THE Kano State Government has discovered 3,268 teachers that are on its payroll but posted to private, voluntary and community schools in the state.

THE Kano State Government has discovered 3,268 teachers that are on its payroll but posted to private, voluntary and community schools in the state.

The Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Education, Aliyu Yusuf, disclosed this to The PUNCH in Kano on Tuesday.

He said the committee set up by the Ministry of Education to recall teachers that were illegally posted to such schools discovered the fraudulent arrangement.

According to him, the committee also uncovered a single private school with more than 50 teachers posted from government schools for more than 10 years.

“In addition, some of them have furthered their studies for higher degrees ranging from M. Sc and PhD. It was also discovered that while on such postings, the teachers were enjoying their consistent promotions up to directorate cadre,” he said.

President Buhari appoints Osinbajo Poverty Committee chairman

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a new poverty committee, appointing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the chairman.

On Tuesday in Abuja, Buhari inaugurated the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) with Mr Osinbajo as its chairman.

Speaking at the inauguration, the president Buhari reiterated his regime’s commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in10 years with a well-researched framework for implementation and funding.

He noted that the NPRGS had already proposed establishing a private equity fund, the Nigeria Investment and Growth Fund, to lead resource mobilisation drive and sustainably manage the resources.

This journey began in January 2021 when I directed the chairman of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to collaboratively work together to articulate what will lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

“I am happy to note that the process of designing this inclusive poverty reduction strategy recognised and addressed past mistakes as well as laid the foundation for a sustainable poverty reduction.

“This would be done through wide range consultations held at all levels of government, development partners, the private sector as well as the civil society,’’ he stated.

He added that the NPRGS would address underlying causes of poverty on the basis of which it developed programmes that would deal with the multi-dimensional nature of poverty.

However, President Buhari admitted that “the major challenge before this National Steering Committee is to translate our good intentions into positive impact of for the average Nigerian.”

He listed the steering committee’s responsibilities to include anchoring collaborative efforts and providing oversight for the implementation of the strategy.

It will also guide Technical Working Group and federal ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies, subnational governments, and other stakeholders on meeting the objectives of the programme.

Former Army Chief, Buratai appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic

The former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), has been appointed Nigeria’s ambassador to Benin Republic.

President Buhari on January 25 replaced Buratai and other service chiefs with fresh appointees. Shortly after the President on February 4, appointed the ex-service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

The former service chiefs have now been deployed. At a brief ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, June 22, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, presented letters of credence to the ex-service chiefs.

While Buratai was deployed to Benin Republic, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (rtd) was appointed the head of mission to Cameroon.

A statement released by Kimiebi Ebienfa, information officer of the ministry announced the appointments.

It read; “The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Geoffrey Onyeama today 22 June 2021, presented Letters of Credence to the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroon, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (Retired) and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, Lt.Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Retired).”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs during the brief ceremony congratulated the immediate past service chiefs on their appointment by Mr. President and called on them to deploy their wealth of experience to promote Nigeria’s interest during their tour of duty in countries of accreditation.”

The statement was however silent on the postings of the other former Service chiefs, Vice Admiral Ibok- Ette Ibas (retired) former Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retired), ex-Chief of Air Staff and Air Vice Marshal Muhammad S. Usman (Rtd), former Chief of Defense Intelligence.

Igbos are the glue holding Nigeria together – Abaribe

The Senate Minority leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe has said the Igbos are the “glue” holding the country together, noting that they had invested in the unity, oneness and progress of the country more than any other ethnic nationality or people.

Abaribe, who represents Abia South senatorial District at the National Assembly, made the comment in Enugu on Monday at the inauguration of “Igbonine”, a newly formed socio-cultural organisation.

“We are the largest domestic investors in Nigeria today and have our investment scattered all over the country even to the remotest parts,” Mr Abaribe declared at the gathering.

“Igbos are the glue that holds Nigeria together.”

