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May 29 Hand Over Date: President Buhari Sets Up Transition Committee; Ready To Go!

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Buhari of Nigeria

By Ayodele Oni

To assure Nigerians of his commitment to May 29 handover date, President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the composition of a Presidential Transition Council to facilitate the exit process.

Part of the functions of the Council will be to manage the 2023 transition programme of handing over power to the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

The president signed an executive order number 14, 2023 to that effect.

The Transition Council will be inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Tuesday 14th February, in Abuja.

A key feature of the Presidential Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 is the institutionalization of a legal framework that would enable a seamless transition of power from one Presidential Administration to another, which is part of President Buhari’s legacy.

The Transition Council chairman is the secretary to the government, Boss Mustapaha with other members of the Committee in place.

The list of members is as follows :

  1. Secretary to the Government of the Federation – Chairman
  2. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

iii. Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice

  1. Permanent Secretaries from the following Ministries and Offices:
  2. Defence
  3. Interior
  4. Finance, Budget and National Planning
  5. Foreign Affairs
  6. Information and Culture
  7. Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)
  8. Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs
  9. Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF)
  10. General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF)
  11. Economic and Political Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF)
  12. State House
  13. National Security Adviser
  14. Chief of Defence Staff

vii. Inspector-General of Police

viii. Director General, National Intelligence Agency

  1. Director General, State Security Services
  2. Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; and
  3. Two representatives, to be nominated by the President elect.

From the executive order, the first major function of winner of February 25 presidential election will be to nominate two representatives yo join the transition committee.

How Senator Nwaoboshi Was Picked From Hospital And Sent To Prison Over N805 Million Fraud

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Senator Peter Nwaoboshi

By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Peter Nwaoboshi representing Delta North Senatorial District at the Senate who has been on the run after he was convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment over seven months for N805 million has been arrested and remanded at the Ikoyi Custodial Center to commence his prison term.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, made this disclosure in a statement signed by its Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren.  He said the lawmaker was intercepted by EFCC operatives at a hospital in Lagos on Monday, February 6, 2023.

The Appellate Court, on July 1, 2022, sentenced Nwaoboshi to prison after it convicted him of two counts of money laundering.

It also ordered the winding up of his two firms, Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd, and Suiming Electrical Ltd, under Section 22 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2021, and their properties forfeited to the Federal Government.

Wilson said, “But the Lawmaker, who was not present in court at the time of the ruling, went underground and refused to present himself to the Nigerian Correctional Service.

“Instead, he proceeded to the Supreme Court, praying the apex court to not only set aside the judgment of the appeal court but grant him bail, pending the determination of his appeal.”

But in a unanimous decision on January 27, 2023, the apex court dismissed the application.

In the lead judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court wondered why Nwaoboshi, who refused to submit himself to the law, would seek the indulgence of the law.

Justice Tijani Abubakar, in his contribution, upbraided the appellant for filing the bail application while on the run.

“We must make it very, very clear to all Nigerians that nobody is above the law. The government and the governed are subject to the rule of law. And we must ensure that there is respect for the rule of law.”

The Court of Appeal judgment that convicted Nwaoboshi followed an appeal by the EFCC against the judgment of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which had on June 18, 2021, discharged and acquitted the lawmaker and his companies.

The Senator who had absented himself from the Senate for seven months and still taking his salaries and other entitlements. He was the Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, from where he entered into trouble.

Nwaoboshi, a three-time Senator of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, inexplicably defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Elections: FG Directs Universities To Proceed On Three Weeks Break

By
Ayodele Oni
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University Students3

By Ayodele Oni

As preparations for the general elections continue, all Federal Government owned Universities are to close for three weeks to enable students exercise their civic duties.

This will also allow some academic staff, to be engaged in election duties have time for the job.

The Federal Government has, therefore, directed Universities and Inter-University centres to shut down academic activities from February 22 to March 14.

The general election is expected to start February 25 with presidential and national assembly poll and March 11, for governorship and house of assembly.

The order is to allow the over 3.8 million registered voters, accounting for 40.8 per cent of students, to participate in the elections.

The directive was contained in a circular dated February 3, 2023 and addressed to all Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Directors/Chief Executives of Inter-University Centres by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

NUC Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Dr Chris Maiyaki, who signed the circular, confirmed that the decision was also taken following the concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of the respective institutions.

The circular reads in parts: “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Directors Chief Executives of Inter University Centres are quite aware, the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday 25 February 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday 11 March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of  our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adamu Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14th March, 2023

“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors, as well as Directors/Chief Executives of inter-university centres, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22 February 2023 to Tuesday 14 March 2023.”

