Bruised and humiliated by the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Adamu Mu’azu, has declared that the electoral loss has taught the party a great lesson.
This comes as the leadership of PDP also met with some of its governors, governorship candidates and some state party chairmen with the aim of restrategising to stem further humiliation.
The meeting, which started at 11:30am and ended at 2:15pm, was held behind closed doors; even aides of the party chieftains were asked to leave the meeting immediately after the national anthem was sung to signal the commencement of the meeting.
The meeting was chaired by the national chairman, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, with most of their governorship candidates in attendance.
The meeting, a party source revealed, was aimed at restrategising to stop a possible bandwagon effect of the presidential and National Assembly election losses in the April 11 governorship election.
“We are mindful of the bandwagon effect after the presidential election. We are planning how to adopt a new strategy and intensify our push to ensure our governorship candidates are not floored at the election,” a party source, who pleaded anonymity, said.
The atmosphere at the party’s national headquarters was, however, was downcast as the usual bubbly activity that accompanies the visit of its chieftains to the party’s national secretariat was noticeably watered down.
The party is, however, considering the option of approaching the election tribunal to complain about the manner of its loss. It claims there were irregularities that worked against its presidential candidates.
PDP national chairman, Adamu, Mu’azu, in a statement, said: “Presently, our nation is at the threshold of history and its defining moment for the future. As you are aware, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 1, 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as winner of the 2015 presidential election.
“However, we have received reports of serious irregularities that characterized the conduct of the election and we shall channel our protests to the appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.
“What is paramount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all our people. Nigeria is bigger than any political party, individual or group and her overall interest must be our priority at all times.”
The party also commended flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, for his heroic act in conceding to the voice of the people, saying the action stands him out as a true democrat and a statesman.
“We also congratulate the APC flag bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for his resilience and victory in this election while wishing him success in the onerous task of leading our nation once again,” he said.
He, however, declared the PDP was not down but a “redefining moment”.
“Rather than demoralize us, this election has afforded us great lessons and we are now more than ever before reinvigorated for the race ahead.
“As we return to the electorate for the April 11, 2015 governorship and state assembly elections, we go recharged with faith in our heart. We assure all our candidates in the remaining elections that the party will stand with you, campaign with you and work vigorously to ensure your total victory at the polls,” he stated, even as he called on the party faithful to remain steadfast and vote in the party’s flag bearers in the remaining elections.
Fr. Mbaka, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Congratulate Buhari
Fearless Roman Catholic priest and spiritual director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the presidential election.
LEADDERSHIP recalls that Father Mbaka’s New Year Message, entitled “From Good-luck to Bad-luck,” drew mixed reactions across the country after he told the Jonathan administration that change was imminent. His prophecy has now come to pass.
Mbaka, who spoke through the spokesman of the ministry, Barr Maximus Ike Ugwuoke, described Buhari’s emergence as a divine victory for all Nigerians and urged the president-elect to devote attention to tackling the myriads problems facing the country.
“It is with joy of vindication and glory to God that Adoration Ministry, the nation and indeed the world saw the fulfilment of Fr Mbaka’s New Year prophecy of change with the miraculous and victorious emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari at the March 28 polls as the president-llect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We wish to restate that before President Goodluck Jonathan became the president of this country, Fr Mbaka had prophesied it in his message entitled ‘Okolo’.
“Today again, Buhari’s victory, among other lessons it portends to Nigerians, has once more confirmed to all and sundry that Fr Mbaka is indeed a true Prophet of God and that His New Year message was indeed from the Oracle of the Holy Spirit as he had declared.”
He noted that the ministry holds no grudges against anyone who disparaged the priest during the controversy generated by Fr Mbaka’s message, saying their actions emanated from misconstruing the priest’s prophetic calling.
He said the ministry joined the rest of Nigerians to congratulate Buhari, and prayed for God to give him the wisdom as he goes on with the onerous task of bringing good governance to longsuffering Nigerians.
“We see Buhari’s victory as divine victory to all Nigerians irrespective of our religious and ethnic divide”, he stated, even as he advised the president-elect to seek divine wisdom before choosing people to work with.
“The prayer of Fr. Mbaka is that God will give Buhari wisdom not to surround himself with the wrong people; that was the major problem Jonathan’s administration faced.
“Fr. Mbaka has advocated that Nigerians should be patient with Buhari because the holes dug in the country are too much – holes of corruption, holes of unemployment, among others. However, if the patience of Nigerians is exhausted, if Buhari fails to deliver, Fr. Mbaka will be the first to cast the stone”, he stated.
A Catholic faithful, George Ugwu Ezeugwu, told LEADERSHIP yesterday that only those who do not know the priest well would attack him the way they did when he predicted the change of government.
He said: “This is a man who correctly predicted Abacha’s death and the removal of Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo as PDP chairman. In fact, he told Nwodo before the assembled worshippers that he would cry in 24 hours; the next day he was removed as PDP chairman. In fact, he has been using him to do many miraculous works.”
