News / politics

OGD flags off campaigns with mega rally, empowerment

Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ogun East Senatorial Candidate for the 2023 general elections is set to kick-start his election campaign with a mega rally on Sunday, 2nd October, 2022.

According to schedule of events released by his campaign office, the campaign will commence by 11:00am at Ita Oba, Akarigbo Palace, Sagamu, Ogun State.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun,  is expected to be the Chief Host at the rally.

The statement mentioned  that a major highlight of the Mega Rally, which promises to be colorful, will be the Empowerment Programs which Otunba Gbenga Daniel has been known for over the years.

In recent years Otunba Gbenga Daniel has been awarding hundreds of scholarships across various Local governments amongst other multidimensional empowerment initiatives which started over 20 years ago via his pet project, The Gateway Front Foundation.

The statement itemized the prizes to be won include a Star Prize of a tractor worth about N10m. Others are a Toyota Highlander SUV as second prize and a 2.5KVA generator as third prize.

“These empowerment programs will continue as the campaign machinery traverse the length and breadth of Ogun East Senatorial District.

“The public, members of the All Progressive Congress, friends and well wishers across Ogun East Senatorial District, and beyond including Local Government Chairmen, Councilors and Party functionaries, are hereby invited to this special event,” it added.…

News / politics / Travel

Spokesman speaks on report United States denied Tinubu visa

Alhaji Tunde Rahman, the spokesman of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has denied that his principal was denied a visa of the United States of America.

Alhaji Rahman spoke in reaction to a story by nigerianconcord.com.ng that the US did not renew the visa of Tinubu.

He said: “Oga, it’s an original fake news.

“HE Asíwájú was not and has never been denied US visa.

“He has a two-year valid visa that was renewed last November.

“Two years is the maximum any Nigerian can get.

“It’s a ridiculous post by a non-existent news online.

“You know one can’t really be taking issues with a non-existent platform.

“The fake story was attributed to Nigerian Concord newspaper.

“The Concord as you know closed shop many years ago!”

“We don’t have time for a rabble-rouser seeking to drive traffic to a fabricated and unknown website.”

The Eagle Online recalls that the nigerianconcord.com.ng had after initial story on the issue, followed up with another, where it insisted on its authenticity.

In fact, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the online publication, Abiodun Oluwarotimi, challenged Tinubu to prove he was not denied US visa.

However, details of Tinubu’s existing valid visa had emerged.

The APC presidential candidate renewed his US visa in November 2021.

As is the practice, the former two-term Governor of Lagos State was issued a two-year visa, the maximum period of validity any Nigerian can get.

According to Western Post, the current visa was issued on November 18, 2021 and will expire November 15, 2023.

From the US visa bromide available to Western Post, Tinubu’s type B1/B2 visa carries control number: 20213207840001.

It also reported that perhaps miffed by the fake and groundless report, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, last week visited Tinubu at the APC Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, where she cracked a joke with the APC standard-bearer, saying: “So the two-year visa you received last November has suddenly expired.”

Ambassador Leonard was accompanied on the visit by the …

Education / News / politics

ASUU strike: House of Reps leadership meets Head of Service, others

In continuation of the efforts to find solutions to the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside his deputy, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase, and other leaders of the House on Thursday met with the Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan; and chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, among other government officials.

The meeting was a follow up to an earlier one Speaker Gbajabiamila held with the ASUU leadership on Tuesday.

The outcome of Tuesday’s meeting led the House leadership to invite the Head of Service; National Information Technology Development Agency; Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission; and Accountant General of the Federation among others.

At Thursday’s meeting, NITDA told the House leadership the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System, University Transparency Accountability Solution and University Peculiar Personnel and Payroll System failed its integrity tests regarding the university payroll, which the agency conducted between March and June this year.

A NITDA official at the meeting told the House leadership that the government directed the agency to test UTAS in October, 2020, and that the platform failed the two integrity tests conducted on it.

He said following the first test, ASUU was asked to go back and review, which it did.

Yet, the platform did not meet NITDA’s requirements the second time.

