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2023 Presidency: Orji Kalu Backs Senate President Lawan, Quits Race; Picks Senate Form

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Orji Uzor Kalu and Ahmed Lawan

By Adesina Soyooye

In an about-turn, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has decided not to back any Presidential aspirant from the South East, South West or South South.

Orji who has officially quit the Presidential race, and picked the Senatorial aspiration form, said he decided to back “his roommate and boss,” Senate President Ahmed Lawan because he is from the North East. He identified the North East as the only Zone, aside from the South East which has not produced Nigeria’s President.

Explaining why he quit the Presidential race, Kalu said it was because neither the APC nor the PDP zoned the Presidential seat to the South East.

On why he decided to go back to the Senate, he said in a statement he released in Abuja on Monday that he wanted to complete the job he started in the Senate for his constituency, Abia North.

Kalu: “I have also picked ticket to run for Abia North Senatorial zone to complete the good work I started in Abia North.

“I congratulate my friend, former roommate and boss , Sen. Ahmad Lawan, as he picks form to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under our great party, APC.

“I am most glad because he is from the North East , the only zone alongside South East that is yet to produce President of Nigeria.

“I have always maintained an unambiguous stand that for justice, equity and fairness in our country, the next President of Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari should come from the South East or the North East.

“I have also told Nigerians that I would only run for President if the two major political parties, APC and PDP zone their tickets to the South East.

“That is why I was disappointed with our Southern brothers who are talking about fairness and equity but has zero tolerance for the same fairness and equity in the South.

“In the absence of a South Easterner being President of Nigeria in 2023, I have my full support for a North Easterner.

“This is because it would be the closest to the equity, fairness and Justice everyone is talking about. It further means that the justice is on its way to the South East.

“I urge all my friends, allies and supporters in the APC to toe the line of justice by supporting Sen. Ahmad Lawan, a North Easterner for the presidential ticket of the APC.”

Until in the last few days, the South had taken it for granted that the APC had zoned the office of the President to the South.

2023: You Cannot Shave Jonathan’s Head In His Absence – Reno Omokri

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Reno Omokri

By Adesina Soyooye

A social and political critic, Reno Omokri, has mocked those who are castigating Jonathan or mocking him for allegedly picking the N100m Presidential Forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in order to run for the Presidential office in 2023.

Reacting to the news which broke out on Monday that Jonathan had defected to the APC, Reno told them in a tweet that they cannot shave Jonathan’s head in his absence.

He laughed at them for being easily manipulated, and told them to read in between the lines.

Omokri, a former Presidential Spokesman under Jonathan said for  him, two things are clear. He would continue to follow Jonathan. And  he would never be on the same page with the APC.

He said he was not in any dilemma over the news which on Monday spread like wild fire in a harmattan season.

Reno: “To those who think I am in a dilemma, just be patient. You will all be so disappointed with yourselves and your premature celebration when you see my next tweet.

“I am, after all, the #TableShaker!

“You guys are so easy to manipulate. They just yank your chain and you drink kunu.

“First of all, to whet your appetite, let me say that under the rain and under the sun, I will follow Jonathan.

“Secondly, I can’t ever be one with APC.

“Thirdly, nobody can shave HE @GEJonathan’s head in his absence. Read between the lines.”

A group of Northerners, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, had on Monday,  purchased the forms for Jonathan, thus, sparking the viral news that Jonathan has defected to the APC.

However, Jonathan has vehemently denied knowledge of the forms, or authorising that the firms be bought for him.

A statement released Monday night, and signed by his Media Adviser, Ike Eze,  said:

“It has come to the notice of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential  Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress (the APC), in his name.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.

“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in anyway, committed himself to this request.

“We thank the general public for their concern, as we continue to encourage citizens’ participation in the affairs of the country.”

2023: “I Have Been Insulted” – Jonathan; Denies Group Which Bought Him Presidential Forms

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By Akinwale Kasali

Dr Goodluck Jonathan, a former President of Nigeria, has reacted angrily to the purchasing of the N100m Presidential Forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for him by a Northern Group in his name.

In a statement signed on his behalf by his Spokesperson, Ike Eze, Jonathan said with his status, the very thought that somebody would surreptitiously buy the APC Presidential Form for him is insulting.

Said the statement: “Buying a Presidential form in the name of Dr Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person. The general public is, therefore, advised to disregard it.”

