Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014 — 9
2015: Kwankwaso declares presidential bid ...Promises to tackle insecurity, corruption, dwindling economy
...He has what it takes to govern Nigeria—APC govs By Levinus Nwabughiogu
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BUJA—KANO State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwa has formally declared his intention to run for the office of the president of Nigeria on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC. His declaration, yesterday, has brought the number of presidential aspirants in APC to three. Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had previously declared on the same platform. The declaration, which held at the old parade ground in Abuja attracted not only a mammoth crowd of men and women across the country but also notable chieftains of APC. Among them were governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Rivers State governor, Mr. Chibuike Ameachi, immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, and former National chairman of Peoples Democratic Peoples, Abubakar Baraje. Others included Sen. Buhari Abba Ibrahim (Yobe State) Sen. Kabiru Gaya (Kano State) former Minister of Communication and APC chieftain, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Senators George Akume (Benue State), Chris Ngige (Anambra State) and Robert Boroffice (Ondo State) among others.
Kano State, Governor Kwankwaso said the success of the journey and the clarion call by Nigerians were his motivation in seeking election into the office of the president in 2015. “The success of this journey and clarion call by patriotic Nigerians from across the country motivated me to seek APC’s nomination as the party’s presidential flag bearer for the February 2015 general election. I therefore, wish to accept this call and to formally declare my interest to seek for the Presidential ticket of our great party the APC in February 2015 general elections. “I am offering myself and soliciting the support of all patriotic Nigerians to join Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on this difficult journey to reclaim our
country from the clutches of incompetence and destruction and return it onto the pedestal of peace and progress. I have no doubt in my mind that this journey is difficult and arduous. I have no illusion about the enormity of the challenges. But to save our country, we must walk the journey, however difficult. And we must confront and defeat all the challenges, however, monstrous they are. Yes, we must.” According to him, the call to save Nigeria has never been louder than now. “Mr. Chairman and fellow APC members, the call to save our dear country has never been louder, clearer and more unambiguous than now. Every facet of our national life is deteriorating: governance has been reduced to mediocrity; incompetence and
impunity. I have no doubt in my mind that this journey is difficult and arduous. I have no illusion about the enormity of the challenges. But to save our country, we must walk the journey, however difficult. And we must confront and defeat all the challenges, however monstrous. Yes, we must!, he said. He also stated that tackling insecurity, corruption, economic restoration among others will form the nexus of his government if elected president. “The first priority of this country at this moment is restoring peace and security in every corner of the land. Lives and properties of our citizens must be protected and secured. Boko Haram and all forms of insurgency must be defeated. As a government, we cannot afford to live in denial.''
He's a good man —AMAECHI
Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Rivers State governor and chairman of the governors forum, Chibuike Amaechi described Kwankwaso as a good man. He further stated that APC governors will work together to realize his ambition should he emerge the presidential candidate of the party. Also, Senator Boroffice extolled the virtues of Kwankwaso, saying his credibility stood him out among other aspirants. Former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, while describing Kwankwaso’s declaration as good news to the Nigerian public also charged the people to put their trust on Kwankwaso whom he said made a name for himself during his time as the Minister of Defence. According to him, the abduction of Chibok girls, which he said has become an albatross on the neck of the present regime under President Goodluck Jonathan would not have happened were Kwankwaso in the saddle as the president of Nigeria. Reeling out his achievements in
CHURCH SERVICE FOR PILGRIMS: Cross section of members of the clergy at an interdenominational church service for Nigerian pilgrims in Jerusalem on Sunday.
BOKO HARAM: Senate urges FG to seek foreign assistance for displaced 2m people By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke
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BUJA—THE Senate yesterday urged the Federal Government to solicit international assistance from friendly countries for the resettlement of over two million Nigerians that have been displaced as a result of the Boko Haram onslaught in the three states of the North East. The Senate also resolved to make personal donation of N20 million to support the internally displaced persons in the country especially those from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. The senate, in its resolution on a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator
Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) on the plight of the internally displaced persons in the North East Nigeria, urged the Federal Government to provide relief materials to all the people displaced in one reason or the other throughout the federation. He noted with regret that the international community that has the responsibility to come to the aid of those that were hit by any catastrophe or natural disaster, had shied away from the plights of the displaced Nigerians. Ningi added that the people of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno were finding life almost impossible to live, adding “As I speak to you, we have over two million internally displaced persons from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.”
The Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba,in his contribution said that the issue of Boko Haram and the displaced persons had placed Nigeria between the devil and the deep blue sea. Senator Ndoma-Egba regretted that Boko Haram insurgency was putting the nation’s economy at risk. He urged both Nigerian government and international agencies to act as a matter of urgency. The Senate President, David Mark, said “We are in a war situation and in every war situation; one of the key areas that you must worry about is refugees. It is not just to fight the war and fight the various battles but you must also worry about refugees. ''
Boko Haram kills three, sets police station ablaze in Borno By Ndahi Marama
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AIDUGURI— G U N M E N suspected to be members of Boko Haram terrorists on Monday invaded Kukawa town, the headquarters of Kukawa local government area of Borno State, setting ablaze the Kukawa police station, government lodge and other public buildings in the town and over 250 vehicles. A resident of the town, Mallam Abor Kanembu said the insurgents stormed the town in several Hilux vehicles and motorcycles and moved straight to the police station and started shooting sporadically targeting residents, using Rocket Propelled Launchers and AK47 rifles. He said “the insurgents burnt down the Kukawa Divisional Police station and some public buildings in the town. I cannot tell the casualty figure because we had to flee the town in fear of our lives.” Another resident of the town Mohammed Mafindi said they had to flee the town due to the attack as the insurgents killed three civilians and burnt down Kukawa police station, government lodge many houses and other public buildings including clinic and vehicles of the company exploring oil in the Chad Basin area. He said the incident occurred between 4:00 am and 10 am on Monday while the gunmen fled the town after killing a lot of people and burnt over 200 houses and vehicles. “The attack was a reprisal to an attack earlier attempted by the men of the Nigerian police Force, who were on routine patrol in the area in which they opened fire on the insurgents. The insurgents immediately responded by killing two policemen, and abducted two others while two policemen escaped into the bush”, Mafindi stated. Confirming the incident, the caretaker chairman of Kukawa local government area Alhaji Modu Musa said the insurgents invaded the town killing many people, and burnt down several houses as well as over 300 vehicles.