Politics

IPOB denies burning INEC offices or attacking political rallies

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The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has denied any involvement in the burning of offices belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in the South East regions.

As the 2023 general elections approach, several offices belonging to INEC have been attacked by persons alleged to be members of the secessionist group.

However in a statement released by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the IPOB said the allegations were meant to disparage and blackmail the group. Powerful also denied allegations about the purported bomb factory owned by the group and killing of politicians in the South East.

He claimed they were political moves aimed at ruining Peter Obi’s chances in the 2023 presidential election.

He also dismissed claims that members of the group were responsible for attacks on political rallies in the South East region.

The statement read…

“We know that they want to rig the elections in the South East against Peter Obi and blame it on IPOB and ESN.

They burn markets and different properties of our people and blame it on IPOB. They declared a five-day ignored sit-at-home and killed our people and even killed a pregnant mother using IPOB and ESN identity.

All these activities were sponsored by Fulani terrorists and that’s why there haven’t been any arrest or prosecution of the perpetrators.

They target to blackmail IPOB locally and internationally. These criminals were groomed to ensure they demonise IPOB and ESN.

We are also not responsible for any attacks on their political rallies or destruction of political paraphernalia.

These criminals and cultists recruited by the Federal Government and its compromised security agencies have caused a lot of harm to our people and our land. We promise that they will regret their actions in due time.

As the 2023 election is fast approaching, anybody or group attacking political campaigns or destroying political materials in Biafraland should not be associated with IPOB. Those persons should be treated as common criminals,” he said.

Politics, World News

South Korea pardons jailed ex-president Lee Myung-bak

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Jailed former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak received a presidential pardon on Tuesday, cutting short his 17-year sentence on corruption charges, the justice minister said.

Lee was on a list of more than 1,300 people who received special pardons “from the perspective of broad national unity through reconciliation, tolerance and consideration”, Han Dong-hoon told reporters after a Cabinet meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The 81-year-old Lee, who in June was granted a temporary release from jail due to his age and deteriorating health, is serving 17 years for bribery and embezzlement.

It was effectively a life sentence as he was not due for release until 2036, when he would be 95.

The former Hyundai CEO-turned-president was charged with 16 criminal allegations in 2018 and sentenced in 2020.

He was found guilty of creating slush funds of tens of millions of dollars and accepting bribes from Samsung Electronics in return for a presidential pardon for its late chairman, Lee Kun-hee, who was jailed for tax evasion.

A self-made man who was appointed head of a major construction firm at age 35 before entering politics, Lee served as president from 2008 to 2013.

He steered the country through the global financial crisis and won its bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics, but was criticised by opponents for undermining the nation’s democratic standards and freedoms of speech.

The pardons, effective at midnight on Wednesday, mark the second time Yoon has exercised his clemency power since taking office in May.

In August, Samsung Electronics executive chairman Lee Jae-yong was among the beneficiaries of Yoon’s first pardons.

South Korean presidents have frequently ended up in prison after their time in power, usually once their political rivals have moved into the presidential Blue House.Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, former army generals who served jail terms in the 1990s for corruption and treason after leaving office, received presidential pardons after serving about two years.

Ex-president Roh Moo-hyun killed himself in 2009 after being questioned over graft allegations involving his family.Lee’s conservative successor Park Geun-hye was pardoned last year while she was serving 20 years in jail for bribery and abuse of power after being ousted in 2017 over a corruption scandal that prompted massive street protests.

Politics

Nigeria will witness transformation under Tinubu – President Buhari

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With the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, as the next President of Nigeria, the country will witness overwhelming transformation, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has assured.

He also expressed optimism that Tinubu’s presidency in 2023 would ensure that the nation moved ahead “from what has so far been achieved throughout the country in the last seven plus years.”

President Buhari, represented by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, stated these when he visited the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Office in Gusau and expressed confidence in APC’s win in Zamfara in the coming 2023 general elections.

A statement signed by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, said the President also used the opportunity of the visit to attend the closing ceremony of this year’s Musabaka Qur’anic recitation competition hosted in the state.

He was conducted round by the coordinator of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in Zamfara State, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa.

The statement said,

“He commended the arrangement put in place by the coordinator saying that the effort jointly put in place by Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle, former governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa accounted for the rousing welcome his delegation received while in the state.

