Politics

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate for Oyo South District, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli has claimed states with governors from the same political party as the President, enjoy dividends of democracy more than others in the country. Alli, a former Secretary to the Oyo State government made

Yoruba leader tasks politicians on electioneering promises

By Usman Shuaibu

The Otunba of Yoruba community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wasiu Tunwase, has charged Nigeria Politicians who are seeking for political offices to fulfil their campaign promises when elected in 2023 general elections.

He also urged the elected politicians in 2023 to remain committed in providing gains of democracy for the people in the country.

Tunwase gave the charge while speaking with Peoples Daily correspondent to mark the new year celebration in his residence in Zuba, further tasked Nigerians to pray for the nation for peaceful election in 2023.

He then called on the youths to shun any act capable of causing rancor and acrimony in the country during the 2023 election, pointing out that nobody is above the law of the land.

He solicited the co-operation of the traditional rulers to counsel their subjects for the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections, while advising the parents on moral upbringing of their children in order to shun act of thuggery in the society.

Dr. Tunwase, however, appealed to Yoruba people to come out in 2023 election to vote for the candidates of their choice and described the Yoruba people as peace-loving citizens everywhere they live.

Commenting on the security challenges confronting the country, Otunba asked Nigerians especially the youths to join hands with the security agents to fish out the bad eggs in our communities.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Acoalition, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has described the “soaked sliced bread” statement made by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as taking deep seated hatred for the Igbos too far, saying that it is beyond a mere insult as some would be made to believe.

He had urged the South East region to “work hard, sweat for this party until they deliver victory for him”, adding, “But nobody will give you any credit, you are working hard, you’re sweating now. We want you to sweat well now for this party until you deliver victory.

“Until Bola Tinubu becomes the president of Nigeria, we will not give you but a soaked sliced bread.”

In its reaction to the comments made by the APC presidential candidate, the SERG, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Willy Ezugwu said that “the insinuation that Igbos will languish in longer marginalisation unless Tinubu becomes President is an acknowledgement that he APC deliberately schemed the South East region since 2015.

“Tinubu’s comments represent refreshed version of President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment that he would not treat the South East equally with the Northern region that voted for him.

“These comments by the APC presidential candidate is an expression of the party’s disdain for the South East region.

“Recall that several sources have revealed that in build up to the APC presidential primary election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an aspirant boycotted South East delegates of his party, saying that campaigning in the South East was a waste of time.

“True to his words, he never wasted his time reaching out to his party’s delegates in the region, yet they voted massively for him either by hook or by crook.

“It is taking his disregard for the South East too far.

“When his anointed Governor, Babajide Raji Fashola deported Igbos from Lagos State and dumped them at the Onitsha Bridge Head in the middle of the night, where was Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

“When his ally and the Oba of Lagos threatened Igbos to drown in the lagoon if they voted against his preferred candidate, where was Tinubu’s voice as a democrat?

“A Tinubu presidency will be a disaster as he has continued to exhibit the distinguishing characteristics of not only a civilian dictator but also a religious bigot masquerading as a liberal Muslim.

“His choice of a Muslim running is a deliberate expression his real self as having no regard for Christians and now he blew the final whistle that signalled the climax of his hatred for the South East region.

“We also monited a report indicating that the Tinubu’s hatred for the South East also robbed off on the traditional institution as some highly embarrassed Enugu traditional rulers led by the State Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo were snubbed, disrespected and insulted by the APC Presidential candidate after waiting for several hours for his arrival.

“Can Tinubu openly snub an Oba in the South West or an Emir in the North?”, the SERG asked.

Vote Tinubu, APC candidates to enjoy presidential dividends – Ex-Oyo SSG

the claims at a meeting with hundreds of Mokola market community in Ibadan on Thursday.

The former Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Area advised the electorate in the state to vote for APC candidates across board so as to enjoy full dividends of democracy from the various tiers of government.

Alli appealed to residents to vote for him, the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of the party in the 2023 general elections.

He insisted that this is necessary for the people of the state to enjoy the full dividends of democracy like other states that have governors on the same political party as the President.

Alli lamented that employment opportunities are not as readily available as it was back in the day due to the number of graduates tertiary institutions produce on yearly basis.

