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Killing Of 12 Alleged Bandits By Vigilante Group Generates Controversy In Taraba State

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

There is palpable crisis in Zudai village, near Dogon-Ruwa community in the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

A controversy arose over the alleged killing of 12 persons suspected to be bandits.

Last Sunday, the Caretaker Chairman of Bali Local Government, Micah Dakka, confirmed that vigilante group members operating in the area killed 12 bandits. But it was, however, debunked by Gidado Sabuzy, Chairman of the Vigilante Group in the area.

Sabuzy was swift to disassociate himself from the Group that carried out the killings on the alleged 12 Bandits.

Despite Sabuzy distancing himself and his vigilante group from carrying out the attack. Dakka had, last Monday, told journalists in an interview that vigilante members had trailed the bandits from the neighbouring Gassol Local Government Area and overpowered them around Dogoruwa village of Bali Local Government, killing 12 of them.

The statement by Dakka prompted Sabuzy to hold a press briefing today, October 9th 2022, in Jalingo, Taraba State Capital, to publicly debunk the claim by Dakka.

Sabuzy is the Chairman of the Vigilante Group that operates in Gassol and Bali local government areas, dissociated the group from the attack on Zudai village in Bali where 12 people were killed and many injured.

He said the group had nothing to do with the attack and it has no link whatsoever with the perpetrators of the evil act as their mode of operation differs from that of his group.

“Our group is law-abiding and our efforts are to provide security in communities and foster unity among the people of these two Local Government Areas.

“We are always assisting security agencies in neutralising bandits and kidnappers in Gassol and Bali and not killing, miming or rustling their cattle.

“Many a time, our operations have yielded positive results as peace has returned in most villages of Gassol and Bali in particular and Taraba State in general before this barbaric act.

“Our group has brought peace between farmers and herders and businesses are going on day and night without hindrances.

“We are in full support of Governor Darius Ishaku’s peace mantra of, ‘Give me peace and I will give you development’. We, therefore, call on the Taraba State government and security agencies to look into the matter and fish out the perpetrators of this evil act to face justice for peace to reign,” Sabuzy appealed.

PDP Crisis: BoT Rules Out Ayu’s Sack; Set To Submit Report

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Iyorcha Ayu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, Reconciliation Committee has met with Governor Nyesom Wike and his camp over the lingering crisis in the Party, and is set to submit its report this week.

The Adolphus Wabara-led committee has concluded its reconciliation tours which took it to Ibadan, Makurdi, Umuahia, Enugu and Port Harcourt to meet with Governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Wike of Oyo, Benue, Abia, Enugu and Rivers states, respectively. The committee, according to findings, would meet with the National Working Committee before presenting the report.

It was gathered that the possibility of Iyorchia Ayu’s removal as the National Chairman of the Party looks slim and dicey, as Governor Wike’s camp remain adamant that his removal will be a precursor to any further negotiations.

Speculation is, however, rife that the BoT will not remove Ayu as demanded by the Wike Camp. The Reconciliation Committee believe that the timing is wrong, especially with the commencement of campaigns, as this would be counterproductive and damaging to the party if Ayu is forced out of office before the elections.

The Committee believes the only way out is to pacify Wike to show understanding.

A source within the Committee said that the panel was able to establish that the Party’s leadership mismanaged the crisis that erupted after the Presidential primary.

The crisis stemmed from Wike’s dissatisfaction with the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate and his choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.

Disruption Of 2023 Election Not Our Plan – IPOB

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has reviewed its stand on next year’s general election, saying  it has no plan to disrupt election in Igboland.

The media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, in a statement said there is no truth in any information circulating on alleged plans to disrupt election in 2023 in Igboland.

The group, rather accused the federal government of masterminding insecurity in the South East, with the hope of causing fear and accusing IPOB of their deeds.

A recent viral video of a breakaway member of IPOB, Mr Simon Ekpa,  where he said the group would not let any election hold in Biafra land had given the impression that IPOB would disrupt the election.

But Powerful said: “The IPOB leadership has for umpteenth time stated unequivocally that part of our modus operandi in our agitation for freedom has never been, is not, and will not be violent agitation.

“This explains our consistent demand for the UN to organize a Referendum in the Biafran territory for the Biafran people to determine their destiny.

