Politics

NSCDC warns youths against jeopardising 2023 elections

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The commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in Zamfara, Muhammad Muazu, has warned youths against violence during the general elections.

The warning is contained in a statement by the command’s spokesman, Ikor Oche, on Sunday.Mr Muazu who met with youths organisations on Saturday, urged them not to succumb to unpatriotic elements.

The commandant advised the youths to be law-abiding and desist from any action capable of disrupting peace.

Mr Muazu also cautioned against using fuel and naira scarcity to foment trouble for political gains.

He said the NSCDC would protect critical infrastructures and not allow anyone to breach the peace and security of Zamfara, appealing to the youths not to attack public and private infrastructure.

Bashir Garba, who spoke on behalf of the organisations, pledged that youths in Zamfara would remain law-abiding and ensure peace before, during and after the February 25 and March 11 elections.

He said the National Youth Council of Nigeria, the umbrella body of youth organisations, would not be part of any violent protest fuel and naira scarcity, or in support of any political party.

Sani Aliyu, the director of youths in Zamfara’s youths and sports ministry, commended NSCDC for interfacing with the youths.

He said the ministry would continue to develop the youths and mentor them to be responsible citizens.

Also, Ibrahim Musa Maizeri, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Zamfara, said the union would strive to nip the menace of fake news, and educate youths to be agents of positive change in society.

Politics

INEC restates neutrality ahead of general elections

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured that it will not support any candidate or political party in the 2023 general election, as it is only interested in the electoral process.

Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, INEC said this when he addressed Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the 2023 general election in Abuja.

Mr Yakubu urged them to be committed to their oath of neutrality and allegiance to Nigeria.

He advised them not to see their job as service to INEC but to the country as a whole in which they were equal stakeholders.

“The commission is determined that the 2023 general election will be the best ever and you are the people that will help the commission to make it happen and help to ensure that Nigeria has a pleasant experience on election day.

“INEC is not a political party. INEC has no candidate in the election. Our only interest is in the processes. The choice of who becomes what in Nigeria is left to the Nigerian people to decide,” he said.

Mr Yakubu described the work of the SPOs as critical to the success of the 2023 general election, urging them to uphold the integrity of the process.

“You are the people who supervise those who will work at the most important level, the Polling Units (PUs) level. That is the only place where voting takes place.

“The collation officers at the polling units level are collating results from the PUs. When collation officers at the PU go to the local government level, they are collating results from the PUs.

“When it goes to the state level they are collating results from the PUs and when they come to Abuja, where we collate the presidential result it would have passed through all these processes.

“So, by the time the results come to Abuja, Nigerians would have known the outcome of the election,” he said.

Mr Yakubu added;

“Our responsibility is simply to collate. So you are playing a very critical role. What will help you help the commission, help Nigerians and the electoral process is your Integrity as individuals.”

He said that the training was going on simultaneously in all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).He said that the training was a further reassurance to Nigerians of INEC readiness to conduct elections on February 25 and March 11.

“Today we are commencing the training of the most critical staff for the 2023 general election. Between today and tomorrow, we will train the PSOs.

“In the FCT we require 282 SPOs but we are training more than that now. We have added 70 to make it a total of 352 in case some are unable to make it on election day for one reason or another, we have a buffer.

“What is happening in FCT is happening in all the 36 days of the federation at the same time.

“Between today Feb. 11 and tomorrow Feb. 12, we will train the SPOs. Then on Tuesday the Feb. 14 to Thursday Feb. 16, we will train the Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers (APO) 1, 2 and 3,” he said.

Politics

Peter Obi campaigns in Lagos ahead of February 25 presidential election

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Thousands of Labour Party (LP) supporters trooped out to welcome the party’s flag bearer, Peter Obi, to Lagos on Saturday, February 11.

Mr Obi is one of 18 candidates seeking Nigeria’s highest office on February 25.

The LP candidate arrived Lagos to attend a series of political activities and a campaign rally for the forthcoming elections.

