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Jim Ovia Extolled By Stakeholders As Zenith Bank Names Iconic UNILAG Alumni Building After Prof Ibidapo-Obe

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Zenith-Unilag Alumni Building

The memory of Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, came alive as Zenith Bank Plc has named the iconic building housing its UNILAG Branch and the University of Lagos, UNILAG Alumni in his honour.

In his opening remarks at the commissioning ceremony, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc and Chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs in Nigeria,  Ebenezer Onyeagwu, lauded the Founder and Chairman of the bank, Jim Ovia, CFR, for being physically present at the commissioning of the building to honour the memory of his late friend, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, who served on the board of Zenith Bank as a Non-Executive Director, and for his passion for youth education and digital learning.

He noted the remarkable and continued commitment of Jim Ovia, CFR, to education and youth development in Nigeria, especially through the setting up of James Hope College, a co-educational institution which offers a combination of British and Nigerian curricula, and the James Hope University, which is billed to commence academic activities next year. He also extolled his philanthropy through the setting up of the Jim Ovia Foundation and Mankind United in Total Support for Education Initiative, which has awarded scholarships and produced over 1500 graduates from among indigent people who would not have had the benefit of having a university education.

Onyeagwu also recalled how the bank’s partnership with the University of Lagos began in 2001 with the donation of the first ICT centre, when the Founder and Chairman was the Group Managing Director/ CEO of the bank. According to him, “Today, Zenith Bank has built not less than 15 ICT centres in various tertiary institutions and cities all over the country. And I just want to say that no single institution or individual has been able to accomplish what we have done in that respect. And this is a demonstration of the passion our Founder and Chairman has, not just for education, but also for digital learning and computer literacy.

This is in addition to several other support to the university, including the institution of Academic Excellence Awards in 2001, where the best graduating students from selected departments – Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Economics and Accounting, receive awards with financial rewards (currently NGN500,000) and employment opportunity, and the donation of 3,500 tablets to enable indigent students of the university to learn online effectively in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic”. Onyeagwu noted that the building is a strong statement of Zenith Bank’s sustainability initiatives as a signatory to several global sustainability frameworks including the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking, as it incorporates many of the elements that make a facility environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Speaking at the commissioning of the iconic building, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel noted the huge contributions of Zenith Bank and, in particular, Jim Ovia, CFR, a man he described as a father, to the development of Nigeria. In his words,” when you see things being done consistently in the right way, there is always a man pointing in that direction. A lot of people ask me how come you are doing so much in public service; I say I come from a background where my mentor told me that you don’t report efforts, you don’t give excuses, but you report results.

So no matter the situation, even in the midst of an economic recession, in the midst of Covid, you should not stop development and performance. As far as you are from the Zenith family, you are expected to have that creativity and ideas that can make you produce results. In Zenith, we say only the paranoid survive. So I really want to appreciate what I am seeing here today”. Whilst thanking the alumni association and the school authority for their collaborative efforts towards achieving capacity development, which he described as the bane of Nigerian society, he expressed his delight and honour to commission a building named after the revered Late Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, who touched and impacted so many people while he was alive.

In his address, the National President of Unilag Alumni Association, Dr. John Momoh, thanked the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank as well as the management of the bank for the magnificent building and Mrs. Sola Ibidapo-Obe for accepting the association’s request to name the building after her husband as a lasting legacy in his honour. He encouraged everyone to take good care of and maintain the building to serve the university community for years to come.

In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of Zenith Bank to the development of the school, promising to work with the Alumni association to ensure that the facility serves not only the Alumni but also the entire students populace. She thanked the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR, for donating 3,500 tablets to the university, which ensured that students who could not afford laptops for e-learning during the covid-19 pandemic were not left behind.

