Politics

Nigeria is derailing towards dictatorship – Jonathan

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised an alarm of the country’s democracy derailing towards dictatorship.

Speaking at the 70th birthday of Mathew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, in Abuja, on Wednesday August 31, Jonathan urged Nigerians not to lower their guards as this would make democracy recede into fascism.

The former President also called on Nigerian leaders to accommodate different views.

He said;

“Obviously many people, especially our youths, are becoming increasingly disillusioned about our politics and democracy.

“However, we must remain on the democratic path because it is the only practical way of effectively managing our diversity, developing sustainably, and recording progress as a nation.

“The task before all of us is not to lower our guards lest the democracy we cherish today succumbs to threats and recedes into fascism tomorrow because there are signs.

“Looking at the states and so on, we are derailing towards quasi-fascist form of government, but democracy is not only about winning elections alone, it is about accommodation. We, as leaders at the centre and at the state levels, especially at this time when elections are coming, must accommodate different views.

“Towards this goal, we are again faced with a good opportunity of choosing our leaders as the nation prepares to go to the polls next year. Let us choose those that will take us to the desired destination and the promised land.”

Urging Nigerians not to give up, he added;

“Nigeria may not be where we want it to and should be, but we should not give up or lose hope by focusing on only the negative.

“Judging from where we are coming from since independence in 1960, we may have been moving slowly in our journey of nationhood, but it is a journey of progress, all the same.”

Politics

Threat to impeach Buhari laughable – President’s in-law

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Alhaji Sani Mohammed Sha’aban, an in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari and a former House of Representatives member and 2023 All Progressives Congress’ Governorship Aspirant in Kaduna State, has described threats to impeach the Nigerian leader as a joke.

Sha’aban who accused lawmakers of being partly responsible for the economic and security challenges bedeviling the country, alleged that they’ve failed in their oversight functions, especially on security and economy.

He also claimed that the national assembly members who failed in their representative duties and lack what they will tell their constituents in their re-election campaigns, were behind the impeachment saga, as they want to use President Buhari as scapegoat.

Sha’aban said;

“I look at the stand they (National Assembly members) took as a huge joke. In fact, it is laughable.

“One thing we should know is that Nigeria is not operating in isolation, the rest of the world is watching us. We are in a democracy, even though we borrowed the system from the western world, the other part of the world doesn’t practice democracy the way we are practicing ours.

“We should realize that in the House of Representatives, the Senate, they function under various committees and those committees are in charge of what we call oversight functions but what is happening today? Where are the oversight functions? What happened to reports of activities within the security apparatus?

“So, if anybody will wake up today, coming from the Senate or House of Representatives and points accusing fingers on President Buhari on security, I challenge that person to go and impeach Buhari tomorrow if he dares.

“As you point your finger, millions of people from your constituency will point finger at you. You say you are representing them, is it when it pinches most that you will find a scapegoat? And you want to make Buhari a scapegoat?”

“Was there any time when there was financial request and he passed it and the heads of agencies, the service chiefs and others in charge of security…. was there any time they were punished by the National Assembly? So, why President Buhari? Who is deceiving who? So, let us treat this matter very seriously.

“I happen to come from Zaria and there’s no place in the world that I can cherish, respect and value than my origin.

Wherever I go in the world, I don’t feel comfortable until I step foot in Zaria, because that is where I come from. But today, Zaria is under the siege of bandits, you can hardly sleep.

“So, this is not a joke. Our farmers cannot go to farm, our schools are closed down, so many institutions are close down, we can barely go out to carry out our basic activities for the day without the fear of being kidnapped, bandits are coming from left, right and centre.

“Look at Giwa, look at Birnin-Gwari, Chikun, Kajuru. All these are parts of Kaduna that, today whether you like it or not, you cannot afford to stay beyond 6:00pm, you have to move.

“But then, somebody will just come because he feels the time is here to recontest and come back to the National Assembly and he doesn’t want his people to ask him what he has done as their Senator or Rep member. So, he can be saying it is the fault of Buhari. That is bullshit. We must tell ourselves the truth.”

Politics

“70% of Peter Obi supporters are Zombidients and Obidiots” Victoria Inyama says many don’t have a “clue” why they are supporting Obi

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Victoria Inyama has classified “70%” of Peter Obi’s supporters as “Zombidients” and “Obidiots”.

Supporters of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate are referred to as “Obidients”, coined from the surname of the candidate.

In an Instagram post, media personality Daddy Freeze categorized Obi’s supprters into 3: Obidients, Zombidients, and Obidiots.

Freeze said the Zombidients are just clueless supporters while the Obidiots are “louts and touts”.

Inyama responded to Freeze’s post. According to her, the majority of Peter Obi’s supporters are either clueless as to why they are supporting him or are louts.