For the third time, NITDA was then asked to conduct tests on UTAS, IPPIS and U3PS, which the official said all the three platforms failed its requirements regarding the payroll system of universities.

Not satisfied with the explanation, Speaker Gbajabiamila asked if NITDA advised the government to take action on the lapses found on the IPPIS, which has been in operation by government since 2011.

But the NITDA official said they were not in a position to do that.

Gbajabiamila also asked if NITDA queried the IPPIS platform, to which the official responded in the negative.

Wase also expressed reservations at NITDA’s action, saying it ought to have advised government on the appropriate …

Education / News / politics

ASUU strike: Buhari told us not to sign agreement we can’t implement — Minister

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari warned the government team involved in the negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities against signing any agreement the government would not be able to implement.

The Minister said this on during a meeting with Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities on Tuesday.

At the meeting held at the National Universities Commission office in Abuja, Adamu said: “In all we have been doing, our guide has been the directive of Mr President Muhammadu Buhari, namely that while the unions should be persuaded to return to work, Government should not repeat the past mistakes of accepting to sign an agreement it will be unable to implement.

“Government should not, in the guise of resolving current challenges, sow seeds for future disruptions.”

The Minister, who traced the face-off with ASUU and other unions in the university, added: “To confound matters further, the three other university non-teaching staff unions – SSANU, NASU and NAAT also declared trade disputes against the Federal Government and commenced nationwide Industrial actions a few weeks later. NAAT started its strike on March 17, 2022 while the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU followed suit on March 27, 2022.

“In response to the Unions’ demands, the Federal Government reconstituted the FGN/University-based Unions 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee, with Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs as Chairman on 7th March, 2022. The Committee was charged with the responsibility of concluding the ongoing Federal Government renegotiation efforts with the University-based Unions and producing appropriate solutions, workable and enduring agreements for the improvement of the Nigerian University System.

“While the Briggs Committee was busy interacting with the Unions on all the issues, a Federal Government Inter-ministerial Team, under the leadership of the Minister of Labor, Dr. Chris Ngige, was simultaneously engaging the Unions and resolving some of their minor demands, such as salary shortages and payment of arrears of the minimum wage consequential adjustments as well as payment of promotion arrears. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning was …

Music / politics

Controversy over Remi Tinubu’s comments on Igbos in Lagos in trending video

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has threatened Igbos living in Lagos State with eviction and inheritance of their wealth.

She issued the threat in a video in which she was speaking with a lady of Igbo extraction, who had obviously wronged her.

In the trending video making the rounds on the internet, she said the deities of Lagos will be called upon to chase out the Igbo.

 

She declared: “We will invoke all the deities of Lagos to chase Igbo people out. “Igbos who refuse to learn our language.

“Igbos who didn’t marry Yoruba, we will inherit them.

 

“Given how much we love Igbo, you now want to spoil everything.

“You are not the only tribe in this place.

“Hausas are here, we accommodate them.

“Calabars are here, we accommodate them.

“But Igbo are proving difficult.

“We will inherit you.

“We will invoke Lagos deities to chase away the Igbos who refused to learn our language.

 

“Those that insist not to marry the Yorubas, we will inherit their belongings.”

However, the date, time, venue and reason for the utterance by the senator did not accompany the video, with many saying it was an old one.

There were also others sources who said it was a family affair, with Senator Tinubu speaking in a convivial manner with those she was addressing.

At some point, she even said she could see she was being filmed.

But a lot of social media users have reacted to the resurfaced video.

@Sports_Doctor2 said: “This is RCCG ‘Pastor’ Remi Tinubu, Tinubu’s wife and the woman that wants to be ‘First Lady’.

“God Abeg.”

@AkiimReid1, wrote: “This is demonic and the government didn’t hear this? How else can anyone define tribalism and hate? Hating Igbos can’t wipe them off the surface of the earth. These words actually stinks of hate for the Igbos. I am not Igbo but support fairness, oneness, equity and Justice.”

Another commenter, @Hash_Astensk, said: …

News / politics

You are a political scavenger, Dino blasts Fani-Kayode

A spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign in 2023, Senator Dino Melaye, has noted the PDP has no position to offer former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, in the party’s campaign team.

