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PDP: Wike Tackles Tambuwal; Say He Won Governorship Election With 300 Votes; “I wanted To Flatten Him In Abuja”

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike And Aminu Tambuwal

By James Orji

The just concluded PDP presidential primary has left anger and bitterness in the mind of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state. He was the major loser in the shadow election which held last Saturday. He campaigned hard, and spent hard in both locai and foreign currencies.

Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President emerged as the PDP Presidential candidate in the keenly contested election with 371 votes to beat Governor Wike who polled 237 votes.

Governor Wike is still reeling from the pains that those he trusted such as Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, to deliver the PDP Presidential ticket to him, betrayed him.

The Rivers’ helmsman has a reason to be angry with Tambuwal, a former close ally he had supported in the past.

In 2019, Wike stood by Tambuwal against some vested interest in the PDP who preferred Atiku to be the party’s presidential candidate. Even though the Sokoto helmsman lost the ticket, Tambuwal put up a good fight with the full support of Wike.

But last Saturday when Wike expected the gesture to be returned, Tambuwal pulled the rug from under his feet by supporting Atiku to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

He withdrew from the race in the last minute to the surprise of many delegates and leaders of the party, and directed his supporters to cast their votes for Atiku.

Tambuwal: “Having consulted so many people across the country, the time has come to make the sacrifice for the good of the country and the party and also to minimise rancour and justle for power among aspirants I have come to conclusion to step down the race. I urge my supporters to vote for Atiku Abubakar,” Tambuwal said to the chagrin of many Nigerians who have watched his antecedents with the Rivers’ Governor.”

In his reaction on Monday, Governor Wike said Tambuwal violated the rule of engagement and does not deserve to be governor.

Wike said: “I’ve never seen how people can violate procedure, guideline. Somebody has spoken, it’s at that point he was speaking that he can say I’m withdrawing. You don’t call him back.

“I just said, look, this our party must not be destroyed. I would have left where I was sitting down and say no, this convention can’t go on except you allow me to talk and I would have flattened that man they say is a human being (Tambuwal), I would have flattened him.

“When you see people, a sitting governor won election with 300 votes, which votes will he give? So it’s God’s will, let’s not bother ourselves so much”.

Tambuwal won his 2019 Governorship election with just 300 votes.

The Rivers’ Governor had earlier taken a swipe at State Governors from the Southern part of the country for not supporting him to clinch the party’s ticket.

He said the governors violated the agreement they all reached that power must shift to the South, after the end President Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

Meanwhile, close watchers of the opposition party insists that Governor Wike lost due to his failure to carry his counterparts along in his presidential aspiration.

The reason he lost, they say, is because of his arrogance and his inability to carry on well with other State Governors, who have secretly brandished him proud and rude.

OPINION: Peter Obi Is The Third Force

By
The Source
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Peter Obi and Pat Utomi at Labour Party

By Amanze Obi

A mass movement has just begun. It is the type that will test the resolve or lack of it of Nigerians to change the way things are in their country. Mr. Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, who until a few days ago, was a frontline presidential contender on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has switched camp.

He is now carrying the banner of the Labour Party. Obi is in the new party to give full expression to his aspiration to be the President of Nigeria. His former party constrained him in no small measure. But like William Blake, Obi will rather construct his own system than be enslaved by other people’s systems. The mass movement represented by Peter Obi is a clarion call. It aims at a radical displacement. It is an invitation to Nigerians to seize the day and use it to give their country a new and enduring meaning.

If Obi were just a politician in the strict sense of the word as we know it in Nigeria, his movement to a new party would have come without a whimper. It would have been glossed over as a non-event. But because he has a story behind his name, his action has stirred Nigeria’s political waters. It is eliciting excited discourses across the country. It is so because the man represents a new thinking. He is the apostle of a new order. He is making a case for a Nigeria that will work for all, particularly the youth. Obi took his dream to the PDP. But the party failed to convert it to advantage.

Following the mess that the APC administration has made of Nigeria, those who wish the country well had imagined that the PDP, which lost power by default in 2015, would stage a comeback in 2015 through dexterous politics. They had wished for a virile alternative that would halt the misrule of the moment. It was thought that the PDP would rediscover itself and give Nigerians a good reason to yearn for its return. But the turn of events does not bear this expectation out.

