Home Blog Page 1762

2023 Election: US Imposes Visa Ban On Riggers, Sponsors Of Violence

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Anthony Blinken - US Secretary of State

Barely one month to the general election, the United States of America, USA has imposed visa ban on some Nigerians whose conduct is considered to be inimical to democracy.

According to statement by US Secretary of state, Anthony Blinken on Wednesday, some members of the family of those affected will also be sanctioned.

Recall that the President Joe Biden administration had last year announced its plan to place travel restriction of those causing violence in the country ahead the 2023 election.

The US however did not mention the names of those that the policy will affect.

According to the top diplomat,, “We are committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian election.

 

“Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States under a policy to restrict visas of those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.

 

“Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Additional persons who undermine the democratic process in Nigeria—including in the lead-up to, during, and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.”

 

“The visa restrictions announced today are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria. The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law,” the statement said.

Tinubu’s Attack On CBN, NNPC Sparks Anger In Presidency

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

The All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked anger in the presidency over his comment on Wednesday that some appointees of the current administration are working to scuttle his chances to win next month’s election.

The APC presidential hopeful had during the party’s presidential campaign in Abeokuta, Ogun State indicted some officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria,  CBN,  and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation,  NNPC Limited of trying to frustrate his presidential  ambition.

He alleged that the ongoing fuel scarcity and naira redesign are ochestrated to stop him from emerging winner in the February 25 presidential poll.

The former governor of Lagos state is a frontrunner in the election alongside Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Labour Party, LP, and, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

But speaking during the campaign, Tinubu alleged an ongoing plot to stop Nigerians from going out to vote on election day, saying he’s the target.

According to him, “they have been scheming to create fuel crisis, but forget about it,” they cannot stop the party from winning, adding “they hoarded money, they hoarded naira, we will go and vote and we will win, even if they change the ink on Naira notes.”

He said, “relax, I Asiwaju I have told you that the issue of fuel supply will be permanently addressed. Whoever wants to eat the honey embedded in a mountain won’t worry about the axe.

“Let them increase the price of fuel. Only them know where they have hoarded fuel.

“They hoarded money, they hoarded naira, we will go and vote and we will win, even if they change the ink on Naira notes.

“Whatever their plans, it will come to nought.We are going to win. Those in the PDP will lose.
“We will take over the government from them – the traitors who wanted to contest with us. They had no experience. The great Nigerian youths, the great Nigerian students, the confident Nigerian youths.

“This is a revolution. This election is a revolution. They are plotting, but they will fail.

“They said fuel price will increase and reach N2,000 per litre. Go and relax. They don’t want this election to hold.

“They want to scuttle it. But on this one, I’m guaranteeing you one thing: there will be student loan.

“Nobody will drop out of the university because of school fees. I guarantee you that.
“We are too smart, we are brilliant, we are courageous, we are sharp, we will make four years course four years course.

“Do you agree? Will you vote whether there is fuel or not? Call your sister, we are bringing revolution. “Let me say what’s on my mind.

“The other day, I told you. This one too, they think they can cause crisis by sabotaging fuel supply.

“They are sabotaging fuel supply.

“Whether there is fuel or not, whether there is Okada (motorcycle) or not, whether there is tricycle or not, we will go and vote and we shall win.

“This is a superior revolution and when I tell you, you know what I mean. You know me. We are going there to win.”

His comment is now causing disquiet in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration with some top administration officials demanding that the APC candidate be called to order.

Those close to the president are suggesting to Buhari that Tinubu’s comment is capable of bringing the administration to disrepute among Nigerians, and further make it unpopular among those that have accused it of underperformance.

“For the ruling party presidential candidate to make such a careless state is uncalled for. What he’s trying to tell Nigerians is that those working for the president are working against him. How can that be when the president has fully thrown his weight behind you after you emerged from the primary,” a source said on Thursday.

He stated further that the president is not ” responsible for the ongoing full scarcity, and has recently set up a committee to look into the matter. On the issue of the redesign naira notes, President Buhari threw his weight behind the CBN governor because he believes this is the right thing to do.  And as you can see, the incidence of kidnapping for ransome has really reduced since the CBN announced the policy. How come he’s now alleging that he’s the prime target, when he’s not one of the sponsors of criminality in the country and benefitting from it.”

Some APC stalwarts who spoke with the magazine said they are not happy that Tinubu openly indicted the party. The APC candidate is supposed to be selling the ruling party instead of trying to bring it down.

“It s unthinkable that somebody who we are hoping to succeed President Buhari, and supposed to be the major promoter of government is now making comment capable of running the administration down.