In a similar development, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has also congratulated Buhari on his victory.
In a statement issued by its president-general, Gary Enwo-Igariwey, the organization urged Buhari and all Nigerians to justifiably take great pride in “this peaceful achievement which serves to signal the expansion and deepening of true democracy in our nation.”
Igbos In The North Congratulate Buhari
The Igbo Delegates Assembly, made up of Igbos in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have sent a congratulatory letter to the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.
In the letter signed by the group’s president-general Mazi Larry Nwosu, and secretary-general, Comrade Auston Ifedinezi, they commended Buhari for his resilience and doggedness.
The letter reads: “We the executive members of Igbo Delegates Assembly and the entire Ndigbo in the 19 states of northern Nigeria and FCT, Abuja, wish to heartily congratulate you on your meritorious victory in the March 28, 2015, presidential election. We appreciate your resilience, doggedness and determination. Your success is an inspiration to the upcoming leaders.
“We pray the Almighty God will avail you strong health, sound mind, wisdom and such other faculties to move Nigeria and Nigerians to the next level. Just know it that God has spoken and anointed you to the exalted throne; therefore look onto God for direction.”
The group also praised President Googluck Ebele Jonathan for his humility, prudence, love for Nigeria and Nigerians and for initiating the most credible, free, fair and transparent electioneering process in Nigeria and Africa.
“It is only a man of honour and selfless attribute like him that could save Nigeria from such imminent devastating crisis through his God-fearing conduct. May God continue to be with him. He has proven that Nigeria can be better,” the group said.
The group also commended INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega for conducting a free and fair election.
Buhari’s Victory, Handiwork Of God – Amaechi
Rivers State governor and director-general of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO), Mr Chibuike Amaechi, has described the victory of the presidential candidate of the party, General Muhamadu Buhari, as the handiwork of God to bring change in the leadership of the country.
The governor thanked Nigerians and APC faithful for their collective efforts in voting Buhari and gave the assurance that the president-elect will run a transparent and accountable government that will move the nation to greater heights.
Amaechi spoke yesterday upon his arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, where he was warmly welcomed by APC chieftains and stalwarts in the state.
He said, “I attribute the victory of APC to the handiwork of God, and it is to effect change in the leadership of this country. I want to thank Nigerians and APC faithful for the various roles they played to lead the party to victory. Be assured that Buhari’s administration will run an accountable and transparent government and will take this nation to the next level.”
Amaechi, who is also the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), enjoined Nigerians and APC faithful to join him in congratulating the winner of the 2015 Presidential election, Buhari, and his running mate, Professor Osibanjo, on their victory at the polls.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, thanked the Almighty God for making it possible for Nigerians to know the truth in the face of wickedness, political high-handedness, and impunity by the military and the police against APC supporters in the state.
Abe said, “We don’t have anything to say than to tell Governor Amaechi thank you for making it possible for us to identify with the APC, which won the presidential election. The victory for Buhari has made us proud; Rivers people will now be free from wickedness, political high handedness, and impunity.”
Edo Holds Victory Procession, Concert for Buhari
Benin City, the capital of Edo State, was Wednesday thrown into jubilation as party faithful and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, rolled out their drums and held a procession to celebrate the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 presidential poll.
Starting from the Benin Airport, the APC supporters and lovers of General Buhari danced round major streets of Benin City before converging on Oba Ovoranmwen Square where a victory concert to celebrate the general’s victory was held.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the Oba Ovoranmwen Square, Governor Oshiomhole said Buhari’s victory was a victory for the people, victory for the nation as well as victory for the nation’s democracy.
He thanked the people of the state for their support and for being part of the change story.
“In Edo State, our promises cut across ethnic, religion and other primordial sentiments. So we felt tonight we should celebrate our country; we should celebrate democracy. The victory of Muhammadu Buhari is victory for Nigeria.
He will be the driver; we are all co-drivers in the business of repositioning our great country.”
The governor also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for his role in the process, saying: “We also want to appreciate President Goodluck Jonathan tonight for being a statesman when he accepted defeat without any argument. He has led by example and I think we can build on that. You are the best; you are the greatest.”
Top artistes from across the country including Patoranking, Timaya, Maleke, Osayomore Joseph and Bolivia Junior, among others, were on hand to entertain the supporters who trooped out in their thousands to celebrate the historic victory.
Earlier, Fielding questions from Journalists at the Benin Airport on his arrival from Abuja where he had joined other APC chieftains to witness the Issuance of Certificate of Return to the president-elect, said the nation was now firmly moving in the right direction.
He said: “Slowly and steadily, we can see consistent improvement in our democratic process and we pray that it just gets better. The beauty of it all like the president-elect said that even the honour of presiding one day is enough to earn you a place in Nigerian history and I think Jonathan has earned that place.”
Don’t Disappoint Nigerians, Sultan Tells Buhari
The president-general of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has congratulated Gen Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the poll.
Speaking through the NSCIA secretary-general, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the Sultan urged Buhari not to disappoint Nigerians who voted him into power.