The atmosphere in PDP has been fouled by the politics of zoning. In the course of the ding-dong battle for the soul of the party, the watching world has come to discover to its chagrin that the party has not weaned itself of those mistakes that cost it the presidency seven years ago. Nigerians have seen through the wire mesh of devious intrigues going on in the party.

They are disturbed that the elements that decapitated the party in the 2015 presidential election with their tendentious defections have returned in droves to determine the new direction of the party. The impression they have left many with is that the party exists at their pleasure. They kill it when they want and also resurrect when it suits them.

This is a poisonous streak that has not helped the cause of the party. It was in this dog-eat-dog situation that Peter Obi, like some others, found themselves. But Obi has since seen through the elaborate charade being enacted in the PDP and has decided to go in search of a new order.

Those who have bothered to pay attention to the Peter Obi persona will readily acknowledge the fact that what drives him is not the urge to occupy the presidential office. He has said it clearly that he is not desperate to be the President of Nigeria. Rather, he is driven by passion and patriotism. The country has lost bearing and is in dire need of redirection. Obi does not think that we should resign to this ugly situation. He pities the country and its peoples. He is particularly worried about the plight of the Nigerian youth. He knows that crime and criminality have taken over the land because the youth have been abandoned. How can a country find its bearing if the youth are abandoned and disoriented?

The disconnect between the leadership and the youth population can cripple a country. And that is the real malaise that has held the country down. Obi, like other patriotic Nigerians, is worried about this state of affairs. That explains his passion. He wants to enthrone an order that will make it possible for the youth to take back their country. If he succeeds, he would have toppled the apple cart that has been holding the country down.

The Peter Obi magic wand is coming at a time the country needs it most. In Nigeria, there has been so much motion without movement. Leaders have come and gone. But none could be said to have succeeded in pulling the country out of the woods.

The same is true of political parties. Bereft of any ideological leaning, political parties in Nigeria merely amble along. Their only strength lies in the seasonal battle for political offices. Nothing else matters once power is grabbed or missed. The real problem here is that of vision and passion. Most of those who have ascended the presidential throne so far did not plan to go there. Even those who made spirited and desperate efforts to get there got overwhelmed at the point of entry. The result is that Nigeria has been a joke all along.

But at no time in the country’s political history have things got so bad than now. The present leadership has been run over by contrary forces. The government has become a lame duck. It does not know what to do with the powers entrusted to it.

This has brought about the despondency that pervades the political landscape. But the saving grace is that the people are resilient. They have not given up on their fatherland. That is why there is clamour for a new order. Before now, Nigerians anchored their hopes on what the two dominant political parties could offer. They had imagined that either of them could make the desired difference. But that has not been the case.

This is where a third force has become imperative. Nigerians have seen through the old order and they are convinced that hope does not lie in their actions and inactions. They now desire an intermediate force between the two opposing forces that have run the country down. Peter Obi and his politics, to all intents and purposes, represent this third force.

He wants to bring about a new Nigeria. He wants to enthrone a paradigm shift. He wants Nigeria to be run efficiently. The real attraction to the Peter Obi quest is that he does not just have the ideas, he has the passion and the discipline to bring about the desired change. He is presenting Nigerians with an opportunity to reclaim their country. What they do with it is the choice before them.

*Dr Obi is a former Commissioner for Information, Imo State.

President Buhari Talks To APC Governors On Choice Of Successor, Mode Of Convention

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Buhari with APC Governors

By Ayodele Oni

President Muhammadu Buhari seems to be dissatisfied with the way the special National Convention of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) to pick its presidential flagbearer went.

There have been reports of alleged use of money by the PDP aspirants, and this probably facilitated the victory for one of them.

To ensure a more decent and rancour-free process by the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC), especially coming up with a consensus candidate, President Buhari met with Governors of the party on Tuesday in Abuja, charging them to ensure that the forthcoming convention to pick a presidential candidate reflects all the values and virtues of the party.

A statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed that at the meeting, held at State House, Abuja, the President told the 22 Governors and the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu that:

“The processes for the 2023 General Elections have commenced in earnest and I note that the most successful political parties globally have always relied on their internal cohesion and a strong leadership brand to achieve bigger electoral fortunes.

“Our party, the APC, shall not be any different, more so as we are still implementing the blueprint for a more prosperous nation.