Sokoto Deputy Governor, Dan’Iya Debunks Purported Dumping of PDP

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Manir Dan’Iya

By Akinwale Kasali

Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Manir Dan’Iya has  debunked the news making the rounds that he has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Aminu Abubakar, Director of Press, office of the Deputy Governor, debunked the resignation claim, saying it is a rumour that his been peddled by mischief makers as he remains a bonafide member of the PDP.

Abubakar confirmed that not only is the Deputy Governor a bonafide member of the PDP he is, also,  a senatorial candidate of the party in the forthcoming General Elections.

He called members of the PDP in the State to disregard the letter in circulation which he described as the imagination of his opponents

The Deputy Governor just called me on phone now to inform me that he is not leaving the party anywhere, he said he remains a member of the PDP in the State,” he added.

Naira Crisis: Tinubu Campaign Brands Malami ‘Public Enemy’

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami is among the enemies of Nigerians, Bayo Onanuga, the director of the Media, APC Presidential Campaign Council, has said.

Reacting to the suit filed by Malami on Wednesday objecting to the Supreme Court decision to put the February 10, deadline set for the demonetization of old naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN on hold, Onanuga in a tweet said “Abubakar Malami is also a public enemy like Emefiele.”

The decision of the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN to introduce the new naira notes has imposed untold hardship on Nigerians as the scarcity of old and new banknotes spread across the country.

Commercial bank in the country have responded to the crisis by closing many of their branches, amidst protest in some parts of the country to force the federal government to stop the policy.

Recall that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate has accused Emefiele of trying to stop the election from holding.

Governor Ele Rufai of Kaduna state has also accused some fifth columnist in the Presidency of trying to truncate the forthcoming election.

In response,  El Rufai, Governors Bello Matawale of Zamfara, and Yahaya Bello of Kogi had on Tuesday filed a suit at the apex court asking it to stop the CBN from demonetizing the old naira notes by Friday this week on the grounds that the policy has inflicted pains  on Nigerians.

But, Malami in his preliminary objection asked the Supreme court to set aside the ruling on the basis that the issues raised by the governors were faulty.

He said, “The claims or reliefs are not against the federation, but the Federal Government and its Agency, the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is distinct from the Federation or the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Plaintiffs have no grievance whatsoever against the Federation of Nigeria.

“This suit has disclosed no dispute that invokes this (Supreme) Court’s original jurisdiction as constitutionally defined.”

The nation’s apex court ruled on a suit filed by three state governments, Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara challenging the CBN to end the legal tender status of the old naira notes of N200, N500, and N1000 by Friday this week.

The ruling has been followed by jubilation across the country, even though some have also described it as a pyrrhic victory for some elements in the ruling APC who insist that the policy was targeted at the party’s Presidential candidate Bola Tinubu who have praised the three governors who championed the suit as the saviors of the country at this difficult time.

Tinubu said after the ruling, “I want to salute the courage of our Governors and most especially the Progressives Governors in APC who acted to save our country from avoidable and dangerous political crises and social unrest which the Central Bank policy on new Naira notes has brought on our country.

“Our country was dangerously careering toward anarchy and political and economic shutdown. But with the Supreme Court interim ruling our country has been pulled back from the precipice. We thank our Supreme Court Justices for ruling wisely on the side of the people who have been subjected to undue agony and pains since this policy was announced.

“The Federal Government and relevant stakeholders can now sit down and work out better framework on how to proceed with the new policy without causing any social and economic disruption and inconvenience to our people. We have examples of other countries that have successfully and seamlessly changed their currencies to learn from.”

Meanwhile, not a few watching the ruling party insist that Tinubu’s men will not stop attacking those in Buhari’s government opposed to him wining the February 25 presidential election.

Ihedioha Congratulates  Ajaero, New NLC President

By
The Source
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Joe Ajaero

His Excellency, Rt. Hon.  Emeka Ihedioha CON, haa expressed  profound felicitations to Comrade Joe Ajaero, on his emergence as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress,  NLC.

His Excellency, in a statement signed on his behalf by his Media Aide, Chbuike Onyeukwu, is particularly delighted that Comrade Ajaero made history by emerging unopposed at the 13th National Delegates’ Conference of the union in Abuja.

He decried the insecurity, poverty level and unbearable situation of the Nigerian workers across the country.

While expressing confidence that Comrade Ajaero, being a true democrat, defender of democracy, an astute labour leader with rich experience, will provide an independent and purposeful leadership that will alleviate the plight of workers and indeed restore the dignity of the Union, Hon. Ihedioha tasked the President to remain on the path of patriotism, especially at this time the nation is faced with several challenges ahead of the general elections.