“He assured people of the state that with APC’s Tinubu as the next President, the nation will witness overwhelming transformation, moving ahead from what has so far been achieved throughout the country in the last seven plus years.

“The President thanked the people of Zamfara and all Nigerians for the support he has been enjoying in his leadership and urged Nigerians to continue to support the APC by ensuring its victory at all levels in the coming elections.”

Earlier while welcoming the President and his delegation, Governor Bello Matawalle informed him, “Zamfara is the home base of the APC whereby opposition parties seem non-existent.”

The governor who is also the North West Zonal Coordinator of the APC said that the choice of an experienced state campaign coordinator like Senator Marafa has added impetus to and eased his responsibilities as the zone’s coordinator in the state.

Politics

President Zelensky Visits America

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The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Wednesday at the White House for talks with President Joe Biden as the wartime leader paid his first visit overseas since Russia’s invasion.

Zelensky wore brown military fatigues rather than a suit for the visit to the White House.

Zelensky also addressed the US Congress.

Politics

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Blue Line Rail In Lagos

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The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Blue Line Rail in the state.

According to his aide, Jubril Gawat, the first phase of the infrastructure works for the rail project (Marina to Mile 2) has been completed and is being inaugurated on Wednesday (today).

The blue line is one of seven Lagos metro rail lines, spanning from Marina to Okokomaiko.

Politics

My birthday wish was disrupted by my staff, says Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday jocularly said that his staff denied him his wish for a quiet day on his birthday.

The President said;

“I fixed the return journey from America on the day to avoid the celebration.”

But the elated Buhari according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, expressed appreciation for the many cards and well-wishes he received for his 80th birthday.

The statement said;

“He (Buhari) said, however, in a jocular manner, that his wish for a quiet day had been denied by the staff, adding that:

“I fixed the return journey from America on the day to avoid the celebration.”

Addressing Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF and a handful of other personal staff who gathered at the Residence in the morning “to make the President’s birthday an occasion to remember,” President Buhari said a birthday is no more than just another day in the office.

In a fitting tribute on behalf of the personal staff, the Chief of Staff read aloud the card signed by them which states thus:

“On behalf of the entire staff of the personal staff and my own self, we say ‘Happy Birthday’ to a worthy leader, father of the nation and our own father.

“Your Excellency was a star at the recently-concluded American-African Leaders Summit- recognition by your own peers and the leader of the international community.

“We are proud of Your Excellency and grateful for the opportunity to serve Your Excellency with respect and abiding loyalty.”

President Buhari waded across the room, reading one card after the other and thereafter ordered everyone back to the office: “Back to Work,” he said, as he led the way to his office building.

He participated in meetings and other duties throughout the working hours in the office.

Politics

Court Convicts Peter Obi’s Campaign Team Director-General, Okupe For Breaching Money Laundering Act

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Labour Party (LP), Doyin Okupe, over a breach of the Money Laundering Act.

It was gathered that Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the High Court on Monday found Okupe guilty of contravening sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act.

SaharaReporters learnt from sources that Okupe will be sentenced today, Monday.

The high court justice said Okupe was guilty of the above for collecting cash payments in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act, without going through a financial institution.

According to her, the embattled Okupe was reported to have received hundreds of millions in cash from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) while Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired) was in office, Naija News reports.

However, Justice Ojukwu stood down proceedings till 1:45 pm for Okupe to exercise his right under Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to call witnesses to testify about his character, before the court could proceed to pronounce sentence on the convict.

Two weeks ago, the Labour Party nullified the suspension of Okupe by the Ogun State chapter of the party.It also announced that the suspension of the other 10 members was null and void. The National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Umar Farouk, announced the development at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday.

Farouk insisted that the Ogun State faction had acted outside its jurisdiction, adding that there are internal conflict resolutions used in solving disputes.

He said;

“It has come to the attention of the National Leadership of the Labour Party, LP that the Ogun State chapter of the party has purportedly suspended one of the party members who happens to be the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Committee.

“The Ogun state chapter has acted outside its constitutional Jurisdiction. The party has an internal conflict resolution mechanism of handling cases against party members as enshrined in the party’s Constitution.”

