Home Blog Page 1738

Naira Scarcity: Doubts Over 2023 Census As FG Earmarks N400bn

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

Over N400 billion has been set aside by the federal government for the conduct of the 2023 Census. This was disclosed by the National Population Commission, NPC, on Thursday.

In spite of the provision, not a few Nigerians have expressed doubts on the successful conduct of the Census due to the Naira swap policy of the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN which has caused so much confusion in the country.

Many Nigerians have been stranded for days due to the policy, as they could not access cash from commercial banks. The cash crisis will also affect government programmes including the Census, expected to take place between March 29 and April 2 this year, close watchers of the nation’s politics say.

The NPC said out of the amount earmarked by the Buhari administration over N100 billion has already by the commission on logistic ahead the Census expected to hold later this year.

NPC Public Affairs Department Head in Plateau, Jick Lawrence, said this while presenting a paper at a one-day capacity building workshop for journalists on effective reporting of census in Jos, Plateau state yesterday.

Lawrence said, “Over N400 billion has been earmarked to be expended on the 2023 census.

“About N100 billion has so far been expended on preparations ahead of the exercise, census is a very big and capital intensive exercise.”

He stated that census had far-reaching socio-economic gains, adding that some of the funds would go into the empowerment of about 1.5 million Nigerians.

Those empowered, he explained, would be paid monies ranging from N100,000 to 150,000 per person.

He also added that 56,000 vehicles would be hired to enhance movement of personnel and materials, and about 800,000 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) would be procured.

Lawrence said the reflation of the economy, through the circulation of cash transferred into the hands of functionaries and clients, who supply infrastructure and services, would add value to the economy.

He added that census was critical to development, and, therefore, deserved critical attention.

Lawrence said more items would be added to the questionnaires issued to households, which included ICT literacy, fertility and child survival, as well as deaths in the household in the last 12 months.

Others, he said, were difficulties in performing activities, sanitation, climate change, among others.

Meanwhile, not a few public analysts insist that the census will run into problems so long the cash crisis persists.

“How are you going to conduct a population census when there is no cash in circulation? How are you going to pay for logistics and other preparations without paying some people cash? We are not yet ready for internet banking, the infrastructure is not just there,” one of them said on Tuesday.

PDP Cancels Presidential Campaign In Rivers State, Cite Insecurity As Reason

By
The Source
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, says it has cancelled the Presidential Campaign in Rivers State, citing insecurity as the reason.

The PDP PCC had earlier planned that the Campaign would hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday. But the PDP PCC Chairman in Rivers State, Senator Lee Maeba disclosed it would no longer hold citing insecurity.

Senator Maeba stated: “The expected victory of Atiku Abubakar does not worth the blood of any Rivers man or woman.”

It would be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike had earlier cancelled the permission the State Government gave to the PDP to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt for the  Presidential Campaign Rally. It later restored it, but the State PDP PCC turned it down.

A few days ago, the Chairman of the State PCC, Dr Abiye Sekibo was attacked by assassins at the new venue the PDP chose for the Rally. The venue was, also, set ablaze.

Sekibo put the blame on Nyesom Wike, but the Governor denied culpability.

Details Later……

FG To Assist Ekiti On Ecological Issues

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has promised to collaborate with Ekiti State Government to tackle ecological problems ravaging some parts of the state.

Specifically, the Federal Government said that it would accord the mudslides issue on Ilawe- Ado Road a top priority in its ecological support for the state.

A statement by Yinka Oyebode, Special Adviser, Media to the Governor stated that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed these during a meeting with Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji in Abuja.

Governor Oyebanji had, at the meeting, tabled the mudslides issue which has made the Ilawe- Ado road impassible, as well as other ecological challenges in some parts of the state with a plea for urgent action.

The SGF, whose office supervises the Ecological office, noted the Governor’s request and assured that the Federal Government would act on it speedily, to avert further disaster.

