Politics, World News

IPOB denies faction rumours , says Kanu remains leader.

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The Indigenous People of Biafra has said that there is no faction in its movement and agitation, contrary to reports making the rounds of factions within the group.

In a statement on Tuesday, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, insisted that Nnamdi Kanu remains the group’s only leader, adding that any persons claiming to be IPOB autopilot group is fake and should be ignored.

Powerful said IPOB has constantly announced that Simon Ekpa is not an IPOB member and people should disregard whatever he says in the group’s name.

He claimed that “autopiloters” are government-sponsored groups paid to infiltrate IPOB and create an impression that IPOB has factions.

He said, “It is on record that the Federal Government has in the past sponsored enemies of IPOB to create non-existing groups claiming to be genuine IPOB that later fizzled out and IPOB is still matching forward.

“IPOB is already used to these government agents and the latest group they call ‘Autopilot’. Let them jamboree with the government funds for the moment before they go the way of others.”

The group urged all the South-East people to join in the solidarity protest against the killings of innocent youths in Imo State.

It added that the state security agencies had killed too many people, and the people could not continue to remain mute.

They alleged that the state governor, Hope Uzodinma was on contract with the Federal Government to “slaughter” and “depopulate” the youths of Imo State youths in return for Supreme Court judgement that made him governor.

The statement read in part, “We the global movement and family of IPOB wish to draw the attention of Sahara Reporters news outlets and other media houses in Nigeria and the world that IPOB has no faction whatsoever.

“Kanu is the only leader in the IPOB. Therefore, any persons claiming to be IPOB autopilot group is totally fake and must be ignored. Either you’re IPOB or not.

“IPOB has constantly announced that Simon Ekpa is not an IPOB member and will never be because he has sold his soul to the devil and has bitten more than he can chew.

“Let these facts sink into all who care to understand, IPOB is only one body. IPOB has a presence in over 100 Nations. IPOB has only one leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB has an administrative body called the Directorate Of States headed by Mazi Chika Edoziem.

“In the absence of our leader, the Head of DOS takes charge of the global movement and family of IPOB. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in his several live broadcast, had consistently informed our people that DOS is in charge of this struggle while he leads.

“ESN is one and under the command of DOS in the absence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking on the said autopilot group, Powerful said, “As a double agent, Ekpa was paid to issue a jamboree and fallacious sit-at-home to discourage people from protesting the murder of 14 innocent youths in Awo-Mmamma.

“Autopilot is a government-sponsored group that has never given orders to Biafrans before, and we would not allow them to do that so long as IPOB exists.

“IPOB and ESN stand in solidarity with the youths and people of Imo State to ensure that the evil and murderous Ebubeagu is disbanded by the government, or they will push the people to an unbearable and unacceptable point that could compel them to taking laws into their hands to bring  the Ebubeagu murderous activities to an end.”

Politics, World News

NLC protests in Ogun over ASUU strike.

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Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress are protesting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, in solidarity with the strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The protest which is currently holding is also an opportunity for the NLC to bring the attention of the government to other issues affecting the nation.

The protesters, on Tuesday, carried placards with several inscriptions such as “Governor Dapo Abiodun, increase subvention of Tai Solarin University of Education” among others.

See some photos from the protest below:

The protesters marched from the NLC Secretariat at Leme en route popular Kuto market and are now on the way towards the government secretariat at Oke Mosan.

ASUU strike has entered its fifth month since the union downed tools on February 14, 2022, leaving millions of students hopless about resumption.

The NLC had therefore, last week directed its members to embark on a two-day protest today and tomorrow (Wednesday) over the strike.

Politics, World News

More tributes pour in for Nigerian soldier, Lieutenant Suleiman killed by bandits during an ambush in Abuja.

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Nigerians have taken to social media to mourn a military officer killed by bandits during an ambush in Abuja on Monday, July 25.



The deceased identified as Lt. Jauro Ibrahim Suleiman joined the military three years ago after completing his NYSC. 

Two soldiers and a Captain were killed by terrorists during the attack which occurred in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday night. 

The captain and the two soldiers were attached to the 7 Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

Taking to Facebook to mourn Suleiman, one of his friends, Abba Haruna, wrote;

”I knew Lt. Jauro Ibrahim Suleiman in 2011, U11ec ABU Zaria, since then, he’s been a good Freind. During our undergraduate days, we shared alot of good times together; we eat, play football, go swimming, study and even sometimes spend time at the social center. He was a part of some of the best people life gave to me.

Coming from a military family, it had been his dream to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the military. One of the very few men i have seen so passionate about the uniform. About 3yrs ago, his prayers were answered.

In the military, his dedication made him a member of the presidential guard. I remember how, on democracy day, during the military parade at the eagles Square, the president stood right in front of him as though admiring the cuteness in his outfit.

On the 24th of July 2022, he and other members of the presidential guard were ambushed by a group of terrorists at Bwari, Abuja. Sadly, we lost him.

Lt. Jauro lost his life in defending our freedom and liberty. We pray Allah SWA accept him as a shaheed.

Please if u see this post, say a prayer for him. Ask Allah to forgive his short comings and excesses. Ask Allah to make him among the people of Jannah.

Like my freind and brother Abubakar Tanko said, “this is beyond failure of Buhari and insecurity, Nigeria is under attack, squarely”.

Ya Allah! Without doubt, we believe you know the perpetrators, the accomplice, the mind, and the corruption behind this utter injustice that has left our dear nation in mourning day after day. Ya Allah! If it is for something bad we doing, forgive us. Ya Allah! Make these days go away. In ur most sacred names we pray. Amen”

Former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, also condoled with the father of the deceased, Colonel Babanawa on the death of his son.

