2019: Outrage As Cabal Hijacks President Buhari’s Campaign

Headings:

- Plots to shutout APC NWC members
- Underground battle for campaign funds control rage
- Why presidential campaign council is yet to be set up
- No one can hijack our campaign — APC
- Campaign may last for five weeks

THE crises ravaging the All Progressives Congress, APC, across some states appear to be eating into President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign.

Party sources told Saturday Nigerian News Today that a cabal has hijacked the campaign and there is an intense plot to relegate National Working Committee, NWC, members in the scheme of things.

The plot, piloted by what a senior party official referred to as “presidency hawks” would see the party leadership attending campaigns like guests without strong inputs into the planning and organization.

Indeed, it was gathered that some governors, who are at daggers drawn with the APC hierarchy over the recent primaries in which some of their loyalists lost out, want to teach the party leadership a lesson. How? They can only contribute funds to President Buhari’s campaign if the funds would not be controlled by the APC leadership.

President Buhari had months ago named Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi as Director General of his Presidential Campaign Council, with Festus Keyamo, SAN, as campaign spokesman. Since then, a full campaign structure had  neither been named by the party nor the presidency.

Why campaign council is in limbo

While some presidency officials had attributed the delay in constituting a campaign council to paucity of funds, it was gathered that some members, who worked in the 2015 campaigns when contacted to serve on the council were not keen on taking up the job.

“Many of those, who actually worked during the campaigns were sidelined. Some people were the eggheads but others took the rewards because of their closeness to Mr President. So, some of those who were practically left in the lurch are not enthusiastic about taking up new tasks because of past experiences. In fact, even those of them who were contacted to be part of some of the various reconciliation committees in the party turned down the offer”, a party official told Saturday Vanguard.

The development is in spite of President Buhari’s promise, last week, to reward those who will work for his re-election.

About two years ago, Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari complained about the hijacking of the presidency by a cabal and the neglect of those who worked for Buhari’s election in 2015 and threatened that she might not campaign for Buhari in 2019 unless the anomaly was addressed.

Now, the APC top shot added that the party leadership is not leading the 2019 campaigns because certain forces close to the president have hijacked the process.

“One would have thought that with the pedigree of our National Chairman (Adams Oshiomhole) that some of these forces would give him a freehand to organize things, but that is not the case. Except if the chairman has information on the role we are expected to play, I can tell you that many of us do not exactly know much about the campaigns. The party has only recently been able to convince the presidency on the need to at least kick-start the campaigns before the end of this year and that is why we might be going to Akwa Ibom soon for what might pass for the formal launch of our campaigns.”

Campaigns may begin second week of January, last five weeks

The source added that some of the president’s handlers have designed a template that would see the APC presidential campaigns lasting for only five weeks.

Control of campaign funds

Speaking further, he said: “It is not about the capacity of the party leadership to drive the campaigns. I think some people just want to prove to the president that they can do it alone or perhaps some people want to be in control of campaign funds because there is nothing strategic about delaying the campaigns or not naming a campaign council less than two months to the elections.”

No one can hijack our campaigns — APC

However, in his reaction, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said no one can hijack the party’s campaigns.

“Hijacked by who? If they hijacked it, to do what?  Can they campaign without the president? Can they campaign without the party? We are all working together and there is no issue. Very shortly, the campaign council will be announced and campaigns will start. Election is February 16 and I keep telling people that campaigns are not all about rallies. There are several platforms of engagement with the voters. Many other aspects are ongoing. Our activities are ongoing. Yesterday, the president  commissioned the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport. That is campaign to show that the same country that was not working is now working. That is what Nigerians are going to vote for in February.

Nigerians are travelling this season, they will see activities going on on the roads. The roads that were not free for several hours, they are now going to be spending fewer hours. That is part of campaign. It is for people to go and see improvements and see possibilities and see that their country is now working.

We are going to do rallies across the country. We are a party that is so proud of our achievements and we are very confident that our achievements are speaking for us already”, he said.

2018: Shocking Truth about Nigerian Saxophonist

Fast rising Nigerian Saxophonist Anthony Samuel Chukwudi, also known as Samsax is the Second born of a family of Three. Has his origin from Aboh Mbaise Imo state.

He's based in Imo State where he obtained his 2nd Degree in Business Management (Imo State University). 

As a solo artist/saxophonist he’s also gifted with vocal ability and playing other instruments like the Harmonica and Recorder.

