The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum ( SMBLF) has rejected the presidential running mate to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for accepting his nomination to run for the 2023 general elections.
A statement issued by leaders of SMBLF, Chief Edwin Clark, for the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Dr. Dru Bitrus, the President-General, Middle Belt Forum and Prof. George Obiozor, the President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide described Governor Okowa as “a betrayal of the highest order” for accepting the vice president slot.
The statement noted that the 17 governors of the Southern States, both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Chairmanship of the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, met in Asaba, the capital of Delta State on May 11, 2021, and took far-reaching decisions, that based on the principles of fairness, equity and justice, the presidency should rotate to the South at the end of the statutory eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
It stated that the Southern governors later met again in Lagos, on July 5, where they reaffirmed their decision, and again in Enugu, on September 16, to restate the call that the presidency should rotate to the South in 2023.
According to the statement, “It is unspeakable and quite disappointing that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who is currently Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, and a native of Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area (one of the Igbo-speaking areas) of Delta State, would exhibit such barefaced unreliability.”
The statement lamented that it was most unfortunate that Okowa, who should know better, accepted his appointment as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The forum noted that it had nothing personal against Ifeanyi Okowa, but described his action as “treacherous and tantamount to a despicable pawning of the political future of the people of Southern Nigeria.”
Governor Okowa has, according to the statement, by his action, betrayed the trust reposed on him by his colleagues, the southern governors, the entire good people of southern Nigeria and all well-meaning Nigerians.
It stated that he has made himself persona non grata, not only with SMBLF but all citizens who treasure their oneness and yearn for a more united and peaceful Nigeria.
The statement opined that it is not a matter of loyalty to one’s political party but rather a greedy, parochial and unpatriotic action committed against the general interest of his State, Delta State, the Niger Delta region and Southern Nigeria.
Indications have emerged that the cold war between the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and his political godfather, James Ibori, almost denied the governor the chance of emerging as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that Ibori, an ally of Atiku, initially kicked against the choice of Okowa, owing to the disagreement between them over the PDP governorship primary in the state. In the primary, Ibori’s candidate, David Edevbie, scored 113 votes and lost to Okowa’s candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, who scored 590 votes. Oborevwori is the Speaker of the state House of Assembly.
The development was said to have angered Ibori, who felt betrayed by Okowa’s opposition to his preferred choice as his successor. The former governor had while in the prison in the United Kingdom directed his supporters to ensure Okowa emerged as the party’s candidate and that he won the main election. He won the election, defeating Tony Obuh, the choice of then governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Findings showed that Ibori felt slighted with the way Okowa behaved and was of the opinion that the governor, whom he helped to power, was out to humiliate him.
How Ayu, others helped Okowa’s emergence
A member of the party’s Board of Trustees, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however told Saturday PUNCH that indeed Ibori was opposed to Okowa becoming the running mate and could leverage his relationship with Atiku to frustrate his emergence, especially when there were other options he could choose from.
The BoT member said it took the intervention of some party chieftains who spoke to Ibori to let go, paving the way for Okowa to emerge.
“It was against that backdrop that the likes of the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu; a former National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, and some members of the party stepped in and spoke with Ibori.
“A former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and some members of the BoT and National Executive Committee were involved in the process.”
Another source noted that the names of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Okowa were presented by the party’s advisory committee to the screening party but Atiku chose Okowa as his choice.
The source said on Friday, “I can confirm to you that Okowa was recommended by the chairman (Ayu), Sule Lamido and Babangida Aliyu. Well, you can’t say that the candidate himself did not have his choice even before telling the party stakeholders to choose for him but the truth is that the chairman and those two stakeholders also recommended governor Okowa.”
An aide to Umar Damagum, the chairman of the advisory committee, also confided in our correspondent, “The advisory committee submitted three names to the presidential candidate to choose from, and in his own capacity as the candidate of the party he chose Okowa, not because he is more qualified than others on the list, but that was his choice.”
Meanwhile, asked what Ibori and Okowa said concerning the cause of their rift, one of the sources privy to the meeting said, “Okowa said Ibori did not call him to inform him about his candidate and Ibori said the same thing. I think it was a communication gap between them.”
It was learnt that the emergence of Ibori’s daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, as the party’s candidate for the Ethiope Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, was a way of pacifying the former governor.
Wike’ll work for PDP’s victory – Atiku’s aide
Speaking on the outcome of the selection process, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, told one of our correspondents in an interview that Okowa was chosen because he shared similar goals and vision with the candidate. “Okowa complements and shares with the candidate the vision of a united Nigeria,” he added.
Reacting to how Wike lost out, he said, “Wike himself has not complained. He is a strong party man who will match his desire with commitment to ensure that PDP wins the election. The candidate is still reaching out to ensure that there is a united front so that everybody will be brought on board. All of them will work together to ensure the success of the party.”
Okowa in an interview on Arise TV on Friday night also said he was reaching out to his colleagues (governors) on the need for them to work together for the party’s victory.
Group warns against using Delta funds for campaign
The campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has warned Okowa not to use state funds to fund Atiku’s campaign.
A statement on Friday by the organisation’s Director of Communications and Media Strategy, Ima Niboro, read in part, “It is sad that on a day the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, approved immediate payment of outstanding gratuities, pension arrears and death benefits for retirees of Rivers State Public Service, the Delta State House of Assembly approved N25bn loan for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa allegedly to plant palm trees.
“We have sufficient grounds to suspect that these loans are being taken to prosecute Atiku’s presidential campaign. We will not stand by and watch Okowa impoverish our people in order to enthrone a man who has nothing to offer Deltans in particular and Nigerians in general.”
Ohanaeze eulogises Okowa
The apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has congratulated Okowa over his emergence.
A statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, titled ‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo congratulates Okowa as vice-presidential candidate’, partly read, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide heartily congratulates an Igbo prodigy, an astute administrator, sagacious politician, brilliant physician, creative visionary, prudent resource manager, detribalised patriot, purveyor of morals, a quintessential gentleman and a poster personality, His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State, as he secures the highly coveted vice-presidential candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The life of Okowa is a veritable tribute to humility, sincerity, simplicity, hard work, perseverance and centrality of morals in the dynamics of power. As a governor, Okowa had a clear vision which he pursued with passion, valour, candour, honour and unassailable accomplishments.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by Prof George Obiozor, is very proud of you. We are optimistic that your candidacy will add enormous electoral value to your political party, the PDP.”
