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Nigerian Army Approves Hotlines For Operation Safe Conduct

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The Source
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Nigerian Army Logo

In an effort to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate of providing support to civil authorities and working in synergy with the Nigeria Police (NP) to ensure protection of lives and property during the forthcoming 2023 elections, the Nigerian Army (NA) has approved a list of Hotlines to monitor and report any suspicious act or acts of violence by unscrupulous persons or group of persons capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election, as well as the conduct of troops deployed to provide security during the election.

This is part of NA’s move to support the lead security agency, the NP for the successful conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.

It could be recalled that the NA had earlier produced and circulated Codes of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Operation Safe Conduct to formations and Units to provide guidance and ensure that troops operate within the provisions of the codes and rules.

Members of the general public are please enjoined to call the phone numbers below in their various states including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to report any security breach during the elections.

  1. ABIA 08031113129
  2. Adamawa 08022750987
  3. Akwa-Ibom 07034470916
  4. Anambra 07035891185
  5. BAUCHI 08128063675
  6. BAYELSA 08033241005
  7. BENUE 08080754339
  8. BORNO 09099616160, 08086987079
  9. CROSS RIVER 08037084192
  10. DELTA STATE 07035070797
  11. EBONYI 08158274048
  12. EDO 09066325953
  13. EKITI 08037851448
  14. ENUGU 09032102212 08023097458
  15. GOMBE 07063908779, 08082557782
  16. IMO 07034907427
  17. JIGAWA 07017791414, 08100144363
  18. KADUNA 07031544227 08028580978, 08035242633
  19. KANO STATE 08038432656
  20. KASTINA 08108854061, 09012998054
  21. KEBBI 09130213661
  22. KOGI 08033217964
  23. KWARA 09060001270
  24. LAGOS 08034025825, 08023190487, 09024409000, 08033709434
  25. NASSARAWA 09051009404
  26. NIGER 07031346425
  27. OGUN 09116589494
  28. ONDO 08036130535
  29. OSUN 09019683922
  30. OYO 07047703000
  31. PLATEAU 08037116395, 07031260622
  32. RIVERS 08064274222
  33. SOKOTO 07069084570, 07052693532, 08136913284
  34. TARABA 08136728969, 08060902363
  35. YOBE 08061397656
  36. ZAMFARA 08140075541
  37. FCT 09114913164, 08186690471, 08079153860, 08034276240, 08164304255 09159793968

Group To INEC: Give Nigerians Credible Elections

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The Source
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A public policy think tank, the NEO AFRICANA CENTRE (NAC), has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give Nigeria a free, fair and credible elections in the February 25 presidential and National Assembly electoral contest.

The Centre said that this is the least the people expect from the commission after five months of exasperating campaigns by the various political parties and their candidates.

NAC noted that except for a few cases of smear campaigns by some political parties and their candidates, the campaigns were largely robust and issue-based especially that of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who was easily the face of the freshness and vibrancy that defined the campaigns. The Centre said the Peter Obi effect has offered something new to our politics and urges INEC to conduct a free and transparent contest that will reflect the new mood of the nation.

To this end, NAC has implored INEC to put its best foot forward in order to deliver an election that will bear out the efforts of the candidates at the campaigns.

In a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Jenkins Udu, the Centre said it is looking forward to appropriate deployment of technology as has been promised by INEC in order to make the exercise as transparent and credible as possible.

The statement reads in part:

“We are delighted that the elections are finally here. It has taken faith in and commitment to the electoral process for Nigerians to get to this point. The candidates and the political parties have faced the people at various fora where they tried to sell their agenda. The people heard them clearly and are ready now to make their choices. It behoves the electoral umpire at this point to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent as should be the case in a truly democratic setting.

“We are encouraged the more by the plan by the commission to deploy technology in the conduct of the polls. We look forward to the commission’s activation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System as well as the INEC Result Viewing portal all of which are improvements in the way elections were conducted in the past.

