Lifestyle, Politics

INEC says 522,000 PVCs remain uncollected in Edo

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, announced that a total of 522,000 permanent voter cards (PVC) had yet to be collected in Edo.

INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Timidi Wariowei, stated this during a town hall meeting on youth’s participation in elections.

The town hall meeting, organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), YES Project, was tagged: ‘Value Your Votes Najia.’Mr Wariowei, said that the 522,000 uncollected PVCs comprised both the old and the new ones.

He noted that at the end of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, a total of 419,000 PVCs, including transfers and information updates, were sent to the INEC office in the state.

“As at Feb. 1, out of the 419,000 PVCs, 299,000 had been collected, while a total of 120,000 are still uncollected.

“Also, about 402,000 old PVCs have yet to be collected in the state,” he said.

Mr Wariowei noted that when the distribution of the PVCs commenced, the daily collection was above 20,000, adding, however, that now, the daily collection had reduced to between 1,000 and 3,000 across the state.

He called on youth organisations and civil society organisations in the state to continue to sensitise residents on the need to collect their PVCs.

“It is the only means through which they can vote for their preferred candidates during forthcoming general elections,” he added.

Earlier, the Executive Director of YES Project, Oche Precious, in his address of welcome, said that the event was aimed at sensitising the youth on the need to come out en masse and cast their votes for their preferred candidates.

“This is the time to change the narrative by going out to cast our votes and decide the next leader that will pilot the affairs of our nation,” he said.

Politics

Supreme court dismisses suit against Oyetola’s participation in Osun poll

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The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to restore the nullification of the participation of Osun ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola and Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi in the July 16, 2022 governorship election.

A judgment by a five-member panel of justices led by Centus Nweze held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and directed the lawyer to the PDP, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, to withdraw it.

The court held that the PDP could not, under the law, question the process leading to the emergence of Mr Oyetola and Alabi as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had, in a judgment on September 30, 2022, nullified the participation of Oyetola and Alabi in the governorship election on the grounds that their nomination forms were endorsed by an acting chairman of APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Mr Nwite’s judgment was set aside by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, in a judgment in December 2022, a decision the PDP appealed to the Supreme Court.

Politics

Akwa Ibom Government Demands Apology From Tinubu For Insulting, Making ‘Immature’ Comments About Gov Emmanuel, Indigenes

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The Akwa Ibom State government has vowed to take seriously, the threats made by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu to send reptiles to invade the Governor’s Lodge in the state and eventually seize the property.

The state government in a statement issued on Wednesday by the state commissioner for information and strategy, Ini Ememobong, berated the former Lagos State governor for calling Governor Udom Emmanuel “a boy” and hurling what it described as “unwarranted, uncharitable and anachronistic” on the people of the state without provocation.

The state government asked Tinubu to tender a public apology to the state governor and the people of the state.

It said the APC candidate should rather concern himself with answering questions about his “nebulous history and his amorphous manifestos” as the matter of Nigeria’s presidency is a very serious business that must be treated with seriousness and intellectual depth.

“Mr. Udom Emmanuel was duly elected as Governor of Akwa Ibom State and therefore, it is clearly unpresidential and undemocratic for Senator Tinubu to say that he ‘calls himself governor’.

“Senator Tinubu should, during his campaigns, concern himself with answering questions about his nebulous history and his amorphous manifestos. The Presidency of our country Is a very serious business that must be treated with seriousness and intellectual depth.

“The Government advises all her citizens to ignore the vituperations of Senator Tinubu and continue to co-exist peacefully with all Nigerians who are living and doing legitimate business in our state.”

Also speaking on Tinubu’s outing in the state, Governor Emmanuel in a video making the rounds on the internet questioned Tinubu’s actions, including calling him a boy, pointing out that if he should return the insults, Tinubu will be unable to bear it.

Politics

Two killed as gunmen attack INEC office, police station with bombs in Anambra

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The Idemili South Local Government Area office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was attacked early Wednesday, police authorities confirmed.

The Anambra police command also said a police station was attacked by the gunmen in Ojoto.Spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga added that two casualties were recorded.

