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2023: Tinubu Throws Jab At Atiku, Seeks Endorsement; Says It Is Payback Time

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has called on the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, to endorse him for the 2023 Presidency, saying it is payback time.

The former Lagos State Governor threw the jab at his main opposition in the Presidential race and accused Atiku of playing ethnic card ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu made this statement at an interactive session with the Arewa Joint Committee held at the Arewa House, Kaduna, on Monday.

The APC National Leader said he is pan-Nigerian, having transversed all parts of the country.

He, however, noted, “You (apparently referring to Atiku) started from Uyo and now ended up in Kaduna and you are speaking to the North that you are the right candidate for the North; how do we reconcile that? You have lost the election.”

He stressed that Atiku is obliged to support his Presidential ambition, he, Tinubu, having supported Atiku in 2007 for the Presidency instead of competing with him for the same position.

“It’s payback time. Let Atiku endorse me instead of campaigning in Kaduna. I supported him in 2007,” he added.

The former Lagos Governor told the gathering that comprised of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation,  Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, the Center for Historical Development Research (Arewa House) as well as the Arewa Research and Documentation Project, that he was also one of them.

“I am one of you. Yes. I am a city boy from Lagos,” he added.

Reciting the the old National Anthem…Tinubu said, ’Though tribe and tongue may differ…’  to buttress his point of not portraying himself as an ethnic champion as his other opponent.

He said under his Government, the rag-tag bandits terrorising the region would cease to exist, noting, “a rag-tag bandit will not defeat us. We will defeat them.”

He added that  if elected as President, he would mobilise all assets within “our national power” to secure Nigeria.

“As you are aware, security is a function of resources. I am committed to mobilising all assets within our national power to secure Nigeria.

“We did this in Lagos through many initiatives, especially the Security Trust Fund, through which we addressed many needs of our security forces which helped to sanitise Lagos State.

“As you may recall, when I assumed office as governor in 1999, the situation I met was basically a case of banditry where urban gangs ruled the streets.

“I returned law and order, tamed what could have been a huge ethnic war and made Lagos one of the safest states in Nigeria. I will replicate that across the country,” he said.

He added, “We will address the welfare and training needs of our security personnel and strengthen our security institutions with modern technology and equipment to better position them to respond to modern challenges that we face in a fast-changing world.

“Under my leadership, the Nigerian military will receive a much-needed injection of trained personnel to strengthen the heroic efforts of the troops that are currently in service.”

On the economy, the APC presidential hopeful said the country is sitting on a gold mine with abundant natural resources, adding that “with strategic investment in research and development and effective management, we will explore and exploit these resources to the fullest.”

He said under his leadership, the Nigerian Government would be business-friendly.

According to him, “We shall support private businesses in our country and attract foreign direct investment to create jobs, re-industrialise our country and accelerate economic development.”

Uzodinma Unveils Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026 

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma - Imo Civil Servant Promotion

Governor Hope Uzodnma’s Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022 – 2026 that is anchored on six strategic pillars and aimed at highlighting his plan to ensure the digitalization of Imo State economy has been unveiled.

The IDEA entails having the entire communities in Imo State in the net to benefit from the digital economy.

At the unveiling in Owerri on Monday, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi who stood in for the Governor said the five year medium term plan was envisioned by Governor Uzodimma through the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government which he heads.

He said the policy document was formulated to harness ICT potential, provide new solutions to developmental challenges and foster economic growth, competitiveness, enhance access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion.

The event attracted members of the Imo Tech and Business Community.

Dr. Amadi told the audience that the implementation of IDEA 2022 – 2026 will help them maximize the benefits of digital economy by laying the foundation for digitalization of State Government institutions for enhanced productivity and quality service delivery.

It will “foster strategic partnership with the tech ecosystem, facilitate broadband penetration across towns and villages to enable fast pace-based social economic growth in the State.”

The Commissioner said Imo is the first State to establish a Ministry of Digital-Economy and E-Government with sole objective of supporting the Federal Government Policy Trust of diversifying the economy through the deployment of digital technology.

The Imo IDEA 2022-2026, he added is anchored on six strategic pillars – Digital literacy and Skill, Solid Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure, Advocacy, Monitoring and Evaluation, Collaboration and Partnership.

