PDP To Buhari: Not Too Young To Run is PDP Initiative :IN YOUR 16 YEARS IN POWER WHY DID YOU NOT INITIATE IT?

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lampoons President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for attempting to parade themselves as the architects of the ‘Not Too Young to Run Act’, which was sponsored and pursued by the PDP members in the National Assembly and State houses of assembly. It is instructive to note that President Buhari had no input whatsoever in the bill; never showed any support or enthusiasm towards the initiative and had no option than to perform a mandatory constitutional duty of assenting to the bill, as a clear reflection of the mood of the nation, given that the bill had already found an easy passage to the crucibles of the required approval of two-third of states in the federation. This development is indeed a democratic victory for the Nigerian youths over forces, particularly, the APC, that had hitherto disdained and disregarded them as lazy and inconsequential, but had to succumb to the dictates of the law and pressure by the youths and the PDP. The party commends the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Tony Nwulu (PDP, Lagos), other legislators who supported the process and the resilience of the Nigerian youths in getting the initiative through, in line with the vision of the PDP to allow younger Nigerians to actively participate in elective positions in governance at all levels. In preparation for the passage of the bill, the PDP had since launched our ‘Generation Next Movement’, which has already put younger Nigerians at vantage positions to participate in elective positions ahead of the 2019 general elections. In line with the ‘Generation Next Movement’, the rebranded PDP among other pro-youth incentives, has since approved certain critical clauses and waivers so that the young people will actively vie for positions in the 2019 general elections. In line with our dream of providing enabling environment for youths participation in elections and governance, the PDP, after winning in 2019, will further lower the age qualification to entrench our vision that ‘whoever can vote can be voted for’, which is a global standard. The PDP therefore urged the Nigerian youths to immediately take advantage of the Generation Next platform and incentives already established by the repositioned PDP and actively participate in the collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC. Signed: Kola Ologbondiyan National Publicity Secretary

EKITI ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FAYEMI(HE SHOULD BE DISMISSED AND JAILED)

Police ‘arrest politician behind Ekiti shooting’ as APC points finger at Fayose’s govt The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti says the state government is responsible for the shooting of Opeyemi Bamidele, a former member of the house of representatives. Bamidele was shot on Friday at the party’s secretariat during a reception organised for Kayode Fayemi, the governorship candidate for the July 14 election in Ekiti. Fayemi who resigned his ministerial appointment on Wednesday had returned to the state to kick off his campaign. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Ekiti APC publicity secretary, accused Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti governor, of spearheading the disruption. “It was a smooth ride from Akure Airport to Ikere-Ekiti where thousands of supporters came out to give him a rousing welcome,” the statement read. “Ikere-Ekiti journey to Ado-Ekiti, a distance of about nine kilometres, lasted two hours in a heavy traffic that was punctuated by four gunmen suspected to be agents of the state government who strategically positioned themselves at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti for the attack. “They fired gunshots aimed at Fayemi but hit a former lawmaker, Opeyemi Bamidele, after the former minister had taken a few steps forward before the bullets hit the target.” The party said one of the assailants dressed in mobile police uniform was apprehended and he is now helping the police in their investigation. Apart from Bamidele, the party said, “other victims in the hospital included Olabode Joshua, Olanrewaju Gbenga, Adebayo Ogunjemilehin, Ogunmodede Oluwole and Alex Adeleye”. POLICE ‘ARREST POLITICIAN BEHIND SHOOTING’ Meanwhile, Caleb Ikechukwu, the Ekiti police spokesman, told TheCable that a politician masterminded the shooting. Ikechukwu said the politician, who “has also been arrested,” conspired with the policeman to carry out the act. The policeman, he said, was posted to a bank in Lagos but travelled to Ekiti for an “illegal duty”. “At about 17:00 hours, a policeman who accidentally shot Opeyemi Bamidele and one other has been arrested. The policeman is in our custody now,” he said. “He is attached to 20 police mobile force (PMF) in Ikeja Lagos. He left where he was posted on bank guard duty somewhere in Ikeja for illegal duty in Ekiti state. “A politician conspired with the policeman and removed him from where he was posted in Lagos and both came to Ekiti for unofficial reasons. The politician has also been arrested. “The victims of the accidental discharge are currently responding to treatment at the hospital, and also the policeman who was mobbed is also responding to treatment in our protective custody.” The police PRO said he can’t disclose the identity of the politician as investigations are still ongoing. Lere Olayinka, Fayose’s spokesman, was not available for comment. Immediately the politician was arrested, both Lere Olayinka and Fayose refused picking their calls.