Politics

Fulfil promise of credible elections, Governor Wike tells INEC

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Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said if the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), does not renege on his pledge not to interfere with the conduct of the 2023 general elections, the All Progressives Congress will be doomed.

The governor, however, said Buhari’s resolve means he is serious about leaving an enduring legacy of conducting free and fair elections.

Wike made the assertion at the commencement of the construction work of Igwuruta internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state that was performed by the governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, on Wednesday.

He said:

“I thank Mr President that he wants to leave a legacy of conducting a free and fair election.”

He expressed doubt concerning the public promise made by the Independent National Electoral Commission to deliver better elections to Nigerians.

“My problem is INEC, whether they will do what they said they will do. They are making promises now. I don’t know whether they will keep to them.

“If INEC will keep to the promises that Nigeria will get a better election, I will be so happy. Everybody will see with their eyes, Abuja does not vote. It is the people here that will vote,” he said.

The governor described as unfortunate the inability of some former military generals to use their contacts with the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America to solve the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

He maintained that such generals should have been more concerned about the insecurity situation in the country, and resolve to use their CIA contacts to restore peace across the country, instead of threatening him and his friends to succumb to their biddings.

Wike also took a swipe at an unnamed leader from the South-South who is seeking personal gains instead of that of the region.

He said:

“What will they tell their children? People who will like to eat their own share, eat their children’s share and eat their grandchildren’s share.

“When somebody at the age of 70 something is lobbying to be Chief of Staff, what will his own children lobby for?”

Politics

There’s consequence for using religion to manipulate politics – Bishop Kukah warns

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Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto State has warned that using religion to manipulate politics will have a devastating effect on the development of the country.

Bishop Kukah highlighted what happened in Germany during the reign of Adolf Hitler and added that using religion to manipulate polictics would come with a grave consequence.

He made the observation on Tuesday, August 30, in Abuja during the presentation of his new book, “Broken Truth,” as part of activities lined up for his birthday. Kukah, who turns 70 today, August 31, said that the problem is that the Nigerian political elites lacked the mental capacity to understand the consequences of the fire they were stoking.

He said:

“If you look at history, there’s a consequence for using religion to manipulate politics. We just need to look at Germany, the consequences are there to see in Hitler.

The problem is that the Nigerian political elites lack the mental capacity to understand the consequences of the fire they are stoking because there is nothing to suggest, the average person who is living in the north, who is Fulani, who is a Muslim, who is Hausa, can say that they are proud of the Nigerian political system, beyond a very tiny percentage.

“And I have said that Buhari’s recruitment process has the tendency to cause a threat because we have lost the moral right to quarrel with Boko Haram who say except you accept our way, you will die.

“If you decide that you want to give privilege to a religion or an ethnic group, what will happen is that others automatically become outsiders.”

Politics

Hunger, Diseases Killed Over 200 South Sudan Soldiers During Training

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The Vice President of South Sudan, Riek Machar, has revealed that diseases, hunger killed over 200 soldiers during their training.

Machar said this at the graduation ceremony of the nation’s new security operatives at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in Juba on Tuesday.

The Voice of Nigeria quoted him as saying,

“Over two hundred of your comrades have died in the eighteen training centres, some died because of disease and no medication, some died because of hunger as food was not available.”

Thousands of fighters including former rebels from rival camps in South Sudan’s civil war were integrated into the country’s army in a graduation ceremony originally scheduled for 2019.

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 from Sudan making it the world’s youngest nation.

Politics

Nigerians will appreciate my govt soon- President Muhammed Buhari

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday vowed that his government would not allow any candidate use their “personal resources or influence to intimidate other Nigerians” ahead of the next year general elections.

He added that in six months, Nigerians will appreciate his government that it respects them.According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke when he received members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by its Chairman, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, at the State House, Abuja.

The statement was titled ‘Why I believe in non-interference in the political process, Buhari.’Citing the outcome of the Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States governorship elections, the President assured Nigerians of his desire to bequeath strong political institutions through non-interference in elections.

This, he noted, would give credence to the political process, ensure participation and inclusiveness, and show that the governing party respects the electorate.

The President said,

“I want Nigerians to know that we respect them, and for us to show that, we will allow them to vote who they want.

We all witnessed what happened in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. What happened in those states gives me a lot of hope that we are succeeding.

“We will not allow anyone to use personal resources or their influence to intimidate other Nigerians. We will not allow intimidations materially, morally or physically. This is the kind of leadership that can emerge and consolidate our nation.

“In six months, Nigerians will appreciate the government of the All Progressives Congress that we are sincere and we respect them.’’

To the APC political leaders, he called for intensified efforts in “thinking, meeting and strategising for the 2023 elections.’’

In his remarks, the Chairman of the PGF thanked the President for his leadership, affirming that the Nigerian economy had been growing, in spite of challenges.

