Politics

1,549 Bauchi Women Die In Childbirth, APC Gov Candidate Alleges

Published

4 years ago

May 31, 2022

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State, Air Marshall Saddique Abubakar, has lamented the high maternal mortality and morbidity rate in the state, alleging that 1,549 women out of every 100,000 births die during childbirth.

The former Chief of Air Staff stated this while interacting with journalists in Bauchi.

Abubakar had been declared the winner of a keenly contested primary after he polled a total of 370 votes to defeat six other aspirants.

He also lamented the high rate of out-of-school children in the state, pointing out that only 29.9 percent of young people attended school in the state, adding that he was worried about the teeming jobless youths in the state, “a platform must be created for all of them to be engaged.”

Speaking on what he intends to do to change the situation, the former Air Chief said, “I want to assure members of the All Progressives Congress that in all that we are going to do, we will involve everybody. The problems we are facing in our society today are problems you cannot solve as an individual or just as a government.

“We need the involvement of the people, you need to really teach and make sure that everybody is able to put in some ideas as to how to resolve some of these serious problems.

“Health is an issue, we have quite a number of women that are dying, 1,549 women for every 100,000 births, die because of issues that are related to health facilities, the absence of adequate support for them. This is no small loss that our state is making and I believe that everyone must be committed just as we are to changing the narrative and protecting the lives of our women.

“We have problems with education, which is a very serious one, 1.4 million out-of-school children that are all looking up to us to see how we can provide the required leadership that will get them back into their classes.

“If you look at even the attendance, the people attending schools, we have only 29.9 percent of students that are attending school for various reasons. These are very serious issues that we will sit together and put all hands on deck so we can find solutions to that.

“Our youths, a teeming population that require support, are at the stage of their lives that they have all the energy they require but unfortunately, we need to create a platform where we can channel that energy for the benefit of society.

“We are looking at all these and in due course, we will come out with a more comprehensive reform agenda that will address all these fundamental issues, some of which I’ve just mentioned.”

Abubakar, who expressed gratitude to the leadership of the APC and the party’s electoral committee for creating the enabling environment for a hitch-free exercise, also thanked the delegates for finding him worthy to be given the ticket of the party.

“We want to thank Allah who has made it possible for us to be able to conduct the entire exercise very peacefully and that everything went well, nobody lost his/her life and nobody was injured. The entire process was transparently aired for everyone to see.

“I want to also commend other aspirants for their sportsmanship spirit that they demonstrated. We are all brothers, we came out to add value to our society to ensure that we get our people an environment that will enable them to pursue their legitimate aspirations. I believe that was what informed the decision of all of us to come out and contest for the governorship ticket.

“I’m very happy with the relationship and I want to assure you that we will work together as a family, work together hand-in-hand to ensure that we are able to address the fundamental problems that are facing our people here in Bauchi state,” he assured.

Politics

Peter Obi Meets US Consul General, Hopes For Credible Polls In 2027

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi on Tuesday held a meeting with United States Consul General, Mr Rick Swart.

Obi made this known via his X handle.

He said “This morning, in Lagos, I met with the U.S. Consul General, Mr Rick Swart, where we discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. We focused on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are free from interference, and fostering a space where all political parties, especially opposition parties can thrive, and contribute.

“We also discussed trade and business opportunities between our countries. Accompanying me to the meeting was Dr Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo.

“The discussion was very productive, and we are hopeful that, moving forward, Nigeria’s elections will be even more credible and transparent.”

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”