“To this effect, IPOB is neither contemplating nor will it encourage or sponsor anyone or group to disrupt Nigeria shambolic selection process called election.

“IPOB has constantly made it public that we have no interest in and cannot legitimize the aberration they call election in Nigeria.

“We are a focused, determined and disciplined freedom fighting movement not political thugs and IPOB is devoted to the cause of liberating our people from subjugation and from modern day slavery and Neo-colonialism and will not allow ourselves to be distracted from this very objective.

“IPOB is not interested and will never involve ourselves in any Nigeria fraudulent pre-election or post-election issues. Our job is to open the eyes of the blinds by the gospel of truth which our leader has delivered already.

“Whoever that is sponsoring any group or gang tagging them IPOB is on his/her own. For those who are hard of hearing, IPOB is one indivisible family under one central command and leadership.

“If in the future IPOB leadership decides to make further statement on the upcoming Nigeria selection process called election, we shall make such statement through our official channels.”

Stakeholders Must Collaborate To Ensure Success Of 2023 Population Census – Gov Akeredolu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As Nigeria prepares for 2023 Census, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has advised that synergy among various stakeholders is one of the keys to a successful and acceptable census.

The Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to partner with National Population Commission (NPC) in “creating enabling environment for the exercise to take place in Ondo State and ensure that everyone is counted in the right place, for the benefit of citizens of our dear state.”

Governor Akeredolu spoke through his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa  at the Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census, organized by National Population Commission, held in Akure.

The Governor pointed out that “with all the preparation steps put in place, the journey towards the 2023 census is obviously on course.

“Population data is critical to development planning and any government desirous of achieving development strides needs to know how many people require basic amenities such as light, water, schools, housing, health facilities and education.

“No Country relies solely on its estimated population because such estimates ignore the demographics unearthed by census data which are needed for national planning purposes.”

On inability to conduct population census in the last 16 years, the Governor declared, “it has become imperative for the country to conduct another national census to produce a new set of demographic and socioeconomic data that will provide the basis for national planning and sustainable development.”

The Governor solicited the support of critical stakeholders especially civil society organizations that would be playing major roles such as advocacy, enlightenment of the society on the need for accurate and acceptable census.

Earlier in his opening address, the Federal Commissioner Representing Ondo State at National Population Commission, Prince Oladiran Iyantan said Nigeria must get it right in 2023 as far as census is concerned.

“In 2023 Census, everyone will be counted in the right way, at the right place and time, and for the benefits of all persons resident in Nigeria

“The commission is committed to ensuring that the results of the census are acceptable to Nigerians and the quality of the data to be generated meet international best standards for planning and development purposes.

“In line with the United Nations principles and recommendations for the 2020 rounds of Population and Housing Census, the 2023 Census will be fully digital and the commission has deployed technology to conduct the exercise and enhance data quality.”

Ngige May Lose Job Over Tinubu; APC Asks The Minister To Resign From Office

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chris Ngige
Chris Ngige

By Adesina Soyooye

Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister for Labour and Productivity, is in trouble. He may be forced to resign his position as a Minister if he does not do an about- turn, and/or clarify his statement on who he would vote for in the forthcoming Presidential election.

Ngige’s trouble stems from the Presidential candidate of his Party, the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu. The Party is not sure where the Minister stands on the candidacy of Tinubu and that of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Based on that, a member of APC’s National Working Committee, NWC, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, has asked Ngige to either campaign publicly for Tinubu or resign as a Minister under an APC Government.

Ngige earned the trouble and threat to his office all by himself. Answering a mischievous question on National Television a couple of days ago on who he will vote for, between Tinubu and Obi, in the 2023 Presidential election, Ngige shot himself on the foot. He said he had not yet made up his mind who to vote for between the two men. And described both Obi and Tinubu as his friends. The media fed on that.

Ngige: “My choice will be in the ballot box. On the day of ballot, I will make my choice. I won’t tell Nigerians what I will do secretly.”

It is not known if Ngige was joking or not. But that stung. He has not denied the various interpretations given to it by the Media. And now, he is trouble.  Not a few APC members see Ngige’s response to that question as a betrayal. They see it as anti-party.

Tackling Minister Ngige,  Ajaka told him not to play “hide and seek.”  In a statement on Saturday, Ajaka said: “The Presidential Primary election has long ended, and the Party has settled for the choice of Senator Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, hence all the Party leaders should put their ambitions behind them, for now, to deliver the Party’s Presidential ticket.

