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U.S. Govt. Reassures Imo State Of Support Against COVID-19

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The Source
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Imo Covid Vaccination

The Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGibbon, has reassured the Government of Imo State of the U.S. Government’s continued support and assistance concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chargé gave the assurance when she visited the State to observe the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination exercise supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through its implementing partner, the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN).

At the Headquarters of Owerri Municipal Council, the venue of the vaccination exercise, CDA FitzGibbon reiterated the need for all eligible persons to come out and receive their vaccinations which are being offered free of charge.

She said doing so will not only keep the individuals safe but also protect their families and communities. She encouraged the people of Imo State to not be complacent despite the seeming relaxation of COVID-19 prevention protocols around the world, especially in the face of several variants circulating and potentially new and emerging variants.

The Chargé applauded those who presented themselves to get vaccinated and urged them to encourage members of their families and communities to do the same. The sooner a significant percentage of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19, the sooner we can end the pandemic and return to normal. She thanked healthcare workers for their tireless efforts in ensuring the vaccines get into the arms of eligible people in Imo State.

CDA FitzGibbon noted that the consistent and straightforward messaging in Imo State concerning COVID-19 vaccines is an excellent example of encouraging people to associate taking the vaccines with their personal and family wellbeing.

A stakeholder meeting with Imo State Government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners, and media executives, took place on the final day of the visit.

During the meeting, the Chargé and Governor Hope Uzodinma appealed to traditional and religious leaders to lead by example by taking the vaccines and spreading the message that the vaccines are safe, effective, and available, so members of congregations and communities who were hesitant before can now come out and take the vaccines as well.

During a question-and-answer interactive session, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Prosper Success, and the US-CDC Country Director, Dr. Mary Boyd, responded to issues around COVID-19 vaccines efficacy, safety, availability, and access in Imo State. They encouraged people with underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, immunocompromised states, and respiratory illnesses to get vaccinated against COVID-19 because they are more vulnerable to getting a severe illness or even death from Coronavirus.

The U.S. government is at the forefront of supporting the Government of Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, with approximately 25 million vaccine doses donated to date. In addition, US Government agencies and implementing partners are working with national and state governments to ensure access and uptake of the vaccines through advocacy, messaging, and technical and logistical support.

INEC Updates On 2023 Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu on Wednesday updated Nigerians on the commission’s preparations for next year general elections.

The commission has announced that the election will kick off with the presidential in February and ended in March with that of the Houses of Assembly.

Prof Yakubu disclosed in Abuja that only 1,390,519 Nigerians are eligible to vote in the 2023 general elections.

According to him, 45 percent of total registered voters in the country are invalid.

He said only 1,390,519 Nigerians have valid Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) across the country.

“This is a challenging development,” Yakubu said.

He also announced that only 10 of the 18 registered political parties have notified the commission of their primaries.

He urged the remaining parties to do the needful and for all the parties to strictly follow the electoral laws and other guidelines.

Ondo Governor’s Wife Fumes As Man Bathes Wife With Hot Water

By
Ayodele Oni
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Woman Bath with Hot Water by Husband

By Ayodele Oni

Wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has asked the State Agency Against Gender Based Violence to take over the case of a woman that was bathed with hot water by her husband.

The incident happened at Owo, country home of the Governor, when one Oluwaseun Ojo poured hot water on his wife, following minor disagreement.

Mrs Akeredu condemned the infliction of injury by the man and vowed that the culprit would face the wrath of the law.

“No act of domestic abuse, in whatever form is acceptable. It is a shameful act that cannot be justified under any guise.

“It is brutish, bestial and inhuman. Those who indulge in such heinous conduct do not deserve to dwell among humans.

“The spate of spousal violence in the country is disturbing and regrettable. It is recurring and requiring sterner actions.

“We still have in our hands the pains emanating from the unfortunate demise of the popular gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, whose unfortunate death was reportedly attributed to being physical abused by her spouse, another devious one has happened right under our nose.”

While describing the case as saddening, the First Lady of the State advised women to be wary of abusive tendencies in spouses, speak up against domestic violence and possibly quit harmful relationships instead of enduring and consequently dying.