Politics, World News

NLC protests in Ilorin over ASUU strike.

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Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress are protesting at the Kwara State Government House, Ilorin, in solidarity with the strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Some others are protesting at the Muritala Mohammed road, Post Office area of the state, on Tuesday.

The protest which is currently holding is also an opportunity for the NLC to bring attention to other issues affecting the nation.

The protesters carried placards with several inscriptions such as “Honour and implement your agreement with ASUU” among others.

The protest also had members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities present.

See photo from the protest below:

The nationwide protest was organised by the NLC in solidarity with ASUU over the strike that clocked five months on July 14, 2022.

The Nigeria Labour Congress had last week directed workers in state capitals and Abuja to join the protest.

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‘Rescue train victims or forget elections’ – Youth group.

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A group, Arewa Youth Assembly, has warned that unless the remaining 43 train passengers abducted by terrorists on March 28 are released, the 2023 general election will not hold in the North.

The group, which noted that it shared the pains and agony families of victims of the train attack were going through, also warned the authority against taking its  threat with levity.

The AYA, which comprises youths drawn from the 19 northern states and Abuja, also called for the immediate sack of the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Munguno (retd.), saying that he had run out of ideas.

This was as the Assembly through its Speaker, Mohammed Danlami, in a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday, called for the probe of all military spending in the war against terrorism and banditry across the country.

According to the statement, the youths of the region will ensure that nobody participates in any political activities or the forthcoming elections if “our brothers and sisters in captivity are not released.”

Besides, the group noted that the authorities concerned must ensure that all territories conquered by the terror groups must be liberated before the forthcoming general election.

The statement read, “As the victims of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna bound train marked 120 days in captivity, which was celebrated by the terrorists through a released video depicting how they are being molested, the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) shares in the pain and agony of the immediate families and friends of those in captivity. We pray God to intervene through His supernatural power and set them free.

“The Assembly make bold to state that our youths won’t participate in activities in the build-up to 2023 General Election and the election proper if our brothers and sisters in captivity are not released.

“Also, most of our Local Government Areas  and communities that are now under the control of either Ansaru Terrorists in North-Central and North-West or ISWAP in North-East. In other words, politicians are only welcome to our region, when we have every reason to believe that our forests are free from bandits and terrorists.”

Saying that the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was no longer safe as a result of the activities of non-state actors, the group called on the National Security Adviser to quit or be sacked and replaced by the President.

“The AYA notes that the growing audacity of non-state actors, which led to the invasion of Kuje Maximum Prison, Abuja, and the subsequent release of numerous arrested Boko Haram commanders, shows that even Mr President in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa is not safe.

“It is just a matter of time, these ragtag elements will draw inspiration from  the Afghanistan Terrorists and take over leadership of our country

“We have observed that this insult to our country’s supremacy wouldn’t have been possible if the National Security Adviser, who was supposed to guide Mr President, had not run out of ideas.

“Since his appointment over 7 years ago, we  strongly believe that the man has run out of steam and does not have anything new to offer, hence, the honourable thing for him to do is to pack his luggage and return to his retirement destination and where he fails to do so, Mr President should urgently sack him and get him replaced,” the group added.

The Assembly also decried the alleged corruption, noting that if the defence budgets were properly deployed, the rag-tag terrorists would not withstand the highly trained Nigerian Armed Forces for just “three days.”

“However, Nigerians believe that the Armed Forces remains the most corrupt institution in our country, that needs to be properly checked by various anti-graft agencies,” the group added.

Politics, World News

OAU, ABU students’ unions, coalition back NLC protest

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The nationwide protest declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress has been met with wide acceptance from students, workers and right groups.

The NLC has slated the protest for Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities that has been on strike since February 14, 2022 over what it called the alleged failure of the Federal Government to honour the agreement it had with the union.

A student group that had been organising students across the country for protest against the prolonged strike, the Fund Education Coalition, on Monday, declared support for the NLC protest, saying that students had been cheated for too long in their quest for better education.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of FEC, Joseph Aliu, read in part, “It is no longer news that the Nigerian students who are children of the working class citizens have been cheated for too long by the ruling and oppressing class by permitting series of incessant ASUU strikes and pocket tearing school fees which have not only marred the bright future of many Nigerian students, but also resulted in the increase in school dropouts and half-baked graduates.

“FEC is charging well meaning Nigerian students to not give up at this time. Here’s a time to roll our sleeves, dust our boots, march and relocate to the barricades.

“Our future lies in our hands. Nobody shall save us from this sinking educational ship if we don’t save ourselves.

“Nigerian students should be aware that education is a right for everyone of them and they cannot at this time be bamboozled by the shameful display of clamp down by the government through the men-in-black to students who are merely demanding for a better education.”

It called on students to across the country to join the nationwide protest of the NLC.

“Nigeria students should get set to fight this educational oppression to a logical conclusion.

On this, FEC is charging and calling on its members in all states and the generality of aggrieved Nigerian students to join the civil mass action initiated by the NLC, slated for July 26 and 27, 2022.

“Here is a fight to finish,” the statement concluded.

Similarly, the Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, have also backed the protest, calling on their members across the country to join the action.

In statement released at weekend by the OAU Student’s Union, signed by its President, Secretary-General, and Public Relations Officer, Olayiwola Festus and Odewale Damilare and Ogunperi Taofeek, respectively, the union noted that given the about six months strike, it was imperative for students to participate in the NLC protest in order to drive home their demands for reopening of schools.

