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2023: Saraki Joins Presidential Race

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has thrown his hat in the ring for the 2023 Presidential race.

Just like a repeat of 2015 when  he joined the Presidential race that ushered in incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, the two-term former Kwara State Governor is running again.

He has will contest under the platform of the main opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Aged 60years, Saraki, a Medical Doctor turned politician, is the first son of  late Second Republic Senate Leader, also, a Medical Doctor, Olusola Saraki.

Declaring his interest in 2023, he said he has a strong record of delivering and experience in making tough decisions.

He was first elected into the Senate in 2011 and emerged Senate President in 2015.

On his official Facebook page, Saraki said: “Earlier, I replied to a follower of mine on Twitter who, like thousands of you, has been clamouring for a united front to #RescueNigeria.

“As we prepare for the journey ahead, I hope we can all join hands to get the ticket of our great party, PDP, and build a nation that works for all of us.

“Join me to make our communities safer and provide real opportunities for you and your families. I have a strong record of delivering and experience in making tough decisions.

“Let’s build a new Nigeria that works for EVERYONE!”.

Before his father dragged him into politics, he was running the family’s bank which is now defunct.

His younger sister, Senator Gbemi Saraki, is the Minister for State, Transportation, under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Ekiti Guber: PDP, APC, Set To Elect Flagbearers Amidst Protests

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Allegations and counter allegations precede the Gubernatorial Primary Election of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ekiti state which holds Wednesday in the state capital.

Some delegates arrived Ado Ekiti, Tuesday evening,  and were immediately camped at secret locations known only to their preferred aspirants.

About 1,256 delegates, made up of Executives from Wards to State, as well as past political office holders, are expected to participate in the primary election of the PDP with five aspirants slugging it out during the exercise.

The All Progressive Congress, (APC) on its part has opted for direct primary to be held at the 177 wards in the state on Thursday, to elect one out of eight aspirants that are jostling for the party’s flag.

Already, there is tension following allegation that some members of the party have been targeted for arrest on the eve of the Primary to prevent them from voting and mobilizing for their preferred aspirants.

One of the aspirants has raised an alarm over the circulation of fake membership register in the State urging the National Election Committee to look into this.

Senator Dayo Adeyeye has called on all his supporters and the general public to ignore the purported list of All Progressives Congress, (APC) Validated Membership Register in circulation on social media.

However, Adeyeye,  in a statement by his campaign Media Director, Mr. Oluwayomi Abegunde, on Tuesday, urged the people of the state to ignore the list. Mr. Abegunde added that Adeyeye will resist any attempt to inflate the figures.

“How can a Local Government like Ikere, one of the most populated Local Governments in the State have 3,996 and a Local Government like Oye will have 16,881 registered members. That’s not real, it’s fake.

“The purported list is a move to undermine people’s confidence to vote for a candidate they believe will deliver for the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

“We will resist any attempt to inflate the figures, everybody should go out with their membership slip, only those who are accredited will be permitted to vote.

“People should come out in numbers to exercise their right without any fear of intimidation or oppression, there’s going to be adequate security across the election centres.

“We are also aware that people are printing membership cards, that is an effort in futility. We will resist every attempt to rig  the primary election on Thursday.”

The State Police Command has, however, assured that adequate security has been put in place to check any breach of law.

Not less than 170,000 members are expected to participate in the exercise to elect a flagbearer for the June Governorship election on the State.

The APC Election Committee is headed by Governor Badaru Abubakar with Mr Victor Olabimtan as secretary, while the Appeal Committee has Tijani Musa Tumsah as Chairman, and Hadiza Bala Usman will serve as Secretary.

Burkina Faso: W/Africa Elders Forum Condemns Coup, Says It Rewinds Progress

By
The Source
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The West African Elders Forum (WAEF) has strongly condemned the military coup in Bukina Faso, calling it a democratic sacrilege that betrays hope and rewinds the clock of democratic progress in Burkina Faso and the sub-region.