“It is expected of a serving Minister in an APC Government to be a trusted apostle of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidency in 2023, who along other Party leaders, laboured to ensure the enthroment of the same Government in 2015 which they are now serving in.

“Chief Ngige and other APC appointees, especially, in the Federal Cabinet, should not forget in a hurry that they are holding unto the Party’s mandate, hence the need to protect it with whatever it requires. But if they can no longer protect the interest of the APC in public, or that of our Presidential candidate, I think the honorable thing to do is to step aside from the Government formed by the APC.

“With this type of public comments from a sitting Minister in a ruling Party who cannot declare on National Television his choice of Presidential candidate, how on earth is the Party expected to fare in the forthcoming Presidential election?”

Ajaka said such comments as Ngige’s could generate bad blood in the Party, and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call his Cabinet members to order.

Like Obi, Ngige hails from Anambra State. He was thrown out of office by the Supreme Court, in favour of Obi, after three years in office. Thus Ngige bears the badge of a three-year illegal Governor.

Edo: APC Says Public Schools Lack Qualified Teachers

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Godwin Obaseki

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo chapter has blamed inaction and insensitivity of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) for shortage of qualified teachers in public schools in the state.

APC accused Governor Godwin Obaseki-led factional PDP government for the collapse of the educational system in the State as evident in the shortage of teachers in public school.

The APC, in a statement in Benin on Sunday, said if the  government had listened when it repeatedly raised the alarm few years ago, by employing qualified teachers, the present decadent scenario would have been avoided.

The party, in the statement, signed by Victor Ofure Osehobo, Assistant State Publicity Secretary, 

said its position was confirmed during the recent World Teachers Day, when the State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), told the state governor to employ permanent teachers in Edo public primary and secondary schools.

The state NUT chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, while welcoming the Governor to the event, lamented that the shortage of teachers across Edo State public schools have become an embarrassment.

According to him, “Our schools are grossly under-staffed especially primary and secondary schools in our rural communities.

“We need permanent teachers that would take the job more seriously. No matter the beauty of the schools, with all the infrastructure without teachers, whatsoever that is put in place in the system is cosmetic at best. So, there is urgent need to step up the staffing requirements in our schools.”

APC stated that “As a party, we condemn the inaction of Obaseki’s government, it is inexcusable, because such nonchalance and indifference has only served, since 2016 to paralyze the once vibrant education sector in our State.

“The insensitivity of the Governor became glaring over the years when repeatedly he claimed to have transformed Education with the fictitious Edo Best 1.0 and very recently with Edo Best 2.0.

“Obviously, the two programs are hallmarks of his Make Edo Grounded Again, MEGA policy.

“Edo people know that the socalled Edo Best 1.0 as it turned out, was the governor’s purchase, in billions of Naira, of fairly used handheld devices for non existent teachers.

“Because it was a hoax, the governor recently renamed it Edo Best 2.0 with the announcement of a change in the designation of heads of schools as Executive headmasters or Principals.

“We call on the Edo state government to do some soul-searching over its failure as it has left children without quality education which is the key to their leadership of tomorrow.

“Only a careless and inept leadership like the PDP government would ignore the danger signals a decline in education standards pose to the future of our state.

“This is why we align with the NUT and insist that, for the future of our State to be reassured, the Governor Obaseki government must immediately begin the recruitment of trained teachers and deploy them to schools across the state.

“Edo state belongs to all of us, just as every Edo child has a right to quality education; no government should mortgage education, which is the lifeblood of any society for any reason or under any guise, whatsoever.”

Prison Decongestion: Aregbesola Writes NGF, Says Bulk Of Offenders Run Foul Of State Laws

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has canvassed for massive prison decongestion in the country.

Already, the minister said he is working with state Governors towards the release of at least 30 percent of inmates in the custody of the Nigerian correctional service.

The minister added that over 70 per cent of the 75,635 inmates at present are awaiting trial.

Aregbesola, who disclosed this in Abuja when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum, revealed that the interface was necessary as more than 90 per cent of the inmates are being held for contravening various states’ laws.

The minster said that the federal offenders in the system were far less than 10 per cent, adding that the bulk of people in custody are those who have run foul of state laws.