“As I begin the final year of my second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the party, I recognize the compelling need for me to provide stronger leadership to the party under this transition process and to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner.

“Such leadership is required so that the party remains strong and united. It is also needed to improve our electoral fortunes by ensuring that it retains power at the center, hold the great majority  in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states.

“In a few days, the party will be holding its Convention during which primaries would take place to pick the Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2023 General Elections.

“This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.”

The President appealed to the  Governors “to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens  and the global community.

“Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.”

President Buhari assured that the consultation process will continue, to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention, stressing that it would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control, “and that our party emerges stronger.”

Speaking on behalf of the States’ helmsmen, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, and Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, said the party must build on successes of its recent elective convention, and the primaries conducted so far, “and come up with a candidate who will walk in the footsteps of patriotism and love for the country, which Mr President has shown.

“We will support Mr President to have a very successful convention.”

Less Than A Million Voters Will Elect New Ekiti Governor Next Month As INEC Test Runs Facilities

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Less than a month to governorship election in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has registered 988,923 eligible voters to participate in the election.

Of the figure, a total of 720,724 people have collected their permanent voters cards, as of 31st May, 2022.

These figures are extracts from the pre election report made available by the Head of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo.

YIAGA’s report is coming just as the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) ran a mock exercise with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in Ekiti, ahead of the state’s governorship election. BVAS facilitates the accreditation of voters on election day.

Speaking to journalists during the exercise, INEC’s Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu said the exercise had been a success.

“We said we are going to do a mock-test in a few local government areas to further test the functionality of the machines before the election. And so far, so good with the mock.

“We have visited one of the polling centres in Ado; we are here in Ikere. From there we go to Irepodun/Ifelodun local government for the same reason.

“And overall assessment is that we are happy with the functionality of the machines.”

The INEC Chairman added that the electoral umpire was also interested in the readiness of facilities for the election.

“As you can see, we have renovated the Ikere local government office, just as we have done with many other local government offices. These are not administrative facilities; they are also electoral assets.”

The Independent report, findings indicate ongoing preparatory activities by INEC and compliance with the Election schedule of activities.

“For instance, the official publication of voters register in all 16 LGAs from 19 May 2022, while the final candidate list was published in the capital and two other LGAs.

“The final list of registered voters as released by INEC to Political Parties in Ekiti on May 18, 2022, 988,923 registered voters are eligible to participate in the election of these 720,724 have collected their permanent voters cards as of May 18, 2022.

“A further breakdown of registered voters by demography revealed that 502,906 (51%) are female and 486,017 (49%) are male. The Youths (18-34) constitutes 38.56% of the total voters.”

Meanwhile, Yiaga Africa has said that the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, will provide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), an opportunity to assess the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), for the conduct of elections.

The Ekiti governorship election will be the second governorship poll where the BVAS will be deployed for the accreditation of voters, having been deployed in the November 2021 Anambra governorship election.

The citizen-led group in its pre-election report, added that the Ekiti election will test INEC’s capacity to resolve all challenges observed with the BVAS deployment in Anambra and FCT.

The report, however, noted that while the BVAS achieved reasonable success in the bye-elections, their deployment in statewide elections like the Anambra governorship election and the FCT area council election was marred with widespread reports of the BVAS not functioning adequately and experiencing other challenges which led to the extension of voting time on election day.

“The Ekiti election presents another opportunity for the assessment of the functionality of the BVAS and the capacity of INEC to resolve all challenges observed with the BVAS deployment in Anambra and FCT.

“This is particularly important because the new Electoral Act in section 47(2)(3), makes it mandatory for the deployment of the technological device for accreditation of voters with a requirement to suspend the election in a polling unit where the device fails to accredit voters and to continue the process within 24 hours if the results from the polling unit will substantially affect the final result of the election.

“The BVAS now plays a central role in safeguarding elections and in guaranteeing that technical glitches do not disenfranchise every eligible voter who turns out to vote.

“Accordingly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is responsible for ensuring that the BVAS functions optimally in the Ekiti state election.

“This will need INEC’s commitment to ensuring the mock voter accreditation exercise to test the effectiveness of the BVAS is conducted ahead of the Ekiti election as stated during the quarterly stakeholders meeting held on May 11, 2022.

It added that beyond the deployment of BVAS, the Ekiti election will also serve as a test to assess INECs capacity to manage the perennial logistical challenges observed in previous elections and its ability to inspire confidence in the process.