“The hoodlums, who came in their numbers at about 1:45 a.m. today with four unmarked Sienna cars, armed with improvised explosive devices, petrol bombs, invaded the INEC office, the police station and a residential building within the station.

“Unfortunately, a 16-year-old relative of a serving policeman in the station was murdered by the armed men while another 15-year-old girl sustained gunshot injury,” Mr Ikenga said.

He said that the injured girl was taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

Entertainment, Politics

Writer Solomon Buchi Weds Fiancée

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Popular writer, Solomon Buchi, has wedded his fiancée, Arike.

Buchi shared pictures from the wedding via his Instagram account on Wednesday.

He wrote, “The most beautiful moment in our lives yet. I got to be joined as one with Àríké Adeola, now Adeola Solomon-Buchi 🥰Marriage, an institution so sacred, and in the presence of family and a few friends, we tied our nuptial vows and committed to forever.

On this note, on behalf of my wife and I, we’d like to wish you a happy Wednesday ✌🏾🫶🏾”

Politics

Buhari back in Abuja after Lagos, Senegal, Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Jigawa trips

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President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after visits to five states (Bauchi, Lagos, Katsina, Kano and Jigawa) in the country and a trip to Senegal.

Before departing for Lagos on January 23, Mr Buhari had attended APC rallies in Bauchi.

The president departed Lagos for Senegal on Tuesday after a two-day official visit to the state.

While in Lagos, the president inaugurated the Lekki Deep Sea Port, and the Imota Rice Mill projected to create more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Mr Buhari also inaugurated the Bestaf Lubricant at MRS Holdings Company Limited, Apapa, the historic first phase of the Blue Line of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, and the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History on Tuesday.

The first phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line, taking a ride from the Marina Station to National Theatre Station, executed by the State Government, which spans 13km, has five stations – Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre and Marina.

The Nigerian leader arrived in Senegal on January 24, to attend the 2nd Dakar International Conference on Agriculture. The high-level Dakar second summit was hosted by President Macky Sall of Senegal and the Chairperson of the African Union.

The conference, which seeks to create favourable conditions for achieving food security in Africa, was convened jointly by the government of Senegal and the African Development Bank.

In his goodwill message to the Feed Africa Summit of Heads of State and Government on Wednesday in Dakar, Buhari welcomed the provision of 538.05 million Dollars for the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) for Nigeria programme.

The African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development provided the facility.

Mr Buhari held a bilateral meeting with the president of Ireland, Michael Higgins, on the sideline of the Dakar conference on agriculture.

The Nigerian president, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday night, embarked on another official visit to Katsina on Thursday.

While in Katsina, he inaugurated projects across the state and visited the Emir of Daura, Farouk Umar Farouk.

Mr Buhari inaugurated the Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute undertaken by the Ministry of Aviation, the Darma Rice Mill in Batagarwa and the Katsina State General Hospital.

He also inspected ongoing work on the first flyover in Katsina, which had reached 90 per cent completion in the Government Reserved Area.

The president hosted the APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu at his country home Daura. Mr Buhari had on Monday, and Tuesday visited Kano and Jigawa, respectively. During his one-day official visit to Jigawa on Tuesday, the president visited four local government areas to inaugurate some projects, including the Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme at Auyo, Birnin Kudu Specialist Hospital, Malam Alu Integrated Agro-Allied Farm, Birnin Kudu, and the dualised Unity-Pentagon-Fanisau Road.

The president unveiled a 50.3 metres flag pole at the farm, described as the tallest in the country.

Before returning to Abuja on Tuesday evening, Mr Buhari also had an aerial view of some roads, infrastructure, bridges and places affected by the September flooding disaster, which affected many parts of Jigawa.

Politics, World News

Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro seeks six-month U.S. visa

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Brazil’s ex-President Jair Bolsonaro has applied to extend his stay in the United States on a six-month visitor’s visa amid claims that he wants to escape facing a lawsuit on returning home.

The Financial Times first confirmed the development by citing Mr Bolsonaro’s immigration lawyer, Felipe Alexandre.

The 67-year-old politician travelled to Florida in December, two days after the inauguration of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as Brazil’s new president.