“We take seriously the assurances of the commission that it will deploy these devices to protect the sanctity of the choice made by Nigerians at the polls. We therefore task the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to live up to his promise that ‘votes will continue to count and will be the sole determinant of the electoral outcome’.

“It must be appreciated by all concerned, especially the electoral commission, that the forthcoming polls hold the key to a peaceful and stable Nigeria. All hands must therefore be on deck to ensure that we do not miss this golden opportunity to reset and reengineer the country. Nigerians are eagerly looking forward to a new Nigeria that will work for all.

“Only a credible election that will give the people the candidates they have voted for will make this possible. INEC should therefore live above board. It must be truly impartial in the discharge of its responsibilities. Nigerians must not be disappointed by the Commission.”

“Desperate Opponents Seeking Obi’s Anointing From Back Door

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The Source
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Peter Obi

With barely 72 hours to poll, the Media Office of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates of the Labour Party, has accused Political opponents of mischief. It said they  have intensified their efforts to “tap into the envious profile of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, ostensibly for want of good ingredients on their candidate to market at this wee hour left.”

In a statement, it accused those it called “PDP marketers of mischievously, at all costs, tapping on the name of the moment, Peter Obi of the Labour Party.”

The statement reads: “The Obi-Datti Media Office’s attention has been drawn to some videos of the Labour Party’s Presidential Standard bearer, Peter Obi when he was the running mate to the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP platform in 2019 when he called on Nigerians to vote for Atiku.

“Also, a video of Obi attending the Presidential declaration of Atiku earlier in the year explaining why he attended the declaration while nursing the same ambition is being circulated using Obi’s testimonial on Atiku.

“It’s understandable why everybody wants to tap into Obi’s ‘anointing’.He is the only name in the political space currently that has the people’s acceptance and his opponents want to draw from the living water, as it were.

“Obi had delivered and still delivering tempting and irresistible messages that resonate with the Nigerian people, which opponents think they can tap from by posting his past remarks on them to deceive credulous voters.

“Truth remains that Obi asked Nigerians to vote for Atiku in 2019 when he was his running mate when he had hoped his position as his number two will help his aspirations especially as the position of President was justifiably zoned to the geopolitical North then.

“Today all discerning minds are unanimous that for justice, peace, and stability, the Presidency of this country should go South and in particular the South East who are yet to taste the position especially as the North held the position for the past eight years.

“The LP Presidential ticket holder had also succinctly explained why he attended Atiku’s declaration while nursing the same ambition because he does not see politics as a war of enemies more so that he was still in the same political party, the PDP with Atiku then.

“The Obi-Datti Media office,, therefore wishes to appeal to Nigerians particularly the Obedient family to disregard the mischief intended by the circulators of such video who thought they can tap on Obi’s anointing from the back door.

“If they have a message to Nigerians why the voters should look their way on Saturday, February 25, 2023, they should have been showcasing it instead of looking for a good name to tap from.

“Finally, the Obi-Datti Media office wishes to advise these mischief makers who are seeking to harvest where they did not sow that this electioneering is an era of 3cs; Competence, Character, and Capacity and no longer of my turn or entitlements based on religion and tribe. That era is history.”

Jonathan Calls For Violence-free Elections

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The Source
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Goodluck Jonathan

Ahead of next Saturday’s elections, former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has enjoined Nigerians to be patriotic, peaceful and display true sportsmanship as they exercise their civic rights to vote for candidates of their choice.

Dr. Jonathan who stated this in a message to Nigerians released by his office on Tuesday also urged politicians to eschew hatred and violence, be circumspect in their actions and work towards consolidating the nation’s democracy.

On his charge to the youth, Jonathan said: “The future belongs to you; do not allow yourselves to be used as agents of destruction and violence.  Nigeria is yours to build. This election provides you with the opportunity to be key partners in the nation-building process by electing leaders of your choice; those you can hold to account, those you trust to defend your future and guarantee unity, peace, and prosperity in our great country.”

