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2023: Tinubu’s Campaign Group Distances Self From ‘Judas Iscariot’ Poster Against Osinbajo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Osinbajo Judas Iscariot Poster

By Akinwale Kasali

After the declaration of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s aspiration to run for the exalted office of the Presidency, tantrums and propaganda of calumny have been targeted at his person, mostly from supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader and fellow Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Osinbajo was described as a betrayer with  posters and caricature of Biblical Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus Christ, aimed at portraying him as a betraying Tinubu. The posters were circulated on Social Media and went viral.

Following this development, the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organization in a statement stated that those behind the posters intend to provoke anger against the person and aspiration of their Principal.

The Media Office of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organization strongly distanced its principal from the posters depicting the Vice President as the Biblical Judas Iscariot.

In a statement, Tinubu’s media office said the campaign has failed.”  The  statement said:

“This is clearly irresponsible and insensitive political propaganda that seeks to exploit religious sentiments to manipulate public perception against Asiwaju Tinubu, who is ostensibly the most formidable presidential aspirant in this race.”

@Following Mr Osinbajo’s declaration of his intention to run for president, a poster likening him to Judas and accusing him of “betrayal” was circulated on social media.

“The Vice President was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 when Mr Tinubu served as Governor.

“It is widely known that Asiwaju Tinubu is married to not just a Christian but an ordained pastor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and has developed very deep fraternal relationship with Christendom at all levels, a fact acknowledged by many bishops, pastors and parishioners over the years.”

The Group added that its principal is a  target of blasphemous Campaign.

The  full statement reads;

“The orchestrated set-up of a poster campaign seeking to use a literary application of the Biblical story of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus Christ to rope Asiwaju Tinubu into a storm of blasphemy is the most desperate antics of anti-Tinubu propagandists in recent times.

“Our investigations have revealed that those who created the offensive poster were the same people who created the counter-campaign alleging blasphemy. Their design is to use both to provoke anger against the person and aspiration of Asiwaju Tinubu.

“This campaign has failed. This is clearly irresponsible and insensitive political propaganda that seeks to exploit religious sentiments to manipulate public perception against Asiwaju Tinubu, who is ostensibly the most formidable presidential aspirant in this race.

“It is widely known that Asiwaju Tinubu is married to not just a Christian but an ordained pastor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and has developed very deep fraternal relationship with Christendom at all levels, a fact acknowledged by many bishops, pastors and parishioners over the years.

“A known Muslim, Asiwaju in words and actions has demonstrated religious tolerance and accommodation. He believes in that cardinal principle of the Nigerian Constitution that no one should suffer discrimination on the basis of creed or opinion. Besides, as a former governor of Lagos, a state that is a microcosm of Nigeria in terms of religious diversity, his matured management of religion as a way of life, ensured inter-religious harmony in Nigeria’s most industrialised state.

“It is therefore impudent to contemplate that a statesman of Asiwaju Tinubu’s standing will condone Biblical allusions that could denigrate his person or status.

“These basic facts were ignored by those desperate to set Muslims against Christians through deliberate disinformation of the general public.

“While we shall continue to appeal to the Nigerian people to ignore such campaigns of calumny, we reiterate our commitment to prioritise our political communication on the exposition of the truth and dissemination of our point of view with decency and regard to the feelings of Nigerians.

“This is an irreducible minimum for us. We urge others to join us in this patriotic mission by shunning desperation and verbal violence in the campaign for the highest office in the land”, it stated.

US Embassy Nigeria: No-Interview Student Visa Renewals Available Now

By
The Source
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US Embassy in Nigeria

If you are currently studying in the United States, you may be eligible to renew your student visa without an interview when you return to Nigeria this summer.  To qualify for this procedure, you must be physically in Nigeria renewing a student visa that is still valid or has expired within the past 24 months and are renewing your visa either to: (a) continue participation in the same major course of study even if at a different institution; or (b) attend the same institution even if in a different major course of study.

