Politics

Two Injured As Tinubu Arrives Abuja Rally Late

Published

3 years ago

February 11, 2023

Supporters at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

No fewer than two persons were reported injured at Eagle Square, venue of the rally of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.

The first victim was a middle aged woman who fell while leaving her seat in the stand to greet a friend.

An official of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, who craved anonymity, told our reporter that she was brought to their ambulance bleeding through her nose and was treated.

“She did not sustain any serious injury. We treated her and allowed her to go after we ascertained she was alright,” he said.

The second victim allegedly sustained a fracture while scrambling for a plate of food at the venue.

After administering first aid on him, the FCT emergency rescue team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said they were shocked to hear him and other grassroots supporters, saying they would seek alternative treatment for the fracture.

The coordinator of the NSCDC rescue officials expressed shock when she said, “I have not seen this kind of thing before. He and his other friends just put up a show and said they won’t allow him to go with the ambulance.”

Meanwhile, the look of despair and fatigue on the faces of anxious supporters at Eagle Square was a summary of the rally in Abuja where Tinubu did not turn up at the venue until 7.25pm, after over five hours into the campaign.

The APC candidate arrived the venue in the company of his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima and the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the APC candidate was slated to feature in two political rallies in both Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.

In a phone chat with The PUNCH , the Chief Spokesman of the APC presidential campaign council, Festus Keyamo, told our correspondent that while the Kebbi rally was expected to begin from 11.00am to 1.00pm, the Abuja campaign would commence from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

However, as of 7.00pm, clearly five hours past the commencement time, the poster boy of the APC had not arrived the venue.

Sources told our reporter that the former Lagos State governor left his campaign ground in Kebbi late and might not arrive on time for the FCT rally.

Prior to his arrival, the disc jockeys and comperes did their best to engage and entertain the supporters at the carnival-like rally in vain.

Despite screaming into the microphone at intervals that “the presidential candidate is on his way” a number of supporters were strolling out of the venue disappointed.

Policemen, immigration officers, private security guards were seen mounting guards at major entrances to the campaign ground.

A horde of support groups wearing colourful ‘Aso Ebi’, T-shirts and caps customised with Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ marched and danced around waving banners carrying his campaign picture and other APC candidates vying for other positions at the 2023 election.

Petty food and drinks vendors were also spotted making brisk business while the wait for the party presidential candidate continues.

Among some notable dignitaries at the venue were Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi; wife of the APC vice presidential candidate, Hajia Nana Shettima; Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission Board, Lauretta Onochie; spouse of the Governor of Borno, Dr Falmata Zulum; Minister of State for the FCT, Ramatu Tijanni; Secretary of the APC and other members of the APC PCC

Also in attendance were Nollywood artistes such as Saidi Balogun, James Faleke, Abimbola Akintola and Zack Orji

Gbajabiamila himself arrived at the Eagle Square venue at exactly 5.50pm, about four hours late.

Politics

APC Chieftain, Owolabi, Hails Gov Oyebanji’s Emergency As Gubernatorial Candidate

Published

9 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), in Ekiti State, Mr. Dare Owolabi, has commended the leadership of the party for the endorsement of the incumbent Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) as the APC governorship candidate for the Ekiti State gubernatorial election slated for 2026.

Mr. Owolabi, a senatorial hopefully for the Ekiti North Senatorial District, gave the commendation when he hosted leaders and members of the APC to a grand reception at his residence in Odo Oro Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state, to celebrate Governor Oyebanji’s affirmation as the APC flag bearer for the forthcoming Ekiti guber race.

The reception attended by over a thousand APC members and supporters in Ikole Local Government Area, was canivalesque as party members and supporters made merriments and were treated to victory dances.

Speaking at the reception, Owolabi, a philanthropist and community leader, said that with the way and manner the APC laid to rest the stormy issue of the party’s governorship nomination, the APC had demonstrated that “it is on a good stead to win the coming governorship election convincingly.”

While commending the leadership of the ApC in Ekiti State and at the national levels for the uncommon ability to weather stormy times, Owolabi reiterated that the sterling performances of Governor Oyebanji were testimonies that the governorship had taken the state to a higher level, hence the decision by the party to support him for a second term.

Owolabi commended the party’s leadership for their wisdom and consensus-building efforts, describing Governor Oyebanji’s emergence as a testament to his outstanding performance and exemplary leadership style.

He urged party members of the party in the state to continue to support the governor’s efforts at transforming the state, adding that the collective loyalty and cooperation of the members “are vital for the sustained growth and development of Ekiti State.”

