Chronic banks debtors have besieged the offices of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON to appeal to the management not to disgrace them by making their names public, The Source magazine has learnt.
The development followed the decision of AMCON to publish names of debtors owing banks over N4 . The debt recovery agency said it will now go ahead to publish close to 8000 names who bank debtors.
The corporation spokesman Jude Nwauzor, said the action became necessary after debtors refused to take advantage of the 30 days window provided to liquidate their debts.
The action is in furtherance of its powers to recover debt according to the extant laws covering debt recovery. Last year, the agency gave debtors 30 days ultimatum to pay their debt failure which it will be forced to make their identities public.
The ultimatum expired today January 5, 2022, and the magazine learnt that the many obligators have not made any serious effort to liquidate their debt.
“Our offices have suddenly become a beehive of activities to the powerful in the country who until now have ignored our directive to them to pay their debts. They are begging the agency not to shame them as this will affect their status in the business community and bring them to disrepute among friends and families,” a top source in AMCON said on Wednesday.
Recall that the Senate, last April passed the AMCON amendment bill which seeks to strengthen the agency in the area of loan recovery. The bill, among other things, conferred on the agency power to take possession, manage or sell all properties traced to debtors, and assets used as collateral by debtors.
Nwauzor said the last option for the agency is to publish the names of the debtors after they failed in their obligations, in line with powers conferred on it by the National Assembly.
He said the agency has “taken the decision to publish already. The decision has been taken already. It is a directive from the National Assembly,” he said.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, this was why we published an advertorial to warn all the entities concerned that their names will be published at the expiration of the ultimatum.
“The one-month grace period will be expiring on January 5, 2021.”
Ahmed Kuru, AMCON managing director said last year that it recovered N1.48 trillion from bank debtors, noting that the process of recovering loans in the country is slow, and that it will take a long period for the agency to recover huge debts owed by debtors who have failed to service their loans.
Kuru said, “at the recovery rate we are currently experiencing, we may not be able to cycle out even in the next five years. Additionally, the interest rate AMCON is shouldering on its bond to the CBN is making it difficult for the recovery rate to grow.
“There is no easy way to recover money, no easy way. It is always difficult for both sides. One doing a hard job and the other responding to a hard situation.
“Let us not forget that these loans have remained uncollected for minimum of 10-15 years. However, we have responsibility to collect and shall continue to pursue them within the purview of the law,” he said.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State had one serious request to make at the Stakeholders meeting he held at the Government House, Owerri, on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Speaking to the high profile audience, Uzodimma asked former Governor Rochas Okorocha, to leave him to do his job of Governing the State. “Allow me answer Governor”, he urged Uzodimma.
Apparently, the Governor sees Okorocha as a distraction. But, in spite of that, he promised Imolites that his “eyes will continuously be on the ball.”
In response, the people passed a vote of confidence in their Governor, convinced that he has performed creditably well in the face of daunting challenges
It was also an opportunity for the Governor to inform his audience that such challenges were not insurmountable.
Governor Uzodimma told former Governor Rochas Okorocha that it was high time he realised that he, Uzodimma, is now the Governor and should allow him answer the name.
The stakeholders meeting was the fifth in the series since Governor Uzodimma assumed the mantle of leadership in Imo State on January 15, 2020.
Giving account of his stewardship to the mammoth crowd of Imo people across party lines who filled the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, the Governor reiterated that he has remained committed to providing good governance to Imo people, but regretted that some elements from the State have been working underground to undermine his good intentions.
Rochas Okorocha
However, he said he was optimistic he cannot be distracted because, ” My eyes will continuously be on the ball.”
Governor Uzodimma’s report card to the Stakeholders covers all aspects of his programmes such as rejuvenated public sector workforce, the 2022 budget, road infrastructure, revenue generation, agriculture, tourism, housing, education, commerce and Industry, health, land administration, administration of justice/rule of law, social development, local government administration, youth empowerment and skills acquisition and security.
At the last count, according to a release by his Spokesman, Oguwike Nwachuku, 34 roads awarded by the Government of Governor Uzodimma have been completed and commissioned. 54 are undergoing construction, and 51 currently under massive maintenance while signing of contract for the award of new ones is ready.
Governor Uzodimma regretted the distortion of the Owerri Master plan which he said his administration has started recovering and advised those involved in the act, including those buying property from Government reserved areas, to desist as his Government will recover such property no matter who is involved.
He reported that the government has effectively taken over the Kingsley Mbadiwe University in Ogboko which was mishievously acquired by a former Governor as a private university after using public funds to do so while in office.