Politics

Agbakoba Tackles EFCC Over N20bn Bailout

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Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has tackled the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what he described as an unwarranted media trial of the Kogi State government as regards the fresh case against a nephew of the Governor Yahaya Bello and the previous N20 billion bail-out controversy.

Agbakoba gave this position at a press conference on “The Rule of Law in Nigeria Today,” held in Lagos on Sunday, noting that the anti-corruption agency was turning itself into a one-man Robin Hood riot gang, which must not be allowed.

According to him, how a state spends its money should not be the business of the anti-graft agency, but that of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Agbakoba, while accusing the EFCC of impunity, queried that assuming it was the commission’s business to inquire how the state spends its money, would it still be its lawful business to investigate it?

“The EFCC for example plays a very strong role in the anti-corruption strategy of Nigeria but they are also one of the institutions most guilty of breaking the rule of law,” he said.

This was just as Agbakoba quickly recalled that the Supreme Court recently said in one of its judgments that the EFCC could not be a jack of all trades and should, therefore, concentrate on what the law empowers them to do under Section 46 of their Act.

“Like the current trending case where the EFCC arrested some people in Kogi State on allegations of money laundering, I believe that case should not be the business of the EFCC, at all. Is it their business how Kogi spends their money? Even if it is their business, is it their lawful business to make that enquiry?

“The Supreme Court has recently said in one of its judgments that the EFCC cannot be a jack of all trades and that they should concentrate on what the law empowers them to do under Section 46 of their Act.

“It is not the duty of the EFCC to be chasing the Kogi State government and threatening to storm the State House to seize documents or harass the Accountant-General of the state.

“What the EFCC is currently doing is turning itself into a one-man Robin Hood riot gang. That must not be allowed and that is the impunity that I refer to.

“My advice to the EFCC is that whatever they want to do, they should remember that there is a law that created them and they must also remember that Section 46 of the EFCC Act had stated and narrowed down their functions and in a case where they want to expand their functions, they must go to the National Assembly to do so.

Politics

Buhari returns to Abuja from US-Africa Leaders’ Summit

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President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, returned to Abuja after an eight-day official visit to Washington DC, the United States of America, USA, where he participated in the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit.

The President, who departed for the US event from his country home in Daura, Katsina State, last Sunday, was invited to join other African leaders for the Summit by his American counterpart, President Joe Biden.

While in Washington DC, President Buhari participated in a number of high-level meetings and conversations around the US-Africa relations, speaking on critical issues affecting the black continent, including security, climate change, transnational organised crimes and more.

He also engaged in sideline meetings, during which some high-level agreements were reached with America-based businesses, and wrapped up the visit with a townhall meeting with the Nigerian community in the US.

The President was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, by the governors of Kwara and Bauchi states; AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Bala Mohammed, respectively; the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ramatu Aliyu.

Also at the airport to receive the President were the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba; the Director-General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi; and other senior security officials.

Lifestyle, Politics

Lagos State launches Ilera Eko diaspora insurance scheme

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Lagos Health Management Agency, LASHMA, has launched a new social health insurance plan, under the mandatory Lagos Health Scheme, tagged ‘Ilera Eko Diaspora Health plan’, to ensure enhanced global healthcare of the state.

Speaking at the launch and unveiling of the new plan at the Ebony Life Place, in Victoria Island, Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, explained that the new plan provides a window of opportunity to Nigerians living abroad and desirous of providing and sponsoring health insurance coverage for their loved ones resident in Lagos State.

Abayomi said:

“The launch of the new Ilera Eko Diaspora Health Plan is the first of its kind in Nigeria and is expected to deepen and widen access to affordable and quality care through a new gateway of opportunities for Nigerians dependent on relatives living in the Diaspora for their health expenditure.

“The launch of the new Diaspora Health Plan is apt and supports the Health and environment mandate of the present administration. Lagos State Government continues to support and encourage LASHMA in the delivery of the dividend of democracy, improve lives and prevent catastrophic health spendings for Lagos residents.”

Lifestyle, Politics

We’re grateful for your leadership, APC Govs salute Buhari at 80

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Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC under the aegis of the Progressive Governors Forum PGF have paid glowing tributes to President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 80th birthday, saying they are grateful for his insightful leadership.

