Politics, World News

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after a two-day visit to the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi.

No Comments

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Presidential aircraft carrying the president and members of his entourage landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 4.10 p.m.

While in Abu Dhabi, Buhari met the new President of the UAE, His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to whom he conveyed his and Nigeria’s condolences on the passing of the former president and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The president also joined the Juma’ah prayers, at which prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the deceased on Friday.

During a short interaction with Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, Buhari expressed his condolences and that of Nigeria on the demise of the late Sheikh Khalifa and congratulated the new president on his election.

Buhari expressed optimism that under Sheikh Mohamed the two countries would continue to actively champion a vision of sustainable security, strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, facilitate trade and investment, and promote prosperity and development.

NAN reports that the Nigerian leader returned to Abuja amidst confusion on whether or not he had signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill forwarded to him by the National Assembly few days ago.

The amendment is crucial to the participation of statutory delegates at the primaries and national convention of political parties.

They have been excluded from voting and being voted for during the exercises in the previous amendment signed into law by the President.

When asked to confirm whether or not Buhari had indeed assented to the latest amendment, the Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Sen. Jide Omoworare, simply said the president ”should have signed” the amended fresh electoral act into law.

Also a member of the House of Representatives, Emeka Chinedu, representing Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was quoted by a national newspaper confirming that the president signed the fresh amended electoral act bill on May 21.

“I can confirm to you that Mr President signed the bill into law this afternoon and we are all happy about it as it will give us and other statutory delegates the power to vote at the primaries,” Chinedu said.

However, NAN reliably gathered that the president had not signed the latest Electoral Act Amendment as being speculated in some quarters.

Earlier in the course of the week, the president had on May 17 congratulated newly-elected Somali President, Hassan Mahmud, “for successfully staging a comeback after being unseated in 2017’’.

The president commended the outgoing president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, for his swift acceptance of Mahmud’s victory which inevitably would lead to a peaceful transition in the best interest of the people.

He reassured the new Somali leader that “Nigeria will continue its usual support for peacekeeping efforts in Somalia’’.

Buhari stressed that “African countries must unite against terrorists and other evil forces seeking to disrupt and destroy our territories’’.

Also on the same day, the Nigerian leader received the Secretary General of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Mr Juan Carlos Salazar, at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Buhari assured that more investments would be deployed to the provision of infrastructure and facilities for safe, secure, environmentally friendly and sustainable civil aviation in the country.

According to him, Nigeria will support the ideals and aspirations of ICAO and achievement of its strategic objectives, in collaboration with other Member States of the organisation.

The president also presided over the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday where members of the cabinet observed a minute silence in honour of former Minister of Communications under retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime, Olawole Ige, who died at 83.

NAN recalls that the family of Ige announced his death on May 9.

The council approved N169.7 billion for the reconstruction of four roads under the tax credit scheme.

Buhari on May 18, condoled with families of victims of the Sabon Gari, Kano, gas explosion in which nine casualties were reported.

He directed relevant officials to provide adequate treatment for the injured persons.

The Presidency on Thursday stressed the significance of President Buhari’s visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the president’s media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, Nigeria has very strong economic and defense ties with the UAE.

The countries, which are trying to strengthen their post-COVID recovery, are banking on strategic partnerships to further commercial ties.

“UAE, which is today a recognised financial and manufacturing hub and has shown, to our admiration, a remarkable willingness for energising our industry to industry cooperation, which will help strengthen the post-COVID economic recovery in both countries,” he stated.

Sheikh Mohammed was once credited with a statement, saying that “security in Nigeria means security for Africa. If there is no security in Nigeria, we cannot say there is security in Africa”.

“Flowing from this, they have helped us to curb illicit financial flows to the Boko Haram terrorist organisation. Also ongoing are military procurements and supply to the Nigerian Armed Forces of seriously needed hardware.

”A few weeks ago, a brand new warship for the Nigerian Navy was commissioned in Dubai and has set sail to Nigeria.

