Headlines
Tinubu jets off to France as APC refutes alleged N6.5tr budget for flag bearer
Presidential candidate and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, travelled out of the country early yesterday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement by his aide, Tunde Rahman, Tinubu jetted off to Paris, France to hold some important meetings and is expected back in the country, shortly.
Earlier before his departure, he attended the public presentation of a book, titled: ‘Mr. Speaker’, and launch of the legislative mentoring initiative in commemoration of the 60th birthday of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
THIS came as the APC distanced itself from a leaked document suggesting it voted N6.5 trillion to sway votes in favour of Tinubu.
The document alleged that an obscene amount of money was designated for vote-buying and compromising staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the judiciary and others.
But in a statement, the party’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, said there was no iota of truth in the story, describing it as a figment of the imagination of opposition party members.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard the document, saying: “The APC wishes to place firmly on record that the document is not of the party. We neither authored nor own any such document, and it certainly did not emanate from our party.
“Indubitably, the document is the handiwork of very sick elements of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a desperate quest for unmerited electoral advantage by attempting to smear our party with wrongdoing.
“In their zealous attempt to mudsling, the document’s authors senselessly alleged that our party proposes to apply nearly half of the country’s entire 2022 budget to buy votes.
“How in the world does a government operating a national budget of N17 trillion dole out N6.5 trillion to rig elections? It clearly betrays the authors’ extreme ignorance of the complexity of the systems and processes for appropriation and utilisation of state funds.”
The statement added: “Our party is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians in hope that they will reciprocate by supporting and voting for our candidates in the 2023 elections.”
“We are a law-abiding party and have no need to engage in any fraud and electoral malpractice suggested in that worthless document.
“Only a party that is a masterful looter of the national treasury, such as the PDP, can even imagine another capable of engaging in the kinds of atrocious acts the document suggests.”
MEANWHILE, the national chairman of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Prof. Rufai Alkali, yesterday, faulted the invitation by APC’s deputy national publicity secretary, Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Ajaka had earlier urged NNPP presidential flag bearer, Kwankwaso, to return to APC.
Alkali, however, described the invitation as coming from a drowning political party, desperate to cling to life.
He said Ajaka, having failed to study the mood of the nation, could not perceive the mass influx of APC members and those from other parties into NNPP.
He said: “I won’t be surprised if Ajaka knocks on our doors in the coming days to give him accommodation.”
Alkali added that Nigerians have since expressed their dissatisfaction with the APC and are looking for a credible alternative, which NNPP offers.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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