He started playing the sax at a tender age with an unending love for musical instruments. Anthony Samuel Chukwudi better known as "Samsax'D'Worshiper” has played at several events from Gospel Concerts and Conferences to Jazz Festivals & Runway events in different states in Nigeria.

When asked what his drive was, he simply stated: "God gave us the ability to worship and praise him which ever way we can and I've choosen to do mine with music. Music is life, playing the saxophone gives me joy and I've been able to share that joy to everyone that listens to me"

SamSax gets inspirations from his favorite Saxophone player Hezekiah Kenny Oduola, and multiple awards winning Nigerian jazz artiste Mike Aremu and Beejay Sax.

He picked up the Saxophone after a Balanced  state with the Recorder and Harmonica just days to a National Convention at his church then in Benin City, Edo State where he grew up with his family, and did well in performance after only few days of playing and practicing.

He later picked up the rest of his skill with help from veteran saxophonist workshops from Jerry Omole, Peter Falade etc and listening to Hezekiah Kenny Oduola, Dave Koz, John Coltrane etc. 

For SamSax, "music has always been a therapeutic and enabling force which promotes 360 degree communication and empowering links across humankind and to win more souls for Jesus. To heal the blind and sick and perform signs and wonders."

He's the host of Samsax Live in Concert (SLiC) which have seen Edo State and Imo State as hosts with several editions and has seen the likes of top gospel music artiste from South Africa (John Okon), Eben, Prosper Nnaji, Walker Smith Maureensingz, Temmie psalmist etc minister to hundreds of youths in Nigeria through his platform.

Samsax has a wild mindset of delivering a sorting piece of Naija flavoured melodies from the sweet sound of his saxophone to his audience. And he's ready to that with ease at your events.
You wouldn't want to miss any sound.

You can reach Samsax for books & follow on Social Media
Facebook: Anthony Samuel
Twitter: Samsax7
Instagram: @Samsaxofficial
Email: samsax4christ@gmail.com
Or
Call & WhatsApp
+2348167917096

Ahead 2019 Election: Tell INEC, security agencies to remain neutral, PDP charges Buhari

ABUJA- National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the security agencies to stay neutral and stick to their statutory mandates in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

Secondus who stated this at the PDP national secretariat while presenting party flags to its governorship candidates in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, said the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has become jittery, knowing “it has been rejected by Nigerians nationwide.”

Accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of failing to engage the people constructively, the PDP boss warned against any plot to sabotage the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.
He said, “Buhari should order INEC and security agencies to be neutral. The President should be bold to call INEC chairman and security agencies to order.

“Nigerians are wiser now. This is a President that does not communicate at home except outside Nigeria. Nigerians are confused and cannot understand him and yet he says he’s coming back. And we ask: to come and do what?”

Responding on behalf of other candidates, the Ogun state governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, thanked the leadership of the party for its commitment to transparency and democracy.

He took a swipe at the APC saying “a party that cannot administer its own affairs cannot administer a nation.”

Flags were also presented at the brief ceremony to Seyi Makinde (Oyo state governorship candidate) and Haleemat Oluwayemisi Busari, running mate to Jimi Agbaje, the Lagos state governorship candidate, who stood in for her boss.

By: Anthony Samuel

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National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and President Muhammadu Buhari

Prisoners Now Have Right to Vote - Appeal Court directs INEC to recognise prisoners as eligible voter

The Court of Appeal sitting in Bénin City has granted an appeal seeking to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include names of Nigerian citizens in prisons in the country in its voters register.

But the Court did not say whether INEC should liaise with the Nigeria Prison Service or not to create registration centers at various prisons across the country.

The appeal was filed by five inmates on behalf of other inmates in Nigeria prisons across the country and they included Victor Emenuwe, Onome Inaye, Kabiru Abu, Osagie Iyekekpolor and Modugu Odion.

Justice S. Oseji who read the lead judgement on behalf of Justice Helen Ogunwumiju said the appellant could appeal the ruling.

Speaking to newsmen after the court ruling, Counsel to the appellant, President Aigbokhan of the Initiative for Rural Development, Information and Legal Advocacy (IRDILA) urged INEC to commence immediate registration of inmates across the country for them to participate in next year’s election.
Aigbokhan however said some parts of the decision of the Court of Appeal would be appealed.

According to him, “Prison inmates have their community. Polling units should be located there.
“One of our clients is the inmates in prisons. We believe they have a right to vote in an election so as to decide those who ultimately decide their future.
“When franchise is given to them, attention will be focused there. Their situation and health conditions will be improved"

“In 2014, the Federal High Court granted our prayers that prisoners can vote but narrowed it to the four applicants in the suit even though it was stated there that those applicants were representing other inmates".

