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I Will Run For The Office Of The President – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Former Vice Presidential Candidate under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, says he will run for the office of the President in 2023.

Speaking in an interview with Njenje TV on Monday, January 31, 2022, Obi, a former two-term Governor of Anambra State, stated that he has the capacity to turn Nigeria around. Obi, however, gave the condition under which he would run.

To run, Obi said, would depend on his Party. And that would also depend on two conditions. If his Party, the PDP, zones the office to the South, he would run. If the Party, also, throws it open, he will run. But if the Party zones it to the North, as it did in 2019, he will not run.

Obi: “All the Elections that I have followed in the past,  the Party that I belong to today, the PDP,  made a pronunciation and took a stand. At least, in 2019 when I was involved, where I can say Atiku graciously chose me as his running mate which I eternally remain grateful to him for, the Party decided that the candidate should come from the North.

“I believe that the Party owes it a duty to say where its stand  is. If the stand today is South, be rest assured I am aspiring. If they say North, I can’t do otherwise. If they choose the option that everybody is free, then, of course, you will be hearing from me.”

He urged Nigerians to, in 2023, focus on a President that has competence and integrity.

Obi has been under pressure from people of all walks of life to go ahead and run for the office of the President in 2023.

The South-east is asking all Political Parties in Nigeria to, for the sake of equity and justice, zone the office of the President in 2023 to the South-east.

In Obi’s PDP, from the North, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal declared interest in the office of the President on Monday, January 3, 2022. Just before him, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki had declared interest.

Atiku is, also warming -up. And so is Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

There is a strong speculation that former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso will also take a shot at the seat.

From the South-east, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim and former boss of Niemeth Pharmaceuticals, Sam Ohuabunwa, have both declared interest. For now, Anyim remains the frontrunner, and says he would run for the office whether his Party zones it to the South or not.

Okorocha In EFCC Trouble After Declaring For President

By
Bayo Bernard
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Rochas Okorocha

By James Orji

Barely hours after former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state declared for president the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed N2.9 billion fraud charges against him.

The former governor was arrested in 2019 by the anti-graft agency for alleged financial fraud and grilled him for 48 hours before he was eventually released.

Okorocha who has now joined the 2023 presidential race has been in a tug of war with his successor Governor Hope Uzodinma for allegedly cornering properties belonging to the state. Some of the properties have now been seized from the former governor, who once claimed that the state owed him N8 billion security votes.

“As Governor, I sacrificed my security votes. Imo State Government still owes me. If I’m to go by my 250 million…, I have 8 billion now in Imo State. I was Rochas before becoming a Governor.

“The projects I’ve done in Imo State, nobody can say he beats my record in the history of the state. I challenge anyone with a contrary view, I’ll resign from politics if you do. The people who speak against me, in the next 20 years, cannot do what I have done.

“Since I left Imo State Government, no single project has been built by my successors, except maintaining what I already built. Even the…chamber that was commissioned by Buhari, I built it,” the former governor said last September.

The EFCC charge sheet indicates that Okorocha was charged alongside Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.

In the 17 counts filed on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to steal N2.9 billion public funds.

Two years ago EFCC grilled the senator after tracing some properties to him, including residential estates, schools, and shopping malls.

Among the sealed property and investments traced to Okorocha in July 2019 were Rochas Foundation College, Owerri, East High Primary and Secondary school, Owerri which belonged to Okorocha’s first daughter, Uloma Nwosu, and All-In Supermarket, Owerri, Imo State.

In the run-up to the last general elections, the EFCC had placed Okorocha under investigation for allegedly withdrawing over N1bn from the state government coffers to aid the campaign activities of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, during the governorship polls in Imo state.

Meanwhile, the former governor who currently represents Imo West in the Senate has reacted to claims of police brutality in the country. Okorocha who spoke on Monday during his presidential declaration in Abuja, the nation’s capital said there is nothing like police brutality in Nigeria.

In October 2020 many Nigerian youths staged protests across the country under the aegis of ENDSARS demanding an end to police brutality and reform in the NigeriAn Police Force, NPF. The protest later became bloody after soldiers shot and killed some protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

But the former governor said what is obtainable in Nigeria is youths brutalizing youths. “There is nothing like police brutality. There are only youths brutalising youths,”

2023: EFCC Spoils Okorocha’s Fun, Slams 17 Count Charges On Him

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The action couldn’t have been more devastating.