The former President further noted that 2023 election means so much to all the citizens, describing it as a moment of truth and courage. He stated: “Democracy has put our fate in our hands. It has given us power, the power to make the right choices, determine our future, and shape our destiny. I urge you all to make your respective choices in the best interest of our land. Let us make our choices peacefully and respect the choices and rights of others.”

Below is the full text of Dr. Jonathan’s statement:

Fellow Compatriots,

This is a historic week for our country, as citizens of voting age go out to cast their ballots this weekend to elect our next president and federal parliamentarians who will be expected to make laws for the common good of the land. The same exercise will be repeated for governorship and state houses of assembly in two weeks.

It is a time that requires us all to exercise the highest form of patriotism in our nation-building journey and collective quest for peace and progress. Let us approach this election with devotion, dedication, and selflessness, by ensuring that we don’t jeopardize our country’s peace and unity as we exercise our franchise and pursue our political dreams and aspirations.

In recent times, West Africa and a few other nations in our continent have witnessed a crisis of democracy that has led to unconstitutional change of governments, which has derailed their democratic quest for peace and development.

We must not allow our elections to be a source of violence and anarchy. We must desist from the temptation of yielding to those desirous of making our communities and states, theatres of conflicts for their selfish ends.

Let us realize that the primary purpose of democracy is to uphold the freedom and dignity of citizens and deploy the instruments of governance toward advancing and improving the well-being of our people.

We should strive to consolidate the gains we have recorded in our democracy in the last two decades by ensuring that the elections are peaceful, just, and fair.

I urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  security agencies, and other critical stakeholders in our democracy to be professional, civil, and non-partisan as they carry out their duties during this election.  This way, we can deepen citizens’ faith in our democratic process and minimize the likelihood of electoral violence.

To politicians, this is a time to be circumspect in our actions and work towards consolidating our democracy. Power is sought and held in trust to be selflessly exercised in the interest of the people and seeking it at all costs negates this ideal and projects politicians in a bad light.

Let us eschew hatred and violence and display true sportsmanship, during and after the poll.

To our youth, the future belongs to you; do not allow yourselves to be used as agents of destruction and violence.  Nigeria is yours to build. This election provides you with the opportunity to be key partners in the nation-building process by electing leaders of your choice; those you can hold to account, those you trust to defend your future and guarantee unity, peace, and prosperity in our great country.

Finally, to all citizens, this is a moment of truth and courage. Democracy has put our fate in our hands. It has given us power, the power to make the right choices, determine our future, and shape our destiny.

I urge you all to make your respective choices in the best interest of our land. Let us make our choices peacefully and respect the choices and rights of others.

God bless Nigeria.

Ikechukwu Eze, Special Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

APC, PDP Elicit Confidence Over Reps Seat, As Court Sacks Candidate

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Even before Saturday’s election, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has been celebrating its victory of one of the House of Representatives seat in the state.

PDP victory is premises on the last minute judgement of the federal high court which annulled the emergence of the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Gboyega Adefarati last week.

But the APC has told the PDP that its celebration will be short-lived as efforts are being made to discharge the judgement.

In a statement, by the public relations officer, Kennedy Perete, the PDP remarked that “Just about four days to the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking legal remedies to ameliorate their self-inflicted calamity in Akoko South East/ Akoko South West Federal Constituency.

“The Federal High Court sitting in Akure has declared for the second time that, the APC does not have a candidate for the February 25th House of Representatives election in Akoko Southeast/Southwest Federal Constituency.

“The APC Primary for the Federal Constituency which produced Adegboyega Adefarati as candidate was held at the International Event Centre (Dome) Akure, in flagrant abuse and violation of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.

“The primary was annulled and new one was ordered to be conducted but the APC ignored the Court order.

“Typical of the APC, they tried to circumvent the law and manipulate the process towards a prepared answer again and another charade called primary election was conducted against the order of Court and letters of the Electoral Act 2022.