We are found everywhere; we interface and inter-cohabit with other tribes and ethnic nationalities in the country very peacefully and progressively.

“Igbos remained the most travelled ethnic nationality to other parts of the country to interact and understand them better,’’ he said.

The senator further advocated inclusive governance as panacea to quell accusations of marginalisation being registered by ethnic nationalities in the country.

Abaribe noted that the alleged unequal treatment of various people and segments that made up the country remained the root of the present political challenge of the country.

He said; “Luckily, it is not only the South-East or Igbos that feel alienated; but the cry of marginalisation is spread over the country.

“They are only painting Igbos as only those complaining and causing trouble.

“Our country is supposed to be an inclusive country, where fairness, equity and deliberate action to ensure every part of the country is duly represented and carried along.’’

In a lecture titled; “Igbos: What Do We Want’’, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, noted that although Igbos had gradually recovered economically from the civil war, “our people are yet to recover politically’’.

The Presidential Candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the 2019 election, urged Igbos to close ranks and build a formidable force to assert themselves politically.

He said: “I will also urge our people to go for those that have wisdom and intellect to deliver on set goals rather than the ongoing cash-and-carry politics prevailing among us.

“The first generation of Igbo politicians in the first republic like Zik of Africa, Michael Okpara, Akanu Ibiam etc were great intellectuals endowed by God to deliver the region and country at that time’’.

According to him, what we want now is Nigerian President of South-East extraction. It is achievable with a collective and united will of our people.

In an address, President-General of Igbonine, Emeka Okonkwo, said that Igbonine was born out of the passion to lend positive and unifying voices to affairs concerning and affecting the Igbo man.

Okonkwo said that the association would support the renaissance of the Nigerian new social order as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution for the enthronement of equity, justice, fairness and some measure of ideal of freedom.

He said: “We believe it is only in this way that we can achieve a united Nigeria that is enviable to the rest of the world.

“Therefore, our main thrust would be to pursue the course of Igbos through dialogue, friendship, understanding and application of all favourable dynamics at play without coercion or unnecessary friction’’.

Lai Mohammed leads team to meet Twitter over suspension

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a Federal Government team to engage with Twitter over the recent suspension of the company’s operations in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who will chair the team, announced the approval in a statement on Tuesday, June 21.

The Federal Government’s team also comprises the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

Others are; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo as well as other relevant government agencies.

Following the indefinite suspension of its Twitter’s operations in Nigeria for ”activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”, the US-based firm wrote to President Buhari seeking to engage with the Federal Government over the suspension, with a view to charting a path forward.

National Assembly flooded as roof leaks during heavy rainfall (Video)

The lobby of the National Assembly was on Tuesday, June 22 flooded due to heavy downpour that made its way into the building following a leaking roof.

According to reports, plenary was delayed for a few hours as cleaners had a hectic time scooping out the water.

This is comes two years after President Buhari approved N37 billion for the renovation of the complex located in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Watch video:

https://naijapremiumgist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/203691872_309564304198688_211311932190031889_n.mp4

Bribery: Court sentences former lawmaker, Farouk Lawan to seven years in prison

An Abuja High Court has sentenced a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan to seven years in prison.

Lawan, during trial on Tuesday was found guilty of count one, two, and three bothering on corruptly asking for and obtaining same from Femi Otedola, in order to exonerate Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited from the list of companies in the fuel subsidy scam.

Count one stated that the former chairman of the House of Reps ad-hoc committee on Petroleum Subsidy regime corruptly asked the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Femi Otedola, for a bribe of $3 million as an inducement to remove the name of his company from the report of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on monitoring of fuel subsidy regime.

The presiding judge, Justice Angela Otaluka, noted that the evidence listed and submitted before the court by the prosecution counsel, remain unshaken during cross-examination.

The judge also noted that the conduct, responses, and submissions of the defendant and witnesses, in this case, establish the charge in the count.

