Again! Tinubu Missing As Presidential Candidates Sign Peace Accord In Abuja Ahead Of 2023 Election

 

Presidential candidates of political parties in the 2023 elections have today in Abuja signed a peace accord with the National Peace Committee as campaigns officially kick off on Wednesday. Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, was, however, conspicuously missing at the highly symbolic ceremony set to signpost the preferred direction for next year’s power transition.

 

The event which held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja featured Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Rabiu Kwankaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) among others.

 Mr Tinubu, who was absent for an undisclosed reason, was represented by the APC vice presidential candidate Kashim Shettima.

 However, Tinubu’s absence has triggered reactions among social media users as many are questioning Tinubu’s credibility to run for the seat of the number one citizen of Nigeria.

 

No Going Back On Getting AK-47s For Amotekun Security Outfit In Ondo – Akeredolu Replies Presidency

 

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has replied the presidency on the use of automatic weapons for regional and state security outfits.

Recall the presidency on Tuesday said it had not granted approval for the use of arms and ammunition for any state or regional security outfit.

Garba Shehu, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, stated this in a statement, adding that no state has been authorised to procure automatic weapons for their security outfits.

According to the statement, only the National Security Adviser (NSA) is empowered to authorise the use of arms and ammunition by security outfits, following proper clearance by the President and Commander-In-Chief.

“Under this administration, the President has repeatedly made it clear that nobody is allowed to illegally carry AK-47 or any other automatic weapons and that they must surrender them.”

But reacting to the claims of the presidency, Akeredolu through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, asked the federal government where the guns seen with Katsina vigilantes in a viral video came from.

“Who approved their use? Were the guns returned to the armoury after use?” he also asked.

In the statement titled: “Gov Akeredolu resolve is to spare no effort in protecting the people,” the governor said the reasons adduced by Garba Shehu for the continued refusal to approve of the use of sophisticated weapons by state security outfits can no longer be plausible in the face of increasing security challenges being faced by the people.

He reiterated his determination to go to any length to protect the people of his state, vowing to explore all available legal and constitutional means to secure the state and its people.

He added that the assertion made by Shehu on the use of automatic weapons by state security outfits betrays the current realities across the country.

“His attempt to justify the use of AK-47 by the vigilantes of Katsina State for training stands logic on its head,” he said.

The statement partly read, “The report by the TVC News that went viral showed the Kastina State Vigilante training with AK47. This is the same weapon which approval has vehemently been refused for the use of Amotekun Corps and other State Security Outfits.

“The questions Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, asks are: Where did the guns come from? Who approved their use? Were the guns returned to the armoury after use? The AK47, as seen from the TVC news report, was about usage. If not, what purpose does training with the guns serve?

“It is rather suspicious that Garba Shehu elected himself as the spokesperson for the Kastina State government. Whereas, the Katsina State has not come out openly to deny the statement of Governor Akeredolu on the use of AK47 by Vigilantes of Katsina State during training.”

It added, “Governor Akeredolu has reiterated that State Security outfits backed by law whether in Western Nigeria, Katsina, Borno, Benue or any Northern State must have access to the same sophisticated weapons that the criminals have. It is time to face down these enemies of the people.

“It is illogical to continue to fight hardened marauders who bear sophisticated weaponry to kidnap and maim our people with bare hands. We cannot fight armed enemies of the people with our bare hands.

“It is our firm belief that the government has a fundamental duty to protect the people. It is a task that must be accomplished without excuse.”

The statement noted that the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum, 19 Northern State Governors and Northern Traditional Rulers Council had called for the establishment of state police in the country.

“The call by the sub-national should be heeded and change effected where necessary.

“Every Governor swore to an oath to protect the state and the people. The sub-national must be allowed to put in place security forces as a counter-balancing force to face these marauders who have unchecked access to sophisticated weapons.

“It is high time we tackled these conflict entrepreneurs and restore the confidence of the people. We cannot do the same thing time and again and expect different result.

“Governor Akeredolu is irrevocably committed to the security of the people, particularly his state. He will continue to speak up in defense of the people. He is very much committed to the realization of constitutional amendment to reflect the current realities,” he said.