“Great Ife students are encouraged to participate in the protest in the respective places that they are in the country. The protest is converging at every State Secretariat of the NLC and the Labour House, Abuja. The protest holds on Tuesday, 26 July 2022, and Wednesday, 27 July 2022.

There is no doubt that, with mass participation, this protest is going to greatly help us in getting the government to do the needful after failing to even honour the recommendations of the Nimi-Briggs Committee which it set up by itself. Let us put in our best and join hands with the NLC for the betterment of education sector and for us all to return to classes as soon as possible.

On its part, the Students’ Representative Council of ABU, Zaria, also asked the students of the institution to join the NLC action at their various locations.

A statement obatined by our correspondent, dated July 23, signed by the Secretary-General, ABU SRC, Comr, Allyu Abdulbacil Bako, partly read, “Following the publication of the National Executive Council of the NLC, dated July 15, 2022. The leadership of the ABU SRC is using this avenue to call for immediate mobilisation of our students to partake in the mission of the NLC.

“The leadership is urging our fellow students to partake peacefully in the rally and be good ambassadors of the institution. Please accept our solidarity and highest regards.”

Since the declaration of the nationwide protest by the NLC, Buhari had since directed the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu to resolve the ongoing ASUU strike as soon as possible, specifically in two weeks with effect from July 19, when he held the meeting with relevant government agencies.

The FG had also made moves to discourage the planned protest by the NLC, with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, stating that the protest was not necessary, adding that the FG only had issues with ASUU and not the NLC.

Meanwhile, the leadership of ASUU at the states and national levels have remained undaunted in their resolve while hands are still crossed as to what will transpire towards and after the NLC protest.

Politics, World News

ACF, CNG fume as terrorists flog abductees

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The pan-northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum and the Coalition of Northern Groups have condemned the viral video of the terrorists flogging hostages of the AK-9 Abuja-Kaduna train, urging the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibility of protecting Nigerians.

While saying that the incident was unfortunate, the ACF through its Secretary-General, Malam Murtala Aliyu, described the flogging of the hostages as “nasty.”

The ACF urged the government to wake up to its responsibility of saving the lives of the abductees as well as other Nigerians.

Murtala, who spoke to The PUNCH while reacting to the incident, said, “the issue of flogging or threatening by the terrorists were quite unfortunate. We have made statements on this before and we are not going to say anything different.

“The government must be pragmatic in saving the lives of and welfare of Nigerians as well as protecting them. It is the responsibility of government to act quickly on this.

“It’s becoming nasty and we believe government still have the responsibility on the lives of these citizens. There’s nothing new that we can say apart from the fact that it’s unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, the CNG, a coalition of over 50 groups in the region, urged Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves in the apparent failure of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to protect them.

The Spokesman of the CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, noted with regrets that terrorists were now exploiting on the failure of the government to torment Nigerians.

He expressed concern over the trending video of the terrorists flogging the hostages, describing it as “disturbing,” adding that the government had continued to live in self denial.Related News

Abdul’aziz, while reacting to the incident with one of our correspondents in Kaduna on Sunday, said, “Conclusively, in the face of the latest development, Nigerians would be right to resort to self-protection because obviously, the bandits and insurgents have sensed a huge vacuum in the capacity and political will to challenge them.

“It is this vacuum the criminals exploit with ease and at will while government, which is supposed to be the first responder, appears to be either living in perpetual denial or totally ignorant of the reality of the situation.

“We have viewed the video clip and assessed the contents and find it disturbing to realise that Nigeria has final come to terms with the reality that it has completely lost control of its forests, land borders, highways and to some extent, the airways and seas to insane bandits and insurgents in the North, deadly armed separatist armies in the East, pirates and other assortments of criminal gangs in the far South and the West.

“The audacious violence shown in the video released by the terrorists and the open threats to abduct the President and sitting governor prove the extent to which the country has lost out to the bandits.

“Having come this far, we’re no longer in doubt that the only remaining option is the hard way that involves communities apparently abandoned to the mercy of deadly insurgents and sundry criminals must immediately mobilise to protect themselves, their homes and their families.

“No people would tolerate to continue to live under such conditions while being led by a government that appears to run from threats and incapable and lacking in the political will to challenge the threats.

“Whether anybody wants to admit it or not, the current administration has failed in the vital area of providing security of life and property to its citizens.

“All the signs of imminent failure or perhaps complete failure of state have manifested in Nigeria as its government has failed to maintain a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within its borders.

“With the current dominant presence of warlords, paramilitary groups, corrupt policing, armed gangs, terrorism, and a messed up security apparatus of the country, the very existence of the state has been rendered dubious, and the Nigerian state is by all indicators appearing like a failed state.”

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“Everyone, even government, benefits from insecurity” Bandit kingpin says

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Abu Sanni, a self-confessed bandit kingpin, has said that insecurity has become a business everyone benefits from.

Sanni, who says he helped mastermind the abduction of students of Government Girls Secondary School Jangebe, Zamfara, was interviewed by BBC Africa Eye in a forest in Zamfara.

The documentary titled ‘The Bandit warlords of Zamfara’, will air today, July 25.

Yusuf Anka, a journalist, went into remote bandit enclaves in the state to speak with the bandits. 

Sanni told the journalist that the schoolgirls kidnapped on February 27, 2021, were taken by his gang as revenge against the government for sending the military after them.

He said his gang demanded N300 million from the government for the release of the schoolgirls but N60 million was paid.

“When the rainy season ended, they sent the military after us. We decided to show the government they should not interfere in our problems. We went to Jangebe and took the students. We wanted to get the government angry,” he said.

