We Cannot Be Blackmailed – PDP To Buhari, APC; Your Govt Insensitive

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March 23, 2022

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says that it will neither be intimidated, nor blackmailed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government, nor the All Progressives Congress, APC, into abandoning the people.

The Party also said no intimidation or blackmail can stop it from pointing out the unprecedented sufferings of the Nigerians under the APC Government, and asking President Buhari to sit up or ship out.

The PDP, in a statement on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, was reacting to the accusation by the Buhari Government and the APC, that the PDP was planning to destabilise the country.

In what is turning out to be a war of words between the two main political parties, the APC had reacted to PDP’s earlier allegation that Buhari and his Government have abandoned Nigerians to their fate in the face of biting fuel crisis, food crisis and power crisis. It had accused them of insensitivity and said the President is absent from duty.

But in response, the Buhari Government and the APC strongly accused the main opposition party of planning to destabilise the country.

However, in a strong denial of the APC allegation, the PDP said that the allegation should be the other way round. “If there is anybody seeking to destabilize our nation, it is the sinking, confused and discomfited APC that is clutching to straws and making unguarded statements including boasting that ‘heavens will not fall’ over its refusal to address the lingering fuel crisis”, the PDP said.

Following is the full text of the Statement by the PDP where it again, accused the APC and the Buhari Presidency of insensitivity.

You Are Afraid of Your Own Shadows, PDP Replies Buhari, APC

…Says It Will Not Succumb to Blackmail

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are running from their shadows and haunted by their failures in governance.

“PDP’s position is predicated on the outburst by the Buhari Presidency on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 against our Party for asking President Muhammadu Buhari to address the lingering fuel crisis and cautioning that the unrelenting culture of arrogance, impunity, suppression and corruption by the APC administration was akin to “kneeling on the necks of Nigerians.”

“From the outburst of the Buhari Presidency, Nigerians now realize that the APC administration does not care about the suffering, agony and life discounting experiences encountered by our citizens daily as a result of APC’s thoughtless and inhumane policies.

“If there is anybody seeking to destabilize our nation, it is the sinking, confused and discomfited APC that is clutching to straws and making unguarded statements including boasting that “heavens will not fall” over its refusal to address the lingering fuel crisis.

“The APC administration is afraid because its corruption, impunity and recklessness which are responsible for the biting petrol and diesel crisis, collapsed national grid, distressed aviation sector, plummeting currency and near collapse of the production and service sectors of the economy are being exposed by the PDP.

“APC is afraid of Nigerians for bungling the once thriving $550 billion economy (largest in Africa and 26th globally) handed over to it by the PDP in 2015 and reducing our nation to the poverty capital of the world where over 80 million citizens, according to official reports, can no longer afford their daily meals and other basic necessities of life.

“Why would the APC not be afraid of the people when it opened our nation to terrorists and bandits who it reportedly imported from neighbouring countries in 2015 to help APC muscle and rig the elections, after which APC leaders failed to honour their deal to pay the said mercenaries for the heinous ‘services’ they were contracted to provide against Nigerians by the APC?

“The APC is uncomfortable, having been indicted for human rights violations including reported cases of extra-judicial killings, torture, illegal arrests, detentions and other atrocious acts as contained in the June 2021 report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“Moreover, in stating that the October, 2020 peaceful EndSARS protest by Nigerian youths signified “murder, mayhem, mass destruction, even cannibalism”, the APC administration has confirmed reports of its complicity and approval of the violent attacks and gruesome massacre of innocent youths at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

“Such stance on the EndSARS peaceful protest by our youths also questions the sincerity of President Buhari’s description of the protest as “genuine concerns and agitation by Nigerians”. The renewed negative tagging therefore appears to be a design by the APC to frame our youths for another onslaught.

“The PDP holds that the EndSARS peaceful protest signifies the resilience of Nigerian youths against injustice, suppression and insensitive system being foisted on our nation by the APC administration. Our Party therefore cautions the APC to perish the thought of venting its frustration on the PDP and Nigerian youths.

“It is often said that a bad workman complains about his tools; but a hopelessly irredeemable one (which the APC is) complains about others.

“The APC must know that the PDP is back. Our Party stands with the people and will never be deterred from exposing APC’s atrocities and fighting for the wellbeing of Nigerians as we march towards 2023 to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from the misrule of the APC.”