On health, the Governor lauded the efforts made to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Imo State and other interventions by his administration, including the rehabilitation of 305 health centres across the state, to ensure that Imo people live healthy, but warned that the Delta and Omicron variants of the pandemic requires that the people continue to observe all the protocols, including vaccination of the booster jab.
His words: “We have made giant strides in the health sector through the provision of basic medical services in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Health areas.”
According to the Governor, security has posed a lot of challenges to his administration, particularly after the illegal freeing of over 1800 inmates from the Owerri Correctional Services.
“The criminals released from the Correctional Services Centre reintegrated into the society and began to terrorise people in different parts of the state. People’s heads were chopped off at will and displayed at market squares as if they were ornaments for sale.
“However, while all these were going on, little did we know that there was a group of criminals who have advanced criminality to a cannibalistic level. This is the height of abomination in Igboland. The good news is that we have rounded up the criminals and they are now in the custody of the law enforcement authorities.”
Governor Uzodimma said that Government has repeatedly maintained that some of the security breaches were politically contrived and that the position was based on intelligence at the disposal of government.
“As the Igbo saying goes, when a child is crying and pointing at a particular direction, it is because either his father or mother is there.
“It is note worthy that this is based on the confessional statements and substantial evidence provided by the suspected criminals and cannibals who are now in custody.”
Governor Uzodimma pointedly told the Stakeholders to tell Okorocha to allow him do his work as Imo Governor because he is not the only former Governor of Imo State.
He once more sued for peace as the panacea for Imo to make progress and urged all to join hands with him to realise the Imo State of our dream.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of the event, Chief Leo-Stan Eke, who is the founder of Zinox Computers said Governor Uzodimma has done well for Imo.
He said rather than indulge in acts that would undermine and distract the Governor, Imo people should join hands with him to develop the state.
Eke said: “Let us not join hands to destroy the only state we have. Let us not be a laughing stock in the comity of states. Any man who is against his State or home is a fool. As we fight here, other economies outside are growing. There should be change of heart by those who are making Imo State ungovernable. What this stakeholders meeting to me signifies is a new beginning.”
To demonstrate his continuous love for Imo, Eke pledged to build and equip an ICT Centre in Owerri where lecturers, graduates and others would be properly trained to serve the society better.
Different personalities spoke to commend Governor Uzodimma for keeping to his promise to work for Imo despite all odds.
They include opposition political party member, Dan Nwanyanwu, who said Governor Uzodimma’s efforts at recovering property meant for Imo people has guaranteed him the support of all Imolites. He moved a motion for a vote of confidence in Governor Uzodimma which was seconded by Dr. Mrs. Dorathy Nnaji, Chairman of Imo State Chapter of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and supported by the Stakeholders.
Also, former speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Godfrey Dike said he scored Governor Uzodimma above 80 percent and proceeded to move another motion that the Stakeholders meeting becomes statutory and compulsory as a way of governments rendering account to the governed.
The Governor plans to send an executive bill to the House on that.
Dikeocha’s motion was seconded by House of Representatives member, Princess Miriam Onuoha and accordingly approved by the Stakeholders.
Other key Imo personalities who spoke include Onyeka Onwenu. She lauded Governor Uzodimma on infrastructure and level of commitment to duty without caring much about criticisms, but appealed to the Government to do more in the entertainment sector because of the potential it has to employ more youths.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, retired banker and member of the Imo Economic Summit Group, Dr. CNC Nwachukwu, Chief Greg Mbadiwe among others commended Governor Uzodimma for an outstanding performance within a short period in office and collectively sued for peace for the government to do more.
Ohakim, for instance, said Governor Uzodimma has been accepted by both Imo people and Nigerians and that the more than 90 percent recorded in the attendance at the Stakeholders meeting spoke eloquently of how extremely well the Governor has performed.
He said it is only in Imo that more than 50 percent of the people abuse their Governor and he takes it calmly even with all the powers available to him, saying that it is an indication that Governor Uzodimma is an exceptional human being.
“Anyone saying he will make Imo ungovernable is attacking all of us,” Chief Iwuanyanwu rounded off.
After raising tension and expectations in the State very high, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, disappointed.
It was an anti-climax.
A few days ago, the Governor had spit fire, literally. Angered by the insecurity in the State, he announced he would name those behind it. He said he would expose them by naming and shaming them.
He gave the date he would do that as January 3, 2022. He was to shift it to January 4, 2022.