On the day former Governor of Imo State, and now, the Senator representing Imo West; Rochas Okorocha, addressed a Press Conference to declare his interest in the 2023 Presidential Race, for the third time, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) stole the thunder out of it.

It charged Okorocha, with a 17 count charge of alleged conspiracy with others, including an APC politician and five companies, to steal public funds to the tune of N2.9 billion.

The  filing of the charges on Monday, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, became the news, and overshadowed Okorocha’s Presidential declaration.

In addition to Mr Okorocha, other defendants are Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.

Okorocha, a former two term Governor of Imo state declared his intention to run for presidency in 2023, saying Nigeria needs a President who can create wealth.

He described himself as a candidate for justice rather than zoning arranangement being canvassed by some stakeholders across the nation’s political space.

He appealed to the leadership of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), to create level playing field for the aspirants no matter their region, promising to establish a new Nigeria where poverty will be adequately addressed.

He promised to bring back free and compulsory education to Nigerian youths describing himself as a bridge builder at 56, between the young and old.

Monday’s declaration will be the third time Okorocha will attempt to contest for the highest political office in Nigeria.

He slugged it out with late Musa Yaradua, incumbent President Mohamadu Buhari in 2015 and his latest attempt.

He is entering the race without the support of his home Government who recently stripped him of properties, lands, including a University, worth billions of Naira, which he, allegedly, illegally acquired as the Governor of the State along with his family and cronies.

Delta 2023: Edevbie Decries Non-payment Of Pensioners By Okowa, Promises Full Payment

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Olorogun David Edevbie

By Akinwale Kasali

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirant for the 2023 Governorship election in Delta State, Olorogun David Edevbie, has assured pensioners in Delta State of full payment of their entitlements if elected as Governor of the State.

Pensioners in the State  lament the failure of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration to pay their entitlements in full.

But Edevbie has promised to change the narratives if given the PDP ticket, and become the Governor of the State.

Speaking on a Delta Broadcasting Service programme, Meeting Point, anchored by the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Monday, January 31, 2022,  Edevbie said it amounts to insensitivity for senior citizens who have contributed to the development of the State  and participated in the contributory pensions scheme to live in deprivation of their entitlements and subjected to hardship.

Edevbie who was the  former Commissioner for Finance in the State said though the State Government is very concerned about the situation of pensioners but constrained by funds, he will deploy his financial management expertise to generate the funds within his early days in office.

Articulating his vision for the development of the State, the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said in addition to sustaining the existing free primary and secondary education programme, part of his plans for the elevation of the educational sector will be to introduce a students’ loan scheme, for those who might need it, in addition to seasonal bursaries and scholarship programmes.

He said his administration will invest greatly to upgrade the tertiary institutions in the state towards producing graduates who will meet the global standards and employability in the public sector.

He hinted that he will prioritise the provision of power and security to drive his main agenda of the modernisation and industrialisation of the state.

This, he said will entail the investments in the training and greater motivation of public servants for greater efficiency and productivity, consolidating on the efforts of Governor Okowa on roads and other infrastructure.

Analysing the nerds of the three senatorial districts, he said his government will invest more to open up the riverine areas especially in Delta South and North.

On Delta North, he promised to commit to elevating physical infrastructure in Asaba and its environs, fighting the scourge of erosion and providing more roads while also ensuring the industrialization of the area, especially the Asaba Industrial Zone, to ensure job creation, youth employment and wealth creation.

On Delta Central, he said he will work hard to ensure its old glory as an industrial hub.

His administration, he said will also focus on improving the agricultural sector with value addition, support the small and medium scale businesses and energise the creative sector by consolidating on Governor Okowa’s establishment of a film village.

On managing the multiplicity of ethnic groups in the state and the tendencies for disaffection, Edevbie pointed out that all Deltans are brothers and there is no basis for contentions.

The panacea for harmony, he said, is to establish a development plan, legislated and transparent, in which various groups and their representatives can see and are assured of a place.

Buhari To Sign Re-Amended Electoral Bill This Week- Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

The National Assembly has transmitted the re-amended Electoral Act Amendment Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

The magazine learnt that the president is not likely to reject the bill this time around like he did last year after it was first transmitted to him.