PDP Convention: Angry Wike Blames Tambuwal

By
James Orji
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0
Nyesom Wike

By James Orji

The just concluded PDP presidential primary has left anger and bitterness in the mind of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, the major loser in the shadow election which held last Saturday.

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president emerged as the PDP presidential candidate in the keenly contested election with 371 votes to beat Governor Wike who polled 237 votes, and had since congratulated the party’s flagbearer for next year’s presidential election.

In spite of this, Governor Wike is still reeling from the pains that those he trusted such as Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, to deliver the PDP presidential ticket to him, betrayed him.

The Rivers’ helmsman has a reason to be angry with Tambuwal, a close ally he had supported in the past.

In 2019, Wike stood by Tambuwal against some vested interest in the PDP who preferred Atiku to be the party’s presidential candidate. Even though the Sokoto helmsman lost the ticket, Tambuwal put up a good fight with the tacit support of Wike.

But last Saturday when Wike expected the gesture to be returned, Tambuwal pulled the rug under his feet by supporting Atiku to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

He withdrew from the race in the last minute to the surprise of many delegates and leaders of the party, and directed his supporters to cast their votes for Atiku.

“Haven’t consulted so many people across the country the time has come to make the sacrifice for the good of the country and the party and also to minimise rancour and justle for power among aspirants I have come to conclusion to step down the race. I urge my supporters to vote for Atiku Abubakar,” Tambuwal said to the chagrin of many Nigerians who have watched his antecedents with the Rivers’ Governor.

In his reaction on Monday, Governor Wike said Tambuwal violated the rule of engagement and does not deserve to be governor.

Wike said: “I’ve never seen how people can violate procedure, guideline. Somebody has spoken, it’s at that point he was speaking that he can say I’m withdrawing. You don’t call him back.”

“I just said, look, this our party must not be destroyed. I would have left where I was sitting down and say no, this convention can’t go on except you allow me to talk and I would have flatten that they say is a human being (Tambuwal), I would have flattened him.”

“When you see people, a sitting governor won election with 300 votes, which votes will he give? So it’s God’s will, let’s not bother ourselves so much”.

The Rivers’ governor had earlier took a swipe at state governors from the southern part of the country for not supporting him to clinch the party’s ticket.

He said the governors violated the agreement they all reached that power must shift to the south, after the end President Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

Meanwhile, close watchers of the opposition party insists that Governor Wike lost due to his failure to carry his counterparts along in his presidential aspiration.

The reason he lost, they say, is because of his arrogance and his inability to carry on well with other state governors, who have secretly brandished proud and rude.

Delta 2023: PDP Tackles Omo Agege, Ogboru; Says Both Unfit For Delta; Weigh Less Than 10kg Politically

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ogboru and Omo Agege

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Delta State Chapter, has vowed to remain in power in the State.

Since 1999, the PDP has been at the helm of affairs in the State, and is optimistic that as the 2023 Governorship Election in the State draws closer, it is not going to relinquish power to any opposition Party.

The PDP in a statement by one of its chieftains, Olorogun Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, said that there is no Vacancy for Coup Financiers And Mace Runners In Government House, apparently references to the All Progressives Congress Candidate, APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Great Ogboru.

Oghenesivbe added that the governorship candidate of PDP in the State, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, will effortlessly defeat  Ogboru and Omo-Agege in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

He gave the assurance while speaking to newsmen during the 7th anniversary of the Okowa administration’s Praise and Worship Thanksgiving Service, held on Monday 30th May at the Event Centre, Asaba, saying that the total collapse of Ogboru/Omo-Agege political alliance was for the good of the state.

Oghenesivbe  who is also the Leader of Sheriffied Delta Media Group and Executive Assistant to Gov Okowa on Communications, further asserted that the enviable achievements of his boss, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, in the past seven years and still counting, shall be the winning card for PDP in 2023, coupled with the political popularity, solid street credibility, competence, humility, visionary leadership and integrity of PDP governorship candidate, Rt Hon Oborevwori.

The PDP chieftain alleged, albeit without proof, that the duo of Ogboru and Omo-Agege went their separate ways because of uncontrollable greed, acute desperation and strong desire to take control of Delta State’s yreasury, so as to achieve their separate life time ambition of becoming multi-billionaires overnight through manipulation of public funds.