Tension was raised high. And, so were expectations, especially, as 24 hours earlier, a statement signed by his Spokesperson, Oguwike Nwachuku, more than hinted those the Governor was likely to name.
Earlier before Nwachuku, Commissioner for Information, Declan Mbadiwe, at a Press conference, had insisted the Governor would name and shame those involved. He said the Government had enough credible and solid evidence to nail then.
However, came the D-day. And the Governor disappointed. He failed to name names. And he failed to shame anybody. The opposition is having a good laugh, as if saying, “We told you he dares not.”
But even then, that the Governor failed to name names did not take many by surprise. The issues involved are too serious to reduce to ‘name calling.’
When he said he would mention names, not a few people felt he had shot himself on the foot.
Others felt that he would destroy any case he had if he did so.
Here are why.
Even though the Governor is the Chief Security Officer of the State, he is not an investigative officer. He is not the Police Commissioner of the State. Nor the State Director of the Department of State Security, DSS. They are the ones who carry out investigations. They are the ones who, in the Nigerian manner, parade suspects.
Any information they give the Governor is regarded as privileged information. They are the only ones who can choose to make their investigations public or not.
Even then, only the Court of Law can pronounce one guilty or not.
Many people were of the opinion that a barage of law suits would have followed if the Governor had mentioned names. That, they said, would have been to the advantage of those whose names are mentioned, especially, as many people had guessed the names likely to be mentioned.
Finally, good reasoning prevailed. The Governor did what he should have done before. Leave security people to finish their investigations, and take it up from there.
He backtracked.
Speaking to stakeholders who had assembled to listen to him, he told them he had decided not to mention names so as not to corrupt investigations; that he had decided to allow Security Operatives to do their job. But his fingers still pointing to a direction – former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
He said Okorocha should allow him to rule the State. He asked him to behave like other former Governors of the State who are not angling to rule the State forever, or to rape it.
The question is: Given the high profile names being bandied about, would security operatives be able to name them publicly.
The Governor believes so. He says anybody implicated by the confessions of those arrested by Security Operatives, will be arrested and prosecuted.
Amid bombardment of hideouts of bandits and terrorists in the country, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced new redeployments of some of its senior officers.
Only recently, the Military high command elevated some senior military officers, including many Airforce Officers. This has necessitated changes on portfolios and redeployments.
This was contained in a statement by Air Force spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, Tuesday.
He said that the redeployments were geared towards “enhanced productivity, operational efficiency and effective service delivery”.
Among officers affected by the new postings are Ayoola Jolasinmi, an air vice marshal, who became the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans (CDPP) at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), and AVM Charles Ohwo, who became the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), HQ NAF, Abuja.
Other notable senior officers posted are Former Air Force spokesperson, Ibikunle Daramola is now the AOC, GTC, Enugu and AVM Abubakar Liman is now the spymaster (Chief of Air Intelligence).
The Chief of a Air Staff approved the postings.
The officers are expected to resume at their new posts January 7.
The statement reads in part:
“The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has approved the appointment of new Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants of tri-Service and NAF institutions as well as Unit Commanders. Among the newly appointed Branch Chiefs are Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ayoola Jolasinmi, erstwhile Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Training Command (ATC), Kaduna who is now the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans (CDPP) at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), former Chief of Aircraft Engineering at Headquarters NAF (HQ NAF), AVM Musa Muktar moves to DHQ as Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, (CDTI), former AOC Logistics Command (LC), Ikeja, AVM Charles Ohwo, is now the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), HQ NAF, Abuja, AVM Jackson Yusuf, former AOC Special Operations Command (SOC), Bauchi is now appointed Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), HQ NAF, while AVM Abubakar Liman heads the Air Intelligence Branch as the Chief of Air Intelligence, HQ NAF. Also appointed are AVM Emmanuel Wonah, former Managing Director NAF Investments Limited (NAFIL) as Chief of Aircraft Engineering (CAcE), HQ NAF, AVM Raimi Salami is now redeployed as the Chief of Communications Information Systems (CCIS) HQ NAF, while AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya has been appointed as Chief of Logistics (CLOG), HQ NAF. Furthermore, AVM Aliyu Bello, erstwhile AOC Mobility Command (MC), Yenagoa is now the Chief of Standards and Evaluation (COSE), HQ NAF, AVM Nelson Calmday is to take over as the Chief of Administration (COA), HQ NAF and AVM Paul Jemitola is now the Air Secretary, HQ NAF.