“The narrative is both sad and sour. We cannot continue like this and just cannot afford inertia. Women should, at once, accept the fact that it is foolhardy to indulge abusive spouses to the detriment of one’s mental and physical health.

“Why die in an abusive marriage? Women should speak up against abuse and possibly walk out of deleterious relationships.

“Let me restate it unequivocally that Ondo State will not be a haven to abusers, irrespective of who is involved. In this instance, the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence (OSA- GBV) is already involved in the handling of the matter, and I can assure you that justice will surely be served.”

Afreximbank Supports Nigeria With $4bn To Tackle Food Crisis

By
James Orji
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By James Orji

Prof Benedict Oramah the President/Chairman of Afreximbank has disclosed that the bank has earmarked $4 billion to support food production and tackle commodity scarcity in Nigeria. The Afreximbank boss said the package is part of the Ukraine Crisis Adjustment Trade Financing Programme for Africa, UKAFPA launched in March.

Oramah disclosed this a virtual press conference on Tuesday, adding that the aid will assist Nigeria to deal with the current food crisis.

He spoke barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the release of 40,000 metric tonnes of grains from the Strategic Grains Reserve to help cushion the prevailing food shortage across the country.

The Afreximbank boss also statd that the bank will assist the country in the area of fuel importation, adding that Nigeria is not exempted from global economic crisis caused by covid 19 and recent Russian War against Ukraine.

According to him, “Nigeria is an African Union and Afreximbank member and should be able to access the facility as a member country. We supported fuel import and we are expanding that because there are urgent needs. There are discussions currently going on with regard to food also. We are supporting Nigeria.

“We are living in an unprecedented time. Since two years, the world has been going through major challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, which became a global challenge and crisis in the first quarter of 2020, is still raging.

“Again, early this year, the Ukraine crisis set in. The crisis was magnified by sanctions that have been placed and the fact that the war affects Ukraine in many other ways.

“Russia and Ukraine are the bread baskets of the world; they produce most of the world’s wheat, corn, corn flour, and a number of food items. The same thing applies to agro-chemical items, especially fertiliser. Africa is very dependent in all these. Many countries in Africa import most of their wheat and fertiliser from Russia and Ukraine.

“Tourism arrivals from Russia and Ukraine support economies of many African countries. So, with the war, and the sanctions that followed, all of a sudden, all these became threatened. So, the effect has been rising food prices and challenging economic situation. And there is indication that if this continues, the continent might run back into recession, ” Oramah said.
He also called on international development partners to assist the bank to raise $15 billion need to cushion economic crisis in Africa.
He said: “We use this opportunity to call on the international community to join us in this effort. This is really a call to action because we see, everyday, request from companies from various countries. We have made our own modest contribution; we are determined to do all we can, working with partners to deal with this urgent short-term demand.

“We have good relationship with the Arab world and all the big financial institutions. We have our institutions in Africa also, which we will approach to pull resources together. We also get support from European institutions. We also have structures to increase our capacity to be able to get more than $4 billion.”

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Muhammad Abubakar on Tuesday, informed journalists in Abuja that President Buhari directed the grains to be released to cushion the effects of rising prices of commodities, especially during the Easter and Ramadan period.

Abubakar said 12,000 metric tonnes of the grains would be released to the Ministry of Humanitarian, Disaster Management and Social Development for distribution.

The distribution, he said, would be done along the model used in early 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown, where FG distributed 70,000 metric tons of assorted food items across some states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “I’m here this afternoon as a result of summoning by His Excellency, Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari. He directed and approved the release of grains from our Strategic grain Reserve by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“This is to cushion the effect of some of the issues we are facing with high prices of commodities across the country and the festivities-Ramadan, Easter, Sallah-so that there will be a little cushion for the people during these festivities,” the minister said.