Addressing a news conference in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday, Oloyede described Buhari’s election as overwhelming.
In the same vein, the religious body commended President Goodluck Jonathan for displaying unprecedented leadership by not only conceding defeat in the presidential poll, but congratulating the winner.
“By the singular and epochal action Your Excellence took by congratulating the winner of the presidential elections, even before the final result was pronounced, you have taken leadership to a new height and you have honoured Nigeria in the eyes of the world. More importantly, you have effectively preserved the peace of the nation,” NSCIA stated.
On Buhari’s election, the religious body stated:
“We also wish to commend you for the way and manner you conducted yourself during the electioneering campaign, which showcased the beauty of Islam and projected you as a good ambassador of faith who would not descend low to engage in frivolity, despite provocation.”
The Islamic group reminded the president-elect that it is up to him now to use his mandate for advancing the cause of the nation.
“In the same vein as congratulatory messages pour in, we enjoin you to remain prayerful and focus your attention on how to heal the wounds of Nigeria. Nigerians have great expectations from an incorruptible man, a role model, a gallant officer and distinguished statesman who they could not be induced by money to abandon.
“It is your responsibility not to disappoint the teeming majority, the masses especially who sacrificed their time, energy, and lives because their hope hangs on you.
“As you are set to commence this onerous task before you, we urge you to be careful of those who hail you and reflect on the criticism of your critics. Know that for every opportunity, there is a responsibility and for every appointment, there is accountability before men and Allah.”
Buhari’s Victory, Turning Point In Nigeria’s Democracy – Ganduje
Kano State deputy governor and APC candidate in the upcoming governorship poll, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has described the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari as a turning point in Nigeria’s democracy .
Ganduje made this comment when he led a powerful delegation on a congratulatory visit to the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, at his residence in Abuja.
A statement made available to journalists and signed by the director of press to the deputy governor, Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, stated that Ganduje told Buhari that his victory at the polls was a triumph for democracy and in fulfilment of the wishes of the people to end corruption, for their lives to improve.
The gubernatorial candidate of the APC affirmed that the people of Kano had answered the call of the general during his campaign visit to the state where he asked the electorate to vote APC candidates in all elective posts, adding that Buhari’s mass appeal with the people was unquestionable.
In his response, Buhari expressed delight at the visit and noted that Kano had always been his support base since he joined politics.
Buhari also called on the people of Kano and Nigerians as a whole to come out en masse on April 11 to vote for APC candidates in the gubernatorial and state assembly elections.
“Voting for APC governors and state legislators will make it easier for the needed change,” he said.
Ganduje also led the delegation to the residence of APC national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, during which he reaffirmed the massive support the APC was enjoying from the people of Kano.
Tompolo Accepts Buhari’s Victory
A former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, has declared his acceptance of the people’s mandate handed to Gen Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was divinely ordained.
Tompolo’s statement comes less than 24 hours after another ex-militant, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, said he and his colleagues may be forced to return to militancy following President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat.
Tompolo, alongside other ex-militants, had months ago threatened to wreak havoc if Jonathan lost the election.
However, Tompolo, in a statement by his spokesperson, Paul Bebenimibo, appealed to Nigerians to accept the outcome of the March 28 election for the sake of peace.
He said, “I believe that nothing can happen if God does not approve of it. I want to appeal to all our people to be orderly, calm and embrace peace. The will of the people is sacrosanct and the existing peace be maintained.
“Peace is a prerequisite for national development. People should remain calm also during the governorship election.”
A former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, has declared his acceptance of the people’s mandate handed to Gen Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was divinely ordained.
Tompolo’s statement comes less than 24 hours after another ex-militant, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, said he and his colleagues may be forced to return to militancy following President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat.
Tompolo, alongside other ex-militants, had months ago threatened to wreak havoc if Jonathan lost the election.
However, Tompolo, in a statement by his spokesperson, Paul Bebenimibo, appealed to Nigerians to accept the outcome of the March 28 election for the sake of peace.
He said, “I believe that nothing can happen if God does not approve of it. I want to appeal to all our people to be orderly, calm and embrace peace. The will of the people is sacrosanct and the existing peace be maintained.
“Peace is a prerequisite for national development. People should remain calm also during the governorship election.”
NMA Congratulates Buhari
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has congratulated the winner of the March 28 presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement signed by the president of the association, Dr Kayode Obembe and the secretary general, Dr Adewunmi Alayaki, which was made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja, the association said, ‘The NMA sends her hearty congratulations to you on your recent victory in the just concluded presidential election.’
The NMA, which is the umbrella body of all medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria, said as the custodians of people’s health, it believes that a healthy nation is reflected in the health of her citizenry in both the primary, secondary and tertiary health sectors.
Towards effective governance and meeting the challenges in the health sector towards attaining Universal Health Coverage (UCH), the association said it is available for collaboration with the incoming government as it has always done towards effective policy planning in charting a better health sector.
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