“We want to congratulate you on the positive trajectory of the economy, with the 3.5% growth in the second quarter, up from 3.1% of the first quarter of this year. Infrastructure projects are ongoing in different parts of the country, and the social intervention programme is expanding,’’

Bagudu stated.

However, the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Debo Olugunagba, said the President’s statement was an acknowledgement of the need to ensure free, fair and credible elections “without unnecessary interference by money bags.”Ologunagba stated,

“We believe that this election should be based on issues, not about who can purchase who.

We know that the leaders and the veterans of the APC, as reported in various media, are always interested in buying votes and trying as much as possible to derail the will of the Nigerian people, either by corruptly buying votes, or unleashing violence, which of course, we have the records.

“So, if the President says that today, that is a welcome development, with the hope that the President will keep his word for once on that, because if his performance in other sectors, particularly security, is anything to go by, then we need to take that statement with a pinch of salt.’’

Politics

Atiku Meets Volunteer Groups In Kano

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The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, met with some volunteer groups in Kano State.

Atiku posted images from the meeting on his Twitter handle.

He captioned the photos, “I am excited to meet with various volunteer groups in Kano just now. I’m very impressed with their zeal. As ONE, we shall get it done.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Peter Obi Hails 11-year-old Gymnastics Champion, Stephanie Onusiriuka

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has sent a congratulatory message to gymnastics champion, Stephanie Onusiriuka.

Onusiriuka, 11, bagged a gold medal at the African Junior Gymnastics Championship in Pretoria, South Africa. In a statement on his Twitter handle on Tuesday, Obi said,

“Our Dear Stephanie Onusiriuka has just written her name in gold. Having won a Gold Medal at the African Junior Gymnastics Championship in Pretoria, South Africa at age 11. Hearty congratulations on achieving such a great feat.”

Politics

Excited Supporters Welcome Peter Obi To Canada Town Hall Meeting

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Excited crowd of supporters welcomed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to the town hall meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Obi has been touring overseas country to engage Nigerians in Diaspora ahead of the 2023 election.

Lifestyle, Politics

Police arrest bandits’ informants over lawmaker family’s kidnap

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Three informants linked to a kidnap for ransom syndicate that abducted the wife and two children of a serving Katsina lawmaker, Hon. Dr Ibrahim Aminu, have been arrested by the police.

Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi who confirmed the arrests, said the three key suspects confessed to the crime during the investigation. Adejobi said; “Acting on credible information, operatives of the IRT have arrested a deadly kidnap for ransom syndicate who kidnapped the wife and two children of a serving lawmaker Honourable Ibrahim Aminu in Katsina State.

“Sequel to the intelligence reports on the activities of the deadly criminal gangs by IRT operatives attached to the Operation Restore Hope of the Force in Yankwani village and Kurani town, the team swung into action and arrested the suspects in their various hideouts.

“IRT personnel arrested the key suspects Muttaka Ibrahim, Suleiman Rabiu, and Surajo all male natives of Bakori LGA for allegedly supplying the information that led to the assault on the lawmaker where his family members were taken into captivity.

“During investigation, Muttaka Ibrahim confessed to the crime saying that he and other gang members were informants to Sanni Tukur aka Abacha terrorising the people of the villages and towns in Katsina and Zamfara States.

“Other victims of the criminal syndicate include one Buhari Usman, also known as Fedeco, Nazaradeen Ibrahim, Amandallah Ahmad, Ibrahim Suleiman, Sumayya Nura, and Yahaya Bura who are currently in the captivity of the gang.

“The kidnappers, after kidnapping the wife of the lawmaker Rabi Yusuf and two of his male children all of Bakori LGA had demanded and received eleven million naira and ten million naira for his children at different times.”

Adejobi further revealed that one of the bandits’ informants, Muttaka Ibrahim, admitted that he got a payment of N130,000 from the gang leader, and also named one Yusuf Bala of Zaria as his accomplice.

The police spokesperson said;

“He also admitted that the bandits’ leader collected a total of six million five hundred thousand naira from the victims they kidnaped at Yankwani totarrating his ordeal, the lawmaker told Police investigators that he paid a total sum of thirty-seven million and five hundred thousand naira to the gang leader to secure his family member’s release from captivity.”

Adejobi added that the suspects are still undergoing investigation and would be charged to court if found culpable in the crime as alleged by the leader of the team.

Business, Lifestyle, Politics

ASUU extends strike again

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended its ongoing strike again.

The decision was taken after the National Executive Council meeting at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja on Monday morning, August 29. The ASUU strike began on February 14, 2022, and was initially to last for 4 weeks.

However, on March 14, exactly one month after, ASUU extended its ongoing industrial action by another two months to afford the government more time to address all of its demands. The strike has now entered its 196th day.

The union is on strike over the inability of the Federal Government to implement previous agreements both parties entered into.

The lecturers’ agitations include funding for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears and others.

