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Why I Didn’t Anoint Presidential Candidate For 2023 – Buhari

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Yoruba Leader Writes Buhari, Seeks Talks Over Emergence Of Yoruba Nation

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday explained why he did not support any presidential aspirant during the All Progressives Congress’ special convention and presidential primary.

The president opened up on what transpired during the buildup to the party’s convention on Saturday in Katsina when he paid a Sallah visit to the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumin Usman Kabir, at his palace.

On what played out before the emergence of the party’s flagbearer, Bola Tinubu, Buhari explained that the delegates were given a free hand to pick him (Tinubu) in demonstrating the internal democracy in the party.

According to him, party leaders initially gave me a list of thirty presidential aspirants, out of which I was asked to pick a candidate of my choice.

The president said rather than pick or anoint a candidate, he allowed the delegates to pick the candidate of their choice which resulted in the emergence of  Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Attack Buhari’s Advance Convoy

Buhari, who spoke in Hausa, said, “I was given a list of thirty (30) aspirants to pick from. Most of them were my ministers and governors. So, who will I choose or support?

“One of the governors even came to see me and asked who are we to choose.

“If I did that, it would affect my Vice President because he was listening to our conversation. I then told them to choose who they wanted.

“So, they elected Tinubu as APC presidential candidate.”

He added, “I hope the forthcoming (2023) general elections would also be peaceful just like the way APC conducted its congress where they elected the party’s National Chairman, the presidential candidate and how the presidential candidate picked his running mate.

“I hope God will help us to conduct the general elections peacefully.”
He, however, appealed to Nigerians to allow peace to reign during the 2023 general elections.
On insecurity in Nigeria, the president insisted that his government was doing its best in tackling the challenge.

“May God gives us the wisdom to serve people more,” he declared.

READ ALSO: Buhari Reshuffles Cabinet, Assigns Portfolios To New Ministers

The Emir of Katsina had while welcoming the president to the palace, urged him to expedite action on the Kano/ Katsina highway; the Kano/ Katsina/ Maradi railway and the Rimi Windmill Power generation project.

The monarch said apart from contributing to the development of Katsina state, the projects would also create employment for residents.

The state Governor,  Aminu Masari, in his remarks also said security operatives were doing all they could to tackle banditry and other crimes in the state.

He called on residents to also give the security operatives the necessary support.
The governor later saw the President off to the Umaru Musa Yar’dua Airport where he later took off for Abuja on a Nigeria Air force Aircraft.

 

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Abiodun Signs N1.054 Trillion Appropriation Bill Into Law

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L-R: The Deputy Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Latifat Bolanle: Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi; the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Oludaisi Elemide; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Olaolu Olabimtan, during the signing of the Year 2025 Appropriation Bill at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on  Monday.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signed the N1.054 trillion 2025 State Appropriation Bill into law.

The signing, which took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday was witnessed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, principal officers of the House, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council.

After receiving the clean copies of the Bill, Governor Abiodun announced that his administration would, in the coming month, sign the partnership agreement with potential partners for the development of the Olokola Sea Port.

He said the government would also focus on the provision of more basic infrastructure with the signing of more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private corporate bodies in renewable energy, agriculture, and other sectors that would boost the State’s economy.

He said: “It is my pleasure to announce to you that in the coming month, we will be signing the partnership agreement with potential partners in our port development. The Olokola Port is back on track.

“In the coming year, you will see us signing more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private players in the areas of renewable energy, energy transition, and agriculture, particularly animal husbandry. We intend to join the league of those producing beef and pork, not just for domestic consumption, but for export.

“We will continue to provide more infrastructure, particularly roads, in every local government in the State. We will continue in our stride to provide the right infrastructure and the right situation to ensure that students in Ogun State learn in a conducive environment. We will continue to pursue our healthcare program in primary health care, secondary, and tertiary, and of course, our policy on ‘grow what you eat and eat what you grow.’ We are going to be more aggressive in the area of agriculture.”

