The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has addressed the controversies surrounding his age, school and record in the private sector. Fielding questions at Chatham House in London on Monday, the former governor of Lagos State said he was born on March 29, 1952, adding that those who disputed claims that he was from the Tinubu family could request for a DNA test. On his academic and private sector records, Tinubu announced that he just received his original certificate from Chicago State University just as he stated that Mobile Oil attested to his outstanding record. He said, “At the time of birth, I was dated March 29, 1952, in the family record. Then, I don’t think I had decided to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not even that I would go into politics. “I’ve had a very good record in life. My record is consistent in the university they questioned. They’ve now confessed that they wasted their money and their time. The record is there, and the transcript is there showing March 1952. “I’m not claiming another father, I’m Tinubu and Tinubu proper. If they want a DNA, they could as well request for one. “One of them was even accused of not being a Nigerian citizen, I didn’t touch that area. “Equally, it remains the same. Chicago State University where I graduated has attested to that. Now, I can announce that I have received my original replacement degree certificate from them. “Deloitte trained me as an accountant. Mobile Oil has attested to my outstanding record. I got to the pinnacle of my career in the private sector. Who among them can brag about that? “Yes, you want to wrestle with the pig, you’ve got to live with the dirt. That’s what I’m doing. I got into politics knowing fully well that it is muddy water. Smog will come, and you will have to live with the dirt and make sure you are upright to finish the job. Asked to state why he avoided engaging in debates unlike his colleagues in the presidential race, he said, “I see myself as a marketable individual. You want to use me to make money and I’m saying no.”

  The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has said he is prepared for the dirt associated with politics. He spoke at Chatham House in London, on Monday, where he addressed controversies surrounding his age, school and time in the private sector. Fielding questions from the audience, the former governor of Lagos State revealed that efforts by those who questioned his school records ended in disappointment. He said, “At the time of birth, I was dated March 29, 1952, in the family record. Then, I don’t think I had decided to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not even that I would go into politics. “I’ve had very good exposure in life. My record is consistent in the university they questioned. They’ve now confessed that they wasted their money and their time. The record is there, and the transcript is there showing March 1952. “I’m not claiming another father, I’m Tinubu and Tinubu proper. If they want DNA, they could as well request one. “One of them has been accused of not being a Nigerian citizen, I didn’t touch that area. “Equally, it remains the same. Chicago State University where I graduated has attested to that. Now, I can announce that I have received my original replacement degree certificate from them. “Deloitte trained me as an accountant. Mobile Oil has attested to my outstanding record. I got to the pinnacle of my career in the private sector. Who among them can brag about that? “Yes, if you want to wrestle with the pig, you’ve got to live with the dirt. That’s what I’m doing. I got into politics knowing fully well that it is muddy water. Smog will come, and you will have to live with the dirt and make sure you are upright to finish the job.” In his opening speech, Tinubu expressed his stance against electoral violence and intimidation while urging others in the presidential race to allow Nigerians to decide the future of the country. He said, “I stand firmly against all forms of electoral violence and intimidation. “Haven spent most of my career in political opposition, I have long fought against electoral malpractice and any attempt to extinguish the legitimate choice of voters. I will continue to do so, I promise. “I urge all my fellow contestants in this election to do the same. Let the sovereign will of the people decide the path of our nation. And let this election be determined by voters making their choice freely rather than the domineering intimidation of the troublesome few.” He further told the audience, “I am confident that in a few short months, people will go to the polls and give me their mandates. “I’m ready to lead and govern the country. I will return here to interact with you when the elections are over. I will come not with a long list of priorities for the future but with a plan for collaboration in the best interest of the country I love and dedicate myself to for a lifetime.” Asked if his administration will ensure that Nigerians in the diaspora voted in subsequent elections, Tinubu stated that the current system of voting was yet to prove to be reliable enough to accommodate other systems. He said, “I think it was El-rufai that mentioned last night that diasporans are entitled to voting. If you make contributions to the economy with remittances that you have been making, your right to vote should not be abrogated but promoted. “However, we are still building confidence in our democratic and voting system. INEC is still yet to assure us during this election that electronic transmission – the technology being used for accreditation and the total vote count – is reliable, dependable and assuring in our democratic process before we introduce the complicated process of the mail-in ballot and others.