This was just as he urged Governor Oyebanji not to spare any effort at bringing all members of the party together, saying that “more than anytime before now, this is the time for His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji to show that he remains the quintessential father of all and extend his usual open hands to all and sundry.”

Owolabi who appealed to those who earlier showed interest in the ticket before the consensus to remain loyal to the APC, counsel led that “this is the time everyone must show commitment and values that the APC is first before individual ambitions.”

He further appealed to those who are yet to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration Exercise to do so promptly and ensure they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), which he described as an important tool for civic engagement and political empowerment.

Mr. Owolabi also expressed heartfelt appreciation to all supporters of the Irawo Owuro Project for their unwavering commitment and assured them of continued progress and success as the movement advanced.

Politics

JUST IN: All Enugu Reps Defect To APC

Published

10 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

The entire Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The defection was announced on Thursday by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, who read the lawmakers’ letters of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party during plenary.

The event was witnessed by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah.

The defectors said they decided to dump their former political platforms due to what they described as unresolved internal crises threatening the stability of the opposition parties.

After the 2023 general election, the Labour Party won seven of the eight House of Representatives seats in Enugu State, while the PDP secured one.

With this development, the APC now controls the entire Enugu caucus in the House of Representatives.

Addressing journalists after their defection, the spokesman of the defectors and member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Nnolim Nnaji, said their decision was influenced by the need to align with the project-oriented administration of Governor Mbah.

He said, “Just come to Enugu and see what is happening there. The governor is doing a lot for our people. We also want to bring our state to the centre.

“This is not just a political move — it is a bold step into the future! A step borne out of courage, clarity, and our shared determination to reposition Nkanu East and West for greatness.

“For too long, our dear Enugu State has remained in opposition, watching from the sidelines as others shaped the destiny of our nation and accessed opportunities that could have transformed our people’s lives. That era is over! We refuse to remain spectators when we can be key players in Nigeria’s progress.

“By aligning with the APC — the party steering national transformation — we are connecting our constituency to the heartbeat of national development. This alignment will bring more projects, more jobs, better infrastructure, and greater empowerment for our youths, women, and communities.

“This decision wasn’t made on impulse. It comes from deep reflection and a burning desire to see our people rise above limits and take their rightful place in the national spotlight.”

The six defectors at Thursday’s plenary include Martins Oke, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nnamdi Agbo, Nnolim Nnaji, and Mark Obetta.

In a related development, the member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Daniel Asama, also dumped the Labour Party for the APC.

…Details later

Politics

Reps Raise The Alarm Over Terrorists’ Threat To Bomb N’Assembly Complex

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2025

Editor

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, on Tuesday disclosed that the National Assembly has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex and called for urgent fortification of the edifice as a proactive measure.

Garba disclosed this in Abuja at a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, which seeks to enhance security management, protect the lawmakers, staff members and visitors to the nation’s parliament.

The edifice housing the Senate, the House of Representatives and sundry offices, he said, has been facing security challenges, including cases of car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.

Recall that on May 4, 2021, a similar incident was rumoured when security alert warned lawmakers of a planned Boko Haram attack on the National Assembly complex and other VIP/government locations in Abuja. In response, security measures were intensified, including strict vehicle checks that caused significant congestion at the gates.

Lawmakers were advised to use the less-congested presidential gate for safer access. The alert underscored concerns over Boko Haram’s growing threat, with insurgents reportedly operating as close as Niger State, near the Federal Capital Territory.

Following the alert, the National Assembly limited members’ presence on the premises for safety, and security experts called for stronger federal protection of national infrastructure and assets.

Garba said, “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly.

“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.

“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate the legislative activities in the National Assembly. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of the system, and our nation at large.

The Kano lawmaker noted that robust security management requires a holistic and coordinated approach, integrating multi-layered approaches to secure the National Assembly environment to enable lawmakers to discharge their duties in an atmosphere of peace.

“That is why this bill is important. It seeks to address all the challenges as aforesaid and adopt the world’s best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture.

“The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised because parliament has to remain accessible to the public. However, this bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture in the National Assembly — to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.

He urged State Houses of Assembly to take urgent steps to protect their complexes nationwide.

He called for support among stakeholders to ensure the quick passage of the bill, describing it as a major step toward securing Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“I wish us a peaceful and fruitful hearing that will ultimately bring a turnaround in the National Assembly’s security architecture,” he said.