He pointed out that they were therefore being kept under the legal jurisdiction of their respective states.

The minister added that the decongestion of the 253 custodial centres nationwide was necessary as some of the inmates have no reason to remain in custody.

Mr Aregbesola, therefore, advised that all stakeholders must work towards a “better structured criminal justice administration, otherwise we will just be left with congested and overcrowded facilities.

“I have written the Nigerian Governors Forum, (NGF) to allow me to come and address them on how they can support the process of decongestion.

“Because the governors must buy into this system for us to do a massive decongestion especially of Awaiting Trial Inmates.

“If we get the buy in of state judicial authorities and the government of the states, we can pull out 30 per cent of those who are there.”

According to him, some of the awaiting trial inmates have stayed longer than the punishment provided by law for the crime they were arrested for.

“If you look at a man that is caught for petty theft and you are trying him for three years, even if you convict him for that crime, how long will he stay?

“How long will that fellow stay, probably six months, but without trial he will be there for three years.

“Again, you arrested a boy under the bridge, there is no fixed crime and he is there forever and so on and so forth. So, we need the buying in and support from state governments.

“This is for them to critically know the situation and let them set up committees that will profile all those who are there. And help either to convict, release them or see if they have overstayed their required time.”

Aregbesola also said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has facilitated unprecedented development in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

He was of the view that the development has a backwash effect on not just the Ministry of Interior, but also the inmates of custodial centres nationwide.

“If any administration has given life to the reorientation of prison in the history of Nigeria, it is President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. What he has done in making our penitentiary system a corrective one is historic.

“We had a prison system that was simply coercive, punitive and oppressive both in law and in operation of the law. So, that was changed forever in July 2019 when he signed and assented to the NCoS Act 2019.

“From the name of that law, you know it is a reformatory document.”

Mr Aregbesola explained that the reform has also changed the orientation of Nigerians, as many prisoners who served out their term came out as better citizens.

“As I am talking to you, we have Doctor of Philosophy students, we even have Phd graduates now from our correctional facilities.

“We also have several undergraduates, postgraduate students and thousands of people doing their West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.

“Thousands not hundreds, thousands upon thousands of people acquiring trade tests, craft skills and what have you.

So, indeed, we are a champion in reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of our inmates.”

Mr Aregbesola explained that the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates affected only those convicted by a court of law, not those awaiting trial.

“It will be clear to us why it is usually difficult for those awaiting trials, who either after their trial they are freed to now be seen as product of our system that are not rehabilitated.”

The minister assured that the federal government would continue to improve the condition of inmates in custodial centres, in line with global best practice.

Kogi State Government Alleges Plot By Dangote To Destabilise State

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The Kogi State Government says it has discovered a plan by Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote to destabilise the State in order to deny it of its shares at Obajana Cement Company.

Until now, the impression has been that the Company is owned wholly and solely by the Dangote Group. But in a surprise move recently, the Kogi State Government has been at loggerheads with Dangote over the ownership of the company. It is laying claims to being part owners of the Company.

The Dangote Group has declared Kogi’s claim as  false, and a lie from the pit of hell.

But a statement on Saturday, 8th October, 2022,  signed by the Commissioner for Information, Kogi State, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said that the Dangote Group has embarked on a high-wired plot not only to doctor documents pertaining to the ownership of the company, but also to intimidate State Government officials with Security Agencies.

He disclosed that a Dangote top management staff, mistakenly phoned a Kogi Government official while they were at a meeting  plotting how to destabilise the State, harass officials and doctor Company instruments pertaining to the ownership.

Following is the full text of the statement, which also contains the resolutions, allegedly, from the alleged meeting against the Kogi State Government.

PLOT BY DANGOTE TO CAUSE CHAOS IN KOGI UNCOVERED

  1. We have uncovered certain plans by the Dangote Group at a meeting held last night to cause chaos across the state as a fight back strategy against the State Government’s decision to get its own legally supported equity from the Obajana Cement Company. The latest strategy stems from frustrations occasioned by the failure of the Dangote Group to misinform the general public and its shareholders as the State Government has consistently and continuously present the facts of the matter to the general public.
  1. A top Management Staff of Dangote Group erroneously called a top Government official as the meeting was going on to hatch their satanic plans against the Government and people of Kogi State. The call which came in at 10.06pm went on for 28 minutes, 12 seconds, detailing how they intend to doctor documents to prove they own the cement company 100 percent; how they intend to use the DSS and other security agencies to arrest top Government Officials on frivolous charges; how they intend to use the EFCC to arrest some Government officials in order to cow them down; how they also intend to use the media to promote falsehood against the Government and people of Kogi State and sundry other satanic plans against the people and Government of our dear state.