He recalled how Ogboru sponsored the Gideon Okah coup just to become a billionaire through the back door, since he could not achieve his objective in the private sector as a fish seller, while Senator Ovie Omo-Agege did the unspeakable at the National Assembly by allegedly masterminding the unlawful snatching of Mace during Senate plenary, all in a bid to become relevant politically.

“PDP Delta and our candidate, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, won’t lose an ounce of sleep over Chief Great Ogboru and DSP Ovie Omo-Agege in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, come 2023.

“Governor Okowa’s superb achievements shall speak for our party, PDP, and for our governorship candidate in 2023. It’s truism that Okowa is the best governor since the creation of Delta State. This fact is not in dispute across the state.

“The 7th Thanksgiving Service of this administration is the last for him as governor because his tenure shall terminate on May 28, 2023.

“Okowa is our hero for life. He is the best thing that happened to Delta and Deltans in this political and leadership dispensation. But Oborevwori will listen more and do M.O.R.E for Delta and Deltans. The state will keep making substantial progress by the grace of God.

“APC and APGA are both forbidden fruits in Delta State. Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta State, they are conjoined twins, inseparable spiritually and physically. The connectivity is deep rooted and divine to a reasonable extent.

“The duo of Agege and Ogboru combined is less than 10kg in political electioneering weight, as far as 2023 governorship election contest is concerned. The other 90kg is Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori.

“Agege and Ogboru parties; APC and APGA, are both strangers to Deltans, they shall suffer humiliation and rejection at the polls in 2023. Their try your luck game shall exceed 2023 and beyond 2031.

“Agege and Ogboru are known to be political prostitutes, always jumping from one party to another, all in a shameful bid to take control of Delta treasury.

“Agege and Ogboru have no agenda, no manifestos and no clear cut reasons why they want to govern the state. As far as they are concerned, the state treasury is a life time ambition that must be achieved through any means possible. Too bad.

“Oborevwori is a divine project, a Pan Delta incoming governor who will build on the solid socioeconomic remodelling strides and overall development of the state, triggered by governor Okowa and his deputy, Deacon Barr Kingsley Otuaro.

“There is no vacancy for Military Coup financiers and mace runners in Government House, Asaba, come 2023,” Oghenesivbe said.

2023: Tinubu Fights To Retain Bid To Contest

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Bola Tinubu before the screening panel

By Uche Mbah

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a frontline Presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, is speculated to be having a tough battle in his quest to fulfill his ambition.

Tinubu has built bridges, especially, in the North, that he believes would give him the ticket.

But his high hopes may be dwindling, especially, in Kano with its usually unprecedented votes. He had Kano tied, based on his strong relationship with its Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. But a petition which could crash his ambition is before the PDP Presidential screening panel headed by former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

The petition written by one Mai Iyali, who claims to be an APC member from  Kano state, is an indication that either Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has turned against Tinubu, or his grip on the party structure is slackening.

Ganduje was reelected Governor in 2019, using what has been variously described as “Tinubu’s Osun Template,” which used a few Local Government rerun to win.

Iyali, in the petition, asked the Presidential Screening Committee to disqualify Bola Tinubu over “questionable educational qualifications”.

In a letter dated May 17, 2022, Mai Iyali, who copied Abdullahi Adamu, APC National Chairman, and Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, pleaded with the party to disqualify Tinubu. He cited alleged false documents Tinubu tendered to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1998.

“We understand that Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has since procured his expression of interest and nomination forms and has submitted the same to the party has certain issues that clearly amount to a similar disqualification scenario,” Iyali wrote.

“From the information contained in prior submissions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly in 1999, Mr. Tinubu presented a false claim, on oath, of his attendance at University of Chicago from 1972-1976.

“It is clear now that these claims are false. Not only was this filed in the INEC form with a declaration on oath on December 20 1999, it was also contained in an affidavit of loss sworn to before the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja Registry, December 29th 1998.

“The latter claim that seeks to transpose history is untenable. Mr. Tinubu has to show proof he attended University of Chicago or he must stand disqualified as the opposition is in possession of these same documents. Over the years, the identity of Asiwaju Bola Anmed Tinubu has been shrouded in secrecy.