In the wake of Mr Lula’s inauguration, thousands of Mr Bolsonaro’s die-hard supporters trooped to the street across Brazil, protesting the emergence of the incumbent president.

The protesters invaded and damaged government buildings while demanding the election that brought Mr Lula to power be overturned.

Following the violence across various cities in the country, authorities in Brazil launched an investigation into the part Mr Bolsonaro played in the inciting attacks to topple a democratically elected government official.

It is one of several pending legal issues awaiting the former president once he returns home from the U.S.

Mr Bolsonaro, reported to have entered the U.S. on an A-1 visa, would not be entitled to immunity from legal prosecution once he returns to Brazil.

The A-1 visa is reserved for sitting heads of state.

Politics

General Elections: Buhari directs NIS to tighten security around borders

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President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to tighten security around the nation’s borders before and after the general elections.

Interior minister Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday while inaugurating the Katsina State headquarters of the service.

“The order from President Muhammadu Buhari is that between now and the time we will conclude elections, you must make sure our borders are secured,” Mr Aregbesola said.

The minister charged officers to ensure that illegal immigrants do not create problems during and after the elections.

“The service should live up to the directives of Mr President,” he said.The minister also tasked them on ensuring the documentation of all migrants.

Mr Aregbesola said that Katsina State had 400 kilometres of border lines and 14 border positions which the service needed to protect.

He said the government was upgrading the capacity of the NIS to control the nation’s borders effectively.

“We are deploying electronic digital technology to ensure 24/7 surveillance of the 5,000 kilometres border lines.

“We have already awarded the contract, so, very soon, the comptroller-general, from his office, will be able to see what is happening anytime at any border point,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Aminu Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Muntari Lawal, commended the NIS for the project and affirmed the administration’s readiness to support the service to secure the nation’s borders.

Also speaking, the State controller, Bello Garba, who reiterated the commitment of officers and men to their responsibilities, said the service currently had 688 officers and men across the state.

Politics

Representative member’s aide kidnapped in Cross River

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Kenneth Abang, a legislative aide to a House of Representatives member representing Boki-Ikom Federal Constituency in Cross River, has been kidnapped.

Mr Abang, an aide to Rep. Chris Agibe, was abducted in the Betem community in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River.

He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Eunice Abang, on January 30.

Mr Abang’s friend, Fidelis Ekpah, in a telephone interview on Tuesday in Calabar, said the aide was travelling to his home town in the Boki Local Government Area when he was abducted.

Mr Ekpah explained that Mr Abang was travelling to prepare for his late father’s burial, scheduled for February 3 and 4.

“Mr Kenneth Abang has been kidnapped along the Calabar-Biase highway while travelling to Boki to make preparations for his father’s burial.

“He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Miss Eunice Abang. They took them away and abandoned his car by the roadside.

“This is a double tragedy for us. We were already planning for his father’s burial before this ugly incident occurred.

“I want to appeal to the police, the army, civil defence and the department of state service to come to our aid and rescue our brother and his relative,” Mr Ekpah said.

The spokeswoman of the Cross River State Police Command, Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the abduction in a telephone interview, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

“The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations has drafted our men to the area to ensure the release of Abang and his relation,” she said.

Politics

Governor Yahaya Bello begins Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign

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Governor Yahaya Bello on Sunday began the Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign in Anyingba, Kogi East.

The governor, who described APC as a strong united family in Kogi, assured of an outstanding outing at the February 25 and March 11 elections in Kogi.

The rally in Anyigba saw the governor receive scores of estranged APC members returning to the party.

Mr Bello said the attendance at the Kogi East rally alone, was a testimony that;

“APC is one and united family ready to sweep the votes for Tinubu-Shettina presidency in the state.”

Presenting the APC flags to the candidates in Kogi East, the Kogi governor reiterated that the party’s presidential flag bearer Bola Tinubu, and his running mate Kashim Shettima as the right choice for Kogi electorates.

“Today, we are declaring to the world that Kogi APC is committed to coming up with the highest percentage amongst the entire 36 states for the presidential, senatorial, house of rep and state assembly elections,” stated Mr Bello.