Nnamdi Kanu: Obiozor, Our Ally; Will Fish Out Those Who Bombed His House

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 23, 2022

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By Adesina Soyooye

The detained Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has decried the bombing of the country home of Professor George Obiozor, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Obiozor’s House in his Awo-Omanma, Imo State community, in one of the most cruel acts perpetrated since insecurity engulfed the South-east, was bombed by hoodlums on Saturday, March 19, 2021.

The callous act sparked outrage within and outside Imo State. While the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma blamed politicians, President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement said Obiozor does not deserve the wicked act.

Not a few people pointed accusing fingers at IPOB/ESN, but the Organisation vehemently denied any hand in it. However, a number of IPOB watchers insist it was likely carried out by a rogue faction of IPOB, which had threatened guerilla warfare in the South-east if Federal Security Agents do not pull out of the South-east within 72 hours from the day it issued the ultimatum.

Since the expiration of the ultimatum, March 15, 2022, insecurity in, especially, Imo State, has escalated.

To emphasise the non-complicity of IPOB in the bombing of Obiozor’s House, Kanu, according to one of his Counsels, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who visited him on Monday, March 21, at his detention facility, vowed that IPOB will never forgive those who bombed Obiozor’s House.

He said Obiozor was not their enemy, and has been instrumental to the behind- the-scene moves to release him from detention and stop his prosecution by the Federal Government. He also described Professor Obiozor as an ally, who, everyday of his Court appearance, sent a delegation to Abuja. Obiozor, he disclosed, had also made several attempts to visit him in detention, but was frustrated by Security Agents.

Prof George Obiozor - Ohanaeze President — **Prof George Obiozor**

Kanu, therefore, vowed that IPOB will never forgive the perpetrators, and would fish them out.

Following is the text of what Kanu said, as concerns Professor Obiozor, according to Ejiofor, in a statement he released on Monday, March 22, 2022.

“Onyendu ( Nnamdi Kanu) took sometime to express his anger and grave disapproval of the heinous act of destruction of the country home of the elder statesman and President General of Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Prof George Obiozor.

“He describes the said destruction as cowardly and barbaric and condemns it in very strong terms. He further describes it as uncharitable, noting that the said elder statesman has been in the vanguard of behind-the- scene endeavours, discussions and negotiations, all aimed at exploring and implementing the option of a political solution, as a parallel way of ending the prevailing state of affairs.

“He declares that the perpetrators of the heinous act shall not be forgiven and went ahead to direct that all persons who were in any way involved in committing the dastardly act be fished out forthwith.

“He reminds UMUCHINEKE (Biafrans) to be eternally conscious of several atrocities committed on our land by strangers whose primary objective is to destroy and plunder our land and then turn around to falsely accuse our people.

“He further notes that Prof Obiozor has been a commendable ally since his (Kanu) incarceration in June, 2021, and made the point that he is not an enemy of UMUCHINEKE.

“That being so, the elder statesman should be protected and encouraged for speaking up against the several multifaceted ills meted out both to him and to UMUCHINEKE as a whole.

“He further notes that the elder statesman has been instrumental to the regular presence which members of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo have shown in all the Court appearances of Onyendu.

“This socio-cultural group has steadfastly and consistently made Legal representation in the criminal proceedings pending against Onyendu at the Federal High Court Abuja.

“Onyendu remains appreciative and eternally grateful to that body for this commendable gesture.

Further, Onyendu points out that it was at the instance of Prof George Obiozor that a delegation of Igbo elders, led by a former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, consistently showed visible presence in all his appearances in court and has gone ahead on several occasions to attempt to pay him a visit at the DSS headquarters, which attempts were frustrated by the personnel of DSS.

“Onyendu warns that our elder statesmen should be protected at all times and that the monsters desecrating Igbo land should be fished out wherever they are and severely punished, in order to serve as a deterrent to their ilks.”

Edo Digitalizes Transport System

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Ayodele Oni

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March 22, 2022

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By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Government is set to bequeath a legacy of cashless and digitalised road transport network in the State.

The Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, made this known in Benin at a meeting with stakeholders in the road transport business in the state.

The stakeholders were invited to brainstorm on how the operators, especially bus drivers can key into the new regime of using newly constructed modern bus terminal.