Opinion: Slandering Osinbajo With Dubious Parallelisms

By
James Orji
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By Prof Sola Adeyeye

Now that Professor Yemi Osinbajo has declared his interest in the Presidency, it is time to answer the simpletons drawing wrong parallels in history by comparing PYO’s putative intent (now turned declaration) to the sad parting of ways between Awolowo and Akintola. Such comparison is rooted in abject ignorance and malignant mischief. We must clear these scurrilous insinuations from  catawaulers whose sole intent is to dispense vicious calumny.

The confusionists conjuring these poor parallelisms go as far as invoking the name of Judas Isacariot to demonise those who have acted outside their own scripts. Clearly, such comparison is rooted in the unholy trinity of bad faith, ignorance and mischief.  In particular, to evoke Awolowo’s name to suffocate political space is a damnable perversion of history.

What are the salient and undeniable facts of history? Are the events from 1960 to 1963 congruent with those of today?

Did Akintola and Awolowo ever compete for the same elective post? When Awolowo wanted to be Premier of Western Region, did Akintola compete against him? Later, when Awolowo wanted to become Prime Minister, did Akintola seek the same office? In any case, did Awolowo ever stipulate that only he could aspire to any elective office on the ticket of the Action Group?

Did the Action Group crisis arise because of choking the political space via an undemocratic insistence that only Awolowo could compete for a particular elective office?

A fundamental difference between the Parliamentary System of Nigeria’s First Republic versus the subsequent Executive Presidential System is that no one was directly elected into the office of Premier. Whichever party won the majority in Parliament nominated the leader of Government.

As such, Akintola did not win a regional mandate to be Premier. He was elected unopposed to represent Ogbomoso Southeast Constituency in the Western House of Assembly. Only the Action Group could produce the Premier of Western Region. The Action Group nominated Akintola to the position of Premier which had been vacated when Awolowo chose to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.

In a parliamentary system, all that is required to remove a Premier was for him to either lose a vote of confidence in Parliament or to lose a vote of confidence of the  party that nominated him. Akintola lost the vote of confidence of the Action Group. Akintola refused to resign The case was taken to court all way to the Privy Council where it was ruled that Akintola lost.

ADEGBENRO should immediately have become Premier of Western Nigeria. It was a simple matter of Constitutional Procedure. Instead, the Federal Parliament, in cahoots with Akintola, made a retroactive law that nullified the supremacy of the ruling of the Privy Council!

For God’s sake, how has the untoward subversion of the Constitution to attain political power in 1962 now become synonymous with the declaration of interest to contest an elective office?

When did it become a norm in the politics of Nigeria, particularly the Yorubas, that aspiration to any elective office is a cardinal sin?

No matter how fierce the intra-party contestation might be, seeking nomination for the ticket of a party candidacy is a sibling rivalry. Such a rivalry is not strange to Yorubas; in most Yoruba communities, ascendancy to the throne of the ọba often involves rivalry among family members.

Although it is the party in power, the APC does not look as formidable as it did in 2015 when it tapped into widespread disaffection against the PDP to defeat the incumbent President. All members of the APC must accept the fact that their party is facing resentment such as the PDP faced in 2015. For this reason, APC aspirants must not inflict mortal wounds on each other before entering the contest against the candidates of other parties.

As Vice President to Buhari, Osinbajo cannot totally separate himself from whatever are the perceived shortcomings of Buhari’s Presidency. By the same token, Tinubu as National Leader of the APC, cannot totally absolve himself from the perceived failures of the APC Government. Whatever is good for the goose must be good for the gander! May God grant Osinbajo and Tinubu the exceptionalism to handle the nomination process with grace. Specifically, the APC must be spared the silly innuendos and slanderous snide remarks currently exuded by overzealous supporters of various aspirants.

Zealous support for any aspirant must not be stretched to the point of creating slanderous  parallels. Tinubu is not Awolowo. Osinbajo is not Akintola. In both cases, the differences are extremely glaring. Conjuring such parallelisms serves neither the aspirants nor the APC.

Oyo: Gov Makinde Has Turned PDP Leaders To Beggars

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Decamped Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftain AbdulRasheed Adebisi also known as Olopoeyan has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State of turning PDP leaders to beggars after helping him to become the chief executive officer of the state.

