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ASUU Strike: NANS Lash Senator Adeola Over Unsavoury Comments

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The Source
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By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, representing Lagos West Senatorial District at the Senate has been lashed by the  National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West Zone D, for urging the Nigerian Government to stop funding Government-owned Universities.

The Senator who is presently running for the Ogun West Senatorial District Seat at the forthcoming 2023 election is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, in a Statement recently said the Government needs to have a rethink on funding government-owned tertiary institutions, their salaries as well as recurrent expenditure.

Reacting to his statement, Coordinator of the NANS Zone D, Adegboye Olatunji, knocked the senator, describing his statement as ridiculous.

Last week, the Union staged a protest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, in Lagos, halting activities in the Aviation sector, as travelers were stranded. Airlines were forced to reschedule their flights.

The student body has vowed a serious showdown over the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, that will affect the electioneering campaign set to commence tomorrow, Wednesday, 28th September, 2022.

In the statement released by the NANS Zone D, the students also tagged Senator Adeola ignorant of the processes and activities going on in the university system.

“The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Olamilekan, during an interactive session with revenue generating agencies on 2023-2025 MTEF/FSP, lamented that some universities generate N17 billion annually and expend all, with no justification on how the funds were expended,” Olatunji said in a statement on Monday.

“We watched with utter dismay the video of the Senate Committee on Finance, Solomon Olamilekan, where he declared that the Federal Government should stop funding education. We find the statement very ridiculous and irresponsible of a lawmaker.

“We were expecting Senator Solomon to know better. But, alas, we were proven wrong by his sheer display of ignorance. We could have categorised it as wilful ignorance but it is obvious that the Senator does not understand what the business of governance is.

“We may conclude that Senator Solomon and other members of the Committee, like many other government officials out there, are lacking the knowledge of what Section 18 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) says on the enforcement of public education right in Nigeria.

“ It is also disturbing that these same people forget that they appoint members of Governing Councils for these institutions. And, if the import of what Senator Solomon is saying is that they are not aware of how the generated revenue is being spent, the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education has been nailed of inefficiency.

“As much as we know, fees are now being paid to the purse of the Federal Government through Remita. Meanwhile, the essence of the Treasury Single Account is to enhance government revenue generation and to ensure transparency and accountability in government expenditure. Unfortunately, revenue leakages are still rampant in several ministries thereby defeating the purpose of the TSA.

“Education, as much as we know, is in the concurrent list which implies that the bulk of the responsibility falls on both State and the Federal Governments. Unfortunately, successive government in the country has failed to invest in the educational sector.

“In the said video, the lawmaker was seen decrying the inability of managements of tertiary institutions to remit ‘reasonable sum’ to the purse of the Federal Government. This now leaves us to ask if the essence of institutions of learning is profit-making or impacting knowledge.

“This is not surprising as we are aware of a Federal Government report of 2012 that recommended that our Universities should start paying between N450,000 to N525,000 as tuition fees. It is also on record that the Federal Government brought forward same recommendation to ASUU in 2020. The plan has always been to take public education out of the reach of the poor (which we shall fight to a standstill). And, this is the reason the government has been recalcitrant in resolving ASUU strikes.

“They are not interested in education funding. They would rather prefer we remain slaves to their kids who now enjoy oversea education than to invest in the country’s educational sector. Meanwhile, the Nigerian tertiary institutions were a sort of Mecca to foreigners prior mid-1980s.

“However, as an association, we insist that education must be free at all levels, functional, and we call on the Federal Government to invest massively in public education. We maintain that education remains a right and the Nigerian State must be mandated to fund same. Even in advanced countries where their institutions are self-dependent with huge endowment fund, the government still does follow-up by budgeting heavily for the institutions.

“It is a shameful act to come out and blame ASUU for your lack of proper management of the national resources. What we can make out of the embarrassing statement of the Senator is that the Senate Committee on Finance is indirectly saying that Public Universities should be privatised. The question we ask them is how well are the privatised national corporations like water, power etc functioning if not that this same government still gives them bailout funds after selling them? No doubt, the Nigerian students will be back to the streets very soon, and with such mobilisation that will make #EndSARS look like a joke.”

JAMB Issues New Guidelines For Admission Process

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Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB,  has provided new guidelines to ensure seamless conduct of future operational processes, including the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME for prospective admission seekers.

The Board made this known in its Weekly Bulletin of the Office of the Registrar in Abuja.

There are six new guidelines including introduction of double fingerprints, exemption candidates, and others.

