Presidency: Dangote Not a Member of APC Presidential Campaign Council Buhari kicks off reelection bid, unveils Campaign Council Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Okon Bassey in Uyo The Presidency yesterday night clarified the status of the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, named under the sub-head (Advisory
Members) in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), unveiled yesterday, saying that Dangote “is not a member” of the APC PCC. A statement by the President’s Media Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina
said it had become imperative to further clarify the status of Dangote, to avoid misconception. Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, formally launched the campaign for his re-election with a promise to
focus on security, economy and corruption if re-elected. Adesina, in the statement clarifying the status of Dangote, said: “Africa's richest man, not being a card-carrying member of APC, cannot, and is not member of the PCC. He is also a member
of the Peace Committee, and thus cannot be in a partisan campaign council.” Buhari, who began his reelection bid with the South-South Presidential campaign, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
praised his administration for fulfilling his promise in 2015 to improve the nation’s security, economy and fight corruption. He stated that when he became president, about 17 local governments in Borno Continued on page 6
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Buhari Endorses Abiodun Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja In what appeared to be a technical knockout for Adekunle Akinlade, the anointed candidate of Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday in Abuja, threw his weight behind Prince Dapo Abiodun as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state. In expression of his public endorsement for Abiodun, Buhari raised the hand of the APC candidate in his office in the Presidential Villa, promising
Shehu Shagari
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Nigeria’s First Elected President Dies at 93 Charles Ajunwa, Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna The curtain fell on the Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died yesterday at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness. His death was confirmed by his grandson and President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCNI), Bello Shagari. “I regret to announce the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after a brief illness at the National Hospital, Abuja", he said on his tweeter handle. In a swift reaction, President Muhammadu Buhari described the demise of the Shagari as the departure of a patriot whose life of service and humility was widely acknowledged Family members, relatives and
some presidency officials were sighted at the National Hospital as at yesterday evening, making arrangements for the movement of the late president's remains. Shagari was President of Nigeria under the then ruling party, National Party of Nigeria (NPN) from 1979 to 1983. He was the only president who was handed over power by the military led by the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo. He was later overthrown by the same military junta led by then Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Shagari served as the first and only President of Nigeria's Second Republic (1979–1983), after the handover of power by General Olusegun Obasanjo's military government. Shagari also served seven times in ag ministerial or cabinet post as a federal minister and federal
THIS IS OUR MAN... L-R: Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), and former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; APC Gubernatorial Candidate in Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; and President Muhammadu Buhari when the duo paid the president a visit at Aso Villa, where Abiodun was endorsed by Buhari… yesterday.