“The president will sign the bill without any further delay since the NASS has addressed the issues he raised when the bill was transmitted to him last year.

“It is most likely that President Buhari will sign the bill before the end of the week. This is will not only promote the mutual relationship between the executive and the NASS, it will also set the template for the INEC to release the time table for next year’s election without further delay.

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu had stated penultimate week that the commission was awaiting the presidential assent to the bill before releasing the 2023 election time table.

“On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the Commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess, which it did yesterday and the commitment by the President to assent to the Bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved. We look forward to a speedy passage of the Bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections.

“As soon as it is signed into law, the commission will quickly release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election based on the new law,” the INEC boss said in Abuja.

Buhari, we’ll recall rejected the bill last November citing some reasons, including the provision that made it mandatory for political parties to chose candidates for election through direct primary election.

The president also cited the cost of conducting direct primary elections, security challenges, and possible manipulation of electoral processes by political actors as part of the reasons for withholding his assent.

The NASS has now re-amended the bill with the provisions that political parties can adopt direct, indirect and consensus arrangement to select candidates for election.

Senator Bbajide Omoworare, the Senior Special Assistant on NASS Matters (Senate), to President Buhari disclosed on Monday that the bill has now been sent to the president for his assent, adding that the transmission of the bill was in line with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004.

The presidential aide further stated that the Clerk to the National Assembly, Olatunde Ojo, transmitted the authenticated copies of the bill to the President on Monday.

According to him, “the Clerk to the National Assembly Mr Olatunde Amos Ojo has transmitted the authenticated copies of the Electoral Bill 2022 to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on 31st January 2022,” he said.

“This was done in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004.

“Mr. President had withheld assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 transmitted to him on 19th November 2021. The Electoral Bill was thereafter reworked by the National Assembly and both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed same on 25th January 2022.”

Both the House of Representatives and Senate, last week passed the harmonised version of the bill.

2023: Tambuwal Shuns Power Shift, Declares Presidential Interest

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is not one of those Northerners who believe in power rotation. He does not think that the time has come for the office of the President to move from the North to the South. Proof?

On Monday, January 31, 2022, Tambuwal joined the list of aspirants jostling to take over power from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

This will be his second shot at the office of the President  under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

In 2018 when he first tried, he was roundly defeated at the Primary held in Porthacourt by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who lost to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general election.

From 2011 to 2015, Tambuwal was the Speaker of the House of Representatives before joining the Sokoto Governorship race, where he won the PDP Primaries and was victorious at the polls.

He is on his second term in office as Governor, having won by a slim margin of less than 500 votes in 2019.

It is expected that Tambuwal is likely to lock horns again with at least, two of those with whom he locked horns in Porthacourt. While one of them, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has announced his interest in a Facebook post, Atiku is expected to declare soon. Already his foot soldiers, led by  PDP Chieftain, Chief Raymond Dokpesi,  are criss-crossing the country watering the ground for him for the big day.

With Tambuwal’s declaration under the PDP, he joins another  former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, Saraki and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa in the line-up of those who have already declared interest in the Presidential office under the PDP.

For the records, Tambuwal was one of the PDP Chieftains who decamped to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2014, and made it possible for the PDP to lose the 2015 elections to the APC. He redecamped to to the PDP in 2017.

Missing Engineers: Ebonyi Government Must Do More, Says Intersociety

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, INTERSOCIETY, Monday accused the Ebonyi State Government of not doing enough to trace missing Site Engineers in the State.

Recall that five Site Engineers in Effium, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the State got missing while on official duties.

The Engineers belong to a Consulting Engineering Firm, Nelan Consultants.

On November 3, 2021, they were deployed to a road project in the town to supervise the Abakiliki Ring Road project but inexplicably  went missing.

In a statement signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chairman of Intersociety, and three other executives, the non-governmental organisation noted that 90 days have elapsed since the disappearance of the engineers but there appears to be no headway in the investigations .

The statement was titled: “Police, Government Of Ebonyi Dangerously Covering Up Abduction And Disappearance Of Five NELAN Engineers.”