Melaye made this known in a statement on his verified Facebook page Sunday night, describing the former minister as a “political scavenger”.

 

He said, “My attention has just been drawn to a statement issued by Femi Fani-Kayode, which as usual, was an incoherent gibberish produced from his temporary relief from insanity. How can one explain his momentary consciousness to react to an interview long granted, if not that his world of reality is not in sync with the world of sound minds? His comment was at best a mixture of prevarication, lack of comprehension and a voyage in meddlesomeness and idleness.

“Truly, an idle hand and heart like that of FFK is the devil’s residence. Ordinarily, his rambling would have been ignored, but in this age of unrestricted access to the media even by unwholesome minds, care must be taken to put issues in the right context and perspective. The roller-coaster FFK is merely seeking to receive attention, having employed all forms of ingratiation to be recruited by the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, but failed.”

 

Melaye noted that Fani-Kayode had contacted Timi Frank in a bid to lobby for a position in the Atiku-Okowa campaign team.

 “To be sure, he contacted Timi Frank to help lobby for a job in the Campaign Directorate, but where is the record to help his desire? As a serial hustler around food dispensers, FFK’s misadventure into the issue of the leadership of the PDP is nothing but a subtle campaign to be noticed and rewarded by prospective paymasters.

 

“Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry how FFK bootlicked and cajoled Yahaya Bello during his presidential experiment, but later jumped to the presidential train of Senator Ahmed Lawan in the throes of the presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress in an unabashed …

News / politics

Victoria Inyama says 70% of Peter Obi’s fans are ‘Zombidients’ and ‘Obidiots’

The movie star made this known while reacting to a post shared on Instagram by popular On-Air personality, Daddy Freeze. Daddy Freeze had taken to his IG page on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, where he categorized the presidential hopeful’s supporters into three categories.

“Peter Obi supporters can be classified into 3 main groups: 1: Obidients: Amazing guys who understand his philosophy and support him passionately. 2: Zombidients: These ones just dey follow Obi cluelessly with their eyes closed as the name suggests,” he wrote.

“3: Obidiots: A coagulation of Louts and touts lurking online and offline, ready to jump and attack anyone who doesn’t support Obi. Which of these do you fall into? ~FRZ.”

Inyama then took to the comment section of the post where she blasted the supporters of the politician.

Obi’s candidacy has been warmly received in many quarters, especially by some of your favorite celebrities.

Since the election season began, several Nigerian celebrities have been vocal about not just their choices but also about citizens’ participation in the forthcoming elections.

In July, Nigerian comedian Okey Bakassi said his love for the country was pure until Buhari happened.

“I lost my “virginity” under Buhari’s administration…yes!…my love for Nigerian was pure and unbroken until Buhari happened to us in 2015. I can’t recognize my beloved country anymore,” he tweeted.

The comedian has never hidden his dissatisfaction with the style and manner the current administration has managed the affairs of the nation.

…
Education / News / politics

How I resolved four months ASUU strike in one night — Ex-President Jonathan

A former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has narrated how his government resolved a four-month-old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities in one night.

Dr. Jonathan spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at the birthday of the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah.

At the conference to mark the birthday, the former president said on the ongoing strike action by the university teachers since February 14, 2022: “The society we are managing is quite complex.

“Yes, I was the president and I tried my best.

“Now, we are talking about ASUU strike.

“During my time too, ASUU had four months of strike.

“Different committees were meeting but nothing was working.

“I said: ‘How can our children stay out of school for four good months?’

“So, I had to call a meeting of all the leadership of ASUU.

“I presided over the meeting with my vice president.

“The Attorney General was there.

“I said that that night we must solve the problem.

“The Attorney General was there, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was there, the Ministers of Education were there, the Labour Ministers were there, the Finance Ministers and everybody that had to do with it (strike).

“And I thought that my being there would help us to do things quickly.

“But we spent the whole night.

“We finished like 5:30am and the strike was called off.

“So, there were issues.”