The Commissioner said the vision of the programme is to position Imo as a leading digital economy State in Nigeria with the mission to build smart cities that leverage digital technologies to drive governance, innovation and entrepreneurship while promoting value creation and prosperity for all.

He told the audience that their mandate as a Technology Opportunity People (TOP) is to develop and adopt digital technology for creating people-focused opportunities and economic prosperity.

Furthermore, the Commissioner noted that the Imo Digital Economy Agenda as proposed will also identify eight work streams indication timelines, responsibilities and expected outcomes from the six strategic pillars which constitute the key issues that must be addressed for the government to achieve a thriving digital economy in the State.

He said the expected outcome from the full implementation of the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026 is to position Imo as the Digital Skills Hub in Africa.

“This will position Imo as Africa’s highest supplier of market-entry and high level digital skills with sustained digital literacy and skills programmes.”

Dr. Amadi explained: “The Imo IDEA will create jobs of the future where Imo will become a leader in digital entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Again, it will enable Imo meet the growing global demand for technological skills. Re-skilled and up-skilled youths with fourth industrial revolution skill where Imo State will be the next exporter of industry ready workforce that will drive the global digital economy.

“In addition, the IDEA will create opportunities for Imo Digital Status to solve local and global challenges as the programme will create enabling environment that will spur ground breaking innovative solutions for local and global challenges leveraging emerging technologies as well as enhance creative thinking and complex problems solving skills.

“Other expected outcomes will include but not limited to providing an enabling environment for public sector, private sector, civil societies and development partners participation in training  fivebmillion Nigerians including Imo people in technology skills which will snowball into the creation of a Digital Skills Database to identify a digitally literate Nigerians and their levels of competence.

“The Imo IDEA which has the entry skilled programme and the advanced level programme is designed to accommodate everybody irrespective of the level of literacy which is the youths, the old and young and even the children whether ICT compliant or not as it will allow and give room to learn from the grassroot to the top through a simple process of interaction.

“The programme also targets the 27 LGAs of Imo State aimed at capturing those in the rural areas, villages and communities because the greater number of the population are domiciled in those areas.

“It will also provide and organize programmes for the kids in what is called ‘catch them young’ using learning tools that will make them feel interested.  The sole objective of this is meeting their needs so that by the end of the digital programme they will be useful to themselves, the economy of the State and the world at large.”

National Carrier Goes Into Operation Before End Of Year – President Buhari

By
Ayodele Oni
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Muhammadu Buhari - Londo Trip

By Ayodele Oni

President Mohammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the national carrier will commence flight operations before the end of the year.

He disclosed that the establishment of a national carrier for Nigeria is at 91 per cent completion.

The President also disclosed that  the feat is being boosted with the certification of Lagos and Abuja International Airports by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), while Kano and Port Harcourt Airports are undergoing similar certification processes.

Declaring open the last Ministerial Performance Review Retreat of his administration on Monday in Abuja, the president declared that high-impact projects have been implemented across the country, to meet yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

With less than eight months to the end of his eight-year tenure, President Buhari scored his administration high, saying his government has been able to meet the yearnings of Nigerians through the execution of impactful projects across the country.

Addressing the retreat organized to evaluate the level of progress made in the implementation of the Nine Priority Agenda of his administration, President Buhari highlighted remarkable progress made in the areas of agriculture, economy, infrastructure, security, health and anti-corruption.

The president told participants and guests at the retreat including the Keynote Speaker and former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, that over 3,800 Kilometres of roads have been constructed across the country, while 38 new aircraft were acquired for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to boost the fight against insurgency.

He also added that 38.7 million Nigerians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, representing 35 per cent of the total eligible population target for vaccination.

On infrastructure, the president said: ”In recognition of the importance of critical infrastructure in economic development and the quest of this administration to leave a lasting legacy, we have implemented high-impact projects across the length and breadth of the country that meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

”Some of the notable achievements include the completion of 326km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line and railway ancillary facilities; the completion of over 156.5km Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway modernization project with extension to Lagos Port, Apapa.

”On road projects, this administration has constructed 408km of roads; 2,499km of SUKUK roads and maintenance of 15,961km of roads across the country.

