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2023: Afenifere Leader, Adebanjo Backs Obi

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has thrown his weight behind the Labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The nonagenarian said he has lost confidence in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Abubakar Atiku, the Presidential Candidates of the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party, respectively.

Using a Yoruba adage, “Omo eni kii se idi bebere , kafi Ileke si idi Omo elomiran’, Adebanjo said the adage loosely translated to mean that you cannot leave your own child at home to decorate the bands of another person’s child, “cannot be applied in this case”.

He’s believed to be referring to Tinubu, the APC torchbearer who hails from the south west.

Adebanjo who has never supported the presidential ambition of Tinubu spoke on Tuesday, contending that the LP candidate will transform the country.

He said, “It is only Peter Obi that can rule independently without the influence of these criminals in the Govt.

“Yes we have endorsed Peter Obi. My reason for supporting him is because based on equity and justice the presidency should go to the South-East. That is what I have been saying.

“I have not changed my position on that. If you want peace and tranquility in this country; if you want the country to be united, we must do the right thing by ensuring the presidency goes to the South-East. I have no reason to change my stand.”

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Tinubu Polarises APC Govs; Northern Christians Angry

By
James Orji
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Christians in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC from 19 northern states have warned that the party’s Muslim-muslim ticket will have grave consequence for the country.

The coalition said it cannot in good conscience campaigned for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate after he picked, Kassim Shettima, a fellow Muslim as his running mate.

The APC Muslim-Muslim ticket has raised serious concern among Nigerians who insist that the party has polarized the country the more along religious lines.

For instance, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF and chieftain of APC Babachir Lawal in his letter to the party on Tuesday said the Muslim-Muslim ticket ‘is dead on arrival’ urging the national chairman of the Abdullahi Adamu not to sign the nomination form of Tinubu.

The APC flagbearer, however, said the decision to pick Shettima is in the best interest of the country. The APC governors have backed him on this, saying they will help him to win the 2023 presidential election.

But the coalition said they cannot be part of APC plan to foist a Muslim-Muslim ticket on Nigerians.

The group disclosed this in a communique issued on Tuesday in Abuja signed by its Chairman, Prof. Doknan Sheni and secretary, General Ishaya Bauka.

The group described the APC decision as unacceptable, in a constitution democracy like Nigeria, adding that the country is moving towards theocracy.

What the country needs at the moment to move forward is to unite rather than divide along religious or ethnic lines.

The communique reads: “The selection of a Muslim vice presidential candidate portrayed insensitivity to the Christians in the Nation. The fear of the Christians in the north and the nation in general is that the APC party will be viewed as an Islamic party and the Muslim – Muslim ticket was not possible in 2015, why should it be possible in 2023?

“More so, that we are apprehensive that the person picked might have had a hand in the chibok girls Saga and other terror activities. Muslim – Muslim ticket would undermine the election chances of Christians candidates in APC in the various states in the North.The Christians in the north and the whole nation are highly aggravated

“Considering that the chairman of the party is a Muslim, deputy chairman north is a Muslim, the president of the senate is a Muslim, the speaker and deputy speaker are Muslims, and now both the presidential and Vice presidential candidates are Muslims and apart from this violating the constitution section 14 subsection 3, if this was to be reversed that all these were Christians, can any Moslem in the North be able to sell the APC presidential tickets to any Muslim ummah?

“For without unity we cannot build. Any party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few above the needs of the many has no business running the affairs of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that Tinubu’s decision to pick Shettima as his running mate has polarized the Progressives Governors’ Forum, PGF. Only nine out of the 22 APC governors are said to have thrown their weight behind the Tinubu/Shettima ticket. Others are still angry that they were not carried along before Tinubu made the decision for chose the former Borno state governor to run with him in 2023.

Obi Disowns Trending Campaign App

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Peter Obi

By Uche Mbah

Former governor of Anambra state and Presidential flag-bearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, Tuesday disowned a campaign application, known as  ‘Peter Obi Nation’.

