Politics
2023: Atiku, Tinubu In Verbal War Over Power, Wealth
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, were at daggers-drawn over desperate attempts to gain power at all cost.
While the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, accused the PDP candidate of being desperate to capture power by any means possible, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, faulted Tinubu’s claims of inherited wealth and trading in stocks to become rich.
Tinubu’s rags to riches story hogwash — SHAIBU
Mr. Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, yesterday, faulted claims by Tinubu that he inherited wealth and traded in stocks to become rich.
According to him, Tinubu muttered these fairly tale in response to a question about the true source of his wealth when responding to questions from a BBC reporter in a recent interview.
Shaibu, in a statement, said: “Obviously thrown off balance when the BBC reporter asked him to disclose the source of his stupendous wealth, APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, responded by asking, ‘Are you an enemy of wealth?’ He subsequently told a fable of how he inherited property and also traded stocks like Warren Buffet. This is complete hogwash. This is obviously balderdash. Tinubu would do well to stop comparing himself with Warren Buffet, whose source of wealth has never been linked to narcotics by US authorities.
Tinubu’s source of wealth
“To be clear, questions on Tinubu’s source of wealth did not start today. US authorities said Tinubu revealed in bank documents that he worked with Mobil Nigeria Limited in 1989 and his salary was just $2,400 and he had no other sources of income.
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“But records from his First Heritage Bank account showed that in 1990 (just within one year), Tinubu deposited $661,000 into his individual money market account and in 1991 deposited $1,216,500 into the same money market account. Where did he get the money from?
“On the other hand, Atiku Abubakar’s source of wealth has never been in doubt. The ones he has listed publicly include: NICOTES (now Intels) founded in 1989; Prodeco, 1996; Atiku Farms, 1982; and ABTI schools, 1992.
“Some of these companies like INTELS have had reputable Nigerians like the late General Shehu Yar’Adua and even traditional rulers on its board. We dare Tinubu to list his companies and source of wealth as Atiku has done.
“Bola Tinubu is a man who publicly boasted in Osun State in 2018 that he was richer than Osun. In 2019, he had bullion vans on his premises in Ikoyi and admitted to sharing money with his supporters.
“When he was challenged by journalists, he said he was not a government contractor. So, what is his source of wealth?
“Why can’t Tinubu be brave enough to reveal his source of wealth? For starters, this is a man whose name is not even on the CAC registration documents of any of the companies linked to him.“
My experience, democratic credentials prepared me for Presidency — ATIKU
Speaking at another forum, the PDP candidate, yesterday, said his credentials as a public servant, businessman, part of the political class, who fought the military to return democracy as well as former Vice President put him ahead of other contenders in the 2023 presidential contest.
Atiku said this in his opening remarks at the Channels Television Town Hall meeting, in Abuja.
He said would use the scientific method to handle insecurity, review the Niger Delta Ministry and institutionalize tradermoni among others.
He said: “Nigeria has never gone through what it is going through at the moment. I was among those who fought the military, I went on exile. We (with my running mate) may not have all the answers but we will do by listening to Nigerians, it is not that we have not been listening but we are here to listen more.”
I’ll use the scientific method to deal handle insecurity
Atiku Abubakar, who described the Boko Haram insurgency as puzzling in response to a question on the security situation in the North East especially the Boko Haram, confessed that he was yet to fully understand what the whole Boko Haram insurgency phenomenon was about because there were several issues involved.
He explained that his plans to deal with the security challenges in Nigeria will be scientific.
READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Spokesman, Onanuga Narrates How Atiku’s Convoy Almost Kill Him
He cited the example of the United Arab Emirates, UAE, where he said over 10 million people live but that one can hardly find a uniformed policemen on the streets yet crime is detected and dealt with speedily.
Atiku said: “I still cannot find in Borno State where a man can hide. I’ve been to the place called Sambisa, there is no forest there, just shrubs 30 feet above the ground when you are flying back to Nigeria, you see people moving.
“When I served in Borno, the then North-East, I did not see where any person can hide. Yet, we deployed the Nigerian military which used to be the best, they fought many wars outside.
“I’m puzzled. I don’t understand, maybe when I get there I will understand. Everything there is politics, business. What is required is leadership.”
Responding to a question about his plans for the Niger Delta, the PDP candidate expressed sadness that his ideas passed on to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua which culminated in the setting up of a Ministry for Niger Delta Affairs was yet to achieve its objective.
“The Ministry has not been able to deliver on one project. Take the East-West Road for example, they have enough money to complete it but have not. When we come in, we will review its functions.”
Speaking about the Trader Moni programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, Atiku lamented that it had degenerated into a political tool at the hands of the APC.
He said for it to be effective, it has to be institutionalised, so that it can survive administrations and give more Nigerians access to better their lot.
Earlier, his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, described his principal as the right man for the job, adding that with the poor state of affairs in the country, Nigeria needs him to make things right.”
Beware of Atiku’s sugar-coated promises —TINUBU
Countering Atiku, Director, Media and Publicity of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, Bayo Onanuga, said PDP should be eternally shameful about its appalling record in governance between 1999 and 2015.
Onanuga, in a statement, said: “We need to warn Nigerians to be wary of the sugar-coated promises of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and his PDP as they embark on their inordinate and desperate campaign to gain power at all cost.
“Of course, this is fake history at its worst. We are not fooled. Nigerians should also not be fooled about the bare-faced lies, being articulated by the candidate and his party.
