Politics
El-Rufai Absent As Northern Govs, Others Campaign For Tinubu In Borno
Several governors of the Northern states and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress trooped out on Saturday to drum support for the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, at his campaign rally in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
The development came about 48 hours after a similar spectacle was recorded in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the APC rally brought the former headquarters of the defunct Western Region to a standstill.
In Maiduguri, major streets of the city, especially those leading from the Borno State Government House to the palace of the Shehu of Borno and El-Kanemi Stadium, venue of the campaign rally, were filled with jubilant supporters bearing colourful APC placards and banners.
READ ALSO: Presidential Election: Why I Cannot Work For Tinubu – Segun Oni
In attendance were the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, members of the National Working Committee of the party, Governors Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger).
Others were Minister of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, members of the National Assembly, former chiefs of army staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) and Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), among other members of the party.
But the absence of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai was felt at the carnival-like event.
The heavy campaign train brought human and vehicular movements to a halt in major parts of the city as many supporters abandoned their vehicles to trek long distances to catch a glimpse of the APC presidential candidate.
READ ALSO: Presidential Election: Tinubu Meets Wike In Rivers
Speaking at the rally and the Shehu palace, key stakeholders assured the former Lagos State governor of victory at the February 25th poll.
The colourful event also witnessed the coming together of key players in Borno politics including all its former governors who expressed commitment to APC’s victory.
In his address at the palace, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for picking a son of the state as his running mate.
“You have done all for us and now it is for us to deliver APC in Borno State,” he said.
Continuing, Zulum described the APC candidate as being more than a political ally as he had shown concerns for the difficult times the state went through at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency more than anyone else.
He said, “During our trying times he has always been with us. He has visited us between seven and eight times in the last eleven years. There is nobody else that has done anything like that for us.”
Taking turns to address the rally, former Borno State governors, Maina Ma’aji Lawal, Ali Modu Sheriff and Kashim Shettima, said Borno’s faith in APC has been strengthened with Shettima’S nomination as the vice presidential candidate of the party.
They assured Tinubu that the state would fulfil its part by giving overwhelming votes to him.
Governors Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, challenged residents of the state to not allow any state overtake them in giving the APC more votes in view of the party’s magnanimity to them.
In his speech, Tinubu promised to re-activate oil exploration in the Lake Chad Basin and recharge the drying lake to generate jobs and boost agricultural production in the area.
“Security is top on our agenda and Nigeria will see peace and stability. The Borno people and their neighbours will witness prosperity and happiness,” he said.
READ ALSO: Two Injured As Tinubu Arrives Abuja Rally Late
Tinubu assuaged the feeling of those who are facing difficulties at the moment, saying ease would soon come their way.
The presidential candidate paid tribute to his running mate who, he said, he knew very well, saying the two of them share attributes that would be used to make Nigeria greater.
He said just like he did in Lagos, Shettima has also done the same in Borno by laying a good foundation and ensuring good leadership succession.
“Zulum is a symbol of continuity. Shettima is a representation of achievement,” he said.
PUNCH
Politics
PHOTO: Rivers Residents Throng Govt House To Welcome Fubara
Rivers State’s capital is a sea of jubilant supporters on Thursday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to triumphantly return to office following the end of the state’s six-month emergency rule.
Throngs of residents, politicians, and key stakeholders have converged on the Government House in Port Harcourt, eagerly awaiting the governor’s arrival.
The atmosphere is one of profound relief and celebration, with various groups dressed in their uniforms, standing outside the gates and anticipating the moment their leader will make his appearance.
READ ALSO:Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents
The collective joy reflects the widespread satisfaction with the restoration of democratic governance.
Residents who spoke with Nigerian Television Authority expressed their delight, with many voicing hope that the state will now usher in a new era of development and progress.
As the governor prepares to resume his duties, all eyes are on the renewed promise of stability and accelerated development for the people of Rivers State.
“Although the governor has yet to arrive at the Government House, various groups clad in their uniforms are standing outside the gate, anticipating his arrival”, NTA report indicated.
Residents of the state who spoke with NTA News expressed satisfaction over the restoration of democratic rule in the state, expressing hope that the state would now witness more development.
Politics
Rivers: Supporters Disappointed As Fubara Fails To Show Up
Thousands of supporters who had thronged the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday morning to welcome Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, went home disappointed after waiting for hours.
Many of the supporters, who came as early as 6 a.m. from different parts of the state, including rural areas, started leaving the Government House entrance between 12 noon and 1 p.m.
Some of their leaders, including the immediate past local government chairmen loyal to Fubara, were seen making frantic calls as the whereabouts of the governor remained unknown as of 1 p.m.
Among the sacked LG chairmen who led their supporters to the Government House in anticipation of the governor’s return were the former chairman of Obio/Akpor, Chijoke Ihunwo, and his counterpart from Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Itche-Mati, among others.
READ ALSO:
Meanwhile, none of the supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were seen at the Government House, including the newly elected LG chairmen.
Some of those seen leaving the Government House gate expressed frustration over the governor’s absence after waiting for several hours.
“We are going because we are hungry. Maybe when the governor comes, we will return,” one of them said.
READ ALSO:
The development coincided with the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state following the hostilities between the governor and the Assembly, which is largely controlled by loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
President Bola Tinubu in March declared an end to the State of Emergency in Rivers State, following months of political turmoil that paralysed governance and threatened security in the oil-rich state.
The President had appointed Ibas as administrator after dissolving political structures to restore order.
However, Tinubu, on Wednesday, formally declared an end to the State of Emergency in Rivers State, clearing the way for the return of full democratic governance in the state.
Politics
JUST IN: Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-month Suspension
The Rivers State House of Assembly has resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Thursday.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary is being presided by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule,at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Rivers Administrator Ibas Bows Out, Hands Over To Governor Fubara
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex.
On March 18, Tinubu declared emergency rule in the oil-rich state in the wake of a prolonged political crisis arising from the rift between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
More to come…
Entertainment5 days ago200-level Student Wins Car As MTN Thrills UNIBEN With Campus Invasion
- News3 days ago
10 Things Candidates Should Know About Customs Recruitment CBT Exams
- Business4 days ago
Falana Reveals Those Behind Subsidy Removal
- Politics5 days ago
Alleged Infidelity: Soludo’s Wife Issues Senator Ekwunife Ultimatum To Apologize
- News2 days ago
Air Peace Announces Recruitment For 1,000 Fresh Graduates [SEE How To APPLY]
- News5 days ago
Ossiomo Restores Power To Customers After Barely Two Weeks Outage
- Business4 days ago
Dangote Fuel Sells Cheaper In Togo Than In Nigeria – Falana Laments
- Sports5 days ago
Idahosa Hails Insurance 1-0 Thrashing Of Niger Tornadoes
- Metro5 days ago
NDLEA Arrests Indian Businessman, 3 Others Over Alleged Trafficking Of N3.9bn Tramadol
- Politics2 days ago
BREAKING: Tinubu Ends State Of Emergency In Rivers