BREAKING NEWS: COURT RESTRAINS APC FROM RECOGNISING CYRIL OGODO OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS DELTA APC CHAIRMAN

• _The Real Battle Between David and The Goliaths of Delta State APC, Begins Few days ago when Chief Fred Obe attended the APC NWC - ordered State Congress on the 21st of May, 2018, at Asaba, political myopics, short-sighted analysts and arm-chair critics heated the airwaves with self-serving, subjective and half-baked politically incorrect publications. While some were claiming and celebrating victory despite knowing that all is not well, others wondered why Barr. (Chief) Fred Obe attended such a predetermined Congress. However, while responding to one of such malicious publications, we stated categorically that Chief Fred Obe attended the said Congress for a reason, which we said then, shall be unfolded in due course. The reason, we can now reveal, was to ensure the enthronement of internal democracy in Delta APC In furtherance of that objective, and as God will have it, the Team Fred Obe headed by the *very articulate, fearless and dogged fighter, Barr. (Chief) Fred Obe, who is undoubtedly the only Candidate that openly declared his interest to contest for the Chairmanship position of Delta APC, toured the 25 LGAs of the State to canvass for the support of Party members, met all the criteria for qualification as per NEC's zoning decision and duly participated in the APC NWC-sanctioned State Congress*, despite sundry undemocratic attempts to deny him his right to franchise, *has successfully secured an ex parte order from the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, restraining Chief Cyril Ogodo or any other person from parading themselves as Delta State APC Chairman*. The order also restrains the John Odigie Oyegun-led APC National Working Committee from recognising and/or dealing with Chief Cyril Ogodo or any other person as Delta State APC Chairman. It is instructive to note that Barr. (Chief) Fred Obe, who expended a lot of time, energy and resources to reach the real grassroots people of APC in Delta State and who was widely endorsed across the 25 LGAs and who was/is undeniably the most acceptable candidate for the Delta State APC Chairmanship, was not defeated in a free and fair contest but was undermined by godfathers, who appear unconcerned about the growth of the party and competent leadership in the State. The godfathers, who worked unfairly to undermine Chief Fred Obe, appear more concerned with a political party that can be solely and selfishly controlled for their personal political gains. More disturbing was the position taken by several political jobbers, who were heard making PDP-like statements, e.g "that now that Fred Obe has been successfully schemed out, he should just move on", "that this thing has been arranged from above", "that any person without godfathers and connection cannot go anywhere in APC", etc. Yet some others, who are always very vocal in self-righteous indignation when injustice is done to them or any of their own, suddenly developed collective amnesia, making it look like injustice is only injustice if meted out to them or their own, forgetting that God is God of justice for all. However, these unprogressive elements grossly underrated the man (Fred Obe) who was shortchanged. Unfortunately for them, Chief Fred Obe totally subscribes to Wole Soyinka's injunction to mankind in his epic novel "The Man Die". Indeed, today, the man in any Delta APC person will die who submits meekly to oppression and impunity. The injustice and oppression the Delta APC godfathers sought to mete on Chief Fred Obe potends grave danger for the Delta APC as a whole as an opposition party seeking to dislodge an entrenched ruling party (PDP) from power. If such oppression and injustice is allowed to take root today, tomorrow it may be another qualified and capable Councillorship Aspirant, LGA Chairmanship Aspirant, House of Assembly Aspirant, House of Representatives Aspirant, an Aspiring Senator or a Governorship Aspirant that might be the next victim of impunity. This is why it is imperative for a “Third Force” to arise within the Delta APC to fearlessly challenge the undemocratic, draconian, and arbitrary attempts of the clashing divisive tendencies and stop the looming implosion of the Delta APC. At this juncture, we wish to once again reaffirm and reiterate our total commitment and determination to wrestle the soul of Delta State APC from the hands of the godfathers, who are fighting a destructive and divisive winners-take-all battle for the soul of the party in Delta State and return the party to the ordinary party men and women as it ought to be in a sane democracy. We are aware that this fight is similar to the famous David and Goliath fight, as the forces we contend against are not mere men but highly powerful and domineering godfathers that are enjoying the backings of other influential Italian-Mafia-like godfathers and political powers-that-be. These godfathers in Delta APC have consistently boasted of their wealth, connections and ability to outsmart others and do whatever suits their political fantasy. In spite of the formidable odds, our hope and trust (Team Fred Obe), like David in the Bible, rest in the Lord who created heaven and earth and who is a respecter of no man. We want to assure every faithful Delta APC party man and woman that we will neither retreat nor surrender in this battle until internal democracy is fully enthroned in Delta State APC, in such a way that any "Mr. Nobody", who is acceptable to the majority of Delta APC faithfuls can get into any position by merit and not on the say-so of any godfather and thereby distinguish the APC from the PDP. Lastly, as a political party that is determined to bring positive and meaningful “Change” to the corridors of power and our national life, it is the responsibility of every well meaning APC member to stand up and fight for the enthronement of transparency, accountability, fairness, and internal democracy in our party. We are therefore calling on all party faithfuls in Delta State APC to join this struggle for a better and stronger APC in our dear State by rescuing our party from the hands of domineering and divisive godfathers, so that we can have a United APC family that will be totally focus on our journey to the targeted “Promised Land” ahead of the general elections in 2019. On our part, The *Team Fred Obe*, do hereby solemnly pledge to continue to fight for the enthronement of internal democracy within the Delta APC. We are fully prepared for a very long and bruising battle for the redemption of the soul of Delta APC. God bless Delta APC!!! Signed: Mc Paul, Media Director *FOR: TEAM FRED OBE*