In her remarks, the wife of the Late Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, Mrs. Sola Ibidapo-Obe, thanked the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR, for immortalising her late husband with such a great edifice named after him. Recalling how close he was to her late husband, Mrs Ibidapo-Obe said: “You are my husband’s friend. Dr. Jim Ovia has demonstrated the love that does not die in his friendship with my beloved husband. When he fell ill, Dr. Jim Ovia was there from day one till the last moment. I could feel the way he felt. From then, I knew that he was a genuine friend. He tried his best to ensure my husband survived, but he did not”.

The iconic building, which sits on a total site area of 950m2, was constructed by a team of world-class builders who had the mandate of delivering the best quality possible. The iconic structure is a smart building that incorporates many of the elements that make a facility environmentally friendly and sustainable, including a grid-tie solar system that sustains power load on solar and not on a generator or national grid, an inverter-driven VRF air conditioning system and motion sensor lighting to enhance energy efficiency, perforated aluminium composite panels for natural lighting and ventilation, free Wi-Fi system to provide internet access for students, fire management systems, including fire hydrant, smoke detector, and fire alarm system, and a LED screen installed on the building for the dissemination of information. The iconic building will house the Unilag Branch of Zenith Bank Plc and the operations of Unilag Alumni. Of the total 1,665m2 of floor area designated for office use in the four-storey building, 585m2 will be used by Unilag Alumni.

Ogun: How Gov Abiodun Insulted Late Solarin- Falana

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has denigrated the late educationist and public advocate, Tai Solarin according to Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

Falana spoke on Sunday few days after the governor renamed Tai Solarin College of Education, Sikiru Adetona College of Education Science and Technology, SACOETECH.

Adetona is the Awujale of Ijebuland.

The governor’s decision to change the institution name has not been well received by many Nigerians who consider it an attack on the memory of the late Solarin who during his lifetime was an advocate of the poor and great lover and promote of education.

Falana has now added his voice to the public outraged that greeted Governor Abiodun’s action.

According to the rights activist, the governor should have named another state monument after the monarch, instead of wiping off the memory of Solarin.

The gobernor had on November 24, unveiled the renamed institution as Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology (SACOETEC), saying he had the approval of the state house of assembly.

Falama however said the governor’s action was distatefu considering the late Solarin’s immense contribution to education in the country.

According to him, “It is indisputable that the late Dr. Tai Solarin, the founder of the Mayflower School, Ikenne, contributed immensely to the educational development of Nigeria.

“In appreciation of the contribution of the late educationist, the Ogun State government rightly named a tertiary institution after him, the Tai-Solarin College of Education, Science and Technology (SACOETEC).

“Surprisingly, the Dapo Abiodun administration has announced its decision to rename the College of Education after a highly respected monarch, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode. 

“The decision ought to be jettisoned as the governor has not adduced any reason for denigrating the indelible record of the late foremost educationist. 

“However, in view of the contribution of the Awujale to the cultural development of Ogun State and his consistent defence of justice and fair play in the country, the Ogun state government is advised to name an important institution after the monarch.

“The governor does not have to assault the memory of the great Solarin in order to honour the eminent Awujale.   

“Besides, the governor should be wary of the historical implications of such a seemingly insensitive decision.

“For the immense contributions that Solarin made to enhance our collective humanity, his memory cannot be honoured enough. Indeed, any country should be proud of the legacies of Tai Solarin and be interested in immortalising him.”

The late Solarin and his wife, were until their death great supporters of education in the country. The couple  set up Mayflower Schools where many Nigerians of diverse backgrounds were educated. Not a few consider the governor’s action as one of the many blunders of his administration.

Abuja/Kaduna Train Services Resume This Week; FG Working On Security

By
James Orji
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Kaduna Train Victims

Expectation is high as all is now set for the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna train services this week more than eight months after it was stopped by the federal government due to a terrorist attack.

But the train service will not resume today contrary to expectations, the federal government has said.

As a prelude to the resumption of commercial train services between the nation’s capital and Kaduna, the government has announced some security measures to prevent further attacks on passengers.

On March 28, this year, some terrorists attacked a train on its way from Abuja to Kaduna killing some passengers and kidnapping others whom they kept in their custody for months until they were later released.