This is not good for the party as we go into the election next month. How can you be demarketing a government you want to succeed,” a source in the Abdullahi Adamu -led APC National Working Committee, NWC also said.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that top members of the APC will continue to distant themselves from Tinubu campaign so long he continues to make gaffes they consider enough to rubbish the party.

For instance, the National Chairman of the APC Abdullahi Adamu and some members of the NWC were conspicuously absent during the campaign in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

N180bn Cabotage Fund Disbursement: NIMASA, 5 Banks Meet

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
CVFF

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has met with the Executive Management of Jaiz Bank, United Bank of Africa, UBA, Union Bank, Zenith Bank and Polaris Bank which are the Federal Government approved Primary Lending Institutions, PLIs, for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF.


According to figures obtained from the top maritime regulator last year, the fund has accrued to slightly over N16 billion and $350 million, totalling over N176 billion. Sources in the agency said the Funds has sInce inched to N180 billion mark in three new year.


Speaking shortly after a closed door meeting, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, noted that the meeting is a major step towards the implementation of the Presidential directive on disbursing the CVFF as announced by the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, late last year.


Jamoh noted that their engagement was to ensure that the Agency and the PLIs are on the same page to ensure that lessons from the past will prove useful in implementing the CVFF disbursement and lead to developing shipping and the blue economy in Nigeria.


The NIMASA DG said, “we are engaging the banks on the management and disbursement of the CVFF because they are the ones who have the professional know-how in fund management and this would help us in the reduction of risk in order to avoid the same mistakes of the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund.


” The banks are expected to come up with issues such as the interest rate, tenor, collateral, and other requirements needed to access the fund. NIMASA is of the position that the interest rate should be of international best practices because the fund being disbursed is Dollar denominated.”


The DG also noted that the CVFF regime is a win-win for all stakeholders involved including the banks adding that the banks should look at the windows of opportunity inherent for the benefit of all parties involved.

On their part, the PLIs applauded the initiative and pledged their support towards ensuring judicious use of the funds to the beneficiaries in order to ensure accountability of the funds are guaranteed.


The Managing Director of Jaiz bank, Dr. Sirajo Salisu, who spoke on behalf of the PLIs assured of prompt action towards disbursing the funds, noting that interested shipowners should be ready to abide by the provisions of the Cabotage Act.


“We will try our best to partner with the beneficiaries or the proposed beneficiaries of these funds and I believe they are much aware that this is not a grant, this is money that is meant for a purpose and we will ensure that that purpose is achieved to the benefits of the country,” he said.

Ikonne: INEC Orders PDP To Conduct Fresh Governorship Primary

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Independent National Electoral Commission

By Akinwale Kasali

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has ordered the Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to conduct a fresh Governorship Primary.

The order for a fresh Primary follows the death of the Party’s Governorship Candidate, Professor Uche Ikonne. Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry and a former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, died Wednesday morning at the National Hospital Abuja.

Giving the directive, Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, said the Party has 14 days within which to choose a replacement, failing which it would not field any Governorship Candidate against the March 11, 2023, election.

Okoye said since the election is still a little over one month away, the PDP still has a window within which to pick a replacement for Professor Ikonne.

According to him, “if a candidate dies when polls have commenced, section 34(3)(b) of the Act provides that the Running mate shall continue with the election and nominate a new Running mate”

Okoye: “Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022, is clear, unambiguous and unequivocal that a political party shall be allowed to change or substitute its Candidate whose name has been submitted to the Commission under Section 29 of the Electoral Act in the case of death or withdrawal, provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a Candidate, the Political Party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh Primary to produce and submit a fresh Candidate to the Commission for the Election concerned.

“The period slated in the timetable and schedule of activities for the withdrawal of the Candidates has lapsed. In the said timetable the last days for withdrawal by Governorship and State Assembly Candidates was August 12, 2022.

“Moreover, Section 31 of the Act makes it clear that a candidate can only withdraw his or her candidature by notice in writing submitted to the Political Party that nominated him, and such must be conveyed to the political party not later than 90 days to election.”

Professor Ikonne hailed from  Agburuike-Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State. He was aged 66 years old.

Professor Ikonne: Ikpeazu Suspends Campaigns, Orders Flags Flown Half-mast

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the death of Professor Eleazer Uche Ikonne, the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State, the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has suspended election Campaigns at all levels. Ikpeazu also ordered that all PDP flags in the State be flown at half-mast.

Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry, and a former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, died in the early hours of Wednesday, January 25, 2023. His passing was confirmed by his son, Dr  Chikezia Uche Ikonne in a terse release.

He said his father passed at about 4.00am on Friday after a massive heart attack, at the National Hospital Abuja.