Pledging to continue to work towards the actualization of an Asiwaju Bola Tinubu presidency in 2023, the governors said Buhari has been able to secure the country.

Chairman of the Forum and Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in a statement on Saturday said the president’s “patriotically inspiring leadership remain the source of our massive support across every part of Nigeria”.

“We are grateful for your leadership, vision and commitment to move our dear nation forward. Your doggedness and unwavering determination to defend and secure Nigeria as a prosperous and democratic country has immeasurably stablised and restore confidence in our electoral process and party politics.

“Leaders and members of our party, All Progressives Congress (APC) are grateful to have your inspiring leadership role. Accordingly, our party has continued to evolve and both management of party administration and processes of candidates’ emergence are improving, which is responsible for the higher electoral advantages we have comparative to other parties in the country. This accounts for the massive support of Nigerians for all our candidates for the 2023 elections at all levels.

“As we wish you a happy birthday and say a big thank you for your selfless service to our dear country, we reaffirm our commitment to work for the electoral victory of all our candidates for the 2023 elections. We are working hard with the abiding faith and belief to ensure that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our Presidential Candidate emerge victorious and succeed you”, said the governors.

In a related development, Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has saluted President Buhari’s proactive, visionary and astute leadership roles played in Nigeria and across Africa which have resonated well across the globe.

Director, Public Relations of the Corps, DCC Olusola Odumosu in a statement said the CG also extolled the President for doing so much under very difficult economic and social conditions in tackling insecurity in the country and keeping Nigerians safe.

He affirmed that the Corps has steadily enjoyed the president’s support over the years, pledging that the Corps will continue to make the nation proud through its services.

The NSCDC boss thanked President Buhari for approval of funds to acquire operational equipment and gadgets for the Corps, stressing that, this has boosted the morale and capacity of the Special Forces which would be deployed effectively to tackle insecurity in the country.

He assured the President of the Corps’ commitment to continue to protect and safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure and ensuring peace and progress of the country without compromise.

The CG prayed for God’s guidance and protection for the President as he pilots the affairs of the most populous country in Africa and the continent’s largest economy in the remaining months of his administration and for the rest of his lives.

Politics

FG declares public holiday for Christmas and New Year celebrations

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The Federal Government has declared Monday, December 26th, Tuesday, December 27th 2022, and Monday, January 2nd, 2023 as public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day celebrations respectively.

This was disclosed by Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore on Friday in Abuja.

Aregbesola felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He enjoined Christians to emulate the doctrines of Christ in faith, hope and love.

Lifestyle, Politics

Women Protest FG’s Refusal To Release Nnamdi Kanu

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Some women in Aba, Abia State, took to the streets on Friday to protest the Federal Government’s refusal to comply with a court order to release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, had discharged Kanu in October and a federal high court in Umuahia, Abia state, ordered FG to return Kanu to Kenya.

FG has yet to obey any of the court orders.

One of the banners the protesting women held reads, ‘Buhari’s regime must obey court’s order.’

Politics

Biden Plans Visit To Sub-Sahara Africa

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American president, Joe Biden, has announced that he planned to visit sub-Saharan Africa, in what will be the first trip by a US president since 2015.

“We’re all going to be seeing you and you’re going to see a lot of us,”

Biden told a summit of African leaders.Also, he called for African Union permanent seat in G20 and announced $2.5 billion in food assistance to Africa.

Politics

Buhari approves upgrading of Aso Rock zoo

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the remodeling and upgrading of the Presidential Wildlife Sanctuary (PWLS) to enhance the practice of conservation in the country.

This was disclosed by Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, while receiving a delegation of wildlife experts from Zimbabwe to State House on Thursday, December 15.

The wildlife experts are on a week-long assessment tour of the PWLS, formerly known as the State House zoo.

Patience Tilley-Gyado, Assistant Director, Information, stated that Umar outlined the importance of safeguarding the wildlife in the seat of government for recreational purposes, rehabilitation, research and knowledge sharing during the meeting.

Politics

Federal Government approves new whistleblower bill

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A new whistleblower draft bill has been approved by the federal government as confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed.

