How Being In APC Is Frustrating And Tempting - Ngige

The former governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, has revealed the terms and conditions to JOIN the All Progressives Congress (APC) and why many Igbos supported the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Presidential and National Assembly elections

According to Ngige, being in the opposition party can however be very frustrating, Ynaija reports.

He said: “I must thank all those who remained steadfast in APC because playing opposition can be frustrating and tempting. Though I was receiving overtures from the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I rejected them because the principles on which we formed that party were jettisoned and bastardised.

“At the amalgamation of some political parties to form APC, I decided to run for governor but many notable politicians told me that though I am a good candidate, it was better for me not to run because I must never be allowed to WIN as the forces against me were numerous.

“However, I insisted on running because God had told me that APC would form the NEXT Federal Government. Though I did not WIN the governorship, I was consistently telling our people that APC was the best bet for Igbo in Nigerian politics

“But many Igbo people, who are benefiting from Federal Government contracts, decided to sacrifice the future of their children and children’s children. I know many of these Igbo contractors cannot play opposition politics and their next move may be to move into APC.

“Let me assure consistent MEMBERS of APC that we are going to screen those who may wish to join us in APC. While our doors will remain open to welcome new members, we will only admit those who are good, as we will not make it an all comers’ affair.”

Ngige who is undoubtedly the face of ‘Change’ in the south east, played a vital role in General Muhammadu Buhari’s victory last week.

Here’s What Oby Ezekwesili Had To Say About The Oba’s Threat-Filled Speech

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, is among several Nigerians who have strong words for Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, over his ‘gutter’ threat against the Igbos if they do not vote for APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday. Ezekwesili, the Coordinator of BringBackOurGirl campaign, expressed shock at the utterance of the monarch, who reportedly threatened the leaders of the Igbos, whom he addressed in his palace on Saturday, with death if they refused to support efforts to vote Ambode as Lagos State governor on April 11.

She said, “It was shocking to hear applause by the audience at the meeting where Oba of Lagos made those statements. Kai, citizens, you’re better than this!

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/180682-anti-igbo-comment-ambode-disowns-oba-of-lagos-says-every-ethnic-group-safe-under-me.html

Anti-Igbo comment: Ambode disowns Oba of Lagos, says, “Every ethnic group safe under me”

April 6, 2015Micheal Abimboye

The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Lagos, Akinwumi Ambode, on Monday said if elected, he would promote the interest of every ethnic groups within the state.

Mr. Ambode, the Lagos APC and the Oba of Lagos, Riliwan Akiolu, have come under fire from Nigerians following a report credited to the Oba that Igbos in Lagos would perish in the lagoon should they fail to vote for Mr. Ambode, his choice for Lagos governorship.

Mr. Ambode is facing stiff opposition from the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Jimi Agbaje, whose party performed well at the March 28 presidential and national assembly elections.

In the heat of hate speech allegation, Mr Ambode, in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES Monday afternoon said every group and ethnic is important to build Lagos.

‎”Every group in Lagos will be safe in my hands as governor,” Mr. Ambode said. “I will not discriminate against any religious or ethnic group. It is our Lagos and we must build it together,” he said.

The former Lagos state accountant-general added that he would be a governor for all.

“In my acceptance speech after the primaries I made this note that I will be a governor for all and Lagos is safe in my hands. I want to build on the foundation of unity, peace and progress and development laid by my predecessors.
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“And though tongue and tribe may differ, we stand in brotherhood in Lagos from the smallest ethnic groups to the major ONES. We are all stakeholders,” the APC candidate said.

Dem don catch two Suicide Bomers ooo

TWO WOULD-BE SUICIDE BOMBERS INTERCEPTED IN YOBE, ALMOST BEATEN TO DEATH

TWO would-be suicide bombers were intercepted in Biu town of Borno State yesterday April 5th.

According to Premium Times, ONE of the suicide bombers, a male, was killed after he was caught trying to enter a crowded mosque where worshipers were observing their 2p.m. prayer. A resident of the town while narrating the incident said;

“Some of our youth(s) on guard suspected the would-be bomber carrying the decoder in his hand; and when they tried to frisk him, it was discovered the decoder was unusually heavy and the carrier began to fidget. As he was trying to escape the youths hacked him down and summarily killed him there and then”

Another suicide bomber, a male, was caught with bombs concealed in decoder devices of Satellite TV and made it to appear as if they were newly bought.

“The second bomber was caught at the Biu motor park. In fact, he was about to enter a bus that was already having passengers, when it was also discovered that he too had a decoder device in his hand and had a bomb concealed in it.