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso (PRESIDENT NIGERIANS YEARN TO HAVE)

Dr. (Engr.) Mohammed Rabi'u Musa popularly known as Rabiu Kwankwaso was born on 21 October 1956 in Kwankwaso village of Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State. His father, Malam Musa Salihu, was the village head of Kwankwaso and now the District Head of Madobi. Young Rabi’u started Islamic school at the age of four and later enrolled in Primary School in Kwankwaso (1962 - 1969). He attended Kwankwaso Primary School, Gwarzo Boarding Senior School, Wudil Craft School (1970 – 1972)and Kano Technical College before proceeding to Kaduna Polytechnic where he did both his National Diploma, and Higher National Diploma. He did Postgraduate Studies in the United Kingdom at Middlesex Polytechnic (1982 - 1983) and Loughborough University of Technology (1983 -1985) where he got his Master's Degree in Water Engineering and University of Nottingham (1987 – 1991). Kwankwaso was an active student leader during his school days and was an elected official of the Kano State Students Association. Rabi’u Kwankwaso started work as an artisan craftsman in 1975 with Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA). It was after seven years working that he went to the UK for further studies. During that time, he intermittently attended some certificate courses at Derby National Water Council in 1982, Derby Water Industrial Training in 1985 and London Industrial Water Training in 1985. In all, Kwankwaso worked with Kano State government for 17 years and rose through the cadre of the civil service to the rank of Principal Engineer. Kwankwaso’s first significant act as a politician was when he became an active student leader during his school days and was an elected official of the Kano State Students Association. In 1991, he resigned from government work and vied for election into the Federal House of Representatives. He recalled “In fact, I had to battle my employers before they allowed me to retire, because they felt so much was being in invested on me. But I felt the only way I could make better contributions to humanity was in politics.” He joined partisan politics in the aborted Third Republic where he contested elections to the House of Representatives in 1992. His becoming the Deputy Speaker in the House brought him to the limelight of national politics. He was also elected to be one the delegates and representatives from Kano for the 1995 Constitutional Conference. He built his political empire with the support of numerous political movements, groups, and factions and solid endorsements and of political giants almost all. Rabiu Kwankwaso was then seen as the heir apparent to the political dynasty of Sheu Musa Yar'adua, Mallam Abubakar Rimi and Mallam Aminu Kano of blessed memories. He then became the first governor of Kano State in the fourth republic (1999 - 2003). His swearing in ceremony at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano metropolis was witnessed by millions of urban and rural citizens of the state as well as members of the diplomatic corps. It was a day that residents of the ancient city of Kano will not forget in a hurry and will live to remember as it marked the beginning of a visionary and revolutionary leadership. It also served as the foundation laying ceremony for the transformation of the state into an economic powerhouse as well as the economic and commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria.Thereafter, he became the Defense Minister (2003 – 2006) and Presidential Special Envoy to Somalia and Darfur (2006 – 2007). Kwankwaso was the party leader in Kano and was nominated into the party's most powerful political of the then ruling party - Board of Trustees. He was also shortlisted for ambassadorial appointment which he refused due to his burning desire to remain in the country and contribute his quota towards the development of this great country. He later accepted to serve as a board member representing Northwest region of Nigeria in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) from 2009 to 2010 Consequently, he re-contested in the 2011 gubernatorial poll and won the election, thus staging a comeback to the governorship seat in Kano state with an outstanding difference of sixty three thousand plus votes, his party won three quarters of the house of assembly seats, by winning 30 out of the total 40 seats in the state. Kwankwaso contested the presidential primaries nomination and came second to the current president Muhammad Buhari. He then swapped to contest the senatorial seat for Kano Central Senatorial District which he won and now serving in the committee for National Planning & Economic Affairs. The Kwakwansiyya slogan and Red cap identity definitely did not come by accident, rather it was a result of the track of records of probity, tested and trusted leadership Kwakwanso demonstrated in his administration as its tagged Amaana in response to Kwakwansiyya. One would therefore be inquisitive to ask the meaning of Amana. A Kano man will be quick to tell you that it is trust that characterised the administration of affable humanist and administrator per excellence. He is indeed tagged as one of the most amazing leaders in Nigeria. Those who love him consider him to be a supersonic person whose achievements speaks before his sound. His achievements were really massive in the areas of education, rural electrification, health, infrastructural development, industrialization, agriculture, housing and in fact, every works of live. He was able to establish a State University of Technology at Wudil, he introduced Free Feeding for Primary School Students in the State which led the United Nations to recognise his effort in that direction. His electrification programme in the rural areas recorded great successes. He was able to give the Federal Government a property that was turned into the Nigeria Law School at Bagauda. He built a number of bridges in the rural areas and introduce free natal programme for pregnant mothers. These landmark achievements of Kwankwaso as governor of Kano states are extremely massive numbering over 10,000 projects and 10,000,000 lives touched directly and indirectly. One of the most notable achievements in the area of financial prudency and management was the measures that jerked up the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state from N400 million to about N2 Billion monthly. In ensuring fiscal discipline, Gov. Kwankwaso was able to make capital expenditure higher than recurrent votes (2012: 63% capital, 37% recurrent; 2013 75% capital, 25% recurrent) and achieved up to 85% budget implementation in 2012 and 2013. He is the first governor to achieve 2:1 ratio in favour of capital vote.

NPDP rolls out Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwanso, 20 senators, 30 Reps to salvage Nigeria