A statement by Dr Goodluck Jonathan, convener of the Forum and Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation(GJF) said the Forum is disturbed by  the gradual ceding of the region’s civic space to military adventurers and un-elected leaders.

Describing military coup as an unacceptable aberration, WAEF declared that Africa cannot afford to be returned to an “inglorious era when the people’s rights, freedoms and development impetus were restricted.”

The Forum further called  for the immediate release of deposed President Roch Kabore and all others being detained and urged the military leaders to return the country to constitutional rule.

The Statement reads :

“The West African Elders Forum (WAEF) condemns the military takeover of government and suspension of constitutional order in Burkina Faso by a group  military officers.

“The coup is a political sacrilege that betrays hope, as it rewinds the clock of democratic progress and successes recorded in Burkina Faso and the sub-region, in the past decades.

“As a Forum, we  are disturbed  by the gradual ceding of our civil and democratic spaces to military adventurers and unelected leaders. This unfortunate trend is embarrassing to our sub-region and the entire continent. The military are trained to protect the state and its sovereignty and not to deploy their guns to overthrow elected civil authorities.

“We state without equivocation that the military should not be seen as the alternative to civil rule. Africa had experienced a long spell of military rule in the past and the people of the continent cannot afford to be returned to an inglorious era when the people’s rights, freedoms and development impetus were restricted.

“We  condemn this political aberration in our sub-region and stress that it is unacceptable. We encourage all stakeholders to work in unity in order to safeguard our democracy as well as deliver to our people peace, justice and good governance to our people.

“We call for the immediate release of deposed President Roch Kabore and all others being detained and urge the military leaders to return the country to constitutional rule.”

Jonathan is a former President of Nigeria

Anyim respects all religions, will lift Nigeria – Shehu, chairman Coalition of Northern Supporters

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, 2023 presidential aspirant was on Tuesday hailed as a respecter of all religions and a detribalized Nigerian by a Northern coalition.

Anyim who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also described as an honest, peace-loving and kind politician.

These were the praises showered on the one time President of the Senate by the Coalition of Northern Supporters of Ndigbo for President 2023 in Abuja when they visited Senator Anyim to pledge their support for his aspiration.

Chairman of the Group, Alhaji Usman Sulaiman Shehu, popularly known as SK who stated these said the group, after analysing all the presidential aspirants as well as prospective ones was convinced that Senator Anyim would give Nigeria the right leadership that will take the country out of her present deplorable situation.

He said that after long deliberation, the Group was convinced that the only person from the South East who meets the Coalition’s criteria for the Presidency “is none other than Distinguished Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.”

Expatiating on the criteria, Alhaji Shehu said, “during one of our Executive meetings held on the 26th December, 2021 here in Abuja, it was decided that our focus must be based on a single candidate from the South East” and that such a candidate must be a “person with high personality profile” and a person with developmental leadership quality.

Other criteria, according to Shehu are: “a person who cares for the less privileged and the masses,  a person whose vision is for the peaceful co-existence of Nigerian citizens as a whole, a person whose ample experience would enable him to raise the level of our country by means of curtailing the continuing hike of prices of goods and services.

Alhaji Shehu went further to list other criteria as: “ a person who will provide employment opportunities to our teeming youth and women, a person who dedicated his life for service to humanity, a person who will stabilize the fuel and power sector of the economy, a person who will design means for affordable or free quality education”, among others.

The chairman further said, “we wish to seek for your approval sir, to commence consultations and to register lots of members in the north” pledging to continue to pray for Anyim’s success “in this formidable journey knowing fully well that your success is Nigeria’s success as well.”

Receiving the Coalition, Senator Anyim thanked them for their support and commitment to work for his victory.

He assured them that he would work with the Coalition once campaign begins and urged them to feel free to join other campaign groups that were already supporting his aspiration in registering with the Anyim Campaign Organisation.