But the Minister of Transportation, Mua’zu Sambo said some security measures have now been put in place to prevent such occurrences.

Part of the measures includes the requirement for passengers to provide their telephone numbers and national identity card, as passengers  will no longer be allowed to “buy a ticket unless you have a valid phone number and you have a NIN.”

Mua’zu said, ”I want to be very categorical about that. Now, we have introduced a new system before you buy a ticket. Your purchase of a ticket requires you to provide a phone number and a national identification number to profile because that is the beginning of the security checks.

”So, at any point in time when a train moves from one station to another, we know who and who is on board. If you don’t have an NIN you are not going to board our train. It is as simple as that.

”If you are a minor, an adult will pay for you and will register for you and an adult can only register for not more than four minors.”

Enugu: Gunmen Declare 10 Days Sit-at-Home Order; Warns Schools Against Hoisting Nigerian Flag, Uniforms

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

The security situation in Enugu State has entered an unprecedented dangerous stage.

Gunmen have declared a 10-day sit-at-home order in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the State.

They have warned anybody to dare breach their order, or try to stop them.

The hoodlums did not stop at that. They warned Primary and Secondary Schools to remove the Nigerian flag hoisted on their premises. They equally ordered those whose school uniforms have any green and white colours to discard such uniforms immediately.

The gunmen also declared a popular market Eke Ozzi, in Ogrute, the  Headquarters of Local Government,  a no- go area and warned of dire consequences if anybody dared.

Their actions, they said, are  a consequence of the killing of one of their members. They confiscated a good number of motorcycles from their owners.

The situation has put the people in a terrible state. Not only are they afraid for their lives, they also fear that hunger would deal them a devastating blow.

At the time of filing this story, there has been no reaction from either the State Government or the State Police Command.

Nobody has, so far, identified which group the gunmen belong to.

PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF) Congratulates Adeleke On His Inauguration As Governor Of Osun State

By
The Source
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Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

The PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of H. E. Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, Governor of Sokoto State, ,has congratulated Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his inauguration as Governor of Osun State.

Adeleke who defeated an incumbent Governor, Gboyega Oyetola was sworn-in  on 27th November 2022.

In the congratulatory signed by its Director General, C I. Maduabum, the Forum said

noted that Adeleke’s July 2022 “victory at the polls was a testimony to the gallant efforts, hard-work, teamwork, skillful campaigns, efficient resource allocation, openness and humility exhibited by His Excellency over the years.

“At the campaigns, he concentrated on issues that mattered most to Osun people and they in turn responded in kind with their votes, bestowing on him and the PDP an earth-shaking victory of historic proportions. This proves once again that God’s time is the best. He chooses the time and the place.

It added that: “This mandate has all the trapping of the love and prayers of the people. The PDP – GF looks forward to a very engaging and prosperous first tenure for Governor Adeleke and enjoin all the people of the state to continue to pray for him, support him with their undiluted loyalty, as his heart is full of love and concern for their wellbeing.

“Today, the path has been cleared and light of progress is shinning on Osun State. It is now time for the “Peoples governor” a man so much loved by the people, to settle down to develop a roadmap for the rapid development of Osun State. The state deserves the best.

“The Forum, on this historic occasion, celebrates with his family and the people of Osun State who have entrusted leadership to him.

“Your colleagues-Governors of the PDP and our great party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP pray for divine wisdom and favour, good health and protection as you lead the state as Governor. They also assure you of their unalloyed support and brotherly advice always.

“We welcome him to the PDP Governors’ Forum.”

“I Cannot Be Blackmailed To Abandon Peace” – Governor Uzodinma

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that peace is inevitable for development and progress to be achieved in the State.

He also added that no amount of blackmail, propaganda, backbiting will deter him from pursuing peace in Imo State and from doing things that will please God, more so as blackmail has been proven to be as old as mankind.

The Governor said this at the end of a Thanksgiving Service in honour of the Hon. Justice Chinaemerem Ucheoma Enyinna Onuegbu, wife his Chief Political Adviser and Head Political Bureau, Barrister Enyinna Onuegbu at the Anglican Church of the Pentecost, Area ‘H’ New Owerri on Sunday.