Don’t Vote Another Mistake In 2023: Tinubu Warns Nigerians

The All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has asked Nigerians to learn from the ‘mistakes of the past’ by not electing another mistake.

 

 The former governor of Lagos, also urged the people to be ‘wise and discerning as they prepared to choose the country’s next president in the 2023 general election.

“We must show that we have learned from the mistakes of the past. We must be prepared to make difficult decisions. We must be wise, we must be discerning; we must choose progress. We must favour reason over sentiment,” Mr Tinubu said in a message to mark the official commencement of the 2023 presidential election campaign activities across the country.

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifted the ban on campaign activities for the political parties ahead of the next year’s election.

INEC, last weekend, released and published the names and details of the political party’s candidates qualified to participate in the poll.

Mr Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) who are the top contenders in the race, to take over incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari, were listed among the candidates for the presidential election.

Since the former Lagos governor joined the race to succeed Mr Buhari, his health status has been a major concern with many Nigerians, especially critics questioning his suitability for headship of a country that prides itself as a ‘giant of Africa’.

Several videos of Mr Tinubu, 70, have revealed how the APC presidential candidate was suffering incontinence apparently due to his frail health. Nigerians have likened Mr Tinubu’s health to the prevailing situation with incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, who has spent a significant portion of his eight-year rule frequencing European hospitals. Mr Buhari said his ailment was largely due to his advanced age, which had naturally made some aspects of his presidential duties more tedious.

Despite this, Mr Tinubu said he was ready to lead the country to greater glory through innovative ideas, pleading with Nigerians to join him in his ambition of clinching the country’s top seat.

He said he and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, are set to share their vision of a prosperous Nigeria as they begin their campaigns of convincing the people to vote them to power.

“I invite all Nigerians to join me and HE Senator Kassim Shettima on this exciting and important journey as we set our shared vision of renewed hope for the people of our dear country, Nigeria.

“I am prepared and ready, with my running mate, to provide the leadership that will inspire our country to greater glory with new thinking, innovative ideas, and vision. I call on all Nigerians to please join us,” the APC presidential candidate added in the statement.

“We will, in weeks and months ahead, be taking our dream of a functional, safe, secure, and prosperous Nigeria to every part of Nigeria and as we continue to put forward our plan to lead this country towards its best future.”

Mr Tinubu further explained, “Our nation stands at a threshold of history. We, like almost every other nation in the world, face significant challenges. Some have been our own making, others, the consequences of factors well beyond the control of any Nigerian. One thing, however, remains certain, we cannot afford to get this one wrong.”

 

Photos News: Tragedy As Three Policemen, Others Burnt To Death In Kebbi Bullion Van Accident

 

Tragedy has occured in Kebbi state as three policemen, others are burnt to death.

 

 

However, those affected in the sad incident is yet to be identified.

 

 

FG Declares October 3 As Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 3 as a public holiday to mark the nation’s 62nd Independence anniversary.

 

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the announcement in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore.

Aregbesola congratulated Nigerians on the celebration and assured of the government’s commitment to tackling the challenges facing the nation and bringing smiles to the faces of Nigerians.

“The world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected our nation.

“However, I’m assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at its disposal until respite comes our way,” he added.

Aregbesola reiterated the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of nations and the greatness ahead of the country “if we work hard as a people”.

“A country of over 200million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are,” he said.

Aregbesola also admonished Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the challenges facing the nation and the role they can play in addressing them.

 

Singer Reekado Banks Loses Mum

 

According to reports singer, Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, widely known as Reekado Banks, has lost his mother, Dorcas Olubunmi Solomon.

 This online platfrom understands that singers sharedthe sad news on Instagram.

 A poster announcing her death signed by “The Solomon Family” reads, “It is with Heavy heart that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, confidant and friend.

 “Dorcas Olubunmi Solomon is survived by her husband, sisters, children and grandchildren.

 “We implore the general public to keep us in prayers at this difficult time.”

 

I Don’t Want To Die In Prison – Embattled Nigerian Actor Baba Ijesha Cries Out Over Deteriorating Health

Recently convicted Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James aka Baba Ijesha, has cried out over his alleged deteriorating health from his hospital bed in prison.