Abuja applicants:

Go to www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and follow instructions to complete your application and visit a designated DHL facility to drop off your application with the following documents:

  1. A printout of your Submission letter (printed from ustraveldocs.com/ng)
  2. A completed DS-160
  3. An approved I-20
  4. A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
  5. A GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
  6. Your passport containing the expired student visa (if that passport is expired, a current valid passport is also required)
  7. A passport photograph meeting these requirements

 

Lagos applicants:

Go to www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and follow the instructions to make an interview waiver appointment for a student visa. You must come in person to the U.S. Consulate on the date and time of your appointment with the following documents:

  1. A completed DS-160
  2. An approved I-20
  3. A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
  4. A GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
  5. Your passport containing the expired student visa (if that passport is expired, a current valid passport is also required)
  6. A passport photograph meeting these requirements

IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE ABOVE CRITERIA THEN FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

Applicants who do not meet these criteria should visit www.ustraveldocs.com/ng to schedule a regular appointment.

If someone in your family or group does not meet the qualifications above, they must schedule a regular appointment.  Each applicant must meet the qualifications individually. For instance, we cannot accept a renewal for a child because the parent qualifies under these guidelines. In that case, the child would need to schedule an appointment and come to the Embassy or Consulate for an interview.

To remove a dependent that does not qualify for a student renewal from your profile, please follow these steps:

  • Log in to the primary applicant’s profile
  • Click New Scheduling Appointment
  • Follow the steps until your reach Step 6.
  • At step 6, check for the dependent’s information and click “x” to remove the dependent’s information from the primary applicants’ profile.

Scheduled applicants who qualify for the student renewal  based on the above criteria can cancel their appointments and re-apply on this link . During the rescheduling process you will be asked questions confirming eligibility for the student renewal program and be provided instructions on how to submit the application through the document delivery center. Scheduling instructions can be found on this link.

If you do not qualify for a student renewal, please do not cancel your appointment.

Presidency vs Kukah: CAN Disowns Christian Group Which Criticized Kukah

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has thrown its weight behind the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, over his criticism of President Muhamadu Buhari’s administration.

The fiery Cleric had condemned the Incessant killings, kidnapping and economic failures under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which  generated heated controversy within the Presidency, different religious bodies, political class and Christendom.

Following this development a Group under the aegis of the Northern Christians Forum, NCFN, headed by Rev. Josiah Nabut, had criticized Kukah’s submission on the State of the Nation, reiterating that Bishop Kukah’s Homily was for the congregation of his Diocese, which was devoid of political affinity.

According to the Christian body, Kukah’s homily was a declaration of the harsh realities impacting the everyday life of members of the church.

However, the Chairman of CAN, Kaduna Chapter, Rev John Joseph Hayab, explained in a statement that their attention was drawn to the statement alleged to emanate from a group of unfamiliar individuals to CAN, claiming to be speaking on behalf of the Northern Christians Forum of Nigeria, NCFN.

He said: “That there exists a Clergyman by the name Rev Dr Josiah Nabut who belongs to NCFN, he is dubious in the first place.

‘’Moreover, that CAN does not know of the existence of a presumed Clergy further makes the statement a cynical attempt at discrediting the Revered Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto who is not only a member of CAN but a renowned priest.”

Consequently, CAN called on the person said to be Rev Dr Josiah Nabut, claiming to be the President of NCFN, to come out clean and tell the world the name of the Church he pastors or where he is a member and the list of membership of the proclaimed NCFN.

“CAN, Kaduna State chapter, is the body that coordinates the fellowship of clerics and the entire Christendom in the state but cannot verify the fact that the said Rev Dr Josiah Nabut was a pastor of any church in Kaduna State.

“Accordingly, CAN calls on the preposterous group parading itself as NCFN to observe that Bishop Kukah’s homily was for the congregation of his diocese, hence, is devoid of political affinity but a declaration of the harsh realities impacting the everyday life of the members of the church.

“As the group submits that Kukah has ‘deep knowledge of the Bible, … blessed with the power to dissect socio-political happenings around the world and analyse the same for better understanding’ is a testimony that Bishop Kukah is in the best position to speak truth to power and that is what his Easter homily did.”

“CAN, therefore, admonishes the mischief-makers under the guise of NCFN, dubiously led by the untraceable Rev Dr Josiah Nabut, to desist from employing the name of the Church for personal profits and scoring cheap popularity with the current leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, who under his watch, Nigerians cannot sleep with their eyes closed or travel freely due to heightening insecurity across the country.”