Some of his supporters were already seated at the Tafawa Balewa Squre (TBS) waiting for his arrival while others assembled at Ikeja.

After his arrival, Mr Obi met with some traders and supporters at the Alaba international market in the Ojo area of the state.His supporters were chanting his name “Obi” and waving the party flag to indicate their support for his candidacy.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Mr Obi said he arrived with his team at Ojo area of the state, with plans to go to the TBS where a massive crowd was waiting for him.

“My team and I are in Ojo area of Lagos on a market storm ahead of the Lagos Rally. Thank you Lagos. Eko oni baje!” @PeterObi tweeted.

“We just arrived at the Alaba international market to an awesome reception. We’re pondering what the rally will be like. LP is Finishing Strong. Salute to all Obidients and the Nigerian Youths.

“We are pushing through towards TBS. We’re now on the Lagos Road Walk: the turn out is awesome. I’m really humbled!” Mr Obi tweeted.

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

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Youths and women in Katsina State have pledged to deliver two million votes to presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the poll billed to hold on February 25.

Ahmed Adamu, Special Assistant to Mr Abubakar on Youth and Strategy, made this known on Friday in Katsina when he led thousands of party loyalists in a procession tagged “Katsina State March for Atiku”.

He said the rally was to mobilise more support for Mr Abubakar, the PDP flag bearer, and ensure his victory in the forthcoming presidential election.

“This is a clear demonstration of support from the young people in the state for the presidential candidate and we would deliver millions of votes to him.

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.

“Our unwavering and unconditional support for Atiku Abubakar is an indication that Nigerians, especially the youth, are yearning for change and we are desperate for the change.

“This election is the most important one for the young people, that’s why you can see most people here are women and youths because it’s all about their future,” Mr Adamu said.

He said that bubakar was the right candidate for the young people as he knew how to engage them in different productive and creative ventures.

“In Katsina State, we are mobilising about 80 per cent votes for Abubakar and I assure you he’s going to get millions of votes in the state,” Mr Adamu said.

Ahmed Tijjani-Uwais, one of the organisers of the march, said not only Katsina but other states in the North-West and North-East would deliver their votes to Mr Abubakar.

“When you look at Katsina State, we have over three million votes, Kaduna State the same thing and by the time you add them up you are talking about North-West and North-East delivering between seven million and eight million votes to Abubakar.

“These votes we are talking about will definitely come to Abubakar during the forthcoming 2023 elections, ” Mr Tijjani-Uwais said.

Politics

NURTW blocks MC Oluomo, appoints coordinators for INEC operations in Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ondo

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The National Union of Road Transport workers (NURTW) says it has appointed coordinators to arrange transportation of polling materials and personnel for the forthcoming general elections in Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states where its activities were banned.

In a letter to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the General Secretary of NURTW, Kabiru Ado Yau, the union said it has appointed as coordinators Rafiu Olohunwa, Oluwatoyin Olaoye, Rauf Fakorede and Abideen Olajide for Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states, respectively, to organise drivers on wheels for the exercise.

The NURTW also listed in the letter names and contact details of all its officials who would facilitate the successful deployment of vehicles and monitor the prompt delivery of election materials and personnel in all states across the country.

The letter reads;

“I am pleased to inform your good self that the Union’s leadership has appointed coordinators to be responsible for monitoring and supervision of the activities of our members to be engaged by the commission for its electoral activities at state and local government levels.

“To achieve effective and efficient delivery of logistics, those engaged are to facilitate the successful deployment of vehicles as well as to monitor and assist the state councils they are assigned to.

“They are also required to lead a delegation of state officials to supervise the signing of any contractual agreement with INEC in respect of the 2023 general elections.”

Recall that INEC National Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on January 31 met on MoU with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) on the transportation of election officials and ballot papers to polling units on the election day.

At the consultative meeting, the INEC chairman reminded the unions, whose members are going to be conveying personnel and materials nationwide, on their obligation to neutrality.

Politics

Atiku promises to make Kano leading commercial centre

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said that when elected, he will make Kano state a leading commercial centre in the country.