‘Okowa’ll work in consonance with Atiku’s goals’
The Atiku Support Organisation has said the choice of Okowa as Atiku’s running mate was because they were convinced he (Okowa) would work in consonance with Atiku’s goals, mission and vision.
The group in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Victor Moses, said, “The choice of Governor Okowa is in recognition of his immense ability to work in consonance with the goals, mission and visions of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, to salvage Nigeria from the administration of the Buhari-led government of the APC.”
Also, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP has applauded the choice of Okowa as Atiku’s running mate.
The News Agency of Nigeria on Friday quoted the state chairman of the party, Mr Philips Aivoji, as saying the party was sure to triumph with Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa ticket.
He said, “We have got a good vice-presidential candidate, a man of integrity and honour. He is a trusted and tested party leader. Some people trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord, we will triumph.”
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Debo Ologunagba, told one of our correspondents on Friday that the party’s presidential candidate and his running mate were experienced hands ready to move the country forward.
He added, “The team is well experienced, has the strength and the record of performance to also unify the country.”
Shine Peller claimed that the primary election in his constituency was rigged against him and alleged assassination attempt on his life.
Shina Peller, a member of the House of Representatives, has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmaker, who represents lseyin/ltesiwaju/ Kajola/lwajowa federal constituency of Oyo State, announced his resignation on Friday via Twitter.
Mr Peller contested Oyo North Senatorial District primary election against Fatai Buhari but lost.
He polled five votes against Mr Buhari who garnered 570 votes.
The lawmaker claimed that the primary election was rigged against him and alleged assassination attempt on his life.
He promised to announce a new political party on Wednesday.
“I have tried my best for APC, the party style of democracy in Oyo State kills my conscience and I have to put my people’s interest first.
“I have realised that the youths and the people will continue to be at the mercy of few at the top. I’ll announce my new political party on 21|06| 22,” he said.
The last primaries created an upset in the National Assembly as several members lost their bid to return to the legislature.
It is believed that the exclusion of statutory delegates by the current Eectoral Act is responsible for the rate of defeat.
The lawmakers erroneously excluded statutory delegates from Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act. Both chambers later amended the section but the president has yet to sign or decline assent to the bill.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila lamented the poor outing of lawmakers in primaries.
Similarly, the House has resolved to consider a motion to veto the decision of the president on the bill. However, no action has been taken so far.
A total of 989,202 registered voters are expected troop out to the polls to make their choice from a list of 16 governorship candidates.
Residents of Ekiti State will today elect a new governor who will steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.
A total of 989,202 registered voters are expected to troop out to the polls to make their choice from a list of 16 governorship candidates.
The candidates are Reuben Famuyibo of the Accord Party; Ajagunigbale Olajide of AAC; Oluwole Oluyede, ADC; Kemi Elebute-Halle, ADP; Abiodun Oyebanji, APC; Benjamin Abidoyin, APGA; Fagbemo Adegbenro, APM; Christiana Olatawura, APP; and Daramola Olugbenga, LP.
Others are Fatomilola Oladosu, NNPP; Iyaniwura Ifedayo, NRM; Olabisi Kolawole, PDP; Ben Agboola, PRP; former Governor Olusegun Oni, SDP; Adebowale Ajayi, YPP and Adeola Akinyemi, ZLP.
Although all the candidates campaigned and canvassed votes, three of them, Messrs Oyebanji, Oni and Kolawole of the APC, SDP and PDP respectively, are considered the frontrunners with one of them most likely to win the election. Whoever wins today’s election, will replace the outgoing governor, Kayode Fayemi, in October.
The leading candidates have their strength in all the 16 local government areas with a total of 177 wards or registration areas and a cumulative number of 2,445 polling units.
The people have been sensitised. INEC has assured of its readiness to conduct a successful poll. The police and other security agencies have been mobilised and deployed to protect the voters and the ballots
PREMIUM TIMES reporters are on ground to bring you the live updates of the election. This newspaper will also be ready with timely results as they are announced at the polling units.
The Kogi State House of Assembly on Friday, June 17, impeached the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Muhammed.
The House also impeached three other members; Majority Speaker, Bello Hassan Abdullahi, Deputy Majority leader, Ndakwo Idris and Deputy Chief Whip, Edoko Moses Ododo.
In an emergency sitting held at the Assembly in Lokoja, on Friday June 17, the lawmakers accused Ahmed Muhammed of gross misconduct and arbitrary use of the office.
In a motion of urgent importance read by Hon. Enema Paul, member representing (Dekina/Okura), State Constituency, said 17 lawmakers signed the impeachment of Hon. Ahmed Mohammed and the suspension of the three other principal officers in the house.
The House announced Alfa Momoh Rabiu, the lawmaker representing Ankpa II as the new deputy speaker of the state assembly.
The new principal officers elected are Hon. Muktar Bajeh, (Majority Leader), Umar Isah Tanimu, (Deputy Majority Leader), Enema Paul, (Deputy Chief Whip), and Ahmed Dahiru, (Chief Whip).
The Speaker, Prince Mathew Kolawole had earlier announced the dissolution of all the house standing committees and appointed Committee members.
The affected officers were also suspended from coming into the house till further notice.
The House adjourned sitting till 5th July, 2022.
It was gathered that before the impeachment process, there was a heavy presence of security personnel at the Assembly complex consisting of the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe North, Hon. Bashir Machina has gone into hiding to safe himself from possible body harm.
Machina, was elected as the candidate of the party after the incumbent, Senate President Ahmad Lawan decided to contest the presidential ticket of the party instead of seeking to re-contest his senate seat.
Lawan was subsequently defeated by Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and is believed to be interested in dragging the ticket back from Machina, who has been adamant, insisting that he would not entertain anything of such.
Informed political sources revealed that pressures has continued to mount on Machina to give the ticket to Lawan who has been at the National Assembly since the resumption of the present democracy in 1999.
The argument from within and outside Yobe State is that Lawan stands a chance of being returned as the Senate President in 2023 and getting better bargain for the people of the Northeast state.
Sources revealed that as the pressure continues to mount, Machina for fear that his stand not to relinquish the ticket may assume dangerous dimension has gone into hiding.