N100m Nomination Form: Timi Frank Condemns APC, Urges Buhari To Meet ASUU’s N200b Demand

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Activist, Social and Political Commentator, Timi Frank has described the N100 million Presidential Nomination Form of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as outrageous and a “clear depiction of deepened arrogance in both corruption  and governance.”

Frank stressed that it shows how corrupt the Party is, and it has brazenly shown how it supports corrupt individuals and  enables them to perpetrate the act.

The erstwhile Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC lamented that youths have been confined to their houses following the failure of the Federal Government to address the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Strike, that has made lot of youths idle, thereby delving into heinous crime.

Frank called on President Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, prioritise the nation’s tertiary education sector which is now lying comatose by paying ASUU the N200billion they have demanded so that normalcy can return to Universities in the country.

In a statement issued  in Abuja, he lamented what he called the “insensitivity of the APC”, even as he accused the party of reaping from the cesspool of corruption it had enthroned in the country and thus entrenching insensitivity like never witnessed in the country.

“It is unfortunate that in a country where hunger, strife, unemployment, insecurity, disunity, economic hardship, decaying educational system and dwindling standard of living has become normal act of state policy, the APC has slammed a N100million price tag on Nigerians wishing to vie for the Presidency on its platform.

“The moral question that many Nigerians are asking is: How much is the salary of those aiming to buy the APC’s presidential nomination forms?

“Again, before venturing into politics and probably even attaining their present offices in 2015, how many of these aspirants were known multi-millionaires? How many of these aspirants before 2015 had any business(es) yielding dividends and who are employers of labour? How many?

“What the APC has done is that it is taking advantage of the very rot they have entrenched in the system and reaping from the corruption that has turned its aspirants to overnight multi-millionaires.

“Afterall, if in 2015, its then Presidential candidate – President Muhammadu Buhari – lamented the N20million cost of nomination form, saying he didn’t have the money, what changed suddenly for the APC and its aspirants that today the same President and leadership have no qualms selling nomination forms for N100million?

“If it is argued that it is strictly a party affair, didn’t the same President direct leadership change in the APC recently?” Frank queried.

The rights activist, said it was unfortunate that while hardship pervades the country and universities are shut due to strike by ASUU, due to poor management and insensitivity on the part of the APC-led government, the party is only interested in deliberately raking billions from aspirations of Nigerians  even when they know that they are brazenly encouraging theft and stealing of taxpayers’ money.

“As for Governors, Ministers and the Vice President who are contesting, none can boast of a salary package worth more than N1.5million  per month except for those with questionable sources of wealth.

“All over the country, on daily basis, victims of kidnapping are put on the edge of their lives as their loved ones bleed to pay ransom to terrorists. As this vexatious situation goes on, the APC’s administration looks the other way and pretends to be oblivious of such crimes.

“Needless to state that it also amounts to same criminality for the APC to place such ridiculous price tag on Nigerians wishing to exercise their rights to vie for leadership positions,” Frank added.

Comrade Frank said the continued stay of students at home as a result of the ASUU strike is breeding disaster for the country by paving way for students to resort to desperate nefarious acts.

“Given the wanton looting of resources that has taken place in this country since the APC took over in 2015, one individual alone in this corrupt government can afford to pay the N200billion that ASUU is demanding without bating an eye,” Frank said.

He called on the APC-led Government to quickly mobiise funds and settle its rift with ASUU instead of only being concerned with party capitalism  and political entrepreneurship it is now foisting on Nigeria’s democratic system.

Cross River: Pastor’s Daughter in a S*x Video Scandal

By
The Source
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Gracious Paradise

By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar

A few days after the obscene video of a 10-year-old Chrisland school girl surfaced online and caused a national uproar, a similar case has just occurred in Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River state.

However, unlike the underaged Chrisland girl who engaged in a wild s*x orgy with fellow underage male classmates during an excursion in  Dubai, the Itigidi s*x video involves a young student nurse said to be a daughter of a Pastor and her boyfriend.

The said boyfriend who has now deactivated his facebook account was alleged to have leaked the  video to the internet.

According to a Calabar-based online newspaper, Cross River watch, three explicit s*x videos of the young lady identified as Gracious Paradise, daughter of a Clergyman, Pastor John Paradise, has been trending online.