Alli said, “In our nation, states having governors on the same political platform as the president enjoy good governance more, let us have that benefit too, here in Oyo State.

“We, therefore, appeal to you to vote our party, the APC across board, from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Senator Teslim Folarin our Governor, to my humble self, to Hon. Olaide Akinremi, to Hon Adebowale Adeyoju and Hon Mustapha Salaudeen.

Soaked sliced bread statement is Tinubu’s hatred for Igbos taken too far - Group

Tinubu

Maikalangu appoints politician as MD Of AMAC Community Radio

By Usman Shuaibu

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has appointed a politician, Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu Pam as the managing Director (MD) of AMAC Community radio located at Karshi.

This was contained a press statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Madaki and made available to Peoples Daily correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu Pam is to take effect immediately as the instruction was given by the Chairman.

The statement said the Chairman had enjoined the new Managing Director to live up to the expectation by harnessing the opportunities of the present administration of the Council to widen the scope of the proposed AMAC Commercial radio station in order to generate revenue for the station.

“Pam, before his appointment was a Special Assistant on Media and ICT to the former national Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur and also a member of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State and currently Chairman of FCT Gymnastics Sports Association,” the statement explained

The statement added: “Pam was also the Executive Director, production system Designs, Ikeja Lagos, Nonlinear Editor with a Germany firm, sylvio projects studio, Asokoro, Abuja. Nonlinear Editor with Quest Media Abuja and production, manager with Elopce. Worldwide television”.

According to the statement, “Pam holds OND in Broadcast Journalism, HND in Journalism and BSC in Mass Communication as the statement said the MD of AMAC radio attended several local and international trainings.

The statement disclosed that the new managing Director is a member of Nigeria Union of Journalists as well as a Special Marshal with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

POLITICS

Vote for me to enjoy democratic dividends – SDP candidate, Adebayo tells Kano

By Musa Baba Adamu

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has urged the Nigerian electorate to vote for him as Nigeria’s next leader to enable them to enjoy the resources God created for the country, stressing that he has the plan to address poverty and the insecurity bedeviling the country.

He made this disclosure during a rally in Kano State for the party’s gubernatorial candidate and others contesting on the SDP platform.

He also promised to support Kano State to restore its industrial base as well as facilitate infrastructure development in the state.

“We want to exchange ideas regarding the way Nigeria is going. Whatever way Nigeria wants to go, Kano has a role to play, ” he said.

Adebayo further said: “If the traditional politics of Kano determines where Nigeria is going, then I’m glad to say the country is going a progressive way.”

Prince Adebayo pointed out that Kano people know what they want and they always decide Nigeria’s politics.

He maintained that it was in Kano, MKO Abiola defeated a Kano indigene in a presidential race under the platform of SDP.

“Even in recent primaries conducted by different political parties in Nigeria, Kano delegates showed (the way) the elections want to go,” he said.

In a meeting with stakeholders in the state, the SDP presidential candidate said: “We need to bring new two terminals for passengers and have a new runway at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, (MAKIA), the present one is long overdue, considering the fact that Kano is a mega city and hub for commercial activities.”In a meeting with stakeholders in the state, the SDP presidential candidate said: “We need to bring new two terminals for passengers and have a new runway at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, (MAKIA), the present one is long overdue, considering the fact that Kano is a mega city and hub for commercial activities.”

Mammoth crowd in Onitsha rally shows Nigerians want Peter Obi – Coalition

By Christiana Ekpa

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has deduced that the large number of people at the Labour Party presidential campaign rally in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Tuesday was an indication that Nigerians prefer the party’s candidate, Peter Obi for the February election.

Despite claims by the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, that Obi, who is one of his predecessors, did not achieve much in the state, thousands of supporters trooped out en masse for the rally in Onitsha.

Reacting, the coalition, in a statement issued and made available to reporters by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, said the mammoth crowd was a “clear statement to those who hired Governor Charles Soludo to attack Peter Obi that Anambra people and Nigerians are solidly behind Obi”.

“Action they say speak louder than words. The people of Onitsha have spoken the same way Nigerians did in Edo and other states of the federation that Mr Peter Obi is who they want as Nigerian President come 2023.

“We have seen with our own eyes that Nigerians have woken from their slumber to take back their country from those who are hell-bent on destroying it via corruption and other vices”, the statement added.