 

The 49-year-old thespian, who was convicted of rape in July, 2022 said since his incarceration he has been battling a serious and deadly ailment which has deteriorated his health.

In a video making the round online, Baba Ijesha claimed that he doesn’t sleep or eat well anymore and appealed to Nigerians to come to his aid.

According to him, “I am battling a very serious and deadly ailment here in prison which is deteriorating my health. Please I need help. I don’t sleep or eat well anymore. I don’t want to die here. I am suffering for what I know nothing about. The Almighty God will judge Princess for lying against me that I used to deflower her daughter.”

 

I’m A Stepping Stone For Igbo Person To Become Nigerian President Because I Have Three Igbo Children –Atiku Says

 

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar says he is the stepping stone Igbo people of Southeast Nigeria can use for one of them to become President.

Atiku, who stated this in Enugu on Tuesday, when met he with PDP stakeholders in the Southeast, said, “I am the stepping stone for Igbos to become President of Nigeria,” adding that he would win the 2023 presidential election.

The former Vice President said he would prioritise developmental projects in the Southeast and other regions of the country, adding that any projects sited in any state of the federation are not a favour to the state but a favour to Nigeria.

“The second Niger bridge in Onitsha is not a favour to the Southeast, rather it is or should be seen as a favour to Nigeria. This is because it is not only the people of the Southeast that use the bridge,” he said.

On his relationship with the Igbo ethnic nationality, the former Vice President said he has a close relationship with the Igbo people, which he said influenced his choices of Senator Ben Obi and Peter Obi as his running mates in his previous outings as a presidential candidate.

He added that he has chosen another Igbo (Ifeanyi Okowa) for the third time as his running mate.

“I have three Igbo children and I am saying this for the very first time in public.”

Atiku listed five cardinal areas his administration would pay close attention to, which include tackling insecurity, and economic and other socio-political challenges bedevilling the country.

He said his first agenda would be to restore Nigeria’s unity through cooperation, and the establishment of a strong and effective government that can guarantee the safety and security of lives and property.

Atiku promised to build a strong resilient and prosperous economy that creates jobs and lifts people out of poverty. He also promised to promote a true federal system that will have strong a federal government to create national unity while allowing the federating units to set up their own priorities such as state police.

Atiku’s running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa lamented that Nigeria had never been more polarised and disunited as it is under the ruling All Progressives Congress leadership.

Okowa said the only solution to the current insecurity and other problems facing Nigeria is for the PDP to win the next presidential election, to be headed by an experienced politician like Atiku Abubakar.

Okowa called on Igbo leaders to be bold in tackling the challenges facing the Southeast.

The PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara said the party would mobilise votes for it to win the presidential election.

My Former Party APC Brought Hardship On Nigerians – Akeredolu’s Ex-commissioner Says As She Defects To PDP

Ondo state Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s former ally and ex-water resources commissioner Yetunde Adeyanju has urged APC members to leave the party, accusing it of bringing hardship on Nigerians as she and scores of APC supporters in Ondo defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

 

 Mrs Adeyanju led the decampees at an event on Monday held at the PDP secretariat in Ore, Odigbo local government.

“The APC has brought so much suffering to the people, and anybody with sympathy for the people must exit the party,” Mrs Adeyanju said.

Receiving the defectors, the PDP chairman in Ondo, Fatai Adams, said the party would be willing to receive more people into its fold ahead of the election.

Mr Adams expressed optimism that the PDP would return to power in 2023 and advised the defectors to support the party in their local areas.

Mrs Adeyanju, a prominent grassroots politician, resigned in July from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s cabinet after being moved from the water resources ministry to the planning and urban ministry.

She was the leader of the women’s groups for Mr Akeredolu’s campaign during the 2016 and 2020 governorship elections.

 

I Dare You To Make Your Medical Test Results Public – Pat Utomi Tells Tinubu

 

A former APC chieftain and political economist, Pat Utomi has challenged the All Progressive Congress presidential candidate Bola Tinubu to undergo a medical test and publicise the result to convince Nigerians he is capable of being the next president.