“We demanded N300 million but after negotiations, N60 million was paid for their release.”

Sanni said insecurity has become a lucrative business, adding that everyone, including the government, is benefitting from the violent attacks.

He said: “Because it has become a business. Everyone wants money. That is why things are deteriorating, from the top to the bottom.

“They say when there is insecurity, the government gets money. Everyone is benefitting. We also get money. Though for our money, blood is spilled so it continues.”

Politics, World News

Atiku Lied, He Offered Me VP Ticket In 2007 — Tinubu Blasts Former VP.

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Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has countered claims made by his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, in relation to the Muslim-Muslim ticket and what transpired between them in the build-up to the 2007 presidential elections.

Abubakar had in an interview with Arise TV on Friday morning claimed that he rejected Tinubu as his running mate in 2007 because he is opposed to fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the interest of the country’s unity.

“My fundamental disagreement and political departure with Asiwaju [Tinubu] since 2007 was due to the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Remember, I opted out of PDP because of zoning, and together with Asiwaju we formed ACN,” Abubakar said in the interview.

“Tinubu wanted to be my running mate when I was given the ACN presidential ticket in 2007, but I disagreed. And because of that, he switched his support to the late Umar Yaradua. That was the parting point.”

Tinubu, however, slammed the claim in a statement by his media aide Tunde Rahman on Saturday.

He accused Abubakar of demeaning himself by pandering to base prejudice at a moment Nigeria needs true leadership.

The statement read in part, “We are saddened to see such a man become unhinged from the truth. So obsessed is he with his quest for office, Atiku is willing to render any form of untruth if he thinks it might gain him a single vote. Atiku may want to be president. However, all he has shown is that he is pathological.

“Whatever moral compass he had has been lost. During a 22 July television interview, Atiku assaulted historic truth by lying that he did not name Tinubu as his running mate in 2007 on the Action Congress ticket because Atiku did not want a Muslim as his running mate.”

Tinubu explained that contrary to Abubakar’s position, he and the then Action Congress of Nigeria had helped him out in 2007 after he was frozen out by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and forced out of the PDP.

He said, “I feel sorry for dear old Atiku. Love of his own ambition has eclipsed his relationship with the truth and an honest account of the past. We formed the AC without his knowledge. When President Obasanjo virtually exiled him from the PDP, we lent him our support by giving him the AC platform for the 2007 election.

“Let me say openly that Atiku offered me the vice presidential ticket in 2007. Let me also say that my religion has not changed. When he offered the position to me, I was a Muslim and I believe he was aware of my religious faith at the time.”

Read the full statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT
Atiku demeans himself, office he seeks by pandering to base prejudice at a moment Nigeria needs true leadership – Tinubu

All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says all Nigerians should feel great pity and sadness for the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

In his desperate attempt to win the election by stoking religious bias, Atiku has reduced himself to uttering baseless lies on national television.

“We are saddened to see such a man become unhinged from the truth. So obsessed is he with his quest for office, Atiku is willing to render any form of untruth if he thinks it might gain him a single vote. Atiku may want to be president. However, all he has shown is that he is pathological,” the APC presidential candidate said in a statement on Sunday by his Media Office signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman.

“Whatever moral compass he had has been lost. During a 22 July television interview, Atiku assaulted historic truth by lying that he did not name Tinubu as his running mate in 2007 on the Action Congress ticket because Atiku did not want a Muslim as his running mate.”

Responding to the false account of PDP Presidential candidate, Tinubu set the record straight. He recalled that Atiku was not among those who founded the Action Congress.

“It was the actual founders of the AC who offered the party’s flag to Atiku because of the need to fight the authoritarian designs then President Obasanjo and the PDP had on Nigeria’s democracy.

“At that moment, Atiku had been unceremoniously pushed aside if not out of the PDP by Obasanjo. We needed to rally all forces to confront the one-party state Obasanjo had in mind. Atiku was simply a beneficiary of this collective duty to fight the attack on multi-party democracy the PDP had launched.

“I feel sorry for dear old Atiku. Love of his own ambition has eclipsed his relationship with the truth and an honest account of the past. We formed the AC without his knowledge. When President Obasanjo virtually exiled him from the PDP, we lent him our support by giving him the AC platform for the 2007 election.

“Let me say openly that Atiku offered me the vice presidential ticket in 2007. Let me also say that my religion has not changed. When he offered the position to me, I was a Muslim and I believe he was aware of my religious faith at the time.
“Atiku’s calculations and deceit had nothing to do with religion or his sensitivity to it. His conduct has everything to do with what we discovered about his paucity of character and love of intrigue.

“True to form, Atiku, fifteen years later, promised HE Governor Nyesom Wike the same thing this electoral season and similarly reneged. Governor Wike is a Christian.

“When it comes to intrigue, we can say that Atiku is without bias. He will attempt to lie and deceive both Christian and Muslim with equal vigour.

“Atiku has no business raising the issue of a Muslim-Muslim ticket except as a hypocrite. Perhaps he believes people have forgotten his antics during the 1993 election. After he woefully lost his bid to be the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, what did he do? He canvassed and lobbied harder than anyone to become the running mate to late Chief MKO Abiola. When it benefitted him personally, Atiku did not see anything wrong with Muslim-Muslim ticket. He saw everything right in such a ticket as long as he was on it.

“Now, Atiku criticizes my selection as running mate based on religion. He does so because he cannot criticize it on other grounds. If Atiku were to have one of his rare moments of honesty, he would admit that the person I selected as my running mate is more qualified for the position than the man who joined him. And this conclusion has nothing to do with religious faith. It has everything to do with competence, experience, ability, and vision.