”The Nigerian Army just procured 100 Mine Resistant Armoured Personnel Carriers (MRAPS) from the UAE,” Shehu said in a special feature on the president’s trip to Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Politics, World News

APC appeal panel upholds 2,619 Kaduna delegates.

No Comments

The Appeal Committee for the Ad-hoc Delegate Congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State, on Saturday, upheld the congress while declaring the exercise as “successful.”

A total of 1,275 delegates were elected for the local and state levels each while 69 national delegates were unanimously elected, bringing the number to 2,619 delegates in all.

The party had last week conducted congresses to elect the local government, state and national delegates.

The exercise was done by consensus in accordance with APC’s elections guidelines and constitution.The five-man committee, headed by Mrs Tinuke Gbadejo-Ogunrinde, while addressing journalists at the state secretariat of the party, said the congresses were hitch-free, stating that no complaint was received before, during or after the congresses.

Ogunrinde said, “Our great party, the APC assigned us to serve as the Appeal Committee for the Special Congress held on May 17 and 18, 2022 to elect the local government, state and national delegates for Kaduna State.This Appeal Committee received records from the congress committee appointed by our great party, confirming that various categories of delegates emerged from the Special Congress in the 23 local government areas as follows: 1,275 local government delegates; 1,275 state delegates and 69 national delegates were unanimously elected during the Special Congress by consensus.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Loyalty to your political party or political leaders doesn’t mean you should trivialize the crucial times we are in. – Skit maker, Mr Macaroni.

No Comments

Comdedian and skit maker, Mr Macaroni condemned the act of some people trivializing crucial times because of the loyalty they have towards certain politicians and political parties.

He revealed his statement via his Twitter page;

“Loyalty to your political party or political leaders doesn’t mean you should trivialize the crucial times we are in.
Remember that these people you defend are well protected. When push comes to shove, it is the defenceless people that bear the brunt.”

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Deborah’s Death: Soyinka wants National Mosque Imam sacked over blasphemy comment.

No Comments

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called for the sacking of Professor Ibrahim Maqari, the Imam, National Mosque, Abuja, over his comment on the killing of Deborah Samuel.

The deceased, a 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, was gruesomely murdered by a mob following accusation of blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

Reacting to the dastardly act, Imam Maqari claimed that there are some red lines in Islam which must not be crossed, adding that if issues of blasphemy against the prophet are not addressed by the authority, the Muslims would do so themselves.

Soyinka has now accused the Islamic cleric of instigating his followers to take laws into their hands in the name of religion.

The Nobel Laureate made the accusation during the one-year remembrance of the late former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and the launch of Attahiru’s biography written by author, Niran Adedokun held in Abuja on Saturday, May 21, 2022, reported The Punch.

He condemned extrajudicial killings in the name of religion, adding that the “apostate of the creed of humanity, Professor Maqari, must be removed from office.”

The Prof added that, “It is no longer sufficient for all to declaim that Islam is this and that, that the Sharia is thus and thus, that Prophet Mohammed set this or that example and made this or that humanistic pronouncement.

“We have gone beyond theocratic rhetoric that merely pays lip service to civilised norms. Let all pietistic denunciations be backed by affirmative action.”

Soyinka insisted that Imam Maqari’s comment served as further encouragement for his followers to kill anyone that commits blasphemy against the Prophet.

He said, “Professor Maqari, however, insists, with a handful of others, including vocal serving policemen quite recently, that there is no remorse involved in the torture and lynching of a young student on this earth.

“Maqari has implicitly directed his followers to take the law into their own hands in the name of religion, and innovation. That is the message of a supposedly holy man to a nation embroiled in his madness of multiple incidences.”

Meanwhile, the Sokoto state police had arraigned two suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Deborah.

The two suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci, were brought before a Sokoto State Magistrates’ Court on Monday, May 16, 2022, over charges allegedly bordering on ‘public disturbance.’

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Kumuyi cancels planned South-East crusade after IPOB warning.