 

According to Utomi, “Tinubu is not fit. Physically, you can see he is ailing. You can see it. Let’s be true to ourselves. Let him go through a medical that will be made public in Nigeria,” said Mr Utomi on a Channels TV programme Monday evening. “American presidents go through medicals that are made public. Let him go through a medical with Nigerian doctors.”

The former Lagos governor, in May, had deflected words against his failing health, insisting that “governance is not about wrestling,” that “it’s about thinking” and “about the brain.”

Mr Tinubu, according to the politician sympathetic to the Labour Party presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, should not seek an elective position at an old age, especially at the nation’s highest office where physical fitness was a non-negotiable requirement.

“I don’t think the ambition of Tinubu is for the good of Nigeria. If I was his age, I wouldn’t be seeking political office at his age. Certain things are good for certain times. Why is it his turn? What about other people in Nigeria?”

Deriding Mr Tinubu’s “emi lokan” (It is my turn) outburst, Mr Utomi asserted it was not the APC presidential candidate’s turn to be president and that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would have made a formidable candidate for the ruling party.

“If there is any ‘emi lokan’ that is wrong, it is the ’emilokan of emilokan’ because ‘ko’kan’ (Not his turn),” Mr Utomi declared.

He added, “Our country has suffered so much from having ailing leaders, and that was why the vice president stepped up because he thought there was a challenge to that principle and direction.”

 

Lagos Baale Bags 15years In Prison For Faking His Kidnap

 

A High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has sentenced Mutiu Ogundare, dethroned Baale of Shangisha in Magodo area of Lagos state, to 15 years in prison for faking his own abduction.

 

 Justice Hakeem Oshodi sentenced Ogundare on Tuesday, September 27, following his conviction on a two-count bordering on breach of peace and fake kidnapping.

According to the prosecution, the defendants committed the offence on July 5, 2017. The prosecution said Ogundare put himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of causing a breach of public peace, adding that his brother and wife aided him in the crime.

Ogundare and Opeyemi Mohammed, his brother, were convicted on three counts bordering on conspiracy and fake abduction. The court, however, discharged and acquitted Ogundare’s wife.

“I have considered the allocutus of the defence counsels. However, it is in the view of this court that the defendants showed no remorse during the trial. In fact, the first defendant tried to buy his way out of the court. A lesson has to be thought to serve as a deterrent to others.

The defendants are hereby sentenced to 10 years for count one without an option of fine, one year to count two with an option of N200,000 and 15 years to count three without an option of fine.

The sentencing shall run concurrently from the day they had been arrested,” the judge said.

It would recalled that Ogundare, who confessed to security services that he staged the kidnap to blackmail the state government, was in July 2017, removed as the baale of Shangisha by Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Lagos.

Sterling Positions For Expansion With New Structure

 

With the unanimous support received from her shareholders, Sterling Bank, soon to be known as Sterling Financial Holdings Company, is firmly positioned to expand her financial services footprint from traditional banking and deliver more value to her shareholders.

According to the publicly available filings reviewed from the website of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), upon final ratification by the regulators, the commercial banking subsidiary of the holding company, Sterling Bank; will continue to operate with its current name as a limited liability company, with shares transferred from the publicly traded company transferred to the newly formed Sterling Financial Holdings Company.

At a recently held court-ordered meeting where the resolution was approved by the bank’s shareholders, the chairman of the bank’s board, Asue Ighodalo, said, “Following the implementation of the scheme, shareholders will exchange their shares in the Bank for shares in HoldCo in the same proportion as their current holdings in the Bank, which will be a regulated entity for CBN purposes.”

The Chairman added that the scheme would provide several benefits to the shareholders of the Bank, some of which include facilitating diversification into other permissible business lines, thereby promoting growth and enhancing shareholder value and facilitation of a consolidated financial strength of the group, which will improve access and ability to raise capital.

According to Chief Executive of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, the advantages of the newly formed holding company include value creation to maximise earnings through new businesses, agility to optimise for opportunities and adapt to a rapidly changing market, maximise current and future talent potential with opportunities within the group and subsidiaries to nurture and engage its wealth of young and innovative talent.

The holding company also affords Sterling another opportunity to leverage its successful HEART strategy, which has seen the bank make consolidated investments in the Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation sectors, growing the company’s year-on-year profits to record highs despite strong economic headwinds.

