The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has declared President Muhammadu Buhari as the first presidential candidate in Nigeria’s history to hire a proxy in a contest.
CUPP, through its National Chairman, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, while addressing journalists in Abuja, on Friday, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to lead his campaign in order to demonstrate his fitness for the highest office in the land.
He said,
“President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed said Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu would do the campaign on his behalf.“We do hope that he was misquoted, otherwise, Nigerians should simply ask him to step back from the contest and let his party put Tinubu forward as its candidate.“President Buhari will go down as the first candidate in history to hire a proxy in a presidential contest. He is the one contesting.“He should not be afraid to be the one to interface directly with Nigerians.“We urge the Nigerian people to insist that President Buhari must show that he is fit and able for the nation’s top job by leading his own campaign and by being at the presidential candidates’ debate.“Anyone who is afraid to come out and debate shoulder to shoulder with opponents and speak directly to Nigerians is not deserving of the mandate of Nigerians.“It will be nice to see President Buhari join other candidates in the debate and answer questions on his stewardship so far and what else he has to offer. We sincerely look forward to that day.”
The CUPP also stated that the level of insecurity in the country will affect the conduct of the general elections if left unchecked and therefore, called on the president to do everything possible to overhaul the nation’s security architecture.
The coalition also urged the president to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill in order to guarantee free and fair elections.
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TOO BAD! Gunmen Kidnap Popular Journalist In Cross River
A seasoned broadcaster, working with the Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) Radio/TV services, Mr Peter Etim, aka ‘god father’ has been kidnapped.
Mr Etim was kidnapped in the early hours of Friday while going to work.
An eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity alleged that the victim was abducted in front of his house by unknown gunmen before 6am.
“He was the one on morning duty this Friday. He drove out of his house in Calabar South local government area of Cross River State in the early hours of the day.
“Some gunmen in Police uniform accosted him and took him with his vehicle to unknown destination. We have not gotten in touch with him ever since as his phone was switched off,” he alleged.
When DAILY POST visited the victim’s office at IBB in Calabar, the workers were seen discussing the incident in groups.
Condemning the action of the kidnappers, the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, Comrade Victor Udu, told our correspondent on phone, “It’s very very sad that a seasoned broadcaster could be easily taken away by people suspected to be security officers.
“What do they want from a journalist, do we have money? Don’t they see politicians to go and kidnap. We appeal to security operatives to make sure that the victim is release without further delay,” he said.
The State Security Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade in the South, Mr Ani Esin told our correspondent on phone that the Department of State Services (DSS) are on top of the situation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, while confirming the story said the Police were on top of the situation.
“The victim will soon be released. The family reported the incident to officer in charge of kidnapping and investigations have commenced,” she said.