Also Read: N100m For Presidential Forms: APC Prepares Next President To Steal by Comfort Obi

Pastor Paradise allegedly oversees the Banner of Grace Church, Ketabebe, in Ugep, Yakurr Local government area of the state.

Gracious who is reportedly a final year student of the Cross River State School of Nursing and Midwifery, Itigidi, Abi, has been sent packing from the school as a result of the video.

In one of the videos, she was seen in a position that suggested her boyfriend was thrusting into her.

In the second video, she was filmed nude from her waist up.

In the third video, only a part of her face was shown as the video shows the real act, exposing completely her private areas.

Breaking: CBN’s Office Razed By Fire

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Godwin-Emefiele-CBN-Governor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Makurdi cash office is being  gutted by fire. The office is covering all the North Central states.

The cause of the fire is not known but fire fighters were yet to arrive the building located in old GRA in Makurdi as of press time.

The magazine also learnt that security agencies have already surrounded the area to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

More Details later…….

N100m APC Form: Presidential Aspirant Declares Tinubu, Osinbajo As Crooks

By
James Orji
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0

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist has described prospective APC presidential aspirants as crooks. The former presidential candidate disclosed this after the ruling party fixed its nomination forms for N100 million.

Sowore, who is contesting for President on the platform of the African Action Congress, AAC, said on Wednesday that the aspirants must have stolen from the public to be able to afford to purchase the presidential nomination form.

The APC on Wednesday fixed N100 million as the cost for its 2023 presidential aspirants to obtain forms.  The party explained that the nomination form would go for N70 million while the expression of interest form costs N30 million.

The fee was approved at the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in Abuja.

Aspirants eyeing the governorship ticket will purchase the form at N50 million.

“State House of Assembly Goes For 2 Million Naira. House Of Representatives Goes For 10 Million Naira. Senate Goes For 20 Million Naira. Governorship Goes For 50 Million Naira and Presidency Goes For 100 Million Naira,” the party had said.

Sowore in a post on his official Twitter handle said, “Crooks in @OfficialAPCNg are going to “reinvest” N100m looted from different treasuries belonging to the Nigerian people to buy the Presidential nomination form of the crooked party! We must say NO to these thieves! #WeCantContinueLikeThis #Revolutionnow.”

Also, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, had also condemned the APC leadership for cost fixed for the forms.

HURIWA in a statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko said “only political rogues, drug peddling gangsters or persons involved in armed robbery or kidnappings for ransom can afford to gamble away such a lifelong fortune.”

The rights body said anti-graft agencies should beam their searchlight on such aspirants to determine their sources of income.

“This same APC government is unable to meet the funding obligations for federal universities and thereby left millions of students of public schools to roam around in their homes due to industrial strike by university teachers (ASUU) for over two months, yet the politicians have hidden enough stolen cash to buy presidential forms at N100 million each,” the statement read.

“It is a shame that those who seek to govern Nigeria are made to cough up so much money to purchase forms just to signpost their original intention as persons whose only objective would be to first recoup their huge investments and to further impoverish the citizenry.

“We urge Nigerians to initiate citizen’s arrest of anyone who buys the APC Presidential form at the rate of N100 million so the relevant law enforcement agencies are handed over these suspects to explain their source of such huge funds,” HURIWA said.

Buhari Says Corruption War On Course After Pardoning Two Former Thieving Governors

By
James Orji
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Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyamme

By James Orji

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the war against corruption is still on course. The president made the assertion following the outbursts that greeted his government pardon of two former governors convicted for corruption.

Former Governors Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye of Taraba and Plateau states, respectively were last week pardoned by the president on the recommendation of the Council of States.

The two former governors collectively stole close to N3 billion belonging to their states.

The government also pardoned 157 other convicts.

The action did not sit well with many Nigerians who said the Buhari’s administration is encouraging corruption rather than fighting it as the government has promised.

For instance, a rights activist and popular Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana said the president should have pardoned all those already serving jail terms for petty crimes. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN said this will promote equity.

Responding to the criticisms, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Media and Publicity, said in a statement on Monday that the president pardoned the former governors based on recommendation by prominent Nigerians.

Shehu, said Buhari was also guided by the Constitution and the recommendation by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, PACPM.

The presidential spokesman cited Section 175 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended).