The modern bus terminal, built in Benin, is said to be first of its kind in Nigeria and is due for commissioning soon.

According to the Deputy Governor, ” this is a one stop shop for commuters in the state. The park is complete with all the necessary modern facilities like shops, security post, fire service center, water, restaurants and designated areas for sales of spareparts for the buses.

“In fact, it will have regular light supply because it’s hooked up to Ossioma Power Plant.”

The park is expected to service both intra and inter-city commuters.

Shaibu pointed out that the park was supposed to be a joint effort between the state government and the two approved road transport unions in the state ( NURTW & RTEAN).

Unfortunately, he lamented that the unions failed in their own obligation, hence the state government’s resort to the private sector, using the PPP approach to build the park.

The deputy Governor said Edo state has remained a model among the 36 states, because it has scored first in different fields of human endeavours.

“As I speak, five states have come to under study our public transport system. We are proud to say it loud any where.

“We digitalised our public transport system and made it cashless about five years ago. We did not end it there, an executive Bill was sent to the House of Assembly so as to institutionalise it. Today, it has become law which we must all work with.”

He charged the stakeholders to make the new park work the way they have been operating the new law in the last five years, adding that more modern parks are under way across the state for the safely and comfort of commuters.

Stakeholders at the meeting were leaders of NURTW, RTEAN, MD of ECTS, MD of EDSTMA, Transport Ministry, Army(S&T Barracks), Chairman, ERS and Managers of Benin Central Park.

They all pledged their support for government’s efforts to modernise and sanitise the road transport system in the state.

It’s Fake; Federal Polytechnic Nekede Not Recruiting – Rector

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The Source

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March 22, 2022

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The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Dr Michael Arimanwa, has categorically stated that the institution is not conducting any form of recruitment. He, therefore, warned members of the public not to be misled by racketeers whose stock-in-trade is to deceive and extort innocent people.

The Rector sounded this note of warning in a release, which he personally signed on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in order to alert the public on the nefarious activities of internet fraudsters who go about scamming desperate members of the public with a utopian promise of a job at the polytechnic, when indeed there is no such thing going on in the institution.

A release signed on the Rectors behalf by his Special Assistant on Media, De Ugochukwu Iwuji, said that “The new method devised by these unscrupulous elements is to clone the social media accounts of public officers to offer fake jobs at a fee, warning the public to be wary of them.

In his words, the Rector further cautions: “I have only one Facebook account and I have not been requesting friendship, lately. Do not become a victim. If you are already friends with me on Facebook, kindly ignore any further invitation for friendship. If you are not already my friend on Facebook, please be diligent enough to confirm by phone call, SMS, Whatsapp or any other means that I am the one requesting friendship.”

Meanwhile, the Rector has asked security agencies to investigate those found culpable in cloning his Facebook account and seeking to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. Accordingly, the Poly boss has stated unequivocally that he neither sends friendship requests on Facebook nor demands money from anyone under any guise.

Moving forward, the Polytechnic helmsman stated that that employment in the institution is purely by merit when the time comes, and no one pays any fee for it. He also added that people should avoid anyone, however close to him, who requests money from them in order to be favoured with a job slot, describing them as rogue elements.

Invasion Of OAU By Protesting Traditionalists: Gov Akeredolu Says Ivory Tower Has Lost Its Glory

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Ayodele Oni

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March 22, 2022

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed sadness that the glory in the ivory tower has vanished.

Governor Akeredolu, a product of the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) was reacting to invasion of the University by traditionalists who are protesting non appointment of Indigene of Ile Ife as Vice Chancellor.

The Governor stated that “The appointment of the Vice Chancellor, an erstwhile rancour-free internal process, has now become a subject of not only intense politicking among the academics and their non-teaching counterparts.

“The process has, deplorably, been extended to the town with the attendant malcontents.

“The latest news on the invasion of the campus by some Ife indigenes and traditionalists, allegedly, to protest the failure by the authorities to appoint “an Ife indigene”, showcases the extent to which the system has sunk, almost irretrievably.

“This is, perhaps, symptomatic of the pervasive rot in the academia. This thoughtless, reckless and misguided step forebodes untoward occurrences in the future.

Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash — **Rotimi Akeredolu**

“A situation which sees totally extraneous elements to the university environment invade the serene ambience to offer support, presumably solicited and sponsored by those who may have lost out in the selection process, is lamentable.