Count two stated that the defendant collected the sum of $500,000 as a bribe to exonerate Zelon petroleum and gas from the fuel subsidy probe report.

Justice Otaluka added that the defendant demanded a balance of payment, after receiving the first and second tranche of the payment, and as at the early hours of 24th April 2012 when the accused received the second tranche, no complaint was made to any security agency or anti-corruption agencies, as he claims he accepted the money to show as evidence before the house.

The judge further said the defendant failed to convince the court that his acceptance of the said bribe was to serve as evidence before the House Committee that the Chairman of Zelon Petroleum wants to bribe the Committee involved in the probe.

For count one and two the court sentenced Lawan to seven years while for count three he was sentenced to five years.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court also ordered that the defendant return the sum of $500,000 to the Federal Government.

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Major General Farouk Yahaya, as the new Chief of Army Staff.

The red chamber took the decision following the consideration of the report of its joint committee on Defence and Army led by senators Aliyu Wamakko and Ali Ndume.

The President of the Senate had on June 2, referred the request of the  President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for Yahaya’s confirmation to the committees.

The Defence Committee which is chaired by Wamakko was mandated to be the lead panel to screen the newly appointed Army Chief.

Oduduwa Republic: Yoruba scholars, traditional rulers caution Igboho, demand regional autonomy

A conference of Yoruba has called for decentralisation of government to allow the six geopolitical zones in the country to have autonomy to function.

The conference, which had in attendance Yoruba scholars and traditional rulers, was led by Professor of History, University of Texas, Austin, Toyin Falola, who submitted that decentralisation of power would solve most of the problems, including the insecurity facing the country.

The Yoruba leaders and scholars who met at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday, for the sixth Atanda lectures and conference on Yoruba culture and society, advised secessionist agitators to be careful not to destabilise the polity as breaking away from Nigeria is not the solution to the nation’s current challenges.

The three-day conference on Yoruba culture and society had many national and international scholars on Yoruba and culture as speakers, including a foremost private art collector in Africa, Prince Yemisi Shyllon; Director of African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, USA, Akinloye Ojo, and Professor Arinpe Adejumo of the University of Ibadan.

Speaking on the essence of the conference, held in remembrance of a late professor of history, Joseph Atanda, Falola said the late scholar contributed immensely to the teaching of Yoruba history and culture while alive.

Speaking on the state of the nation, Falola said, “The Yoruba are angry, the Igbo are angry, so, how to minimise and reduce the anger is what we should find a solution to.

“At this time, the best advice one can give is decentralisation and autonomy in various regions.

“I don’t think separation is the best way to go, but seeking better autonomy in these regions is a better option.”

Another professor of history, Olutayo Adeshina, in his submission advised the agitators for Yoruba nation to think things through.

He said; “Those who are pushing for it, I will say let us take it easy and see it from broader perspectives because here, the structure of Nigeria is skewed; it is imbalanced and it is also not right. Yes, we have rights to agitate; I will say let us take it easy.

“If we agitate and try to secede, move away, what is the benefit of it? What is the cost of taking Yoruba out of Nigeria? Is it going to be done peacefully?

You have to do this thing very clinically; you must get your parameters right; is it going to be peaceful? If it is going to be peaceful, Okay, if it is not going to be peaceful, what is the cost to us as a people and as a society? What is the cost on our infrastructure? A lot of things must be done carefully and well calibrated.”

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Osun State, Oba Abolarin Adedokun, also called for patience and tolerance among the tribes and ethnic groups in the country.

#Twitter ban in Nigeria: Probe begins today.

“The House of Representatives” Committees on Communications; Justice; Information and Culture; and National Security and Intelligence are to hold their inaugural investigative hearing on Tuesday (today) after the expiration of the 10-day deadline given by the leadership of the House to investigate the ban placed on Twitter by the Federal Government.
Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, on June 8, 2021, said the leadership of the House had resolved to intervene in the decision that had pitched Nigerian Twitter users against the government.