Ceremonial guard of honour as President Muhammadu Buhari receives New Ambassadors to Nigeria e.g Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Kingdom of Thailand, Senegal and South Sudan at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

Osun APC Chair sues for peace as guber election tribunal resumes sitting

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the state Police Command and other law enforcement bodies in Osun to beef up security within and outside the State High Court premises, venue of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The Tribunal is slated to resume its seating on Friday for the final written addresses of applicants.

But the Osun APC said its call for security is with a view to nipping in the bud, any violence that may be orchestrated by disgruntled politicians.

The state Acting APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal also commended the efforts of both the statutory and conventional security agencies since the inception of the tribunal, tasking them not to relent in their efforts.

In a statement signed by Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC Media Director on Thursday, Lawal said it was expedient for the assigned security officers at the Tribunal to discharge their duties without fear or favour and with the exhibition of civility during the course of performing their official responsibilities.

He also assured the security agents that the state APC members will conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the tribunal sitting.

In his words, “I assured the security agents of the commitment of APC members to their usual orderliness and display of Omoluabi virtues in and outside the venue of the tribunal.

“I, however, advise the statutory security agents to extend the tentacles of their investigation of crimes in the state to bungle the boasted plans of some political stakeholders in the state to sponsor hoodlums to cause mayhem in and outside the tribunal venue.”

Commending the Osun APC members for exhibiting a spirit of resilience while attending the tribunal sessions, Lawal encouraged them not to waiver in their belief that justice would not only be served but will be seen to be served to the satisfaction of all the genuine lovers of democratic government.

“I urge the APC members to turn out in their usual numbers for the tribunal attendance in order to boost the morale of the party’s lawyers who have been working day and night to secure justice for the party in the July 16, 2022 governorship election.

“The members of our party should continue their usual culture of decorum no matter the provocation from any quarters in order to be active partakers in watching the imminent light at the end of the tunnel,” Lawal concluded.

On December 20, 2022, the Osun State gubernatorial election petition tribunal adjourned sitting to January 13, 2023, for final written addresses by Ademola Adeleke and Adegboyega Oyetola.

Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC had lost the July 16, 2023, Osun guber election to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Oyetola also challenged Adeleke’s victory at the Osun gubernatorial election petition tribunal headed by Justice Tertsea Kume.

Why next president must be Peter Obi – Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Elder statesman and leader of Afenifere, the apex Yoruba socio-political organisation, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, affirmed that the passion Nigerians have for Peter Obi of Labour Party is incomparable to that of other candidates.

Adebanjo made the claim while fielding questions on Arise Television’s State of the Nation news programme on Thursday.

He reiterated that it is the turn of the South East to produce the president, saying he was the first person to cry out about that.

Adebanjo said, “Well, I believe those who have love in following the trajectory of the Nigerian election must know why we are supporting Peter Obi. Of course, you must remember I was the first person to cry out that it was the turn of the South East. The parties had not done their primaries at that time, but I was just thinking about the constitutionality, logicality and equity of the situation of Nigerian politics from the time of independence.

“I think all passion for Obi cannot be compared with others. It is historical, philosophical, logical and constitutional, and even a question of inclusiveness if you are sincere about keeping Nigeria together.”“I think all passion for Obi cannot be compared with others. It is historical, philosophical, logical and constitutional, and even a question of inclusiveness if you are sincere about keeping Nigeria together.”

L-R: Group Chief Executive Officer NNPC Limited Mallam Mele Kyari, Chief Executive Officer Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority Engr. Ahmed Farouk, Minister of State Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva, Spanish Foreign Minister Mr Jose Albarese, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum Resource Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Chief Executive Officer Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and Managing Director Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Mr Philip Mshelbila, during a bilateral meeting between NIgeria and Spain, in Abuja, on Thursday

Tsunami would hit APC in two weeks time before elections –Jigawa ex-deputy gov

By Musa Baba Adamu

Former Jigawa State Deputy Governor Ahmad Mahmud said a tsunami will hit the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state in the next two weeks.

Mahmud stated this while speaking to journalists shortly after he formally decamped to PDP from APC in Bamaina.

He said work is in progress to end the era of APC in Jigawa State and Nigeria in general.