“It’s in the records that In 2019, you did deliver 100 per cent because you are trustworthy people and I believe this time around, similar feat will be repeated across board.”

He added;

“Of course, such results will give Kogi a vintage advantage to demand for certain dividends from the central government after its emergence.”

The governor urged party supporters to reach out to their families, friends and associates to vote again for the ruling APC for outright victory.

Politics

My victory shows INEC needs to improve its processes, says Oyetola

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Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun, says the verdict of the election petition tribunal which validated his victory in the July 16, 2022 governorship election, shows that there are anomalies in the voting process deployed by electoral body INEC.

“INEC is the greatest beneficiary of the judgement,” said Mr Oyetola who flew the flag of the All Progressives Congress in the election.

“It will afford them the opportunity to look at all the anomalies and make necessary adjustments to prevent such mistakes now that the general elections are coming.”

Nigerians will head to the polls on February 25 and March 11 for national and state elections, respectively.On Friday, a majority ruling by the three-man Osun Elections Petition Tribunal held that the July 16 elections conducted by INEC did not comply with the Electoral Act which came into force in 2022.

Following the passage of the Electoral Act, Osun was one of the few states where INEC first deployed its recently introduced Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which it claimed was fraud-proof.

But the Justice Tersea Kume-led panel found that there was indeed over-voting in 774 polling units in 10 local government areas in the state.

He said it was the duty of the tribunal to deduct the valid votes cast from the over-voting and therefore awarded victory to Mr Oyetola after retabulating the figures to score him 314,931 votes as against Governor Ademola Adeleke’s 290,266 votes.

A minority judge, however, ruled that Mr Adeleke won the election.Mr Oyetola, while speaking with reporters in his country home, Iragbiji, said “it is a collective victory for our state and our nation’s democracy.”

Mr Adeleke, however, vowed to appeal the judgement which he described as a miscarriage of justice.

Lifestyle, Politics

Reps asks tertiary institutions to suspend academic activities for students to vote

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The house of representatives has appealed to management of tertiary institutions in the country to suspend academic activities ahead of the elections.

In the appeal made to National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NABTE), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and the ministry of education, the lower chamber of the national assembly said suspension of academic activities will enable students to travel to the areas where their polling units are situated and also ensure they are disenfranchised.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also asked to make special arrangements for students to collect their PVCs.

The resolution was reached on Thursday, January 26, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kabir Ibrahim, a lawmaker representing Zuru/Fakai/Danko-Wasagu/Sakaba federal constituency of Kebbi.

Ibrahim who pointed out that there are over 2.1 million students in universities, and over 2.4 million students in polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education, noted that the academic calendars of various tertiary institutions “are structured in a way that most students are disenfranchised as school calendars do not take into consideration the timelines and date for elections”.

He also revealed that a report released by INEC shows that 3.8 million of the newly registered voters are students, accounting for 40.8 percent of the total number of newly registered voters.

Ibrahim said;

“These students who constitute 40.8 percent of the newly registered voters, have their polling units sited in states outside their campuses, thereby necessitating travelling outside their respective institutions to vote in the 2023 elections.

“Tertiary institutions are not considering academic breaks for students during the general elections, despite knowing that most students registered outside their campuses during the continuous voter registration exercise, which took place during the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), strike.

“INEC has devolved PVCs distributions at the registration areas and wards across the 774 local government offices throughout the federation.

“Distribution of PVCs at the wards has ended, and the exercise moved back to the local government/area council offices, thereby further limiting the chances of the students to collect their PVCs which is a precondition for voting at the polls.

“While the students are busy with academic activities, INEC is engaged in distributing PVCs at the wards across the 774 LGAs of the federation which deprives students of the opportunity to collect their PVCs.

“Tertiary institutions do not consider periods of elections in designing academic calendars, as most of them conduct semester examinations when the preparations for the general elections are almost completed or when the polls are going on, thereby disenfranchising the students from exercising their civic duties.”

Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the house mandated committees on tertiary education and electoral matters to “liaise with the agencies to facilitate the process” and report back within one week.