No Comments

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has cancelled the crusade scheduled to hold in Aba, Abia state, following warning by the proscribed group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Punch gathered on Saturday, May 21, 2022, that the cancellation was as a result of the volatile security situation in the South-East region.

The crusade was billed to take place in Aba from May 24 to May 29, 2022, but IPOB had cautioned Kumuyi against proceeding with the event citing security concerns in the region.

The newspaper spoke with an official of the Global Crusade With Kumuyi who confirmed the cancellation, adding that a new venue for the crusade would soon be announced.

The Chairman of the organising team for the crusade, Pastor James Akpofure, also issued a statement on Saturday to confirm the cancellation.

“As there are currently some security challenges at the intended alpha location (Aba, Abia State, Nigeria), the Global Crusade Convener, Pastor (Dr) W.F. Kumuyi commiserates with our people in Abia State and will be praying along for God’s Divine Intervention,” Akpofure said.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Thursday, May 19, 2022, the group had urged Kumuyi to consider security situation in the South-East before he comes to Aba for his gospel crusade.

Powerful also reiterated the call on Saturday when he implored Kumuyi and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to not ignore its advice, alleging that political thugs have perfected plans to attack the crusade attendees.

He said, “It is unbelievable that CAN would not summon the courage to fight for their members when Muslims and security men attack and murder their members.

“They should understand that IPOB will not fold its arms and watch our people deliberately put in harm’s way to be slaughtered because of crusade, when they know that politicians will employ their local thugs to slaughter people and tag it that IPOB was responsible for such attack.”

Powerful then asked both Pastor Kumuyi and CAN to publicly declare that they should be held responsible if anything should happen during the course of the crusade.

“Security intelligence and strategy are what is required in a situation as this, which is what we are applying now by advising Kumuyi and his ministry. The CAN must understand that IPOB has Judeo-Christians also as family members and it is our responsibility to protect them from political tugs and criminal elements.

“IPOB does not have any issues with Kumuyi or other pastors or men and women of God for that matter; what we are talking about is the security of Biafrans.

“CAN should know that all politicians in Nigeria have criminal thugs they use to pursue a particular political interest and these people are not minding the repercussions or outcome, therefore we still advise Kumuyi and deeper life ministry to think twice and stop this crusade.”

Recall that the leader of the group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was recently denied bail by the a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, held that since Kanu was earlier granted bail in 2017 and jumped the bail, the court must first determine the real reason he jumped the bail before he reapplies for another one.

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Lagos NURTW Caretaker Chairman accuses MC Oluomo.

No Comments

The newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Fatai Adeshina, aka Akeweje, has accused the Chairman of the Parks Management Committee in Lagos, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, of snatching his wife.

Adeshina’s allegation was contained in a tell-all interview published by The Punch.

The Caretaker Chairman also detailed how Oluomo hijacked his branch and unit from him despite all his efforts to make peace.

He said the age-long rivalry between them took another dimension when he contested the NURTW Chairmanship position with Oluomo in 2019.

Adeshina said despite him being the popular choice amongst the unionists, the Lagos state government settled for MC as the preferred choice, and offered him a Vice Chairman position instead

However, to his dismay, his name was struck out from the executive members list with a pen on the day of inauguration as no position was offered to him.

“When he took over as the NURTW chairman in Lagos. The worst thing he did to me that made me part ways with him was that after his inauguration, I bought a foreign used car for N13m and took it to him as a gift.

“I added N10m to the car gift, but he rejected them. I begged him but he refused to make peace. I am not MC Oluomo’s peer and he knows this, but I prostrated before him to make peace,” Adeshina said.

The Caretaker Chairman alleged that Akinsanya’s rejection of the peace offering was because he had his eyes on his second wife at the time.

He accused Nollywood actress and an associate Ronke Oshodi Oke of helping Oluomo to snatch his then second wife.

“Yes, there was a lady called Ronke Oshodi Oke, a popular actress. She was a friend to my second wife. Though they met outside my residence, Ronke started visiting my home at one point. So, I challenged her and warned her not to ever step into my house again.