”Key among these projects are the construction of 1.9km 2nd Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta States with 10.30km approach road; rehabilitation, construction and expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway; the ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road, among others.”

He further disclosed that the federal government has embarked on the reconstruction of 21 selected federal roads totalling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development & Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy.

According to him, the roads, which are funded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), are in addition to similar existing collaboration with Messrs Dangote Industries Limited and other corporate organisations to improve the stock of the country’s road infrastructure.

Commenting on the nation’s economy, the president restated that the country witnessed seven consecutive quarters of growth, after negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

”The GDP grew by 3.54% (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2022. This growth rate represents a sustained positive economic performance, especially for the non-oil GDP which fell by 4.77% in Q2 2022 against oil GDP that grew by -11.77%.

”Most sectors of the economy recorded positive growth which reflects the effective implementation of the economic sustainability measures introduced by this administration.”

India 2022: Flamingoes Book Quarter Final Spot, Defeat Chile To Advance

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nigeria Flamingoes at Indian U17 World Cup

By Akinwale Kasali

THE Nigeria Under-17 Female National Team, the  Flamingoes has booked a place in the Quarter Finals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in India after defeating Chile 2-1.

Blessing Sunday gave the Flamingoes the lead as early as the 8th minute with a low shot on the arch of the Chilean half to give Nigeria the lead.

The Flamingoes squandered a lot of scoring opportunities in the first half despite dominating the game, with the Chilean Goalkeeper, Catalina Alvarado making brilliant saves to deny Opeyemi Ajakaye, Amina Bello and Bisola Mosaku on several occasions.

In the second half, the Flamingoes continued from where they stopped in the first half, firing from all cylinders, with the Chilean creating a scoring opportunity that was fired wide.

In the 82nd minute of the match, Mosaku got the Flamingoes the much needed second goal to cement their qualification into the knockout stage.

With the second goal coming towards the end of the match, the Chilean resisted the Flamingoes attack and were rewarded with a penalty courtesy of the Video Assistant, VAR, that saw Tali Rovner scoring the penalty to give the Chilean the consolation goal.

Coach Bankole Olowookere started the game with Faith Omilana in goal, Miracle Comfort Folorunsho, Tunmininu Adeshina, Shakirat Oyinlola and Miracle Usani in the defense,

Taiwo Afolabi, Blessing Emmanuel, Bisola Mosaku and Omamuzo Edafe in the midfield.

While Opeyemi Ajakaye and Amina Bello led the attack.

Nigeria finished runner up in the Group behind Group winner, Germany who won all its three matches to finish Nine Points.

Polaris Bank Commits To Breast Cancer Awareness, Treatment

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The bridge bank has restated its commitment to work with major stakeholders to combat the breast cancer scourge in the country.  

Over the years, the commercial bank said, it has collaborated with relevant NGOs like Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, COPE, and Societal Healthcare Organisation, SHO, to breast cancer in the country, adding that one of the core of the bank’s CSR is to ensure good health among Nigerians.

According to Global Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence, GOLOBOCAN, breast cancer (BC) was the most common cancer worldwide, with death rates higher in low -medium-income countries like Nigeria.

 It is also the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women globally, the global cancer awareness body said, adding that female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases annually globally.

Speaking Nduneche Ezurike, Polaris Bank’s, Group Head, Strategic Brand Management said the bank remained unwavering in its efforts to stem breast cancer among Nigerian women.

He made this comment in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCAM), an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer organisations every October to increase awareness among women of the scourge and to raise funds for research and prevention.   

According to Ezurike, “In partnership with the aforementioned NGOs, we have covered five key milestones namely; awareness, advocacy, capacity-building, prevention, and treatment in an ongoing effort to reverse the negative impact and trend of the scourge and other related health complications.

“We have screened over 20,000 women including female staff members of the Bank through our prevention program, donated three ultra-modern breast cancer screening machines to enhance quality diagnosis and clinical practices, sponsored the treatment of over 30 indigent cancer patients, and organized a 10-km walk with over 2,500 participants to draw public attention to the breast cancer scourge.”

Responding, the President of COPE,  Ebunola Anozie, said “we are grateful for the timely support of Polaris Bank. They were able to donate prostheses that ensured our breast cancer survivors lived better lives”.