Politics

Governor Zulum directs set up of emergency banks to mop up old naira notes in Borno

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Borno governor Babagana Zulum has directed the state Ministry of Finance to quickly establish branches of existing microfinance banks in 25 local government areas in the state, ahead of the January 31 deadline for the withdrawal of some old naira notes from circulation.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on Communications and Strategy, Isa Gusau, and made available to reporters on Thursday in Maiduguri.

According to the statement, the ministry of finance is to work with that of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation in that direction.

“Zulum’s directive follows the CBN’s policy on stoppage of old naira notes amid the absence of banking services across 25 out of Borno’s 27 LGAs due to over 12 years of destruction by Boko Haram insurgents.

“The governor announced the microfinance measures on Wednesday in Maiduguri during an extraordinary stakeholders meeting which was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, represented by the Waziri of Borno, Mustapha Waziri Muktar.

“Zulum directed that where possible, branches of the microfinance bank should start being established this week in Monguno and Gwoza LGAs,’’ the statement explained.

Mr Zulum also directed the ministry of finance to immediately develop a template to organise and ensure people in rural communities deposit their old Naira notes before the January 31 deadline.

Besides, the governor ordered the ministry of higher education, science, technology and innovation to support mobile telecommunication providers toward improving their network coverage for internet connectivity across all the 27 LGAs in the state.

Lifestyle, Politics

Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Kaduna

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Gunmen have abducted Joshua Ahmadu, the district Head of Chawai in Kauru Local Government of Kaduna State.

Abel Adamu, president of Chawai Development Association, CDA, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

Mr Adamu, in the statement signed by Raphael Joshua, Public Relations Officer of CDA, said that the traditional ruler was kidnapped on Tuesday night, January 24, by unknown gunmen who invaded his house at Zambina.

“It was reported that the kidnappers stormed the house of the traditional ruler in their numbers around 9:30 p.m. and took him away,” the statement read.

The CDA president was further quoted as expressing dismay over the situation while assuring residents that CDA was working hard to ensure that the victim was released unhurt.

“Already, relevant authorities and heads of security operatives on special duty in the chiefdom have been duly informed and have already swung into action to rescue the traditional ruler. We are calling on all sons and daughters of Tsam land to pray for the safe return of the district head.”

The statement urged youths of the chiefdom to always take communal security seriously so as to avert such breaches.

“We have to be on our feet to ensure the land is safe. It’s unfortunate that at this critical time, the youths, who ought to be the communal force to guarantee security across communities, are not ready to work in collaboration with security personnel to secure the land,” he lamented.

The CDA boss appealed to government to direct security agencies to ensure that the district head was rescued and released unconditionally.

Politics

Buhari’s regime approves new policy to protect children online

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The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday in Abuja approved the National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isah Pantami, told reporters at the end of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting that the strategy was aimed at protecting children from the harmful side of the digital environment.The meeting was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr Pantami said the policy was in line with the International Telecommunication Union’s policy document for all its member countries.

“Today, we have around 6.3 billion people online and by implication, among this number, you will discover many children.

“They will not be able to differentiate what is beneficial and what is harmful.

“According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union, more than one billion children were online during COVID-19 lockdowns for their studies because schools were shut.

“Today, without any solicitation, you will discover that many things are coming into your device on-line and unsolicited,” the minister said.

According to him, children will not be able to avoid such unsolicited items online which will definitely affect their innocence; affect them morally and otherwise.

“The document has been titled: ‘keeping children safe in the digital environment’.

“All member countries have been urged to ensure they come up with a policy where children will be protected.

“It is because of this that we organised stakeholder engagement, where we invited around 37 institutions of government since it is a multi-sector issue.

“The Ministry of Information and Culture, the National Broadcasting Commission and the National Orientation Agency, among others, have roles to play.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies have roles to play; the Ministry of Justice has a role to play to differentiate what is legal and what is illegal,’’ Mr Pantami added.

He said the cabinet also approved the Nigeria Data Protection Bill to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of data being submitted to the government and to other institutions.

The minister said FEC also approved the National Duct One Policy aimed at institutionalising the provision of ducts during construction at federal, state and local government levels. “This is the global best practice today.

“Before construction and even during the conceptualisation and design, there should be provision for ducts for road construction, bridges, rail lines, sea ports, and any important building,” Mr Pantami said.