“Yes, Ronke was an associate of MC Oluomo and I know what Oluomo is capable of doing. When I challenged Ronke, she told me that she came to see her boss, adding that my second wife was her boss. I told her not to come to my house anymore, because MC Oluomo and I did not belong to the same camp.

“My second wife and Ronke knelt and apologised, but after five days, I met Ronke in my house again. I was furious and I accused her of trying to carry out a mission in my house. I sent the two of them out of my house that day. To my surprise, Ronke took my second wife, who I sent packing, to MC Oluomo.”

Adeshina said his wife was housed in MC’s hotel for over one month before he purchased a house for her.

“Some concerned close allies at MC’s hotel in Oshodi phoned me that they saw my second wife at MC’s place. They asked whether MC and I had settled our issues, but I said we were yet to resolve our differences. They told me that MC had asked them to give my second wife a room in his hotel. She was there for one month and seven days in his hotel.”

“Yes, my second wife, Queen B. She stayed in his hotel for one month and seven days before he bought her a house. Unionists in the state know this story very well.”

Recall that the national body of the NURTW had sacked MC Oluomo as the Lagos branch chairman.

The union said the decision was based on the provisions of the union’s constitution.

Politics

APC filled with crass nepotism —Adamu Garba

No Comments

Former presidential aspirant under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) has branded the party as being characterised by crass nepotism holding Nigeria down.

Adamu defected to the Young Progressives Party (YPP) having raised about N83 million as an APC presidential aspirant, accusing his former party of over-financialising politics.

Adamu, who featured in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, said the APC was full of cronyism.

He noted: “That is why I said since APC has taken us to that direction, we have to define a new path.

“A path that would remove Nigeria from poverty and transit it to one of the greatest countries in the world away from the crass nepotism and cronyism that is evidently happening in the APC.

“In a situation where you commercialise political participation in the country, you are causing so much damage to the future of the country.

The YPP presidential hopeful lamented the outrageous fees pegged by the APC for presidential aspirants, adding that young Nigerians had no future in the party.

“By fixing the presidential form price at N100 million, the APC has succeeded in pursuing young people from politics.

“If you are a young man in Nigeria and you try to participate in any political activity in the APC, it is very clear that you are just trying to waste your time.”

Politics

Kano Assembly member returns to APC two days after defecting to NNPP

No Comments

A member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Ali Ibrahim Isah Shanono, has returned to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) two days after he defected to the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP).

Shanono who represents the Bagwai/Shanono Constituency in the Assembly, was among the 14 lawmakers in the state who dumped the APC and moved to the NNPP along with former state governor Ibrahim Shekarau on Wednesday.

But he made a hasty retreat on Friday when he returned to the troubled APC after he reportedly had a secret meeting with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and top party leaders in the state on Thursday night.

In a letter Shanono sent to the state APC faction led by Ganduje, he said he had to deactivate his membership of the NNPP and move back to the APC and promised to “work round the clock for the success of the party at the forthcoming polls” while promising to remain loyal to Ganduje and the party.

However, a source in the state insists Shanono went back to the APC after party officials from his zone loyal to the governor threatened that he would lose his reelection bid if he failed to return to the APC.

Politics

2023 PRESIDENCY: I’m more qualified than Tinubu, Osinbajo —Amaechi

No Comments

The Former Minister of Transport and presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, has boasted that he is more qualified than the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to become Nigeria’s President in 2023.

Amaechi, who stated this on Wednesday, when he visited Kano as part of his consultative meetings with the party’s delegates ahead of the APC presidential primary, asserted that when Tinubu, who is a former Governor of Lagos State, has never been a Minister, and even when he was a lawmaker, it was for only a few months.

He went further to note that while he was a Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Osinbajo was a Commissioner in Lagos State.

In response, the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who carefully avoided endorsing his presidential ambition said: “I know your position as far as our party presidential candidature is concerned, and I want you to change for me.”