Addressing the congregation at the end of the Service, the Governor noted that the synergy between the church and government remains non negotiable because “there is every need for government to seek the prayers of the church for it to succeed,” noting that “when one eye is bleeding the other eye is also bleeding.”

He acknowledged that in Imo, it is only God that has helped the State to continue to exist and regretted that “many people have refused to see good things happening even when their eyes are open.”

Making reference to the sermon of day that harped on  “trusting God” and drawn from Psalm 72:12,  the Governor said that it is only God that gives life and as citizens we are having life because God exists.  “Be you a Christian, Muslim, bishop, politician or businessman, God sees all of us and what we do.”

Governor Uzodinma said that Imo State is happy that God has given us life, which is the primary thing.

His words: “Because politics, business, the types of things we do are all secondary and when we live the primary things and do the secondary ones we are deceiving ourselves.

“In the same vain, when we play politics of do and die we are daring God.”

He wondered why people should break their heads over those things they cannot do on their own.

The Governor noted that whenever he listens to the word of God it emboldens him and encourages him to do those things that please God and not man.

He then emphasized that blackmail, conspiracy and backbiting are as old as the existence of man and cannot deter him from doing what he is doing that pleases his creator.

The Governor said he will continue to support the Church “because without the Church I can do nothing.”

“We need prayers. The Church should continue to pray for the families, the state government and Nigeria in general to succeed.”,

The Governor informed the congregation that Imo State has already overcome the spate of insecurity perpetrated in different names by those who swore to make Imo ungovernable for Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Furthermore, he insisted that infrastructural development, promotion of civil servants and the quantum of prosperity expected by the populace can only come in an atmosphere of peace.

He pleaded with God Almighty to continue to protect His people as our helper.

Governor Uzodinma promised that he will stop at nothing in making sure things are done properly in Imo State. “That is why as a Governor I will strive to live legacy for which I will be positively remembered. Governors have come and gone but by their fruits we shall know them.”,

The Governor told the congregation that when he makes donations to the Church he is not asking the Church to do things that are not right for him rather he “makes donations to Jesus Christ who is the owner of the Church.”

He, therefore, proceeded to announce a donation of N10 million to assist the Church in the building of their Hall.

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ohaji/Egbema, Rt. Rev. Chidi Collins Oparajiaku admonished the congregation to always take their problems to God, emphasizing that “God is the helper of the helpless and God opens doors for those who trust in Him.”

The Service was attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Emeka Nduka, his Principal Officers and members, the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka and other top members of the Bar and Bench,  the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the Imo State expanded executive council, traditional rulers, business moguls, among others.

Adeleke Reverses Decisions, Appointments Of Predecessor, State’s Name, Freezes Osun’s Accounts

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Ayodele Oni

Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reversed all appointments made by his predecessor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola between July 17 and November 26, 2022.

Adeleke, who was sworn in on Sunday at the Osogbo Township Stadium, made this known in his inauguration speech.

Adeleke also made executive orders freezing all bank accounts of the State.

The Governor said a new era has come and “it’s not business as usual. We’re here for a serious business.”

He said that his administration would, as a matter of urgency, convene an education conference to arrest the decline of Osun education among comity of States.

“Let me make the following Executive Orders. Shortly after my emergence on July 17, my predecessor Alhaji Isiaka Oyetola started making appointments and awarding contracts without budgetary allocations.”

He, therefore, did the following:

“Reversal of all appointments from July 17, 2022 with immediate effect. Immediate reversal of State name to Osun State instead of the State of Osun.

“The State of Osun is unconstitutional and it’s hereby reversed.”

He also ordered immediate establishment of panel to look into activities of the last administration in its twilight.”

The oath of office was administered by Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo at the Osogbo City Stadium in the state capital.

While Adeleke took his oath of office at about 11:50am, his deputy, Kola Adewusi, followed suit some 15 minutes later.