“My running mate and I are here to build a more just and prosperous society for all Nigerians, be they Christian, Muslim or adherents of other faiths. It seems that Atiku is here trying to build an edifice of lies and call that the house into which Nigerians should walk and reside. He will fail in this sad attempt to trick an entire nation.

“Let me restate my position on religion and politics. When I decided that Senator Shettima was the best selection as my running mate, I listened to and weighed in serious balance the advice received from a broad and representative array of wonderful Nigerians who deeply care about this nation and the path it must go.

“Some people counselled that I should select a Christian to garner support of the Christian community. Some said I should select a Muslim for a similar reason. I clearly could not do both. Both positions had merit and right on their side. But neither position expressed what was most right and needed for the moment in which we find ourselves and the nation.

“All my life, the decisions regarding the team supporting me have always been guided by the principles of competence, innovation, compassion, integrity, fairness, and adherence to excellence. I was not going to depart from these principles at this important juncture. In fact, it was more important than ever before that I adhere to these principles.

“As Governor of Lagos State, these principles helped me assemble one of the most capable governing cabinets any state or this nation has seen. I trust in these principles to allow them to, once more, guide me to construct another exemplary team that can do Nigeria proud.

“In this crucial moment, where so much is at stake, we must prioritize leadership, competence, and the ability to work as a team over other considerations.

“This is the standard I will use to select the rest of my campaign team and if you elect me as your president when I staff my government. I will select the best people for the right jobs so that we can construct a better Nigeria now and for generations yet to come.”

Politics, World News

Everything I Have Done In Life Is By Accident Except Farming – Ex-President, Obasanjo Admits

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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that most of his life accomplishments, including his emergence as both a military Head of State and President of Nigeria, have come by accident.
He noted that the only thing which was not an accident for him was farming.

Obasanjo’s eight-year civilian rule between 1999 and 2007 laid the foundation for the economic recession and political instability which the country is still grappling with.
His tight-fist and sit-tight leadership made him attempt a third term in office which was truncated by the National Assembly, opinion leaders and public outcry across the country.
Obasanjo was an ex-military Head of State before he was elected as a civilian President in 1999.
Apart from his stints as Nigeria’s leader, he is reputed for being passionate about farming and since the end of his second tenure in 2007, he has retired to his Obasanjo Farm in Ota, Ogun State.
While appearing on a live radio interview with Segun Odegbami in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, the former President said he was always proud to be addressed as a farmer.
The host of the show had asked Obasanjo to speak about what he termed his “romance with farming.”
He said, “I don’t like the word you used, “romance with farming.”. I am a farmer. What do you mean by romance? Everything I have done in my life is by accident. The only thing that is not accidental is farming. Every other thing that I’ve been is by accident. And you called that romance? No; What do you mean by romance?
“You know my beginning. I was born and bred in a village. I went to school by accident. My father just said, “Won’t you do something different?” So I went into farming.
“When you look at countries that have made it, they developed on agriculture. First, for the purpose of food security; second, for the purpose of processing what they get from their farms, which is the beginning of industrialisation. Third, to give it out as export, which is for the purpose of foreign exchange; and fourth, as a means of generating employment for the youth.”
Meanwhile, Obasanjo advised Nigerian youths to take over leadership positions right now.


Politics, World News

Soludo explains what he wants to do with N100bn he’s borrowing

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Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo has explained what his government will be doing with the N100 billion he is borrowing. 

Speaking after assenting to the 2022 Revised appropriation budget of N170 billion on Friday July 22, Soludo said the loan would be used for critical infrastructural development particularly in building roads, bridges and others. 

Signing the budget tagged “Building Off From The Blocks” at the Government House, Awka, the Governor said Anambra people cannot wait for results that would be achieved.

Promising that there will be absolute prudence in making sure Anambra gets value for the money that will be borrowed, he added that the whole amount won’t be spent this year.

The money according to Soludo, would be judiciously used to create wealth for the benefit of the people of the state.

Calling for stronger synergy between the legislative and other arms of government for greater Anambra, the Governor commended members of the House of Assembly for being diligent, responsible and responsive to their job as lawmakers and representatives of the people of Anambra State.

He said; 

“The patriotic and  responsive manner the budget was passed by the State House of Assembly was not only commendable but signalled the birth of a new partnership for a greater Anambra.”

Recounting how he said that N250 billion was estimated as the amount required to build critical infrastructure towards the realisation of the livable and prosperous homeland in the state that every Anambra person yearns for during his campaign, Soludo insisted that there’s no underhand dealings in signing the budget as the process was conducted with integrity, patriotism and responsiveness.

Lamenting that the resources at the government disposal are abysmally lean, the Governor said they had no option but to draw up multiple strategies including taking a look at the trajectory of expenditure, introducing prudence in spending, among others.

As part of the measures to improve government finances, Soludo said efforts are being made to digitize the Internally Generated Revenue of the state to eliminate leakages.

He specifically  thanked the Speaker and the House members for understanding the exigencies to approve the planned loan.

The Governor said; 

“I promised Ndi Anambra the money will be spent on critical infrastructure, particularly on roads, bridges, flyover, among other strategic places.

“I thank Ndi Anambra for their support and sacrifices through payment of their fair share of taxes and others. For people who have violated public order such as indiscriminate building of illegal structures, we say enough is enough. These are necessary, painful steps that we must take to rescue our state.”

Politics, World News

Nigerians engage in Bishop Challenge to mock the APC over alleged hiring of fake clerics.