“But, on Friday, 17th February, the hens finally came home to roost at the Federal High Court sitting in Akure emphatically declared that, in the eye of the law, APC has not conducted election and therefore has no candidate.

“APC is also barred from conducting another election, their candidate restrained from parading himself as a candidate of APC in the election and INEC was also restrained from accepting any name from APC as a candidate.

“The implication of this is that APC is technically and legally knocked out from participating in the House of Representatives election in Akoko Southeast/ Southwest Federal Constituency.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State, salutes this courageous decision of the Court and at the same time congratulates our Candidate, Arch Gbenga Kolawole who has by this judgement is very close to victory even before the election.”

Reacting, APC spokesman, Alex Kalejaye, stated that “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has been drawn to the unfortunate celebration of the PDP over the Federal High Court decision on Akoko South West/ Akoko South East Federal Constituency in the forthcoming National Assembly election.

“What readily comes to mind is that the opposition party earnestly crave an easy ride to an unmerited electoral fortune in the federal constituency during the election, without labour . What a pity.

“Ondo APC wishes to remind the struggling opposing PDP that APC logo will be on the ballot paper, and that is an indication that the ruling party is still actively in the race to National Assembly in Akoko South West/South East Constituency.

“May we further remind the political dreamers that the APC is a party to beat in the Akoko land, on account of physical development by our government, and intimidating political structures in the area.

“For those who deliberately refused to monitor events, the APC had since rejected the judgement, directed its lawyers to file stay of execution, and challenge the judgement at the Appeal Court.

“A fact that is not contestable, however, is that the APC is far ahead of other parties in Akoko in particular, and entire state in general.

“Whoever emerges representative of the Akoko South West/ Akoko South East Federal Constituency come Saturday 25th, will be determined by the informed residents of the two local government areas, and not the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“We perceive that the only incontestable fact, however, is that the APC is several poles ahead of other political parties, in any part of the state, in all indications, and highly favored to enjoy the mandate of the people.

“We therefore urge our party members to ignore all forms of distractions and concentrate on winning more souls for the party in the federal constituency, and prepare to relish the ultimate victory.”

Nigerians, Avenge, Take Your Anger To The Polls

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The Source
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By Datti Baba-Ahmed

Next Saturday, Nigerians will be expected to make the most important decision in the history of the country, decision that will determine and shape the future of Nigeria.

The past eight years have witnessed the most lamentable failures in terms of promises made for change.

The same people, though now in different camps, have renewed the same promises made in 2015 which none has been fulfilled or delivered. Even the simplest one, the provision of bursaries or scholarships for students promised in 2015, repeated in 2019 and yet to be achieved, is being promised again among others in 2023.

We must not forget that Nigeria faces existential threats because of very poor leadership and irresponsible governance.

The good news is the arrival of Labour party and its most admired, remarkable and inspirational leader, His Excellency Peter Obi who has changed the dynamics of Nigerian politics for good. He has mobilised Nigerians, given them hope to believe that a new Nigeria, devoid of bad leadership, insecurity, corruption is possible.

Also possible, is a country propelled by good governance and production to significantly improve the general well-being of the vast majority of Nigerians and guarantee their security and prosperity.

It is a message he has taken around the country and has been well received by millions of Nigerians who have come to believe in him because of his good antecedents.

Throughout this campaign we have met some of the most amazing, enthusiastic, and wonderful Nigerians particularly the youths who, through their actions and commitments, have convinced me of the need for an honest and dedicated leadership.

These are Nigerians, the Obidients who have shown courage and desire to take back their country. They care very little about religion or ethnicity but a country that is inclusive, united and works for all. You only have to be at the rallies and town hall meetings to appreciate the outpouring of love, support and encouragement to His Excellency Peter Obi and my humble self.

We thank every Nigerian most sincerely.

Our supporters have invested energy and emotions because they can see our sincerity and commitment. This is what makes us different from the others- we have asked Nigerians to hold us responsible if we fail, as promised, to unite and prosper our dear Nation, Nigeria.