Speaking at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Kano state on Thursday, Kano said his government will make agriculture a priority”.

He said;

“We are pleased to meet with you today and we cannot believe that you are so many and in thousands supporting PDP. We have known that Kano is PDP. We thank you for coming out in your numbers to support us.

“Kano has always been the centre of commerce in Nigeria. When PDP returns to power, we will make sure that Kano becomes a leading commercial centre in the country.

“We shall open the boarders. We shall also ensure that Kano state is secured so that you can do your businesses without fear.

“The people of Kano are also known for farming. So if you elect me, I will support the agricultural sector and improve on the business activities of the people. We will make Agriculture a priority.”

Atiku also revealed what his government will do when elected, reinstating that he will set some funds aside for youths and women to receive loans to set up their small and medium business enterprise for self-employment.

“We shall provide road infrastructure that will link Kano to all the neighbouring states. We will make sure that university lecturers are paid so that our children will continue to go to school. I have also pledge to set some funds aside for youths and women to receive loans to set up their small and medium business enterprise for self-employment,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of PDP campaign council and governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, urged Kano people to reject All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that they shouldn’t be deceived by their money.

He said;

“Reject those people (APC). Don’t be deceived by their money. It is the money they are supposed to use to provide security that they stashed. They want to use it to buy votes.

“You can see the level of in-fighting in APC. They have plans to hack the INEC server. They want to make Kano and indeed, North-West the dumping ground of their illicit money. Take their money and reject them.”

The National Chairman of PDP, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, who also spoke, said that most of the laws formulated by the APC is to make the people suffer.

He said;

“Since that party came, they have not thought of anything that will benefit the poor. They always formulate laws that will suffer the people. Today we have hunger, insecurity, people are being killed, there is no petrol anywhere.

“They brought another problem, they changed the currency. We did not tell them to change the currency but they did it themselves. They have not thought how it will affect the poor. But we the PDP will come to rescue the Nigeria.”

Politics

President Buhari conveys emergency meeting

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President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly convened an emergency Council of State meeting which would hold on Friday, February 10.

Daily Trust reported that national crisis including petrol and naira scarcity, insecurity and others will be discussed at the meeting.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to provide an update on the new currency redesign policy scheduled to take place at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 10 am.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu as well as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, will brief the council on the preparation for the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections as well as March 11 governorship and state houses of assembly polls.

The meeting is aimed at dousing the tension ahead of the election and avert a potential national crisis given anger over the scarcity of new naira notes.

Politics

BVAS will de deactivated when snatched by hoodlums – INEC

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INEC’s Deputy Director of Information and Communications Technology, Lawrence Bayode has reassured Nigerians that the Bimodal Voter Registration System cannot be manipulated.

Appearing on a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, February 8, Bayode said the BVAS will be deactivated from the backend so that the snatched device won’t be manipulated. He added that this would be done after being reported by the Polling Officer.

Bayode said;

“If a BVAS is snatched, we have a system in place that can deactivate that particular BVAS.

“We deactivate it so that whoever snatches the device will not be able to do anything with the device because the device pushes the accreditation data automatically on its own even without the operator pushing a button. When it is idle, it pushes that accreditation data to the backend.

“If such a thing happens, the PO reports and from the backend, that device is deactivated so that the person who took away that device will not be able to do anything with the device.”

Politics

We have no option than to work with MC Oluomo-led parks committee – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will work with the Lagos state parks management committee for the distribution of election materials and personnel in the state.

Olusegun Agbaje, INEC resident electoral commissioner in Lagos, spoke on Tuesday, Feb. 7, during the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES) meeting at the commission’s office in Lagos.

Agbaje said;

“There is a ban on the NURTW and RTEAN, we are only left with the Park Management system and NARTO (National Association of Road Transport Owners) and we are already working with NARTO.

“NARTO is not even able to meet up with 40 percent of our vehicle requirements for this election. The commission in Lagos State does not have any option than to use park management system.