Addressing reporters after the Federal Executive Council meeting yesterday, December 14, Ahmed noted that the existing whistle-blowing policy launched on December 21, 2016, which provides legal cover for individuals who voluntarily expose acts of fraud, bribery, looted government funds and assets, financial misconduct and other forms of corruption and also rewards them with 2.5 – 5 per cent of the funds recovered by the Nigerian government, was losing momentum.

Ahmed told reporters that the Council approved the draft bill to strengthen the fight against corruption and protect whistleblowers that provide helpful information to the FG.

She said;

“The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning presented several memos today. The first is the draft whistleblower bill for 2022. This memo has been reviewed by the Council and approved with a provision to ensure alignment with the Evidence Act.

“The purpose of operationalising and putting in place a whistleblower bill is to strengthen the fight against corruption and to enable protection for whistleblowers that provide information for use by the government.

“As you know, since 2016, the Council has approved the setting up the Presidential Initiative of Continuous Audit. PICA has been working in partnership with EFCC, ICPC, DSS, and NFIU and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“We noticed that the whistleblower policy response has lost momentum. We embarked on engagement in the six geo-political zones, and one of the main outcomes we found is that people are concerned about their safety due to providing information. So, this bill is critical to ensure the effectiveness of the retention of the whistle policy.”

Politics, World News

President Buhari meets President Biden at the White House

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President Buhari on Wednesday, December 14, met with United States President Joe Biden in Washington DC.

Photos shared by the Presidency show the President in a meeting with Biden and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the White House on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leader’s Summit.

The US-Africa summit, which began in 2014, is the biggest international gathering in Washington since the COVID-19 pandemic and the most substantial commitment by a US administration to boosting its influence in Africa for almost a decade.

The summit, according to the US government, “will demonstrate the US enduring commitment to Africa and will underscore the importance of US-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared priorities.”

Politics

Peter Obi Promises To Include Women, PWDs In Govt

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has affirmed that his administration would accommodate women, youths and persons living with disability.

He made this known via his Twitter handle on Wednesday.

“This morning, I attended the Governance Agenda for an Inclusive Nigeria (GAIN) event in Abuja. I was the only candidate that personally signed off on our commitment and affirmation to inclusivity of Nigerian women, youths, and persons with disability (PWD) in governance.”, he tweeted.

Politics

Voter cards now more important than certificates and passports – Gumi tells Nigerians

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Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, says ahead of the 2023 General elections, voter cards are now more important to Nigerians than school certificates and international passports.

Gumi, who said the votes will count in 2023 polls, noted that possessing a voter card is the only way to vote, warning that Nigerians must vote as it is the only way to snatch power and run away with it.

He made the appeal after collecting his voter’s card.

“Your vote counts therefore get your voter’s card as it is the only way left to ascension to power or in other words: to ‘snatch power and run away with it’

“Your voter’s card. Alhamdulillah! I got mine. please go and get yours. Without exaggeration, it’s the most important document one can hold now, more important than an international passport or even certificates. It’s the card that empowers you to choose your leader and you don’t need to be lectured on the importance of leadership which cannot be overemphasized.

“Insecurity, bad infrastructures, poor health services, dwindling economy, civil strife, and disunity squarely depends on leadership. There are nations more diversified in all facets of human dimensions than Nigeria, India as an example, that have developed and have relative stability and security Nigerians can only dream of today.

“It’s not our diversity that is the problem. It’s our parochial leaders, whether; regional, sectional, religious, or sectarian that amplify our differences for the narrow-minded benefits of themselves as well as their families and cronies. Your voter’s card is your God-given weapon to fight the enemies of progress.

“In democracy, it’s your numbers that matter; therefore, your voter’s card is the scarecrow that humbles the politicians to succumb to your demands.“Your voter’s card is your vanguard. You should not be intimidated by regional, sectional, religious or sectarian bigots to submission. Vote your choice without coercion, fear, or blackmail.

“You cannot get a perfect candidate or Party. Look at your overriding interest and vote. Don’t waste your precious vote except where it matters. It only matters where there are numbers and higher probability. But most important don’t be bought, compelled, or blackmailed, and be proud of your choice. May Allah see us through the elections peacefully. Amin.”

Politics

Yemi Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja.

Seven ministers are physically present, while others are following the meeting which began at 10:05 am from their various offices in Abuja.

Other top government officials attending the meeting include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and Power, Abubakar Aliyu.

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