Ganduje had been reported to have also avoided endorsing the presidential ambition of the Rivers State Governor, and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, when he visited the state.

The Kano Governor is said to be in full support of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Politics

Buhari to unveil NNPC Ltd July 18

No Comments

President Muhammadu Buhari will unveil the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on July 18.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving the CEO of the Year 2021 Award of the Leadership Newspapers Group in Abuja.

Kyari, who addressed the gathering from Kampala, Uganda, where he is attending the African Petroleum Conference (CAPDE VIII), thanked the newspaper for the award.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed by the President in 2021 restructured the NNPC as a new entity.

Politics

APC presidential aspirant, Jack-Rich identifies job creation as solution to Nigeria’s insecurity

No Comments

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Tein Jack-Rich, on Tuesday identified job creation as a major solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Jack-Rich stated this when he featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.

He promised to create 26,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office if elected as the country’s president in 2023.

The aspirant said: “I will create an economic pipeline by creating jobs for the teeming population and convert our young men and women into the economic value chain.”

The oil magnate is one of the 28 aspirants vying for the APC presidential ticket at this month’s primary in Abuja.

Politics

‘Stop IPOB from using your platform to incite violence in Nigeria,’ FG tells Facebook

No Comments

The Federal Government on Tuesday asked the social media giant, Facebook, to stop the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from using its platform to incite violence in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the call at a meeting with a team from Facebook in Abuja.

He said several people had been killed in the South-East because of the group’s activities, adding that Facebook has no reason whatsoever for allowing the use of its platform to the organisation whose goal was to destabilise the country.

The latest warning came about one year after the federal government suspended another social media platform, Twitter, for allegedly promoting hate speech and other activities undermining the country’s existence.

Mohammed said: “I have called this meeting to enable us to discuss the increasing use of Facebook by separatists and anarchists, especially those of them based outside the country, to instigate violence and ethnic hatred in Nigeria.

For whatever reason, they seem to have now chosen Facebook as their platform of choice. And their tools include disinformation, incendiary statements and hate speech.

They use Facebook broadcasts to reach their followers, who are in thousands. They tag those opposed to their violent ways as ‘saboteurs’ who must be attacked, maimed and killed. They use both English and their local language as it suits them.

“Our social media people have been monitoring these separatists, anarchists and purveyors of hate, and have been reporting their atrocious actions to Facebook, but all they get are default responses that their complaints have been received and are being looked into.

“Most often than not, nothing is done about such complaints. The truth is that whatever Facebook is doing to check these people is mere tokenism and is totally ineffective.”

Politics

Why IPOB must drop quest for Biafra Republic – Gov Mohammed

No Comments

The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Friday explained why the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should drop its agitation for the actualization of the Republic of Biafra.

Mohammed, who addressed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Anambra State, said the people of the South-East extraction own half of the capital investments in the country.

The governor is one of the politicians eyeing the PDP presidential ticket at this month’s primary slated for Abuja.

He noted that IPOB should not be talking about self-determination when the Igbos have investments in every part of the country.

He said: “When I was minister of Federal Capital Territory, the Igbo capital investment in Abuja was over 50 percent.

That is the true position, not only in Abuja, but in Kano, Lagos, Kaduna and other states. So, we are interrelated and connected as a people in Nigeria.

“We need to stabilise that symbiotic bond that binds us together. When IPOB is talking about self-determination and self-actualization for where? When you own over half of the country.

“God may not give you everything. He has given something to you. That is the truth. Because of this, I am calling for this unity and fraternity among us. If the Igbo youth understand this, they will now know the need for peace and unity in the country.”

Politics

Atiku promises to restructure Nigeria as president

No Comments

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday promised to restructure Nigeria and restore the economy if elected as the country’s president in 2023.

Abubakar, who is one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, stated this while addressing the party delegates and the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, at the Government House in Asaba.

He listed the unity of the country, insecurity, economy, and education as some of the areas he would focus attention on if elected as president next year.

