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Akeredolu To Emefiele: Your Presidential Bid Taken Too Far, Resign Now; CBN Gov. Rejects Forms

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor,  Rotimi Akeredolu has described the Presidential ambition of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele as ‘ a joke taken too far,’ and asked him to resign his appointment.

Emefiele on Friday, officially, purchased the declaration of Intent and Nomination Forms to contest for the office of the President in the forthcoming general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC). He, however, said in a post on his official page that the forms were purchased for him by grateful farmers. He has rejected the forms, he said.

According to Governor Akeredolu, the CBN Governor cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office.

He said it is incontrovertible that Emefiele enjoys a constitutionally protected right to belong to any group or association and participate fully, just as any Nigerian.

“It is, however, difficult to imagine that a person who occupies the exalted and sensitive office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will be this brazen in actualizing his ambition.”

Akeredolu, who is Chairman, Southern Governors Forum, and advocate of a Southerner becoming President, said should Emefiele refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith.

“There is no gain asserting the obvious. The combined effect of the Public Service Rules, CBN Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, exposes not only the oddity inherent in this brash exercise of presumed right to associate.

“It also confirms the illegality of the act should he proceed to submit the forms while occupying the seat as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office, immediately, for him to pursue his interest. He cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office.

“Should he refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith. This is a joke taken too far.”

In Emefiele’s post on Saturday, he said:

“I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision.

“I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds  and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms.

“I thank them most profusely. However, should I answer their calls and decide to seek presidential nomination, I will use my own hard earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership to buy my own  Nomination Forms, without proxies in an open and transparent manner in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And should I not run for elected office, I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the good people of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is a serious decision that requires God’s divine intervention. In the next few days the Almighty will so direct.”

Presidency: CBN Governor, Emefiele To Decide In Few Days

By
James Orji
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Godwin Emefiele

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele says he’s yet to decide on whether to contest the Nigerian Presidency next year.

Two days ago, a support group under the aegis of Friends of Godwin Emefiele obtained the APC Presidential nomination form for him for a whopping N100 million.

Trenchant criticism has trailed the group’s decision as many Nigerians, including Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Info state and Chairman of South west APC Governors Forum calling on Emefiele to resign immediately, saying that the apex bank governor decision to join the Presidential race is “a joke taken too far”.

Akeredolu called on him to resign immediately, failure which he should be sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.

SERAP, a human rights body also called on Emefiele to be removed from office to enable him pursue his presidential quest. The group chided the CBN Governor for involving in partisan politics against the provision of the Constitution which bar pubic officials from contesting election.

In his response to the barrage of criticisms on Saturday, Emefiele said he has not filed out contesting the election, adding that he would make the decision in few days.

Emefiele said thanked those that obtained the nomination form on his behalf, but said when he decide to run for president the form will not be obtained for him by proxies.

According to him, “I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision. I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms: I thank them most profusely.

“However, should I answer their calls and decide to seek presidential nomination, I will use my own hard-earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership to buy my own Nomination Forms without proxies in an open and transparent manner in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And should I not run for elected office I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the good people of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is a serious decision that requires God’s divine intervention: in the next few days The Almighty will so direct.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt from competent sources in the Presidency that Emefiele has received the backing of close aides of Buhari to run for the highest office in the country. It, however, remains unclear whether the president will support his ambition.

Oil Wells: I Am Open To Further Discussions With Gov. Uzodimma – Wike

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike

On Friday May 6, 2022, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered the long awaited Judgement on the boundary dispute between Imo and Rivers States, on the ownership of some oil Wells at the Akiri and Mbede Oil fields.

The Apex Court ruled in favour of Rivers State.

In a state broadcast to the people of Rivers State on Friday, May 6,  celebrating the victory, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, blames former Imo State Governor, the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha for the problem between the two sister-states of Imo and Rivers State. He accused Ihedioha of stabbing Rivers State Government and its people at the back inspite of the huge help and support they gave to him to become Governor.

He also blamed Governor Hope Uzodinma for continuing with the case, but said he is open to further discussions with Uzodinma on the disputed Oil Wells.

Following, the full text of Wike’s broadcast.

“Today, 6th May 2022, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has delivered its judgment on the subsisting boundary dispute between Imo State and Rivers State over the ownership of some oil wells at the Akiri and Mbede Oil fields.