The New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, bloc in the All Progressives Congress, APC, is rolling out a list of high profile politicians to help it achieve the goal of rescuing the country from the security and economic challenges facing it as it. Among its adherents are 20 senators and 30 members of the House of Representatives, including the two top presiding officers of the National Assembly, Senate President  Bukola Abubakar Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara. Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State is the only serving governor listed, though the statement alluded to the support of other serving and former governors. A statement issued by the chairman of the nPDP bloc, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, said the group was pleased to meet to reappraise its situation in the polity following its earlier letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on the disenchantment of those who came from the bloc on the manner they had been treated by the government. Baraje, in the statement said: “Nigerians may recall that members of the former New PDP Block within the All Progressives Congress (APC) addressed a letter dated April 27, 2018 to the Chairman of APC where we informed the party of our grievances and expectations from both the party and government of President Muhammadu Buhari. “Following this development, the party invited us and we honoured their invitation for a meeting. We met with the leadership of the party last week during which we resolved to report the outcome of our meeting to our members and stakeholders before arriving at any decision or proceeding with the next phase of discussions or actions with the APC and government. “I am glad to inform you therefore that we have briefed our members at a meeting convened in Abuja on Wednesday, 23rd May 2018 where we reviewed the state of the nation and our party, APC and constituted Committees on various issues especially on how to rescue Nigeria from economic, social, political and especially security challenges. “The meeting was well attended by members of the nPDP including serving and former Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and other aggrieved APC   stakeholders. “Those that attended the meeting include: HE Sen. (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, President of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, Governor of Sokoto State, Sen. Rabiu M.   Kwankwaso, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Admiral Murtala Nyako (Rtd), Sen. Mohammad Adamu Aliero, Sen. Danjuma Goje, Sen. John Owan Enoh, Sen. Emmanuel Andy Uba, Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Gobir, Sen. Rufai Ibrahim, Sen. Ibrahim A. Danbaba, Sen.   Suleman Nazif, Sen. Isa Hamma Misau, Sen. Muhammed Ubali Shitu, Sen. Shehu Sani, Sen. Dino Melaye, Sen. Suleiman O. Hunkuyi, Sen. Shaaba Lafiagi, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Sen. David Umaru, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Alh. Abubakar K. Baraje, Chairman Former nPDP, Rep. Aminu S. Shagari, Rep. Kabiru Marafa Achida, Rt. Hon. Isa M. Ashiru, Hon. Muh’d Musa Soba, Hon. Mark Gbillah, Rep. Sani Mohd Rano, Rep. Garba Umar Durbunde, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, Rep. Zakari Mohammed, Hon. Rufai Ahmed Chachangi, Hon. Razak Atunwa, Hon. Emmanuel M. Udende, Hon. Hassan Saleh, Hon. Nasiru Garo Sule, Hon. Orker Jev, Hon. Aliyu Ahman Pategi, Hon. Isah Halilu B., Hon. Rabiu Garba Kaugama, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, Hon. Ismaila A. Gadaka, Hon. Lado Suleja, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, Hon. Dr. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. U. Danjuma Shida, Hon. Danburam Nuhu, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, Hon. Sani Zorro, Hon. Ahmed Garba Bichi, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Mohammed and a host of others.