APC Officially Zones Presidency To The South

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

It is official. The All Progressives Congress, APC, has zoned the Presidency to the South. This, therefore, ends speculations of a possible retaining of the post in the North come next year.

The Chairman, APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State announced this ahead of 2023 General Elections.

Buni chairs the National Working Committee, NWC of the party.

He presented the zoning of the 2023 Presidential ticket, and principal officers of the party.

According to the zoning arrangements, the President goes to the South while the

Vice President goes to the North.

The Senate President was zoned to the South with the  Deputy Senate President expected to come from the North.

The House of Reps Speaker is zoned to the North the House of Reps Deputy Speaker goes to the South.

For the APC National Working Committee zoning, National Chairman goes to the North while the secretary is to be a Southerner.

Others are:

National Secretary – (South)

National Treasurer – (South)

Financial Secretary –(North)

Legal Officer – (North)

Welfare Officer – (South)

Auditor – (North)

National Youth Leader – (South)

National Woman Leader – (South)

Publicity Secretary – (South)

Persons With Disability PWD Leader – (South).

Presidential Aspirants, so far, from the South are: Bola  Tinubu,  Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, and Yahaya Bello, Kogi State Governor.

Those said to strongly have interest in running, but have not yet declared are: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu. Former Imo State Governor, and the Senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, reports say, will declare interest in the office on January 31, 2022.

CBN Tackles ‘Loan Sharks’, Retains MPR

By
Bayo Bernard
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CBN Gov Emefiele

By Fola James

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN governor  Godwin Emefiele has urged Nigerians to take advantage of licensed micro finance banks rather than obtaining loans from illegal money lenders. Emefiele said CBN has decided to go after the illegal lenders to save many Nigerians, adding that the lenders ‘will be dealt with mercilessly” when caught.

According to him, the illegal money lending firms, mostly run  Chinese nationals have been exploiting as a result of the interest they charge and their crude recovery of loans in case of default. The situation, the apex bank governor said cannot continue.

Emefiele disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday after the monthly Monetary Policy Committee, MPC meeting in Abuja.

He said the lenders also known as loan sharks have exploited unsuspecting Nigerians for too long, noting that “people normally go to loan sharks because they are desperate and can’t access the bank”.

He said “we found out that those that are vulnerable are households who need money to do their businesses but they can’t access bank finance and as a result go to loan sharks who charge them way above or two times higher than the amount borrowed and expected to pay back in 90 days and if that doesn’t happen, they seize your house or bikes.

“We can only continue to advise that there is no need to go for loan sharks. The central bank has put in place the avenue through which you can raise your finance, like through the target credit facility or the SMEs loan that was set up through our microfinance banks.

“You don’t have to owe anybody, just go to the portal and fill the form, send your data, and if it’s correct, you will be able to access loans.”

He said the micro finance banks are still the surest and reliable sources of getting loans by individuals and business owners.

“We have a large number of people who have testimonials from the facilities we’ve made available and do not have to owe anybody,” Emefiele said.

Meanwhile, the apex bank governor disclosed after the end of the MPC meeting that the committee agreed to retain the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR of interest rate at 11.5 per cent.

Other parameters left unchanged are the Cash Reserve Ratio and Liquidity Ratio at 27.5 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

“After a careful balancing of the benefits and the downside risks of the policy options, the MPC decided to hold all parameters constant, believing that a whole stance will enable the continuous permeation of current policy measures in supporting the recorded growth recovery and further boost production and productivity which will ultimately rein in inflation in the short to medium term.

“The MPC thus decided by a unanimous vote, the MPC voted as follows, one, retain MPR at 11.5 per cent; retain the asymmetric corridor of +100/-700 basis points around the MPR; retain the CRR at 27.5 per cent; and retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent,” Emefiele said after the end of the first MPC meeting for the year.