Adeleke said under his watch as the Governor of Osun State, he would correct all past injustice, corrupt acts or policies by any previous administration which against the collective interest of the people.

“Let me state here that from the education, health, mining sector, agriculture, road infrastructure and supply of potable water, let it be known to all that it is no longer going to be business as usual. And I repeat, it is no longer business as usual.

His words:

“Our administration will demonstrate a high sense of urgency, transparency, justice and innovation to tackle and solve the problems of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and poor infrastructure.

“I am well aware of the fact that my responsibility as the Governor and Chief Security Officer of Osun State entails meeting the legitimate expectations of our people.

“Therefore, I promise that those expectations of the workers, traders, artisans, farmers, business owners, students, pensioners, traditional and religious leaders and indeed all residents of Osun State will be met by the grace of God and the cooperation of everyone.

“As I accept the mantle of leadership entrusted upon me by the people of our dear state, I am conscious of the enormous challenges and responsibilities ahead of me and will begin from this hour work day and night with deep sense of purpose to be a servant to you all.”

Dignitaries present at the well-attended event included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate and Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Also in attendance are Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa). Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi were not left out.

The G5 Governor’s of the PDP were however conspicuously absent.

Adeleke of the PDP won the July 16 governorship election in Osun State after defeating the incumbent and main rival, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I Have The Capacity To Humble Wike” – Ned Nwoko; Says The Governor Will Face Prosecution, Jail Term; Documents, Ready

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Wike and Ned Nwoko

By Adesina Soyooye

In his response to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who tackled Prince Ned Nwoko  over the $418 Paris Club refunds, Nwoko said Wike will be dragged both before Nigerian Courts and the ICC to answer to alleged  fraudulent and crimes against humanity after May 29, 2023.

Nwoko said he has the capacity to humble Wike, and that documents are already ready to prosecute the Governor.

In a statement from his Media Office which Nwoko personally signed, the PDP Senatorial Candidate for Delta North, accused Wike of  fraudulent claims on the alleged payments of 13% derivation to South-South States. He described the Governor’s claim as fraudulent.

He alleged that “Wike carelessly dabbled again into the issue of the $418 Paris Club refunds, a legitimate entitlement of Prince Ned Nwoko, whose patriotic ingenuity, as a time-honoured lawyer, secured billions of dollars in favour of local and State governments, including Wike’s administration as a beneficiary.”

Nwoko disclosed that Wike is after him for demanding  monies he, Nwoko, an international lawyer, legally earned, already approved by the Federal government following various court judgements and  three separate reports by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which supported the payments.

Nwoko: “When has demands for professional fees duly sanctioned by statutory authorities and scrutinised by anti-corruption agencies like EFCC and DSS become ‘fraud’.

“We are appalled by Wike’s wicked and despicable wild goose chase.

“Ned Nwoko Media directorate asserts on the contrary, the Rivers State governor received a whopping share of over 60 billion Naira from the Paris Club refunds to States, thanks to the sterner stuff of Prince Ned Nwoko who took the Federal government to Courts on behalf of the States and local governments and won, over the arbitrary deductions.”

Nwoko also claimed to have in his custody “infallible evidence that Wike not only collected the huge funds but squandered the proceeds through phantom projects and frivolous travels around the world in crude obscene ego trips.

“Like discerning members of the public, we are aware of Wike’ s primitive hoarding of illicit loot for elections, a dubious game plan that can only be contrived by a man of opaque character.

“Wike spoke of corruption among some governors. Kettle cannot call Pot black. A man with both hands stained with filthy lucre lacks moral justification to utter one word on embezzlement. To go sanctimonious is unpardonable criminality. Wike, no matter the pretence, has exposed himself towards jail.

We need to remind Wike for the umpteenth time, in case he has forgotten, that 25 innocent children in life support machines died in a Rivers State- owned hospital the same hour because the hospital could not afford electricity. He could not provide electricity, having diverted all funds to meaningless ventures for self aggrandisement.