BEDC LICENCE MUST NOT BE RENEWED(EPILEPTIC POWER PROVIDERS)

Funke Osibudu led management team of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company has failed the expectations of the people on what the unbundling of the power sector which was hoped to address the perennial energy challenge of the nation seek to achieve. As a distributor or retailer in the electricity value chain, it has further caused more pains and anguish to the people it was expected to assuage their tiredness under the management of the defunct PHCN. The situation wasn’t as bad as it is today under BEDC as it was under NEPA or PHCN. Succinctly, their operational licence must not be renewed by the Federal Government due to their high level of inefficiency and incompetence as exhibited over the years of operation. In November, 2018, their licence will be expiring; this is an urgent call to the President Buhari’s led federal government not to consider its renewal. Among their many sins are enumerated below and not limited to the following: 1. BEDC managed by Vigeo Power Limited is a lawless company and does not respect decisions of NERC and court orders. Only recently a court slammed it with a N10m compensation to a customer whom the NERC forum had already decided its case but BEDC went ahead to arrest him with the police while the matter subsisted in court. 2. It uses police to harass customers in debt recovery. 3. It uses military personnel attached to some white foreigners working with it to abuse the human rights of citizens who are their customers over little issues as protests by communities when they get disconnected without due process and for debt recovery. 4. BEDC management is fond of accusing a whole community of owing and putting them in darkness until the amount alleged to be owed is fully paid, whereas it is a case of few individuals owing because prepaid meter owners cannot be said to be owing rather it is the other way round. 5. Refusal to supply meters so as to further exploit citizens with outrageous estimated billing. 6. BEDC will never replace a faulty transformer or bad poles. Communities and individuals are forced to buy these items themselves and BEDC compelling the purchasers to say it is a donation to BEDC if they want them connected. 7. Customer service is very poor and discouraging. 8. Poor remunerations for the inadequate staff. 9. High handedness of Funke Osibudu on mild issues. 10. Operation of special lines with up to 24 hours supply to some customers while a majority of their customers barely enjoy three hours of constant supply daily. The people of Edo & Delta States are sincerely tired of the operations of the BEDC and its activities and urge the federal government to act before the state is plunged into total anarchy and disorderliness by the attempt renewal of their licence. We are wholeheartedly in support of the criminalization of estimated billing bill currently under consideration by House of Representatives. Comrade Osazee Edigin Public Relations Officer Edo Civil Society Organisations 28A, Erie Street, Off Sokponba Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. www.edocso.org