Jonathan extolled Bishop Kukah, advising him to keep speaking against bad leadership in society.…

News / politics

Akeredolu to Commissioner of Police: Arrest impostor Ondo monarch

The Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has told the State Commissioner of Police, Oyediran Oyeyemi, to immediately arrest and prosecute Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi, who he accused of claiming to be the Olofun of Irele in Irele Local Government Area.

Akeredolu made the request in a letter he sent to the CP, which was made available to the media on Wednesday.

He said Oloworiyibi was an impersonator as his administration has not approved or appointed anybody as the Olofun of Irele kingdom.

Recall that Oloworiyibi was crowned last month, but a petition to the State Government cited irregularities in the process that led to his coronation.

Akeredolu said in the letter: “Government has noted with deep concern, the activities of one Mr. Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi, who has been parading himself as the Olofun of Irele kingdom, in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State. This impostor has not only impersonated the Olofun of Irele kingdom, he has also arrogated to himself the powers to confer chieftaincy titles on unsuspecting beneficiaries and his lackeys/cohorts.

“The position of the State Government is that no person has been approved or appointed as the Olofun of Irele kingdom, hence the activities of Mr. Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi are not only overreaching but illegal and capable of causing disaffection amongst the peace-loving people of the ancient town which consequences can be better imagined. It is in the light of the foregoing, amongst others, that the Ondo State Government is ordering the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi.

It is a known fact that the Ondo State Government, since the inception of our administration has maintained dignified neutrality in the selection of traditional rulers for towns and villages in the State and this is unarguably responsible for the peace the State is enjoying on chieftaincy matters.

“Consequently, the State Government will not fold it hands and watch any individual or group of Individuals disturb the peace of the State through needless and avoidable chieftaincy tussles. I attach hereto some photographs of Mr. Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi and …

News / politics

Osinbajo travels to United States, Nigeria’s energy transition plan on the agenda

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, departs Abuja for the United States of America early Wednesday seeking global partnerships and support for Nigeria’s recently launched Energy Transition Plan.
 
Prof. Osinbajo is leading Nigeria’s Energy Transition Implementation Working Group (ETWG) on the US mission with meetings starting from tomorrow-the 1st of September to promote the plan and secure global support from the US government, the private sector, and other development partners.

The ETWG which is chaired by the VP comprises relevant ministers and other top government officials.
 
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan officially launched last week at a global virtual event is a homegrown, data-backed and multi-pronged strategy developed for the attainment of 2060 net-zero emissions commitment in 5 critical sectors : Power, Cooking, Oil & Gas, Transport & Industry. Nigeria needs $410 billion to deliver the Transition Plan by 2060.

Among other highlights, the plan needs at least $10 billion per annum above business as usual spending for effective implementation.

At the launch, the World Bank and a renewable energy organization – Sun Africa, pledged a sum of $1.5 billion each totaling an initial $3 billion investment to support the implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan. 

While in the United States, Prof. Osinbajo will meet US Vice President, Kamala Harris; US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm; Secretary of Treasury, Janet Yellen, and President of World Bank Group, David Malpass, among others.

The Vice President is also scheduled to speak on Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan at the Centre for Global Development in Washington DC.
 
The Vice President’s delegation to the U.S. will include Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning,   Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Works and Housing, Raji Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu;  Minister of Environment,  Mohammed Abdullahi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General/CEO for Sustainable Energy for All, Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi. Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Uzoma Emenike will also join the delegation.
 
The Vice President will return to Abuja early next week.…

News / politics

Breaking: Obasanjo, Wike, Obi, others meet in London

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, met with the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in Lodon.

Although details of the meeting were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report,  we gathered that it was part of negotiations ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Wike attended the meeting with his allies including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, among others.

Our correspondent gathered that a meeting between Wike and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, will also hold in London later today.

Details later……

News / politics

Nyesom Wike has agreed to work for Tinubu — Masari,

The placeholder of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 presidential election before the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as vice presidential candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, has said the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has agreed to work for the election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president.

Recall that Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, met with Tinubu in the United Kingdom over the weekend.