2023: APC Bows To Pressure, Zones Presidency To South

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

The ruling All Progressives’ Congress, APC has released the party’s zoning arrangement for next years general election. Expectedly, the ruling party zoned the presidential ticket to the south.

The Chairman, APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe state Mai Mala Buni released the zoning list on Tuesday, after the meeting of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Governor Buni who chaired the National Working Committee presented the zoning of the 2023 Presidential ticket, to the Leadership of the National Assembly and the Leadership of the Party as follows:

President (South); Vice President (North); Senate President (South); Deputy Senate President (North); House of Reps Speaker (North) and House of Reps Deputy Speaker (South).

Also, the party has zoned the positions of its National Working Committee, NWC as follows: National Chairman (North); National Secretary (South); National Treasurer (South); Financial Secretary (North); Legal Officer (North); Welfare Officer (South); Auditor (North); National Youth Leader (South); National Woman Leader (South); Publicity Secretary (South) and Persons With Disability PWD Leader (South).

More to come………

SAPZ: Uzodimma Commits Imo, Leads Govs. To Meeting With AfDB In Cote d’ Iviore

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodinma has pledged the commitment of Imo State to the highest standards in infrastructure and management that would be required to attract global, regional and national investors for the successful delivery of the Special Agro-Industrial  Processing Zones(SAPZ) Programme.

Imo was one of the States chosen for the African Development Bank (AfDB) – sponsored SAPZ Programme in collaboration with other Development Banks and the Federal Government, as a veritable strategy in the transformation of the Nigerian agriculture sector, through industrialization.

Other States include: Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo.

Senator Uzodimma, as the focal Governor for the programme, reaffirmed Imo State’s commitment to the scheme in his remarks on Tuesday in Cote d’ Iviore during a meeting with the President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and his team as well as representatives of the development partners and the Federal Government.

During the meeting hosted by Dr. Akinwunmi, Governor Uzodimma and his brother Governors – Nasir el- Rufai (Kaduna), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo),  reaffirmed their unalloyed commitment to a government-enabled, private sector-driven SAPZ implementation model, as agreed by all parties.

Also in attendance at the high level interface were: Prof. Doyin Salami, the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Uche Orji, Managing Director the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Mr. Farouk Mohammed Gumel, NSIA Chairman.

The audience from the African Development Bank Group included: The President of the Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Senior Vice President, B. S. Tshabalala; Beth Dunford; Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Solomon Quaynor; Vice President, Private Sector, Infrastructure and industrialization, Dr. Victor Oladokun, Senior Adviser to the President on Communications, Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement, and several others.

Imo State was selected as one of the four pilot states that will kick start the Special Agro-industrial  processing zones in Nigeria.

Consequently, Senator Uzodinma emerged the focal governor of the programme ahead of its official launch on February, this year in Abuja.

The SAPZ is a government enabled, private sector driven action plan aimed at quickening the transformation of the Nigerian agricultural sector through industrialization.

The African Development Bank and consortium of international organizations are driving the implementation of the programme.

Governor Uzodinma and his colleagues Tuesday in Cote d’Ivoire met with Dr  Adesina and heads of the other organizations for the signing of agreements for the take-off of the programme four weeks time.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Uzodinma as the focal governor pledged on behalf of his colleagues to ensure that the programme succeeds.

“As the focal governor of SAPZ,I have dedicated the full instrumentality of my office to the provision of enabling environment for the kick off of the programme”, he affirmed.

Uzodinma said he desires that the programme becomes a veritable strategy that will enhance agriculture and industrialization in Nigeria.

He urged both the institutions and states selected for the first phase of the programme to work in concert to attract global, regional and national investors to fully populate the zones.

All parties in attendance reaffirmed their strong commitment to the shared goal of a stable and prosperous Nigeria and underscored the need for a speedy, successful delivery of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme.