“What is more shocking is Atiku’s audacity in standing up to ask for our votes despite what his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote about him in his book, ‘My Watch’. Obasanjo wrote that it would have been an unpardonable mistake ‘and sin against God to foist him on Nigeria.’ Obasanjo still believes so till tomorrow.
“Obasanjo still rues till today making Atiku his vice president in 1999, only to discover later, as stated in the former president’s book, his (Atiku’s) shadowy parentage, his propensity to corruption, his tendency to disloyalty, his inability to say and stick to the truth all the time, a propensity for poor judgment, his belief and reliance on marabouts, his lack of transparency, his trust in money to buy his way out on all issues and his readiness to sacrifice morality, integrity, propriety, truth and national interest for self and selfish interest.
“Aware that this is his last shot at the elusive presidency, Atiku, while on the hustings, has been spewing series of lies, making empty promises and presenting a false narrative about our present reality and the legacy of the 16-year ignoble era of the PDP administration, of which he was a principal actor.
“He claimed at his rally in Abuja on Saturday that the country is not secure for trading and farming, a false narrative that he has been pushing around for some time, since he relocated to Nigeria from his base in Dubai, principally to contest the election.
“We believe in his private moment that Atiku will concede that his view about insecurity is exaggerated. Our country is certainly better secure than in 2015 when the PDP allowed insurgents to seize 17 local councils in Borno and some four councils in Atiku’s home state of Adamawa State, when Abuja was under constant bomb attacks and people slept with eyes wide open.
“What further proof of progress made by the APC does Atiku need than the fact that he was able, recently, to carry his party men and women to Maiduguri to hold a rally, without any attacks by insurgents and bandits. Atiku can also drive smoothly from Yola, his state capital to Jada, his home town on a reconstructed road by the Buhari-led APC administration. The road was impassable for eight years Atiku was Vice President and got progressively bad and totally cut off from civilisation until the Buhari government reconstructed it.
“Atiku claimed that our country has the highest number of out-of school children in the world, without telling his audience that the problem, which was exacerbated by banditry in North-West and insurgency in North-East, took its root from the stewardship of his party when the population of out-of-school children phenomenally rose from 10.5 million in 2010 to 13.2 million in 2015.
“The most grotesque of Atiku’s promise is that he will ensure that the ASUU stopped going on strike, so that universities “reopen forever and ever.”
Mr. Atiku forgot to tell his audience that a PDP government in 2009 signed an agreement with ASUU, which it never implemented for six years, leaving the mess of the agreement for APC to deal with.
READ ALSO: Groups Drag President Buhari To Court Over New NDDC Board
“Meanwhile, as Nigerian universities were left to rot under the PDP’s watch, Atiku and his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo opted to set up their own universities, ABTI-American University and Bell University, meant for the children of the rich.
“A pointer that this former vice-president has not changed in his character as portrayed by Obasanjo and his promise to sell the newly commercialised NNPC Ltd and all its assets and subsidiaries for just $10 billion. Even before inviting bids, he had already undervalued the oil conglomerate, the way he undervalued Nigerian companies he was asked to sell, under the abused privatisation programme of the Obasanjo administration.”
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Politics
2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain
Published
4 hours agoon
August 5, 2025By
Editor
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.
His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.
READ ALSO:2027: Obi’s One-term Presidency Gambit Sparks Political Firestorm
In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.
He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.
“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”
Politics
2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists
Published
4 hours agoon
August 5, 2025By
Editor
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.
Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.
The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.
Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.
READ ALSO:Peter Obi Won’t Be Voted Even If He Swears In shrine, Only Jonathan Can Defeat Tinubu – Adeyanju
He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.
The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.
He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.
“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.
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“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.
“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.
“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.
“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”
Politics
Bye-Election: Edo Deputy Gov Assures Of 98 Percent Victory For APC
Published
7 hours agoon
August 5, 2025By
Editor
The Deputy Governor of Edo, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has assured the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) of 98 percent victory in the August 16 bye-election for the Ovia Federal Constituency.
He noted that the party does not only have a formidable flag bearer in person of Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, but the development strides of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the state.
Idahosa in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, expressed this sentiment when he interacted with the leadership and members of the APC in Ovia North East local government on Monday when the campaign team was birthed at Uhen and Isiuwa communities for the ward-to-ward campaign.
He urged the people to come out enmass to support their own, Omosede Igbinedion who is from the council.
Idahosa, while urging the party not to be complacent, said all hands must be on deck to mobilise eligible voters across the council area to cast their votes on the election day.
READ ALSO: Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG
The deputy governor said his aim was to see that the election was concluded and victory announced in favour of the APC by 1pm on the election day.
“We don’t need to talk much at Isiuwa because this is Omosede’s community, and Ovia North-East is her local government area,” Idahosa declared.
He reminded the supporters that aside their past political differences, he and the party’s candidate share a lot in common, development of the Ovia federal constituency.
On her part, Omosede Igbinedion expressed appreciation to the deputy governor for personally leading the campaign team.
READ ALSO: Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Recover Firearm In A’Ibom
She promised to make provisions of healthcare facilities where needed and the completion of electrification projects started by her predecessor, Idahosa, as well as provide agricultural inputs for the agrarian communities.
She warned against betraying the party over monetary gains.
Meanwhile, the APC candidate said she nursed no regrets for dumping her former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
She attributed the reason to the need to stay connected with the federal government in order to attract development to her constituents and the state at large
“APC is the only team that is afloat and floating. Our ship is beautiful, it is a beautiful Yacht and it is ready for everybody,” she said.
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