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Presidency of Nigeria is Not a Retirement Home – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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Peter Obi Campaign in Lafia

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, on Saturday, flagged off his Presidential Campaign in Lafia, Nasarawa state capital reminding Nigerians that Presidency of Nigeria is not a retirement home for the aged, sick,  tired and weak people

Aso Rock is a seat of power for energetic and vibrant people to live and tackle the huge problems facing the country.

Presidency of Nigeria like in every good country is for leaders who are ready and patriotic enough to do the job and he and his Vice Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmad are here to serve Nigeria and bring her back to greatness.

Obi told the excited crowd that he and his Running mate are like them and will not steal their money but will use it to solve problems by changing the country from consumption to production.

“We will put money here and farmers will return to their farms and youths will be gainfully engaged.

“Don’t support those who will steal your money and make governance a retirement home. We will solve Nigeria’s problems, it’s not going to be over night but we will tackle insecurity and return farmers to their farms.”

The LP candidate who called for a minute silence for all those who died from flood disaster across the country prayed for the repose of their souls and for those facing unprecedented hardship as a result of it.

The former Anambra State governor charged the youths and people of Nasarawa state that voting for the Labour Party is voting for their future. He also talked about the shame of Nigeria not qualifying for the World Cup because of poor governance and promised that he and Datti will put sports in it’s rightful place if elected.

The National Chairman of Labour Party, Comrade Julius Abure charged Nigerians to reject outrightly at the ballot box those who are sick and will steal their money. “Don’t handover this country to sick people, we need energetic and vibrant people who will not steal your money.

The LP National Chairman said that the narrative of this country will change if Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmad get into power, but reminded the people that they must be united and strong with their PVC for this to happen.

He charged the people to take the logo of LP which is family of Papa, Mama and child to their villages and educate the people to avoid the costly mistake of voting for umbrella and broom that have  destroyed our country.

The Vice Presidential candidate, Baba-Ahmad, who spoke mostly in Hausa told the jubilant crowd that this is the time for Nigerians to reject dead woods who steal their money.

The highlights of the flag off rally was the symbolic handing of the Party flag to the standard bearer of the party, Mr. Peter Obi who excited the gathering with a song of “when Labour don de rule, when Obi-Datti don dey rule, Nigeria go better”

Terror Alert: Julius Berger Shuts Down Operations In Abuja

By
The Source
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Julius Berger

By Gideon Njoku

Following the footsteps of Jabi Lake Mall,  one of the biggest malls in Abuja, construction giant, Julius Berger, has shut down its operations in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

This action is in response to the elevated alert of an  imminent terrorist attack in Abuja raised by the United States Embassy in Nigeria.

The Embassy had, on Sunday, raised the alert, and scaled down, very considerably, its operations at the Embassy. On Wednesday, it followed up by offering a voluntary evacuation of its non-essential staff and their families in Abuja.

Other Foreign Missions, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and India, have also raised same alert just like the US. The UK has warned its citizens in Nigeria against any trip to Abuja.

On Saturday, October 29, Julius Berger, in adherence to the security alert shut down its operations in Abuja.

In a statement on Saturday, the Company warned its staff and family members: “It is advised to avoid all public events within the FCT environment, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and other  areas where many meet.

“This advice is applicable from 28-10-2022 in the evening, until Monday, 31-10-2022 in the morning.

“It remains possible to move to other JBN work or residential locations throughout the weekend. Your safety is our primary concern.”

Our Correspondent in Abuja reports that traffic, since Friday, has been unusually light. Many, ordinarily, busy areas are near-empty. Businesses are down, as people are afraid to step out.

There are, also, fears that worship places will be empty on Sunday, in response to the dire security situation.

However, while preaching vigilance, the Federal Government says it is on top of the situation. Abuja and environs are also bristling with special security operatives.

2023: ‘Tinubu Will Respect Rule Of Law If Elected’ – Keyamo; Netizens Lash Him

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Festus Keyamo

By Akinwale Kasali

Festus Keyamo, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Spokesperson has said that Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu will respect the rule of law and make it a policy in his administration.