“We went to the Court of Appeal and the court agreed that the judgement represents all inmates in the country and that INEC should, with immediate effect collect the names of inmates and allow them to vote in 2019.

“The judgment has disagreed that INEC should create polling units inside the prison. In 2015, the inmates are over 550,000. All INEC needs to do is to update their voter register and liase with NGO as volunteers go help them. It is victory for Nigeria’s democracy.”

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Created and Edited by Anthony Samuel, a Business Management Graduate from Imo State University. 
"I love politics and african music culture, i blog about facts concerning my country for a living and i enjoy doing it!"

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What a Shame: Catholic Church Disowns Father Mbaka

The Catholic Diocese of Enugu state has dissociated itself from the endorsement of some South-East governors and candidates contesting for different political positions by Father Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual director of Adoration ministries, Enugu.

This development is coming after Mbaka embarrassed the vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Peter Obi for failing to donate money to his church during their recent Bazaar ceremony. Mbaka also publicly accused Obi of being ‘Stingy’. His actions have been condemned by several catholic faithful and the church itself.

The diocese stated that it had not endorsed any candidate for the 2019 general Elections.

In an interview with the Press on Tuesday, the director of communications, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi disclosed that the Church was apolitical and does not take any political position. In his words;

“The church is apolitical.
The church doesn’t take any political position at any time and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), a couple of weeks ago, issued an official statement to that effect; that the pulpit should not be used for any political campaign or the priest coming out to endorse any candidate as against the other. So, there has been official statement to that effect by CBCN.

So, anything on the contrary is against what the church is teaching. He doesn’t represent the official position of the church because the church’s position has always been clear and that is what the position of the church has always been, and it hasn’t changed yet.

Church officials don’t come out and make political statements or say things that might suggest that one political candidate is endorsed as against the other, no. It is against the church’s mode of operation. It is against the church’s principles,” he said.

NO PRESIDENT WHO EMERGES FROM PDP WILL SUCCEED - DONALD DUKE - POLITICS TODAY

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Donald Duke, has said the corruption in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not allow any candidate who emerges president from the party to perform......

THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT NIGERIAN POLITICS..

Politics as we always call it, is a dirty game, have you asked yourself why people call it a dirty game?

Here are Few things you need to know before going into politics:

1. To win elections in Nigeria, you need spiritualists, thugs and money.

2. You need thugs and spiritualists because your life is not safe. You can get killed by assassins, sent by your opponents who also want the same position.

3. You need money because that is what it is all about. Once you declare your interest in politics, every one around you is likely to believe that you have saved some money aside, or stolen some money, or you have rich Godfathers who have given you money, and you are stupid enough to throw it around, and that only a gambler goes into politics. They want their own share of what you have.

4. You need the spiritualists because your opponents, believe it or not, will take your name everywhere to their own spiritualists and their minimum objective is to destroy you, or well, stop you.

5. Don’t ever make the mistake of eating outside. Important political figures in Nigeria do not eat outside. They pretend to be fasting. If you see any Nigerian politician, eating and talking anyhow at a public forum, ignore him, he is not yet ready. He is planning to move from depression mode to suicide.

6. The law says thugs are not allowed. The tradition is that every politician has a small team of able-bodied men. The state security agencies can’t protect you. Get your own men, and get lawyers too. Lawyers want to chop too. They will help you protect the thugs.

7. If you can help it, keep your wives and children out of the fray. Your opponents will make them an issue if you throw them into the game.

8. Beware of the consultants. Many of them will come to you. They know everything. They worked with that Governor and that Senator and they know everything about the media and the field of politics. Just be careful. Politics is about strategy but half the strategists out there are fake.

9. By all means, pray. Pray hard. You may not win, but if you are alive, you may try again. And don’t be squeamish about this: in Brazil, one imbecile called Adelio Bispo de Oliveira put a knife through a Presidential aspirant’s stomach and nearly killed him. In Nigeria, the situation could have been worse. Seek to be a winner, not a martyr.

10. Like the Boys’ Scout, be prepared…

This is my advice to you: my short manual on Nigerian politics. There is a longer version where this came from.

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Created and Edited by Anthony Samuel, a Business Management Graduate from Imo State University. "I love politics and african music culture, i blog about facts concerning my country for a living and i enjoy doing it!"

Facebook: Anythony Samuel