“2. Let us recall that following the disputed claims to the location and ownership of some oil wells at the Akiri and Mbede oilfields between Imo and Rivers States in 1999, the Governors, Their Excellencies, Achike Udenwa and Dr. Peter Odili respectively, worked out a political settlement and  mutually settled for a 50:50 percent beneficial sharing of the derivation proceeds accruing from these wells pending the proper demarcation of the boundaries between the two States by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

“3. While the dispute lingered, nothing was done by the NBC to demarcate the boundaries of the two States and establish the proper location and title to the disputed oil wells.

“4. However, instead of instigating the NBC to do the right thing, Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, shortly after assuming office, repudiated the subsisting 50:50 percent sharing formula and made provocative claims to the exclusive ownership of the entire Akiri and Mbede oil wells.

“5. In order to actualized this spurious claims, he stealthily wrote a letter dated 9th August 2019 to President Mohammadu Buhari and requested for the refund of the sum of N15, 000,000.00 (fifteen billion naira) from Rivers State to Imo State as backlog of accrued proceeds from the 13% derivation revenue of the said oil wells.

“6. Acting on Governor Ihedioha’s letter, Mr. President warranted a letter to be written to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) through his late Chief of State, Mr. Abba Kyari, to alter the status quo against in favour of Imo State without reference to the subsisting dispute and agreement between the two States.

“7. Surprised by the surreptitious plots and collusive actions of the Government of Imo State and the NBC to overreach the legal interest of Rivers State in the disputed oil wells, the Rivers State Government opted to approach the Court for a just and lasting resolution.

“8. Accordingly, we first applied to the Federal High Court, Abuja and among other reliefs, successfully challenged the powers and authority of Mr. President to give directives to the RMFAC and or interfere in any manner whatsoever with the distribution of public revenues from the distributable pool account, including the Federation Account.

“9. Not satisfied with the positive ruling of the Federal High Court, the Imo State Government appealed to the Court of Appeal and lost. We then proceeded against the Government of Imo State at the Supreme Court in a fresh suit for a final and conclusive determination of the boundary dispute between our two States.

“10. In approaching the Supreme Court in this matter, we believed that the dispute between the two State and the contentious issues are such that the Court can judicially, justly and expeditiously determine with the available facts and supporting evidence, including valid administrative maps, subsisting judgments, and other relevant documents.

“11. And so, the Supreme Court has finally and conclusively resolved the dispute and granted full and exclusive ownership of all the disputed oil wells in Akiri and Mbede oilfields, to Rivers State much to everyone’s relief.

“12. Although Governor Hope Uzodima was not the mastermind of the impulsive trajectory that compelled us to seek the intervention and protection of the Courts, he nevertheless participated fully in the litigation process to the end without engaging the Rivers State Government for a possible a political solution.

“13. However, his reactions to the judgments of the lower courts on this matter were clearly uncalled for.

“14. Indeed, itwas rather unfortunate that for someone who became Governor through the instrumentality of the judiciary could turnaround to castigate the very institution that made him ruler over the good, peaceful and progressive people of Imo State.

“15. Now that the Supreme Court have spoken, we hope Governor Hope Uzodima will accept the outcome in good faith, refrain from his usual diatribes against the judiciary and explore possible pathways to accommodation and compromise from the Rivers State Government.

“16.This, we may readily oblige, despite the betrayals and back-stabbing by Emeka Ihedioha, who in spite of the extensive support and goodwill he received from the Government and people of Rivers State to become Governor, led the onslaught and created a wedge between two brotherly States that have been living at peace and in friendship with each other.

“17. We also deplore the collusive actions of the NBC, which unfortunately, has become notorious as one of the most corrupt national agency, which has functioned more in causing confusion that resolving boundary disputes.

“18. It bears repeating that the quest to defend our ownership rights through the courts over the Akiri and Mbede oil wells was not intended to claim victory over Imo or any other State.

“19. We are therefore open to further discussions with the Government of Imo State on the best way forward without prejudice to the outcome of today’s judgment.

“20. We appreciate the lawyers that prosecuted and secured this landmark success for Rivers State, and for their efforts, it is my pleasure to announce the conferment of State Honours on every one of them as the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS).