With the adoption of a Holdco structure, Sterling now possesses the latitude to make inroads into other sectors within financial services, such as pensions, asset management, payment services, real estate, and different verticals, along with the current banking licenses held by the commercial and non-interest banking subsidiaries, Sterling Bank and The Alternative Bank. 

In recent times, the bank has doubled down on digitisation with specialised products through the development and introduction of Specta, OneBank, I-invest, Gazelle and Omni X to fulfil the market’s needs for innovative retail and commercial banking solutions.

A holding company, or Holdco, is a company set up for the purpose of making and managing, for its own account, equity investment in two or more companies, being its subsidiaries, engaged in the provision of financial services, one of which must be a bank.

Tragedy As Sex Worker And Her Customer Dies In Lagos Building Collapse

 

Some emergency officials have shared more information on some of the victims of the building which collapsed in Lagos on Friday September 23.

 

It was reported earlier that the house located at 2/4 Oye Sonuga Street, Palm Avenue, Mushin, caved in on Friday, killing four persons.

Speaking to Daily Trust, some emergency officials revealed that two of the victims, a male and female, were having sex when the incident occurred.

An official said;

“In fact they were naked when their bodies were recovered.”

Another official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the press, said;

“We were shocked by what we saw at the scene. The last two victims whose dead bodies were recovered were actually having sexual intercourse. The man was on top of the prostitute when the building collapsed. They both died.”

Another official revealed that the building which collapsed is a motel and the female victims were actually prost!tutes. He said;

“The place was used as a Club House/Motel and the female victims were actually prostitutes; the last female we recovered was with a man. They were having a nice time when we recovered them.”

A source added;

“We have to reach out to their colleagues there who are all prost!tutes to get information on the victims’ families.”

 

I’ll Ensure Free Medical Services To 100m Poor Nigerians — Obi

Presidential Candidate of the labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has promised to ensure that 100 million poor Nigerians have access to free medical services through an integrated health insurance scheme if elected.

He spoke  at Success Conference in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State over the weekend.

“Given the role of health in reinforcing education in the measure of productivity, my leadership will pay serious attention to the health system by ensuring that at least 100 million poor Nigerians have access to free medical services through an integrated health insurance

With respect to finance, he said the lack of government-backed sizeable venture capital funds was a significant adverse factor in the finance mix for SMEs and young entrepreneurs at the grassroots level. He said if elected, he would create a professionally managed SME Equity Fund within the first year of office with the goal of promoting the development of at least one value-added industry to utilise the local raw material supply in every local government in Nigeria

“It is imperative that, as this conference draws closer to the most critical period ahead of the 2023 elections, all young people of voting age obtain their PVCs and make sure they cast their ballots for qualified, competent, and trustworthy candidates at the local/state and national levels.

“Governments at all levels have a responsibility to provide an environment that allows people to achieve their life goals, including those related to infrastructure, health, education, and security of life and property. Good leaders bring about the good life; terrible leaders bring about destruction,’’ he said.

He said the new administration taking office in 2023 would face a plethora of domestic and external challenges provoked by cumulative leadership failures over the years and that the country is currently one of the most miserable in terms of poverty rate, number of out-of-school children, infant and under-5 mortality rate, life expectancy, and a host of others.

He, however, said these problems, though difficult, were not unsolvable but that the institutional weaknesses and lack of political will to implement them were undermining development efforts.

He said the right leadership with political will and commitment to addressing these problems, a new Nigeria, where everybody including the most vulnerable and excluded group like youths, women, and children will become the key stakeholders in the decision-making process, is possible.

As part of ongoing consultation, Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti-Ahmed at the weekend, visited Nigeria’s former military president, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, at his residence in Niger State.

They had also earlier paid a visit to  Ex-military Head of State, General General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB (rtd)at his home.

Sharing photos from the meeting on his Twitter handle, Obi said: “It was a pleasure and honour for me and my running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to be hosted by Nigeria’s military president, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, at his home in Minna today.

He wrote: “Today, my running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed and I visited President  Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, GCFR, at his home in Minna. He received us very warmly and we had  insightful conversations on the state of affairs in our country.”