“In fact, no one can claim to know the identity of the man. Repeated efforts and demands by the general populace and the media to unravel the identity of Asiwaju Tinubu have all proved abortive and unsuccessful.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rather chose and prefers an incognito lifestyle. Part of the man that has remained hidden is his educational background. Before now, so many reporters have launched discreet investigations to unravel the truth about the educational background of Asiwaju without success.

“We therefore urge the screening committee to invoke the powers vested on it by the constitution and guidelines of the party to disqualify Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from taking part in the APC primary election for the presidential election.”

Iyali attached copies of alleged Tinubu’s nomination form and affidavit in respect of lost certificates to back up his claims.

Though Tinubu previously admitted there were errors in his INEC filings in 1999, he was cleared by the Lagos state house of assembly of perjury on his qualifications.

He faced the Screening Committee at the Transcorp Hotel Abuja on Monday, May 30.

Sterling Launches Imperium Platform for Solar Energy Consumers

By
James Orji
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0

By Fola James

Lagos, Nigeria, May 30, 2022: Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading digital bank, has launched a new and innovative digital product, known as the Imperium Platform, in a bid to connect consumers and providers of renewable energy (solar solutions) as a viable solution to Nigeria’s electricity crisis.

The Imperium Platform was launched following the unveiling of the Nigerian electricity industry report entitled, “Powering Nigeria: How Solar Energy Can Become a Sustainable Electricity Alternative.”

The report was produced by Sterling Bank in partnership with Stears, a digital information company.

Dele Faseemo, Group Head, Renewable Energy at Sterling Bank, said in a statement issued by the bank that the Imperium Platform seeks to provide clean and affordable energy solutions to interested customers while providing different financing options to customers purchasing the solution outright or paying for the installation and operation of the solution.

Faseemo explained that Sterling Bank, in partnership with Stears Data, the data collection, analytics, and data access division of Stears, embarked on the study to tackle the problem of providing solar energy in the country.

The report showed that despite the privatization of Nigeria’s electricity industry, the country still has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, as 43 percent of its population has no access to grid electricity, an indication that 85 million Nigerians are not connected to – and cannot receive electricity from – the Nigerian transmission grid.

He said the Imperium would provide a range of purchase options to consumers because solar energy solutions are not one-size-fits-all, so purchasing options should not be either.

According to him, Sterling Bank employs several purchase models to provide renewable energy solutions for its customers. This ensures that customers with different needs and purchase abilities can access solar energy solutions.

He listed the options to include outright purchase, lease to own, and power as a service. Using outright purchase as an example, he said that energy consumers could purchase products directly from vendors via the Imperium Platform, a dedicated e-commerce platform hosted by Sterling Bank.

In lease to own, Imperium provides financing at competitive interest rates for consumers with good credit scores or clean credit checks who are keen to own the assets. Under power as a service, Imperium offers fixed monthly energy-charge options to consumers, but the underlying assets are owned by Imperium as it (Imperium) purchases and owns the assets.

This saves clients huge capital outlay and maintenance worries, while the monthly energy charge is based on the capacity deployed.

In this regard, the bank has recently partnered with the Nike Art Gallery to install solar panels at the gallery via the bank’s Imperium outlet as part of its commitment to a renewable energy-powered Nigeria and the development of the nation’s tourism sector.

The development is a sequel to recent partnerships with the gallery to drive an appreciation and spotlight the investment opportunities available in Nigeria’s arts and tourism sectors.

The Nike Art Gallery, owned by Chief Nike Okundaye, is one of the largest of its kind in the West African sub-region, with a collection of about 8,000 diverse artworks from various Nigerian artists.

Another Nollywood Actor, Osmond Gbadebo, Dies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Osmond Gbadebo

By Akinwale Kasali

Osmond Gbadebo, a Nollywood Actor of Yoruba genre  is dead. He died  Monday night, May 30, 2022.

The circumstances of his death was still sketchy as the time of filing  this report.

The actor cum Movie Producer, Production Manager, Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer, Osmond Communications, was in his 30s before his sudden death.

Yoruba actress, Fausat Abeni, popularly known as Madam Saje, was among the first mourners late Monday.

The veteran actress shared an image of a burning candle on her Instagram page with the caption, “Goodnight Osmond,” accompanied by crying emojis.

Nollywood stars such as Yomi Fabiyi, Adeniyi Johnson, and others took to their Instagram pages to mourn the late actor.