“In the same vein, former Commander 081 Pay and Accounting Group, Ikeja, AVM John Ochomma is now the Chief of Accounts and Budget (CAB), HQ NAF, AVM Idi Lubo, erstwhile AOC Tactical Air Command (TAC) proceeds to Lagos as Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC), AVM Anthony Tuwase takes over as the Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji while former AOC Ground Training Command (GTC), Enugu, AVM Mohammed Yakubu is the new Commandant of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna just as AVM Sayo Olatunde is now the Commandant Air Force War College (AFWC), Makurdi.
The newly appointed AOCs are AVM Abraham Adole, AOC TAC, Makurdi, AVM Tajudeen Yusuf, AOC SOC, Bauchi, AVM Iboro Etukudo, AOC MC, Yenagoa, AVM Nanjul Kumzhi, AOC ATC, Kaduna, while the former Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Ibikunle Daramola is now the AOC, GTC, Enugu and AVM Hassan Abubakar who is now the AOC LC, Ikeja.
Also appointed are AVM Emmanuel Eze as the Group Managing Director NAF Holding Company, Air Commodore Esen Efanga now the Commander Air Task Force Operation HADIN KAI while Group Captain Dogari Apyeyak is now the Air Component Commander, Operation Thunder Strike.
“While congratulating the new appointees, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, charged them to continually task and explore their critical thinking mind-sets towards proffering workable solutions and strategies to be deployed against the various security challenges in the Country. This, the CAS noted, is imperative particularly at this period that the NAF, in tandem with sister Services and other security agencies, are consolidating on the gains being recorded against all forms of criminality in the Country. The newly appointed and redeployed senior officers are expected to assume their new offices on or before Friday, 7 January 2022.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Dr Doyin Salami as the nation’s Chief Economic Adviser, CEA.
This is the first time the president has appointed somebody into that position since he came to office in 2015, after been criticized by critics who said he did not follow the tradition set by his predecessors since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.
Past chief Economic Advisers include Phillip Asiodu and Prof. Charles Soludo who later became Central Bank Governor and now Anambra state governor-in-waiting.
According to a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, “Salami, up till now Chairman of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
“A 1989 doctorate degree graduate in Economics of Queen Mary College, University of London, Doyin Salami, 59, is Managing Director and Head Markets Practice at KAINOS Edge Consulting Limited, and member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University, where he recently attained the rank of Senior Fellow/Associate Professor.
“The Chief Economic Adviser to the President is expected to address all issues on the domestic economy and present views on them to the President; closely monitor national and international developments, trends and develop appropriate policy responses; develop and recommend to the President national economic policies to foster macro-economic stability, promote growth, create jobs, and eradicate poverty, among others,” Adesina said
Despite months of unpaid salaries and retired workers gratuities, workers in Ondo State on Tuesday hailed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for his commitment to their welfare and the development of the State.
“I thank Mr. Governor for being a sincere man. I don’t have much trust for politicians, but I trust Mr. Governor. You have said it all. You said you will clear all salaries before you leave. I trust you.
“When you came on board, you cleared six months you inherited, and I don’t see why you will leave with unpaid salaries.”
The State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Sunday Adeleye-Oluwole, made the remarks at the Annual Prayer meeting to usher in the New Year in Akure.
The NLC chairman maintained that Governor Akeredolu is different from the typical Nigerian politician.
“I thank the Governor for the good job. I thank the commandant of Amotekun for a good job. Mr. Governor, don’t be distracted.
“Continue to promote workers as and when due. Don’t be distracted from prioritizing the welfare of the workers.
“We also appreciate the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Finance. The Commissioner has been laying every kobo on the table for us to see. I want to thank the Internal Revenue Service for a job well done too.
“I thank Mr. Governor for remembering the downtrodden by paying the WAEC fees of the children.
“Thank you for the autonomy granted the Judiciary and Legislature. We appreciate you Mr. Governor.”
Earlier in his speech, Governor, Akeredolu, assured workers in the state of his administration’s resolve to continue to place premium on their welfare despite the ravaging COVID-19 Pandemic which he said has led the country into the present harsh economic realities.
Governor Akeredolu, who charged the workers to remain loyal, steadfast and hard working, said they must improve upon their attitude to work and dedicate their minds fully to whatever assignment that is given to them in the New Year.
He promised that his administration would continue to reward diligence, integrity, trustworthiness and dedication to the service of the people, noting that he will not shy away from taking audacious decisions.
“It is in this way that we can deliver on the full import of the REDEEMED Agenda to mutually develop the service, our land and its people. We will ensure that all those who deserve elevation are duly promoted. We shall equally not shun our responsibility to take audacious decisions, even if they are unlikable.