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Nigerians have started a challenge called the #BishopChallenge to mock the APC over claims they hired fake clerics to dress in religious regalia at the unveiling of the party’s Vice Presidential candidate.

On Wednesday, July 20, Nigerians expressed outrage when photos of the “clerics” at the APC event were shared online.

Many accused the ruling party of disrespecting the Nigerian people by hiring paid actors to wear religious robes in order to show that there are Christians who are in support of the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Two days later, the conversation has not died down.

Nigerians have now taken to various platforms to mock the “clerics” who were at the unveiling by using items from their homes as costumes to transform themselves into religious clerics

Many Nigerians engaging in the challenge used bedsheets as the Bishop’s robes, bowls and pots as the Bishop’s cap, and mopsticks or brooms as the Bishop’s staff.

Politics, World News

Reps propose extension of UTME result lifespan

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The House of Representatives has approved the extension of the lifespan of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result from one year to four years.

The result’s validity extension was proposed in JAMB Act Amendment Bill which passed second reading at the House on Thursday.

Sponsored by a member of the House from Oyo State, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, the legislation is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2021, and Other Related Matters.’

According to Akande-Sadipe, the amendment is meant to overhaul the existing Act, most especially the validity of scores, tenure of the registrar and membership of the board, among others.

The bill specifically seeks to amend Sections 5(1)(a) and 5(2) of the principal Act.

The new sections would read, “5(1)(a)(i) The general control of the conduct of matriculation examinations and admissions to courses leading to award of first Degrees, Higher National Diploma, National Diploma and Nigeria Certificate in Education by universities (by whatever name called), monotechnic/polytechnics (by whatever name called) and Colleges of Education (by whatever name called) in Nigeria which shall be valid for four years;

“5(1)(a)( ii) The conduct of entrance examinations and admission to all award of First Degrees, Higher National Diploma, National Diploma and Nigeria Certificate in Education by universities (by whatever name called), monotechnics/polytechnics (by whatever name called) and Colleges of Education (by whatever name called) in Nigeria which shall be valid for four years;

“5(2) For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall only be responsible for determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations and admissions to tertiary institutions in Nigeria offering academic programmes leading to the award of First Degrees, Higher National Diploma, National Diploma, Nigeria Certificate in Education and any other diploma or certificate in education courses, but shall not be responsible for examination or any other selective processes for postgraduate courses/programme and any other programme/courses offered by the tertiary institutions.”

In a related development, the House earlier on Thursday mandated its Committee on Tertiary Education to “invite the officials of JAMB with a view to resolving the current issue and all other related matters connected with technical hitches witnessed by candidates during the examination process.”

The committee is to report back to the House within seven days for further legislative action.

Politics, World News

‘Abuja’ rejected Tinubu’s move against Osun election – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party, on Friday, claimed that with the outcome of last weekend’s governorship election in Osun State, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, should withdraw from next year’s election.

This is as the party alleged that the former Lagos State governor’s effort to “frustrate” the outcome of the election won by its candidate and Governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, was rejected by stakeholders in Abuja.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, made the allegation during a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

“Asiwaju Tinubu’s humiliating rejection in Abuja, where he had reportedly rushed to in a desperate bid to frustrate the smooth conclusion of the Osun State Governorship election is a clear testimonial that the APC presidential candidate has been roundly deflated.
 
“Our party is privy to reports of how doors were locked against APC leaders in Abuja and how their frantic telephone calls and corrupt offers to truncate the Osun election were turned down,” Ologunagba alleged.

The PDP’s spokesperson noted that the party was also “appalled by the nauseating, blasphemous and unpardonable act by APC in hiring street artisans, fraudsters and touts and criminally dressing them in bishop’s vestments to orchestrate an endorsement for its collapsing presidential campaign”.
 
“The PDP, in the strongest term, condemns this profane and highly provocative act of desperation by the sinking APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the face of APC’s collapsing leadership, membership and followership structure across the country.
 
“Nigerians were sickened by videos and pictorial evidence of known mechanics, bus conductors and fraudsters sacrilegiously being dressed in fake bishop vestments and paid to endorse the unveiling of Asiwaju Tinubu’s widely rejected running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima.
 
“Such action is unacceptable and unbecoming of any individual aspiring to a leadership position at any level let alone, the office of the President. This is an embarrassment to leadership.
 
“With this scandalous act, Asiwaju Tinubu, who is still battling with issues of alleged perjury, non-existent certificate and allegations of extortions has become more ethically challenged and lost all moral standing to seek election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
“More sickening is the outcry by the hirelings that they were defrauded by agents of the APC Presidential candidate, who paid them sums ranging from N30,000 to N40,000 as against the N100,000 they were earlier promised.
 
“It is therefore ludicrous that instead of being remorseful and asking for forgiveness, the APC Presidential Campaign is shamelessly posting lame denials and excuses in the face of hard and verified evidence of its involvement in the shameless venture.”

On Osun election, Ologunagba said, “It is now crystal clear to Nigerians why the people of Asiwaju’s ancestral State of Osun and the South West geo-political zone which ought to be his natural stronghold outrighly rejected him and his APC in the July 16, 2022 Governorship election in Osun the State.
 
“PDP’s sweeping victory and the spontaneous jubilation across our country are direct statements by Nigerians on their resolve to stand on the platform of the PDP to free themselves from the agonizing stranglehold of the lying, cruel and life-discounting APC and its presidential candidate.”
 