The State Government had provided an alternative road for motorists shortly after the mudslides caused a huge damage to the Ilawe- Ado road.

Recently, the Government has also commenced the rehabilitation of failed portions between Erijiyan – Ilawe – Igede road as an alternative to the  Ado- Ilawe road.

Governor Oyebanji explained that fixing the ecological issues with the  support of the Federal Government would ensure a more lasting solution than a hurried rehabilitation of the Ilawe- Ado road.

The Governor urged the people of the area as well as motorists plying the route to remain calm as the road is receiving urgent attention.

He also thanked the Federal Government and the SGF for the assurance on Ekiti ecological issues.

2023: INEC Gives Reason Why Election Will Not Hold In 240 Polling Units

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has disclosed that election will not take place in 240 Polling Units across 28 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. He disclosed it is because no voters indicated interest to transfer to those units  during the last Continuous Voter Registration due to insecurity. The total polling units for elections is now 176,606.

The Electoral umpire boss made disclosed this during a meeting with political parties on Monday with less than 12 days to the general election.

While addressing the Political Parties, Yakubu said: “Let me, therefore, start with the issue of polling units. You may recall that in 2021, with your support and that of other critical stakeholders, the Commission successfully expanded voter access to polling units 25 years after the last delimitation exercise in 1996. Consequently, the number of polling units increased from 119,973 to the current figure of 176,846.

“At previous meetings, we also briefed you on our efforts to redistribute voters to the polling units in order to avoid the congestion that made voting cumbersome in many of them nationwide. This requires the redistribution of voters to new polling units in proximate locations. Where they are separated by distance, this must be done after consultation with the voters. This has been done by our State offices nationwide.

“However, there are 240 polling units without registered voters spread across 28 states and the FCT. They range from one polling unit to 12 polling units in each state and the FCT, except Taraba and Imo states with 34 and 38 polling units respectively. No new registrants chose the polling units and no voters indicated interest to transfer to them during the last Continuous Voter Registration, mainly for security reasons. This means that no elections will hold in these polling units.

“In our avowed commitment to transparency, the Commission is making available to Nigerians a comprehensive list of these polling units by name, code number and their locations by state, local government and registration Area. With this development, the number of polling units where elections will hold nationwide on February 25, 2023 and March 11, 2023 is now 176,606. Hard copies of the list are included in your folders for this meeting. Above all, Nigerians deserve the right to know the locations of these polling units. Accordingly, the soft copy of the list has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information and guidance. ”

Yakubu added that observations from the just concluded mock exercise showed that registered voters could not identify their polling units, advising voters to confirm the locations of their polling units through a dedicated portal on our website.

He said “Closely related to the distribution of voters is the identification of polling units. From the feedback we received from our officials and accredited observers following the recent nationwide mock accreditation using the BVAS, it is clear that some voters could not easily identify their polling units. This should not happen on election day. Consequently, the Commission is advising voters to confirm the locations of their polling units through a dedicated portal on our website.

“In addition, all voters who have been assigned to new polling units will receive text messages from the Commission indicating their polling units. We have also compiled the register of such voters and our State offices will give it wide publicity, especially for those who may not have provided their telephone numbers during voter registration or those whose numbers may have changed. Voters can locate and confirm their polling units before election day by sending a regular text or WhatsApp message to a dedicated telephone number. Details of the simple procedure will be uploaded to our social media platforms shortly.

“As you are already aware, we have less than two weeks to the 2023 General Election. The Commission is finalising the issuance of 1,642,386 identification tags for the Polling and Collation Agents nominated by the 18 political parties made up of 1,574,301 Polling Agents and 68,085 Collation Agents. I urge the Chairmen and leaders of political parties to ensure that only agents accredited by the Commission and wearing the correct identification tags appear at polling units and collation centres during elections. A situation where two or more agents claim to represent a political party, resulting in commotion at polling units or collation centres, is unacceptable. Only Identification tags issued by the Commission will be recognised on election day and violators are liable to arrest and prosecution for impersonation.”