Confirming this, is a statement issued on Thursday by the candidate’s campaign organisation.
The statement signed by Hussaini Isah, the Spokesman, Bashir Sheriff Machina (BSM) Campaign Organisation read: “Information at the disposal of Bashir Machina Campaign Organisation is that there is security threat to the senatorial candidate of APC for Yobe North, Hon. Bashir Sheriff Machina especially in relation to his refusal to relinquish his legally acquired ticket.
“Credible sources confirmed that some people want him arrested or at worst eliminated. They have resorted to employing diabolical means over unlawful means, in pressurising him to step down.
“We use this opportunity to notify the security agencies of this threat or likely breach of security around our senatorial candidate, we believe the security agencies will rise up to the occasion and take the threat seriously.”
The statement added that: “As Campaign Organisation, we warned that the people behind his ordeal in the last four days should be held responsible if any mishap happens to him. By this notice, we are putting everybody on red alert.”
Federal High Court authorities have refuted media reports that one of its judges, Inyang Ekwo, disqualified All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate Biodun Oyebanji from the Ekiti state gubernatorial election. .
The gubernatorial election in Ekiti state is scheduled for Saturday, June 18.
“Such a report is unfounded, highly malicious and is intended not only to mislead members of the public, but also to cause tension,” the court’s chief information officer, Catherine Christopher, said Thursday night.
The statement further discredited the existence of such a case before Mr. Ekwo or any other court judge.
“The Federal Superior Court hereby discredits the existence of any such case in its entire jurisdiction and indeed the injunction as alleged.
“The court categorically states that there has been no such case before the Hon. justice IE Ekwo.
“It is worrying that some media professionals are quick to give false information to the public for their own selfish interests, and thus unduly heat up politics,” the court’s leadership lamented.
“This spurious report sold to the public is very unfortunate and unacceptable. It should be totally ignored,” the statement advises.
He advised journalists to imbibe ethical values of “professionalism and truth” in their reporting on issues.
Some news platforms reported on Thursday that the Abuja Federal High Court annulled the APC gubernatorial primary election in Ekiti state for alleged irregularities that characterized the process.
But APC in Ekiti state had previously criticized the report insisting that Biodun Oyebamiji, who emerged as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the primary election, was still their candidate in Saturday’s election. The party urged its supporters to ignore any reports to the contrary.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, gave the assurance on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
He revealed that over 980,000 residents have been captured in the commission’s voters’ register but less than 200,000 of the figure were expected at the polling units.
“As of today, we have a total of 988,923 voters on the voters’ register,” Okoye said. “This is the number that will vote during this governorship election.
“Out of this number, as of the 13th day of June 2022, 749,065 have collected their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). So, we are ready for this particular election and every PVC that has not been collected will be mopped up and kept in safe custody pending the conclusion of the election.”
He recounted that the chairman of the electoral umpire had hinted that the collection of PVCs by residents would stop on Thursday.
Optimum Operation
The INEC official explained that this was to allow the commission the opportunity to separate the PVCs collected in order of the respective polling units, registration areas, per local government areas.
He believes such an action will enable accredited observers, the media, and political parties among other stakeholders to have access to the number of persons who are eligible to vote in every polling unit and every registration area.
Okoye also hinted that the commission has concluded arrangements to ensure voters were not delayed unnecessarily due to accreditation in a bid to cast their ballots.
According to him, INEC has deployed more Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the exercise compared to the number of polling units where the election will take place.
“In any polling unit where we have more than 750 registered voters, we are going to deploy an additional BVAS to those polling areas,” the INEC national commissioner said. “We have a total of 2,445 polling units that will be used for this election, but we have deployed a total of 3,346 BVAS to Ekiti State. So, we are going to have redundancies in every registration area.
“We have also trained enough registration area technical assistants who can intervene at very short notice if there is any challenge with the BVAS. From the test runs we have done, we are confident that the BVAS will perform optimally and that every person who is genuinely and legally registered to vote in this election will have an opportunity of exercising his/her right.”
hairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau state, North Central Nigeria Rev. James Kantoma who was kidnapped by gunmen have regained his freedom.
Kantoma who doubles as the Catholic priest in charge of St Anthony’s Parish in Jos East LGA was kidnapped at his church compound in Angware community, in the early hours of Monday when gunmen invaded the community.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria Plateau North Rev. Nenman Gowan who confirmed the release on Thursday in Jos said the Priest is in stable condition but undergoing treatment and rehabilitation after suffering varying degrees of traumatic experience.
He did not however mention if any ransom was paid before the release of the Catholic Priest.
The abductors had earlier on demanded 50 Million Naira as ransom.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has announced Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
Atiku made the announcement at a meeting attended by PDP executives at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, said a 17-member committee had been set up by the party to pick a running mate.
He said the committee had submitted three names to Atiku to choose from.
The final decision however, Ayu said, was Atiku’s.
Speaking at the announcement event, Atiku said making a choice between the three names had been a difficult decision.
He also noted that some of the qualities he looked out for include someone who understands the enormity of the challenges facing the country and one who has demonstrated, from experience, that he can proffer some solutions.
He said he looked out for one who has the qualities of a president, who can stand in for him when he’s not around.
According to him, while all the three names submitted were qualified, he had to settle for just one: Okowa.
‘Congratulations’ Okowa had arrived the PDP headquarters in a celebratory mood.
Some party members welcomed him into the building with the words ‘congratulations’.
Okowa and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, were among names being mentioned as prospective running mates to the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
‘Distinguished’ Wike
Earlier, the PDP had denied reports that it had ruled out Wike from the Vice Presidential race.
“If anything, our Party reiterates its confidence in Governor Nyesom Wikes’s outstanding ability and commitment to the ideals and values of the PDP,” a statement signed by spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, said.
“His records of achievement as a Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Minister of State for Education, currently Governor of Rivers State and the runner-up in the PDP Presidential Primary stand him out as possessing requisite qualities, qualifications, capacity and wide acceptability for the position of the Vice-Presidential candidate of our Party.
“The various positions creditably held by Governor Nyesom Wike distinguished him as an excellent team player in public governance.
“In fact, Governor Wike’s energy, brilliance, commitment and passion were acknowledged by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our Party and he is adjudged as the foremost candidate in consideration for the position of the Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP.