“There can be no worse signs than these outward display of attitudes alien to the academia.

“There is bound to be this creepy feeling from all of us who have partaken of the glorious moments at that Fount of deep intellection and effervescent cultural expressions.

“To assert that we are disappointed is an understatement. All those responsible for this disgrace should be ashamed of themselves, and this is assuming they possess any sense of shame.

“This act should elicit the most strident condemnation from all good people. I condemn it without equivocation.

“Obafemi Awolowo University has been a pride of the South West Region since her foundation by the purposeful political leadership at that period.

“Her new status as a national institution notwithstanding, the people of this geo-political space possess this emotional attachment, traceable to the politics of her establishment, anchored on the vision for the redemption of a race from colonialism, its tendentious predilections and the attendant loss of identity.

“The motto of this great citadel is “For Learning and Culture”. Any attitude which detracts from this mission must be jettisoned and discouraged.

“The state of university education reflects the level of development in a society. A citadel of learning turned to a theatre for the most absurd display of inanities cannot contribute meaningfully to the advancement of any country.

“The collective pool of resources from the South West Region ensured the establishment of this beautiful university. The institution attracted the best from all over the world.

“Merit was the only yardstick necessary to undertake any venture and for inclusion in same. Capacity was pivotal in the building of the most beautiful campus on the Continent of Africa.

“Our founding fathers had a vision. They had a mission. They picked the best to fulfill these lofty dreams. The current absurdity represents a hope betrayed.

“The disturbing facts emanating from Ife over an appointment which is internal, almost entirely, reveal the depth of rot in that system.

“The intensity of campaign for an office which serious scholars declined to take in the past for the fear of distraction, gives a glimpse on the quality of research purportedly undertaken in most places in recent times. It is disheartening!

“This latest assault on intellection by elements who, ordinarily, should not have any business with that ambience is unsettling. The silence of the intellectuals in that university suggests complicity and connivance.

“The supervisory authorities should, as a matter of urgency, weigh in heavily on this strange phenomenon creeping into the university. A university should live up to its charter of establishment. Certificates are awarded on Character and Learning.

“The events of the last few days depict, clearly, that our universities seem interested in issues too distant from teaching and research.

“The painful reality which comes with the knowledge that our Great Ife has joined other erstwhile centres of excellence which deal with the burden of rapidly receding glory, is sad indeed.

“The fact that the ancestral home of the Yoruba is where this desecration takes place should goad our people to act fast before permanent damage is brought to bear on our collective psyche.

“If it is not enough to be a scholar and professor to be a Vice Chancellor, then we should stop looking elsewhere for reasons for the pervasive decadence in the country.

“The age of innocence is long gone. The Gown appears too eager to learn from the Town in many ways. The battle seems lost, irredeemably.

The glory has departed.”

Sanwo-Olu’s Nominee As Auditor General Confirmed By Lagos Assembly

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 22, 2022

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the nominee of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the substantive Auditor-General of the State.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, announced the confirmation following a voice vote by members of the House during Plenary.

Salami had, earlier, appeared before the Lawmakers for screening.

In another development, the Lagos State aAnti-corruption and Transparency Commission (amendment) bill 2022 scaled second reading on the floor of the House after which Speaker Obasa committed it to the Committee on Judiciary for further action.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) and Hon. Victor Akande, while contributing to the debate on the bill, commended their colleagues for acting responsively and responsibly.

The Committee on Judiciary is expected to present its report to the Assembly in a week.

Three Years After, Ekiti Police Command Rescues 15 Year-Old Girl From Abductors

By

Ayodele Oni

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March 22, 2022

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The suspects, Adewumi Ademiloye and, his mother, Felicia

By Ayodele Oni

A woman and her son are currently in the custody of Ekiti State Police Command over an alleged abduction and sexual molestation of a 15-year-old girl.

The suspects, Adewumi Ademiloye and, his mother, Felicia, allegedly abducted and sexually molestated the victim for three years.

Relations of the victim had been searching for her after she left home in March 2019 for an extra mural class in preparation for the West Africa Examination Council examination.

The Spokesman of the Police Command, Sunday Abutu, in a statement, explained that the teenager’s parents reported the case to the police, but all efforts to locate her proved abortive until a few days ago.