“At the appropriate time when his dictatorial reign on the high horse is over, he would surely answer charges of criminal negligence at the International Court of Justice for the sad deaths of those children.

“It is laughable that a man of monumental corrupt tendencies and wanton profligacy could so unabashedly talk when his activities connote unimaginable scam and fraudulence.

“Who was Wike when Ned Nwoko returned to Nigeria in 1999 to win the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency seat and mount the green chambers of the National Assembly as a distinguished member, House of Representatives?

That he was spoon-fed to become governor through godfather syndrome in 2015, desperately grabbing public funds to his chest, should not be a licence to brag and bully. Let Wike disclose the source of wealth he now flaunts with arrogant vainglorious relish. Can he survive outside dirty politics?” Nwoko queried.

On the alleged payments of 13% derivation to South-South States, Nwoko said Wike was trying falsely and maliciously to instigate the people against some governors.

“Wike postures deceptively in panic to cover his tracks on the well-known serious open secret of his involvement in national economic sabotage through oil bunkering.

“If the Governor’s mischievous vituperations on the Paris Club refunds are off-key and unserious, his pedestrian shout on Ned Nwoko’s matrimony amounts to nothing. His false, childish tantrums that the man has imaginary ‘20 wives’ sounded like beer parlour gossip, unbelievable from the lips of a governor. How nauseating and condescending. But that is Wike, ever steered by gutter language and uncouth tempers.

“Let Wike delude himself in a bogus gubernatorial robe. By six months time, he would descend into a commoner, stripped of all immunity, bare from boastful manners and haughty airs. Prince Ned Nwoko, a civil fellow who has never been on the street with Wike would then compel him to answer questions about his litany of lies and corrupt misdeeds.

He is poised, resolutely waiting to bring the Rivers State governor to justice very soon.

“Since Wike lost the PDP presidential ticket and failed nomination for Vice presidential slot because of his brash and unreliable temperament, he has been weeping, nagging on Television and every fora. Rather than lick his self-inflicted wounds remorsefully, he chose an inglorious path of blame game and transferred aggression. How pitiable for a fake emperor tumbling like the old nursery rhyme clown Humpty Dumpty.

“We hereby wish to emphasise for the avoidance of doubt that no external influence whether overtly or covertly moved Prince Ned Nwoko to challenge Wike’s excesses as the Star Prince of Anioma is a man of his own clout, unaffected and independent by nature.

“He is driven by the conviction as a pioneer and strong stakeholder in PDP, that an unhinged Wike, a latter day political noise maker and opportunist has become a power-drunk bull in a China shop who must be decisively handled, before he plots more divisive embarrassment.

“I have all  it takes to humble Wike.”

“Tinubu Is Drained, Disconnected, Blundering, Cannot Understand Issues” –  Atiku Replies Tinubu

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate, of the Peoples Democratic Party, has said that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, should be the last person to tell any Presidential Candidate to “go home and rest”.

Atiku was responding to Tinubu’s advice to him to quit the race and go home and rest, having contested for the Presidential race on, at least, two occasions and failed.

But in a statement by the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Office signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, Atiku said if any Presidential Candidate should quit the race over series of disgraceful allegations, Tinubu is it.

Atiku listed such disgraceful allegations as “narcotic trafficking, forgery, perjury, identity crisis and certificate scam in the public space against Tinubu.”

Based on those, Atiku noted that Tinubu “has no integrity left to hold office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The former Vice President described Tinubu as the “drained, disconnected, blundering and day-dreaming aspirant who has shown a scandalous lack of energy, capacity and presence of mind to stand the rigours of a Presidential campaign, let alone the demands of the office of Mr President.”

The  statement released on Saturday from the  Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organisation said it was “laughable that Tinubu, who cannot comprehend current political dynamics or articulate any meaningful conversation within the demands of the contemporary Nigeria, is asking others to go home and rest when such is an advice he ought to give to himself.”

