2023: Obasanjo, Wike, Obi, others meet in London

 

.Finally, Atiku, Rivers Gov parley in UK

.Jonathan, Sambo task candidates on issue– based campaigns

.As Waziri cautions Lamido, Aliu, others over inflammatory comments

 

 

 

Obiora Ifoh, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has called on all stakeholders of the PDP and his supporters to desist forthwith from making statements that are capable of compromising the on-going work towards further strengthening the party and bringing all its leaders together.

The former Vice President made the call through a press statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe in Abuja on Thursday.

 

Close allies of Atiku including former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido and Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu amongst other supporters of the Presidential Candidate have been accused of making statements that have continued to hamper peace in the party.

However, Atiku in the statement said, “it has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party.

“This appeal becomes necessary in order to call the attention of party leaders and members to the diversionary antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress which, in manufacturing a false impression of division within the PDP, aims to hoodwink the Nigerian public to overlook the monumental failures of the ruling party.

“Today, Nigerians look up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party. This expectation from the people is the reason why the APC is jittery of their impending fall in next year’s general election.  It is also the very reason why the ruling party is manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.

“Because they know that there is nothing to campaign with from their records of performance in office, the APC has elected to play the role of the devil’s advocate, regaling in celebration of their imaginary invincibility upon a fraudulent claim that the PDP is divided.

“It is for this reason that appeal to every true member of the PDP and anyone who truly wishes the success of the PDP presidential candidate to not fall for the antics of the APC in making statements that could give credence to the false claim of divisions in the PDP.

“All the leaders of the party, including especially the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Wike and all governors of the PDP are united in working for the victory of the PDP in next year’s general election across board.

“What is at stake in the next year’s election is the future of Nigeria and all leaders and members of the PDP are on the same page in the mission to rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the APC.”

 

some hours after the picture of a meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo, presidential candidate of the Labour Party and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, made the media rounds, Wike has also held the long-awaited meeting with former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in London.

 

Details of the meeting between the two PDP leaders were not disclosed but it centered around reconciliation and the need to move the party forward.

 

Those present at the meeting aside Atiku and Wike were Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, and his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom.

However,As Nigeria approaches the 2023 general election, the former president, Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo, have advised the various political party candidates and stakeholders to address issue-based campaigns instead of abuses.

 

Both leaders made the call during the Annual Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Legacy Dialogue which held on Thursday in Abuja.

 

Goodluck Jonathan who addressed the crowd through zoom, said the 2023 general elections should be free, and fair, even as it called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to ensure it maintains an unbiased arbiter.

 

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Vice President Nnamdi Sambo; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Musa Bello; Vice Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed; Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo were physically present.

 

Others were former Governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki; former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; former Minister of State, Health, Architect Gabriel Aduku; former Minister of State, Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; former Minister of State, FCT, Chief Chuka Odom, amongst others.

 

Namadi Sambo also noted that the 2022 dialogue put together by the Ibrahim and Maryam Babangida Presidential Library Foundation with the broad theme: ‘Issues in Africa’s Democratic Journey,’ was unique and apt, especially as it comes ahead of another electioneering process scheduled to hold next year in the country.

 

He added that political stability in Nigeria’s democracy is as strategic as stability in Africa’s democratic journey.

 

The former Kaduna State Governor further said since the return to democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999, the nation has witnessed six successful elections which is a clear indication of how acceptable democracy has become as the best method of governance in the country.

 

He stated that democratic institutions have continued to be strengthened, while more Nigerians have continued to participate in the process either seeking to lead, or as active participants to elect their leaders at various levels of leadership.

 

Sambo recalled that in December 2020, he led a 90-member delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observer Mission to the Republic of Niger to observe presidential and parliamentary elections in the country.

He disclosed that the outcome of the elections were not only impressive, but a clear departure from the sit-tight syndrome of some of past African leaders who never wanted to cede power through democratic process.

 

Sambo said recent elections in Kenya and some parts of Africa have also established evidences of Africa’s democratic journey as a continent and how democracy is taking firm root in Africa, but not without peculiar  challenges.

 

“As we approach the critical stage towards the 2023 general election in Nigeria, it is important to use this opportunity to call on all political parties and indeed, candidates and other key stakeholders to adopt issue-based campaigns.

 

“We must all shun the use of hate or foul language and mudslinging to avoid overheating the polity. Peaceful, free and fair election next year will definitely mark yet another important milestone in our march towards sustainable democracy, peace and development of our dear nation. ”

 

While encouraging Nigerians to actively get involved in the electoral process by exercising their constitutional rights, Sambo called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure adequate voter education and sufficient preparation for hitch-free elections.

 

“Next year, by the grace of Almighty Allah, we shall witness another transition from one democratically elected government to another Insha Allah.

 

“Nigeria must continue to get it right as a positive example for other countries in West Africa and indeed, beyond. ”

 

On his part, Bello said it was imperative that governments and people across the African continent work hard to sustain the demands of democratic governance across the entire African continent.

 

The FCT Minister added that in Nigeria, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, building on the foundation laid by past leaders, including former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has further entrenched democratic values in the country.

 

“The signing into law of the Electoral Act 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari, has far-reaching positive outcomes that will also strengthen the confidence of citizens in our electoral processes, leading ultimately to a more stable polity,” Bello said.

 

In her welcome remarks, the Convener of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Legacy Dialogue, Aisha Babangida, said the event brought together, some of the finest minds in Nigeria to consider the prospects for the future of the nation as Nigerians look forward to next year’s transitional election.

 

“Today is an opportunity to build on the success of last year’s maiden edition of The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Legacy Dialogue and to take forward, the ideas discussed there. But more than that, it is an opportunity to build on the wider legacy of progress towards democracy in our great nation as we consider the pressing issues in Africa’s democratic journey,” Babangida said.