“21. Finally, I wish to reiterate our resolve to continue to fight for, advance and protect the best interest of Rivers State at all times and under any circumstances up to the end of our Government, and we hope our successor would likewise continue in this courageous spirit and determination to make the desired positive difference for our State and our people.”

We Did Not Designate IPOB/ESN as Terrorist Organisations – British High Commission

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The British High Commission in Nigeria has denied designating the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, a terrorist organisation in Britain.

The report of the alleged designation had gone viral with some publications insinuating that the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, could lose his British citizenship.

But in a statement, the British High Commission described the reports as inaccurate, insisting that the United Kingdom never added IPOB to the list of terrorist group banned in the UK,

The Statement which was  signed by the Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Tinuke Akande-Alegbe, emphasised that IPOB is not a proscribed organisation in the UK

The inaccurate information, the statement explained, stems from a revised Country Policy And Information Publication released on the 23th of April 2022

The publication noted that the Nigerian Government proscribed IPOB as a terrorists organisation but it also said that some members of IPOB  using violence against the State and members of the public and  so committed human rights abuses will not be granted protection

Said the statement ”all asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered in their individual facts in accordance with the obligations under the UN Refugee convention and European convention on human Rights.”

The statement dated May 6, 2022 reads:

“We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to the list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law. These reports are untrue. The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK.

“The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK by the UK Government of a revised Country policy and information note (CIPN) on Seperatist group in SE Nigeria including the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). CIPNs provide country of origin information (COI) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers handling particular kinds of claims and human rights claims.

“All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered  on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee convention and European convention on human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law.

“The CPIN on Separatist groups in the South East including the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), provides a general assessment of risks faced by individuals belonging to those groups. These assessments are based on an analysis of publicly available country information obtained from a wide range of reliable sources including media outlets: UK and other  governments: local, national and international organisations and non-govenment organisations.

“The CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian Government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorists organisation. Some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the State and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection.”

Nnamdi Kanu: Why Buhari Disappointed Ndigbo Again

By
The Source
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Gideon Njoku

“A source told this medium that Buhari was shattered by the brutal murder and beheading of the Soldier-couple and the indecent treatment of their corpses in Imo State which the Army quickly laid on the door step of IPOB/ESN, and therefore, made up his mind not to entertain any plea for Kanu’s release

Speculations have been rife over why President Muhammadu Buhari dashed the hopes of the Igbo on Friday, May 5, 2022, when he failed to order the release of the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu during his meeting with the cream of Igbo Leaders in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State. This medium gathered that the brutal murder of the soldier-couple a few days before Buhari’s visit hardened his heart over the request for Kanu’s release.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Federal Government since he was rearrested in Nairobi Kenya, in June 2021,  and brought back to Nigeria to face sundry allegations, including Terrorism and Treasonable felony.

Ever since then, the Igbo leadership, with Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the arrow head, has been appealing to President Buhari to release Kanu unconditionally to stem the tension in the South-east where Kanu hails from. It has even been suggested that the unprecedented insecurity in the Zone could become a thing of the past if Kanu is released as every criminal gang in the Zone now claims to be involved in the atrocities because of Kanu’s detention and trial.

The President had been told, a number of times, that Kanu’s case is better handled politically than legally.

Once when some Igbo Leaders led by a former Minister for Aviation in the First Republic, 94 -year old  Mbazulike Amaechi, went to the Presidential Villa to appeal to Buhari over Kanu, the President had raised their hopes that he would consider releasing him, difficult as it is, especially, when Mbazulike asked the President to release Kanu personally to him, as a favour before he, Mbazulike, dies.

Weeks after Buhari raised their hopes, he reneged and insisted it would be left for the Courts. That was when he went to Imo State on a working visit.

Since then, Buhari had played deaf to the appeals even when Ohanaeze Ndigbo visited and appealed again to him.

However, hopes were raised  on Buhari’s two-day visit to Ebonyi State on Thursday, May 4, 2022.

In a meeting with the President on Friday, the Igbo Leaders had appealed to the President again to release Kanu. But in response, he rejected.

Buhari publicly told Ndigbo, to their face, that Kanu’s trial would go full circle in the Courts.

Kanu was on bail and facing the charges against him when the Army inexplicably invaded his father’s Palace where he was, and forced him to flee to safety.

In a statement,   Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina quoted the President as telling the Leaders in response to the appeals that:

‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.”