While noting that his administration would be relentless in the pursuit of infrastructure that would engender more socio-economic development, Governor Abiodun revealed that emphasis on arterial roads like the Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Sagamu-Abeokuta, Atan-Lusada-Agbara, Ota-Abeokuta, and Ilaro-Owode roads had played important roles as they had helped to improve the State’s Internally Generated Revenue through the influx of more people and industries.

He acknowledged the difficulties people are going through due to the bold policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to pull the country out of the woods but maintained that his administration had risen to the occasion by providing needed palliatives to cushion the effects and help the people navigate the period.

“I want to assure you that we can only hope for more wins in the future. It has been a very difficult year for us all, not just as a state but as a country. Our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, started his tenure with very bold reforms that have resulted in some unintended consequences that we must all endure so that we can have a country that is solvent,” he added

He appreciated members of the Assembly for the speedy passage of the Bill after due diligence and commended their high level of commitment to their constituents and the state, noting that their collaboration with the executive arm had led to the state growing in leaps and bounds.

Earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, noted that the speedy passage of the Bill was in keeping with the promise made to the governor when he presented the Bill to the assembly on the 4th of December this year, adding that no budget bill had been passed before Christmas in the past.

While appreciating the governor for the facelift given to the Assembly Complex, Rt. Hon. Elemide said his colleagues worked tirelessly to ensure that the budget was passed on time so as to keep the wheels of the state’s progress moving.

He assured the  governor that the Assembly would continue collaborating with the other arms of government to ensure that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy.

 

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Abiodun Appoints Oluwatoyin Taiwo As Chief Of Staff

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Dr Oluwatoyin Taiwo

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has appointed Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo as his Chief of Staff.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Taiwo was the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) to the governor.

The Chief of Staff’s letter of appointment was handed over to him by Governor Abiodun on Wednesday, according to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.

The appointment, according to the letter, took effect from 18th December 2024.

The Governor, while congratulating the new Chief of Staff, described the appointment as well-deserved, the statement added.

Dr. Taiwo served as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism during the first term of Governor Abiodun and was subsequently elevated to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff before his new role.

He is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Statistics before pursuing further degrees up to Ph.D.

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Labour Appreciates Abiodun For Approving Christmas Bonus For Ogun Workers

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My Dad Asked Me To Prioritise Civil Servants, Pensioners, Teachers - Abiodun

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) in Ogun State have described Governor Dapo Abiodun as a compassionate leader who has the interest of workers at heart.

In separate letters of gratitude to the governor for approving the Christmas bonus for the state workforce, the two unions said the gesture was a further demonstration of Prince Abiodun’s commitment to the welfare of their members.

TUC, in a letter signed by the Chairman of the Ogun State Council, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, described the bonus payment as a gesture that would help workers overcome the present economic challenges.

“This development was not unexpected, as we are well aware of the compassionate leadership that His Excellency embodies.

“The Christmas bonus package further reinforces the current administration’s reputation for delivering positive changes. This gesture will significantly help alleviate the daily economic hardships that our workforce and their families face. We assure you that this unexpected display of care from His Excellency will encourage our colleagues to strive for even more outstanding achievements for our beloved state.

“We sincerely appreciate the government’s efforts to maintain stability in our industrial relations.

“Please accept our heartfelt gratitude, unwavering loyalty, and support for your administration,” TUC said.

In its own letter of appreciation, JNC Chairman Comrade Olude Isa said the bonus would empower the state workers to have successful celebrations.

He said: “Beyond rhetoric, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, has done it once more, putting smiles on our faces in this season of celebrating Jesus Christ. The bonus has brought to the state workforce two factors: economic empowerment and the faithful heart of inclusiveness.

“We all received the payment; confidently and joyfully, we went shopping. Also, we felt that, indeed, we are included in the overall schemes of relevant stakeholders in our dear state. Honestly, we are very grateful for the timely gesture.

“May the good tidings of Christmas be with His Excellency always. And to his amiable cabinet, the strength to bring our state to our desired greater heights will surely be bestowed on each and every one of them.

“To you, Sir, our truest, passionate leader, the rewarding spirit of His Holiness will ever remain with you and yours.”

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