The ex-Vice President stressed that the country was at a cross road and needed an experienced hand to navigate through.

He thanked the delegates for the support given to him at the Port Harcourt convention in 2019 and urged them to vote for him in the PDP presidential convention billed for May 28 and May 29 in Abuja.

Abubakar said the issue of power rotation was enshrined in the party’s constitution, pointing out that what the PDP needed at this time was to grab the power before entrenching rotation.

The former Vice President has repeatedly identified restructuring as a major solution to Nigeria’s challenges and promised to carry it out if given the chance to lead the country.

He said: “We want to thank you very much indeed, particularly for the support that we received from Delta in the last primaries that took place in Port Harcourt.

We cherished that support and we value that support and we shall not forget that support.

Having said that, we have come to another season of elections in the country but this season is unique because Nigeria has never found itself in this type of situation facing numerous challenges.

That was why when l declared to run for the presidential election this time around, l identified five key areas that this country requires immediate attention.

“First of all, l identified the lack of unity in our country today.

“Government at all levels must identify with our diversity, and respect our diversity but this has been neglected over time.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He urged the delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He urged the delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He called on delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the flag of the party.

On his part, Okowa said Abubakar has the requisite experience to take the country out of its present challenges.

He added that the issue of restructuring was important to the people of the Niger Delta in the choice of who should rule the country in 2023.

Okowa said delegates from the state would scrutinize the presidential aspirants and throw their weight behind the most credible at the primary.

Politics

INEC raises concern over insecurity ahead of 2023 elections

No Comments

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in the country as the 2023 general elections draw near.

Nigeria has been beset by insecurity with the Boko Haram insurgents and bandits killing and abducting citizens in the Northern part of the country.

Yakubu, who addressed stakeholders at the second quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja, however, noted that with just nine months to the elections, there was still enough time to tackle the insecurity.

He also urged political parties to keep to the time table for the elections.

The INEC chief said: “The general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process is a source of concern to the commission.

However, we are confident that with nine months to the 2023 general election, there is enough time to respond to the security challenges and secure the nation for elections to take place nationwide.

“The timetable for the election has also been released. Let us not wait until a few weeks to the election before we realise that time is not on our side and begin to seek for extension of timelines. The time to act is now. We wish to reassure the security agencies that we will continue to work cooperatively with you to ensure the success of all forthcoming elections and electoral activities.

“We have tasked our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to provide basic data on areas of security challenges in their states, including citizens living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

“Our idea is to harvest the data as a basis for further engagement with the security agencies as well as devising the best way to provide electoral services to all Nigerians under all circumstances.”

Politics

Debt burden, zero production stalling Nigeria’s progress — Peter Obi

No Comments

The former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, on Friday blamed the country’s sluggish growth on humongous debt burden.

Obi, who is one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, stated this at a meeting with the party’s leaders and delegates in Calabar, Cross River.

He stressed that Nigeria remains trapped as a result of its inability to increase its production capacity.

Obi said: “Nigeria is a nation of over 200 million people with about 100 million living in poverty, over 18 million out of school children out of which about 10 million are girls.

“We have a 35 percent unemployment rate and if we add underemployment it will rise to over 50 percent, many of which are youths in their productive age, so we cannot celebrate.

“The consequences of borrowing for consumption today are that Nigeria is spending over 90 percent of its revenue to service debt without much production to show.

“Export of crude oil has not saved any country. We really need to invest in our massive landmass and grow our economy as other nations such as Singapore, Vietnam, and even Morocco have done with tourism.”

Politics

‘Nigeria needs pragmatic president for development,’ says APC aspirant, Jack-Rich

No Comments

An oil magnate, Tein Jack-Rich, on Friday urged Nigerians to vote for a committed leader in the 2023 general elections.

Jach-Rich, who made the call during the declaration of his 2023 presidential bid in Abuja, said the problems rocking the country can only be addressed by someone with a pragmatic approach to governance.

He also submitted his All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The presidential aspirant noted Nigeria was devoid of a leader who can think for Nigerians and shows readiness to deliver.