Masari, who spoke in the United Kingdom, told the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday: “The meeting was basically on the 2023 presidential election and by God’s grace, we are going to work with Governor Nyesom Wike.

“He will assist and we are going to win the election with ease, by the will of God.”

Asked whether Wike would join the APC to assist Tinubu win the election, Masari said he was not in a position to confirm that.

He, however, said Wike does not need to leave the PDP before he could assist anyone he wants to help.

He said: “This is because Wike is a big politician, a governor and he has control in some other states, apart from his state.

“He is good to the people and has associated with his people peacefully.

“By the grace of God, he will be of help to us.”

Asked if the new political romance will last as Atiku’s camp is still trying to pacify Wike, Masari said: “Well, only God knows what will happen next.

“But from what we are seeing now, what has transpired is that we are going to work with Wike and he will be useful to us.

“If you could remember, it was APC that caused the failure of APC in Bauchi, it was members of the party that led to the defeat of the governor from their party.

“The same thing happened in Adamawa State.

“So, what I want people to understand is that someone can still assist you, even without joining your party if he wants to.

“Furthermore, with the widespread acceptance of Bola Tinubu to Nigerians, …

News / politics

You can’t judge Tinubu with Buhari’s performance — Oshiomole

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole, has told Nigerians not to judge the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the performance of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former two-term Governor of Edo State said this in reaction to a statement when he appeared on Arise TV.

Oshiomhole said during the interview on Wednesday: “It is a fact that Asiwaju himself said he co-founded the APC.

“I was a co-founding governor of the APC along with (Babatunde Raji) Fashola (former Governor of Lagos State) and other governors, but he never participated in governance, never held or carried out any contract on behalf of the government and so crediting him is totally wrong.

“This is just being fair and it is not the Vice President who announced that he has been given the responsibility by the President to chair the economic team and so you cannot ask him to account for some economic policies.

“You cannot say that someone who never in any way participated in the government should be credited with the outcome of government policies or blamed either way.”

On the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC for the presidential election, Oshiomhole said: “Tinubu is a Muslim who married a Christian and did not force his wife to adopt his own religion, which some practices has shown over time.

“Many governors upon leaving office book a seat at the senate.

“Asiwaju, upon leaving office, did not do that, but he encouraged his wife to go to the Senate.

“He did not go to the Senate himself.

“It turned out his wife has been one of the most active senators.

“So, I think the outcry from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria as well as the Christian Association of Nigeria is just all blackmail.

“I also think our challenge is beyond religion.

“Rather, we should be talking about evaluating these candidates and what they would do to transform the economy.

“CAN or PFN is not speaking for Northern Christians.”…

News / politics

Wole Soyinka speaks on APC’s Muslim/Muslim ticket

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has reacted to the Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 elections.

Prof. Soyinka made the remarks on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at a lecture which he moderated.

The lecture, themed: “Good Governance or Miss-governance: The Contract called Democracy,” was organized by Abeokuta Club to mark its 50th anniversary.

Soyinka said: “This gathering here could not have been more timely.

In fact, I am hoping that a series of this kind of encounter will take place all over the nation between now and the long awaited day next year.

“I think it will help many people clarify a number of things in minds before that day and maybe move a little bit away towards pulling us out of the morass in which we find ourselves, if we want to be very honest about this.

“I think we’ve all come here with a lot of negative image hanging on our necks.

“And also some measure of hope, some modicum of illumination.

“There is one other thing going on in my mind.

“And I think we have the experts here who will talk about it.

“There are some school children over there.

“And one wonderful thing about them for me is that they are in uniform.

“In other words I cannot tell which one is a Christian, which one is a Muslim, which one is an Orisa worshipper, which one is a Zoroastrian, which one is a Buddhist.

“They are school children.

“They are equal and they are being encouraged to see one another as human beings, not as separate creatures.

“And I want to be informed if it is against democracy that schools insist that uniforms be worn by children so that they are not distinguished in a very dramatic way so that they do not look at one another as different.

“So now I’m talking to religionists.