“While the PDP notes the interest of the media and the public in our Party’s choice of Vice-Presidential candidate it is imperative to state that as an organic Party, all our processes will be followed through in strict adherence to our procedures before any official announcements.
“The PDP urges Nigerians to disregard the mischievous reports aimed at undermining our Party’s unity at this critical time.”
Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum Rotimi Akeredolu has again weighed in on the widespread insecurity witnsessed across the country.
Delivering a keynote address at the opening of the ongoing Attorneys-General of the 36 States, the Ondo state Governor noted that police is overwhelmed.
Akeredolu who disclosed that the police blamed non-availabilty of vehicles for their inability to mobilise to the scene of the recent Owo attack, asked the Police to “close shop” if the Federal Government could not meet its equipment needs.
The Governor also challenged states to restructure the country by, among others, setting up their own anti-graft agencies.
He also said Nigerians might be forced to bear arms soon as the mass killings, kidnappings and other serious security failures around the country had shown that a central police command was ineffective to keep Nigerians safe.
Akeredolu said;
“The Police have failed.
“We will carry arms very soon. Oga Malami. There is no other way.”
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah has said that democracy is not developing at the right pace in Nigeria because those making the laws are benefiting from the system.
The Convener of the National Peace Committee who spoke in an interview on Channels Television, stated that as long as politicians make the rules, there would not be an improvement in the country.
Kukah said;
“The problem with Nigeria’s situation is that the sinners are the ones trying to make the law. These are the consequences of where we find ourselves now.
“I speak to the fact that as long as the universities are the way they are, as long as we do not have privileged intellect and the diagnostic tools required to refine processes, as long as we are hoping that politicians are the ones to set their own rules, as long as we expect that almost all of these are politics, there would not be an improvement in the country.
“In my view, had it been we have a country that is working, a country that takes research seriously, it is the business of political scientists to equip the people in power with the required tools for analysis, to the options that are available to ensure things go the way they should go.
“But unfortunately, if you have a situation where the universities are not funded, the country itself behaves as if it wants to close the universities, what else do you expect?
“Unless and until this government and other government in Nigeria takes academic exercise very seriously, we can not expect the person who is sick to be the one to provide the medicine for his cure.”
Kukah also acknowledged that the amendment in the electoral law would instil greater confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
He added;
“Gradually, as the quality of people’s lives is increasing, people can become a little bit relaxed but for now, politics in Africa and Nigeria seems to be a bit tense because of the nature of the sharing of the political benefits.
“If people in power continue to practise nepotism when people feel that they have voted and the people who are benefiting are those who have just come out of the comfort of their rooms, they are bound to feel frustrated. These are ingredients for violence in Nigerian politics.”
Former captain of the Russian football team, Igor Denisov, has criticized Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine describing it as a ‘catastrophic.’
The Russian parliament recently passed legislation that could see dissenters against the country’s military action jailed for up to 15 years.
But Denisov, 38, a former defensive midfielder who captained the Russian team between 2012 and 2016, shunned the new legislation to criticize the ongoing brutal conflict.
‘These events are catastrophic,’ Denisov told Nobel. ‘It’s horrific. I am not sure if I will be jailed or killed for these words, but I am speaking as it is.’
He added that he no longer feels any pride in his country and even wrote to President Putin asking for him to halt the war, which has seen thousands killed and millions more driven from their homes.
Denisov, who played for Russian clubs Zenit Saint Petersburg, Dynamo Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow during his club career, was an influential player for the national team.
He played 54 times for Russia between 2008 and 2016, representing them at the 2012 European Championship and the 2014 World Cup.
Russia have been banned from playing in international competitions as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, with their club sides also banned from European competitions such as the Champions League.
Fiery Enugu Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has declared that the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi can never be Nigeria’s President.
DAILY POST reports that he made the declaration at his Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria.
Mbaka, who did not mince words, said unless God ceases to exist, Obi would never smell the seat of the President.
He said it was better to have an old man as President than a ‘stingy young man’.
He said, “A stingy man, that cannot give people his money, with this hunger ravaging the land, and you are saying he is the one you want. You want to die of hunger? Are you people insane? Where is the Holy Spirit?
“It is now that Atiku is seriously contesting for President; now that he is contesting without Peter Obi; it is now that he is serious? We want somebody that is serious. Unless Peter comes here to kneel, if he becomes President, he will close down this ministry. What we are doing is spiritual,
“Listen, a good old man is better than a young wicked man; Peter Obi is going nowhere as far as God lives. If Igbos want a representative, it is not someone like Peter Obi.
“I should not have talked but I saw my video going round everywhere as if Fr. Mbaka wholeheartedly came out and apologized. No, I didn’t apologize wholeheartedly, it was out of duress. I had to obey my Bishop, in obedience I had to, it is not of my volition. I did it because I am a Catholic Priest, my Bishop said, do it, my own is ‘Yes my Lord’.
“I did not say he is a bad man; I said he is a stingy man. A hungry man wants someone that is generous; the man has so much money, but he is ‘I, me, myself’. But that money will not be useful to him. I am very happy now that I have spoken out. That apology is a poisonous curse against Peter Obi.
“If he is wise he should have come here after that apology to say he is sorry but he waited. Anybody supporting him is wasting his money, he is going nowhere.
“He is my friend. When he was chased out of Government House, he knew the role I played to bring him back, but how did he pay me back? Night meetings we attended to bring him back, ask him, ask Eselu Uga, ask Archbishop Anikwenwa, they know where and how we did it and he was brought back.
“Ask Peter since then what he used to reward Adoration. If you like Peter Obi, tell him to come and ask for forgiveness. Let him come and redo what he did. There is an altar of God he blasphemed; he defiled an altar of God, the Holy Spirit.
“I called Atiku after that apology, he was in Dubai, I told him that there is a revelation on your presidential election; that you are going to be the President of Nigeria on one condition, that Peter Obi is not going to be your running mate. Peter Obi has incurred a curse to himself, which means that he is carrying a curse; if you want to be President, change him.
“Atiku responded that I cannot, Peter must be my running mate, we must win. You saw what happened. Atiku is still alive. That is why I said it is now that Atiku is preparing to be President.
“Just like Jonathan, I called him, God has shown that you are going to win this election but on one condition; Jega should be changed. If you change Jega you will win Buhari, but if you don’t, Buhari will win you. Goodluck told me, ‘Fr. I will not remove Jega, we will still win’. He held on to Jega and failed.