He said: “Nigerians need a president that can think for them, not himself. You need a president that will ensure the wealth in Niger Delta is not for the region alone but a president who can utilise it for the benefit of all.

“The idea of loans with no strong means of repayment is bad. The reason we are struggling with inflation is because we are not consuming what we are producing. We need a leader with different approach to government. A president that will be genuinely committed to the course of the country.

“We need a president that will encourage more production, plan more, and make the country respected in the community of nations. We need to strengthen our currency and create jobs for youths.”

Politics

2023: Fayemi claims to have solution to terrorism, banditry in Nigeria

No Comments

The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, claimed on Friday that he has a template to end the country’s insecurity.

Insecurity has been a major challenge in Nigeria since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015 with the Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and other criminals pillaging communities across the country.

Fayemi is one of All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants eyeing the party’s presidential ticket at this month’s primary slated for Abuja.

The governor, according to a statement issued by the Head of Campaign Organisation, Femi Ige, stated this during his visit to Borno, Yobe and Gombe States as part of consultations ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

He said: “Security will top my agenda as a security expert. I have a Ph.D. in War Studies and I consulted for Nigeria under President Olusegun Obasanjo, I was deeply involved in the resolution of the wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka.

We have a template that we’ll use in bringing peace to our people so that we can farm in peace, school in peace, and live in peace. If I can do it outside, why not for the country that has given me everything?

“My focus would be on bringing peace to my fatherland and ensuring that the Ibadan man finds home in Sokoto and the Sokoto man finds home in Akure, Abakaliki, Onisha or Owerri. The Oweri man must find a home in Damaturu. This is the Nigeria I want to fight for and I’m confident it’s achievable.

“Any government who can successfully tackle this would have succeeded in bringing happiness to our country, discourage the urge to secede, and address our perennial problem of youth restiveness.

“I believe I have the education, the energy, the capacity, and the knowledge to tackle this problem.

“Nigeria is a diverse country and there is diverse competency. There are competent people across the country but in a multi-cultural, multi-dimensional, and multi-religious society, you also need zoning to build trust and confidence.”

Politics

Job of Nigeria’s president is not about might but smartness – Tinubu

No Comments

The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said on Friday the job of leading Nigeria as President was not about might but smartness.

He stated this during a meeting with APC delegates ahead of the party’s presidential primary on Friday in Minna, Niger State.

He said: “A President’s job is not to climb mountains, wrestle or carry concrete. It is to think and perform with his brain.

“We are not looking for a WWE wrestling fighter. We are looking for a thinker to provide security for us.

“We are looking for a doer who will look at economic opportunities and turn it around to prosperity.”

The ex-Lagos State governor stressed that he knew what was required to become a president in a country like Nigeria.

Tinubu said his track record in Lagos State would be replicated throughout the country.

He added: “I know the road to prosperity, safety, clean environment, development of our nation and infrastructure because I have done it all in Lagos State and I can do it again.”

He urged delegates to choose someone who has made other people living in Nigeria.

“Where are their track records? How many councillors, local government chairmen and chairpersons, members of the House of Assemblies, House of Representatives or Senators have they produced? I have produced them,” Tinubu concluded.

Politics

Akpabio, Onu reportedly resign from Buhari’s govt

No Comments

The duo of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and his Science and Technology counterpart, Ogbonnaya Onu, have reportedly resigned from President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

The Personal Assistant on Media to the Minister, Jackson Udom, confirmed the development to journalists.

He said the minister took the decision in line with President Buhari’s directives.

On his part, Onu reportedly dropped his resignation letter at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday afternoon.

The President had earlier on Wednesday directed members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other political appointees with designs on the 2023 elections to leave their posts latest by May 16.

The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, resigned from the position a few hours after the FEC meeting.

Akpabio, Nwajiuba, and Onu are eyeing the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for next year’s election.

The ruling party will hold its presidential primary between May 30 and June 1 in Abuja.

Close Menu

Privacy Policy