“I’m saying why do you want to create such marked differentiation at that age, that impressionable age, when we need to …

Entertainment / News / politics

‘Fixing Nigeria is more important than the money politicians plan to offer me’ – Okey Bakassi

The comedian made this known via his Twitter page on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

“Fixing Nigeria is more important to me now than any money any politician has to offer. If Nigeria becomes safe and economically stable, people like me will make money from safely using our talent across the country…like we used to. #letsfixNigeria,” he tweeted.

Bakassi also revealed that he won’t be paying attention to trolls on social media who have been dragging him over his political stance.

“Sorry if I don’t notice when you drag or troll me on social media, due to my political views. I’m currently focusing my attention on who becomes the next president. I’ll get back to you after the election. Pls bear with me #ndiara #letsfixNigeria,” he added. “Because I’m an Actor, some people want me to act like all is well with Nigeria. I’m a Comedian but there’s nothing funny about the situation in the country.”

The comedian has never hidden his dissatisfaction with the style and manner the current administration has managed the affairs of the nation.

In July, Bakassi said his love for the country was pure until Buhari happened.

“I lost my “virginity” under Buhari’s administration…yes!…my love for Nigerian was pure and unbroken until Buhari happened to us in 2015. I can’t recognize my beloved country anymore,” he tweeted.

Since the election season began, several Nigerian celebrities have been vocal about not just their choices but also about citizens’ participation in the forthcoming elections.

…
News / politics

TeeMac makes U-turn, says Tinubu is competent to lead Nigeria

TeeMac had earlier warned Nigerians not to vote for Tinubu in the presidential election. In a new statement released by the Delta State-born flutist, TeeMac said the competence of Tinubu to lead Nigeria is not in doubt.

“My attention has been drawn to a post that has gone viral on Social Media regarding a private banter with a Facebook acquaintance on the eligibility of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” part of the statement read.

“Whilst it is regrettable that such a private conversation went viral video from a Facebook Account, let me state that the conversation was taken out of context. In the first instance, I have high regards for the person of the APC Presidential candidate; a two (2)-Term Governor of Lagos State, and a revered leader of the APC. I have lived in Lagos since I relocated from Switzerland, and I can attest to his transformational impact in the State.”

“More significantly is his ability to identify and engage exceptionally and committed technocrats in governance with tangible results over time, and maintaining relationships with them, and others across board. This, I believe will be replicated if he is given the opportunity at the Federal level.”

“His all-inclusive style of governance has seen people from other states, ethnicities and faith take up appointments in Lagos, serving meritoriously too! Consequently, his competence is not in doubt. I only expressed my fear for the rigors of the office.”

“My personal view is that anyone can choose any candidate, but must ask themselves if they have chosen rightly. This is a pertinent question for everyone. I simply admonished a friend to vote by his convictions. My only grouse, which I still stand by is that it was Tinubu who sold Buhari to the nation in 2015, which candidate, contrary to all expectations, underperformed.”

“The above notwithstanding, I neither have a personal grudge with Asiwaju, nor would pursue a path of acrimony with my cousin, Remi Tinubu, whom everyone adjudged pleasant and

…
News / politics

We are facing most challenging times in our country — Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reiterated the need for the church to remain in prayers, saying the nation was facing the most challenging times in its history.

Obi spoke at the inauguration of Most Reverend Daniel Okoh as the new President, Christian Association of Nigeria.

At the event in Abuja, who received a rousing welcome with loud ovations of “OBIdients”, stated that unless Christians prayed and worked hard towards electing good leaders for the nation, the situation may continue to deteriorate.

He said: “Fellow Nigerians, please continue to remember our country in prayers.

“We are facing very difficult challenges in our nation at the moment.

“With the prayers of the church and our hard work as a people, we will come out victorious.

“Above all, remember all of us, the public office holders, in your prayers that we will use public money for public good.”

Obi praised the leadership of CAN for the smooth and peaceful transition of power, noting that it was worth emulating.

He said: “I think we have to come and learn from you so we can have a seamless transition as we go along.”

The inauguration of the new leadership of CAN had in attendance many dignitaries, political and spiritual.