Keyamo also said that his candidate will not abuse the rule of law, having been a victim of military brutality in his struggle for democracy.

Speaking in an interview with Punch Newspaper, the Senior Advocate of  Nigeria added that Tinubu has chronicled his proposed reform of the Nigerian Judiciary in his 80-page manifesto.

“We have his plan about reforms and respect for the rule of law in our manifesto. Tinubu himself who was one of the greatest victims of military brutality, whose government then in Lagos was a victim of disobedient of the Supreme Court Judgment regarding Local Government funds.

“He has been a victim of it. I believe he also knows where the shoe pinches. Among the four leading aspirants, as we called them even though we know they are three, none of them fought for Democracy as much as Asiwaju. This is what the media knows very well. It is not a matter of blowing one’s trumpet. We don’t have to prove anything as well. He is the even one that can be trusted more than anybody.”

But Social Media users had mixed reactions in their response to Keyamo.

@moshood12 said that it is disheartening that Keyamo could utter such statements that Tinubu will respect the rule of law, this basically shows that they know that President Muhammadu Buhari has never respected the rule of law, so who is deceiving who.

@adabache_20 wrote on his Twitter handle saying that Buhari has done his worse, Tinubu is coming on board to aggravate the sufferings of Nigeria. What is the assurance that he will respect the rule of law just like Buhari has failed to do so.

@mabuchi said that this is how we were deceived by this APC Government in 2015 and 2019, we won’t be fool again. We all know what the Court said about the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, Sambo Dasuki which the APC Government turned deaf ears to, now they are coming to deceive us, we are wise. Obidient is the answer.

2023 Elections: Why Nigerians Must Come Out To Vote – Gov Akeredolu

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has advised that all those who do not wish to be ruled by persons of dubious character should endeavour to be active in the days ahead.

He said all those with their PVCs should vote for candidates of their choice, while candidates should be put to the strictest proof of their claims.

The Governor emphasized that “Anyone who exhibits any shred of doubt should be rejected roundly.

“The antecedents of prominent candidates in the forthcoming presidential elections, and even all elections, should be evidence of capacity. The manifesto belongs, largely, to the party.

“We must do more than criticism in the next elections or be ready to be ruled by those with no enviable pedigree. We must participate or be damned.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde stated that Akeredolu spoke in Ibadan, Oyo state at a dinner organized by Ibadan Anglican Diocese.

He maintained that antecedents of prominent candidates in the forthcoming presidential election should be the evidence of their capacity to lead the country.

He charged the people of Nigeria to keep the debate on equity and justice alive for peace to reign in the land, adding that the south must produce the next President in the spirit of equity and fairness.

Governor Akeredolu, who noted that competence and integrity should be the criteria for representation, stressed that the recent debate on representation on account of faith is most unnecessary.

”As Christians, we must not only be prayerful. It is important that we adopt proactive measures in our bid to protect ourselves against any evil design.

“We must be vigilant and ready to challenge all actions which threaten to relegate our collective interest to the background.

“In the same vein, we must be wary of the antics of the cunning and deceitful who may wish to exploit the challenges to advance their destructive designs.

“In as much as we encourage full participation of Christians in politics, our involvement must not be used to create disaffection among the various ethnic and religious groups in the country. We must resist the attempts by some elements to use religion to perpetuate crisis.

“Christians are yet to come together to elect representatives who must vie for political offices. Any individual aspiring to serve in any capacity should project his or her strength of character rather than hide under an omnibus but clearly dubious forum to appropriate our collective rights for personal consideration.

“The recent debate on representation on account of faith is most unnecessary. Competence and integrity should be the criteria for representation.

“We must tell all self-appointed spokespersons of the Christian faith to leave partisan politics for the practitioners and concentrate on the works for which they are called or appointed.”

Governor Akeredolu, who recalled that the political space was awash with embarrassing tales of assassination, thuggery and ballot snatching in the past, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for setting the country free from the evils.