The news which not a few Nigerians found worrisome broke Monday evening that a group of Northerners had purchased the forms for Jonathan to contest the Presidency under the APC.

Paid into an APC Heritage bank account in two tranches of N70, 000m and N30m, the receipts of payment were flaunted before the Media.

The Social Media went “crazy” with the story, with many claiming that the former President has already defected to the APC, and declared interest to run, to the consternation  and embarrassment of his supporters, admirers and associates who felt the move was belittling.

But it turns out that Jonathan neither authorised the Group, nor had any knowledge of their provocative action which many now think was meant to embarrass him.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it. We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intention clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.”, said the statement.

It reads in full:

“It has come to our notice that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential  Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress APC, in the name of former  President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.

“We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.

“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in anyway, committed himself to this request.

“Buying a presidential aspiration form in the name Dr. Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person.

“The general public is therefore advised to disregard it.”

The speculation has been on for months that Jonathan was being positioned by the Powers-that-be in the North to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari. The attraction to him, it is said was to get back power for the North after Jonathan’s four years in office.

While not a few people doubted that the Jonathan they know will fall for that bait, the speculation was given a wing to fly when Dr Reuben Abati, former Jonathan’s Presidential spokesperson, posted that the former President was  set to join the race under the APC.

Abati’s post was not denied by Jonathan, which many felt was a mistake. The climax is the purchase of the forms on Monday by a Northern Group which this medium was told both shocked and embarrassed Dr Jonathan.

Jonathan was Nigeria’s President for six years. His second term bid was truncated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, propelled by unprecedented propaganda, and in connivance with most of Jonathan’s Party men from the North who desperately wanted power back to the North.

He has since become a global icon for the peaceful manner he handled his failure to secure a second term, especially, in the face of many provocations.

Shocking: Northern Group Picks APC Presidential Form For Jonathan

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By Gideon Njoku

Jonathan has not yet declared for the APC, and it is not yet known if the Northern Group which purchased the Presidential forms did so with his support and knowledge. But it would be a sight to behold to see Jonathan scramble for delegates’ votes with the many APC aspirants, most of them, his subordinates when he was President

In a move that has, at once, both confounded and shocked the Nation, a Northern Group, in the afternoon of Monday, May 9, picked the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group, according to a breaking story by Daily Trust, paid and picked the forms for the former President, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Jonathan has not yet defected from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC. It is not known, yet, if the Group picked the forms with the support and/or connivance of Jonathan.

But it comes on the same day the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and  the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipere Sylva, also picked forms and/or had it delivered to them by associates, thus registering their names in the already very crowded Presidential field.

Fulani Group and Jonathan Form Bank

It is not known if Jonathan will fall for the bait and accept the forms, but it will be a sight to behold if, and when, Jonathan stands and struggles for votes with other APC aspirants, many of them his subordinates when he was President.

Dr Jonathan was the President of Nigeria under the PDP from 2008- May 29, 2015. He was swept out of office by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2915. Before he became President, Jonathan was the Vice President under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, whose tenure he completed.

Before then, he was the Governor of Bayelsa State where he also served as Deputy Governor, all under the PDP.

How Amaechi Transferred Rivers $50m To Private Business – Wike; Says Tonye Cole Must Account For It

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By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused the Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, of transferring a whopping sum 50 million Dollars belonging to the State to the bank accounts of a privately owned company – Sahara Energy.

Wike alleged that Amaechi sold off Rivers State’s concerns – Turbines and Olympia Hotel – for the sum of $50 million Dollars, and transferred same to Sahara Energy which belongs to Tonye Cole. Wike, also, insisted that Cole is Amaechi’s business partner.

Cole is the consensus Governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 election. But Wike insists that Amaechi is planting Cole, his business partner, so that the two of them would sell the State.

The Governor  is a Presidential aspirant on the banner of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, just as Amaechi is also a Presidential aspirant under the APC.

However, Wike has sent a message to Cole over the $50m.

Speaking at St Cyprain Anglican Cathedral on Sunday, May 8, 2022, daring a Thanksgiving Service, Wike said whoever knows Cole should tell him that he must account for the money.

Speaking on Amaechi, Wike said: “You, Amaechi,  think you can sell this State? The former Governor thinks he can bring his business partner, after you have sold all our Gas Turbines, Olympia Hotel, collected our  $50 million cash.