As part of the plan to beat the Friday June 17 deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to political parties to submit the names of presidential candidates and their running mates, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu has submitted the name of Kabir Ibrahim Masari.
It was, however, gathered that the name of Masari, who hails from the home State of President Muhammadu Buhari, would later be changed after the party stakeholders must have agreed on the suitable vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.
A party source confirmed to DAILY POST that it was true that Tinubu has submitted the name of his running mate, but added that “consultation is still ongoing”
It was further gathered that the move by Tinubu and the ruling party was to meet the statutory requirement and beat the deadline set by the electoral umpire.
However, Tinubu will today meet President Muhammadu Buhari as consultation continues on the issue of his running mate.
There have been strong opposition against the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket been mulled by the ruling party.
Though some names had been mentioned as possible running-mates to the former Lagos State governor, it was gathered that no compromise had been reached yet.
A source in the Tinubu’s camp told DAILY POST that all the northern governors want the position.
The source added that if Tinubu has his way, he would have loved to pick the former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as his running-mate, but he wanted the president and the governors to pick.
The source said: “All northern governors want it. If Asiwaju has his way, it will be Senator Kashim. But he wants the president and governors to pick for him.”
Asked why Tinubu does not want to pick his running mate himself, the source stressed he didn’t want to be a ‘winner takes it all.’
“He does not want to be the winner takes it all. You need to respect the President. PMB did not choose a VP for himself in 2015,” the source said.
One of the leaders of Tinubu Support Group, Hon. James Faleke was at the party secretariat yesterday, but his mission was not known.
But the source confirmed that Faleke was at the party secretariat yesterday to collect INEC’s form for the presidential and vice presidential candidates to be filled.
Asked if Faleke was there to submit the name of the running mate to Tinubu, the source insisted that no compromise had been reached in the issue of running mate.
“When the decision is made, it would be made known to all and the decision would be made tomorrow (today),” he added.
“It reminds me of 1993. A lot of people came out for the first time to vote because of MKO. We are going to have a repeat of that in 2023,” Kola Abiola says.
Kola Abiola, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), said on Wednesday in Abuja that the party would win the 2023 presidential election.
Kola, the son of deceased Moshood Abiola, popularly called MKO, said PRP’s victory would be synonymous with that of his deceased father in the June 12, 1993, election.
He made the assertions when he and governorship candidates of the party received their Certificates of Return from the chairman of the party, Falalu Bello.
Mr Abiola who noted that it would be 30 years in 2023 since his late father won the presidential election, said “there is going to be a repeat in 2023.’’
“It reminds me of 1993. A lot of people came out for the first time to vote because of MKO. We are going to have a repeat of that in 2023.
“If we can win it then, we should win it now,’’ he said.
He said that the biggest role the PRP would play at the general elections was to serve as a bridge for the current generation of Nigerian youth.
“We are going to bring the younger generation into politics, governance and leadership.
“I’m appealing to youths to regard us as the vehicle of change; we should make sure that at the next election, we have the highest voter turnout.
“By this, we will make your voices and number count,’’ he said.
Mr Abiola urged the party’s governorship candidates to ensure that young people obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“This is the only party that doesn’t have any encumbrances. We will use that to build the future of Nigeria.
“We are a national party. To everybody’s surprise, we had 3,625 delegates at the primary elections.
“We are present in every local government area. We have 22 candidates for governorship elections and we have more than 500 candidates vying for other different offices.
“In the history of the PRP, this is the largest so far till date,’’ he said.
PRP’s gubernatorial candidate in Cross River, Usani Usani, urged the electorate to “assess who they want and vote for that person irrespective of party.
“There are no two major parties as insinuated in some quarters. Nigeria has 18 registered political parties which are all active.
“I believe PRP has got what it takes to rule this country,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr Bello said the PRP is ready to offer leadership at all levels.
“We can compete with all parties to give the nation a new lease of life. Our candidates will win in free and fair elections,’’ he stressed.
The campaigns in the last week had been rancorous between the leading parties.
Governorship candidates of political parties for the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State on Wednesday signed an agreement to maintain the peace in the conduct of the election.
The campaigns in the last week had been rancorous between the leading parties.
On Saturday, a clash between the All Progressives Congress and the Social Democratic Party resulted in the death of one person and injuries many others.
The introduction of lethal weapons such as automatic rifles have raised the levels of conflict to a new dimension.
Tope Ajayi, a member of one of the drivers’ union in Ekiti, died after sustaining gunshot wounds after a violent clash on Saturday.
A reprisal attack was foiled by a combined team of the army, police and other security agencies on Sunday.
The peace agreement is expected to douse tensions with the respective pledges made by the candidates at the signing of the agreement.
The candidates signed the peace accord before the Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Commission(NPC) which committed them to free, fair, and credible poll.
Mr Abubakar, who was represented by the convener, NPC, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, appealed to the people of the state to live up to the ideals of integrity and honour to have a free, fair and credible election on Saturday.
He also urged citizens to be patient and conduct themselves orderly, while tasking INEC to ensure that obstacles were not placed on the path of the people to exercise their franchise on Saturday.
The former Head of State called on residents of the state to take advantage of the off-season election to install leaders of their choice.
“We are now witnessing a joyful surge of excitement across the country over the issue of voter registration,” he said.
“Nigerians are now using various platforms, from faith based association, civil society groups, ethnic and community platforms to assist other federal and state government agencies to encourage voter registration among our people.
“Since the 2015 elections, when the NPC came into being, we at the NPC have over the years gradually been woven into the beautiful fabric of the good work of the INEC.
“The collaboration has given birth to the various successful amendments to the electoral law, which has also helped to strengthen the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral processes.”
The NPC further appealed to the people to come out and vote and ensure that they stay alive to witness the good governance the governor they are electing would bring to the fore.
In his submission, the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the intervention of NPC had contributed in no small measure to the sustenance of peace in the country.
Mr Yakubu said no credible election can be achieved in a violent election, saying INEC would give a transparent and credible election, and that the votes of Ekiti people would count.
The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of traditional rulers, Ayodele Adejuwon, said the traditional rulers in the state would not tolerate any bloodshed during the poll, calling on Ekiti people to vote without violence.