He said the President is determined to bequeath a legacy of electoral integrity to the country, adding that Election results are becoming more credible with reduced volume of election petition cases in the courts.

“Above all, the President has not allowed partisan interest to becloud his sense of fairness. He congratulates, almost always, whoever becomes victorious regardiess of the political parties to which the person belongs.

“On the whole, there is the pervasive feeling of improvement in the electoral process. The country can still do better than what is obtainable now.

“We are at a point where all of us must resolve to take more than a passing interest in what affects our general interest as citizens of the country.

“We must resist the temptation to stand aloof while others determine our collective destiny as a people. We must keep the debate on equity and justice alive for peace to reign in the land.”

2023: Fitch Predicts Tinubu’s Win; Violence Ahead, The Obi Factor

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Globally renowned agency, Fitch has predicted a win for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC in the 2023 presidential election.

A Subsidiary of the global ratings agency, Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research, placed Tinubu, a former Lagos state governor ahead of other presidential candidates, in a race analysts have described as a three horse race between Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

Fitch said in a report on Thursday that Tinubu “is best placed to win” the 2023 presidential election”

According to the agency, Tinubu’s victory will however lead to turbulence because he and his running mate, Kassim Shetima are Muslims, saying their presidency will further polarize the country along religious lines.

The report stated that the presidential candidate of LP will not win the election, despite his social media popularity, and that his supporters will protest the emergence of Tinubu as president, by causing violence across the country.

Fitch further stated that Atiku Abubakar will not win the election because many of his party’s supporters are now rooting for Obi.

Obi was in the PDP before he decamped to LP earlier this year in a bid to vie for the highest office in the country.

His defection, analysts say, has narrowed the support for Atiku, because they are both “fishing from the same pond” according to those watching what is happening in the major opposition party.

The development, Fitch has predicted will work in favour of Tinubu who will be efit from the split in the PDP.

Fitch said, “Indeed, we maintain our view that the ruling party’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the candidate most likely to win the presidential election as a split opposition vote will favour the APC.

“Protests and social discontent are likely to ramp up in the aftermath of a Tinubu win since this would end the recent trend of the presidency alternating between Muslims and Christians.

“Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, there has been an informal agreement that resulted in the presidency alternating between Northern and Southern states, as well as between Christians and Muslims. A win for Tinubu would break with this unwritten tradition and likely fuel sentiment of perceived marginalisation among Christians.

“In addition, Obi’s supporters – mostly young, urban voters – are likely to question the fairness of the electoral process, especially after recent polls have predicted a win for Obi. These dynamics are likely to engender political unrest following the February vote.

“As a result, we have revised down the Social Stability component of our proprietary Short-Term Political Risk Index (STPRI) from 30.0 to 25.0 previously (scores out of 100; lower score implies higher risk). This brings Nigeria’s overall STPRI score from 46.3 to 45.0. Social Stability Remains.

“Surveys showing that Obi is ahead of his opponents, Bola Tinubu (APC) and Atiku Abubakar (PDP), were mostly based on responses gathered online. Since only 36.0% of Nigerians use the Internet (World Bank, 2020), we believe that these results are skewed towards urban, affluent voters who are most likely to support Obi. We also highlight that these polls suggest that a large share of voters remain undecided,” the agency said.

Why Obi will lose the election, Fitch further states:

“it would be herculean for the Labour Party which lacks structure and not having candidates for most of the positions for state Assemblies, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship, to deliver above those that have stakes for such positions.”

Redesign Of Naira Notes: I Don’t Need To Consult Ministry Of Finance – CBN Gov

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, in response to the claim of ignorance by Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, of the redesigning of some Nigerian currencies, said he doesn’t take instructions from the Ministry.

The proposed policy may have triggered a no-love-lost relationship between the two Federal Government institutions.

Emefiele, who reacted to the Minister’s assertion on Friday night defended the decision of the CBN to redesign some Naira notes, insisting that he didn’t need to consult with the Minister of Finance to do so.

