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APC Crisis: Buni Out, Bello In

By
James Orji
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By James Orji

Governor Sani Bello of Niger state has taken over the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Party, APC. He took over on Monday following the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari and some governors under the banner of the party to replace the 21 months old care taker committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.

Governor Mai Mala Buni
Buni, Out As APC Chairman

Yekini Nabena, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party had earlier debunked reports on Sunday that President Buhari has approved the removal of Buni, who the magazine learnt is currently in Germany on a medical trip.

Also on Monday, the CECPC Secretary, Senator John Akpan Akpankudohede denied the removal of Buni.

The magazine learnt that the president gave the go ahead to remove Buni before he embarked on a medical trip to the United Kingdom, UK on Sunday.

But speaking on the issue earlier today Akpankudohede dismissed the leadership change as a rumour.

“Our attention has been drawn to sponsored media reports of an imaginary leadership change in the APC CECPC. The media report is fake news and should be disregarded.

“The APC is a progressive political party guided by rules. Leadership changes are not announced by ‘sources’ through name dropping in the media,” Akpankudohede said

The story however changed not long after the former senator spoke that Governor Bello arrived the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja where he was said to have president over a meeting of NEC.

Before he arrived the party’s secretariat, anti-riots policemen and other security operatives were said to have taken over to forestall any breach of peace.

“The presence of security men you observed at the secretariat was from the above to prevent any break down of law and order. Obviously, the presidency wanted to forestall any disorder in the nation’s capital due to the change of guard in the APC,” a source in the ruling party said.

Meanwhile, sources in the party told the magazine that the major reason while Governor Buni-led CECPC was changed may not be unconnected with his reluctance to conduct a National Convention.

Even though the party has now fixed the Convention for March 26, some leaders of the party had expressed fears that the CECPC was not prepared to go ahead with it, as Governor Buni and other members of his team were already contemplating moving it forward to a later date, various sources in the party said.

Recall that President Buhari had in an interview with a television station in January, warned that the party could lose power if it failed to put its acts together.

The president was particularly not happy with the sit tight attitude of Governor Buni, close to two years after his appointment as CECPC chairman, close sources said.

Meanwhile, it was learnt on Monday that the new APC leadership may request for more time to prepare for the National Convention.

Electoral Act 2022: Court Stops Buhari, Senate, House, Malami

By
The Source
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Court
The Law

By Gideon Njoku

An Abuja Federal High Court, has restrained anybody from tampering with the recently- signed into Law Amended Electoral  Act, 2022.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled in an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on  Monday, March 7, 2022. He stopped President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney General  of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN,  the Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives, from tampering with the newly amended Electoral Act 2022.

Ruling on the PDP application inyang agreed that the Electoral Act having become a valid law cannot be tampered with without following due process of law.

Ekwo was on the same page with the  Counsel to the PDP,  James Onoja, SAN, that the proper place to challenge the validity of any existing law is a Court of competent jurisdiction.

He, therefore, restrained  the defendants  from removing section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act or preventing it from being implemented for the purpose of the 2023 general elections.

He fixed further hearing on March 21, 2022.

The PDP had in the suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/247/2022 dragged the defendants, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to Court, over the plan to tampering with the already signed-into-law amended Electoral Act 2022.

Tinubu’s Presidential Endorsement: Arewa Youths Forum Distances North From Ganduje

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The leadership of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, led by Yerima Shettima has distanced itself from the endorsement of the Presidential aspiration of a chieftain of the  All Progressives Congress, APC,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

Shettima dismissed claims by Governor Ganduje that the North is backing the 2023 Presidential ambition of the former Lagos State Governor, stressing that the Kano State Governor  was not speaking for the entire North, rather, he was speaking for himself.

The AYCF leader said that the Governor can’t speak for the entire region, accusing him of pushing for his selfish interests.

According to Shettima: “Ganduje is entitled to his opinion, and probably he is just waking up from his dream. This is an expensive joke, and he knows it’s not true.

“Most of these guys believe that they can wake up and continue doing the same old things as regards politics; they believe that it’s what it was in the past.