The statement explained:

“However, on 15/3/2022, that is, about three(3) years later, the victim’s mother received a credible information about her daughter’s whereabouts.

“She then alerted the Command’s Juvenile Welfare Center (JWC) of the State CID who then swung into action and traced the missing girl to the house of one Mrs Ademiloye Felicia.

“The victim was, immediately, rescued while Mrs Ademiloye Felicia and her son, Adewumi Ademiloye, were subsequently arrested for further investigation.

Abutu disclosed that investigations revealed that the victim was, allegedly, lured by Adewumi into his mother’s house and subsequently drugged.

The victim further told the Police that she could not go back home after consuming the drugs given to her and became a drug addict.

On sexual exploitation, the spokesman stated further, “According to the victim, Adewumi Ademiloye had series of sexual intercourse with her and has given her to different men on many occasions each time he does not have money who had sex with her and paid Adewumi Ademiloye an amount ranging from ten thousand naira (N10,000) to twenty thousand naira (N20,000).

“Further investigation revealed that the victim is about eight months pregnant, but has not been registered in any Heath Care Centre or visited any hospital for Antenatal Care.”

The Command said Adewumi has confessed to commiting the crime and would be charged to court alongside his mother for conspiracy to wit: abduction, rape and child exploitation.

Meanwhile, the victim has been taken to Ekiti State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Ado-Ekiti, for medical attention.

Soludo Hits Obiano

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The Source

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March 22, 2022

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By Charles Igbo

The uppercut was unexpected. It came too soon. And couldn’t have come at a worse time when for former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano.

A few days after he was sworn into office, the most popular Governor in the South-east today, Professor Charles Soludo has hit his predecessor, Obiano, hard. He did that publicly, on a National Television.

Speaking on Arise Television, Tuesday, March 22, Soludo summed up the state of the Treasury he met in the State as “funny.” Short of dismissing the Treasury as empty, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said it was better left undiscussed.

He said it was “pathetic.”

Soludo: “In terms of debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of Naira. In that of cash, we met about 300 million Naira, only.

“In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our Treasury is funny. But, I hope we shall make money, henceforth, to help us fulfill our promises for infrastructure and development of the State

“But in terms of what I met in our coffers, my brother, it’s pathetic. Please, let us not go there. God will help us.”

Not a few people see this as a further indictment of Obiano who is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

He was picked up at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, hours after he handed over to Soludo on March 17, 2022. He was on his way to Houston, Texas, USA. But the EFCC intercepted him, and wants him to explain how he spent billions of Naira which belonged to the State.

Even though he has been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, he has not been able to fulfill a couple of the conditions attached to it.

One of such conditions is that two Senators from his State would stand as Surties for him. Unfortunately, it is said, he was not in good terms with any of them while he was in office. They are Senators Stella Oduah, Uche Ekwunife and Ifeanyi Ubah.

However, many are of the view that Soludo should not have opened up on the state of the State’s Treasury. They say from Obiano’s claims, he spent much of Anambra’s money on Soludo’s campaign and election as Governor.

A couple of days before he left office, Obiano had declared: “Soludo is my project. He is my sole project.”

Said one of them who is trending on Whatsaap: “Part of the empty Treasury that Soludo is claiming he met is part of the loot that Obiano used to get him elected.

“If I were to advise him, I will tell him to look forward, never to look in the rear view mirror else, he will have a catastrophic accident.

“Soludo knowingly entered a bolekeja filled with thieves into Government House. He should close his mouth tight, and quietly swallow the bounty with the burden.”

2023: Jonathan Vindicated; Middle Belt Group Joins The Queue

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 22, 2022

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By Akinwale Kasali

Before he was denied a second term and hounded out of office by a well-choreographed and packaged propaganda, former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan made a statement which has, today, come true. It is words on marble.

He said Nigerians would know his worth after he leaves office. He has more than been vindicated.

From across the country, the chorus is that Jonathan should get back to office and complete his second term. Most of those who were part of the propaganda that hounded him out of office have since regretted. Some have apologized, publicly.

Joining the queue of those who are calling on Jonathan to get back to office is a Middle Belt Group. This followed that of a Group of Youths who said, a few days ago, that they would buy Jonathan’s nomination form, whichever Party he chooses to run under.

The Middle Belt Progressive Forum has, also, pledged to buy the 2023 Presidential nomination form for the former President under any party of his choice as soon as he breaks his prolonged silence to declare for the 2023 Presidential race.