Meanwhile,  LP called on all candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC), to immediately withdraw from the 2023 elections.

According to the LP, APC has succeed in ruining and wrecking the economy and future of Nigeria by pushing the country into insolvency and bankruptcy.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Arabambi Abayomi, the party said: “Its an undisputed fact that in the first four months of the  year 2022 by the  Buhari Govt ‘s revelation through the  Budget and Planning Mininstry , they admitted  that the cost of debt servicing by the same stealing Govt has  surpassed its revenue in the 4 months under review.

“Remarkably, the clueless and confused APC Govt spent a total of N4.2 trillion between January and April 2022 from the earmarked N17.32trillion for the whole year .

“In these same four months, a sum of N285 bn was earned as oil revenue, this represents a shortfall of 60.9% of the prorated figure of N730.12bn, this is even in spite of the marked rally in crude oil prices in these four months when the Government unabashedly retarded APC Govt casually mentioned that oil production declined to let the oil revenue fall short of projection.

“It sounds very irritating, painful and annoying to keep hearing this dying and failed APC Govt repeatedly claiming that the untenable , questionable & unverifiable oil subsidy deductions was responsible with the twin criminal excuse of the inability to increase oil production was responsible for failure at meeting the projected target of revenue growth in the 4 months.

“The dishonest and lying APC probably forgot that in 2021 it spent N4.22 trillion on debt servicing which was an increase of 29.3% over over the sum of N3.27 triln spent for the same purpose in 2020 while the revenue only increased by a marginal 9.3 % to N4.39 trillion revenue and in the last 16months APC led Buhari Administration has spent a whooping sum of N6.16TRN

“The Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Mrs. Patience Oniha  confirmed that Nigeria’s total public debt stock representing domestic and external debt stock profile as at March, 2022 stood at N41. 60 trillion and N42.84TRN ($103.31billion as at June 30,2022 , dividing that by 200 million Nigerians including 50million yet unborn totalling 250m population explicitly confirmed that every Nigerians as at June 30th 2022 is indebited to the tune of N170,000 naira each

“Finally and for the record,the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said with impunity, executive rascality and malfeasance that the APC led Federal Government will borrow over N11 trillion and sell national assets to finance the budget deficit in 2023. She also said the government’s budget deficit is expected to exceed N12.42 trillion while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance to defend the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

“In view of this deliberate infractions, divisiveness  wickedness and Lawlessness,Labour Party here by  call for the immediate withdrawal of all APC candidates from the 2023 General Election so that Nigeria will not go into final extinction

“We must vote against the sick , the early and tired ancient men and the known and world wide published treasury thief to invest our votes in Peter “ the Obedient Obi in LP.

 

Photos: Nollywood Actress, Nkechi Blessing Shares Dildo At Her Mother’s 1 year Remembrance

 

Controversial Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has got social media agog after a video of her sharing sex-toy at her mother’s one year remembrance surface online

 

 The light skinned actress lost her mother in September 2021.

Nkechi who had a bitter ending with her London based boyfriend has however been receiving heavy backlash from Nigerians for sharing a dildo at funeral remembrance.

Nkechi is seen in the video addressing her guest, especially the ladies.

She was seen carrying the dildo, bragging about it while urging them to line up to get their package.

She claimed every lady needs to enjoy herself in whatever way they feel like.

Meanwhile, many believes it was insensitive of her to do that at her mother’s one year remembrance.

 

Update: We’re Ordered From Above To Drop Osinbajo From Tinubu’s Campaign – Festus Keyamo Says

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has explained the exclusion of the names of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, from the campaign council of Bola Tinubu, its presidential candidate.

 

 The absence of Osinbajo’s name on the 422-man list had attracted different comments.

Also missing from the list are Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, amongst others.

Osinbajo and Nwajiuba had contested the presidential primary of the ruling party with Tinubu, the eventual winner.

Explaining the reason in a statement on Saturday, Festus Keyamo, spokesman of the campaign said that the APC followed the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari who demanded the exclusion of the two top government officials.