“We know what happened and how he survived being a governor of Kano apart from the advantage of the incumbency from the ruling party that came together to work and ensure that they find a soft landing for him to get to where he is.

“So for this, he cannot be said to be speaking for the North. Lagos is different from the North. I wouldn’t blame him because most of them know that they are going into compulsory retirement in politics, so they can go to any length to say something that would ensure they remain to remain politically relevant.

“But you and I know that what he said is not true. We know how he managed the situation during Asiwaju’s birthday in Kano; we know what happened at the State House.

“Anybody can say anything today, but we all know it’s all about their personal interest, it’s not about talking the election is around the corner. Let them prove to Nigerians how popular they are among their constituencies.”

He added that it was not wrong for Governor Ganduje to endorse and pledge support for Tinubu, but it is morally wrong and an insult to the region for an individual to be speaking on its behalf when it wasn’t unanimously agreed or decided to back his candidature.

APC Crisis Deepens, As Police Take Over Secretariat; Secretary Debunks Sack Of Mai Buni

By
Akinwale Kasali
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APC Party
APC Party

By Akinwale Kasali

The Crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken a new twist.

The APC National Secretariat on Blantyre street, Abuja, has been sealed by Security Operatives. No reason has been adduced for this. But  the National Secretary of the Party, Dr James Akpanudoedehe, has debunked the story of the sack of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State as the  Chairman of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee

Akpanudoedehe described the report as fake news urging members of the public to disregard it.

He said:

“Our attention has been drawn to sponsored media reports on an imaginary leadership change in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). The media report is fake news and should be disregarded”

“The APC is a progressive political party guided by rules. Leadership changes are not announced by ‘sources’ through name- dropping in the media”

“We urge our teeming supporters, members and indeed the general public to remain calm and support the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC CECPC conduct a rancour-free and credible National Convention deserving of our great party”

It would be recalled that shortly before President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on his Two Weeks Medical Leave to London, United Kingdom, the strong rumour surfaced he  had signed that Mai Buni should be sacked as the caretaker Committee Chairman, of the APC.

Mala Buni who has been in the saddle for over a year was, allegedly, replaced by Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello as Sole Administrator pending the APC Convention scheduled to take place on  March 26, 2022.

The rumour was that the sack of Governor Buni were as a result of the inability of the Committee to hold a National Convention and the politicking that has been playing out since his acting in that capacity which further polarized the Party and plunged it into crisis.

The Yobe State Governor is presently out of the country. He travelled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on a medical trip.

Sources revealed to this news medium that

as at Sunday night that the Presidency and the APC governors were perturbed at Buni’s conduct and collusion with a few colleagues to undermine the interest of the APC.

“Buni as the caretaker Committee Chairman had been on a rollercoaster mission piloting the affairs of APC with no proper focus for almost two years after the former Chairman Adams Oshiomhole was fired through the courts,” a source  said.

He continued:

“Buni had, without end, failed to conduct the party’s convention after several postponements making the party to remain in an oscillating mode till date.

“The positive move he made as caretaker Committee Chairman was the party’s registration of members that almost led to a disaster.”

A faction of the APC Governors was alleged to have complained bitterly to the President that Buni was not inclined to holding the convention as rescheduled, because there were no preparations on the ground to indicate so.

Breaking: APC Rumbles As Govs, Malami Plot To Remove Buni

By
James Orji
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By James Orji

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has debunked reports that Mai Mala Buni, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee has been removed.

The development comes ahead of the APC National Convention slated for March 26, and President Muhammadu Buhari’s endorsement of Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa state as the next chairman of the party.

The president had made his choice of Adamu known to the party’s leadership before he travelled to London on Sunday on a medical trip.

Buni who is also the governor of Yobe state was appointed in June 2020 to lead the party, following the removal of former chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. The Yobe helmsman has been accused by many leaders in the party of sitting tight in the position.

In a statement of Monday, the CECPC Secretary, Senator John Akpan Akpankudohede denied the removal of Buni.

“Our attention has been drawn to sponsored media reports of an imaginary leadership change in the APC CECPC. The media report is fake news and should be disregarded.