We have asked them to hold us responsible if we fail to move Nigeria from consumption to a productive economy. We have asked them to hold us accountable if we fail to build a twenty-first century economy propelled by technology, and if we fail to transform the vast arable lands in Nigeria especially in Northern Nigeria into the “New Oil”.

We will bear the full responsibility if we fail to build the required human capital and skill for the twenty-first century economy.

Hold us responsible, if we fail to cut waste in Government or drastically fight corruption which has permeated every segment and sector of our national life. We make these promises because of what we are offering Nigerians – leadership with character, competence, knowledge and compassion.

This is the stark difference between us and others and why we call on all Nigerians to troop out next Saturday and vote for Labour Party. A vote for Labour is a vote for a secure and progressive nation. It is a vote for unity, and an appreciation that our diversity is a major strength which we must promote to our advantage.

I know that His Excellency Peter Obi will, before the close of the campaign, speak to the Nation but today I call on all Nigerians of goodwill, Nigerians who care about the youths to come out en-mass and vote Labour. Even if you are angry with the country and the leadership because of the sufferings you are going through, take your anger to the polls and vote out those who over the years have impoverished you through bad governance.

Our message is very simple and unambiguous.  Against the threats and challenges facing us, we offer Nigerians a leadership with character we know, with proven records of competence we can trust, knowledge and compassion you can feel, a capacity that has been tested and proven. A leadership you can hold accountable.

Let me reiterate: We shall stop the killing and start the healing. We shall stop the stealing and start the keeping. We shall stop the slide and start the climb of our economy. Vote for Labour Party (LP) for a New Nigeria!

The 2023 election, if held correctly, holds the promise of the long awaited secure, stable and prosperous Nigeria. I, therefore, sustain the call on INEC to be an impartial umpire and not frustrate the will of the people.

I implore the Security Agencies, the Police, the Military, the Department of State Security (DSS) and other uniformed Officers to conduct themselves with utmost responsibility and resist the temptation to subvert the will of the people.

And to my dear Nigerians, you have the best opportunity to take back your country and usher in a new Nigeria. I urge you to troop out, vote Labour Party (LP) and protect your right to a New Nigeria  – let’s get it done.

Vote Peter Obi for President
Vote Labour Party- LP
PAPA – MAMA – PIKIN.

Baba-Ahmed is the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party

Lawyer To RCCG: Your Silence On 2023 Presidential Election Is A Sin

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Inibehe Effiong

By Adesina Soyooye

A Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has criticized the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, for its silence on the 2023 Presidential Election in the Country.

Effiong, who slammed the RCCG  for its seeming indifference, described the silence of the Leadership of the Church as a sin.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the General Overseer, GO, of the Chuch, which boasts of a very  large congregation, running into tens of  millions.

The Lawyer wondered why the RCCG which established  a Political Department during the Presidential Party Primaries, especially, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, suddenly went dumb.

He alleged that the Church, perhaps, established the Department because one of its own, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, a Pastor in the Church, was a Presidential aspirant of  the APC. He said the RCCG went cold as soon as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu defeated the Vice President.

His words: “What happened to the Political Department that the RCCG formed during the Primaries?

“You don’t have to mention the name of a particular Candidate. But you have a duty to guide your members on the attributes of the candidate they should vote for.

“Should a Church only be politically active when a member is contesting? Is the Body of Christ no longer one? It should be about the betterment of Nigeria.

“I have a problem with some  Religious Leaders in this Country. I have seen first hand in Akwa Ibom State how corrupt Religious Leaders have aided the criminality of corrupt politicians.

“The Nation is bleeding. Every Pastor or Imam that truly cares about a better Nigeria should speak out against those who are holding us down.

“Prayers alone will never salvage Nigeria. It will take responsible and credible Leadership to rescue this Country. That is why the Bible says that when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice.

“In other words, when the unrighteous is on the throne, the people suffer.

Silence at this time is a sin!”