Lifestyle, Politics

Dethroned Zamfara Emir dies in Dubai

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The dethroned Emir of Zurmi in Zamfara State, Abubakar Atiku, has died in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Atiku died in a private hospital following a protracted illness.

Recall that the deceased was dethroned along with the Emir of Dansadau, Husaini Umar on April 27, 2021, for allegedly aiding banditry in their respective emirates.

A family member, Sani Zurmi, who confirmed the death to Punch, said that the remains of the deceased were yet to be brought to Nigeria for burial.

“His remains are still in Dubai due to non availability of flight to bring the deceased back home for burial,” said Zurmi.

Lifestyle, Politics

2023 Election: I have national agenda not special candidate – Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that he has no preferred candidate among those contesting the 2023 presidential election.

The former President said this while paying former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar a visit in Minna on Sunday August 28.

According to Obasanjo, he only has a national agenda. He said; “I don’t have a special candidate, I have a national agenda.

“I came to see my brother who has been a little indisposed. I had plans to visit him when he was still in London, but the day I arrived London was the day he returned home.“So that is why I decided to come and see him at home. He is very special so I had to come.

“If there is anyone who is indisposed, I will visit and I am still strong.”

The former President who was in a close meeting with Abdulsaam arrived at 12:30 and left at 1:13pm.

Politics

Nigeria is on drip and oxygen – Governor Samuel Ortom

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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, has said that Nigeria is currently on “drip and oxygen.”

The governor spoke at the Port Harcourt International Airport when he returned to the country alongside Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor, and Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia governor on Friday, August 26.

Recall that the PDP governors met with former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo and Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in London. They also met with their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking shortly after their arrival, Governor Ortom who has never hidden his disdain for the Buhari-led government said;

“We are looking at how we can harness ideas and put ourselves together to ensure that we get out of the present challenge we are in Nigeria today.From top to bottom, consider what has happened from 2015 and where we are today. So, what we are doing is a concern that we have for our country, Nigeria.

This is beyond partisan politics. We are looking at how we can come together and find a way of ensuring that Nigeria survives. Nigeria is on a drip, Nigeria is on oxygen and it is about how can we get out of this.

We have individually also had earlier commitments in Europe even if consultations are still going on because nothing concrete has been decided. The consultation is going on and will continue to go on. We are still going to meet here.”

Politics

Obi will kill you before 2023 – Apostle Anselm Madubuko slams Deji Adeyanju for continuously postulating that Peter Obi will come third in 2023 presidential election

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Popular cleric, Apostle Anselm Madubuko has slammed activist Deji Adeyanju for continuously suggesting that Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi will come third in 2023 presidential election.

Recall that Adeyanju who reacted to photos of Peter Obi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a meeting with some Peoples Democratic Party Governors in London, claimed that the former President is supporting Obi and has been the one calling people and reaching out to international allies to fund the Labour Party Presidential candidate’s election.

Reacting to the claim, Apostle Madubuko asked why Deji hates Peter Obi. He also told Deji that “Obi will kill him before 2023” and that he is also “going down”.

Lifestyle, Politics

Activist Inibehe Effiong released after being imprisoned by Akwa Ibom Chief Judge

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Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has been released from prison after Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaette Obot, sentenced him to 30 days imprisonment on 27 July, for alleged contempt of court after he objected to the presence of two armed police operatives inside the courtroom.

Media personality, Omoyele Sowore annnounced the release of Mr Effiong on Friday August 26.

Politics

Obasanjo meets Peter Obi and some PDP Governors in London

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Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday August 25, met with the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi and some Peoples Democratic Party Governors in London.

Although details of the meeting are still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, photos shared online showed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state attended the meeting with his allies including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, among others.

Here are the photos below……

Lifestyle, Politics

We speak of ‘japa’ but many Nigerians are returning – Abike Dabiri-Erewa says

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The chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has said that despite the number of Nigerians aiming to leave the country, there is also a significant number returning to the country.

Dabiri-Erewa, who spoke at a press briefing at the state house in Abuja on Thursday, August 25, said a number of persons are returning to Nigeria to invest in the agricultural and healthcare sector.

“We speak of “japa” as a one-way phenomenon, but we also have Nigerians constantly returning home. There are examples of Nigerians returning home, occasionally or permanently, to do interesting things, in agriculture, healthcare, etc.

The hospital where the VP was recently treated was set up by diaspora doctors. I’m not saying Nigeria’s not a challenging environment, but we must also acknowledge those who are coming back home to do impactful things” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa said the commission is making an effort to see that Nigerians in the diaspora are allowed to vote.

“The national assembly is still not interested in diaspora voting, but we will not relent and continue to engage with them.

Because I believe everyone should know that the diaspora should be able to vote. So we hope that we continue to engage with the parliament. There’s a big deal about diaspora voting” she said

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