The Board stated that as a requirement for printing registration slips, a candidate must use at least two fingers and any of the two fingers taken would be used for biometric verification prior to entering the examination hall on the day of the examination. The two verifiable fingers of all candidates must be consecutively indicated on the candidates’ registration and examination slips.

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, warned that some cybercafes and tutorial centres had been prohibited from participating in any of the board’s exercises.

Oloyede said that no CBT centre would be allowed to collaborate with the prohibited group, adding that any violation of the directive, whether in part or whole, would lead to the revocation of the licence of the erring CBT centre.

He stated that No new Computer-Based Test centre would be accredited without meeting the new requirements.

To this end, new CBT centres must use laptop computer systems as clients, zero thin-clients or Remote Desktop Protocol would no longer be accepted, and also, No CBT centre must install any clients with less than 2 gigabyte RAM.

It has however mandated that the Autobot system should be used for the accreditation of CBT centres; there should be three Autobot tests: Pre-accreditation during Mock – UTME and the dummy examination.

The registrar also said that biometrics of all accredited CBT centre registration officers would be captured ahead of the exercise.

This, he explained, was because the board as a proactive agency must move with the tide to stay ahead of the machinations of cheats and safeguard the integrity of the system.

At the registration point, candidates with bad fingerprints would be scheduled for the examination as ‘Exemption Candidates’.

Their registration slips would be colour-coded and visually different from those for other candidates.

Such candidates would sit their examination in Abuja on the last date of the national examination calendar and their results would not be released until after being subjected to proper scrutiny.

It added that to further consolidate its data collection efforts, the board would consider separating UTME registration from that of Direct Entry beginning from 2023. And to further condone illegal admissions and printing of indemnity forms, all candidates’ registrations, including UTME, DE and others, must be completed with fingerprint authentication.

2023: Ihedioha Says South East Will Produce President After Atiku’s Administration

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Emeka Ihedioha
Emeka Ihedioha

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has backed the Candidature of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar saying that after his tenure, if he wins the 2023 Election, Nigeria’s presidency will rotate to the South-East.

The former Imo State Governor made this statement in a video, making the rounds on social media, that  there are only two parties in the forthcoming 2023 elections, the PDP and the All Progressives Congress.

He noted that Nigeria cannot afford to make mistakes in the 2023 election.

He said, “Let me tell you, after Atiku Abubakar, the next President of Nigeria will come from the South-East of Nigeria. That is the gospel. You must win in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa etc. to become the President of Nigeria.

“There is what we call passion and there’s what we call emotion. They are two different things for people who went to school like me. Emotions don’t win elections. You must be realistic to win elections.

“You must plan to win election and that is where I belong. I want to tell you, I have the key to the direction of where Igbo should go.”

Falae Says No Presidential Candidate For Him Yet, Lists Criteria For Choice

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olu Falae

By Ayodele Oni

Former secretary to the Government of the Federation and a Chieftain of the Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae has clarified that he is yet to annoint any presidential candidate for next year’s election.

The elderstatesman distanced himself from the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, for the elections.

Falae, in a statement issued by his personal assistant, Retired Captain Moshood, said it is to early to endorse any candidate without going through the programmes he has for the masses.

The elder statesman said he has to consider all important parameters, including capacity, experience and proven track record before endorsing a candidate.

Falae admitted that the South East had not had the opportunity of being Nigeria’s President, stressing that It’s not an automatic slot that can be filled without other important considerations.

“As a responsible leader, Chief Falae will consider all important parameters, including capacity, experience and proven track record before endorsing a candidate.

“This correction is necessary in order not to mislead the public that Chief Falae is supporting any of the candidates yet. It is necessary to await the programmes and manifestos of the political parties and their candidates before arriving at a particular candidate to support.

“Although, Chief Falae admitted that he said that it was true that the South East had not had the opportunity of being Nigeria’s President, it’s for them to persuade other Nigerians that they can offer something better than candidates from other geopolitical zones.

” It’s not an automatic slot that can be filled without other important considerations. Chief Falae never canvassed or claimed to be supporting Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the 2023 race.”

The Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo, had on Monday justified its decision to back Peter Obi, saying the group would not compromise the principle of justice, equity and inclusiveness.

PDP Crisis: Governor Ortom Distances Self From Wike’s Call For Ayu’s Sack

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has made an about-turn and distanced himself from the insistence by Governor Nyesom Wike’s Camp on the resignation of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

Ortom,a prominent member of the Wike Camp made his position clear on the issue in a statement issued by Nathaniel Ikyur, his Chief Press Secretary. He uncharacteristically maintained that he has confidence in Ayu’s ability to lead the party to victory in next year’s general election.

The Governor’s statement was in reaction to the allegations by Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja which accused him of plotting the downfall of his fellow Benue man, Ayu.