“The APC is a progressive political party guided by rules. Leadership changes are not announced by ‘sources’ through name dropping in the media,” Akpankudohede said.

The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena had on Sunday warned some elements in the party who he accused of trying to organized the party’s NEC meeting today without the approval of Governor Buni.

Some APC Governors were said to have met on yesterday under the leadership of Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello with the aim of formally removing Buni who has been in the top position for two years.

After the meeting held at the instance of Governor Bello, the attendees were said to have fixed the meeting of the party’s NEC for Monday(today) “where the planned to changed members of the caretaker committee” a source at the meeting said told the magazine few minutes ago.

The magazine learnt that some APC governors who attended the meeting in Abuja included Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Simon Lalong of Plateau, and Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa states, respectively.

Apart from the governors, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was said to have attended the meeting convened by Governor Bello.

The magazine has yet to be informed whether the meeting will still take place today.

Nabena had in the statement accused Governor Bello of acting beyond his power as a member of the CECPC, adding that the plot will destroy the party except Bello is called to order by the president.

“I am using this medium to call on our leaders across the states to caution Governor Sani Bello of Niger state. The presidency should also call him to order to immediately drop the plan to convene a NEC meeting without the knowledge of Governor Mai Mala Buni and the Secretary of the CECPC.

“The likes of Governor Bello are the political vultures working against our party and to cause anarchy in the ruling APC.

“Governor Sani Bello is neither the Chairman nor Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee. So did he get the power to convey such meeting?

“Governor Bello should not destroy the ruling APC because of his personal political ambition of becoming Vice President or whatever in 2023,” the statement said.

CBN: After Osinbajo, Rewane Slams Apex Bank’s Forex Policies

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Financial guru Bismark Rewane has slammed the CBN for initiating various naira-dollar policies that have so far failed to achieve desired results.

Rewane, the chief executive of Financial Derivative and a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Advisory team said the Governor Godwin Emefiele-led CBN has so far failed to impress with policies churned out to stabilize the value of the naira.

He spoke barely four months after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the naira exchange rate set by the CBN is unrealistic. He advised Emefiele to have a ‘rethink’ over his forex management strategy.

“As for the exchange rate, I think we need to move our rates to [be] as reflective of the market as possible. This, in my own respective view, is the only way to improve supply.

“We can’t get new dollars into the system, where the exchange rate is artificially low. And everyone knows by how much our reserves can grow.

“I’m convinced that the demand management strategy currently being adopted by the CBN needs a rethink, and that is just my view.

“Anyway, all those are issues that when the CBN governor has time to address, he will be able to address in full”, Osinbajo said.

According to Rewane, the CBN has initiated at least four forex-targeted policies, in the last few months, with no tangible results. He mentioned the policies to include the Naira for dollar, import restrictions and scrapping of dollar sales to Bureau de Change, BDC.

Also, the apex bank had few days ago promised importers N65 for every dollar of non-oil export proceeds sold to third parties at the importers and exporters (I&E) window, as pressure continues to mount on the need to stop the free fall of the national currency to the US dollar. Naira was exchanged for N416 to the dollar at the official market and N514 at the parallel market at the close of business last week.

Godwin Emefiele
Emefiele’s Forex Policies Receive Knocks

According to a circular released by the CBN on February 25, the government bank said the N65 per dollar initiative was meant to serve as incentive to importers and exporters aimed at attracting $200 billion in foreign exchange earnings from non-oil exports proceeds within five years.

The apex bank said it expected more dollars to be repatriated to the country throw the window.

“The scheme shall pay N65 for every US$1 repatriated and sold at the I & E Window to Authorised Dealers and Banks (ADBs) for other thirty party use,” the circular said.

The CBN further stated that importers and exporters will be rewarded “N35 for every US$1 repatriated and sold into I&E for own use on eligible transactions only. However, the spread should not be more than 10 kobo.

“Payment of the incentive shall be made on quarterly basis. The accounts of exporters that qualify for rebates shall be credited latest one week after the end of the quarter.