He stated further that the President gave the directive so that both men could focus on governance.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to some stories making the rounds that there may be something amiss within the family of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the name of our own revered and respected Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, is not included in the list of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

“Nothing can be farther from the facts. For the avoidance of doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari is the Chairman of the Campaign Council. As a result, Mr. President has SPECIFICALLY directed that the Vice-President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha should be left out of the Campaign Council to concentrate on the governance of the country and administration of Government.

“As a responsible Party and Government, all the key functionaries of government cannot abandon their positions for electioneering campaigns. The APC has the mandate of the Nigerian people to administer the country on their behalf at least till May, 29, 2023, and this we intend to do with all sense of responsibility.

“Our candidates and the leadership of the APC have also indicated that the list is not sacrosanct as there may be periodic review of it as circumstances dictate. We will not toe the path of those who governed the country in an irresponsible manner before us and our Party is not in total disarray like those who wish to “rescue” the country, but cannot simply manage their own internal affairs.”

 

Tension As Nigerian Electricity Workers, NUEE Threaten To Shut Down National Grid

 

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to shut down the national grid again, if the federal government fails to meet their demands.

 The Zonal organising secretary, North West NUEE, Comrade Dukat Ayuba, in a press conference in Abuja on Friday said the two weeks given to resolve the crisis had elapsed.

He said although negotiations were still on going, the shutting down of the national grid could go on.

The workers had on August 12, 2022, shut down the national grid to draw the government’s attention to their plight.

Ayuba lamented that the so-called privatisation of the sector was a scam because nine years after the taking over by investors, nothing had changed.

“That was why, we kicked against privatising the distribution sector because, the investors don‘t have the capacity and expertise. As committed Nigerians we advised the government against it. But the government was hell bent on doing so.

“The investors are still operating with obsolete equipment dating back to 35, 40, and 50 years. One will expect that with the coming of the investors they will replaced these obsolete equipment but nothing has been done.”

According to the union leader, the nation still generates 5,000 megawatts of electricity, saying, “This is the same 5,000 megawatts we used to generate. So, what is the benefit of privatisation? We now generate megawatts with higher tariffs, bringing hardship to the homes of millions of Nigerians. This will only happen in Nigeria,” he stressed.

Also, a member of Central Executive Committee, Wisdom Nwachukwu, said the federal government was plotting to sell off the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“They are going behind meeting with some stakeholders. We are watching them. We will not allow that. We are patriotic Nigerians who want the best for our country.”

The Vice President, North West, NUEE Ado Gaya revealed that the 16 months demanded by the electricity workers is their legitimate earnings which involve 55,000 workers.

However, he said nine years after, the workers had not received a dime, saying, many of the workers have died, while those who were laid off were suffering with their families and passing through very difficult times.

 

Pay Back Time? Osinbajo Missing As APC Releases 422-member Presidential Campaign Council

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a 422-member Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) ahead of the commencement of the party’s 2023 presidential campaign to be headed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Curiously, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the only high profile member of the party not listed in the lengthy list.

According to the list of members of the council released in Abuja on Saturday, Bola Tinubu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate and Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman, are to serve as deputy chairmen of the council.

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau is the director-general, with James Faleke as council secretary.

Kashim Shettima, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, is the vice chairman of the council and Adams Oshiomhole, former APC national chairman is the deputy director-general (Operations). At the same time, Hadiza Usman is the deputy director-general (Admin).

The 422-man campaign council has Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and chairman Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) as vice-chairman and state coordinator.

Godswill Akpabio, a former Akwa-Ibom governor, is vice-chairmen (South-South), and Uju Kennedy, the former female APC presidential aspirant, is the vice-chairman South-East.

Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa is the regional coordinator and chairman for north and his state; Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, regional co-ordinator South and Ebonyi; Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River is the regional director South-South.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is the zonal coordinator for South-West and Ondo State; Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is the zonal coordinator for North-Central and his state.

Governor Muhammed Yahaya is the zonal coordinator for the North-East and Gombe, and Governor Bello Matawalle is the zonal coordinator for the North-West and Zamfara.

The list showed that all APC governors were coordinators of the presidential council in their respective states, and where there were no sitting governors of the party, its governorship candidates were the coordinators.