ASUU Begs For Money To Return To Work

By
James Orji
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ASUU Meeting

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU says its members have no money to go back to class to start working.

The president of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke revealed this on Sunday, adding that his members have been impoverished because.  they have not received salaries for months.

The lecturers cannot even afford the transport fare to return to work, Osodeke said.

He said unlike in the past when lecturers live on campus, many lecturers, he explained, now live outside the campuses, and would need money to transport them back to work.

The union ended its eight-months-long strike last week after a deal was brokered with the federal government. They are expected to resume today.

The angry lecturers embarked on strike on February 14 after their demands were not met by the Buhari administration, and only agreed to end the strike after the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila intervened.

But the lecturers have not been paid for eight months by the federal government which insisted on no work no pay policy.

But the magazine learned that part of the deal that was reached with the government is that their salary will now be paid.

According to him, “In schools those days, every lecturer lives on campus and you can trek to your office but these days, many lecturers live 20, 30 kilometres to their offices. How will they pay for their transport to work?

“These are the issues we are going to have, that the branches will have to deal with. We expect the government to pay the money [eigth months salary arrears] so that these people will go back to work while we are negotiating on other issues.”

“We are resuming because we are obeying an industrial court judgment because the issues have not been fully resolved, and no agreement signed.

“We are also hoping that with the intervention of the Speaker [of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila], as promised by him, we will resolve this problem within a very short time.

“Our lecturers will teach but you can’t expect someone who is owed eight months’ salary, maybe from his bank, he has collected more than N1m as a loan and you have not paid him one kobo and you want him to go to class and teach.

“I pray they go there because of the children and do the best they can do. You don’t expect a hungry man to go there [school] with an open mind.”

Following the announcement last week that the lecturers will resume work on Monday, the magazine learned that many students have returned to their various campuses across the country hoping that lectures will resume immediately.

But from all indications, full academic work is not expected to start immediately considering that the returning lecturers would need to resolve some of these problems, while the campus environment would also be cleaned up before work can start in earnest.

“Yes, we have resumed based on the agreement reached last week with the federal government. But we also need time to settle down and clean up our tables before full academic work can start,” a lecturer in the University of Lagos, UNILAG said on Monday.

Falana Calls For CDS Sack, Says Buhari Has Lost Confidence In Military

By
James Orji
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Lucky Irabor CDS

The Chief of Defense Staff, CDS Gen. Lucky Irabor must be removed from his position, Femi Falana, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has said.

Falana, a human rights activist was responding to a comment made by the Defense Chief last week to the effect that the burning of a crude oil vessel caught stealing Nigeria’s crude was done in “line with the rules of engagement’ by the security agents that carried out the action.

 The vessel was arrested by operatives of Tanita Security Services owned by repentant militant, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, and later set on fire by the representatives of the military and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.

What Irabor said: “There are various approaches, various solutions to a problem and at any time based on certain factors, certain considerations, available to those that are at the frontline, actions are taken based on the directive which are contained in the rules of engagement.

“So, the burning of the vessel, it is because the thief was caught in the act and the procedure, if you are caught in the act, is that everything you are using to undertake that criminal activity should be destroyed and that was done.

“What investigation do you need that you find somebody who decided to deplore several pumping machines and has several hoses that are deployed to a dug out pit where crude oil is stored over a period?

“It was caught in the act. So, the instrument of operation was what was destroyed. I think it is straightforward. Whether that is the best is a different matter entirely but did they act in line with the rules of engagement? Yes, they did.”

Speaking on Sunday, Falana said the vessel should not have been burnt, describing the act as illegal.

According to a statement he signed, Falana said the miliary and NNPC has resorted to self-help, adding that some interests in the country only tried to cover up the theft by setting the crude tanker on fire when investigations had not been carried out.

He said Irabor was only trying to cover up for the illegal activities of his men who have been fingered in crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

“In an embarrassing justification of the criminal conduct, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor said that the swift destruction of the oil bunkering vessel by the criminal suspects is in line with ‘the rules of engagement’,” Falana said.