The LP candidate said neither he nor his party has anything to do with the app, which some people claimed is being used to advance the cause of his 2023 presidential ambition.

The new app can be downloaded from the Google Playstore.

Beside claiming to be a portal for Obi supporters, the application requires subscribers to impute sensitive personal information that could be used by criminally-minded people to target Obi supporters.

Speaking on the Urban Radio, Enugu the presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra state, denied any  knowledge about the controversial application.

“I don’t know about the application. It is not from me or any campaign organization known to us. You know, people can do everything thing to pull me down, ”he said.

According to him, opponents are bent on sponsoring ethnicity and campaign of bigotry to pull him down.

“I have said this before, let us bring all the presidential candidates, about 18 of us; let us look at our background and past records. But, people are not talking about what we can offer and they are now promoting ethnicity and tribalism,” he said.

Obi reiterated that he is not an ethnic candidate, and that Nigerians should ignore all promoters of ethnicity, rather they should look at peoples’ pedigree and past records to know what they can offer.

Osun Gov: 14 Candidates Eye Oyetola’s Job; INEC Assures Parties

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Political parties and Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) are in the last minute preparation  ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun state.

Coming barely a month after a similar exercise in Ekiti state, the Nigeria’s Electoral body, INEC, has again assured stakeholders of a level playing field during the election.

Political parties, are rounding up their campaigns while INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday, presided over stakeholders meeting where he updated them about preparations by the commission.

At the event, Yakubu told the people that  the choice of who emerges as next governor of the state now rests on the electorate.

Yakubu also disclosed that about 1,479, 595 out of 1,955,657 voters, representing 76 percent of eligible voters had collected their voters cards.

“We are  updating our records to provide a detailed breakdown of PVCs collected by polling units. This will be concluded and made available on Friday 15th July 2022.

“For us in INEC, let me reassure political parties, candidates, and the electorate that the choice of who becomes the next governor of Osun State is entirely in the hands of voters.

“As I have repeatedly said in previous engagements with stakeholders, INEC will not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. Our focus is on the processes and procedures as provided by law

14 governorship candidates, are  in contest to wrestle power from incumbent  Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s election.

Prominent among the candidates are Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yusuf Lasun of the Labour Party (LP), Oyegoke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Akin Ogunbiyi of the Accord Party (AP).

Some candidate had left the APC and PDP to pick the ticket of other parties after their defeat at the governorship primary election.

2023: Nollywood Star, Kenneth Okonkwo Quits APC  Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Nollywood star, Kenneth Okonkwo has joined the list of APC members that have dumped the party over the Muslim-muslim presidential ticket.

APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu had last Saturday chose a former Governor of Borno state as his running mate,  ignoring the advise of some governors of the party, religious leaders and well meaning Nigerians who warned that a Muslim-muslim ticket will not augur well for a multi-religious nation like Nigeria.

Okonkwo announced his resignation from APC  on his official Instagram page.

He stated that APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket will affect Christians in the North of Nigeria if allowed to stand.

He said he dumped the party in the interest of equity, justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

Tinubu Presidency Will Be Servitude To North – Adegboruwa

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN,  Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has observed that the south especially South west should not celebrate the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

Adegboruwa said he believes a Bola Tinubu presidency will be controlled by the North to the detriment of the south.

Adegboruwa, in a statement on Tuesday, also reiterated his rejection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) same religion ticket saying it is a sign that others don’t matter and shows absence of consideration for unity and plurality.

“Desperation and over ambition. We just want power at all costs and we don’t care what others think or do.

“We can win the elections without you, especially by other means other than by open ballot.”

Adegboruwa pointed out that APC’s action was a cruel affirmation of supposed superiority complex.

“It is an indication of a hidden agenda. The spirit of Hope 93 died with MKO and those who betrayed him and his mandate.