According to him, the Prof had just come back from London on medicals when he suddenly relapsed.

Mourning Professor Ikonne, Governor Ikpeazu said in a statement he personally signed:

“It is with a heavy heart but total submission to the will of God that we announce the passing of our Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, which sad event took place in the early hours of today at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.

“While we condole with the family of the late Professor of Optometry, the PDP family and Abians in general, we pray God to have mercy on his soul, grant him eternal rest and give everyone affected by his unfortunate demise the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“As a mark of honour to our dear departed brother, I hereby direct that all flags in Abia State PDP offices be lowered and flown at half mast while all campaign activities for the party at all levels be suspended until Monday, 30th January, 2023.

“I urge all PDP leaders and members to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together.”

Professor Ikonne was last seen in public in November 2022 at a Campaign event in Umuahia. Before his death, speculations had been high over the state of his health.

The Governorship election is scheduled for March 11, 2023.

The North Untapped Jewel, Says Obi In Gombe

By
The Source
-
0
Peter Obi in Gombe

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi on Wednesday touched down with his campaign team in the North East state of Gombe otherwise known as the Jewel of the Savannah with a promise to secure and make the North the Jewel of the country.

Obi told a rally of mammoth crowd as well as town hall meetings of Women and youths in the state that he and his running mate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmad have identified the vast arable land in the North as an untapped Jewel that make Nigeria a production country away from the current status of consumption.

The LP Presidential flag bearer told the people that a rebirth of the country is not achievable without turning the vast land in the country into our own gold and oil.

He said that, “the vast arable land of the North is a new vista that must be opened up to serve Nigeria and Africa.

He stated that the agricultural potential in the North is infinite and it’s through it that we can pull people out of poverty, export goods and earn revenue and increase our foreign exchange earnings.

Obi said that he and his Vice, Datti have the vigor, the vitality to do whatever we are promising, noting that they have clear records of achievements in public and private places.

He told the people they will invest heavily in education and Health because the two are needed to develop and tap the potentials of human capital for growth and development.

Obi told the cheering women that their children must go back to school as he and Datti will do everything to secure the country and the people will live well again.

“Nigerians want security, we cannot do anything unless we have a secure Nigeria. Nigerian children must not be out of school”

The Vice Presidential candidate Datti Baba Ahmad and the National Chairman of Labour Party, Bar Julius Abure as well as other party faithfuls underscored the speech of the candidate that LP party team will create a new Nigeria.

I have Been A Trader All My Life – Obi

By
The Source
-
0
Peter Obi in Gombe

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, Wednesday told some Nigerian youths about his love for trading and how he became a Banker by accident.

Obi told the cheering youths that even when he was schooling at the University of Nigeria, UNN, he was trading and was able to build the branch of Savannah Bank in Nsukka as a businessman/student.

He said: “Everything about governance is trading, the negotiation and all the bilateral talks with and between countries, agencies, contractors or workers are trading and governance requires a good trader who can negotiate well.

“Where we are in this country now requires a leader to negotiate us out of our problems, when I say I will negotiate with agitators, it’s from my background that you must accommodate every body into your shop whether he is buying or not and decipher who is a customer and a passer-by.

“Even in my passport it’s shown that I am a trader, but some said I should be a Banker because I was the Chairman of a Bank but I became a Banker by accident. My love is in trading because in it, you are equipped to face any challenges including governance.”

House Of Reps To Meet NNPC, Security Agencies Over Long Queues At Filling Stations

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Perturbed by the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as Petrol, long queues and hike in the price of the product, the  House of Representatives is to meet the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL on Thursday January 26th, 2023.

The Lawmakers had urged the NNPCL, the sole importer of PMS to urgently ease off the queues at the filling stations across Nigeria.

It, also, urged relevant Security Agencies to “fish out those oil marketers and other economic saboteurs that may be responsible for the fuel scarcity and hike in the price of the commodity across the country.”

The House also  mandated relevant Committees to investigate the matter within 48 hours and report back, to the House, as it has resolved to “invite the relevant regulatory authority to appear before the leadership of the House of Representatives tomorrow, Thursday, 26/01/2023, by 2pm.”

These resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by a member, Leke Abejide, at the plenary on Wednesday.

Abejide had move the motion titled, ‘Need for the NNPC Limited and Other Regulators in the Petroleum Industry to End the Fuel Scarcity Across the Country,’ Abejide noted that NNPC Limited is the only importer of petrol in the country.

According to him, the National Assembly has approved the money for the subsidy on the Petroleum Product to mitigate unforeseen circumstances especially shortages of the product.