He said no political ambition was worth the blood of any Ekiti citizen, urging politicians to play according to the rules and eschew violence during the polls.
A resident who identified himself as Adeyanju Peter told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that there is fear after the clashes between the parties and many may not come out to vote on Saturday.
“I want to send a message to political parties, that there is fear and many may not come out to vote on Saturday,” he said.
“Unless the party leaders come out to encourage the people and allay their fears, the problem will result in low turnout.”
Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday but is experiencing “mild symptoms,” the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said.
“He is fully vaccinated and has been boosted twice,” the agency said. “He is currently experiencing mild symptoms. Dr. Fauci will isolate and continue to work from his home. He has not recently been in close contact with President Biden or other senior government officials.”
Fauci has been the face of the government’s response to COVID-19 for more than two years and has previously avoided testing positive for the virus. But he is the latest in a long string of high-profile cases among lawmakers and government officials in Washington, D.C.
Biden is so far one of the few top government officials who has avoided getting it, though the White House acknowledges he could.
While Fauci is 81, cases are significantly less worrisome today than in the early days of the pandemic, before vaccines and booster shots were available, though there remains some risk.
Pfizer’s treatment pill, Paxlovid, also lowers the risk for high-risk people who test positive.
Fauci’s positive case illustrates how widespread infections have become, with many people having tested positive at least once. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra tested positive a second time in less than a month this week.
New subvariants of omicron have shown an increased infectiousness and an ability to evade vaccines to a certain degree, such that there is far from complete protection against getting infected. Vaccines and booster shots still provide valuable protection against severe disease, which many experts view as the most crucial.
Suspect admits to murder of missing journalist, indigenous advocate in BrazilUS prison workers produce $11B worth of goods and services for ‘little to no pay at all’
The White House has maintained that tools like boosters and Paxlovid mean the country is in a new era of the virus where cases have been defanged to some degree.
“Dr. Fauci will follow the COVID-19 guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical advice from his physician and return to the NIH when he tests negative,” the NIH said.
• Muslim-Muslim ticket dangerous, declaration of war, CAN warns parties, vows stiff resistance
Groups including the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Catholic Society of Nigeria have warned political parties against fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election.
They gave the warning as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the All Progressives Congress governors and the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday intensified moves to pick Tinubu’s running mate ahead of Friday’s deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Groups campaigning for Tinubu told The PUNCH that what mattered was a responsive and responsible government, not religion.
Since the emergence of Tinubu, a southern Muslim, there has been controversy over his running mate for the 2023 presidential election with CAN insisting that a Muslim-Muslim ticket was a recipe for crisis.
But the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, said competence not religion should be considered when picking a running mate.
CAN, in an open letter addressed to all political parties on Tuesday said it would take a Muslim-Muslim ticket as a declaration of war and would mobilise against political parties that adopted it.
The religious body in the letter advised politicians not to sow seeds of religious conflicts among Nigerians.
The letter which was signed by the national secretary of the association, Joseph Daramola was addressed to the chairmen of all political parties in Nigeria.
He stated that although there were reports of corruption at presidential primaries, it was a big relief that generally the activities were largely peaceful.
According to him, although it is the responsibility of political parties to pick their candidates, there is the need to strike a balance,” to guarantee that the nation enjoys peace and security after elections.
“As the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria, we call on all the presidential candidates to choose men or women of alternative religion as their running mates. For avoidance of doubt, the CAN will not accept any presidential ticket that is Christian-Christian or Muslim- Muslim.
“This simply means that where the presidential candidate of the party is a Christian, the deputy should be a Muslim; and where the presidential candidate is a Muslim, the deputy should be a Christian.
“There should not situation where the presidential ticket of a political party in Nigeria, whether a major or minor party, will be two Christians as presidential candidate and running mate, or two Muslims as presidential candidate and running mate. All within us as Nigerians must be done to douse religious and ethnic tensions in the land.
“This minimum requirement for a valid presidential ticket in the Nigeria of today is that it is religiously diverse. With the crisis of religious fundamentalism and its mainstreaming into policymaking and administrative actions in Nigeria today, anything short of a Christian-Muslim or Muslim-Christian ticket is an undisguised effort to nurture religious conflicts and destabilize the country.”
Daramola added that in view of growing religiously motivated terrorism, including the recent attack in a church in Owo, Ondo State, “any plot to have both the President and Vice President come from the same religion is a deliberate effort to ignite the fire of religious warfare in Nigeria.
“The weaponisation of religious difference in the recent past as never before is a cause for concern and a sufficient reason for those of us who do not want this nation to go into avoidable crisis to cry out now. It will be plain disrespect for diverse religious communities in Nigeria for any party to go against common sense to foist a single religious ticket in a religious plural country with serious problems of religious extremism and violence on Nigerians. No party in Nigeria can deny the existence of credible men and women from both Islam and Christianity that can be their Presidential and running mate.
“Whereas CAN is not a partisan organisation and does not involve itself with the process of partisan politics, it has a responsibility to defend the religious freedom of Nigerian citizens, whether Christians or not. CAN has a responsibility to speak out and mobilize civic action against threats to the unity, peace and security of the Nigerian state.
“Therefore, we give notice to all political parties that we will protect the religious diversity of the Nigerian state and will “mobilize politically against any political party that sows the seed of religious conflict by presenting to Nigeria a presidential ticket that is Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian.
“We will consider such action as a declaration of war against the freedom of religion, the peace and security of the Nigerian state. We will consider such insensitive action as evidence of a deliberate action to plunge the country further into religious violence and extremism and destroy the foundations of the continuation of the Nigerian state.
“As the presidential candidates prepare to nominate their running mates, we sound the note of warning, through this letter, that only a diversified presidential ticket will be acceptable to Nigeria in line with the constitutional requirement of power sharing and the responsibility of sensitivity to Nigeria’s deep religious diversity.
“We pray that God will give the political elites the wisdom to seek peace and prosperity for the mistreated citizens of Nigeria and avoid the path of provocations that lead to violent conflict. May God guide our leaders to become statesmen and women who are dedicated to the promotion of the common good and not the mindless pursuit of destructive selfishness.”
Also, a group, the Oodua Youth Parliament, called on Tinubu to pick a northern Christian..
It said picking a Christian running mate from the Northern part of the country would give Tinubu and the APC the desired victory.