The Governors of Delta and Benue States, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Benue Samuel Ortom; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were among those in attendance.

…
News / politics / Security

Significance of President Buhari’s visit to Liberia – Presidency

The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Liberia on Tuesday signifies the importance attached to the security and wellbeing of that country and the rest of West Africa.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, offered the clarification in a statement.

On July 26, Liberia marks a Special Independence Anniversary, commemorating 175 years of self-rule, with the country being the oldest independent post-colonial African State.

According to Shehu in the statement on Monday, Buhari is the Special Guest of Honor at the celebration and will deliver an address. He said: “The trip to Liberia comes at a time when political instability and the return of coups-d’état have upended two to three decades of democratic order in the sub-region.

“Liberia, Sierra-Leone along with Nigeria are going into elections in 2023 and President Buhari is expected to emphasize to them the importance of free, fair and credible elections.

“The President is expected to stress the importance of the respect for rule of law rule throughout the sub-region. Without rule of Law and constitutional rule, there cannot be security, peace and development.

“Peace and security of Liberia (and Sierra-Leone) is important to Nigeria given the enormous investments in men, material and resources expended by this country to secure the two states.

“Without the leadership of Nigeria in the context of ECOWAS to secure these two, there would not have been a Liberia on the map in its present configuration today.”

The presidential aide said Nigeria and Liberia would bilaterally bring to the table issues of cross-border terrorism, bolstering defense and trade ties.

“The warmth of the relationship and personal chemistry between President Buhari and George Weah of Liberia is no less significant and will play a key role in the events of tomorrow,” he added.…

News / politics

Davido calls out INEC for failing to issue certificate of return to his uncle days after winning Osun gov election

The music star took to his Twitter page on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, where he called out the umpire body. 48hrs after our @AAdeleke_01 victory at the Osun Gubernatorial elections, we are yet to receive our certificate. @inecnigeria should we send you fuel money? LOL Please no one should tamper with the will of the Osun People! Issue the certificate as required by law!” he tweeted.

This is coming barely 48 hours after INEC declared Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the July 16 gubernatorial election in Osun State.

Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat the incumbent governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, who polled 375,027 votes.

The PDP candidate won the governorship election with 28,344 votes.

Adeleke won 17 of the 30 Local Government Areas in the state.

This is the second time Adeleke and Oyetola will face each other in a gubernatorial contest.

In 2018, Oyetola defeated Adeleke after a rerun, which took place in seven polling units.

The incumbent governor won the election with 482 votes.

…
News / politics

Osun 2022: How I ‘poisoned’ Aregbesola’s loyalists, associates — Adeleke

The Osun State Governor-Elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has revealed how he “poisoned” some of the loyalists and associates of a former Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who is now Minister of Interior, to win the June 16, 2022 poll in the state.

The Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the election revealed this as part of his strategy in a Channels Television interview.

Adeleke was on Sunday declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission after polling 403,371 votes to that of the incumbent and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gboyega Oyetola, who polled 375,027 votes.

Aregbesola, a member of the APC, was in Germany while the election held. Adeleke told Channels Television: “I did not work with Aregbesola.

“I didn’t even talk to him, but all I know is his associates.

“For example, Kolapo Alimi, one of the lawyers that represented Oyetola at the tribunal.

“Then, anytime I saw him (Alimi) in court, because I’m a civilised person, I will go to them and greet them and say: ‘How are you doing?’

“It was later he apologised and said he was thinking: ‘Why is senator Adeleke greeting me? We are trying to mess him up and he is still greeting me.’

“But he later told me that while I was greeting him, I didn’t know that I was giving them poison.

“They knew that I won the election and they rigged me out and I was still greeting them.

“I believe that Aregbesola and Oyetola fell out.

“He (Alimi) came to me and said he has watched me and that he wants to join our party and we accepted.

“But Aregbesola directly?

No.

“But we know a lot of top APC that joined.

“Assuming that I had been talking to Aregbesola one way or the other, then I would say that maybe he gave them go-ahead to support me.

“These people have grown.

“They have their own minds to decide if they want to join me or not.

“They believed that I was the …