“Exporters shall qualify for the rebates only, where repatriated export proceeds are sold at the Investors & Exporters Window (I&E).

“Eligible transactions that qualify for incentives under the scheme shall be export of finished and semi-finished goods wholly or partly processed or manufactured in Nigeria, except otherwise stated by the CBN; and export of goods and services (IT and creative businesses) that are permissible and excluded under existing export prohibition list”, the CBN said.

But speaking Rewane said the initiatives have failed to achieve results. For instance, the presidential adviser said the N65 per dollar will not attract those specifically targeted, adding that exporters will prefer to sell their dollar earnings at the parallel market to make huge profit.

He said the disparity in the exchange rate of the naira at the parallel and official market is too attractive to ignore.

“Will exporters be willing to give up N99 per dollar out of patriotism?” Rewane asked.

Edo: Obaseki Gives PDP Leaders Ultimatum

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo state has deepened  after the governor , Godwin Obaseki read a riot act to party members opposing his leadership. The state’s helmsman who has been in a running battle with some PDP leaders has now told his traducers in the party to accept him as the leader or be shown the way out.

Obaseki decamped from the All Progressives Congress, APC ahead the 2020 Governorship election, which he later won. He dumped his former party due to a protracted crisis of confidence between him and a former governor of the state and APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Since Obaseki won the election, it has been one problem or the other, to the extent that the governor was said to be contemplating leaving the party at a point.

The festering crisis took turn for the worst last October when the party in Ward 2, Etsako West Local Government Area, LGA suspended 10 members for alleged anti-party activities.

Most of the suspended members were staunch supporters of Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

The complaints by those angry in with the governor is that his leadership style is not acceptable to a slew of PDP leaders, who are now fighting to take their party back from Obaseki who they accused of hijacking the party.

But the governor has sent a strong message to his political enemies that they must accept his leadership or be shown the way out of the party.

Obaseki who spoke on Sunday during an expanded caucus meeting of leaders and members of the PDP in the state, said the constitution of the party bequeaths him with the leadership of the party in the state.

Based on the PDP constitution the governor said he will not “leave PDP. I will not decamp from the PDP; we will always win any election. PDP won in the last election and we will continue to win all elections in the state and country; nothing will stop us as a party.”

The governor warned those causing problems their action could affect the chances of the PDP in the forthcoming local government election in the state, adding that those behind the crisis are in the minority.

“There is no division in Edo PDP. Let the party be open to accommodate others. PDP is democratic. The hallmark of democracy is ensuring that the majority has their way, as the minority can’t dictate to the people.

“I heard that Chief Dan Orbih went around, saying there is no harmonization in Edo PDP. This is really irresponsible to say and an insult to members of the party, as the party has truly harmonised in the state”. Orbih is a former chairman of the party in the state.

Obaseki said further that “PDP in Edo State is harmonised because before we made any appointments in any ward, we made sure the party at that level was harmonised. We are gathered here now as election timetable is out; harmonisation has been done, appointments made and we are ready to win any election before us.”

The governor however sued for peace saying all factions must come together in the interest of the party. He noted that the number of registered PDP members has increased since he become governor.

According to him, “politics is not about fighting but dialogue and discussion. I urge us to collaborate and unite to move the party and state forward.

“These numbers are not fabricated as we have the data, pictures, emails and phone numbers of members of the party we have registered so far. You have broken records as this is the bastion of PDP in Nigeria. We have changed the face of politics in Nigeria.

“I didn’t give leaders any resources to mobilize them but rather they challenged themselves and achieved the goal to register more members in the state.

“Some people went around saying people should not join our party. No true party man will do that. Those that engaged in that are not true members of the party and don’t belong to Edo PDP. If not, they will not push people away from the party”, the governor said.

Uzodimma congratulates Archbishop Ugorji, Obinna

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has congratulated His Grace, Dr Lucius Ugorji, the new Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province following the voluntary retirement of His Grace, the His Grace, Dr Anthony JV Obinna.

Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi, Apostolic Nuncio (Representative of the Pope in Nigeria) announced the voluntary  retirement of Archbishop Obinna on Sunday at the ongoing 2022 First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja, indicating that Pope Francis had endorsed the new posting.