  The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council on Monday evening reeled out the achievements of its presidential standard bearer, Bola Tinubu, on the modernisation of Lagos to debunk earlier claim by the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, that Federal Government deserves the credit. Atiku had charged the residents of Lagos during the PDP presidential rally held at the Tafawa Balewa Square to free themselves from the iron grip of Tinubu on the state. The PDP candidate also announced that the former governor should not be allowed to keep getting away with his claim of building Lagos. He reiterated that it is a known fact that the FG was the brain behind the massive infrastructure and development in the state, including the construction of the Second and Third Mainland Bridges. Atiku’s rally on Monday took place almost at the same time Tinubu was giving a lecture on security, economy and foreign policy at Chatham House in London, United Kingdom. Hours after his scathing attack on the former Lagos governor, the APC campaign council issued a statement signed by its spokesperson, Festus Keyamo. While describing the PDP campaign rally in Lagos as ‘scandalously scanty’, a livid Keyamo stated that Atiku took the ‘ignoble path of bare-faced lies’ by telling the people that Tinubu did not develop Lagos State. The statement partly read, “Let us remind Atiku that despite conspiring to seize the funds of the people of Lagos State as Vice-President of Nigeria, Tinubu conquered that handicap by performing wonders as Governor and subsequently as leader of the ruling party of Lagos State. The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council on Monday evening reeled out the achievements of its presidential standard bearer, Bola Tinubu, on the modernisation of Lagos to debunk earlier claim by the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, that Federal Government deserves the credit. Atiku had charged the residents of Lagos during the PDP presidential rally held at the Tafawa Balewa Square to free themselves from the iron grip of Tinubu on the state. The PDP candidate also announced that the former governor should not be allowed to keep getting away with his claim of building Lagos. He reiterated that it is a known fact that the FG was the brain behind the massive infrastructure and development in the state, including the construction of the Second and Third Mainland Bridges. Atiku’s rally on Monday took place almost at the same time Tinubu was giving a lecture on security, economy and foreign policy at Chatham House in London, United Kingdom. Hours after his scathing attack on the former Lagos governor, the APC campaign council issued a statement signed by its spokesperson, Festus Keyamo. While describing the PDP campaign rally in Lagos as ‘scandalously scanty’, a livid Keyamo stated that Atiku took the ‘ignoble path of bare-faced lies’ by telling the people that Tinubu did not develop Lagos State. The statement partly read, “Let us remind Atiku that despite conspiring to seize the funds of the people of Lagos State as Vice-President of Nigeria, Tinubu conquered that handicap by performing wonders as Governor and subsequently as leader of the ruling party of Lagos State. “In more volatile climes, the people of Lagos State would not have allowed Atiku to step on the soil of Lagos State because of that ignoble role his government played to attempt to destroy Lagos. But thanks to Asiwaju, today Lagos is a peaceful place and a home for all hence he could still come to Lagos to spew such lies to the people of Lagos State. “Let us remind Atiku that after the Federal Government exited Lagos after the Orkar coup of 1990, the FG left the infrastructure in Lagos to deteriorate whilst concentrating on developing Abuja. It was after Asiwaju assumed office in 1999 that he began to revive and rebuild the infrastructure in Lagos State. “A clear example is the Bar Beach the FG could not contain in all their years in Lagos State. It was during the tenure of Tinubu that the idea for the Eko Atlantic was conceived and planned and the continuation of the project proceeded unhindered under Fashola who has himself acknowledged the making of it to Tinubu. “Others are the various high-calibre roads constructed by Tinubu like the Kudirat Abiola Road; Awolowo Road, Ikoyi; Akin Adesola Rd, VI; Adeola Odeku Rd, VI; Agege Motor Road; Ikotun-Igando Rd; Yaba-Itire-Lawanson-Ojuelegba Rd; LASU-IBA Rd; Ajah-Badore Rd; Oba Sekumade Rd, Ikorodu; Bourdillon-Gerald Rd; Lekki Expressway; Adetokunbo Ademola Rd, etc. “Agencies like LAWMA, Highway Managers, LASTMA, KAI, CBD, LAGBUS, LASEPA, LASAMBUS etc were all launched to develop different sectors. These are verifiable facts. “It is obvious Atiku and the PDP have their backs against the wall with the rebellion to and shunning of his campaign by key governors and stakeholders in his party that has made him battle weary. Atiku is already showing signs of frustration. “We advise Atiku ABUBAKAR to pack up his campaign to save his face rather than face the imminent disgrace at the polls.”