The statement reads in part: “The Federal Government constituted the PACPM on August 28th, 2018 with the mandate of assisting the President in the discharge of his constitutional responsibility of granting pardon/clemency to convicts or ex-convicts in deserving cases.

“The Committee filed its first report in March 2020 and reconvened on Thursday, 28 September 2021 to attend to the myriad of pending applications for presidential pardon and clemency from Nigerians across the country.

“These accrued cases followed the established process of applying for pardon or clemency first to the Correctional Service (formerly Nigerian Prison Service), which must certify claims made, be they of life-threatening ill-health, (as in the cases of Governors Dariye, Nyame; John Joshua Uloh, Engr Umar Bamalli, Sa’adu Ayinla Alanamu, Charles Ihenatu, Akinwumi Ajayi and tens of others making the approved list of 159; or such cases arising from remorse and good conduct or plainly on the basis of compassion among other stated criteria.

“The PACPM members, under the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, followed up the recommendations with a visit to selected Correctional Centers in several states of the Federation to “critically appraise and identify potential cases of convicts and ex-convicts before recommending them for presidential pardon/clemency and reduced sentences.”

“In this round of the exercise, 412 inmates were interviewed and 162 were recommended to the Council of State by the President in the exercise of his powers, pursuant to Section 175 (2) which requires that he should carry out this function after being “advised by the Council.”

‘Clearly, the presentation to the Council of States meeting last week, attended by former Presidents, a former Chief Justice and 36 States and the FCT along the lines of its statutory membership was a culmination of a rigorous process, regulated and guided by the law which was not, in any way designed to achieve a political purpose.

“While it is natural that the cases of the ex-governors-two among many- would excite political analysts, coming at a time when elections are in the air, the President would at the same time have come across as insensitive and cruel to most people were he to have ignored very compelling cases recommended for pardon made to him because someone is a former Governor. Even Governors have the right to be treated fairly under the law.

“President Buhari assures the nation that nothing done here was intended to achieve a political end or send a revisionist message on the relentless war against corruption which he has ably and evidently led by personal examples.”

2023: Senator Ndume Backs Amaechi; He Fits The Bill, He Says

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Presidential aspiration of Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi received a  boost, as the Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume backed him. Numerous described the presidential ambition of Amaechi, as his personal project.

Since throwing his hat in the 2023 Presidential ring, Ndume has been involved in his trips across the country, throwing his weight behind him.

Speaking on Channels Television on Politics Today, Ndume said Amaechi remains the best among the aspirants seeking the Presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, picking him above Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District said that he is one of those who convinced Amaechi to run for the exalted office in the nation, with optimism that he has the qualities.

“I started it. That is my project. I was one of those who asked Amaechi to run, because I feel at this critical time we need a Nigerian to run, not somebody who will run based on where he comes from or region; not somebody who is not experienced enough; and not somebody who does not have the pedigree, energy and intellect to run.

“In the APC, I feel the best candidate we can present is Amaechi. I don’t want to use the word that he is better than those who you listed.

“The best doesn’t mean others are not good enough. When you have very good people, then you pick the best. He is the best.”

Ndume said he believes the Transportation Minister will be a great candidate for the top job as he described him as someone who “has the pedigree, energy and intellect” needed to run Nigeria.

N100m For Presidential Forms: APC Prepares Next President To Steal

By
The Source
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0
Comfort Obi

By Comfort Obi

Nigerians should watch out. A red flag has been put up for them. Warning bells are ringing. And, it is time to shine their eyes. Our leaders are waving the stealing banner at us. And they are doing that brazenly.

If the next President of Nigeria in 2023 comes from the  All Progressives Congress, APC, his Party has indirectly, asked him to steal from day one in office. The Party has asked him to embark on a stealing spree. It has given him a shirt, soaked in corruption to wear. It has asked him to immediately do something to recoup every kobo spent on his journey to office.

Here is why.

The APC  under the leadership of its National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, pegged the cost for the Presidential office at an unprecedented sum of N100m. Here is the breakdown:

*N30m for expression of interest form.

*N70m for the nomination form.

The APC is the ruling party in Nigeria. Muhammadu Buhari, the man who says he  abhors corruption and ostentatious life style is the President of Nigeria. And forget that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is, usually, referred to as the National Leader of the Party, it is a mockery. Not true. The tag is meant to humor him.