“We are not dealing with Oluomo, we are dealing with the park managers. Individual people that have vehicles are those we are going to use. “So, it will be working against the law if INEC has to continue to work with NURTW or any other group that is proscribed in the state.

“At the Central Bank of Nigeria where they are going to move our materials, there will be security agencies and party agents including the military to monitor and escort these vehicles from CBN to Local Government Areas (LGAs).

“So, I don’t see how this can compromise the election in any way. Our politicians should see the peculiarity in Lagos State; we cannot work with banned NURTW or RTEAN.

“We need over 5,000 vehicles for this election, including trucks, buses and so on to carry our people and materials for the elections. There is no other way we can go.

“We cannot go to other states and bring vehicles here, it is not allowed by law. The only way we can operate is through the park management system.

“These are the only people that can give us any type of vehicles. In fact, most of the NURTW drivers are working with the park management system.”

Politics

Nobody can say what will happen to Nigeria if I don’t become president- Peter Obi

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Peter Obi, the presidential flag bearer on the platform of the Labour Party, says he wishes Nigeria well but expresses concern about what will happen next to Nigeria if he loses the February 25 presidential election.

A large turnout of voters at the poll would pave the way for Mr Obi’s victory, said a poll conducted by Nigeria’s data intelligence provider, Stears, describing the Labour Party standard-bearer as “Nigeria’s most popular presidential candidate.”

New Nextier, an Africa-focused consulting firm, also predicted that the ex-Anambra governor would win in February.

According to the Labour Party standard-bearer, the presidential poll is an existential election, and he urged everyone to be involved.

“If we get it wrong, nobody can tell what next will happen. In all I am doing, I will always wish Nigeria the best,” Mr Obi stressed.

“I know you will, too and in doing that, I urge you to be part of the new Nigeria Datti, and I are fighting for.”

Mr Obi stated this at a public presentation of the book, ‘Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective’ in Abuja.

He thanked the organisers of the book launch for believing in him and for choosing to be part of his efforts to see that a new Nigeria is possible and appealed to Nigerians to support him in turning Nigeria around by voting for him in the February 25 presidential election.

“We are committed to it; as I told all the supporters, we need people. We need all of you to support us, especially in these final days to reach the end of this phase. Nigeria has suffered a lot. This is a great country that can be turned around,” the former Anambra governor explained.

Mr Obi added,

“We cannot succeed without your intervention, so as you launch this book, please be part of what we are doing to change Nigeria.”

Politics

Atiku tells Buhari not to make Nigerians scapegoats of poorly implemented naira policy

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PDP presidential flag bearer Atiku Abubakar has condemned the poor introduction of the new naira banknotes and told President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime not to make Nigerians scapegoats “in the ongoing battle of titans over the redesign of the naira.’’

Mr Abubakar made the appeal in a statement by his media aide in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said Mr Buhari’s regime had a duty to swiftly see to it that banks did not become stumbling blocks on “the well-thought out policy of naira redesign.”

The statement said;

“It is commendable that the federal government has rather preferred to work behind the scenes, based on the intelligence it is believed to have received, regarding suspicions that some presidential candidates may have stashed billions of naira as war-chest for vote-buying.’’

The former vice-president lamented widespread anxiety arising from poor execution of the naira redesign policy by banks.

“Businesses and cash-dependent smallholder enterprises are all currently in serious distress. This should be addressed urgently to save the economy from collapse,” he stressed.

Mr Abubakar said he had on January 28 made a crucial intervention on the redesign of the naira, calling on the regime and the CBN to consider adjusting the deadline, to address the challenges faced by the public.He restated that the policy was being mismanaged.

According to him, millions of Nigerians are driven into desperation and despondency because of the policy’s poor implementation.

“In recent weeks, social tension has been growing across Nigeria on account of the poor management of the redesign of the naira policy,’’ the presidential hopeful added.

Politics, World News

Killers of 16 Nigerians in Burkina Faso will be punished — Buhari

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday said those who killed several travellers, including 16 Nigerians, in Burkina Faso will be “appropriately sanctioned.”