The leadership had mandated the committees to carry out an investigation, including inviting Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to explain the rationale behind the ban and the legality of the action. The panel was asked to report back within 10 days.
The PUNCH had reported on Monday that the joint committee had yet to act on the directive.
However, the committee on Monday invited journalists to its investigative hearing scheduled for 10am on Tuesday.


Members of the minority Peoples Democratic Party in the House had staged a walkout in protest against the refusal by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, to grant their prayer that the ban on Twitter by the Federal Government be suspended pending when the chamber probes the matter.
 Gbajabiamila had stated that the leadership of the House had resolved that the lawmakers needed to hear from both sides first before a legislative action was taken.

Tinubu is under investigation – EFCC Chairman

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, says national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is under investigation.

EFCC boss stated this in an exclusive interview published by Thisday on Sunday, while answering a question on why he is yet to arrest the former Lagos state governor.

Bawa noted that investigation does not end in a day.

He said: “You asked me a question earlier about arresting people before investigation and now you are saying why didn’t we arrest Tinubu? Why didn’t you just say ‘arrest him?’

Investigation is ongoing. When you are investigating matters like this, they don’t end in a day. Thousands of investigations are going on, on a daily basis.

“You understand? You know you are from the media. After you will say we are doing media trial.”

Bawa was said to have requested for Tinubu’s assets declaration form when he was the head of Lagos Zonal Office.

The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has called on the state government and Police Command to arrest the killers of an Ibadan-based journalist, Titus Badejo.

The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has called on the state government and Police Command to arrest the killers of an Ibadan-based journalist, Titus Badejo.

The call is contained in a condolence message issued on Sunday in Ibadan by the council Chairman, Mr Ademola Babalola.

It was earlier reported that Badejo was allegedly killed around 9 pm at a popular night club in Oluyole area of Ibadan on Saturday. The deceased was an On-Air Personality, Disc Jockey, and sports presenter.

In the statement, the NUJ chairman charged Governor Seyi Makinde and Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, to ensure the killers were arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

We inaugurated governing board of Amotekun in Accordance with Law – Seyi Makinde

The Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed the state inauguration of Amotekun’s governing board.
According to Makinde, the inauguration was in accordance with section 7 of the State security network agency law 2020.
A statement from the governor obtained by Akewusolaf reads:

This morning, we inaugurated the Governing Board of Amotekun in accordance with Section 7 of the Oyo State Security Network Agency Law, 2020. This is another step we are taking to tackle the security challenges in Oyo State as we foster inter and intra agency collaboration.


“The board is made up of the Chairman and the Commandant of Amotekun Corps; the Secretary; representatives from the security agencies and Community Development Associations; the Chairman, Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers; and the Executive Assistant on Security.”

El-Rufai warns anti-banditry protesters against blocking Abuja-Kaduna highway

Following the Saturday’s protest which led to the blockage of Kaduna-Abuja Expressway by residents over attacks by bandits, the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has met with the village head and other members of the community in the area.

Recall that the residents of Ungwar Magaji in the Chikun Local Government Area had barricaded the expressway following the killing of a 13-year- old girl.

However, accompanied by the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, the governor interacted with residents of the area.

El-Rufai was initially received at the Kaduna-Abuja road by the Force Commander, Operation Thunder Strike, Lt. Col. MH Abdullahi, who briefed him on the security situation in area.

According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan on Sunday, “the Governor held a meeting at Kakkau community which was attended by the village head, Mr. Iliya Garba Zarmai and members of the community.”

The governor was quoted to have told residents that the government was doing all it could to ensure the safety of their lives and property.

The governor, however, warned against blocking of roads, “a practice he described as detrimental to the activities of innocent citizens whose movement is forced to a halt.”

He stressed that such actions would offer no solution but only create panic and further breakdown of law and order.