“Anyone who works against the general interest of the people will be tracked down and sanctioned forcefully. We will continue to encourage and reward diligence, integrity, trustworthiness and dedication to the service of the people.
“We must live responsibly and continually protect ourselves and those around us by getting vaccinated as well as observing the all the non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 protocols. If anyone tests positive for COVID-19, please isolate and report yourself to the designated health facilities.
“I assure you that better days await us and the best is yet to come for all of us in our dear Sunshine State.”
Governor Akeredolu, who noted that his administration takes the security of lives and property very seriously, said the birth of Amotekun was timely as Ondo state is now being adjudged the most peaceful state in the Federation.
“One of the parameters to measure a healthy State is the security of lives and property of the citizens. Fortunately, Ondo State has been adjudged one of the most peaceful States in the Federation.
“The birth of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State was timely and I can say without mincing words that the Amotekun Corps has performed creditably.
“Until recently, the army has been a team player in the security architecture of Ondo State. We salute the military, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and other paramilitary agencies for their efforts in sustaining the peace in our State.
“While acknowledging their roles in the peace efforts, let me reiterate for the umpteenth time that the Amotekun Corps has been put in place to complement their efforts. It is not in competition in any form.
“It goes without saying that the successes and comportment of the Corps have demonstrated that the State Government has made no mistake in setting it up. It has equally helped to take several of our employable youths off the unemployment market.”
Fidelity Bank Plc has inaugurated Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR projects in three South-Western states of Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti; as well as Kwara State. The projects which include the provision of maternal and healthcare materials for hospitals, renovation and furnishing of a juvenile correctional facility as well as provision of computers for secondary and tertiary institutions were officially inaugurated on Thursday, 30 and Friday, 31 December 2021.
Speaking on the rationale behind the projects, Managing Director/ chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said that the initiatives were executed in pursuit of the Bank’s CSR objectives which are centered on the environment, education, health/social welfare, and youth empowerment.
According to Onyeali-Ikpe, “These projects, which are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Nos. 3 – Good Health and Well-being and 4 – Quality Education; are in demonstration of our corporate belief that profits should not only be measured in naira but in terms of the wellbeing of our host communities. That is why we regularly look for opportunities to advance the fortunes of people in locations we do business”.
At the official handover of the renovated boys’ hostel and administrative block facilities of the Oyo State Juvenile Correctional Institution/Child Care Unit, Ijokodo, Ibadan, the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Christiana Abioye, thanked Fidelity Bank for the intervention explaining that, “Oyo state government, in its drive to deliver a number of people oriented and social services to the teeming population of the state, has been able to reach out to many individuals, organisations and corporate groups to partner with it in the achievement of these mandates through the running of an open and sincere administration.
“I am glad that the management of this financial institution was able to avail itself of one of such opportunities offered by this administration to discharge its Corporate Social Responsibility in the state and in particular in this very special welfare institution”, said Gov. Seyi Makinde.
Fidelity Bank is fast developing a reputation of a people-friendly institution with its numerous CSR programmes. It would be recalled that earlier in 2021, the bank completed the renovation of a primary health care center and a block of classrooms in the Southeast and Southwest regions of Nigeria respectively.
Activities at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in Ekiti State were in top gear on Tuesday as the Commission pasted on its board the notice for the Governorship election.
In its tradition of keeping to the rule, and in accordance with the timetable and schedule of activities released last year, INEC, through its office in Ekiti State pasted the “Notice of Election” for the Ekiti State Governorship.
As earlier announced, the date for the Election is June 18, 2022 to elect Governor Kayode Fayemi’s successor.
A statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed that the Notice of Election for the Ekiti State Governorship Election has been published and pasted on the Notice Board in the premises of INEC in Ado Ekiti.
According to him, “The Commission’s office in Ekiti State yesterday (Monday) pasted the “Notice of Election” for the Ekiti State Governorship Election holding in June this year on its notice board.
“This is in accordance with the Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued last year.”
Monday, being a public holiday, the notice of election did not attract people, but on Tuesday when the workers resumed from the new year holiday, politicians beseige the new Iyin road office of the commission in Ado Ekiti.
It was gathered that some of the politicians, apart from copying the notice, sought more clarifications about the election from INEC officials, especially the updated voters register and the number of registered political parties that will participate in the election.
Before the end of the first quarter of the year, the Commission is expected to commence recruitment of adhoc staff for the election, and compilation of voters register.