A number of Churches, especially, of the Pentecostal bent, have been vigorous in guiding members of their congregations to ignore tribe and religion and vote for a God-fearing Presidential Candidate who would straighten out Nigeria.

Unlike many of those Churches with a large congregation, the RCCG has been silent.

Buhari, Emefiele, No Longer Important After Presidential Election, Both Will Expire – Oshiomhole

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

A former National Chairman of  the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, says that President Muhammadu Buhari will become unimportant after the Presidential Election on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

According to Oshiomhole, Buhari will become irrelevant. In the same irrelevant boat with the President, the former two-time Governor of Edo State told his audience, is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

Oshiomhole, the Senatorial Candidate for Edo North, said this while on  campaign at the Jattu Market, Auchi, Edo State.

His utterances stem from the deadline given by the President and the CBN, on the Naira Swap.

The CBN had, in November, 2022, redesigned three denominations of the Nigerian Currency, the Naira. The denominations affected are the N1,000, N500 and N200. It gave January 31, 2023, as the deadline for the swapping of the old Naira Notes with the new. But the new Naira was nowhere available. The CBN and the President were forced to extend the deadline to February 10, 2023, when three APC State Governors – Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna, Bello Matawalle, Zamfara and Yahaya Bello, Kogi – approached the Supreme Court, and asked that both the old and the new Naira notes be allowed as legal tender, side by side. The FG added a five day grace.

On the 15th, inspite of the subsisting Court order, since the case was adjourned to February 22, 2023, and the outcry of the people, the CBN declared the old notes illegal tender.

Since the crisis and confusion began, Nigerians, especially, the masses, have gone through hell. The scarcity of both the old and new notes dealt with the people. No money. No food. Anger took over, and the people trooped to the streets in anger. A few people lost their lives to the violence, while a few were lost to hunger and the unbearable suffering. A number of banks were torched.

In a broadcast days later, President Buhari asked the CBN to reinject only the old N200 notes into the system.

But that did not help matters. Things got worse, and still is. Most APC Governors and Leaders accused Buhari of deliberately targeting  their Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, with the new Naira Policy. Tinubu had earlier made the same allegation. Buhari wants Tinubu to fail, they argued, otherwise why did the FG embark on the redesign of the Naira now? To complicate matters, there is an extreme scarcity of fuel.

It was the same allegation Oshiomhole made at Jattu market where he declared that Buhari and Emefiele will be irrelevant after February 25. To boot, he told the people that their old Naira notes were still legal tender. He asked them not to throw them away.

Said Oshiomhole who spoke in Pidgin English: “All this wahala wey Buhari put for currency change, my hand no dey inside. Our Party don tell Buhari, wait if you wan change currency, you shouldn’t change am during election. Wetin you no change during your time, you want take am spoil another pesin time. E no good.

“He has to obey the Supreme Court. Supreme Court judgement is superior to the pronouncement of the President. That’s the Nigerian law. I disassociate myself.

“Na dem choose ham. If dey say day wan to change it, make dem give you the new ones. Now, dey wan to remove the old ones, dey no give you the new ones.

“On this matter, President Buhari is on his own. Your Naira will remain valid according to the Supreme Court. Don’t throw away your Naira, keep it.

“By the time you finish voting on Saturday, Emefiele, the Central Bank Governor will expire. Your money will not expire. But the President will expire.”

I Remain Unshaken In Saturday’s Election – Chimaroke Nnamani

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Chimaroke Nnamani

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Enugu state and Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani has declared that he remains a candidate to beat in Saturday election.

He told his constituents to come out en masse to vote for him in the Senatorial election.

The former Governor was dismissed from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for nor supporting the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar.

He has never hide his feeling and support for Bola Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC)

Nnamani also made the final list of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Senatorial candidates cleared for the Saturday’s election .

The Senator therefore affirmed that his candidature for the election is neither threatened nor shaken submitting that “ in Enugu East Senatorial zone , there is no vacancy.”

He told his people in a press statement issued on Tuesday to ignore any insinuation to the contrary assuring that he is mentally and psychologically prepared for Saturday’s election.