Recalled that within the last one week, security agencies reported to the Kaduna State Government several incidences of attacks by bandits which left some citizens dead in Kakkau, Damba-Kasaya, Kankomi, Kajuru town, Idasu, Karaukarau, and Sobawa villages in Chikun, Igabi, Giwa and Kajuru local government areas.

Retired Permanent Secretary At Fashola’s Ministry Reacts To N2.5billion Contract Mismanagement Allegation.

A retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, has said he is innocent of allegations that he mismanaged the award of N2.5billion road contracts in 2017 and 2018 while working under the minister, Babatunde Fashola.

Bukar, in his reaction sent to SaharaReporters, said that contrary to the annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation on the accounts of the Federation of Nigeria for the year ended, December 31, 2018, which indicted him, he never awarded any contracts.

The retired permanent secretary noted that he never also procured 36 project monitoring vehicles, adding that they were not under his watch if they were ever procured.

He said, “I have never awarded a contract worth N2.5billion or worth any amount beyond my approval threshold as a Permanent Secretary. Specifically, the allegation that I awarded a contract for the emergency repairs of Tatabu bridge in Niger State in breach of Public Procurement Act, 2007 is fallacious.

“It may, nonetheless, be instructive to note that the award of an emergency contract does not require the approval of the Federal Executive Council as provided for in Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. SaharaReporters can confirm this from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

I hope Nigerians will cherish all my administration has done – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he will continue to work with dedication to meet the objectives that his administration set out to achieve in 2015.

Buhari made the statement on Friday when he received members of the Muhammadu Buhari and Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group at State House Abuja.

The group visited the president for the official presentation of their book titled ‘A Compendium of 5-Year Achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration from 2015 – 2020.’

Speaking at the presentation, President Buhari said; “The MBO Dynamic Support Group Officers and team members saw the good in our Administration from the time we came in 2015. It is this commitment that led to the production of the book, and I sincerely hope and believe that Nigerians will always see and cherish positivity in all that this Administration has done as it continues to work assiduously to accomplish”.

He commended the organisation for the support and the efforts to come up with the publication as it will serve as a documentation of some of the administration’s achievement:

He said; “The birth of this book from inception to production is due to the unrelenting efforts of the MBO Dynamic Support Group Officers and over two million group of supporters that have continuously stood by our Administration in our quest to deliver on our social contract to all Nigerians and ensure the dividends of democracy to our people.

I am extremely pleased with the production team and those who travelled across the country monitoring and collating data on our projects to enable us present an evidence based account of our stewardship.

“Despite the global challenges of COVID-19 that impeded socio-economic activities of the world including our country Nigeria in 2020, you all worked tirelessly with limited resources and by tasking one another to produce this historic book.

We recognise and appreciate your drive, skills, creative abilities and your personal resources invested in this project and immense devotion to produce the book.

“I thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to this Administration and legacy and look forward to the wide circulation of our achievements perfectly captured in this book to all citizens and those willing to see that we succeed to the end for the benefit of all.”

Nigerian governors act like bandits – Mike Ozekhome

Human rights lawyer and activist, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has said that Nigerian governors run their states in a manner that can be likened to banditry.

Ozekhome stated this at the Ladi Adebutu Good Governance Symposium in Abeokuta, Ogun state on Thursday.

“Governors like bandits always waylay council allocations from Abuja,” he said.

He accused the governors of impoverishing rural dwellers, adding that they are responsible for the underdevelopment at the grassroots.

According to the fiery lawyer, Nigeria operates under a “suffocative system” due to the 1999 Constitution, which he branded a “false document from the pit of hell,” demanding a replacement of the constitution.

Ozekhome also said that Nigeria as a nation could be divided if those in authority did nothing to change the current situation.

He said; “I agree that Nigeria should stay together as one country, but, please, if we must be together as one country, we must re-negotiate the terms. It must be under agreed terms. That is where a constituent of people’s assembly comes up.