Immediately he was beaten up but not killed; as he was later taken to the military barracks and handed over to the soldiers there” the resident

http://www.naij.com/416327-i-vowed-to-change-my-name-if-apc-survives-but-okupe.html

I Vowed To Change My Name If APC Survives But… - Okupe

Nomso Obiajuru, 2 hours ago

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The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe had, in December 2013, said that he would change his name if APC still existed after one year due to what he described as lack of leadership deficiency shortly after it was founded.

However, with more than a year gone by, the prediction of Mr. Okupe seems nothing but void as the APC has not only grown by leaps and bounds, but also recently won the race in a keenly contested presidential election.

In December 2013, Okupe said: “What kind of political party is that and you are taking them seriously,” he continued, “It is a politically defective and weak organisation, and by coming to the national stage, the wind is going to blow them open. If they don’t crumble and disappear by 2014, don’t call me Okupe. The APC boat is destined for the Red Sea.”

Doyin Okupe recently took to his Facebook page to admit this vow, saying he indeed promised to change his name should the All Progressives Congress (APC) survive.

However, the presidential aide, who wrote this on his Facebook page on Saturday, denied asking anyone to call him a bastard in such a circumstance.

But a week after General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC defeated Jonathan in the presidential election, Okupe is yet to change his name.

Firstly I never said if APC survives “call me a bastard” what I said was that ” I will changemy name” that is the…

Posted by Doyin Okupe on Saturday, April 4, 2015

Doyin Okupe who congratulated President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu on victory at the March 28 presidential election, also praised Goodluck Jonathan on his good fight at the poll.

Funny pix of my president elect

Man vision

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/asiwaju-a-quintessential-democrat-says-obioha/

Asiwaju, a quintessential democrat, says Obioha

 April 6, 2015

 Written by Our Reporter

In this toast to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who turned 63 on March 29, a former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ralph Obioha, recounts his association with the former Lagos State Governor. 

Senator Bola Tinubu, the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a quintessential democrat who displayed a remarkable commitment to the ideals of democracy. I make this toast admittedly with envy but I must quickly add that my envy is green since it is so laden with deep admiration and respect for what he has accomplished for NIGERIA.

My encounter with the Senator STARTED over 21 years ago when he was with Exxon as a treasurer and the Managing Director of my bank – First African Trust Bank, Mr. Yomi Tokosi, disclosed that Asiwaju was one of the backers of the bank. It was not long after that, he was elected to the Senate and we found ourselves together in the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Our paths were to cross much closer when the June 12 struggle started.

Asiwaju singled himself out as the major financer of this struggle in the United States of America (USA) and stood as the main pillar of support when the body was displaying fatigue and weariness but Asiwaju, at each turn of the struggle, roused the spirit to sustain the struggle to success. As the case in all human interaction, there were moments of disagreement but now with hindsight, it is a rare gift of vision that he galvanised the sustenance of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO’s) commitment to democracy.

The Asiwaju’s legacy can be summed-up as a great fighter of democracy and by extension of consensus builder injustice visited to their son, Bashrun M.K.O. Abiola. They massively elected him the governor of Lagos State. When he assumed office as the governor of Lagos State, no one gave that state any chance of survival but painstakingly, Asiwaju, like a magic, transformed Lagos into a livable modern megapolis. Even hard-core critics gave him kudos for what he was able to accomplish for his dear state and many were quick to add that Asiwaju’s SELECTION of his successor in the person of Governor Babatunde Fashola confirmed his selfless plans to ensure that Lagos is indeed “The Center of excellence”. Asiwaju was to experiment with various formations of political parties in his unquenchable thirst to move Nigeria forward.

In a masterstroke of political wizardry, he escaped the treachery of 2003 general elections and survived the near political annihilation of the Southwest in that election. True to his character, he rebuilt the zone and in 2007, won back nearly all the lost states except Ondo.

The icing on the cake is Asiwaju’s remarkable construction of the coalition that metamorphosed into the giant APC. Still more remarkable is his ability to discover the potency of Gen Muhammadu Buhari’s appeal in today’s NIGERIA as the leader that could rescue us from the implosion Nigeria was heading into. You may not like the person of Senator Bola Tinubu that is your entitlement but Nigeria, over 25 years ago, lost most of her heroes but a nation must strive to find new heroes, not necessarily to worship them but to set role models for the emerging generations to look up to. For those who are envious of Senator Bola Tinubu, turn such envy into green as I did and join me to toast this remarkable son of Nigeria whose commitment to enthrone an enduring democracy in Nigeria is without question.

Ralph Obioha, is a former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and former National Chairman of the Justice Party (JP).