The statement read in part:

“The present Government of Ebonyi State has been responsible for continued abduction and disappearance of the five NELAN Field Engineers since 3rd November 2021 at the construction site of the AfDB funded $150m Ebonyi Ring Road Phase 2 Project located at Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

“Their high profile abduction and disappearance have lasted for almost three months or ninety days-with nothing concrete coming out of same. While the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have continued to chase shadows including wastage of public funds and dissipation of much energy on irrelevancies and frivolities, the Government of Ebonyi State is busy dictatorially distracting the public and diverting their attention and has appeared to be exploiting possible loopholes to escape complicity in furtherance of clear abdication of its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

“This is to the extent that the reaction of the State Government issued on 21st Dec 2021 was filled with contradictions and self indictments and failed to address the main issues till date.”

Demanding for a proper investigation, the release added, “The Investigative Findings under demand must include the whereabouts or locations of the abducted and disappeared Engineers, whether they are still alive or killed in captivity by their abductors/captors, why they were abducted and disappeared, who and who was responsible for abducting and disappearing them, the whereabouts or locations of their abductees or slayers (whether in custody or facing investigation/prosecution or still at large), who procured them to perpetrate the dastardly act (state actors or troublesome non-state actors?) and who and who has been aiding and abetting their heinous act. Such investigative findings or their highlights must be weekly made public by the DIG-FCID, joined by the CP of Ebonyi State Police Command and ACP/DCP in charge of the State CID.

“The Ebonyi State Government and the present leadership of the Nigeria Police Force are strongly reminded that crimes have no expiring dates to be investigated and prosecuted and not even the ‘immunity of office’ can stop same.”

Ekiti: Suspected Armed Thugs To Be Charged To Court – Police Command

By
Ayodele Oni
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Thugs in Ekiti State

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Police Command on Monday confirmed that 98 suspected political armed thugs were arrested by soldiers at the border town between the state and Osun.

They were nabbed early Wednesday morning just as the two main political parties in the state, People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and All Progressive Congress, (APC) were preparing for their Primaries.

The Command, also,  explained that the suspects were hired by yet to be identified persons to unleash mayhem at the Governorship Primaries.

Ekiti Police Command Spokesman, ASP Sunday Abutu, stated that the suspected armed thugs were arrested at the Military checkpoint by Soldiers at Itawure junction, and were subsequently handed over to the Police.

ASP Abutu said that the suspects were 98, contrary to the rumour making the round that they were over hundred, while urging members of public to disregard the social media reports.

He disclosed further that the suspects were arrested at around 3:30 am in fifteen 18 passenger-buses they boarded enroute Ekiti state.

He assured that further  investigation which would reveal their sponsor is still ongoing, adding that he would communicate to newsmen once the investigations are concluded.

Abutu stated that the suspects would be charged to court for unlawful possession of arms.

Items recovered from them include, assorted rifles, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.state ASP Sunday Abutu, stated that the suspected armed thugs were arrested at the military checkpoint at Itawure junction, and their subsequent handing over to the Police.

ASP Abutu said that the suspects were 98, contrary to the rumour making the round that they were over hundred, while urging members of public to disregard the social media reports.

He disclosed further that the suspects were arrested at around 3:30 am in a fifteen 18 passengers buses they boarded enroute Ekiti state.

He assured that further  investigation that would reveal their sponsor is still ongoing, adding that he would communicate to newsmen once the investigations are concluded.

Abutu stated that the suspects would be charged to court for unlawful possession of arms.

Items recovered from them include, assorted rifles, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

Akwa Ibom: Plan To Impose Udom’s Successor Tears PDP Apart

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state quest to appoint a successor may precipitate a deep crisis in the ruling PDP in the oil rich state.

On Sunday, the governor brought to end months of speculation on who he will endorse as PDP candidate for next year’s governorship election, after he named Umo Eno the state’s commissioner for Lands as his preferred candidate at a stakeholders meeting held at government house, Uyo.

Speaking after the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ekerete Udo, said Eno was chosen by a cross section of PDP stakeholders in the state.

According to Udo, “the governor announced that he (Eno) was the one God has revealed to him as the next governor of the state and he was unveiled to all the stakeholders from the three senatorial districts of the state by the former governor, Obong Victor Attah, who then commended the choice. It was an array of the political elders made up of senators and House of Representatives members’.

But the governor’s decision to endorse Eno appears not to be well received by some governorship aspirants, including Chairman, House Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Onofiok Luke and the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Akan Okon.