The National Assembly members are afraid; they want to amend. Can you amend a bad document? Even if you give it one million amendments, it cannot solve our problems.

Rather, let them (National Assembly) use section 4 of the constitution, which says, ‘The National Assembly shall have powers to make laws for the peace, order and good government in Nigeria and any part thereof.’ Do you have peace, order, and good government in Nigeria today?

“So, they can therefore make a law using section 4, promulgating constituents of the people. That same law provides a referendum. The National Assembly is saying it cannot give a new constitution. It can facilitate and midwife under section 4.”

Next governor of Kaduna will demolish more houses than me – El-Rufai

Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that his successor would do more demolition of houses than him.

El-Rufai made the remark on Friday while reacting to residents of the state who were allegedly calling him a demolisher and praying for his tenure to end soon.

Speaking when he featured on a radio programme in the state capital, the governor warned residents not to rejoice yet saying the next governor would do more for the development of the state.

According to him, some residents who understand their motives, now appreciate the urban development being executed across the state by his administration.

El-Rufai alleged that some of his critics attacked him for not sharing money to them, stressing that developing the state was worth more than sharing of money.

“When we started working on school construction they said we are not providing roads now we are working on roads they said we are not empowering people.

“If sharing money at night is what they mean by empowering people, they should keep insulting us.

“The masses who we are working for appreciate what we are doing for them.

You know the election is approaching and they see me as a demolisher “Mai rusau” so they think that maybe the next person that will come after me will not demolish but he will demolish more than I do, God willing,” he said.

Court acquits Sen Nwaoboshi of N322m money laundering charge.

A Federal High Court in Lagos State has discharged and acquitted Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) of a N322 million money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, held on Friday that the EFCC failed to prove the elements of the offences for which it charged Nwaoboshi.
Aneke also discharged Nwaoboshi’s two companies – Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd – on the same ground.

He held, among others, that the prosecution’s case collapsed because “bank officials were not called to testify.”
Recall that the defendants were arraigned in 2018 before Justice Mohammed Idris, who was later elevated to the Court of Appeal.
They were then re-arraigned before Justice Aneke on Oct. 5, 2018.
In the 2-count charge marked FHC/L/117C/18, the anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants committed the offence between May and June 2014, in Lagos State.

Nwaoboshi was said to have purchased a property described as Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa Lagos.

Buhari won’t hand over power in 2023 – Olusegun Bamgbose

National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance (CAGG), Olusegun Bamgbose, Esq. has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari will remain in power even after the expiration of his tenure in 2023.

According to the senior lawyer, those expecting Buhari to hand over power come 2023 may be heavily disappointed.

He stated this in a chat with DAILY POST on Friday, noting that the increasing insecurity in the country may be an excuse not to conduct elections in 2023.

Bamgbose said; “The possibility of Buhari stepping down come 2023 is very slim. I have reasons to believe that the persistence of insecurity in Nigeria is a subtle ploy to extend Buhari’s tenure.

The recent attacks in Kebbi State where about 300 bandits with AK-47 operated for 8 hours moving from house to house, room to room, and robbing people, is a strong indication that the security architecture of the country has collapsed.

“There is a strong possibility that this government may not be able to tackle insecurity headlong for Buhari to remain in power beyond 2023. This is very obvious.

“We are seriously in a precarious situation where the lives of Nigerian citizens are traded on the platter of politics. This is a sad situation.

“Buhari once told the bandits not to push their luck too far, that he can crush them, but have they not pushed their luck too far? What has Buhari done to tackle insecurity apart from warnings that are not backed with actions?

The most unfortunate thing is that Buhari had since stopped reading newspapers and watching news on TV unlike before.

“In essence, he has lost touch with the plight of Nigerians. This is sad. Nigerians should rise to the occasion and resist all attempts to elongate Buhari’s tenure through the backdoor.”

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