“He, Cole, must account for the $50 million they took from our account. Whoever knows him should tell him. $50 million was taken from Rivers State Access Bank account and transferred to Sahara Energy account.

“And, I asked them what is the job you people did for Rivers State. Can I see the contract paper? Did you people loan us money?”

Wike who fought the battle for Amaechi to become Governor, was Amaechi’s Chief of Staff. But both of them have since fallen out very badly. They are no longer in the same party, as Amaechi has since defected to the APC.

Wike Invokes Thunder On Subjects

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Nyesom Wike in a Church

By Charles Igbo

“May thunder fire you and your ultimatum” – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was at his most ungubernatorial and  unpresidential state on Sunday May 8, 2022.

Blunt, not known to tolerate nonsense, brash and hardly suffers fools gladly, he invoked thunder on some of his subjects. It was inside a Church. And the irony of that, cursing in the house of God, was not lost on the congregation.

Wike was making a routine speech in Church as protocol demands, at times. At a point, he veered off, when he remembered his spat with a House of Representatives member, Farah Dagogo.

Dagogo incurred Wike’s anger when thugs disrupted  a screening exercise in Porthacourt to choose candidates for various elective positions in 2023. Wike put the blame on Dagogo. He said it was Dagogo who organized the thugs to disrupt the exercise.

When he accused Dagogo of complicity, he also declared him wanted, and ordered the Police to arrest him.

Dagogo, a Governorship aspirant, vehemently, denied the allegation. But that did not stop the Police from carrying out the Governor’s order.

24 hours later, Dagogo was arrested by the Police in an embarrassing manner. He was arrested at the venue of the Governorship Screening Exercise where he had gone to be screened.

Since then – eight days and counting –  he has been in Police custody.  Taken to Court, the Magistrate said his Court had no jurisdiction  over Dagogo’s case. Reports  say he has, allegedly, fallen sick in custody, and rushed to the hospital.

Since then, a number of people have asked Wike to get Dagogo released.

One of them is Dr Dakuku Peterside, a former Director General of NIMASA. He and his group gave Wike a 48-hour ultimatum to release Dagogo. That has since expired. Wike neither acknowledged their threat, nor has Peterside done anything. Then, there is Lady Anniko Briggs who, in an article, asked Wike to release Dagogo and urged the PDP to give Dagogo a chance to be screened as soon as  he is released. Wike ignored Briggs.

However, it was the 48-hour ultimatum given to him by the Ijaw National Congress, INC, to release Dagogo that got at Wike.

In his reaction to the INC ultimatum, Wike mocked them. He told INC members they didn’t know who they were dealing with. That they didn’t know who they were given ultimatum to, and just in case they forgot, it is Wike. He asked why they should fight Government. He said all they would have done was to come to him and Government and ask what happened.

“Thunder fire you and your ultimatum”, he thundered, to the obvious shock and amusement of the congregation.

Not a few people admit that Dagogo is rough and brash.” “He and Wike behave alike”, a source told this medium. But they also allege that Dagogo’s crime was going to purchase the Governorship aspiration forms, independent of Wike.

Alleged a source: You cannot purchase the forms without getting clearance from him.”

Both Wike and Dagogo, from the riverine area of the State, are of the same party – PDP.

35 Years After Passage: Ekiti Names Civic Centre After Awolowo

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Awolowo Ultra Modern Centre in Ekiti State

By Ayodele Oni

Thirty five years after his transition, the memory of the Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, continues to linger in the mind of people and government of Ekiti state.

Only on Monday, Governor Kayode Fayemi  named the recently inaugurated ultra modern Civic and Convention Centre, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, after the late sage.

The gesture, according to a release personally signed by Governor Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti is in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the death of the late Awolowo.

The Civic and Convention centre, which was commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) on October 14, 2021, is now to be known as Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, Ado-Ekiti.

This will not be the first ediffice to be named after the late politician. On its establishment, the state owned university was named after him before it was changed due to some political interest.

The Governor’s statement reads: “Today, as always, we remember and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo, GCFR, who was a founding father of our great country Nigeria, frontline nationalist, former Premier of the defunct Western Region, former Federal Commissioner for Finance, and one of the founding fathers of the progressive movement in Nigeria.

“In his lifetime, late Chief Awolowo demonstrated the finest ideals of the Yoruba Omoluabi in his personal life and public conduct, and bequeathed to us coming after him one of the greatest examples of a life of integrity, honour, and service.