Politics

You’re part of Buhari’s failure, PDP tackles Tinubu

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tackled Bola Tinubu, saying he should not exonerate himself from the anti-people policies of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

This came a few hours after Mr Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Buhari regime of using the fuel scarcity and recently-introduced naira notes to block his chances in next month’s poll.

“Let them increase the price of fuel, only them know where they have hoarded fuel, they hoarded money, they hoarded naira; we will go and vote and we will win.

Even if they changed the ink on Naira notes,” he said on Wednesday at his campaign in Abeokuta, Ogun state “Whatever their plans, it will come to nought. We are going to win. Those in the PDP will lose (won ma lule).”

But in swift reply, the opposition party, in a statement, said Mr Tinubu was only trying to hoodwink Nigerians and blame others for fuel scarcity currently being experienced nationwide.

“It is unfortunate that Tinubu is trying to hoodwink Nigerians by seeking to exonerate himself and blame others in the Buhari led-APC administration from the biting fuel scarcity in the country, when in reality he (Tinubu) is known to be behind the insensitive and anti-people policies that have brought so much calamity to our country including the current persistent fuel scarcity,” Kola Ologbondiyan, spokesperson for the PDP said in the statement obtained by Peoples Gazette.

The two-term former governor of Lagos state would be facing 18 other presidential candidates among which are Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Rabi’u Kwankwaso (NNPP), even as Mr Buhari has repeatedly promised to allow a level-playing field during the next month’s election.

Speaking further, Mr Ologbondiyan specifically took a swipe at the former Lagos governor, saying that blackmailing Mr Buhari would not help Mr Tinubu win the election.

He stressed that politician who has always won elections by relying on bullion vans has now become troubled over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary policy to redesign the naira.

“How can Asiwaju Tinubu accuse an administration he had been a part of since 2015 of trying to sabotage the 2023 elections except he is making revelations to Nigerians about their plans? It is imperative to state that Nigerians, who are prepared to trek distances to cast their votes are the patriots who have been at the butt of pains which the government Asiwaju Tinubu installed has foisted on them.

“In any case, from the songs of lamentation of Tinubu, it is clear that his Presidential life ambition has collapsed,” the PDP spokesperson added.

Politics

Buhari’s regime using fuel scarcity, naira notes crisis to suppress my election chances- Presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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Bola Tinubu on Wednesday accused the Buhari administration of using the raging fuel scarcity and recently-introduced naira notes and cash handling policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to blunt his chances at the ballot box next month.

“You’re hoarding fuel and hoarding the naira,” Mr Tinubu said during a campaign stop in Abeokuta this afternoon. “Still, we will vote, and we will win this election.”

“Whether you change the ink of the naira or spend money till you are in debt, things won’t turn out as you hope, we are the ones who will win the election, and our opponents will fail,” Mr Tinubu said.

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress was expressing his disapproval over the fuel crisis that has seen long queues across the country, with citizens spending productive hours at filling stations while also paying more to get the crucial commodity.

The CBN also recently announces changes to the national currency and vastly limited amounts that could be withdrawn in a day from bank accounts across the country.

The currency change has seen millions of Nigerians besieging banking halls across the country in a rush to deposit cash still in their possessions.

Politicians like Mr Tinubu, who have been counting on using cash to sway the election, have been grumbling over the policy changes.

Recognising the potential devastation of acute fuel shortages ahead of a presidential election, Mr Tinubu appeared not only to distance himself from the policies but to insinuate a conspiracy against him by President Muhammadu Buhari, his political ally whom he helped into office in 2015.

Mr Buhari has indicated his intention to allow a level-playing field during the upcoming election, a position that has unsettled Mr Tinubu who was looking forward to a generous payback for his contribution to Mr Buhari’s electoral successes in 2015 and 2019.

Mr Buhari said he backed CBN’s decision to recolour naira notes in order to restore control over the money supply.

Millions of Nigerians have been forced by the programme to transfer their cash to banks before it loses its legal tender status next week.

While the general public has lamented the policy’s haste, political moneybags have more insidious discontent. Mr Tinubu and his crew have a niche for influencing elections with money through various means, including vote buying.