Few months ago, the former PDP chieftain had accused the governor of reneging on his promise to assist his children to secure plum job in the state when he becomes govrnor.

Olopoeyan who recently defected to the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP described the governor, a former ally as an ingrate who does not wish his followers well.

The ANPP chieftain who spoke at the event to welcome him to his new party regretted supporting Makinde to secure the govrnorship in 2015.

He said many supporters of the governor will still abandon the party.

According to him, “A lot of people are still going to join us from APC and PDP. The present governor is an ingrate, that is why God destroyed PDP during his time. The governor said he doesn’t want a godfather, but he has turned himself to a godfather.

” I have not seen it before where a governor will pick nomination forms himself and start distributing same to people. He has turned his followers to beggars.

“That’s why we are here and the people that own this party, they have money and power. If anybody fight us, we will fight back because we have a government of touts at the moment. We have left the party of poverty. PDP is on the verge of collapsing and if we don’t leave on time, it may collapse on us all, God forbid. God will fight for us and we will come out victorious.

“In 2015, there was no PDP in Oyo State, I started the party from the scratch, and we used it to make Seyi (Makinde) the governor. By the grace of God, we will use this new party to contest the election and emerge victorious at the governorship poll. We will also emerge victorious at the Senate and House of Representatives election by the grace of God.

“It is God that do things, this is our time, their own end has come. Put your mind at rest, we will emerge victorious by the grace of God,” Olopoeyan said.

Bloodshed: Northern Leaders Tell Buhari To Resign ‘immediately’

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Northern leaders, under the auspices of Northern Elders Forum has demanded the resignation, without further delay, of President Muhammadu Buhari over the state of insecurity in the country. This is not the first time the elders have demanded the president to leave office over his failure to rein in terrorism, banditry and other criminality that have led to killings across the country.

The call came as terrorists demanded the release of their top commanders arrested by securith agencies in exchange for passengers kidnapped two weeks ago after the criminals bombed an Abuja/ Kaduna train. The bandits, recently designated as terrorists by the federal government have also stepped up their activities in the north east in the past few days.

The terrorists who have in their custody women, children, students and others kidnapped in the aftermath  of the terror attack have also threatened to kill the abductees if their demands were not met.

The NEF spoke on Tuesday in a statement signed by the group’s spokesman Hakeem Baba Ahmed, warning that President Buhari has lost the war against insecurity.

The group said: “The administration of President Buhari does not appear to have answers to the challenges of security to which we are exposed. We cannot continue to live and die under the dictates of killers, kidnappers, rapists and sundry criminal groups that have deprived us of our rights to live in peace and security.

“Our Constitution has provisions for leaders to voluntarily step down if they are challenged by personal reasons or they prove incapable of leading.”

The group said the administration has lost track of security situation in the country, and so, has no reason to remain in office, adding that criminals have capitalised on the vacuum in leadership to unleash mayhem on Nigerians.

The group said it has become apparent that the Buhari administration has no capacity to deliver the country from the current security situation.

According to NEF, “It is now time for President Buhari to seriously consider that option, since his leadership has proved spectacularly incapable of providing security for Nigerians. Our Forum is aware of the weight of this advice, and it is also aware that we cannot continue to live under these conditions until 2023 when President Buhari’s term ends.

“Killers and other criminals appear to have sensed a paralysing vacuum at the highest levels of leadership, and they grow more confident and acquire more competence in subverting the State and our security.

“Nigerians have shed enough tears and blood without appropriate response from those with responsibilities to protect us.”

The group however warned persons making provocative comments ahead the 2023 general election to disintegration from doing so in order not to plunge the country into serious violence.
“There are also groups who deepen the concerns of Nigerians over the possibility of a safe and free campaign and conduct of the 2023 elections. Comments, which threaten that those parochial political demands must be met, rather than negotiated or processed through the democratic process threaten all Nigerians and hint at a wider space for violence in the run-up to the elections, and after it.

“These comments are unbecoming of elders, and they detract from the genuine and difficult search for good leaders who will be totally committed to a nation with very serious challenges.