It reads in part:

“Nigerians are in agreement that if there is any Presidential Candidate that must go home and rest as demanded by Asiwaju Tinubu, it is Tinubu himself who has been reported as requiring support to stand, whose speeches are grossly incoherent and who has become the butt of weird jokes among Nigerians for his many blunders.

“Moreover, Asiwaju Tinubu cannot face Nigerians and the International Community having forfeited a whopping sum of $460,000 to the United States of America.

The least an individual with such record should do is to go home and rest because Nigerians will not have such a person as President.

“Is it not pathetic that Tinubu that needed to forcefully lock all markets in the entire Lagos State to get a motley of crew to attend a rancorous rally is contemplating winning a Presidential election in Nigeria?

“Our Campaign counsels Asiwaju Tinubu to accept the reality that an overwhelming majority of Nigerians have already reached a consensus on electing the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, giving his energy, competence, capacity, will power and understanding of the issues troubling our nation as well as his readiness to provide the solutions.

“Nigerians already know that Asiwaju Tinubu is full of frustration and jealousy for Atiku, but resorting to insults instead of activating any forms of issue-based campaign will not help him.”

Tinubu Lacks Capacity To Appreciate Facts And Figures – Obi-Datti Media

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Media Aides of the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, have explained why Bola Tinubu of the APC dreads facts and figures used by opponents in place of mere rhetoric.

In a statement, the Obi-Datti Media Office, noted the attempts by Tinubu and his party to cast aspersions on the informed use of statistics by Peter Obi of the Labour Party, declaring that the APC candidate is ill-equipped to comprehend arithmetic or statistics.

“Tinubu had said at a rally of rented crowds in Gbaramatu Delta State that Peter Obi of the Labour Party lied with figures, stressing that “a speech-challenged contestant who cannot pronounce or spell ‘m.u.l.t.i.p.l.i.c.a.t.i.o.n’ and wants to argue about numbers, arithmetic, and statistics says a lot about how low we have climbed in this country”.

It further stated the LP candidate was brimming with practicable ideas and was demystifying electioneering rhetoric by employing simple facts and figures in his campaigns. “Providing the numbers shows Peter Obi’s preparedness for the high office of the president if and when hired by Nigerian voters come 2023.”

The Obi-Datti Media Office said it was aware of the inability of some runners in the presidential race to cope with Peter Obi’s speed and deep knowledge of issues. “This has resulted in a grand design to distract his focus from the issue-driven campaigns which are resonating very well with Nigerians who are ready and committed to taking back their country from forces that have held it down over the years.”

Responding to APC on the use of figures to convey facts, the LP statement added that it is risky seeming to dine with the devil without the proverbial long spoon or to run with the robber and confusing passers-by about the identity of the real thief.

“Our candidate has said repeatedly that his assertions were verifiable and dared anybody with contrary facts and figures to come up. Analysts, media houses, and opponents have formed fact-checking units in their organisations ostensibly to contradict Peter Obi’s facts and figures but they are yet to succeed.”

It cited a recent Arise TV town hall meeting in Abuja where a team of fact-checkers was raised to hook Obi; they ended up apologising to him.

“The acceptable mantra is always if you can’t beat them join them, but in Nigerian politics, the reverse is the case: if you can’t beat them pull them down. That is what Obi’s opponents who cannot cope with his deep know-how about the economy are doing.

“We find it extremely laughable and shameful that a candidate who is aspiring to lead his country but has not been able to present any identifiable record of his origin, age, and educational background is challenging the man who is indisputably equipped with the way to go about salvaging our dear country.

“The fact that the APC man has questionable bio-data has left the electorate guessing his real age and health status.”

These days, every APC rally produces its tongue-twisters like “Blu bla blu,” “no down payment for roasted corn for electricity,” “the Deputy Senate President will be the governor of Niger Delta,” “I will recharge Lake Chad if am elected President,” “if you love me go and collect your APV and vote for APC,” “God bless PDAPC,” or miscalling the name of his campaign director-general Solomon instead of Simon.

Should we not weep for a country whose ruling party has a candidate like this as their first among equals?

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