of violence, incitement and personal insults.
He said it was also to ensure that the campaigns were defined by issues at the very heart of the national development and progress.
“The second accord, God willing, will come up shortly before the elections, and it is intended to commit the candidates to accepting the outcome of the votes as long it is adjudged to be free, fair and credible.
“We hope this will take place sometimes in January 2023.’’ he said.
Abubakar also urged political parties and their candidates to base their campaign on issues affecting the country and not on personal attacks or fake news.
“It is time for us to promote issue-based campaigns.
We are calling on politicians to address issues that are fundamental to Nigerian citizens.
“We also want to promote respect and tolerance of differences in opinions.
We want to ensure that there is civility and decency in public discourse.
“I appeal to political parties, party chairmen, candidates and their spokespersons to please campaign on the basis of issues that are of significant concern to Nigerians.
“Avoid the spread of fake news, personal attacks and insults and comply with the spirit and letter of this accord.
“I appeal to the electorate also to realise that do no good to our electoral process,’’ Gen. Abubakar added.
A 14-year-old student at the event, Miss Naomi Oloyede urged leaders and political actors, especially candidates to Nigeria first in all their conducts.
He charged them to avoid violence and promote peace during their campaigns.
“As you start your campaigns, please, in the name of God, have our future in mind and try to leave a safe country for us.
“This is not the time to settle scores.
This is the best gift you can give to us and the greatest assurance that you will retire in peace.
“If you do this, you will be remembered with fondness and not with blame.
“I look forward to growing in a beautiful country where there is peace and the rule of law is respected,’’ Oloyede said.
In his remarks, Chairman of Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Malam Yabaji Sani said all political parties were committed to peaceful, credible and reliable election.
Sani is also the National Chairman and presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
He said parties had been praying for peace so that Nigeria would continue to maintain its leadership position in Africa and in the comity of nations.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Adekunle Abolade, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) House of Representatives candidate for Federal Constituency in Osun, has promised to create jobs and empower youths in his constituency, if elected in 2023.
Abolade, who made this known while addressing a news conference on Wednesday in Osogbo, said he would also initiate poverty alleviation programmmes with specific focus on youth employment and empowerment.
The hopeful said his cardinal focus would be to assist the youth to realise their potential adding that the nation’s youth unemployment rate was alarming.
“The rate of unemployment in Osun and Nigeria as a whole is worrisome, and you know that an idle hand, they say, is the devil’s workshop,” he said.
According to him, the future belongs to the youth, who are innovative and industrious.
“The youth are also the bedrock for societal development, when they are adequately empowered.
“If elected as a representative of federal constituency, youth empowernent will be my focus.
“Making the youths self-reliant, resourceful, industrious and creative will be my focus, if elected ,and I will always welcome ideas that will give the desired leverage.
“I want to also state that, if given the opportunity to serve as a member of the Federal House of Representative, I will be accountable and responsive to the problems confronting my constituents,” he said.
Abolade also appealed to his constituents to vote for him and his party for the prompt delivery of the dividends of democracy.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Senate, has called on Nigerians to vote for only candidates that have clear agenda to liberate the local government system in the 2023 general election.
Sen. Olalekan Mustapha, the Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration, said this at the second edition of the Local Government Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday.
Mustapha, who said that the local government system in the country was in a mess and subservient situation, called on the electorate to vote for only candidates that would ensure local government autonomy.
“As the general election draws closer, Nigerians should vote only politicians that have a clear agenda to liberate our local government system by granting them the full political and financial autonomy.
“What we are seeing today in the various states is no political and financial autonomy.
“It is so ironic for a local government not to have authority to fund development in their various localities without the approval of their supervising ministry,” he said.
He said that if all the state governments pass the Bill on Financial Autonomy as approved by the National Assembly, rural areas would develop and insecurity tackled.
” This year’s summit witnessed the inauguration of Rural Credit Guarantee Scheme working group for local governments.
“We are therefore poised to take practical steps on the scheme this time around to ensure that the dream of the proposed Rural Credit Guarantee Scheme comes to reality,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Vice-Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Bishop Isaac Idahosa, described local governments as managers of community governance structure.
“Although, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is explicitly clear on its mandates, mischief makers and merchants of under development continue to negatively mismanage the resources meant for the people,” he said.
Idahosa said that the constitutional powers of local governments as federating units to implement laws and contribute meaningfully to development at the grassroots have been eroded in Nigeria.
He, however, said that the implementation of the mandates of the third tier of government would definitely bring forth genuine economic development in the system.
On NNPP’s economic development action, Idahosa said that the party plans to ensure fiscal autonomy for local governments in Nigeria.
“We will also encourage timely, transparent, free and fair elections as required by the Constitution of Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking, Director-General, Local Government Summit Group, Muhammed Tijjani , said that the local government was the closest and most accessible government to most of the citizens.
“However, the demands on the local government in Nigeria are however enormous and does not have the capacity to process and absorb those demands,” he said.
He said that there was the need for the local government to be considered in whatever economic scheme by both the state and the federal governments
The summit was organised by the Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration in collaboration with Civi-Pact Nigeria and Local Government Summit Group with the theme “Investing in Rural Poor for shared prosperity through the Local Government System”.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