“His vision and central philosophy of ‘Life More abundant, and Freedom for All’ remains the foundation upon which the ideology and practice of the progressive movement in Nigeria and beyond continues to build, while his teachings and writings remain a guide for the many public servants to this day.

“The government and people of Ekiti State are proud to be associated with the legacy of our dear late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and on this occasion of the 35th Anniversary of his demise.

“I am pleased to announce that in our modest way to further immortalize our dear legend, we are naming the recently commissioned Civic Centre in the state capital Ado-Ekiti as the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, from this day, Monday, May 9, 2022.

“The Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre from this day, shall be a memorial to all that her patron of blessed memory represents, and a reminder for us all to continue to strive to achieve the unfinished greatness that he lived for. May his memory remain blessed.”

Publish Names Of Voters Whose Registrations Were Cancelled – SDP Tells INEC

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By Ayodele Oni

The Social Democratic Party, (SDP) in Ekiti State has requested for the identities of prospective voters whose registration for voters card was not granted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

The party said in a statement on Monday in Ado Ekiti that names of such voters should be published to enable them know their voting status.

The commission had announced that about 40 percent of prospective voters that participated in the registration exercise carried out by the commission early this year, did not scale through.

Investigations revealed that as INEC officials commenced distribution of the permanent voters cards at the various wards in the state, some people could not get their cards.

INEC had blamed the mass cancellation on irregularities observed in their registration process.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Gani Salau on Monday in Ado Ekiti, urged the INEC to as a matter of urgency reveal the identities within the time frame that the electorate are supposed to collect the Permanent Voter Cards for the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The statement reads: “We are appealing to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mamoud  Yakub and Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr  Adeniran Tella and other officials concerned to make public names of prospective voters that have been cancelled due to the alleged irregularities.

“This will make it clear to all and sundry and put to rest the allegation of INEC connivance with the All Progressive Congress in the state that the PVCs were earlier collected in bulk.

“With this, those that their registration were cancelled will be known while those whose names are not there will be able to hold INEC responsible for the whereabout of their PVCs.

“Failure to do this within the time frame, we will not have other option than to hold INEC responsible.

“The Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State strongly demands from INEC to be free and fair to all political parties in the state which is one of the hallmarks of democracy.”

The image maker of the party had earlier alleged last week that notable stalwarts of the All Progressive Congress had been to the INEC office, along new Iyin road in Ado Ekiti to pack some voter cards allegedly to disenfranchise original owners and up till now, there has not been any official statement in contrary to the allegation.

Emefiele’s Presidential Bid: Court Refuses To Restrain INEC, AGF, To Appear May 12

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CBN Gov Emefiele

By Ayodele Oni

An attempt by the embattled Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, to get judicial interpretation of his status as a public servant or a political appointee, suffered a setback at the Federal High Court  in Abuja on Monday.

Emefiele was reported last week to have joined the presidential race when he was said to have picked the nomination form of the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

He later denied the move saying that he was still consulting, and the form was purchased for him by grateful farmers. He said he has rejected the forms, and would purchase same with his own money when he hears from God.

On Monday, the CBN Governor, through his Counsel, Mike Ozekhome approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek the interpretation as a public servant or a political appointee.

But, the court refused Emefiele’s request to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, who are parties in the suit from any move to  prevent him from his Presidential bid.

He had told the Court in Abuja that he can run for the post of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without resigning his position as the CBN Governor.

His Counsel, Mike Ozekhome, told the court that Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act as amended, 2022 does not affect him, being a public servant and not a political appointee.

The court in its ruling, however, summoned INEC, and AGF to appear before it on May 12, to show cause on why status quo antebellum, should not be granted to the CBN Governor.

Following widespread criticisms that greeted his purported obtaining nomination form to join presidential train on the ticket of the All Progressive Congress, (APC),  Emefiele had sought the court’s interpretation of section 84 (12) of the electoral act.

He also asked the court to declare him qualified to contest for the presidential post as part of the seven reliefs he sought in the suit.

Others are A DECLARATION that the Plaintiff can only be governed by or subject to the provisions of section 137(1) (g) and 318 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), which require a public officer seeking election into a political office to resign, withdraw or retire from his appointment at least 30 days to the presidential election, rather than by the provisions of section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 or the guidelines, rules, criteria, measures or conditions made by the plaintiffs political party or any political party,” read the court filing.