He prayed God to grant the new NLC President and his team, His wisdom and grace to excel in this onerous task.

Comrade Ajaero, a native of Emekuku in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, until his  emergence as President on Wednesday, 8th February, 2023, was  the  Deputy National President of the Union.

Imo State Govt Empowers Uzodimma To Complete Ongoing Signature Projects

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodinma has got the nod of the Government of Imo State to complete ongoing signature projects initiated by his administration, particularly the roads.

At the weekly Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 the members gave approval to the Governor to utilize N22 billion, being money that the federal government owed the State from the 13 per cent derivation which she has agreed to pay, to urgently tackle the ongoing signature projects across the State.

Given that the money is to be paid in tranches by the federal government, the EXCO resolved that First Bank which has agreed to provide the Government with the said sum should be approached immediately so that nothing hinders the timely completion of the ongoing critical roads such as Owerri–Mbaise- Umuahia road, Orlu- Mgbee-Akokwa-Uga road and the Oguta-Okporo road.

Addressing reporters at the end of the Exco, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy,  Hon. Declan Emelumba said that the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government has also recorded some commendable feats with some of the newly trained graduates from the Skill-Up Imo Project already being recruited by employers in their good numbers.

Emelumba said  that “the money to be sourced from First Bank is not a loan, but discounted facility from the First Bank needed by the State Government to complete her outstanding signature projects mostly on road infrastructure which include Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia road, Oguta/Okporo road and Orlu/ Mgbee/Akokwa/ Uga road.”

Emelumba said report made available to the Exco indicates that over 200 of the graduates have already been offered employment by some Hi-tech companies like Konga, among others. “This shows that the programme is receiving world attention and producing the right skills required by our youths.”

The Commissioner also informed that on February 14,  2023 the Government and people of Imo State will have the opportunity to host President Muhammadu Buhari again for the fourth time, as he visits with the Presidential Candidate of APC, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu and all APC leaders, for the South East mega rally of the Party holding in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

“This is a mark of the President’s love for Imo State as Imo is the only State of Southern Nigeria where he will be physically present for the APC Presidential Campaign Rally,” Emelumba noted.

Emelumba was flanked by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajia Rabbi Ibrahim, the Chief Political Adviser/Head Political Bureau, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu and the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku.

Furthermore, Council said that the Governor  set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, that of Public Orientation and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups and the Chief Political Adviser/Head Political Bureau as members, to assist the Ministry Humanitarian Affairs in organizing the programme called ‘’Government Enterprises Empowerment Programme (GEEP), to help our people register and maximize benefits of the programme from the Federal Government.”

Also Council informed that Imo State Government is to benefit yet another $11.1 million from State Fiscal Transparency and Accountability and Sustainability Programmes  (SFTAS) for total compliance in the year 2022 budget.

The Commissioner emphasised that “Imo State since inception of the present administration has gotten over $40million from the World Bank on the SFTAS,” and that “it is the highest measure and indices of transparency and accountability there for the people to see.”

He then challenged any other State in the Southeast that has made such a mark to show up, noting that the administration of Governor Uzodimma that thrives on accountability and transparency discovered the process and has cued into it while past administrations never achieved such.

El-Rufai Mocks Buhari, Asks Nigerians To Ignore His Policy And Wait For Tinubu; AGF Malami Kicks

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Fire-eating Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has asked Nigerians to ignore the February 10, 2023, deadline given by President Muhammadu Buhari for Naira Swap, and look up to the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

He told them that Tinubu would reverse Buhari’s Naira Policy as soon as he is sworn in as President if he wins the  Presidential Election on February 25, 2023.

The Governor was reacting to the ruling on an exparte motion which stopped the Federal Government and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from declaring the old Naira denominations of N1000, N500 and N200 notes illegal tenders after February 10, 2023.

The CBN had, three months ago, introduced  new Naira notes in those denominations and given a January 31 deadline for its legal tender.

However, outrage and anger greeted the deadline from most people including Tinubu and a number of APC Governors. Its scarcity as well as the scarcity, even of the old notes, traumatized most Nigerians who could not withdraw any cash to sustain themselves.

Fights broke out in Banking Halls and ATM and POS points. A number of cities erupted in violent protests.

President Buhari was forced to give a 10-day grace. But as it approached, with no solution in sight, three State Governors – El-Rufai, Kaduna, Yahaya Bello, Kogi and Bello Matawalle, Zamfara, approached the Supreme Court with an exparte motion. It was granted. The Apex Court gave a temporary relief that both the old and new notes should be used side by side as legal Tenders, and adjourned till February 15 for the hearing of the case.