The statement said further, “As if self-help has become part of the rules of engagement the General said the vessel was caught in the act and security agents subsequently set the ‘instrument of operation’ ablaze, noting that no investigation is needed to carry out the action. It is trite law that only the Federal High Court court is empowered to order the interim or final forfeiture of any vessel that was used for conveying stolen crude oil.

“Therefore, the statement credited to General Irabor is a deliberate attempt to cover up the involvement of military personnel in the serious crime of oil theft as there is no provision of the rules of engagement that authorises military personnel or security operatives to set fire or destroy vessels loaded with stolen crude.”

“In view of the gravity of the offence that is being covered up by the military oligarchy, general Irabor ought to resign his appointment to prevent the sabotage of the ongoing operations designed to expose the perpetrators of oil theft in the Niger Delta region,” Falana added.

“If the general decides not to call it quits, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President Muhammadu Buhari should not hesitate to fire him. After all, by authorising the engagement of non-state actors to carry out the constitutional duties of the armed forces, the President has lost confidence in the leadership of the armed forces.

“Furthermore, the president should order the chief of army staff to ensure the immediate arrest of the military personnel who set the vessel on fire to charge on and allied offences before a court martial.”

Meanwhile, Falana has also called for the sack of all the security chiefs in the country, saying President Muhamamdu Buhari has lost confidence in their capacity to end insecurity in the country. He spoke on Channels Television on Monday.

Corruption And Incompetence In NNPC: Peter Obi, El-Rufai, Lamido Sanusi Vindicate Us – CNPP

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has said that it has been vindicated by recent comments made by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State; former Governor of the Central Bank (CBN), who is also a former Emir of Kano, His Royal Majesty Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; and the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, on the age-long shady activities at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, otherwise known as NNPC Limited.

The umbrella association of all registered political parties and political associations in the country, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said that “their comments have again brought to the front burner issues bordering on the endemic corruption and manipulation of figures by the management and board of the now incorporated haven for corruption, the NNPC Limited.”

The CNPP insisted that “on the day President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the current management of the NNPC Limited, he practically reinforced, consolidated, renamed and finally incorporated corruption in the oil sector.

“The NNPC Limited has a Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), who has been in the old NNPC system and now bringing his experience and digital savvy to bear on the corrupt operational system of the old NNPC and today, the impunity in the NNPC has been upgraded to digital level.

“With the understanding of the system, knowing that the Nigerian people are yearning to have a better country, the current GCEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, came up with the questionable annual profit declaration on paper probably to blindfold Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhari who incidentally doubles as Minister of Petroleum Resources.

“Within one week, three highly placed individuals, who should know, have questioned the viability of NNPC as being operated today and the competence of the current management team.

“On his part, the presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi who took a swipe at the top management of NNPC Limited over obvious incompetence, said they ought to immediately resign.

“But the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on the other hand, said that though the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari is trying his best, the company has failed and has no business being in the sector, “because NNPC claims that subsidy has taken all the oil revenues, I don’t believe that.”

“El-Rufai further said, “Nothing has changed for NNPC other than adding ‘L’ to it for the limited. They are still taking our money. They are still declaring profits that we don’t see the dividends.”

“The governor of Kaduna State concluded that “NNPC is a big problem to Nigeria and unless we resolve it, it will bring Nigeria to its knees. It’s a systemic and institutional problem, it’s beyond one person”, opinion the CNPP has held over the years.

“The third among these scholarly citizens who have spoken out is the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and vice chairman of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who spoke specifically on the unbelievable fuel consumption figures being released by NNPC Limited on daily basis.

“The shocked former Emir of Kano said, “In 2019, officially we were importing 40 million litres per day. In 2022 officially, we are importing 66 million per day. In three years, we have increased our petrol consumption by 50%”.

“Lamido Sanusi then asked, “Please tell me, is it the population? Is it the number of cars? Just ask yourself if it makes sense that in three years you increase your consumption of petrol by 50%. Are we drinking petrol?”

“The CNPP, as part of its patriotic duty, has pointed at each of these areas, including the incurable corruption in the NNPC and recently called on President Muhammadu Buhari to allow private sector players take charge of the management of NNPC Limited.

“How long shall we continue to believe manipulated figures coming from the NNPC year in and year out?