“A DECLARATION that the Plaintiff can validly participate in the primary election of a political party and is entitled to vote and be voted for as candidate of any political party of his choice for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for the election to the office of President or any other office under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“AN ORDER that the Plaintiff cannot be hindered, stopped or precluded from participating, voting or being voted for at the congress or convention of any political party of his choice for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for the election to the office of President or any other office under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the defendants whether by themselves, their agents, servants or privies or any legal representative from hindering, stopping or precluding the Plaintiff from participating, voting or being voted for at the congress or convention of any political party of his choice for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for the election to the office of the president or any other office under the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended).

One of the questions he posed before the court reads: “Whether the provisions of section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which are consistent with the provisions of section 137(1)(G) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which have been declared so by a competent court of jurisdiction can be relied upon by the defendants to disqualify the plaintiff from contesting election to the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or from contesting or participating in the parties’ primaries or convention or congress for the purpose of election to the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria scheduled for 25th February 2023.

Emefiele’s Power Gamble

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Godwin Emefiele

By Chris Odetayo

“Clearly, Emefiele is not doing all of these without the tacit approval of his superiors. Which leads one to ask where the drivers of this country intend to take it”

After issuing a garbled statement on Saturday, wherein he talked about awaiting God’s guidance in making a decision about contesting for the Presidency and that he will make his decision known in a few days, it turns out that what Godwin Emefiele is really waiting for is a court declaration of his right to contest for office while retaining his position as CBN Governor. The Punch reports today that Emefiele has briefed his lawyer to file a suit at the High Court on this matter.

What now seems clear is that there is a lot of rules-bending at the high levels of our government for nothing but politics. The National Assembly passed the Electoral Act which required all political appointees to resign before seeking any elected office. The Federal Attorney General openly disagreed with this requirement. Though the President ultimately signed it into law, some shadowy personalities went to court and got this clause abrogated from the law. The AG, who should ordinarily represent the interest of the Federation (inclusive of the NASS that passed the Act), openly declared that he will not appeal the judgement.

It is that judgement that has seen us where we are today – where every appointee of the Buhari administration remains in office while pursuing future electoral fortunes. A decent number of our Ministers remain in office while seeking to be President of Nigeria or Governor of their State. But while one can, at least, rationalize our politicians who are doing what politicians do best, where is the rationality behind the Governor of the Central Bank to be 1) a card carrying member of a political party and 2) to remain in office while chasing an elected office?

Four years ago, Adebayo Adelabu, a Deputy Governor of the CBN, resigned his position in order to pursue his goal of becoming the Governor of Oyo State. He did not try to game the system and Emefiele, as CBN Governor, did not ask him to remain in office while contesting for Oyo State Governor. So where is the precedence that Emefiele is relying on?

One of the reasons why our economy has always struggled is the moral incompetence of a serial number of Governors that have headed the CBN over time. Since I became aware of my environment, I have lived through 6 substantive CBN Governors. More than half of them contributed to destroying our economy while aiding and abetting thieving leaders .

There was Abdulkadir Ahmed who served from 1982 to 1993. He turned the CBN into the personal vault of IBB and co. There was Paul Ogwuma (1993 – 1999) who helped to facilitate the rape of the country by Sani Abacha (from whom stolen monies continue to be discovered and recovered 25 years after). Then there was Joseph Sanusi (1999 – 2004) under whose leadership “round tripping” became the chief sustenance of many of our banks.

We got slight reprieves under Chukwumah Soludo (2004 – 2009)and Lamido Sanusi (2009 – 2014).

The last eight years under Emefiele has been nothing short of a disaster. The facts and records are there for anyone who is interested.

What is worse, apart from his abysmal performance, is how the CBN Governor has gambled away his moral and ethical authority in order to dabble into matters not of his concern. We have seen him visit footballers in foreign lands and make donations and promises to them. We have witnessed him visiting factories and farms like a Minister. We have watched as he openly declared himself ready for a street fight. How low can we go further?

Clearly, Emefiele is not doing all of these without the tacit approval of his superiors. Which leads one to ask where the drivers of this country intend to take it. We are so low it’s impossible to think we can sink deeper. Yet, that seems to be the aim – to drag this country deeper into the abyss. Power, more than the health, well being and progress of this country, is driving everything we are witnessing today. Such a crying shame!!!