The Federal Lawmaker assured his constituents of continued effective and quality representation in the Senate, saying that Enugu East will get her fair share of dividends of democracy.

He added that he will be fair and just to all adding “whatever be your interest and concerns will always be my mission and purpose in the Senate.”

Senator Nnamani urged his people to be law abiding just as he canvassed for a peaceful conduct of the elections.

Nnamani, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa/ NEPAD, is seeking reelection on the platform of the PDP.

“My Concern To Change Imo’s Infrastructure Narrative”  –  Uzodinma; Flags-off New Roads

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodinma has reiterated that part of his major desire in office is to change the infrastructure narrative of Imo State such that the masses will have some relief.

He also assured that his programmes will continue to be people-centred.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday while flagging-off the construction of three adjourning roads to MCC/Uratta Toronto Road Junction with a promise to complete the projects in four months.

The new roads are; Road Safety/Toronto, Toronto/Orji/Okigwe road intersection and Toronto/Umuori/Umunahu/Uzoagba Ikeduru roads.

Governor Uzodinma expressed delight at the flagging off ceremony, noting that “the good roads network will make Owerri assume its proper status as the State Capital of Imo State.”

He explained the gains derivable when the roads network into Owerri, the State capital, are made comfortable and properly lit, saying that “the people, the Civil Servants and businesses in Owerri and its environs will become more bearable and even the unknown gunmen will all disappear.”

He reminded the audience that “Government is all about the people and a visionary leader is that leader who thinks about the people,” and assured that “the three roads will be completed in four months and precisely by June this year the roads will be commissioned.”

The Governor thanked the Traditional Rulers, the leaders of Owerri North and Ikeduru and the pensioners for coming out to support the Government.

To the pensioners in particular, the Governor said he will sit down with their leadership to work out the modalities on how to deal with the many years of pension arrears as soon as the resources of the State improve.

He also appealed to the Communities where the roads are located to cooperate with the construction company to ensure the project is realised within the specified period.

On a sad note,  the Governor expressed dismay over the attitude of residents who deliberately dispose their wastes on the median of the newly reconstructed roads, including the MCC-Toronto road commissioned last week, noting that ‘’constructing the road is one thing, maintaining it for durability is another.”

Regardless, on the forthcoming Saturday election,  the Governor reiterated that “enemies of the State and the South East in general are busy working to stop our citizens from coming out to vote.”

He, therefore, appealed to Imo people to come out and vote, emphasizing that their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is their AK47 with which they can change their lives.

He once more reminded the audience that as Governor of Imo State he is of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that the Government he presides over as Governor is government of APC.

He emphasised that he did not come like other past governments, but one who has come to “change the narrative by bringing good governance that is anchored on quality health, education, good road networks, security, and the general well-being of the citizens of Imo State.”

He then called on the Clergy and the entire people of Imo State to continue to pray for the State and the government for peace, security and development.

The Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka specially thanked the Governor for all the good things he has been doing for Imo State and Owerri North in particular and for keeping his promise of constructing durable roads and even the road that leads to her house.

“The people are happy with the Governor and he should keep up the good works.”

In his welcome remarks,  the Commissioner for Works,  Barr. Ralph Nwosu said that the ceremony was for the flag-off of part of the outer ring road from Orji/Naze measuring 8.4 kilometers with a Spur of 2.6 kilometers from Toronto to Uzoagba.

Nwosu added that the government was not only constructing roads, but working to arrest erosion that moves from Toronto junction to Uzoagba River.

In their appreciations,  the leaders of the area – Chief Lemmy Akakem, Chief Henry Njoku, the Chairman of Owerri Zone Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Akujobi Osuagwu, and the Traditional Ruler from Ikeduru, HRH Eze Ebikoro, all thanked the Governor for his benevolence to their Local Government Areas as beneficiaries of the Owerri/Okigwe road, MCC/Uratta/Toronto road and now the three new roads being flagged-off by the Governor.

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