“May Boko Haram, terrorists and insurgents, their sponsors and sympathizers not win the 2023 elections, the statement added.

He said the same-religion ticket suggests only one region determines electoral victory and that Tinubu is not acceptable to Northern Muslims.

Adegboruwa accused the APC of acting like Nigeria is not a secular state, but rather being ruled to satisfy certain religious tendencies.

“That the APC has absolute control of the electoral system and thus electoral victory may not be determined through free, fair and credible elections.

“That certain political tendencies and interests do not trust others to accommodate them if they are entrusted with power whereas they have been in power and accommodated by others.”

Adegboruwa added that the North has proven that Tinubu has no mind of his own “and will be unable to defend the unity of Nigeria in crucial moments of decision making.”

The statement added the the APC is incompetent to manage a complex nation like Nigeria with diverse interests, different tongues and tribes and consisting of different faiths.

Ondo: Cocoa Farmers Urge Akeredolu To Stop  Foreign Firm Destroying Their Farms

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

An alleged sale of several hectares of farmland to a foreign firm by Ondo state government has pitched some farmers against the administration.

Some Farmers whose farmland was affected by the deal have cried out to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to intervene as their only source of livelihood is about to be destroyed.

The Farmers, numbering about 200 residing at Bisi Camp AO3A via Odigbo in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, appealed to the Governor to rescue them from the foreigners that have started destroying their Cocoa farms in the area.

Their spokesperson, Oluborode Olakunle explained that a company identified as Sweden Farm has started bulldozing their Cocoa plantation under the guise of industrialization.

Oluborode pointed out that this was despite the fact that the farmers residing at Bisi Camp have been paying their annual tax to the present administration.

He stated that one of the officials of the foreign firm identified as  Mr. Henry, who is the Bush Manager of the company, had earlier told the farmers that only Melina plantation was sold by State Government and that Cocoa farms in the area would not be destroyed.

According to Oluborode, the Bush Manager of the company also claimed that Ondo State Government has sold the Forest reserve from Bisi Camp to Asewele Community worth 100,000 hectares of land.

He lamented that it was unfortunate that government, that has been clamouring for increase in cocoa production can invite foreigners to take over farmers plantation.

Apart from regular payment of taxes by the farmers, the spokesman said they have been cooperating with the government of the day, especially in the area of security.

The affected farmers however urged Governor  Akeredolu to help prevail on the foreign firm from bulldozing their farmlands as the remain their only source of living and their last hope.

2023: CNPP Calls For Drug Integrity Test, Medical Fitness Certificates of Candidates

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on all political parties to ensure that all their candidates undergo drug integrity and health fitness tests ahead of the flag-off of campaigns for the 2023 general elections in September.

The CNPP in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, demanded that “the results of both tests be made public as part of efforts towards ending increasing terrorism and medical tourism by elected public officials.”

The CNPP said that it had backed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on its proposal in April, 2022 for drug testing to be included in screening process for aspirants seeking elective offices.

“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had written to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging the party to include drug test as part of its screening of aspirants on their platforms.

“The chairman of the agency, Buba Marwa has disclosed that the NDLEA wrote to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging the party to include drug test as part of its screening of aspirants on their platforms.

“Probably, the NDLEA felt that as the ruling party, the APC should be bold enough to set a precedent in fight against substance abuse. But, why such an innovative idea and noble suggestion by an agency which is responsible for combating illicit drugs was turned down is what beats the imagination of responsible citizens.

“While the National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabayi Sani, rejected the proposal by the NDLEA, saying that “the awkward proposal portrays politicians as drug addicts who must be certified fit to run for various elective offices by the agency”, but that perception is what makes it expedient to carry out the test and erase the stigma once and for all.

“We therefore reiterate the CNPP’s support for drugs and medical fitness tests for all aspirants and candidates seeking to be elected by Nigerians.

“It should be legalised, even as we call on all political parties to cause their respective candidates to undergo medical examinations and drug integrity tests before the campaigns in September.