Below are the resolutions at their meeting:

* Obliteration of the Agreement between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Group.

* A plan to use the press to attack the Governor and the Government of Kogi State. They planned to deploy people to the major TV Stations in the country to attack the Governor and the Government of Kogi State.

*They planned to call the EFCC and DSS today to claim those who sealed the company on the orders of the House of Assembly stole the sum of N207m and that those agencies should arrest them.

*They also resolved to initiate both civil and criminal proceedings against certain Government officials.

*Lastly, they resolved to block all the major highways across the state with their trucks to make it impossible for the Governor to move out of the state capital. In their words, they said “we will prove to him that his madness cannot match our own”. They said at the meeting that Dangote owns Nigeria and that there is nothing anyone can do to stop him.

  1. The over 28 minutes recorded meeting typifies the mindset of economic oppressor who thinks he could use every apparatus of the Federal Government to fight our dear state into submission. Nigeria is what it is today because certain individuals think they own the country and can get away with any attrocity they commit.
  1. We make bold to say that if the Dangote Group attempts to carry out any of his threats or deny our claims above which are supported by facts, we will release visuals and audio of the said meeting and the whole world will see the mindset and modus operandi of Alh. Aliko Dangote and his conglomerate. We are a people that cannot be destroyed by the whim and caprices of the capitalist dominance that the Dangote Group stands for.
  1. One of the plans hatched at the meeting was to use Dangote trucks to block all major highways in Kogi State from today to make life unbearable for the people of the state and also launch attacks on commuters across the state in order to cow the State Government into submission in the ongoing ownership determination battle for the Obajana Cement Company.
  1. We wish to inform the people of Kogi State that the State Government will stop at nothing legal to defend their rights to movement and safety. We will take steps that are legal to resist the act of cowardice of the Dangote Group to harass, intimidate or harm the people of Kogi State for demanding their rights.
  1. Let it be clear to all that the Government and people of Kogi State are united against economic oppression under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello. Our resolve to right the wrongs of the past is bigger than those who think they own Nigeria and can get away with anything they do.
  1. We call on security agencies to be on red alert to forestall any breakdown of law and order. It is our wish to ensure the agitation to reclaim our equity at Obajana is non-violent as we have all that is required to win the battle. Security agencies should resist the temptation of being used by the Dangote Group to be used to harass officials of Government and our people as hatched at the I’ll fated meeting.
  1. We also want to sound a note of warning to the Dangote Group that Kogi State will not condone any act of lawlessness and that perpetrators will be made to face the full wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed.
  1. Let it be clear to all that the present administration has overseen the heaviest influx of investments into the state as a result of the enabling environment created. But in as much as we crave investments and economic expansion in our dear state, it is our responsibility to protect the interest of the people in those investments.
  1. Our stand is just and fair. Our decision is to give what belongs to the people to the people and not seek pecuniary interest. That is why Dangote Group is being repeatedly exposed. The Group should do what is right and just to stop further drowning in the murky waters of ignominy.

11. We urge the people of Kogi State to remain calm as the Government they elected is capable, ready and equipped to fight this economic battle successfully.

PDP Flags Off Campaign Monday; Advises APC Not To Waste Time; Says It Has No Candidates For 2023 Poll

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
PDP Secretariat - Wadata Plaza

By Ayodele Oni

People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) has confirmed that there is no going back on the flag off of its presidential campaigns on Monday.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Debo Ologunagba, announced on Saturday in Abuja that the event is slated for Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

Speaking at an interactive session with Journalists, Ologunagba said “The PDP formally informs Nigerians that our Party, the PDP will officially flag off its 2023 Presidential Election Campaign on Monday, October 10, 2022 in Uyo Akwa-Ibom State Capital.

“Our Party is fully prepared for an issue-based campaign and our Presidential Candidate, H E. Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa are fully “Articulated” for the campaign.