He added, “The APC Presidential candidate and his party should know that it is in his own interest to withdraw from the race as it will be futile to go into an election in which the Will and aspiration of the people are manifestly against him and the APC.
 
“Asiwaju has no political fighting chance in the face of the soaring popularity of PDP’s very competent, candid, transparent, people-oriented and much more prepared Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar at the poll.
 
“The PDP is poised for a winning campaign and as always, our Party is open to suggestions and further collaborations with well-meaning Nigerians as we collectively march to liberate our nation in the 2023 general elections.”

Politics, World News

APC chieftains, supporters defect to PDP in Zamfara

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The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has recorded a major setback, following the defection of three strong members of the party with thousands of their supporters to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The three members of the party are: Salihu Maibuhu, Rabi,u Ilili and Abubakar Bargaja who were supporters of former Governor Abdul Aziz Yari.

They have announced their defection to the opposition PDP with thousands of their supporters, a situation that has dented the reconciliation process between Governor Bello Matawalle and Yari.

Speaking to The PUNCH on phone, one of the defectors, Salihu Maibuhu, said they were not interested in the reconciliation process between Matawalle and Yari, as such they decided to join PDP.

”We are not interested in Matawalle, Yari reconciliation and we have decided to defect to the opposition PDP in the state.

“We are not with Governor Bello Mattawalle and that was why we left the APC together with our supporters

“We will however continue with our relationship with the former Governor Abdul Aziz Yari.”

“We are not with Governor Bello Mattawalle and that was why we left the APC together with our supporters

“We will however continue with our relationship with the former Governor Abdul Aziz Yari.”

In his reaction, the spokesperson for the state chapter of Zamfara APC, Yusuf Idris, said the party was never moved by the defection to PDP even though they did not officially announce their defection.

Idris said, “The APC has never been moved by their decision to defect even as they failed to officially inform the party of their move which was without any reason but self-aggrandisement.

“Just as they left the APC, we are happy that the ruling party has continued to receive and welcome more defectors in the state and keeping it ahead of other political parties.”

Politics, World News

‘I don’t want to say the election is over’ – Trump refuses to say he lost in outtakes of January 7 speech shared at committee hearing.

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The January 6 House select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, revealed at Thursday’s primetime hearing unseen raw footage of President Donald Trump on the day of, and day after, the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump recorded and released a video message from the White House Rose Garden while the riot was underway on Capitol Hill, urging the mob to disperse and telling his supporters, “We love you. You’re very special.”

The hearing was held to find out what Trump did and didn’t do in the 187 minutes before he finally called off the attack, after hours of pleas from his inner circle. 

“I know your pain, I know you’re hurt,” Trump said in the footage that was eventually released. “But you have to go home now, we have to have peace. We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order.”

The next day he recorded another video from inside the White House. Outtakes of both videos were shown during the hearing on Thursday.

“The staff that remained at the White House on Jan. 7 knew the president needed to address the nation again and they had a speech prepared for him that morning. But he refused for hours to give it,” Rep. Elaine Luria, a Virginia Democrat and former Navy officer who sits on the Jan. 6 panel, said at Thursday’s hearing.

Luria said the committee heard testimony that Trump was finally convinced to deliver the message later in the evening of Jan. 7 by advisors who warned of “concerns he might be removed from power under the 25th Amendment or by impeachment.”

The outtakes, Luria said, were taken more than 24 hours after the video filmed in the White House Rose Garden.

After a few takes, Trump is seen saying, “This election is now over. Congress has certified the results,” before stopping himself and saying on camera, “I don’t want to say the election is over. I just want to say Congress has certified the results without saying the election is over, okay?”

His daughter and former senior advisor, Ivanka Trump, can be heard off camera coaching the president on the precise words to say in the video.

In a later moment of footage, Trump stumbles over the word “yesterday” and asks for it to be taken out of the prepared remarks.

In another video shown during the hearing, he smacks the presidential podium while repeating the line: “My only goal was to secure the integrity of the vote.”

Thursday marked the last in a series of televised hearings the committee scheduled this summer.

Politics, World News

Sowore responds after Atiku said he knows absolutely nothing about Nigeria and policy implementation.

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Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has responded to a comment Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) made about him on money spent on electricity while serving as a Vice President in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government.

Recall that shortly after Atiku tweeted about the national grid collapsing for the sixth time this year days ago, Sowore said Atiku was the vice president when his principal, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, budgeted $16 billion to revive power but with nothing to write home about.

Sowore had tweeted; 

The National Electrical grid collapse started when you and Obasanjo invested $16 billion to procure darkness for Nigeria, the @MBuhari regime came to gazette grid collapse as a law. Alhaji @atiku, don’t pretend that you care about the National Grid! #WeCantContinueLikeThis

Atiku who responded to the AAC Presidential candidate’s claim in an interview on Arise TV, said Sowore lives outside Nigeria and comes only after four years to contest election.

The PDP presidential candidate also added that Sowore knows nothing about policy implementation or even the policy initiative. 

Atiku said; 

“He is my opponent, what do you expect him to say? He has all along lived outside this country. He doesn’t even know the policy implementation or even the policy initiative. When we came in, the total generation was about 4,000 megawatts. We initiated the building of nine additional power stations. By the time those nine were finished, the capacity has gone up from 4,000 to 13,000 megawatts.

“Unfortunately, no correspondent increase as far as the transmission lines are concerned. There is no way our transmission lines cannot evacuate the power you are producing that they cannot collapse.

“These additional nine power stations were completed by Jonathan. Umaru Yar’adua was on it. He died and Jonathan continued and he completed them. That is why any time there is an increase in the power generation and then you’ve the transmission system that cannot evacuate power, there will be a collapse.