The INEC Boss stressed that as regards the ongoing electioneering campaigns, the Commission is concerned about violent attacks on supporters of political parties across  board, resulting in the loss of life in some cases.

“Let me once again appeal to Chairman and leaders of political parties to continue to call your candidates and supporters to order. I also call on the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone involved in violent conduct, including incendiary statements capable of inciting a breach of the peace.”

DSS Invites FFK Over Coup Allegation

By
Uche Mbah
-
0

By Uche Mbah

Femi Fani-Kayode, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, has been invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his tweet which alleged that Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was discussing with the military over the possibility of taking over the Nigerian Government.

The former Aviation Minister has, however, claimed he was merely quoting a Newspaper report which says Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, met with some military officers.

He did not name the officers.

Both the Military and Atiku swiftly, and strongly denied the allegation.

Atiku, in a statement, called on the DSS and the Police to invite Fani-Kayode over the unfounded allegation,

The DSS, according the Fani-Kayode first sent him a text message inviting him to their office, followed by a formal invitation.

In a statement  Monday, Fani-Kayode said he would honour the invitation.

“I found it interesting that a call came from one of Atiku’s dogs for me to be arrested by the Security agencies yesterday and had it not been for the fact that the DSS had actually sent a text to me two days earlier I may have thought that they were acting on the instructions of what can only be described as a hopeless and desperate presidential candidate, opposition party and PCC who are clutching at straws, drowning fast, seeking to silence those that give them sleepless nights, shivering in despair and staring defeat in the face in the upcoming presidential election,” he said.

“Clearly the DSS were not influenced by Atiku and were simply doing their job by inviting me on a matter that needs explanation and clarification and for a thorough interrogation.

“And of course being a responsible and law-abiding citizen I will present myself before them accordingly.

“Unlike cowards like Emefiele, Atiku, and their strange bedfellows, I do not fear my own shadow and neither do I shiver and shake when I am invited by the security agencies.

“I always honour their invitations when properly invited because that is the right and proper thing to do.

“This is all the more so when it touches and concerns matters of national security which I take very seriously and when it involves agencies like the DSS who are professional and thorough in their methods and approach.

“I have nothing to hide and consequently I will present myself before the DSS this morning as I have been asked to do.

“I maintain my utter contempt for Atiku and the vermin that are around him and no matter what happens to me today or at any other time, know that as long as there is life in me I will oppose the darkness and evil that they represent.

“I am used to arrest, interrogation, detention, prosecution and so much more and have suffered these indignities on many occasions over the last 15 years.”

Lagos: Oba Akiolu Shunned Obi, LP Says

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

More facts have emerged on why Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, did not pay a visit to Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.

Akiolu  is a staunch supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and a former governor of the state,  a fact not hidden to many acquainted  with the politics of Nigeria’ s economic  capital.

The LP candidate had a massive campaign in the state last week, but has also faced criticism for not paying homage to the traditional ruler.

As the most populous state in the country with a huge number of voters, not a few insist that Obi is banking on votes from the state to emerge winner in the February 25 presidential election.

The former governor of Anambra State have a large following in the state and many youths from the Centre of Excellence are believed to be rooting for him, as many also insist, that Lagos is a battle ground for the frontline presidential candidates, and will be one of the states to determine who wins the critical election in few days.

The failure to meet the first class  traditional ruler, some supporters of Obi insist is likely to be used by his opponents against him, as he tries to galvanised voters support in the state.

“What they are trying to do is to project him as someone who has no respect for traditional rulers and customs. But from all you can see the former governor has proved time without number that he believes and respect our royal fathers,” one of his supporters said.

Also responding to the allegation that Obi shunned Oba Akiolu, Dayo Ekong, chairman of the party in the state, said Obi was prevented from seeing the traditional ruler.

Ekong who spoke on Arise Television on Monday said Obi had written a letter to Akiolu days ahead the campaign, but was turned down, on the pretext that Oba Akiolu was unavailable to see him.