“The PDP will take our campaign to all the States, Local Government Areas, Wards and Polling Units across the country under the Unified Campaign Structure as approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our Party.

“Our Campaign will be people-driven and focused on PDP and H.E. Atiku Abubakar’s mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the abysmal misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“From our consultations across the six geo-political zones of the country, it is clear that Nigerians across board, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and even political affiliations accept the PDP Presidential Candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar as the best Candidate with the practical experience, capacity, broad-mindedness and willpower to Unite our nation, Revamp our national economy, and guarantee security of lives and property in our country.”

According to him, Nigerians Want Atiku because of his experience, as Vice to President Olusegun Obasanjo when he served as the Chairman of the National Economic Council.

He said Nigeria achieved unprecedented national productivity and secured $30bn overall debt relief from the Paris and London Clubs.

“Nigeria’s economy was revamped to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world with stable exchange rate. Foreign reserves rose from $2bn in 1999 to $43bn in 2007

“Power generation rose from average daily generation capacity of 1,800mw in 1999 to 4,000 mw in 2007.

“Our country witnessed the liberalization of the telecommunication industry and the advent of GSM and Internet facilities in Nigeria among others.

The PDP scribe advised opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) not to waste time to campaign as the party has no candidate for the election.

“The APC has become prostrate, handicapped and incapacitated to campaign as it has no legally valid candidate for the 2023 general elections.

“Recalls that the PDP had on February 22, 2022 and March 8, 2022 cautioned that with its foisting of an illegal and unconstitutional leadership, the APC has become “legally defunct, structurally crippled and no longer a legitimate and valid vehicle to field candidates for elections under our laws”.

“The PDP had cautioned all aspirants in the APC then ‘not waste their resources, time and energy in the APC as they will be on a journey to nowhere.’ Today, the chicken has finally come home to roost.

“As you are aware, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, September 30, 2022 nullified the candidature of Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s in the July 16 2022 Osun State Governorship election on the ground that his nomination was invalid, having been conducted and submitted by Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, in violation of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“For emphasis, Section 183 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that a state governor ‘shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”

2023: PDP Declares Tinubu’s Candidacy Illegal

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has challenged the legality of  the candidacy of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The Party is of the opinion that the legality of his sponsorship has been voided according to the 2022 Electoral Act.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Debo Ologunagba, stressed that the recent court judgment which nullified the candidate of the APC in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Gboyega Oyetola, could be extended to the candidacy Tinubu.

In a Press Briefing  in Abuja on Saturday, Ologunagba claimed that the illegality of the role of the APC Caretaker committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, who also doubled as the State Governor of Zamfara State, was illegal based on Section 183 of the Electoral Act.

He said, “Mai Mala Bala was assumed to be Chairman of the APC and the laws say that if you are an executive governor you cannot double as Chairman. This has led the court to nullify the candidacy of the Governor of Osun State, Oyetola.

“The same Mai Mala Buni was the caretaker chairman that sponsored the nomination of Tinubu. We are saying that if the process that sponsored the nomination of the presidential candidate of the APC was illegal, then the nomination of Bola Tinubu is illegal, null and void.”

Ologunagba stressed that the PDP would go to a court of competent jurisdiction to establish his claim, stressing that the party had earlier advised the APC concerning the matter and had studied the recent judgment of the Oyetola case.

He, however, said, “the PDP will not announce whether we are going to court. When we want to go to court, you will know.”

When asked about the unity of the PDP, given the ongoing differences between the Wike camp and the Ayu camp, he said, “You mistake Atiku to be PDP. Atiku is a product of PDP. I understand that Nigerians are legitimately concerned for the party but reconciliation is not a 100m dash, it is a marathon.”

Ologunagba said the moves made by Atiku to reconcile Wike to the party have shown Nigerians that Atiku was a unifier.

He added. “Nigerians have accepted Atiku as a unifier, The multiple actions of the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, and Atiku have given Nigerians reasons to trust us to bring all party members together.  You will begin to see more actions. The NWC and the BoT are working. We are united, you saw that play out at the book launch of Solomon Lar.”

He added that the PDP is ready and will comply with the rules, stressing that  other parties are playing catch up.

“We signed the peace accord, and Atiku was there. A party candidate did not show up. We don’t want a President by proxy.”

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