“So, he (Sowore) doesn’t even know, because he lives outside this country. He comes after every four years and contest for the presidency and goes back. He fails and goes back again. So, what does Sowore know about this country? Nothing; absolutely nothing.”

Responding to Atiku’s claims, Sowore said the PDP Presidential candidate “failed to address how $16b was used to procure darkness”. 

He tweeted; 

Dear @atiku, I watched a clip of your @ARISEtv  interview this morning wherein you were asked about my view on power scam under your regime, you failed to address how $16b was used to procure darkness instead you claimed “he doesn’t even know,” well these are some things I know

You ran for office for the first time in 1992 as a presidential aspirant of the SDP, I also ran for the post of the SU President of the UNILAG, you lost , I won. You left, I stayed, to deliver democracy to Nigerians.

I then left for the US in 1999 at the age of 28. You went on to become the VP of Nigeria, you left Nigerians in darkness after spending $16billion on power, I stayed with Nigerians, shining light on the mess you and your boss created in that sector. You left, I stayed!

After your failed plan to succeed your boss (Olusegun Obasanjo) who wanted a third term in office, I stayed to botch his third term bid. You, however, joined another political party and tried your luck, you left after you couldn’t win. You left, I stayed.

Since 1999, you have lived in about 5 countries outside of Nigeria. I know this because your IP keeps changing the same way you kept changing political parties. We both contested in 2019, it was my 1st time contesting, but after the elections, you left, I stayed. I’m still here!

You’ve done your rounds from SDP- UNCP- PDP- ACN-PDP- APC back to PDP, you have never done anything for the Nigerian people, you’ve only taken care of your needs and those that benefit your family, cronies, and friends. It is time to quit and let Nigeria experience electricity!

My question again, is this; what happened to the $16billion dollars released for electricity during your tenure as Vice President?

Politics, World News

Suspended AGF remanded in Kuje prison over alleged N109bn fraud

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Ahmed Idris, the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) has been remanded in Kuje prison by a High Court sitting in Abuja, over his alleged involvement in the illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of about N109 billion.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Idris on a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

The anti-graft agency which alleged that Idris and his co-defendants were indicted on a 14-count charge of stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109.5 billion, further revealed that the former AGF allegedly received gratification from one Olusegun Akindele, worth N15.1 billion, in exchange for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the federation.

One of the charges read; 

“That you, Ahmed Idris between February and December, 2021 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being a public servant by virtue of your position as the Accountant General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification in the aggregate sum of N15,136,221,921.46 ( Fifteen Billion, One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Two Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty One Naira and Forty Six Kobo) which sum was converted to the United States Dollars by the said Olusegun Akindele and which sum did not form part of your lawful remuneration but as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine (9) oil producing Sates in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section.”

Justice A.O. Adeyemi Ajayi who presided over the case on Friday July 22, ruled that Idris who was arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele and Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited, be remanded in Kuje prison. 

This came after Rotimi Jacobs, EFCC counsel, asked the court to grant the prosecution leave to prefer a criminal charge under section 109 of ACJA against the defendants.

Idris’ counsel, Chris Uche however orally asked the court to grant bail to his client. He said the bail should be granted pending when he files a written bail application.

Uche also said his client had to take the next available flight from Kano just to be able to make it for trial.

Justice Ajayi however ordered that Idris and others be remanded in prison.

Politics, World News

Upcoming bishops attended Shettima’s unveiling – Tinubu support organisation

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The Tinubu Support Organisation on Thursday described the attack on the clergypersons who attended the unveiling of the Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima, as “unwarranted”.

The group also clarified that the clergymen who attended the event were not known in Christendom yet and were still building their missions.

In a statement by the group’s Director of Media and Public relations, Bayo Onanuga, the group maintained that the “clergymen were not fake, not mechanics or yam sellers” as been rumoured online.

The statement read, “Tinubu Campaign Organisation has described as unwarranted distractions the viral pictures and videos of some Christian clergymen and women at the unveiling of the All Progressives Congress Vice presidential candidate, Senator KASHIM SHETTIMA, on Wednesday in Abuja.

“APC formally presented Senator Shettima to the public and its various organs as the running mate to the party’s presidential standard-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the well-attended ceremony at Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

“The TCO through its Director of Media and Communication, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the event was an open affair, which allowed members of the public to attend, including the clergymen and some others now being derided by hirelings of the opposition.

“We want to say that those clergymen were not fake, not mechanics or yam sellers as the purveyors of hatred have made Nigerians to believe in the social media. They are not big names in Christendom yet, they are gradually building up their missions.

“They are church leaders who genuinely believe that Nigerians must eschew politics of hatred and religious bigotry and rather embrace politics of peace and nation building.

“We, therefore, deplore the hysterical twisting of the presence of these men and women in cassocks and the false accusation against our candidates, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Shettima.

“The orchestrated social media sensation over the presence of the men is needless and all calculated to detract from the huge success recorded at the momentous event on Wednesday.

“We believe Nigerians are too wise and discerning to see through this shenanigan. Asiwaju Tinubu and his running mate and our great party are working very hard to provide purposeful leadership and good progressive governance that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

“We are well aware that the opposition parties and the sponsors of the social media charade are jittery and threatened by the intimidating political credentials of our candidates. The only way they hope to shift attention of public scrutiny away from their uninspiring candidates and credentials is to create social media distraction.

“Our campaign is determined on focusing on core governance issues that affect all Nigerians with a view to confronting them and make the desired improvements in the standard of living of our people.”

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