Ekong said, “People should not say what they have no information about. Peter Obi respects culture. He visits traditional rulers in every state before going to campaign.

“In Lagos, he made attempts to see the Oba but was denied access. He write to the palace but the palace responded that the Oba was not available to receive him. He cannot cannot then drive to the palace when he’s been told that the Oba is not available.”

Meanwhile, Obi has met with a 15 year old boy, who went viral after a photograph of him standing in the front of the LP presidential candidate surfaced last Saturday.

Yusuf Alimi said during an interview that he blocked Obi’s convoy to show his support and love for him.

How NDLEA Bursted General Overseer And His Drug Ring

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

The drag net of the the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has caught Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, General Overseer of a Lagos-based, Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, for alleged trafficking.

Kenrick, according to the anti drug trafficking agency was busted when trying to export methamphetamine and skunk consignments concealed in kegs of palm oil through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.

The consignment, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi said in a statment on Sunday was Dubai, United Arab Emirates bound before it was intrcepted by eagle – eyed officials from the agency.

“This is where private jets and universities come from” said a netizen while commenting on the arrest of the Lagos based G.O and his accomplices.

The NDLEA mentioned Oyoyo Mary Obasi and Udezuka Udoka as accomplices of the GO who are now in the agency’s net.

The statement reads: “High Priest Nnodu was arrested on Saturday 11th February 2023 at his Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos following the arrest of two suspects: Oyoyo Mary Obasi and the theology student, Udezuka Udoka on Thursday 9th February at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk weighing 14.90 kilograms and 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.

“In her statement, Mary indicted the General Overseer of her new-found church, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large as the persons that gave her the consignments for export after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction.

“Spilling the beans on how she was recruited by her church’s GO, Mary said the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets, adding that High Priest Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats.

“The theology student, Udezuka was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the illicit business. Udezuka said he was paid N2 million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education.”

The NDLEA has stepped up efforts at reducing illicit drug trafficking in the country since Brig Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) took over the agency.

Under his watch many drug traffickers have been arrested and their drug cartel busted, those monitoring the agency said.

Stop Punishing Nigerians, Release Your Hoarded New Naira Notes, PDP Tells APC, Tinubu Campaign

By
The Source
-
0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) including its Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC State Governors immediately release alleged billions of new Naira notes in their custody and halt the anguish being experienced by Nigerians.

The PDP in a statement signed and released on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described as wicked and unpardonable that “the same band of deceptive, sneaky and hypocritical APC leaders who are deeply involved in intercepting and hoarding of new Naira notes are going about trying to hoodwink Nigerians by posturing as though they are concerned about their plight.”

Said the statement:

“It is instructive to state that the controversial Naira redesign and swap policies are programmes of the APC administration which is also completely in control of the production and circulation of the new notes.

“The APC leaders having realized that they cannot win in the 2023 general elections, sabotaged the system and diverted the new Naira notes so as to create widespread social unrest to justify their plan to derail the elections and truncate our democracy.

“Our Party has been informed by some well-meaning APC members on how six APC State governors led by a particular infamous Governor of a prominent State in the North West region are coordinating the hoarding of new Naira notes for the vote buying scheme of the APC ahead of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

“The PDP has also been made aware of how APC governors are allegedly warehousing the new Naira notes in facilities owned by APC interests in Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Imo and other parts of the country for the purpose of vote buying for Senator Tinubu in the Presidential election.

“Nigerians can recall that the APC was recently busted in the process of swapping the sum of N22.5 billion in old N1000 notes for new ones in Kano State for vote buying, in a deal wherein a substantial part of the old notes was allegedly conveyed to Lagos State for secret swapping with new notes.

“It is, therefore, callous for APC leaders to continue to watch Nigerians spend nights at ATM stands, fight one another in bank halls and ATM centers for cash with millions stranded without money to take care of their daily needs.