With the release of “Notice of Election” for the Ekiti State Governorship Election by INEC, the battle for who will succeed the incumbent Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has begun.
INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, while defending the Commission’s budget before the National Assembly, disclosed that N78 billion has been budgeted for Ekiti and Osun polls.
“We budgeted N7bn for the conduct of Ekiti and Osun governorship election, including the possibility of runoffs.
“We made a provision of N2.6bn for Ekiti State with a population of over one million registered voters and N4.4bn for Osun with 30 local government areas.”
As the race for the 2023 Presidential Election thickens, the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has debunked reports linking it with the Presidential ambition of some Southwest politicians.
Former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Kayode Fayemi and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo have all shown interest in vying for the ultimate seat, but the OPC has distanced itself from the trio.
A statement by OPC’s Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, submitted that what Nigeria needs to be better is not for any of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, and Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi to be the next president.
According to OPC, whoever succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 will not make much difference without the restructuring of the country, hence the group insisted that what Nigeria needs is restructuring.
It wants the country to adopt the 1963 constitution which allows each region to develop at its own pace.
Oguntimehin made the submission while distancing the OPC from an alleged mega accord of 57 civil society groups rooting for a South-west presidential candidate.
The OPC said its not a political group nor is it mobilizing for any politician or party and those dropping its name are only out to defraud members of the public.
“We are aware that when elections are approaching, some politicians usually use the OPC’s name to curry favours.
“There are some groups that are affiliates of political parties that usually make themselves available for politicians as at when due,” Oguntimehin said in the statement.
He added that even with an angel in charge of Nigeria, without restructuring, Nigeria may not make any meaningful progress.
“When anything happens in Yorubaland, you don’t hear their voices, except during elections or when they are paid to issue statements against us.
“Even if an angel emerges the president of this nation today, without restructuring, nothing will change for the better.
“Our position on the future of Nigeria is clearly stated in our belief in restructuring. That is why we root for regionalism as the best option for peace and stability,” the statement added.
The presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed has polarized major political players in Kano state, one of Nigeria’s commercial capitals.
Barely 24 hours after Jibrin Abdulmumin, a former House of Representatives member declared Tinubu as the best candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in next year’s presidential election, another lawmaker from the ancient city, Hafizu Kawu, the member representing Tarauni federal constituency, has thrown his weight behind Osinbajo.
The state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a trusted ally of the former Lagos helmsman. The two politicians became close, sources say after Tinubu helped Ganduje to win the 2019 governorship election. It was on Ganduje’s instance, those that understand the politics of the state said, that hundreds of Islamic clerics organized prayers for the presidential ambition of Tinubu last Saturday.
Analysts insist that the state will be one of the battleground states in next year’s presidential election, because of its voting potentials. Kano has always been a major factor in who becomes president in the country for many years.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state and Osinbajo are eyeing the presidency after the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure in 2023, even though the two politicians had yet to declare their interest publicly.
But their supporters have been busy campaigning for them across the country, and Kano is not left out in the ongoing struggle to make their preferred candidate the flagbearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC come next year’s presidential election.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday on Monday, Kawu said Osinbajo will received maximum support from the state if he decides to take a shot at the nation’s top job.
“Osinbajo” he said “is a saleable candidate for the party whose antecedents, experience, honesty, capacity and capability speak volumes.
“As a close ally and former aide of the Vice President, I chose to make this briefing without his consent, yet I am doing it due to Osinbajo’s impressive vision for the country.
“His foresight in so many areas will be useful for Nigeria. He is loyal, detribalised and a man of God who I think is natural successor of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I worked with him from 2015 to 2019 , I know him personally and I also know his capabilities and potentials,” Kawu said.
Last week, more than 2,500 Islamic clerics held a special prayer session for the success of the presumed presidential ambition of Tinubu.
Jibrin who spoke after the prayer which took place in his village, Kofa, in Bebeji Local Government area of the state, said the prayer was “organised for the success of the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming general elections as well as for peace and stability in the country. I can confirm to you that Tinubu will contest the 2023 elections. The aspect of the decision is done; it’s a done deal,” he said.
He explained further that, “arrangements to publicly declare will soon be known. I’m talking to you officially that he (Tinubu) will contest the presidential seat.
“We need somebody who can carry along everybody and I believe that Tinubu is the best option for Nigeria. He is not a religious fanatic and has massive networks across all the boundaries in the country.
“Asiwaju has worked extensively for the APC and never shifted ground. He is competent to be the president of this country”.