Bishop Ugorji was, before now. the Bishop of Umuahia Catholic Diocese and Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Mbaise Catholic Diocese.

Archbishop Ugooji’s translation to Owerri brings to an end the tenure of Archbishop Obinna who has been in that position since March 26, 1994.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Uzodinma, Oguwike Nwachuku, said the Governor described both Archbishops Ugorji and Obinna as two gentlemen and men of God who have distinguished themselves in God’s Vineyard, tending God’s flock in ways that would make them paradise-compliant.

The Governor specifically lauded the legacy that Archbishop Obinna is leaving behind in Owerri Catholic Diocese and noted that Archbishop Ugorji is capable of sustaining and even surpassing the good deeds of his successor by the special grace of God.

He observed that Owerri Catholic Diocese was lucky to have had a man like Archbishop Obinna mount the saddle for 28 years, insisting that those were years of fruitfulness and spiritual growth for both the Diocese and the parishioners.

While canvassing for prayer from parishioners for both Archbishops, Governor Uzodimma specifically prayed God to continue to sustain Archbishop Obinna in good health with sound mind so that he will be available to render the services he knows how best to the society, particularly the Body of Christ.

Governor Uzodimma said no time is best suited to pray for the duo than now that Christians are observing the Lenten period, insisting that God in His infinite  mercy will answer their prayers.

Owerri Catholic Archdiocese: Obinna Out, Ugorji, In

By
The Source
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0
His Grace, Anthony Obinna

By Charles Igbo

The long-serving Archbishop  of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace Archbishop Anthony Obinna, has retired. A native of Emekuku, Owerri North, Imo State, Obinna has held the position since 1994.

Appointed to replace Obinna  is the Archbishop of Umuahia,  His Grace Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.

His Holiness, Pope Francis,  approved  Obinna’s  voluntary retirement as the Archbishop of Owerri.

The Papal Nuncio conveyed the news of both the retirement of Obinna, and the appointment of Ugorji at the ongoing First 2022 Catholic Bishops Conference Of Nigeria ( CBCN) Plenary, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.

Archbishop Ugorji, a native of Naze, Owerri North, Imo State, was born on January 13, 1952. He was ordained a Priest on April 16, 1977, appointed a Bishop on April 2, 1990, and ordained the Bishop of Umuahia on July 1, 1990. He was, also, at the height of the Ahiara, Mbaise, Catholic Diocese crisis, appointed, the Administrator.

2023: PDP Denies Time Table, Says It Is Fake

By
The Source
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0

The National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has denied the release of any Time Table for the 2023 General Election.

A Time Table, signed by the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, surfaced Saturday, March 5, 2022. It itemised the program of activities for the election.

But in  statement on Sunday, March 6, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said the It is fake; that its National Organising Secretary signed no such press release; that what is in circulation is a product of mischief.

Following is the Ologunagba’s statement.

PDP Has Not Released Timetable for 2023 General Elections

“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a fake election timetable being circulated in the social media, purported to have been signed and released by the National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Umar M. Bature, as the Schedule of Activities and Timetable of the PDP for the 2023 general elections.

“The PDP states in clear terms that it is has NOT released any timetable or any schedule of activities whatsoever for the 2022/2023 electioneering year and no such document was signed and released by the National Organizing Secretary.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP is a Party of Due Process and will release a Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2022/2023 electioneering year after extensive consultation and approval by critical and statutory organs of the Party at appropriate levels.

“Clearly, the said Timetable and Schedule of Activities being circulated in the social media is the handiwork of mischievous elements who seeks to create confusion, mislead the public and distract our Party at this critical point in time.

“The PDP therefore calls on all members of our Party and the general public to discountenance the said Timetable and Schedule of Activities as it did not emanate from the PDP.

“At the appropriate time, the official Timetable and Schedule of Activities of the PDP, when approved will be formally announced and published through the Official Communication Channels of our Party and not in the social media.

“The PDP further calls on all members and Nigerians in general to remain focused and not allow themselves to be distracted in our determined mission to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

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