Hailing the ruling, El-Rufai promised that Tinubu would reverse the Policy and asked Nigerians to ignore President Buhari’s deadline.

He said, while addressing a political audience in Kaduna, that: “Everyone, especially, people in Kaduna, should not be disturbed because of the Naira Swap policy deadline. Continue running your businesses and daily activities with whatever notes, old or new, that you have.

“And, we will make sure to address this problem as soon as we win the election. That will be the first issue to tackle if we win the election.

“Don’t rush yourselves into taking old Naira notes to the bank, and wasting your time in the unnecessary queues at the bank. Nobody can stop you from using the notes.

“When we come to power, Insha Allah, if Bola Tinubu becomes the President, we’ll give people more time to get rid of the old notes.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has kicked against the Supreme Court  ruling and the case filed by the Governors.

In a suit, he has asked the SC to dismiss the case filed by the three State Governments of Kaduna,  Kogi and Zamfara against the Federal Government over the Naira swap deadline.

In a preliminary objection, the FG asked for the dismissal based, Malami said, on the grounds that the Apex Court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.

Citing section 251 of the Constitution, Malami argued that the Defence Lawyers’ position is under “the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in matters of monetary policy of an agency of the Federal Government.”

On Wednesday, in Abuja, an amalgamation of Civil Society Organisations, CSO, marched to the CBN Headquarters in support of the CBN, and urged it not to back down on the 10th February deadline.

Meanwhile,  a legal opinion has dismissed the SC ruling as an exercise in futility.

He said: “The deadline won’t change. Neither the CBN nor the Commercial Banks was joined as parties to this suit. The three State Governors simply took advantage of the fact that in matters purely between the State and the Federal Government, the Supreme Court can serve as a Court of first and only instance.

“Joining CBN in the matter would automatically rob the Supreme Court of jurisdiction. Sadly, the Attorney General cannot issue a binding order on the CBN Governor.

“The CBN Act didn’t contemplate such, and an interim order is simply an academic exercise and grandstanding.”

In the meantime, the protests continue to spread to more cities with reports that some banks have, allegedly, been set on fire.

INEC Appeals Ruling Against Adeleke By Tribunal

By
Uche Mbah
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Ademola Adeleke

By Uche Mbah

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal praying for a reversal of the judgement of the Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal, in a ruling, had nullified the declaration of Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the Governorship Election held on 16th July, 2022.

INEC had earlier refused to issue a Certificate of return to Oyetola. This was in disregard to the ruling of the Tribunal in the majority judgement read by Tertsea Kume,  its Chairman. The ruling ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return from Mr Adeleke and issue it to former governor Gboyega Oyetola, citing violation of electoral act as reason.

But in  its appeal dated 8th February, INEC said the judgement contained an “error in law”and, therefore, should be set aside in its entirety.

“The judgement of the lower Tribunal is against the weight of evidence,” INEC stated in the appeal. Therefore, they are seeking the Court to:

“Allow the Appeal;

“AN ORDER setting aside the whole decision of the trial Tribunal;

“An Order dismissing and/or striking out the Petition for want of competence and jurisdiction; and,

“An Order dismissing the Petition of the 1 and 2nd Respondents in d. this Appeal as lacking in merit with substantial cost.”

Uzodimma Congratulates New NLC President, Ajaero

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma and Joe Ajaero

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, saying he has joined the many sons and daughters of  Imo who have made the State proud.

Comrade Ajaero, the Deputy National President of NLC since 2011, was returned unopposed Wednesday morning by his colleagues at the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Abuja.

He succeeds Comrade Ayuba Wabba whose tenure elapsed  same as day, February 8, 2023.

A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma said his principal noted with pride that Ajaero’s emergence has once more shown that Imo State is made up of citizens that can be trusted with higher national and international assignments.

The Governor was particularly elated that Ajaero emerged unopposed, as a consensus candidate, an indication that his colleagues have invested so much trust in him.

In congratulating Ajaero, Governor Uzodimma said he has no iota of doubt that his leadership of the NLC will help to galvanize national progress and development, and that through partnership with government that lasts, Labour under his watch will render service to humanity and God.

The Governor who also congratulated the delegates for conducting a peaceful conference said Ajaero’s victory is a victory for Nigerian workers who believe so much in his capacity as their President to lead them to the promised land.

Ajaero, a former Secretary General of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) hails from Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State.

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