The statement where he challenged the Jemgbagh  Community reads in part; “Governor Ortom vouched for the integrity and capacity of Dr Iyorchia Ayu to lead and rebuild the PDP to victory and rescue Nigeria from the misrule of the APC maladministration. That is why Ayu was returned unopposed by the Northern caucus of the party and got elected as the National Chairman of the PDP at the party’s convention.

“Where was Jemgbagh Development Association, when Governor Ortom galvanised support from across the leaders of the party to make Dr. Ayu PDP’s National Chairman? What was their contribution to that project that they now want to use clannish stance to blackmail the governor?

“This amorphous and emergency Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, which has never been heard of before, is now masquerading as the voice of Jemgbagh to embark on campaign of calumny against Governor Ortom, who has worked selflessly for the people of Benue State.

“Governor Ortom is more Jemgbagh than most of the people claiming it now. This is fact, because he has done more for Jemgbagh, both in terms of appointments and projects executed as well as patronage in the area, than even one of the Jemgbagh sons, who was governor. Besides, Governor Ortom has consistently worked for the unity of Benue State and will never stand in the way of any of her citizens, either here in the state or in the diaspora

“For those, who claimed to be leaders of this Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, we urge them to be truly developmental in their drive to build cohesion among the people and attract real development to their area rather than engaging in mischief or blackmail.”

It would be recalled that since after the failure of Wike to clinch the Presidential ticket of the Party, he has been at loggerheads with Ayu and Atiku, threatening to work against Atiku’s emergence as President, and also calling for the resignation of Ayu. Wike is backed by four Governors,, including Ortom.

Wike had alleged that Ayu was biased during the PDP Presidential Primary and also worked for Atiku. He added that Ayu was eyeing the seat of  the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

Governor Abiodun’s Aide, Abidemi Rufai, Jailed In USA

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dapo Abiodun and Abidemi Rufai

By Akinwale Kasali

An Aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, until he was arrested in the United States for fraud, Abidemi Rufai, has been sentenced to five Years imprisonment by a District Court in Western Tacoma, Washington, United States of America. He was jailed for fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Before his arrest, Rufai was a Special Assistant  to the Ogun State Governor.

This was confirmed in a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington, on Monday.

The statement reads in part: “A 45-year-old resident of Lekki, Nigeria, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to five years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for his attempt to steal nearly $2.4m from the United States Government, including approximately $500,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.”

The statement said he admitted to a long history of using stolen identities to defraud U.S. disaster programs, including aid for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and file fraudulent U.S. tax returns.

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge, Benjamin Settle, said the motivation was greed, unrestrained greed, and callousness towards those who have suffered.

According to U.S. Attorney Nick Brown, Mr. Rufai was relentless in his scheme to use the stolen identities of Americans for fraud.

“He orchestrated ‘mystery shopper’ scams, business email compromise attempts, and filed fake tax returns to financially harm individuals and businesses.

“But when disaster struck, so did Mr. Rufai. Whether it was hurricane disaster relief, small business loans, or COVID unemployment benefits, he stole aid that should have gone to disaster victims in the United States,” Brown said.

The Associate Deputy Attorney-General, Kevin Chambers, the Justice Department‘s Director of COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement, said, ”Abdemi Rufai chose to exploit the pandemic for personal gain, using stolen identities of Americans to support his lavish lifestyle overseas.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and their law enforcement partners did exceptional work bringing this defendant to justice. The Department will continue to pursue fraudsters who abused these programs and seek to recover their ill-gotten gains, whether they are in the United States or overseas.”

According to records filed in the case, since 2017, Rufai stole the personal identifying information of more than 20,000 Americans to submit more than $2m in claims for federally funded disaster relief benefits and fraudulent tax returns. 

“The various agencies involved paid out more than $600,000. The largest amount of fraud was committed against the Washington State Employment Security Department, which paid out $350,763 in fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims to accounts controlled by Rufai.  Rufai also submitted fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims in at least 17 other states.

“The Employment Security Department deeply appreciates the tireless efforts of the Department of Justice, federal agencies and law enforcement in this matter.

“We always stand ready to hold those accountable who steal public funds and we appreciate the partnership in catching and prosecuting this individual,” the Commissioner for the Employment Security Department, Cami Feek, said in the statement.

2023: Northern Christian Group Warns Tinubu, Says He Should Stop Using Money To Divide Christians

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Northern States Christian Elders Forum, NOSCEF, has warned the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to desist from causing rift and division among Christians by inducing them with money.