He maintained that the planned policy was in line with Sections 19, subsections A and B of the CBN Act 2007, upon which the management of the CBN sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce, and circulate new series of banknotes at N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had told the National Assembly on Friday that she knew nothing about the decision of the CBN to redesign some Naira notes.

The Minister spoke barely 48 hours after Emefiele announced that the redesigned notes would become official legal tenders by December 15, 2022.

The Minister, who commented on the policy in response to a question by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central) during 2023 budget defence session with the Senate Committee on Finance, warned the CBN of consequences that may arise from it.

But countering the Minister, Emefiele on Friday evening, said the CBN does not need to consult anyone to redesign the Naira.

Quoting relevant sections of the CBN Act to back up his claim, Emefiele said he got the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce and circulate Naira notes, stating that the step he took was the position of the law.

“With the president’s approval in writing, the CBN does not need to consult anyone else.”

Redesign of Naira: CBN Replies Minister of Finance; Says Buhari Approved In Writing

By
The Source
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Godwin Emefiele

By Gideon Njoku

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has expressed surprise over the claim by the Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmad, that she was not consulted on the plan to redesign three Naira denominations – 200, 500, 1000 notes.

The Minister had caused a stir on Friday when she told the Senate Committee on Finance, Budget and National Planning while defending the Budget, that she was unaware of the  redesign as neither she nor the Ministry was consulted. She also advised against the policy.

The Minister’s response not only gave the impression of a divided house, it presented her as irrelevant in the scheme of things. A shocked economist noted: “The decision to redesign the Naira notes was not a one night decision. If the Minister was not aware, and as she said read it in Media, it means she is irrelevant and should quit from office.”

However in a swift response to the Minister’s embarrassing response, the CBN explained that it not only followed every due process, but that President Muhammadu Buhari approved it.

Speaking with a group of Reporters Friday night,

CBN spokesman, Osita Nwanisobi, stressed that “the CBN remains a very thorough institution that follows due process in its policy actions.”

Nwanisobi submitted that “the Management of the CBN, in line with provisions of section 2(b), section 18(a), and section 19(a)(b) of the CBN Act 2007, had duly sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari in writing to redesign, produce, release and circulate new series of N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes.”

He also noted that thar the redesign was 12 years overdue, asked for support, and emphasized that

it was in the “overall interest of Nigerians.”  He revealed that some people “were hoarding significant sums of banknotes outside the vaults of commercial banks”, and added that it should not be encouraged.

Terror Alert: “We Had No Joint Operation With The US Army” – DSS

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The Department of State Services, DSS, has debunked the report that it carried out a joint operation with US soldiers in Abuja on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a report had gone viral that the DSS, in conjunction with American soldiers, raided an Estate in Abuja, Trademore, where they discovered boxes of ammunition in an apartment as well as guns. The report also said bombs were discovered and a couple of arrests, it was made.

The raid followed an alleged imminent terrorist attack on Abuja raised by the United States Embassy in Nigeria. The Embassy followed up with an evacuation of its non-essential staff and their families from Abuja.

However, while the DSS confirmed the raid in a statement on Friday, it debunked the version that it was in conjunction with any foreign soldiers. The Service said it carried out the operation with the Nigerian Military. It also said no bombs were recovered and no arrests were made in the Estate.

The  statement signed by the DSS Spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said: “It is true that an operation was carried out by DSS Operatives, and the Nigerian  Military, but no foreign Military Personnel was involved.

“It is not true that any bomb was recovered or anyone arrested during the operation in the said estate.”

The alert raised by the US Embassy, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australian Missions in Nigeria, sent panic amongst the residents of Abuja, and a quick review of the security situation within the FCT.

Already, a number of public and private places, including schools, are scaling down activities or shutting down.

On Thursday, one of the biggest Malls in Abuja, Jabi Lake Mall, in the Jabi area of Abuja, shut down until further notice over the security alert.