This was as he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso, is engaging with the Burkinabe authorities to ensure that the soldiers who allegedly shot and killed the Muslim Pilgrims are prosecuted.

Buhari revealed this in a statement signed Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘President Buhari calls killing of Nigerians in Burkina Faso unwelcome.’

At a news conference on Sunday in Abuja, the Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya of Nigeria revealed that 16 of its members were shot dead by the Burkinabe soldiers on patrol.

They were reportedly on their way to the home country of their leader, Sheikhul-islam Ibrahim Niasse in Senegal, when they met their untimely death.

The national secretary of the Islamic group, Sayyidi Yahaya, said that the Ansaruddeen members were “randomly selected and cold-bloodedly shot to death in a most horrendous display of bestiality,” after being stopped the Burkinabe soldiers.

Reacting to the incident on Monday, Buhari said he “received the tragic news of the murder of a number Nigerian Muslim pilgrims on their way to Kaolak, Senegal, when the buses conveying them came under gun attack in Burkina Faso.”

The President expressed his condolences and prayed for the safety of other Nigerians stranded there.

He also revealed that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso, is engaging with the Burkinabe authorities and awaits the outcome of their investigation of the unfortunate incident, and if necessary, to ensure that all culprits are appropriately sanctioned.”

Buhari added that the Nigerian Government will make every effort to secure the mortal remains of the deceased and the survivors of the attack

Politics

Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara governments drag FG to Supreme Court

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The governments of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states have dragged the Federal Government before the Supreme Court, seeking a restraining order to stop the full implementation of the policy.

The state governments were worried by the effects the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign policy is having on the residents of their states.

In the suits as plaintiffs are the three Attorneys-General and Commissioners of Justice of the three states, while the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is the sole respondent.

The three northern states in a motion ex-parte filed on their behalf by their lawyer, AbdulHakeem Mustapha, SAN, are urging the court to grant them an interim injunction stopping the FG either by itself or acting through the CBN, the commercial banks, or its agents from carrying out its plan of terminating the February 10 timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the naira would cease to be legal tender.

Lifestyle, Politics

Police arrest Yoruba Nation agitators ahead of planned Lagos protest

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The police command in Lagos has arrested Yoruba Nation agitators planning to protest in the Alausa area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on Sunday on his verified Twitter handle.

“Earlier today, a number of Yoruba Nation agitators commenced setting up camp at Alausa, planned to be used as the base to launch a massive protest. Camp was promptly dislodged while agitators were arrested. Investigation continues at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID),” he said.

Mr Hundeyin stressed that the state would not tolerate lawlessness, recalling that protests had, in the past, destroyed properties.

“Protests that started with this format in Lagos always snowballed into infringement of the rights of others, destruction of property and difficult-to-manage situations,” Mr Hundeyin explained.

“At Lagos state police command, we put crime statistics to use.”

He said section 4 of the Police Act 2020 stated that the police should maintain public safety, law and order and protect all persons’ lives and property in Nigeria.

Politics

Tinubu is behind widespread hoarding of cash by Nigerian bankers – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expresses optimism that the hopelessness and anguish brought upon our nation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration will be a thing of the past when the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, assumes office as president come May 29, 2023.

The PDP decries the excruciating pain and distress being faced by Nigerians arising from their inability to access the new naira notes occasioned by the reported nefarious activities of corrupt APC leaders who are compromising the system to intercept and hoard the new bank notes for their selfish vote-buying plans ahead of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

Nigerians recall the widely-applauded patriotic intervention by Atiku Abubakar that led to the extension of the initial cash swap deadline; an accomplishment which not only demonstrates Atiku Abubakar’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians but also his experience, capacity and integrity to stand for the people and get the system to work for the public good.

Our Party is however saddened that the cash crunch had persisted due to the sabotage of corrupt APC leaders, including the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who are alleged to have masterminded the intercepting and hoarding of the new notes for their selfish agenda.