“Our Forum re-commits to engagements and dialogue with all politicians and groups to seek the lowering of tensions and stresses, which represent threats to our democratic process. The Forum condoles with families who have lost members, and prays with those whose members are kidnapped that they will be re-united without further delay,” the NEF said.

Senate Warns Dstv Not To ‘Dare’ Nigerians With Price Hike

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Nigerian Senate has warned MultiChoice, the mother company of DStv not to go ahead with its plan tariff hike. The South African pay television firm has recently announced a hike in the price of its various bouquets.
The increase has been greeted with codemnations from Nigerians who are not happy with the Company’s decision to hike price every two years without corresponding improvement in the quality of its services.
But while speaking to the ad adhoc committee to look into the issue on Tuesday, Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate directed MultiChoice management to stay with the old price until the conclusion of investigation on the issue.
The Senate President warned the satellite television provider not to trample on the rights of consumers, noting that the Nigerian government has provided a good atmosphere for businesses to operate.
“No increase. And that is to say, don’t dare our country. No increase in tariffs. No operator should take us for granted. We mean business. We want you to be here. Nigeria always provides the climate for you to do your businesses, but don’t abuse the laws of our country,” Lawan said.
He said the National Assembly will do all in its powers to protect consumers from arbitrary price increase, adding that the Senate has a duty to protect Nigerians.
According to him, “Our consumers here are people who are innocent and we are prepared to protect them.
“When the legitimate interests of our people are threatened, we are supposed to ensure that we protect them.
“It has been the practice of many companies, especially foreign companies, operating in Nigeria to treat the Nigerian consumers of their products in a different way and manner that is not consistent with global best practices.”
Meanwhile while, the Central Bank of Nigeria has approved another South African firm, MTN to operate as Payment Service Banks.
In a statement, the telecommunications company said the apex bank approved in principle that MTN should joined other telecommunications providers in the country such as Glo, 9mobile to operate as a fintech.
“MTN Nigeria Communications PIc (MN Nigeria) announces the receipt of a letter dated 8 April 2022 from the CBN addressed to Momo PSB conveying final approval to commence operations.
“The date of commencement will be communicated to the CBN in accordance with its requirements.
“MTN Nigeria affirms its commitment towards the financial inclusion agenda of the CBN and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we are excited at this opportunity to support its fulfilment,” MTN said.

Osinbajo: Game-Changer?

By
The Source
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Osinbajo Declares

By Dan Abubakar

And all of a sudden the 2023 Presidential election race is taking on a different aspect –  from  the  mild irritation, then outright annoyance at the motley crowd of characters who seem to think that running for the presidency is a contest for a chieftaincy stool, driven by thoughts of the privileges the position confers rather than  a sacrificial opportunity to take on the immense challenges it presents. Indeed many of our aspirants even by their posturing alone had come to trivialise politics and make politicians, at least the present set, seem like an unserious bunch  at a time the nation is faced with grave difficulties.

Enter Prof Yemi Osinbajo, current vice president and  the political terrain is animated by the possibility of a new  narrative.

Pitching his cap into the ring this week, he appears to have provoked the ire of those with notions of entitlement to the presidency. Cheap shots of betrayal, mainly from the Tinubu camp, are being lobbed in his direction.

Much of it is of course nonsense  as you have to wonder how Tinubu could have made   a man who was already a professor of law at the time he served in Tinubu’s cabinet in Lagos. But in the dark art of politics, as Donald Trump reminds us, the big lie is a ready and surprisingly effective tool. Repeat it often enough and it would stick or at least sow doubts.

But no where is mischief more manifest than in the present attempts, promoted notably by a U.S -based  armchair know-all, to paint  Osinbajo as a raving religious fanatic out to conquer the world for the Redeemed Church!  It is a charge being amplified by political opponents who until now never saw the inside of a mosque or knew the direction of the east.

To respond to every one of such charges  is to distract from the needed conversation on the serious issues of the day quite apart from giving the purveyors undeserved attention. But publicity whether negative or positive is the oxygen of politics and the Osinbajo camp may secretly be delighted that their man has in such a short time become  the focus of attention, leaving the other political aspirants  at least in the APC, struggling for space.