This was contained in a statement issued by the leader of the group Abdulmojeed Oyeniyi, on Tuesday.
Northern Christians and pastors under the aegis of Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association warned against the imposition of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The group, in a statement by the chairman, Rev. Shehu Luke, stated, “The ACIPA has observed with sadness the hijack of Nigeria’s political process and perhaps our future by a few money bag politicians with the tacit conspiracy of some of our legislatures and the Presidency.
“While the recently concluded primary elections of the major political parties have a public semblance of transparency, it is obvious that there was a covert inducement of delegates through a well orchestrated machinery which influenced.”
“Competence matters’
In its reaction, the Director of Publicity, Tinubu Support Organisation, Ekiti State, Abiodun Alonge, in an interview with The PUNCH, said what mattered to Nigerians was a government that could deliver the greatest good for the greatest number of the people and not whether the president and vice president belonged to same religion or not.
Alonge said, “The issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket for Nigerians as of now is a non-issue. Hunger has no religion, poverty has no religion. If a Muslim is the President of Nigeria and a Muslim is the Vice President, as long as there is good healthcare, good education, jobs and our students are in the school uninterrupted by strikes for four years, no one will say it because Muslims are in power. The same thing if a Christian is President and a Christian is vice president.”
When asked for his take on Muslim-Muslim, the leader of the Grassroots Network for Asiwaju Tinubu group, Mr Abiodun Mafe, said he was concerned about the competence and capability of the person who will fill the vice president slot of the party.
On its part, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in a statement on Tuesday warned political parties against the imposition of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The statement which was signed by the Secretary General of the CSN, Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, said, “Ordinarily, there would have been nothing wrong with a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket in a democratic dispensation if there is mutual trust and respect for the human person and where the overriding desire for seeking political office is the fostering of the common good. But one cannot really say so of our country at the moment.
“The present glaring crisis and division in the nation, a Muslim-Muslim ticket would be most insensitive and a tacit endorsement of the negative voices of many non-state actors who have been threatening this nation’s unity and peaceful coexistence without an arrest.”
Also, youths in the APC, under the aegis, of the APC Youth Progressive Forum, at a press conference in Bauchi on Tuesday rejected the Muslim/Muslim.
They therefore, called on the presidential candidate of the APC to pick a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara as his running mate.
The National Chairman of the group, Ukkasha Hamza Rahama, said the choice of Dogara, would douse tensions in the country.
Buhari, govs
Meanwhile, Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with the APC governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Although the governors declined to speak with the media after the meeting, it is believed to be in connection with last-minute hunting for a running mate for the party’s standard bearer, Bola Tinubu.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, led the governors to the meeting.
Attending the Villa meeting were the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo.
Constitution doesn’t stipulate religion as a criterion for choosing VP, says Gov Uzodimma
Meanwhile, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has said the constitution of the country does not recognise religion as a factor for picking a running mate.
The governor stated this in an interview with the state House correspondents after a meeting with the President.
He said, “There is nowhere in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where religion is a factor or characteristic as to who becomes the president or who becomes the running mate.
“But we are looking for a united Nigeria, where governance will be the issue, where a president would be adjudged by his capacity to deliver democratic dividends, and develop Nigeria to look like other parts of the Western world where democracy is working.
“The decision also to choose a running mate does not reside with any of us, the governors. It is the presidential candidate that will look at the local characteristics and every factor—political and apolitical—that will make him win his election and take the decision. So, it’s not a decision that we will sit here and take for the candidate.”
Noting that running mates are not elected at primary elections, the governor warned about the danger of divisiveness when picking one.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party will on Thursday announce the running mate to its presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The party’s National Chairman, Iyiochia Ayu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja before the commencement of a committee saddled with the responsibility of picking the vice-presidential candidate.
The PUNCH had on Friday reported that the PDP had constituted a committee consisting representatives of of the National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees members as well as former governors with the mandate of picking its vice-presidential candidate.
According to the report, those who are lobbying for the slot include the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa.
At the committee meeting on Tuesday, Ayu said the running mate would be unveiled in the next 48 hours.
He explained that the meeting was in furtherance of consultations aimed at arriving at a choice which Nigerians would be glad to elect into office.
Ayu said, “The presidential candidate of our party would have been here, but this morning he suddenly dashed somewhere. He apologised and if he comes early, he will join us. But we will go ahead with the assignment he has given us.
“The candidate wrote to us, as the administrative arm of the party, on the choice of his running mate.
“Various organs of the party are well represented in his committee —NWC, Governors Forum, National Assembly, former governors which have put forward their candidate
“This deliberation will be chaired by my able Deputy, Ambassador Umaru Damagum
“I wish you a successful deliberation and I hope you come up with a conclusion between tomorrow and Friday.
“Our presidential candidate, this time, has decided to carry everybody along unlike 2019 when he didn’t consult widely in his choice of running mate.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; former Senate President, David Mark; former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, and Senator Philip Aduda.
A Senior Special Assistant to Tambuwal, who is also a member of the special convention of the party, Yusuf Dingyadi, said the governor had no candidate for the VP slot.
He said, “The party is looking for a vice presidential candidate who is loyal, acceptable, committed and no one is committed rather than those who has suffer for the party.
“This advisory committee, when they finished, they will submit their report of whom they choose to the national chairman who will in turn forward same to the presidential candidate.
“The PDP is not going to choose anybody because of injustice or because we are afraid of election. Our party is going to win 2023 election by God’s grace.
“We are going to bring to Nigerians, the best team, those who understand problems ad can solve it and not those ran away from people.
“We are also not concerned about the problem of APC, concerning Muslim-Muslim tickets, we don’t look at religion but rather looking at making Nigeria to be united” he added”
He said advisory committee is made up of Governors, former Governors, former principal members of the national assembly, former ambassadors among others under the chairmanship of Ambassador Illiya Damagum, the deputy national chairman North.
When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said, “The word Advisory Committee is impressive, when it is an advisory committee it means it has to report to other bodies. Will it be wise for me to make comment on an advisory that may or may not happen?
“The party will come out. We are a party of process, a party of order. We will let the public know. At the appropriate time, we will get back to let you know the running mate.”
VP screening committee
The National Working Committee of the PDP has approved composition of a committee that will screen the party’s nominated vice presidential candidate.