The Group said that it was necessary to warn the APC  and its Presidential Candidate so as to allow peace, unity and togetherness reign among its members.

A statement signed by its Chairman, Oyinehi Inalegwu, on Tuesday, stated that, “We warn APC to stop using monetary incentives to recruit and cause divisions amongst the Christians, especially in the North.”

It added, “NOSCEF is concerned that apart from the failure of the desire of the architects of the single faith ticket to cause serious divisions in the forthcoming elections, APC has resorted to clandestine ways of causing division in the body of Christ by recruiting hitherto unknown bodies in the Body of Christ to counter decisions taken by the umbrella body, CAN and its various organs.

The Group added that in December, 2021, Tinubu met with a group in Abuja and sold the Muslim-Muslim Ticket.

“We warned that every patriotic Presidential aspirant should avoid the same faith ticket to avoid polarisation of the nation further along religious lines.

“Before the Commencement of the primaries, NOSCEF again warned presidential aspirants against the one faith ticket in a Nigeria begging for unity, inclusiveness, fairness, and justice.

“Because there was a long term goal and a purpose to be accomplished, APC went ahead with the single faith venture, with the aim of riding on the wings of divisive religious politics to victory,” the statement said.

The group expressed dismay over the show of shame the ruling party is involved in, following desperate efforts to attract public goodwill and acceptance by engaging strange Christian groups for endorsement purposes.

“We frown at the publicity they use to their advantage, to make public ridicule of Christian bodies, particularly in the North, for the purpose of causing disaffection, just to win the election.

“We all know as Christians, Muslims, and people of other faith, that unity, fairness, justice, and inclusiveness will engender National progress, rather than the war of divisive religious, political game, intended through the instrumentation of same faith ticket.

“Christian and Muslim faithful should disappoint divisive self seeking politicians, who want to capitalize on our religious differences to gain political power,” the statement stressed.

Akeredolu, An Ideal Leader For Nigeria – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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Peter Obi with Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has described the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as an ideal leader Nigerians desire  at this present time.

Obi said that this is because Governor Akeredolu as a leader, speaks the truth at all times no matter the consequences.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde stated that the LP Presidential candidate spoke on Tuesday in Akure, during a condolence visit to the Governor.

Obi, who said things are going wrong in the country because people choose to keep quiet, commended the Governor for speaking up for the people.

He charged Governor Akeredolu to continue to take every necessary step to protect his people, adding that the Governor is doing the right thing.

“I urge you to continue in that direction. You represent one of those things Nigerians desire, ability to speak the truth no matter the consequences.

“What is lacking in Nigeria is that we choose to keep quiet when things are going wrong. You have a man here who always speaks when things are going wrong, and I urge you to continue.”

He backed Governor Akeredolu’s resolve to arm the Amotekun security Corps, saying the Governor must continue to do his best to defend his people.

“Arm those special security people. Take every step to protect your people. It is important and it is your duty. I’m happy that you are speaking out always when necessary. May God Almighty continue to be with you and bless all of you.”

Obi condoled the Governor on the demise of his mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu,  praying God to grant her eternal rest.

The LP presidential standard bearer equally used the occasion to commiserate with the Governor over the sad incident at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where 41 people were killed and several other injured.

In his response, Governor Akeredolu appreciated Obi and his entourage for finding time to visit him.

Akeredolu, who said what happened on June 5 at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, was horrendous, also described the sad incident as unexpected and uncommon, especially in the Southern part of the country.

How Nigeria Solid Minerals Are Being Exploited Without Royalty To Government – RMAFC

By
Ayodele Oni
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Tokunbo Ajasin

By Ayodele Oni

Lack of proper monitoring of activities in solid minerals sector has caused Nigeria huge loses in revenue in the sector.

Activities of some miners, that invaded some south west states of Oyo and Osun states, carrying out Illegal exploration activities are also major drain in the country’s finances.

To this end, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says it has embarked on verification and reconciliation of revenue collections in the Solid Minerals sector of the Economy.

The Federal Commissioner, RMFAC, Chief Tokunbo Ajasin disclosed this at a strategic meeting on the Commission’s 2022 nationwide monitoring of revenue collections of the Nigerian mining sector holding in Akure, Ondo State.

Chief Ajasin, who led the team, said 25 enterprises exported minerals in 2019 with no record of royalty payment, while the total sum of N2.76bn outstanding liabilities have been established against 2,119 mining companies nationwide, which he said arises from failure to pay the Annual Service Fees for their respective mineral titles.

The RMAFC commissioner, who,  did not provide the names of the companies, explained that the Commission is empowered to monitor all revenue accruals from the extractive industries to ensure prompt and accurate remittances to the Federation Accounts.