He recalled that over three months, there has been persistent scarcity of PMS in many parts of the country “and the situation appears to be getting worse.”

Abejide also noted that the disparity in the pump prices at the filling stations across the country, “fields speculations that Government may have begun to remove subsidy on petrol.”

He added that there is the allegation of drop in petrol supply to marketers by private depots, which he said was creating “a dangerous mindset in the country.”

He said, “The House is concerned that the current fuel crisis across the country may worsen in the days ahead, with the introduction of a N16.00 per litre charge. The House is also concerned that another contributing factor to the scarcity of the product may be unconnected with the increased cost of hiring daughter vessels in the hike in litre charges, which hitherto were paid in naira but now being charged in US dollars.

“The House is further concerned that the scarcity is associated with saboteurs among some of the key stakeholders who deliberately manipulated the system. The House is worried that due to the scarcity, Nigerians are exposed to all sorts of hardships, which have resulted in a hike in transportation fares and high cost of some major food items. The House is also worried that as a result of petrol scarcity, Nigerians are not finding it easy in their day-to-day livelihood activities.”

2023: PDP Lobbying Kwankwaso To Return To Party – Governor Diri

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri has revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not relenting in persuading New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Presidential Candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to return to the PDP.

Governor Diri added that he and some other PDP stalwarts are praying for the return of Kwankwaso to the PDP, as campaigns intensify for the 2023 general elections.

The Governor made this disclosure when Kwankwaso led top officials of his Campaign Council to visit him at the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa.

Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who represented Governor Diri said his Administration was on same page with Kwankwaso on several national problems affecting the country.

He also described the NNPP standard bearer as “an astute politician” who is passionate about working for a better Nigeria.

He, however, pointed out that current realities show that the country could be better fixed by the PDP.

The Governor went further by describing the State as one of the most environmentally terrorised places in the world with an unacceptable level of poverty that requires urgent attention.

He stressed that the State had been facing severe environmental degradation occasioned by gas flaring, crude oil spills and other environmentally unwholesome practices by multinational oil firms over the years.

According to him, what the State and its people need is a Nigerian President that would ensure environmental justice as well as true federalism in resource allocation and redistribution.

He was, however, on the same page with Kwankwaso as regards the country witnessing, what he called, decayed infrastructure, collapsed healthcare and education systems, in addition to pervasive poverty and  insecurity.

He said, “We agree with you in terms of the need to rescue Nigeria. But you know that there is no time your fowl and another will be wrestling that you will be seen clapping hands for the other fowl.

“Earlier, you put the poser across to us that you are expecting us to join you. But I want to let you know that we are also praying hard for you to come back to the PDP, where you rightly belong.”

In his speech, Kwankwaso, explained that he and his team were in the State to sell his aspiration and ideas on how best to fix the country.

He said he would mobilise all democratic forces to save Nigeria from insecurity, poverty, failed healthcare, agriculture, education and infrastructure, if elected as president in the elections scheduled for next month.

He noted that the party was not the issue, but electing the right person as president, warning that Nigerians would have themselves to blame if they did not vote “a healthy person as their next president.”

2023: Pastor Kumuiyi Urges Christians Not To Rely On Prayers Alone

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, has charged Christians to get their Permanent Voters Card, PVCs,come out en masse and vote.

The Clergyman said that praying is not enough without taking actions. He, therefore, urged Christians to take a bold step and take action ahead of the forthcoming 2023 General election.

Kumuiyi gave the advice in Asaba,  Delta State capital on Wednesday when he arrived the city for a six-day Global Crusade.

Speaking ahead of the Crusade, he said, “We are praying for the election but then we must follow up our prayers with action by coming out to vote en masse.

“Action in the sense that all those who are eligible to vote, should be intelligent and shouldn’t just cast their votes for wrong leaders. We should be careful by deciding who will rule over us.

“We are having security and economic problems at the moment, yes, we are praying but we need to come out en masse to elect good leaders.

“All these candidates want to win, nobody want to loose having spent huge amount of money to campaign but two, three or four persons cannot be president at same time.

“Only one person will be President at a time, it is not a do or die affair. Whosoever wins, the rest should accept it. I’m appealing to the Candidates to say what they want to say without fighting.”

The Deeper Life General Superintendent stated that he was not comfortable like every other Nigerian, with the insecurity and hardship in the country, adding that “even if one person goes hungry I’m not comfortable”

He added that the global crusade will be an unforgettable encounter with God, and it is scheduled to hold at the Cenotaph in Asaba from January 26 to 31, 2023.

1...1,7611,7621,763...2,968Page 1,762 of 2,968