Atiku Shuts APC Up With High Profile Working Visit To The US

By
The Source
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Atiku Abubakar in USA

By Gideon Njoku

The news is not that Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is in Washington DC, the United States Capital. Two things should be the news. His high profile delegation. And the way he shut political enemies who taunt him that he had been barred from the United States, and/or that he had a case to answer over an alleged $40m money laundering in the US.

In the former Vice President’s official delegation are the following: Aminu Tambuwal, a man with a couple of caps. Tambuwal, a Lawyer, is the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Chairman, Nigerian Governors, Forum, Governor,  Sokoto State, and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, a former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, medical doctor-turned politician, a former two-time Governor of Kwara State, The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, a former Governor of Imo State, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and, Honourable Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, among others.

With the high profile delegation, Atiku quietly made a statement: “I am not alone, I am taken seriously in my country.”

The visit, also, afforded him an opportunity to take the wing off allegations that he was facing money laundering charges in the US, and would be arrested if he set foot on the soil of that country, a reason, they allege, he goes to Dubai instead. The opposition has lost on that score.

But in a Press Statement on Friday, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, disclosed that Atiku, who is expected to spend one week in the US, will use the opportunity “to share his vision for Nigeria with US business communities and young Nigerian professionals in North America.”

The full text of the statement reads:

Why Atiku is visiting US

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, arrived Washington DC, United States on a working visit.

“The visit will afford the PDP Presidential Candidate the opportunity of high-level engagements aimed at setting the pace for building an economically stronger and more secure Nigeria.

“Atiku will be in the US for a week-long engagement that will opportune the frontline Presidential Candidate share his vision for Nigeria with US business communities and young Nigerian professionals in North America.

:The delegation of the former Vice President comprise senior members of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, personal aides and other members of the PDP.

Those in the official delegation include the Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Imo, Emeka Ihedioha and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, among others.”

Atiku is the second major Presidential candidate to visit the US in recent weeks.

The first was the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who, even though he traveled with no high profile Delegation, had a successful outing across a number of States in the US.

Naira Re-designing: Emefiele On His Own – FG; Crack Appears In Buhari’s Government

By
The Source
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Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed,minister of finance

By Gideon Njoku

Is it possible for the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to announce the redesigning of the Naira without the knowledge of the Federal Government?

Is it possible for him to make it public without any clearance from President Muhammadu Buhari and/or the Ministry of Finance?

These are the questions Nigerians are asking after the Minister of Finance and Budget, Zainab Ahmad, told the House of Representatives that neither she nor the Ministry was aware of Emefiele’s and CBN’s plans.

She told the Committee of the  House on Finance and Budget during the defence of the 2023 Budget, in answer to a question by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on the consequences the Naira redesigning would have on the value of the Naira, that she only read about the redesigning of the Naira in the media.

“Distinguished Senators, we were not consulted at the Ministry by the CBN on the planned Naira redesigning and cannot comment on it as regards merits or otherwise.

“However as a Nigerian privileged to be at the top of Nigeria’s fiscal management,  the policy as rolled out at this time , portends serious consequences on value of Naira to other foreign currencies.

“I will however appeal to this Committee to invite the CBN Governor for required explanations as regards merits of the planned policy and rightness or otherwise of its implementation now.”

Emefiele had announced the redesigning of the 200, 500 and 1000 Naira denominations on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

48 hours after the announcement, the Naira fell, on Friday, badly, to the Dollar, exchanging for N788 to a Dollar.

The interpretation of this denial by the Minister is that there is a crack in President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government.

Recall that CBN Governor Emefiele had on Wednesday said that the apex bank would redesign the country’s currency from 200 Naira denomination to N1,000 notes .

Emefiele said the action was taken in order to take control of the currency in circulation just as he posited that  the  bulk of the nation’s currency notes were outside bank vaults and that the CBN would not allow the situation to continue.

According to him, the planned policy he added , was  in line with Sections 19, Subsections a and b of the CBN Act 2007, upon which the Management of the CBN sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce, and circulate new series of banknotes at N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.

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