“We equally demand that the test results be made public as a commitment by political parties to the ongoing war against insecurity and to check medical tourism by elected public office holders in the country”, the CNPP demanded.

2023: Shock As Amaechi Allies, Princewill, Sementari Dump APC

By
James Orji
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0

For the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers state and immediate past Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi this is not the best of times. The signs that the party in the oil-bearing state will face uncertain future first unfolded after Amaechi failed to clinch the APC presidential ticket last month.

The former minister has since accepted his fate urging his supporters to work for the party and victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential flagbearer in the 2023 election.

But indications have now emerged that things may be turning upside down for the party in the state following the resignation of two allies of the former minister, Tonye Princewill and Ibim Sementari, a former managing director of the NDDC, from the party.

Watchers of the party insist that it will be hard to win any election in the state if the situation continue. The party already has enough problem in its plate due to its polarisation into two camps led by Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe in their quest to control the soul of the party.

Princewill, aformer APC governorship aspirant has informed the party of his resignation citing the controversial APC muslim-Muslim joint presidential ticket, a fallout from Tinubu’s selection of Kassim Shettima as his running mate.

The former Lagos state governor unveiled Shettima, a former Borno state governor when he visited President Muhamamdu Buhari in his Daura, Katsina home last Saturday. His pick has elicited mixed reactions from his party and other well-meaning Nigerians.

Stating the reason for his resignation, Princewill said the choice of Shettima is against equity and justice. He said he could not in good conscience support the party in its quest to promote a muslim-muslim joint ticket having fought for years to ensure equity and justice in the state.

Princewill,who is an ally of immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said his resignation was in protest against the choice of Kashim Shettima as running mate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

In his resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of Ward 3 (Royal Ward), Buguma City, in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Princewill said he cannot continue to “argue for equity in my state and defend inequity in my country.”

On her part, Sementari, a former Commissioner of Information during the tenure of Amaechi as governor said she was leaving the party, but did not mention the reason.

“I write to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from today. I appreciate the friendship, camaraderie and opportunities that this platform has provided me to serve my state, region and country even as I wish the party well,” the former NDDC boss said in a letter dated July 9 and addressed to the Chairman, Ward 5, Okirika.

Sementari, a journalist-turned politician was a close ally of Amaechi until recently when the duo parted ways.

The final straw that broke the camel’s back for the former political allies was the decision by the former NDDC boss to dump Ameachi during the APC shadow presidential election last month. Sementari was said to have worked for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who came third in the election.

ASUU Strike: Buhari Begs University Lecturers

By
James Orji
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0

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the ASUU to shelve their seven months old strike. The University lecturers began the strike in February over unpaid entitlements and have since stayed out of lecture rooms, despite appeal by the federal government and other well-meaning Nigerians.

Buhari spoke five days after Vice chancellors of Nigerian universities under the aegis of Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, CVCNU, urged the president to directly wade into the matter.

“We plead that drastic action is taken to stem the hemorrhage that the system is currently witnessing. For the sake of our children and society, we need the decision,” Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo, chairman of CVCNU said last week in Abuja at the presentation of the Model Intellectual Property for Nigerian Universities.

In a statement released on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said Buhari made the appeal at his Daura, Katsina home where he’s currently spending the Salah break.

Buhari said the strike has dragged on for too long, bringing academic activities to a halt across all the nation’s ivory towers, adding that the situation will have generational consequences on families, the educational system and future development of the country.

The President, who received some governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, legislators and political leaders at his residence, also appealed to other well meaning Nigerians to wade in on the ASUU’s strike, saying ‘enough is enough’.

said the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues that already beg for attention.

President Buhari noted that the future of the country rests on the quality of educational institutions and education, while assuring that the government understands their position, and negotiations should continue, with students in lecture halls.

According to the president, “We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.

“Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there. Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education. Through technology we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs.”

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