It is clear why Osinbajo is getting such attention. First he does not belong to our run of the mill class of tired and jaded politicians who have little ambition  beyond serving self with the privileges, perquisites and ill-gotten gains of office. Politicians of such ilk are hostile to ideas and to any talk of programmes to implement in office. They are at home sowing conflict and division, manipulating tribe and religion.

And now comes Osinbajo with a rich pedigree and education who does not fit into their familiar categories,making them very uncomfortable.

He speaks of techpreneurs and creating a tech economy  to absorb a large segment of our youth population.  He speaks of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a decade and establishing the Nigeria of our dreams in a short time. He speaks of deploying the country’s immense resources “to birth the greatest black nation on earth”.

This may be just inspirational talk at the moment which fails to acknowledge the baleful legacy the next president has to inherit and which he will be constantly reminded, no matter how unfairly, he has been part of.  Indeed he would constantly face the challenge of drawing a fine line between his office and the position he held and his actual role for there is no running away from acknowledging the present anguish of Nigerians and the primary source, an administration many see as failing to address their pain.

Still when last did you hear a Nigerian leader speak to our hopes rather than drive our fears of a future even worse than the present?

There is no doubt Osinbajo has much work ahead if he is to clinch the APC nomination.

But to the extent that his entry into the race forces us to take a more critical look at the nature of our politics and the quality of aspirants to political positions, his candidacy seems poised to enjoy great traction and to elevate the political conversation.

Abubakar, a Political Analyst, wrote from Abuja

Anyim To Bayelsa PDP Delegates: I’ve The Knowledge, Experience, Capacity To Rescue Nigeria

By
The Source
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0
Anyim being welcome by Bayelsa Delegates

A frontline Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has said that the 2023 election presents a golden opportunity to rescue Nigeria from the doldrums.

And Anyim, former Senate President, said he is in a pole position to provide the country the quality leadership that will accomplish that onerous task.

Anyim spoke on Monday evening in Bayelsa State when he met with PDP delegates.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said Nigeria was at the crossroads.

“We are faced with many serious crises today,” he reiterated and warned that “if we fail to get it right in 2023, there will be trouble.”

“Our debt crisis today is scandalous. Our economy has become so unproductive and the Naira so valueless that if nothing is done urgently, before December, N1000 will be exchanging for $1,” he lamented.

Anyim, who said that the country needs someone with the requisite knowledge, capacity and competence to pull it back from the brink, told the delegates that he is that person.

“This is not a time to occupy office just to answer Mr President. This is a time to save Nigeria. It is a time to plan for the future. It is a time to rescue this country. If you partner with me, I know what to do. I have the knowledge, I have the experience and I have the capacity.

“I left the Senate at the age of 41. I became Senate President at 39. I have headed the secretariat of the presidency. Today, you find presidents battling with the National Assembly, but I have headed the NASS and I know how it works.

“I know how the rule of law works and how to give human rights the protection that democracy demands because I trained as a lawyer at the Masters level.

“I understand what the challenges are and have clarity on what it takes to make the country work again for all.

“I have no other country other than Nigeria. I know Nigeria well. All the schools I attended in this world are in Nigeria. I have never stayed outside this country for more than two weeks at a stretch. By the time I spend one week, I am itching to come back home. Nigeria is my home and I owe her a duty to ensure that things work.”

The frontline PDP aspirant who paid a courtesy call on the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, at Government House, Yenagoa, before proceeding to the PDP secretariat was accompanied by Chief Eze Duruiheoma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), immediate past Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and former Imo State PDP chairman, Dr Mohammed Adah Shuaibu, former PDP governorship aspirant in Kogi state who doubles as the Director of Mobilisation in the Anyim Campaign Organisation; Dr. Ferdinand Agu, former DG of NIMASA; Chief Callistus Anyanwu and Chief Felix Nnodim.

Talking about the raging issue of zoning, Anyim warned that the rules should not be changed in the middle of the game.