Adesina:  “President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abakiliki pledged that the Federal Government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East region.

“Speaking at a meeting with South-East leaders, during his two-day State visit to Ebonyi, the President expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land.

‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.

‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,’’

‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.

‘‘My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living.

‘‘There are many that fit this profile and the Government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property.

‘‘I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such”

However sources told this medium that President Buhari may, indeed, have considered releasing Kanu, but that the escalation of the insecurity in the South-east in the past few weeks, especially, the brutal killing and beheading of two soldiers in Imo State on Saturday, April 30, 2022 put him off.

Said the source: “The President was shattered over the manner of the killing and beheading of the two soldiers who were a couple. And because the Army had attributed it to IPOB/ESN, the President saw no reason in granting the request for Kanu’s release.

“Added to that, the President is taken aback by the resumption of the razing of Police facilities and the killings of  security personnel on duty in the Zone, especially, in Anambra and Imo States. He has the strong belief that IPOB/ESN are masquerading as unknown gunmen.”

However, IPOB has strongly  denied any involvement in the violence in the South-east, including the killing and beheading of the soldier-couple, and other security personnel.

The group has, instead, put the blame on State actors.

2023: Nigeria Needs Anyim Now More Than Ever Before – Kogi PDP Delegates

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

The situation presently in Nigeria is akin to what existed in the Nigerian Senate in 1999 before the assumption of office as its President by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The above was the summation of the interactive session between Anyim and delegates from Kogi state, May 5, at Ibro hotel, Abuja which included the two former governors of the state, Ahaji Ibrahim Idris and Capt Idris Wada.

The delegates commonly agreed that Nigeria is in a very precarious state and in dire need of a natural stabilizer like Anyim.

In his closing remarks, the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party,PDP in kogi state, Engr. Sam Uhotu, recalled the invaluable role Anyim brought to bear in the stability of the country democracy.

According to him, the nation’s upper chamber of the national Assembly was in a voyage of no destination until Anyim stepped in to chat a clear course for the National Assembly and indeed Nigerian democracy.

The Chairman stated that the Senate before Anyim was seating on a slippery ground of banana peels, throwing up different leaders of the chamber at an average of one president after the other in every six months until Anyim came to put a stop to that.

Uhotu reiterated that the situation in the Nigerian Senate when Anyim was divinely brought to the rescue is akin to the rudderless journey of the Nigerian nation now.

“If Anyim has offered himself to serve Nigeria again,” the PDP chairman advised, “Nigeria should consider him seriously.” The chairman further drew the attention of Nigerians to Anyim performance as the Secretary to government of the federation saying that it’s high time Nigeria took a serious look at the roles Anyim had played in his previous positions in government. He said as Secretary to government of the Federation, SGF under Goodluck Jonathan administration, Anyim has been variously described even by his own boss, Jonathan, as the engine room of that regime.

This, again, the Chairman stated, validates the fact that his magic in the Senate was not a fluke. It’s my belief that Anyim will perform same magic again if allowed to rule Nigeria as her president, the chairman claimed. Speaker after Speaker agreed with the opinion of their Chairman as they commonly resolved in unison to form a social contract with Anyim.

In addition to Anyim’s five star performances, Dr Mohammed Adah Shuibu,  a former Gubernatorial aspirant in Kogi state under the All Progressives Congress APC now a member of PDP, remarked that one sterling quality that stands Anyim out among others is his stainless records in all his services to Nigeria. Till date, Shuibu recalled, Anyim has remained blameless in all his services to Nigeria.

Echoing the views of the party chairman, Capt. Idris Wada, former Governor of kogi state, emphasized that the meeting with delegates only exposed the stuff Anyim is made of to those who never knew him before. Wada stated, that his knowledge of Anyim since his days as secretary to government of the federation is that “Anyim is a man of the people, a detribilised Nigerian and a great man.” Citing Anyim’s intervention in the affairs of Kogi, Wada explained that in 2012 when the state was enmeshed with floods, that Anyim as the SGF, quickly released N500m with just little effort to save the people of kogi state. He also stated that Anyim was instrumental to the flood chanalization work in the state which was initiated by his administration. He described Anyim not only as a leader with listening ears but one who backs up his promise with commitments. Sharing similar views with others, Wada repeated, “if there’s any other time Nigeria needs someone like Anyim, it’s now, because Anyim will give Nigeria qualitative leadership”, he concluded.