In a press statement issued by the Convener of the Forum, Dr. Paul Agada, in Abuja, the Group highlighted that Jonathan had demonstrated the right temperament and disposition to lead Nigeria at the present time.

“Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a man of peace who has demonstrated in times past that he does not place his personal ambition over the peace and stability of the country. This rare quality has seen him gain recognition as a peacemaker and key negotiator in conflicts across the African continent.

“Jonathan is fondly remembered for the establishment of much needed Federal Universities in Lokoja and Lafia in Kogi and Nasarawa States respectively. Also, he approved the release of N30 billion from the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme fund to finance the Loko-Oweto Bridge project to link Benue and Nasarawa States, a project that has now been completed by the current administration.”

“Other key programmes of the Jonathan administration like the Agricultural Transformation Agenda and YouWin helped to improve agriculture and create jobs for youths in the region.

“The Middle Belt Progressive Forum has a robust membership spread across the states of the Middle Belt and the country at large and we have agreed that former President Goodluck Jonathan stands heads and shoulders in terms of experience and capacity above all the numerous aspirants jostling for the tickets of various parties hence our resolve to purchase the nomination form of whichever party he chooses”.

The Group said the prolonged silence of Jonathan is worrisome, urging him

to declare his intention without further delay.

It added that it has trust in the leadership of the Otuoke, Bayelsa State born educationist turned- politician.

“We hereby urge him to heed the call of the Middle Belt Progressive Forum and teeming millions of Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora without further delay,” he added.

However, a source close to Jonathan told this magazine: ” Dr Jonathan is not interested. He is enjoying his peace. He is enjoying being a continental and world statesman, and he is busy with his Foundation.”

APC Chairman: Adamu, Omisore Divides Party Ahead Convention

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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March 22, 2022

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The rift in the APC has deepened over the decision of the Senate APC Caucus refusal to back Senator Abdullahi Adamu for the position of National Chairman of the party. Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa state is believed to be President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s preferred candidate in the party’s national convention coming up on Saturday, March 26.

The president had cut short his medical trip in London to attend the convention coming up this weekend in Abuja, the nation’s capital. He was supposed to be in the United Kingdom, UK for two weeks, according to the information earlier released by the presidency, but had to rush back to Nigeria, in what watchers of the party described as his last minute push to ensure that Adamu is the party’s consensus candidate for the top position.

Feelers that the president is pushing seriously for Adamu had emerged on Monday after one of the aspirants, Ali modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State decided to step down from the contest. Also, Dr Sani Shinkafi another aspirants announced his withdrawal from the race yesterday, citing the need to respect the decision of the party to zone the position to the North Central.

From all indications, Senator Adamu will now have to square up with his successor in Nasarawa state, ex Governor Tanko Almakura who seemed to be pressing on with his ambition to lead the party despite Buhari’s alleged support for Adamu.

But it doesn’t seem the president has succeeded in reigning in the APC senators to support his candidate, despite earlier reports suggesing that they have thrown their weight behind Adamu who said last week that he will emerged victorious in the upcoming contest. It is however not also clear who the lawmakers are backing for the position, but sources told the magazine that it will not be difficult for Adamu to emerge on Saturday because the president has enlisted the governors to work for his emergence.

In a statement released on Monday by Senator Ajibola Basiru, the Chairman, Senate Committtee on Media and Public Affairs, the lawmakers said they are not backing any of the aspirants. They said their desires is for the strongest candidate to win.

Basiru said he’s “not aware that the APC senate caucus has adopted any senator for the position of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress. I know that three senators are contesting and there was no where or occasion when we took any decision to adopt any particular candidate.

“I will be very happy if any of them emerges as the APC national chairman on Saturday.The emergence of any of the three senators would be a good omen to our institution. Senators Abdullahi Adamu, Sani Musa and Tanko Al-Makura are in the race.”

Meanwhile, the APC in Osun State is also divided over the candidacy of Senator Iyiola Omisore for the position of National Secretary. Omisore, a former deputy governor of the state decamped to the party from the PDP ahead the governorship election in the state in 2018. But a faction of the party in the state led by a former governor and Minister of Interior said on Monday that Omisore’s nomination by the Governor Gboyega Oyetola led group is not acceptable to them.

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