“The worst disservice to the Nigeria is keeping the current management and board members of the NNPC Limited who have continued to deceive Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari by computing imaginary figures in the name of profits without even meeting its primary responsibility — OPEC crude oil supply quota — yet the amount spent on subsidy kept skyrocketing and at the same time the company declared N674bn profit after tax for the year 2021.

“At least, the CNPP has been vindicated by Mr. Peter Obi, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and HRM Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

“Therefore, we reiterate our call for the sack of the current NNPC management team and Board members to avert the a total collapse of the Nigerian economy.

“Hopefully, President Muhammadu Buhari would leave a legacy of a sanitised NNPC Limited behind as he hands over power on May 29, 2023 or hand over the current liability to the incoming administration to grapple with”,the CNPP said.

Ethnic Politics: PDP Accuses APC Of Mischief; Says Atiku Is Pan-Nigerian Leader

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of mischief and deliberate distortion of the submissions of its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna.

Atiku had, while addressing a high profile audience in Kaduna on Saturday, said the North does not need an Igbo President or a Yoruba President, and asked them to vote for him, a Northerner who is a pan-Nigerian leader.

Since that statement, the APC has gone to town, and accused Atiku of playing ethnic politics, of telling his people, Northerners, not to vote for a Yoruba or Igbo  candidate. A number of people bought into that, and this version is spreading like wild fire.

The PDP has cried foul, and dismissed it as an attempt “by the malignant All Progressives Congress (APC) to accuse the PDP Presidential candidate of playing ethnic and tribal politics.

In a Press Release, Sunday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP described “as shameless and irresponsible that the APC will go to the extent of deliberately distorting, doctoring, misinterpreting and taking out of context, the comment by the PDP Presidential candidate at a Stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna State on Saturday in a bid to smear his image as a Pan-Nigerian leader.”

Explaining what happened, the PDP said: ” To set the record straight, the PDP Presidential candidate, in responding within the context of the question put to him at the event noted that he had built bridges across the country and that what Nigerians, including an average Northerner need was a Pan-Nigerian leader and not an ethnic champion.”

Following is the full text of the Press statement.

PDP Dismisses APC’s Allegation of Ethnic Politics Against Atiku Abubakar… Insists Its Presidential Candidate is a Pan-Nigerian Leader

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismisses the attempt by the malignant All Progressives Congress (APC) to accuse the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar of playing ethnic and tribal politics.

“The PDP describes as shameless and irresponsible that the APC will go to the extent of deliberately distorting, doctoring, misinterpreting and taking out of context, the comment by the PDP Presidential Candidate at a Stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna State on Sunday in a bid to smear his image as a Pan-Nigerian leader.

“For clarity and avoidance of doubt Atiku Abubakar remains a Pan-Nigerian leader; a symbol of national unity, cohesion and tolerance who is comfortable and loved in all parts of the country. He had never and will never set any part of our country against the other as being mischievously hyped by the APC.

“To set the record straight, the PDP Presidential Candidate, in responding within the context of the question put to him at the event noted that he had built bridges across the country and that what Nigerians including an average northerner need was a Pan-Nigerian leader and not an ethnic champion.

“Of course, Nigerians are wise and can fully understand the contextual import of the statement by Atiku Abubakar which is that what Nigerians need is a competent and Pan Nigerian leader and not a regionally inclined individual.

“We know that the APC is jittery over the overwhelming popularity of Atiku Abubakar across the nation because of his focus on issues that will improve the lives of Nigerians and as such the APC is desperate to smear his Pan-Nigerian standing.

“Moreover, Nigerians know that if there is any Party that has inflicted discord and strife of a worst kind in our country, it is the divisive APC which has violently balkanized our nation and brazenly elevated nepotism, tribalism, ethnicity and sectional chauvinism as official Policies of State.

“It is the APC which mobilized thugs and hoodlums in Lagos State recently to attack persons of other ethnicities at INEC registration centers. Nigerians have not forgotten how APC leaders evicted people of other ethnicities and threatened to chase them to the lagoon for supporting other parties in the 2019 general elections circle.

“Under the APC, Nigeria became so divided that sectional self-determination agitation escalated with many regions establishing their own quasi-security outfits in total loss of faith in the APC administration.