The Governors in particular reaffirmed their unalloyed commitment to a government-enabled, private sector-driven SAPZ implementation model, as agreed by all the stakeholders.

The meeting recognized the role of the NSIA as critical to an effective private sector engagement and overall efficient implementation off the SAPZ Programme, hence the Nigerian Government representatives signed a letter of intent re-affirming the NSIA’s role in procuring Transaction Advisers; Design Consultants; Zone Construction Companies and Facility Management Service Providers, all geared towards ensuring an efficient, speedy, transparent and open process.

In fact, all parties were united in expressing the expectation that the Zones’ infrastructure and management will be of the highest standards capable of attracting global, regional and national investors (Anchor and other tenants) to fully populate the zones.

Meanwhile, all stakeholders at the meeting, look forward to the official launch of the Nigerian SAPZ Programme in Abuja, February ending to be chaired by President Buhari.

Ministers of leading implementation Ministries of the SAPZ Programme and the Governors of the States included in the Programme’s first phase will also be in attendance.

President of the AfDB, as well as President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and representatives of the development communities and key investors will also attend the February event in Abuja.

Sanwo Olu, Obasa, Mourn Former Lagos SSG

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Adeniran Ogunsanya

By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commiserated with the Adeniran-Ogunsanya family over the death of the former Lagos State Government Secretary, SSG, Aderenle Adeniran-Ogunsanya.

Ms Adeniran-Ogunsanya passed on Tuesday, January 25, after a brief illness, at the age of 74.

Adeniran-Ogunsanya was the Secretary to the State Government during the term of former Governor Babatunde Fashola from 2007-2011.

Governor Sanwo Olu described her death as a big loss to the State, stressing that she served the State judiciously during her term as the Secretary of the State government.

Also, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa,  described the death of Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya, as a major loss to the State.

In a statement by Obasa through his Media aide, Eromosele Ebhomele, he commiserated with the family and friends of the deceased saying her contributions as SSG to the progress of Lagos would remain indelible in the hearts of the residents of the State.

“She was always calm, filled with brilliant ideas and contributed immensely to the development of Lagos while she served as Secretary to the Lagos State Government,” Obasa said.

The Speaker added that the late Adeniran-Ogunsanya also played important roles in the politics of the State earning itself respect as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“On behalf of my colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, I commiserate with the family, friends, leaders of our party and everyone affected by the demise of Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya.

“I pray that God would grant her peace and give those she left behind the fortitude to bear this loss”, he said.

She was the daughter of the  late Zikist and powerful Nigerian politician, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya.

Idumota Mayhem: LASG Suspends NURTW Activities Indefinitely

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos  State Government has suspended the activities of the Lagos State National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.

The indefinite suspension of  NURTW, led by Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, in Idumota area of the State, was  a result of the mayhem a couple of days ago which claimed the lives of four people with several injured.

Properties worth millions of Naira was also destroyed with shops owners and prospective clients at the market losing their phones and other personal belongings.

Contrary to the earlier statement by the NURTW distancing itself from the crisis, Azeez Kunle Lawal, known as Kunle Poly  indicted MC Oluomo as the mastermind of the attack, alleging that it was the factionalized NURTW Group of MC Oluomo that was responsible for the mayhem.

Kunle Poly had revealed that there was a planned attack and witchhunt against him by MC Oluomo who took some Parks away from him because he believed he was loyal to his predecessor, Tajudeen Agbede.

He added that he had petitioned Governor Sanwo- Olu and the immediate past Lagos State Commissioner of Police, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, over the activities of MC Oluomo’s boys.

Following this crisis, the National Body of the NURTW threatened to  suspend the Lagos State Chapter, but the State Government swung into action, suspending the transport union operations around Lagos Island particularly on Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge indefinitely due to the recent clashes.

In the aftermath of the clashes, Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Monday disclosed the arrest of Kunle Poly and Mustapha Sego, whose groups engaged in a violent clash that left four people dead.

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