He said: “I have already talked to my political allies and other good people of Jigawa State in APC, all have accepted to dump the party and join PDP.

“In the last eight years, APC has destroyed all the foundations of peace and progress Jigawa State was built on and drifted it to the path of total collapse. ”

He enjoined his supporters to join hands with other PDP members to ensure the party wins the coming 2023 general election.

APC, PDP have structures of criminality, poverty – Peter Obi

By Christiana Ekpa

Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has again rubbished claims that he has no political structure to win the 2023 election.

Obi spoke in Enugu on Thursday at the Michael Okpara Square during the party’s campaign rally.

Earlier in the day, he also held discussions with massive crowd at both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, and the Enugu campus of the University.

Addressing the crowd, Obi said nobody should be deceived over claims of structure, stressing that it was the turn of the Nigerian youths to retake the country.

“They told you I have no structure. What they have is structure of criminality, structure of fuel scarcity, structure of poverty,” Obi said.

While advising the people not to be carried away by the promises of the same people who he said had destroyed the country, he lamented that “in our country today, 133 million people are living in poverty, how many are left?

“We have more poor people than India and China combined. We have a lot of people living in poverty, we cannot continue this way, millions of people are living without knowing where the next meal will come from.

“Today, moving around the country, you are not secured. I assure you that I and Datti will secure and unite Nigeria.”

Obi equally enjoined the electorate not to be swayed by religion and ethnicity while casting their ballot.

“I am am a Nigerian and I want to change Nigeria. I don’t have dual citizenship of any country. I don’t have resident permit of any country.

“This year’s election will not be by tribe or religion. No tribe or religion buys bread cheaper.

“I am not contesting because I am an Igbo man. I am a proud Igbo man but I am contesting because I have the capacity.

“It is nobody’s turn, it is your turn. It is your turn to have something you are doing.

“I told students today, no more ASUU strike, four years will be four years, five years will be five years,” he further stated.

Also speaking, the Vice Presidential candidate of the party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed declared that the North is ready for the polls.

“This is 2023, it is the turn of Peter Obi and I tell you, nobody and nothing is coming in-between

“Apart from Peter Obi, any other person contesting is deceiving himself. Peter Obi is that exemplary leader who is moving Nigeria from disunity to unity.

Ninth NASS delivered on legislative agenda - Lawan

By Musa Baba Adamu

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, says the Ninth National Assembly has delivered on its legislative agenda for Nigerians.

Lawan made this known on Thursday while delivering an address to mark the celebration of his 64th birthday in Abuja.

According to him, the ninth assembly after its inauguration, stated its commitment to working for Nigerians with a robust legislative agenda that covered critical areas in need of immediate intervention.

Prominent amongst such areas are security, economy, revenue generation and collection, education and constitution amendment.

Speaking on the performance of the Ninth Assembly, he said, “We decided to be focused, strategic, tactical, patriotic, tolerant and patient in our work in the ninth Senate.

“We defined what we wanted to do in the ninth Senate when we were campaigning. We said we will work for Nigerians, and when we drew our legislative agenda after we we inaugurated, we worked on it. Thank God, almost everything we put there as legislative agenda, we finished with them in a good way.”

He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to collaborate with the executive arm to ensure that the challenges posed by insecurity across parts of the country are nipped in the bud.

The Senate President, while lauding the efforts of the federal government in the area of infrastructural development, underscored the need to improve on revenue generation and collection for same to be adequately sustained.

“One other challenges is lack of sufficient revenues for government to undertake its numerous laudable and noble national development projects across the country.

“Most of what we do in terms of national development is to borrow funds for us to execute those projects.

“I think we have to work hard to improve our revenue generation and collection because it is not looking too sustainable that we tolerate people and some agencies of government, to misapply or not even declare the revenues they collect. We can’t continue with that”, Lawan said.

The Senate President stated that the upper chamber within the remaining period of its lifespan, would engage revenue generating agencies with a view to shoring up the country’s earnings.

He however advised the federal government to undertake a review of waivers and concessions already granted to corporate entities.

Lawan noted that doing so would provide more revenue to government and cause a boost to the nation’s economy.

He said, “So, for us in the Senate, we have decided that for the remaining part, we will continue to engage with our revenue generating agencies until we get better outcomes from them. This is possible and has become imperative.