Meanwhile Anyim promised to make kogi state the most industrial hub in Nigeria if given the chance to rule. He told the delegates that the abundant mineral deposits in kogi distinguishes it among other states. The Steel mill at Ajaokuta, kogi state, Anyim promised, will be his priority on his assumption of office.

“My intention, he told the delegates, is to develop smart cities among the contiguous states surrounding the capital, such that the pressure on Abuja can   be reduced.” According to him, Steel not even oil will constitute one of the major drivers of the 4th industrial revolution. Anyim also told the delegates that he would not just replicate what Goodluck Jonathan administration did with women but will surpass it.

According to him, under Jonathan, a woman was a Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Under Jonathan, a woman was a Petroleum Minister, Aviation Minister etc.

“I will do more for women” he thundered. This is also as he stated that the youths will be given the opportunities they need to deploy the abundant energies they have. While he will rely on the advice of the elders, he assured that he would work with the youths to execute such advice.

The Commission for the disabled which has remained dormant, Anyim promised, he world make it to work, just as he assured he was going to improve on the achievements of the people Democratic party, PDP where dollars were N180, where Nigeria was reckoned as the fastest growing economy and where people were free to travel from Abuja to Kaduna etc.

Domestic Airlines Shut Down Operations

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The flying Nigerian public is in trouble. Beginning Monday, May 9, 2022, Airline  Operators of Nigeria, will shut down their services.

In a statement on Monday signed by them, nine in all, they said they have had enough. They said they have sacrificed enough. They said they have endured enough, and can no longer cope with the outrageous cost of Aviation fuel which now goes for  N700 per litre.

With the shut down, Nigeria will literally grind to an end as businesses will be affected. Public and private businesses will grind to a halt.

Even though the Operators advised the public to make alternative arrangements for their travels, not many people will dare. The roads are unsafe. They are populated by terrorists  bandits, gunmen and all kinds of blood thirsty gangs.

Railway services are no better, especially, since the fatal attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound Train.

The statement reads :

“It is with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON)  have carried on deploying and subsidizing their services to our highly esteemed Nigerian flying public in the last four months despite the steady and astronomical hike in the price of JetA1 and other operating costs.”

“Overtime, aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. No airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period. While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40% of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shut up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95%.

” In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000. The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties.

“While AON appreciates the efforts of the current Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure air transport in Nigeria grows, unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines.

“This is unsustainable and

the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure.

“To this end, therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) hereby wishes to regrettably inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday May 9, 2022 until further notice.”

“AON uses this medium to humbly state that we regret any inconveniences this very difficult decision might cause and appeal to travelers to kindly reconsider their travel itinerary and make alternative arrangements.”

The Statement was copied both the Aviation Minister and the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.

2023: Former Speaker, Dimeji Bankole Joins Presidential Race, Picks N100m APC Forms

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Dimeji Bankole and his Receipt

By Akinwale Kasali

For a long time, little or nothing was heard about former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole. Suddenly, he zoomed back.

The former Ogun State Governorship Aspirant under Action Democratic Party, ADP, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, has joined the bandwagon of the long list of aspirants vying to occupy Aso Rock, after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s term in the saddle.

Bankole has purchased the  expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC National Secretariat after paying N100million.

The Former Speaker Bankole is joining the Presidential race after, according to him, consulting with stakeholders across the country.

He officially registered as a member of the APC in March 2021.

Bankole’s entry into the Presidential race now increases the number of aspirants from the South-West region seeking to take over from President Buhari.

Only in the South West, over Seven aspirants have indicated interest. They include; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Ekiti State Governor; Kayode Fayemi, and Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Founding Overseer of Citadel Global Church.

Lagos 2023: Tinubu Quashes Speculation Over Sanwo-Olu; Endorses Him For Second Term

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Tinubu Endorses Babajide Sanwoolu

By Akinwale Kasali

For weeks, the second term ambition of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo of Lagos was shrouded with uncertainty, with speculations rife that there may be a sudden change in his  earlier endorsement by the Governors Advisory Council, GAC.

But the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader and frontline Presidential Aspirant for the 2023 election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has quashed such speculation by openly endorsing Governor Sanwo Olu and his Deputy, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat for second term.