On the eve of the 2019 general elections, multiple bullion vans were seen entering his private residence in Ikoyi Lagos, drawing wide criticisms.

His contenders Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party have also been previously accused of paying voters.

Mr Tinubu said the government’s plan to remove subsidies and increase in fuel prices are tactics to scare the voters, promising a reduced price at the pump if elected on February 25.

“They want to put their caps on their waist, they are planning to increase the price of fuel, don’t be worried, we will bring it down. They don’t want the election to hold, but will you let them?” he asked rhetorically.

“They think they can cause panic, the sabotaged fuel supply, whether there are means on vehicular movement or not, on election day, we will go and vote, and we will win,” he added.

Politics

President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurates Lagos Blue Rail Line

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line.

This was as he joined other top government officials in a maiden ride from the Marina Station to National Theatre Station.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, revealed this in a statement he signed on Tuesday titled ‘President Buhari inaugurates Phase 1 of Lagos Blue Rail Line; takes train ride.’

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the Line would accommodate about 25,000 passengers per hour, thereby reducing travel time, improve the quality of life of Lagosians, and make the state one of the most resilient mega-cities in Africa.

He added that the piece of infrastructure will position Lagos to compete favourably with other megacities globally.

The governor said;

“This iconic Marina Station would be the largest and busiest in Africa. It has the capacity to process about 450 passengers per minute, meaning that in an hour this station can process about 25,000 passengers.”

Sanwo-Olu also hinted that he would invite the President again to Lagos to commission the Red Line, which he described as a bigger rail corridor project compared with the Blue Rail Line.

The Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, said the Blue Line project owed its origin to the current presidential candidate of the APC and one-time Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu.

According to him, Tinubu envisioned and laid the foundation for the project as governor.

He noted that the master plan has six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit corridors, over 20 water routes, and several major roads.

“Talking about the Blue line without making a reference to the ground-breaking contributions of the presidential candidate of our great party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is like talking about the beach without the ocean.

“A visionary leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, pioneered the idea of the Lagos Blue Line and many other revolutionary initiatives.

“The Tinubu administration developed the Strategic Transport Master Plan, which laid out the foundation for a network of robust and modern transport infrastructure befitting a 21st century City-State, such as ours,” Hamzat said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said the completion of Phase 1 of the project is a demonstration of the harmony in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Asian Tiger.

Thereafter, Buhari boarded the train alongside the Lagos State Governor, his Deputy, members of the Federal and State Executive Councils, members of the Federal and State Legislative Assemblies, the President of China Civil Engineering Construction Company, Chen Sichang; and journalists, among others.

The President also witnessed the signing of the contract for the construction of the second phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Abimbola Akinajo, and the President of CCECC, Chen Sichang.

The first phase of the project executed by the State Government spans 13 kilometers.It has five stations; Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre, and Marina.Earlier, the President also inaugurated the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, after which he departed Lagos for Dakar, Senegal, to attend the high-level Dakar 2 Summit hosted by President Macky Sall of Senegal and the Chairperson of the African Union.

Politics

I have not disappointed Nigerians – President Buhari

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President Buhari has said that he has not disappointed Nigerians in fulfilling all of the campaign promises he made in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

A statement released by presidential aide, Femi Adesina, says the President stated this during his visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Adamu, on Monday, January 23.

“I normally call on Emirs and Chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to states to show my gratitude.

I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the states of the Federation and the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there, I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability and so far, I have not disappointed anybody.”

Politics

President Buhari to visit Senegal

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President Buhari will on Tuesday, January 24, depart Lagos for Senegal where he will attend the 2nd edition of Dakar International Conference on Agriculture.

A statement from Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, says the high-level Dakar 2 Summit hosted by President Macky Sall of Senegal and the Chairperson of the African Union is holding under the theme “Feeding Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience.”

The conference, which seeks to create favourable conditions toward achieving food security in Africa, is convened jointly by the government of Senegal and the African Development Bank.

The President’s delegation is made up of Ministers and top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, National Security Adviser, Mohammed Babagana Monguno and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. President Buhari is expected back in the country on Wednesday, January 25.

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