The real and maximum National Leader of the Party is President Buhari The Party does what he wants. What he directs. What he dictates. Examples abound.

He asked the APC to sack Adams Oshiomhole, its National Chairman. Oshiomhole was sacked. And  that’s inspite of Oshiomhole’s relationship with Tinubu. He was not only sacked, the President shifted the meeting which sacked him to the Presidential Villa. Not the Party Secretariat. Tinubu could do nothing. He only sulked.

The President set-up  the Governor Mai Mala Buni Interim Committee to run the affairs  of the Party, principally to organise National Convention. The Committee was there for a long time. Nobody complained.

When some “rascals” in the Party cried foul, and moved to sack the Committee, they felt they had the President’s blessing. At least, one of them, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir  El-Rufai was on National Television, and told us the President  ordered them to sack Buni.

In far away London where he had gone to take care of his health, the President had a change of mind. He pulled the rug from under El-Rufai and company, and ordered: “Buni stays.” He topped his order by chiding El-Rufai and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who in an unprecedented press statement, called his fellow Governors, who preached due process in the Buni issue, Yahoo- yahoo Governors. There was no “pim” again.

For the National Convention, the President picked Senator Adamu, former Nasarawa State Governor, as the National Chairman. And inspite of Adamu’s alleged baggage, and Tinubu’s alleged preference for Senator George Akume, former Benue State Governor and Buhari’s Minister, Mr President had his way. So, everybody knows who the real National leader of the  Party is. Even Tinubu knows.

I brought this aspect up as a proof that there is nothing the National leadership of the Party does without the approval of the President.

However, on the pegging of the Presidential aspiration form at N100m, I find it hard to believe that Buhari, who couldn’t buy his own form in 2015, (he said he took a bank loan) approved of it. Again here is why.

This President swept into office, in 2015, waving the anti-corruption banner. He said he was coming to clean the augean stable. But if this pegging of the form at N100m is not an encouragement for corruption, I don’t know what is.

If it is not an endorsement of stealing, I don’t know what is. When one spends this huge sum on forms alone, in addition to what one would spend on reaching out to delegates, in addition to what one will spend at the Primary, in addition to what one will spend when one becomes the candidate, then, one has been handed over a license   to go ahead, steal, and recoup your money if one becomes the President. Even a saint, and please, there is no Saint in politics, will do that. It is a license for corruption.

And worse.

I have looked at the APC Presidential aspirants,and “wanna bes” and I don’t know how many of them who can afford the sum of N100m. Only a couple of them can COMFORTABLY do that from their personal pocket unless they had stolen and/or are stealing. So, what  this homogeneous price tag is likely to do, is to disenfranchise a number of the aspirants.

For instance, Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has always said he had no money. He always says he does not like money. Where,  in the world,  will he get the sum of N100m to squander on an aspiration form? There are Dr Chris Ngige and Senator Ken Nnamani too, in this all- comers affair. There are, also, the Governors of Kogi State and Ebonyi State, Yahaya  Bello and Dave Umahi. Bello was a civil servant before luck shone on him in politics. I understand, he too is now billionaire. As for Umahi, the one who says he  became a billionaire at age 25, a time he barely was through with his Youth Service, will they dare it when many people think they are on a wild goose chase?  This price tag is likely to put off others who had set their eyes on the seat. There is Ekiti State Governor, for example. Will he still dare?

Perhaps only Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (he had about nine times more than that before he became the VP), Tinubu, Senators Okorocha and Orji Kalu can effortlessly afford this price tag. Others, I don’t know. And let nobody tell us the form was purchased for him by one group or the other. It is wayo!

Here’s what I expect President Buhari to do. He should put a halt to the N100m tag placed on his chair. He should cancel it. Here we were, screaming about PDP’s N40m tag, and APC, a Party which says it is fighting corruption, puts its own N60m higher than that.

Mr President, this  N100m ridicules you, your integrity and everything you have ever stood for against  corruption. It is a licence to steal, a licence to wear corruption as a shirt.

Don’t let it stick.

As usual, interfere. Intervene.

Obi is the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of The Source (Magazine), https://thesourceng.com. Email: [email protected], [email protected]

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