“The APC is a party of shameless treasury looters, selfish power grabbers and incompetent lot who must not be allowed to stay a day longer in office beyond May 29, 2023.

“The PDP therefore calls on all Nigerians to disregard the APC’s shenanigans and remain focused on the PDP’s mission to rescue, reunite, rebuild and restore our nation on the path of peace, national cohesion and economic prosperity, which the Atiku/Okowa Presidential ticket represents.”

2023: OPC Faction Backs Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Oyename Adebayo - OPC Factional Leader

By Akinwale Kasali

A faction of the the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, (New Era) has declared its support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the 2023 Presidential Election draws closer.

The Group had also refuted reports in a National  newspaper indicating that the organisation is against the APC candidate.

In a statement released on Sunday, signed by the National General Secretary, Oyename Adebayo, the group said the report credited to one Sina Akinpelu was a misinterpretation of  OPC‘s stand on the 2023 Presidential election.

The group said the report in The Guardian newspaper of 14th October 2022, where Akinpelu claimed OPC is against Tinubu does not represent the position already taken by the Congress of OPC New Era indicating full support for Tinubu ahead of the 2023 elections.

It stated that there was nothing farther from the truth than this, as the Group see it as nothing more than a very unprofessional, calculated and thoughtless endeavour by Akinpelu working as a hired tool to distort the collective decision of the OPC New Era.

Adebayo in the statement stressed that Akinpelu’s opinion is consistent with his flirtatious and rebellious spirit which he has demonstrated for more than two decades within the OPC at different times.

It added that the organisation has already set up Disciplinary Committee to investigate Akinpelu, adding that the group will take a firm decision after the report of the Committee has been submitted to the Congress.

“To falsely accuse us of such a hideous thought is nothing short of trying to turn Yoruba people against us.

“We are a Yoruba socio-cultural and self-determination group with the sole aim of furthering the best interest of the people of the South West.

“Consistently, we have put democratic  interests at the front burner of our thoughts and actions. As far as the aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is concerned, we as a group cannot oppose it. We have affirmed it publicly, and have over the years, consistently  supported his pragmatic and statesmanly judgements and problem solving disposition.

“We cannot discount the possibility that some members of our cadre may have contrary opinions. But the collective position adopted by the majority of the over three and a half (3.5) million plus members of the group is for the organisation to endorse and back Tinubu. And this we have done. Along with over one  hundred and twenty one other Yoruba grassroots organisations.

“We, as witnesses and participants, in OPC from its foundation created the OPC New Era to pursue the genuine principle of  working at all times for the Yoruba interest(s) conscious of the repercussions of working against Yoruba interests

“In the past, those who worked against Yoruba interests  fractured the organisation.

“Today, Pan Yoruba groups working against Yoruba interests are alive to see the reward for their treachery against Yoruba interests.

“Many of them are today  like pariahs, running from pillar to post in search of relevance.

“It is, therefore, beyond reason for any member of OPC New Era to make such an unbecoming claim.

“If the reporter had made a little effort he should have known whom the Secretary or the President which he should have tried to clarify our position.

“The National Secretary of the Oodua People’s Congress (New Era) has always been Chief Adebayo Oyename. And at no time has he delegated anyone to speak on his behalf, particularly with the media.

“Adesina Akinpelu whom the reporter mentioned in the report never even acted as Secretary in the interim let alone substantively. While he was the National PRO, he was was expected to seek authority of the leadership before issuing statements on important issues like this.

“He has faced many cases that could have led to his expulsion for gross indiscipline and cannot therefore speak for this organisation.

“His duties have been taken over until further notice while the OPC will investigate the circumstances surrounding his utterances. We have over time noticed inconsistent and atypical behaviours in Akinpelu that made us believe he was a mole  amongst our fold.

“And he has proven beyond reasonable doubt with this false publication, that he is the traitor and turncoat we had suspected he would turn out to be.

“For the umpteenth time, appeal to the media to seek the opinion of the leadership on issues of this magnitude”.

The organization reiterated that the National Coordinating Council (NCC) and affiliate State leaders of its organisation have endorsed and adopted Tinubu’s 2023 Presidential aspiration and continue to pray and work for its success.

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