“One thing I know for sure is that democracy thrives on three certainties – the certainty of tenure, which is why it is defined in such a way that you know when to begin and when to end; certainty of structure, and the certainty of process. The process must be definite. You don’t change the rule midway. You don’t shift the goalpost midway. Once you breach any of these rules, you have aborted democracy.

“This is the issue that faces us today. Our party has zoning principle clearly stated in our Constitution. Now it is the turn of the some people and you think that because you have the might, you can manipulate the process. It will not work.”

Anyim recalled that it was the same sleight of the hand that cost the PDP power in 2015.

“It is the blackmail and manipulations against the Jonathan government that plunged us into this darkness and the same people are again moving around trying to manipulate the process once more to plunge us into deeper darkness. We will not allow it,” the frontline aspirant vowed.

“There is no zone in this country that is not in a position to produce capable people that can govern Nigeria. And if we are talking about the Southeast and the capacity of those aspiring to govern this country, I challenge any other aspirant to place his curriculum vitae on the table beside mine.

“And I dare say that in terms of competence, capacity, hard work, training, whatever it is, I am over and above any other person running for the presidency in this election circle.”

Anyim, who described himself as a son of the soil said President Goodluck Jonathan gave him his biggest break in public service and for that he remains indebted not only to him but the good people of Bayelsa.

Narrating how he became the SGF, he said: “One day, somebody called me and said that the new President wanted to see me and I quickly rushed to Aso Rock to see him and he said he wanted to consult with me.

“It is my desire to get a Secretary to the Government of the Federation from the Southeast who will help me run the administration and from all the suggestions before me, you are the one the cap fits and I wanted to know whether you will accept to do this job,” he quoted Jonathan as saying.

His response was simple: “I said, you are the President of Nigeria and anything you want me to do, I will do.”

And the next day, his name was announced as the SGF.

Anyim said he will remain eternally grateful for that.

“Today, the real bright spot in my CV after my Senate Presidency is my experience as the SGF. My history will be incomplete without that record. If today, I am talking about my capacity to run Nigeria, if actually you were to screen those who have cognate experience, I am the one because I headed the secretariat of the presidency for four years and that gave me the cognate experience to run the Presidency of Nigeria.

“I have, therefore, come home to thank the people of Bayelsa for that. This is the first State I am visiting in the South. I said before I go to any other State, I must first go to my second home.

“Before I embarked on this journey, I went to my boss, my mentor, the former President, and said ‘Sir, I am setting out on this journey, do I go or not?’ He said I should go.

“So, I am asking the people of Bayelsa that gave me the cognate experience to send me again to go and continue the work our dear former President Goodluck Jonathan started. You and I agree that he hasn’t finished the work that God has called him to do in Nigeria and there is no other person that can continue that work, improve on that work, finish that work and deliver to Nigerians the peace that has eluded them since he left that office than me. That is what I have come to seek your permission to do.

“The only thing I am asking for is that the Work God used our boss to start is not completed. Send me to go and not only continue with the good work but to complete it.

“There were specific targets we planned and had already processed but because we could not return for a second term, we couldn’t execute those plans. Those plans should not be allowed to die. We have to resurrect and perfect them.

“We had already set this country on a path of progress, peace and development before some people came and through blackmail, and all manner of manipulations, the second term of President Goodluck Jonathan was scuttled. And now the country is in trouble.

“Let me go back and continue from where we stopped. There were many plans which we thought we will execute in our second term and one of them was a deep seaport in Bayelsa.

It was also our plan to ensure that all oil companies not only have their headquarters in Bayelsa but also to build an oil city just like the Centenary City we also proposed in Abuja.

“Others may send delegates or their agents to come and talk to you but I have to be here in person so that I will give you my word and you can count on me. Join hands with me so that together we can rescue this country.

“With you as my partners, continuing from where we stopped in 2015, Nigeria will know peace once again, Nigeria will know progress and assume its proper place in the comity of nations.”

The Bayelsa PDP chairman, Mr Solomon Agwanana, led other delegates including former Senator, Emmanuel Diffa, and members of the State House of Assembly in welcoming Anyim.

In his remarks, Agwanana, who said that APC was not a political party, assured Anyim of support.

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