According to the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, members of the committee include the Chairman, High Chief Tom Ikimi; Secretary, Dr. Akilu Indabawa; Administrative Secretary, Sunday Omobo.
In a statement on Tuesday, Bature, also said members of the committee include Capt. Idris I. Wada (rtd); Chief Osita Chidoka; Rt. Hon. Binta Bello; Chief Mrs. Alh. Mutiat Adedoja; Rt. Hon. Austin Opara; Prof. Aisha Madawaki; Mrs. Ayotunde George-Ologun; Chief Mrs. Chidiebelu Mofus, and H.E. Fidelis Tapgun.
The statement read, “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Pursuant to the PDP’s Electoral Guidelines, PART VI Paragraph 14, has approved the nomination of the following party stakeholders to serve on the vice presidential candidate screening committee for the purpose of the screening/verifying the nominated vice presidential candidate of our party.
“The screening exercise will be at the National Working Committee Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja FCT, on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Time is 10am prompt.”
A PDP chieftain in Rivers State, Sydney Gbara said the party’s constitution should be considered at all times.
Gbara, in an interview with one of our correspondent said the people of the South should not be excited or jostle for the position of a running mate.
He said, “Well, in the first place, if we want to face equity in all fairness as to how the rulership of this country should go as it is recommended by the constitution of the PDP, the construction recognizes zoning.netween the North and the South.
“So, it is only natural that this time around since the North’ has rules for eight good years under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, power would have naturally gone to the South.
“But going by the situation we have found ourselves, we the people of the South-South should not be too excited by jostling for the position of the Vice President, knowing full well that ordinarily it is supposed to be our turn now to take up the presidential slot.”
But a political analyst, Dr Busari Dauda said the inability of any party to agree on its running mate portended danger to the party and the nation.
He said, “I think this has an implication not only on the candidate but the polity if the committee and leaders are not on the same page in deciding who the running mate will be.”
Another analyst, Olaseni Shalom said, “A presidential candidate needs a Vice President he can trust as long as the party has their contribution. This should be left to the candidate to decide first if he needs someone he can trust, someone that complement him.”
Dr Pius Akhimien of English Department, Lagos State University, advised the PDP. He stated, ‘‘The PDP has to consider the geopolitical zone of the running mate, religious belief. If I were to advise the PDP, I will suggest it allows the running mate come from the South, who must be a Christian.’’
The amount was approved and appropriated by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly in August 2020 as part of the state’s COVID-19 expenditure in the 2020 Revised Budget.
The Ebonyi State Governmentpaid N400 million of its COVID-19 funds to public officials for personal estate development in breach of its law and international guidelines, a PREMIUM TIMES review of an audit report shows.
The money was among those appropriated by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly in August 2020 for the state’s COVID-19 expenditure in the 2020 Revised Budget.
According to records obtained from the ‘Ebonyi State Government Audited COVID-19 Monthly Budget Execution Report’, the funds were, however, paid to the officials of the executive, judiciary, and legislative arms of government.
The misuse of funds in Ebonyi reinforces fears in the anti-corruption and development circle about limited accountability in the use of COVID-19 response funds by governments.
Transaction details
Details of the financial transaction show that the money was paid to public officials either to start the development of their lands or to build houses.
About 50 per cent or N200 million of the funds, were paid as COVID-19 ‘soft loans’ to public office holders in the executive arm of government to ‘start development of their lands.’
Members of the legislative arm of government were given N100 million as COVID-19 ‘soft loan’ to start the development of their houses.
Public office holders of the judiciary arm of government also received their share, N100 million, to ‘start developing their houses,’ according to the audit report.
Records of financial transactions of the Ebonyi State Government for August 2020 show that all payments were approved 100 per cent.
Despite the audit report, Mr Umahi’s government says it did no wrong with the transactions.
The Ebonyi State Accountant-General, Carlton Nwankwo, under whose office the payments were authorised, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that a large part of the budgeted receipts is the “state government funds that were set aside for Covid-19 management and Covid-19 recovery.”
He, however, said the housing loan to public office holders was not released from contributions or COVID-19 grants. Rather, the funds were from the coffers of the Ebonyi State Government, he said.
The accountant general said the decision to grant officials the loan was “what a section of stakeholders identified as their immediate need.”
“It is important to note that out of the actual receipts realized as of month-end August 2020, 97 per cent was from Ebonyi State Government Funds, while only 3 per cent were funds contributed by CACOVID, individuals, Federal government and private sectors,” he told PREMIUM TIMES in an email response.
Meanwhile, the guidelines of the global health body, WHO, are that “all COVID-19 transactions must certify that payment will only be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.”
Similarly, the Ebonyi State CoronaVirus and Other Dangerous Infections Diseases Law also provides that “expenditures incurred and funds are spent for COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programmes.”
While the financial regulation tries to prevent funds diversion and ensure accountability, the Ebonyi State Government did the opposite by diverting the funds into the accounts of a few public officials.
But, Mr Nwankwo maintained that the COVID-19 fund, given to public officials as a house loan, was viewed as a “vehicle that would add to economic activities and the Covid-19 recovery programme in Ebonyi State.”
The Covid-19 Pandemic
When the COVID-19 spread in 2020, restrictions put in place to control the spread of the virus caused severe socio-economic difficulties for people around the world, especially in a country like Nigeria where a large size of the population is already in the poverty trap and many have to go out daily to scrape together some money for survival.
It was at that time that the Ebonyi State Government engaged the citizenry through different mediums to establish the challenges occasioned by Covid-19 and how best the effect on our economy can be mitigated, Mr Nwankwo said.
“The State through the SFTAS programme was able to revise its budget to accommodate amendments that were necessary considering the outcome of Citizen’s/Stakeholders’ engagements,” the accountant general added. “It also made policies that included tax rebates, tax holidays, and other forms of palliatives concerning the outcome of the engagement meetings.”
A civic advocacy group, Budgit, had released a reportsaying the state of accountability around COVID-19 funds in the states across Nigeria was poor. It said this, partly, stems from the fact that most state governments were able to get away with the mismanagement of the funds as the government provided no legislation to punish offenders.
The organisation said most of the COVID-19 resources were converted to private use and some for political purposes.
Since 2020, Ebonyi has reported about 2,064 COVID-19 cases and 32 deaths from the virus.
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