The PDP is therefore disgusted by the hypocrisy being exhibited by the APC presidential candidate, who, despite his alleged role in the cash scarcity is pointing accusing fingers at others and seeking to exploit the ugly situation to incite unsuspecting Nigerians with the view to disrupting the 2023 general elections.

Asiwaju Tinubu and his apologists in the APC are aware that he has no chance in the election and thus are devising all manner of shenanigans to overheat the polity, derail the electoral process and force an undemocratic situation upon our country.

Nigerians now know the truth and hold Asiwaju Tinubu and the APC directly responsible for the anguish they have been subjected to in the face of this excruciating cash scarcity; another reason they will deal Tinubu a humiliating blow with their votes at the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

The PDP calls on President Buhari to protect Nigerians by going after these felonious APC leaders as well as the saboteurs in the system who are reportedly working with the APC Presidential Campaign to mop up cash meant for distribution to our citizens.

Our party stands with Nigerians; the artisans, traders, drivers, “keke” and “okada” riders, labourers, food vendors, students and all hard-working citizens at this time of distress.

The PDP charges the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be mindful of the sufferings being experienced daily by Nigerians and demands that the bank takes urgent measures to arrest the unbearable situation by ensuring adequate protection and effective monitoring of cash distribution process.

Among other measures, the CBN should immediately provide dedicated mobile banks and special cash points in areas of need particularly in the markets and rural areas of our country.

Using such facilities to dispense low amounts in markets and rural areas will drastically reduce the pain and anguish being experienced by Nigerians at this time.

Politics

I’ll restructure Nigeria within six months if elected, Atiku vows

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar says he will ensure Nigeria is restructured within six months of his administration if elected.

He said this at the PDP presidential diaspora campaign grand finale held in Abuja.

Mr Abubakar, who was represented by former National chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, said that sufficient research work needed to achieve restructuring in Nigeria had been concluded.

Mr Nwodo is the Deputy Director, Research and Strategy, of the PDP presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

He said that Nigeria worked better when every region controlled its natural resources.

The former vice president recalled that existing socio-economic developments were put in place when regions controlled their resources.

“When we are talking about restructuring by Executive Order, in the first six months, this country will not be what you are seeing today.

“This has been worked out and I’m just waiting to be sworn in on May 29 and the plans will be rolled out.”

He said that Nigeria was a great country, adding that all that it required was good leadership.“We will provide that kind of leadership,” he declared.

Mr Abubakar further said that if elected, he would rescue Nigeria from all indices that had portrayed it in bad light.

He listed his five-point agenda to include education and security, saying that he would restore security to the country by nipping in the bud factors responsible for rising violence.

Earlier, Director, Directorate of Diaspora Groups, PDP PCC, Professor Isa Odidi, had said that Nigerians in Diaspora believe that Mr Abubakar would articulate and implement the Diaspora Policy Framework to help capture, harness and channel their expertise to the country.

“Atiku’s government will do more to remove obstacles and create opportunities for Nigerians in the Diaspora to engage in economic development of Nigeria.

“We all unequivocally support Atiku/Okowa for President and Vice President of Nigeria,” he asserted.

Lifestyle, Politics

Governor Makinde suspends campaign activities over fuel, naira scarcity

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has suspended his campaign activities until further notice over unending fuel and new naira notes crisis in the state.

Mr Makinde, whose campaign trail had visited parts of the state, announced the suspension at the flag off of the Omi-Adio-Ido Road on Friday.

The suspension was contained in a statement by Wasiu Olatubosun, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.

Mr Makinde said the suspension was in solidarity with the people over the harrowing experiences in recent time over the unending fuel and currency scarcity.

The governor, who was in Ido to continue his campaign, directed all campaign activities be suspended, noting that the people’s suffering was too much.

He said that the decision was taken because he was elected to protect the interests and wellbeing of citizens of the state.

Mr Makinde, who flagged off the Omi-Adio-Ido Road, also directed leaders of the party in the state to suspend further political activities.

“Makinde’s love for his people necessitated this unprecedented move, at this time.

