Another presidential candidate withdraws, backs Atiku
Sokoto APC chieftain dumps Buhari APC’S election funds still intact, Nnamani insists
BARELY three days to the presidential elections, National Interest Party (NIP) candidate, Eunice Atuejide, has withdrawn from the race and expressed support for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, Atiku Abubakar.
Atuejide said in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday that she stepped down because her race for the presidency was programmed to end on February 16 “and it had ended.”
“Therefore, the presidential election rescheduled for Saturday, February 23,
FORMER Senate President, Ken Nnamani yesterday denied alleged misappropriation of All Progressives Congress (APC) election funds in Enugu State, saying the money is intact.
He stated that those spreading rumours of mismanagement of the fund were either on a mission to blackmail him or part of 2019 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not involve me,” she said.
According to the lawyer, the race is now between President Muhammadu Buhari and, Atiku, adding that she was now committed to supporting Atiku, who she considers a better candidate.
“I choose to fight for the benefit of all Nigerians on the side of Atiku. I cannot defend PDP for giving us bad leadership from 1999 to 2015, yet I cannot help but blame the APC for doing a much worse job from 2015 to 2019. candidates without campaign posters anywhere in the state.
Nnamani, who is Deputy Chairman (South), APC Presidential Campaign Committee, was reacting to reports that he mismanaged funds meant for party agents, candidates and other logistics meant for the presidential and National Assembly elec-
“Whether we call them PDP, APC, PPA, ANN, YPP, or NIP, we are all the same people moving from one political platform to the other in search of a place to speak out and be heard,” she added.
However, Sokoto State chapter of the PDP welcomed North West Zonal Vice President of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Sani Muhammad Gobirawa, who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gobirawa, a top member of the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) in tions in the state.
He was also accused of shortchanging the zone in the disbursement of huge sums of money, a development for which some party stakeholders in the state held a meeting last Sunday.
Speaking to The Guardian on telephone, Nnamani stated that although the money had been disbursed, nothing has been spent Sokoto and Vice Chairman, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (AMATA) Support Group, also said his defection with others in the BSO was voluntary.
He explained that their decision was based on their conviction that PDP was the most fulfilling political platform that symbolises democracy for Nigeria to work again.
“Our decision to join PDP was purely based on our firm conviction of the ability and capability of Governor Aminu’s reality and myth, as such, we don't need the approval or inclination of any family to actualise our political aspirations,” he stated. from it, adding that he takes full responsibility for the funds.
“The money is meant for party agents in the three senatorial zones of the state. It had been distributed to the areas concerned according to the party’s approved template.
“Enugu State has three senatorial zones and my mission is to ensure that these
AHEAD of the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections, the National Peace Committee (NPC) has charged Nigerians to respond to calls of patriotism by coming out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice on Saturday.
The committee also urged politicians to stop trading blames or making inciting statements that could heat up the polity and should show their readiness by collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to inspire Nigerians to new heights.
In a statement issued in Abuja, its Chairman, General Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd.) and Convener, Bishop Matthew Kukah, said the real challenge now is for Nigerians to have faith in God and the country.
They stressed that citizens should put everything aside and see the general election as a battle that must be won. The committee also charged INEC to focus on how best to boost its credibility and integrity, as well as continue to focus on attaining internal cohesion and coordination.
“We understand your right to feel betrayed and humiliated by INEC. However, we appeal to you all to see this as a watershed in the life of our fledging Democracy.
“The only way we can ensure a steady Democracy is for us to learn the lessons from these sad developments. zones as far as the Presidential and National Assembly elections are concerned got their money.
Enugu North and Enugu East got their money. But we had an issue with Enugu West, which we later sorted out with representatives of stakeholders including the Minister and candidates in the election and they all got their money,” he stated.