SENATOR RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO'S AIDE,YUNUSA DANGWANI FREED AFTER 3 MONTHS IN DETENTION

SSS frees Kwankwaso’s aide, Yunusa Dangwani, after 3 months in detention The State Security Service, SSS, on Monday night released a stalwart of the Kwankwasiya movement, Yunusa Dangwani, after spending 84 days in detention. Mr Danwani, a former chief of staff to a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was arrested on March 21 at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. The politician was arrested for allegedly engaging one Captain Abdullahi to circulate an inciting text message to people, including a member of the governor’s family. The House of Representatives on April 12 resolved to investigate allegation of abuse of fundamental rights by the SSS regarding the arrest of Mr Dangwani. The House resolution was sequel to a motion under matters of urgent public importance by Ali Madaki (Kano-APC) on the “Abuse of the fundamental rights provisions of constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) by the Department of State Service (DSS)’’. “Refusing him access to legal representation and family violated his right to dignity as a person and on clear violation of section 34 (1)(a) of the 1999 constitution,” he said. In objection to Mr Madaki’s remark, Aminu Suleiman (Kano-APC), said Mr Dangwani’s arrest followed issues of high security concerns against Kano State government. According to him, the medical doctor-cum-politician was fingered in an alleged terrorism scare in Kano state for which he was picked and brought to Abuja. “I want to guide the House. If we allow this motion, it means we are intimidating the security agencies and we will be the first to say, they are incompetent and not serious,” he said. But on May 3, an FCT High Court sitting at Apo ordered the release of Mr Dangwani and ordered the SSS to pay the sum of N10million as damages to him.

ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS(SELFLESS JOHN ODIGIE OYEGUN)

Breaking news!!! I will not seek second term – Oyegun The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun has finally broken his prolonged silence on his future as the National Chairman of the APC, saying he has decided to step aside and not re-contest the position at the forth coming national, convention. President Muhammadu Buhari had openly endorsed the immediate past governor of Edo State and Chief Oyegun’s kinsman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the National chairmanship position. He told newsmen Friday night at his residence that it was his personal conviction not to seek re-election, but will always be available to serve the party, adding that it was in the best interest of the party for him not to seek another term in office. Oyegun said even though he had desired to re-contest the position he has decided that in the interest of the party, he will not be seeking reelection and has therefore decided to withdraw from the race. He said “I have taken this decision without prejudice to my commitment to the party in helping to solve some of the subsisting and emerging difficult issues and my ability to continue to provide necessary leadership. “However, I believe that the party faces difficult days ahead and all critical stakeholders in its leadership would be required to bind together for a common purpose. Therefore, the less contentious our national convention is the better for the party. “I have always sought to be part of solving the problem of APC. I do not intend to be part of the problems for APC to solve. It is for this reason I hereby declare that I will not be seeking re-election as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “However, I will continue to perform my functions as the National Chairman of the party till my tenure officially ends on Monday the 25th of June when. New set of party executives will be inaugurated.” Oyegun said the decision to have the present Executive remain in office in an interim capacity was to avoid going into the 2019 elections as a divided house, saying “with the 2019 general elections looming on the horizon, some of us consider it to be in the best interest of the party to go into the elections as a united fighting force, rather than one that was potentially weakened by internal conflict arising from competitive congresses. “It was for this reason that we canvassed and obtained the NEC decision of February 27 asking all executives of the party to continue in office in acting capacity for another period of twelve months.” He said that it was within his constitutional right to seek another term in office, believing that his experience and familiarity with some of the most important issues that must be at the top of the political agenda which put him in the best position to lead the party into another election. He acknowledged the fact the even without declaring his interest to seek another term, several top stakeholders of the party at all levels began to rally round him, saying “I believe that these loyal party men and women instinctively choose to support me, because they recognized what was in the best interest of the party at that point in time. “Quite fundamentally, they were demonstrating their love and commitment for the party, realizing that perhaps, what was needed most at this point in time in our history as a political party is experience and stability. “We have conducted the congresses in all the 36 states and the FCT, we have set a date for the national convention. Now that the convention committee has invited interested aspirants to obtain forms to contest into the various national positions, it has become necessary for me to state my position. “I have consulted widely with my family, friends and associates. Even though i had the desire to re-contest as the National Chairman of the party, I have decided that it is ultimately in the best interest of the party for me to withdraw from the race.”