It was learnt that Okon refused to attend the meeting despite being invited while Luke was said to have angrily stormed out of the parley attended by major PDP stakeholders in the state including a former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Aniekan Bassey. It was Attah who presented Eno as the endorsed candidate of the stakeholders of the party at the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, Luke said he and other PDP stakeholders were not consulted on the matter. He said nobody can stop him from contesting for governor next year.

According to the lawmaker, “I’m not against their endorsement; and I’m not against the elders of the state. But I’m saying the endorsement could have happened after proper consultation.

“I went to Obong Attah and told him why didn’t you talk to all of us who are in this race? Why didn’t you talk to Sen Bassey Albert, why didn’t you talk to Akan Udofia; why didn’t you talk to Akan Okon; why didn’t you talk to James Iniama? because it was Obong Attah who amade the presentation, not the governor.

“We would have loved their endorsement but that would have been after due consultation. We would  love the endorsement by the elders of the state. But whoever they would endorse should be the choice of the majority of people in the state”.

Luke said he would pursue his governorship ambition notwithstanding the governor’s decision to endorse a particular candidate.

He said ”so, for me as Onofiok Akpan Luke, I am in the race for the governorship. I am going to stand election on the platform of my party the PDP. I am not part of that endorsement at all.

“But I respect their views; I respect the opinion and choice of the governor. I respect Obong Victor Attah and the opinion of the elders of the state. It is their choice. I only respect their opinion; but I am not in support of what they are doing. I was ambushed. I didn’t know the agenda of the meeting but I had to respect the governor and attend the meeting at the lodge on his invitation”.

Other PDP stakeholders who attended the meeting include Deputy Governor, Moses Ekpo; Senators Akon Eyakenyi, Effiong Bob, Ibok Essien, Aloysius Etok, former Deputy Governor, Etim Okpoyo; member representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Onofiok Luke; PDP chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan; Barr Emmanuel Enoidem amongst others.

Zamfara: Presidency Accuses PDP Of Playing To Gallery

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
President Muhammadu Buhari

By James Orji

The Presidency has accused the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP of playing to the gallery over President Muhammadu Buhari’s botched travel to Zamfara state last week.

Buhari, who was in Sokoto last Thursday to inaugurate some projects, was billed to proceed to Zamfara to discuss insecurity in the state following the recent attacks in Anka and Bukkuyum LGAs. The trip was eventually cancelled by the president citing bad weather.

But the opposition PDP criticised the president for cancelling the trip, noting that Buhari changed his mind due to fear of bandits’ attacks.

In a statement PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said ‘the Party dismisses President Buhari’s excuse of not travelling to Zamfara State because of inclement flying weather when he had the option of travelling the short trip from Sokoto to Gusau by road.

“We ask, did Mr. President cancel the trip to Zamfara State out of fear of terrorists? Was Mr. President, an Army General, with all the security apparatus under his command afraid to travel by road because he was not sure of his security as well as the dilapidated state of our roads under his watch?

“From Sokoto to Gusau, the Zamfara State capital is about 206 kilometres, a journey a leader who has the interest of the people at heart and who is sure of his security could have undertaken by road.

“President Buhari ought to have reassured Nigerians by travelling to Gusau, instead, he opted for a video broadcast in which he promised the troubled people of the state that he looks “forward to a more weather-friendly period when I will visit,” PDP said.

Responding to PDP allegation Garba Shehu said the opposition party lacks the understanding on how president works after being in power for 16 years, noting that President Buhari cannot travel by road.

Shehu said: “There must be a limit to trivialisation. All over the world, commanders-in-chief, serving or even those that have left office, cannot hop into a car and go anywhere they want, at any time of the day.

“In the United States, for instance, a law going as far back as 1958 prevents past presidents from travelling on public roads without assured security (how much more of serving presidents).

“When roads are closed for presidential movements here and elsewhere, consideration is also given to the safety of other road users, not just of the president or even governor.

“The statement on the issue by the PDP attacking the President for not making it to Gusau, without this being planned ahead of the journey, is shameful and disgraceful for a party that held the presidency of the country in the past. What is their record? Given right conditions of the weather and all other things, he will return, and in time to accomplish his mission.”

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