“The PDP calls on Nigerians to hold the APC and its leaders directly responsible for the pain, economic hardship, social dislocation and psychological distress they are going through on account of APC induced cash scarcity in the country.

“The APC has again demonstrated that it is party of very cruel, insensitive and self-centered politicians who relish in inflicting pain, anguish and life-discounting situations on our citizens in the last seven and half years of the APC administration.

“Our Party, therefore, urges Nigerians not to allow the deception, lies and shenanigans of the APC to detract from their collective resolve to end the era of misery in our country by voting Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria so that he can commence the onerous task of rebuilding our nation from the abysmal misrule of the vicious APC.”

CAN Distances Body From Fake Peter Obi’s N2 Billion Largesse; To Probe Source Of Allegation

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Daniel Okoh, has demanded that the source of the story of an alleged Two Billion Naira Largesse by Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, to the Body be probed.

The alleged Largesse was said to have been given to Churches under CAN’s umbrella. But the Body, on Sunday February 11th, 2023, debunked the claim that it collected such huge sum.

CAN in a Statement described the letter by one Frank Onwumere as malicious and untrue, and  warned those peddling the falsehood to desist from such acts because they are capable of defaming innocent people and revered religious institutions as well as breaching public peace.

Pastor Frank Onwumere who allegedly signed the petition has denied any knowledge of such petition, and said he is not a member of Dominion Center International based in Okigwe, Imo State.

It urged the public to disregard the purported  petition as its content was not only untrue but malicious. CAN said it would probe the source of the letter in the public interest.

Okoh made the clarification in a statement titled, “Re: Petition on the misappropriation of N2 billion given by the presidential candidate of the Labour party, Mr Peter Obi to churches under the umbrella of CAN.”

He said, “The attention of the National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria has been drawn to a purported letter currently in circulation on social media, alleging that a certain sum of N2bn was given by the presidential candidate of Labour party, Mr Peter Obi to Churches under the umbrella of CAN.

“I use this medium to categorically state that the so-called letter of petition reportedly signed by one Pastor Frank Onwumere and addressed to my office is illogical and can best be described as a failed attempt to drag the apex Christian body into the politics of 2023.

“However, we will investigate the source of the letter in the interest of the public.

“To set the records straight, I am not aware of any N2bn given to Churches in Nigeria to mobilize votes for any 2023 presidential candidate and never received the said petition dated December 22, 2022.

“Nigerians should note that CAN, as a faith-based entity, maintains its non-partisan stance and will not endorse or mobilize support for any candidate in the upcoming elections as against the social media post being circulated by some elements bent on soiling its name and image

“CAN, therefore, urges members of the public to disregard the purported letter of the petition as its content is not only untrue but malicious.

“We warn those peddling the falsehood to desist from such acts because they are capable of defaming innocent people and revered religious institutions as well as breaching public peace.”

Jang Says G-5 Not Supporting Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor and Member of the Integrity Group that comprises the five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said the Group is not supporting the Presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu.

The Integrity Group comprises of five PDP Governors led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

There have been reports that Wike has directed his loyalists in the State to vote Tinubu. It has, therefore, been taken for granted that the Group has decided to back Tinubu.

But Jang says there is no such thing as support for the APC Presidential Candidate by the Group.

Jang said that the claim by Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, PCC,  Governor Simon Lalong, is false and a figment of his imagination.

Reacting to the claim in a statement on Sunday, Jang stated that Nigerians no longer took anything coming from Lalong seriously.

The statement, which was signed by his Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, said, “Obvious sign that Lalong is daydreaming is him thinking that the G5 PDP Governors and allies including former Governor Jang are supporting Tinubu.

“They have repeatedly said that they do not have personal problems with Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, but with the process that brought him up.

“Yes, the Integrity Group has disagreements with the PDP and their withdrawal of support for Atiku’s campaign does not in any way suggest that they support the APC candidate. Only Lalong and his fellow dreamers think so”, he said.

1...1,7371,7381,739...2,965Page 1,738 of 2,965