“We urge all residents and citizens of the state to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Politics

Buhari holds closed-door meeting with APC governors on cash, fuel scarcity

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President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed doors with governors elected under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Though the agenda of the meeting was not officially disclosed, it was gathered that some national issues including the ongoing currency swap, fuel shortages in some parts of the country and their possible effects on the February and March general elections might have been discussed at the meeting.

Some of the governors in attendance include the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, governors of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi, Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Imo, Hope Uzodimma.

Others are those of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Yobe, Mai Mala-Buni; Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai; Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje; Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Niger, Sani Bello among others.

Politics

Tinubu promises to double four-year university education to eight years

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Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Thursday promised to double the duration of university education in the country from the current four years to eight years, saying Nigerians should elect him to be able to actualise his intention.

“Those of you in school, write it down,” Mr Tinubu said to Nigerian youth during a campaign stop in Osogbo on Thursday afternoon.

“Call me a bastard if you spend more than eight years in school. You will be in school for eight years.”

Mr Tinubu’s comments could be deemed insensitive in a country plagued by unnecessary delays in academic years due to persistent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education bodies.

Mr Tinubu’s promise marks a breakaway from longstanding academic programmes in Nigerian universities that run typically four years with the exception of highly specialised studies such as law and medicine, which last five and six years of university study, respectively.

The comment has further fueled criticism from Nigerians on social media, who maintain that Mr Tinubu’s worsening physical health has diminished his mental awareness and should be disqualified from seeking the country’s highest office.

A spokesperson for Mr Tinubu’s campaign did not return comments seeking clarification of his comments.

Mr Tinubu has made comments that seemed to disparage Nigerian youth in recent months.

While seeking the ruling party’s ticket for president, he vowed to conscript 50 million Nigerian youth into the military, saying they would do well feeding on corn, cassava and other farm produce while protecting the country.

He, however, failed to say how his idea would help modernise the country’s military infrastructure, which has been deemed among the most backward globally.

Politics

Court orders INEC to accept LP candidates in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, 21 other states

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The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the nomination of candidates of the Labour Party (LP) in 24 states of the federation for the 2023 general elections.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Thursday while delivering 24 different judgments in 24 different suits brought before him by the party.

The judge held that INEC violated Sections 31, 33 and 36 of the Electoral Act 2022 in rejecting the Labour Party’s candidates in the affected states on the grounds of non functioning of its nomination portal.

The court asked the electoral umpire to accept the list of the candidates in the 24 States either manually or through its electronic nomination portal.

Mr Ekwo held that the evidence of the Labour Party through exchanged letters with INEC in the nomination issue was credible and proceeded to attach probative value to it.

He said that the consequences of a non-functional electronic nomination portal could not be visited on the Labour Party.

He agreed with the submissions of the party that nomination and submission of candidates list could not be rejected by INEC from any party until 90 days to the general elections.

The court said that the time the Labour Party sought to submit the list of its candidates in the 24 states was more than 90 days to the 2023 general elections, and so it was within the time allowed by law.

Mr Ekwo held that INEC was bound to accept the party’s candidates’ list manually if its electronic nomination portal was faulty.He subsequently ordered INEC to open its website for the purpose of allowing the Labour Party to submit the list of its candidates or accept the same manually with immediate effect for the purpose of the 2023 general elections.

The 24 states affected include; Bayelsa, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Borno, Osun, Adamawa and Cross Rivers.Others are Benue, Bauchi, Ebonyi Ekiti, Kwara, Plateau, Katsina, Nasarawa, Lagos, Kaduna and Oyo states among others.

The Labour Party told the court that in November 2022, it substituted candidates who withdrew from the 2023 general elections in the affected states.

The party told the court that the withdrawals were communicated to INEC by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

This, the party said, was done along with notification of the October 27 date to conduct substitution nomination primary elections.

However, at the point of uploading the fresh candidates names, INEC claimed that its nomination portal was faulty and declined to accept the candidates list manually and this led to the filing of 24 suits.

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