He added that the monitoring was a follow-up on the 2016 exercise to assess the challenges hindering optimum revenue collection from the sector.

Chief Ajasin said the monitoring comprises revenue collections and the activities of miners in the state and local government councils.

According to him, the major issues of concern to the Commission is the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparent Initiative NEITI 2020 report.

He stressed that the revenue loss of the non-responsive companies was put at N54.25 million, and the number of defaulting companies will be determined after engagements.

“There is also the issue of underpayment of royalty by 25 enterprises that exported minerals in 2019 with no record of royalty payments,” he said.

“These companies owe the government about N482 million in overdue royalty.

“There is equally the issue of N2.76 billion outstanding liabilities against 2,119 mining companies nationwide, which arose from the failure to pay the annual service fees for their respective mineral titles.”

Ajasin also said the Commission’s mandate in the extractive sector was to recover the established liabilities owed  the Federation Account.

He therefore urged all participants to explore the opportunities in Ondo State to harness the revenue potential in the Solid Minerals sector to boost Internal Generated Revenue.

On his part, the State commissioner  for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, stated that the process of allocating the 13 percent derivation on crude oil paid to the States across the Nation is dependent on the effective monitoring of revenue and the collection of established liabilities from Minerals resources from the state.

Mr Akinterinwa noted that the cooperation and collaboration given by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs and other relevant stakeholders in the state to enforce payment of the reported Liabilities would go a long way in fulfilling the objectives of the exercise and a means of engaging some Strategic Revenue Drive ( SRD) for the State.

The Commissioner,  assured that the present administration would do everything at its disposal to facilitate the collection of revenue as listed in the NEITI Audit Report 2022.

2023: INEC, Religious Bodies Warn Political Parties Against Campaign Of Calumny, Violent Campaigns

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Independent National Electoral Commission

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 Electioneering Campaign begins on Wednesday , 28th September, 2022, electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned Political Parties and politicians alike to desist from violent campaigns and campaign of calumny that could heat the polity and cause unrest in the nation.

Chairman of INEC, Mahmud Yakubu, said abusive and slanderous words could provoke violence during the campaigns.

Yakubu, who was represented by a National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, spoke at a workshop in Lagos on Monday.

“Abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns. Let me also remind the media of their constitutional and legal obligations,” he said.

Yakubu reiterated this position during a sensitisation forum on political broadcasting in Abuja, with the theme, ‘Towards a fair and responsible broadcast coverage of the 2023 general elections.’

He warned that the Commission would do everything within its power to ensure that the 2023 general election was free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and verifiable.

He said, “Candidates and their supporters, as well as the media have a responsibility to operate within the confines of the law and the provisions of the commission’s regulations and guidelines. Issue-based campaigns are essential for safe electioneering. In turn, this will create the atmosphere for the successful deployment and conduct of all electoral activities.

“Campaigns should be devoid of hate speech, abusive or slanderous language, insinuations or innuendos likely to provoke a violent reaction, physical attacks on supporters of one party or another or the destruction of campaign materials.

“More specifically, section 95 of the Electoral Act defines the responsibilities of political parties and candidates, the media and public institutions. It also provides sanctions for violations.

“For instance, in the course of our numerous interactions with political parties over the years, many of them have complained about the denial of access to public facilities for their meetings or rallies, exorbitant charges for signage and billboards and equal access to the state media.”

In the same vein, religious bodies like the Christian Association of Nigerian, CAN, through its President, Anthony Okoh and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III have urged Nigerians to work together for peace and justice ahead of the 2023 general elections.

They made the call on Monday during the 2022 third quarter meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religion Council, held on Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event themed, ‘Working together for justice and peace,’ was also attended by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and leaders of NIREC.

Abubakar said, “The role of religious leaders is to be just and fair to earn the trust of the people and I urge Muslims and Christians in the country to come together to pursue peace and justice because we are inseparable.”

Okoh said, “As we prepare for another significant milestone in our country, the 2023 general elections, it is important that we guard our actions and utterances as leaders. We must not be seen as people who are fanning embers of hate, disunity, encouraging political violence, or attempting to divide the populace along tribal or religious lines.”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, gave a stern warning to political parties to avoid violence during the exercise.

Mustapha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Dr Maurice Mbaeri, urged religious leaders to create the needed change so that Nigerians can always live in unity and harmony.

“I want to charge every one of us to work for peace that will endure and outlast us by creating functional structures for generations unborn. This structure must have the capacity to be proactive in responding to emerging issues while reinforcing longer and larger change processes. We cannot fold our hands when we see problems emerging,” he said.

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