  Yakubu Dogara, a former speaker of the house of representatives, says Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, is “suffering from amnesia”. Wike had criticised Dogara for endorsing Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “The same Dogara said the presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace,” the governor had said. “Now, I hear about the same Dogara (backing Atiku from the north). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?” In a series of tweets on Monday, the former speaker said it is a pity that Wike could recall their conversation. “To my brother, Governor Nyesom Wike; if there is anything you are suffering from, I never thought amnesia would be one of them,” he wrote. “Why would you think no one, except you, is entitled to a certain set of principles he/she cannot compromise? “It’s such a pity if you cannot remember what our discussion and agreement was all about. Why should only your own position be respected and followed? “I would never betray a friend and a brother, that is why I won’t respond to your tirade on live TV. “The details of our conversation are sealed up with me but if you feel it’s okay to throw it to the public kindly give me a written consent to divulge it so that the public can judge who is saying the truth. Thank God there was a witness.”

  Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has warned the presidential candidate of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, to restrain his attack dogs from insulting the group of five Governors (G-5) known as the Integrity Group. The Governor said the G-5 would fight back if Atiku’s men who he described as miscreants and members of the presidential campaign council, haul insults at the integrity group again. Wike spoke during the kick-off of Indorama-Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebubu-East/West Link Road in Eleme Local Government Area on Monday. He said: “We need peace in this state and we would continue to keep the peace but nobody can take us for a ride. Rivers State cannot be a slave to anybody. “What I want to tell the presidential candidate of the PDP, we need peace, we want all of us to be together for the party to win the general elections but let me say clearly, if your boys continue to fight the leaders of our party, we would fight back. “If anybody in the PDP presidential campaign council continues to insult the governors of the integrity group, we would fight back. Enough is enough. “We want peace and we want equity, fairness and justice. Nobody should take us for granted. I cannot understand people, who just left APC recently are talking about PDP that we stayed and suffered to build the party. Even if anybody should talk about us, it is not these miscreants.” The Governor also lambasted a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Yakubu Dogara, for backing Atiku against his earlier stance on Southern Presidency in 2023. Wike wondered why some leaders would not say something and stick to it saying such people lacked character and integrity. The Governor said soon, he would reveal the content of the discussion Dogara and Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Federal Government had with him at his residence when they visited. He said: “At the appropriate time I will talk about how Dogara and Babachir visited me and what we agreed. You know what I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I will challenge them for a debate.” He recalled how Dogara had evaded an appointment they were to have and surreptitiously left the PDP to join the APC. He said: “What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate. Ask Dogara, what made you leave PDP? “Dogara was to see me; unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he had gone to APC. I say ‘Okay, no problem’. “The same Dogara said the Presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace. Now, I hear about the same Dogara (is endorsing Atiku from the north for the presidency). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?”

  Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dogara was received into the party during the presidential campaign by the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in the nation’s commercial capital, Lagos State. This comes 48 hours after a group led by Dogara, the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum adopted Atiku as the preferred presidential candidate for the 2023 election. On December 2, the group consisting of Christian and Muslim religious and political leaders in the north said after evaluation of all the presidential candidates that Atiku is “the best”. “It is evident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is heading for implosion and extinction; hence, it cannot be the party for now and in the future, because of its rejection to embrace inclusiveness in a diverse country like Nigeria. After the 2023 elections, APC may be dead and buried as a political party,” the group said. “While the duo (NNPP and LP) may emerge as strong contenders in the political arena in the future, from all indications, PDP appears to be the best option to adopt and support. “All it takes is to sustain and tackle some of the problems and challenges this country faces. “Certainly, with proper consultations and inclusive appointments, which is mindful of the federal character principle with a sincere consideration of diverse issues such as religious affiliation, geographical location, and ethnic identity, which many believe will enhance justice, fairness and equity, after a careful evaluation of all the issues highlighted above, we now recommend the adoption of the PDP to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria for the 2023 presidential election.” But the endorsement did not go down well with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who also contested the May 28 PDP presidential primary election against Atiku but lost to the ex-Vice President. Wike criticised the ex-Speaker for backing Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid, claiming that Dogara had insisted on Nigeria’s presidential seat returning to southern Nigeria as against his most recent support for Atiku from the northern region. “What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate. Ask Dogara: what made you leave PDP?” the governor asked on Monday. “Dogara was to see me; unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC. I say ‘Okay, no problem’. The same Dogara said the presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace. Now, I hear about the same Dogara (backing Atiku from the north). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?” Wike’s comment was the latest in the crisis rocking the main opposition PDP since the party’s presidential primary earlier in May.