Tinubu held both men by their hands;  raised them up, and endorsed  them  for another four years at the Lagos APC Stakeholders Meeting, during which all aspirants vying for elective positions in the State met with the former Governor at a declaration event held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Lagos.

In attendance were Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Rt.Hon.Mudashiru Obasa, Chairman APC Lagos, Chief Ojelabi and many others.

Speculation was rife that former Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration was tipped to replace the incumbent Deputy Governor, Kadiri Hamzat, but that has been vehemently debunked with the endorsement of both men today.

There had been reports that Tinubu had dumped Sanwo-Olu for another loyalist, Mustapha Olorunfemi, ahead of the May 23, 2022 governorship primary in the state.

Tinubu’s open endorsement has quashed the viral reports that Tinubu had abandoned Sanwo-Olu.

Before today’s endorsement, 85-year-old GAC  Member, Prince Tajudeen Olusi and APC chairman in Lagos, Cornelius Ojelabi, had openly given support to the ambition of Sanwo Olu, noting that Sanwo-Olu had GAC’s support to return to office.

The GAC, the highest decision-making organ of the party headed by Tinubu, had mid-April endorsed Sanwo-Olu for second term.

Responding to viral reports that Tinubu had rejected Sanwo-Olu just as he opposed former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the build-up to the 2019 Governorship election, Olusi  revealed that Tinubu had filled Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement form which would be transmitted to the party’s secretariat in the state before the May 23 Governorship Primary.

Olusi said, “All members of GAC are happy with Sanwo-Olu’s first term performance and we support his return for second term.

“A lot of our members have also filled a form endorsing Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid. Tinubu also signed the form. Any other thing is untrue.”

Following this speculations that Sanwo Olu won’t be given ticket for a second term, there were another speculation that former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was planning to run for the Governorship, and was on the verge of purchasing the APC form, but the Chairman of the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organisation, Wale Oluwo, refuted the allegation.

He said, “The same way they heard about it was the same way we heard about it. The person that they said has been picked to replace Governor Sanwo-Olu is not from AMCO. He doesn’t work with us; we know him because he was in government and had been a PS (Permanent Secretary).”

When asked whether Ambode had purchased APC N50m form for the May 23, 2022 Governorship primary, Oluwo said, “No”.

On whether the ex-governor had any intention to do so, he said, “The organisation, AMCO, will announce it. The organisation has to meet and finalise things and announce.”

Reasons Why APC Delegates Should Vote For Tinubu – Tunji Abayomi

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Constitutional lawyer and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) Tunji Abayomi in continuation of his campaign for one of the party’s presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu listed some criteria which make him tower above other aspirants.

He stated that his decision to support the aspiration of Bola Tinubu was that he is a Party Man.

“He knows us, has interacted with us as a party man, worked with us on party aims and objectives, has made noticeable and sufficient sacrifices for the Party.

“Second, he has achieved, won regard through fruitful exercise of executive office as a Leader not as a subordinate.

“Third he has knowledge and capabilities especially as it relates to making Nigerians wealthy and generous enough to explore new ideas even from sources that may least be expected.

“He is articulate, sufficient in standing to represent us in any international engagement and a professional with high capacity for innovation, particularly in essential areas relating to the wealth of the Nation such as the oil, power and education sectors.

“Tinubu has a strong tendency to unite the peoples of Nigeria as a nationalist and not a regional, religious or ethnic bigot.

“He has a family that has been resident in Nigeria unlike other aspirants that jet in when there is opportunity for them to play politics.

“The former Lagos state Governor is a team player that inspires his co-servant leaders to constantly struggle for high ends of the Nation and has an uncommon intuition to constitute a great team to work for Nigeria.”

Abayomi, who has been in the forefront of Tinubu for President appealed to delegates of APC to decide and define the future for Nigerians through their votes to ensure that Asiwaju Tinubu emerges as APC presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

According to him,  if the APC and Nigerians give Ahmed Bola Tinubu the opportunity to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, he will change Nigeria’s story for good.

“These are the compelling criteria that guided our decision and because Bola Ahmed towered above all other competitors we chose to support his aspiration.”

The Constitutional Lawyer earlier in his Facebook page has advised that any aspirants that has anything to do with the present administration should not be allowed to succeed President Mohamadu Buhari.

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