Fabiyi wrote, “So so sad and a deep painful loss, Osmond Gbadebo. You are a fighter and sad to say you have gone to rest. Ever jovial, ever supportive and ever friendly. Rest in peace and power.”

Johnson wrote on his Instagram page, “This hits differently that I can’t even post your picture. Every soul around us knows I love you. How I wish…”

Ibironke Ojo-Anthony, popularly known as Ronke Oshodi Oke wrote, “It’s very hard for me to say goodnight, Gbadebo Osunmo, but God knows the best. RIP my darling friend.”

The month of May has been a sorrowful month for the Make-Believe Industry in Nigeria popularly known as Nollywood. The industry has lost a number of its good artist.

First, it was Chinedu Bernard, an upcoming actress that died in Enugu State. While the entertainment industry mourned Chinedu, it was dealt another blow as up-and-coming actress Francisca Choji’s death was announced.

Francisca’s body was found at Rayfield Resort hotel in Jos, Plateau State on May 1. Gabriel Ubah, the spokesperson of the Plateau state police who confirmed Choji’s demise said the fast-rising actress was found floating in the water at Rayfield Resort.

In the same week, on May 4, actor David Osagie, better known as Sir David, died after filming on set the previous day.

His death was announced by his colleague Ngozi Ezeh who noted that the actor was not sick.

Sir David was best known for his role as king. Some of his movies include My Sorrow My Pain, Agunna and Lost Battle.

Just a week after, Nollywood suffered yet another loss on Thursday, May 12 as veteran actor, Gbenga Richards was confirmed dead after battling an unknown ailment.

The once vibrant actor, who was a force to reckon with in the 1990s and early 2000s, according to reports, suffered from a series of ailments and raising money for his treatment became difficult because he had fallen on hard times.

Richards’ first appearance as an actor was to represent Nigeria with Hubert Ogunde at the Second World Black and African Festival of African Culture (FESTAC) in 1977.

He also featured in blockbuster movies like Sango, Mirror in the Sun, Betrayal by Love, Fighting Machine and a host of others.

Atiku On A Charm- Offensive; Visits Losers In PDP Presidential Race; VP Slot On The Cards B/w Wike, Anyim

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Atiku Abubakar Visis to Other Aspirants

By Adesina Soyooye

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Presidential candidate in the 2023 is on a charm – offensive.

Atiku began barely 48 hours after he clinched the ticket at the Primaries held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, May 28, 2022. With a comfortable  371 votes, he defeated 12 others after the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, stepped down for him. The National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, on an apparent thank you visit to Tambuwal, hailed him as the “hero of the Convention.”

Atiku’s  closest rival was Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who scored a respectable 237 votes. Feeling betrayed by, especially, Southern Governors, Wike left the venue before the end of the Convention.

Atiku, however, began fence-mending for a united front in order to defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the 2023 Presidential polls.

His first port of call, with his entourage, was Governor Wike’s Lodge in Abuja. After the visit, Atiku, who was a former Vice President and the 2019 PDP Presidential candidate, tweeted: “In continuation of my commitment to bring everyone on board in ensuring that the @officialPDPNig stands as one united, party, earlier today, I visited His  Excellency Gov Nyseom Wike at his Abuja residence. This is a continuous process. -AA”

From Wike’s House, he went to visit former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki who scored 70 votes.

He also tweeted:

“To unify our country Nigeria, we have to start with bringing every member of the  @OfficialPDPNig under the covering of the umbrella. My visit to @bukolasaraki not long ago underscores this commitment. More to follow. -AA.”

The Presidential candidate also visited another Presidential aspirant, Anyim Pius Anyim, who was a Senate President, and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

After meeting Anyim, Atiku tweeted:

“I was also at the residence of Senator Anyim Pius Anyim to pay him a courtesy visit and consult with him on strengthening the cohesion in our great party, @OfficialPDPNig. -AA #OneNigeria.”

With the Presidential Primaries out of the way, the attention is now focused on who Atiku’s running mate will be.

Two names have come up according to sources, Wike and Anyim.

Those rooting for Wike say he has made a lot of sacrifices for the Party, and did well at the Primaries.

However, those in favour of Anyim insist that the South-east should be given a feeling of belonging in the PDP, having not produced either the President or Vice President.

Consultations continue.

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