Others appointed were Governor Yahaha Bello of Kogi as a national youth coordinator, Felix Nicholas, deputy national youth coordinator; Festus Keyamo, spokesperson; Chris Tarka, deputy secretary; Governor Kayode Fayemi as the coordinator for Ekiti State and Adviser Foreign Affairs.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan is made senior adviser on strategic planning, Femi Gbajabiamila, adviser on legal matters, and Aliyu Wamako, former Sokoto State governor, is the adviser on special duties.

Rotimi Amaechi is the adviser on infrastructure; Ibikunle Amosun, the adviser on contacts and mobilisation; Dele Alake, the adviser on media, communications and public affairs.

Others are Abdullahi Ganduje, adviser political affairs and Kano coordinator; Nasir El-Rufai, coordinator, Kaduna State and senior adviser, policy, strategy and enforcement and Abdulrahaman Danbazzau, adviser, strategic engagement.

Mr Faleke, secretary to the council, advised all nominees to pick their appointment letters on Monday at the APC presidential campaign office.

The PCC, with its many directorates, will be inaugurated on September 26 at the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja.

I Turned Down Free Governorship Tickets Because I Want To Support Mbah - Barth Nnaji

The former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji has disclosed how he rejected free gubernatorial tickets offered to him by different political parties in Enugu State because of his resolve to support the governorship aspiration of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Mbah ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Speaking in his hometown of Umuode, Nkanu East local government area, on Saturday night when Mbah paid him a courtesy visit, Nnaji said he remains a staunch supporter of the PDP gubernatorial flag-bearer, stressing that he is bound by the memorandum of understanding (MoU) he signed with Mbah and other PDP governorship aspirants before the May 25, 2022 primary election.

The former minister who recalled how many political parties pestered around him, offering their governorship tickets, said he emphatically told them he would not be contesting against Peter Mbah whom he had earlier assured of his support.

Citing the importance of leadership and integrity, Prof Nnaji said he would never join those working the opposite direction from their collective agreement, saying the letters of the MoU prepared by the Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum, a body which he led ahead of the primaries, and signed by the gubernatorial aspirants of the PDP in the state was binding on them and should serve as their conscience. According to him, “you don’t abruptly abandon your direction for another direction”.

Nnaji who went memory lane on how the journey towards the Nkanu East gubernatorial project was conceived leading to the voluntary signing of the MoU, said he was asked to lead the Consultative Forum that lobbied stakeholders and the people of the state to consider the state of underdevelopment of the council area, adding that he would never abandon the project for anybody.

“My colleagues on that journey are here. We bonded together. We worked hard. We consulted people, and we visited our governor as part of that. We visited him before we started and we visited him after we had finished to report to him. It was a very wonderful thing.

“After going with my colleagues to plead with the leaders of Enugu State to bring the governorship ticket to Nkanu East, telling them why it’s so critical, that Nkanu East is such a deplorable environment, not even one good road any where. No federal institution. No state institution other than schools. The people of Nkanu East who want to access their headquarters have to pass through many other local government areas, like four or five, and they ply them all the time. So we said it’ll be good for the state to give us the opportunity not just only for Nkanu East but for us to have it on behalf of the state to also enable them do something in their areas. That was the message, and it resonated.

“One of the things we said to ourselves was, this could be a new beginning. Let’s use this as a way to show how we can work together in Nkanuland. That’s what we agreed upon. It’s always good to know that when we are moving, you don’t abruptly abandon your direction for another direction.

“It got to a point where we were told we would do MoU. Eventually, it was in our home; my own team (Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum) that did the MoU to back whomever emerged from the process.

“And when he (Peter Mbah) was selected, I sent out a message and I stood by the message. You can’t imagine how many parties have been coming to me, offering me their tickets, and I turned them down. I told them we had an agreement and we all voluntarily agreed to honour it. I didn’t take the ticket of Labour Party. I didn’t take the ticket of APC. I didn’t take the ticket of APGA. It’s all about principles. I went back to my business. I’m in support of what we agreed to do.

“So I wasn’t unhappy when my brother (Dr. Peter Mbah) was selected. I was totally blessed as I did bless that night. That night I sent you a message congratulating you and pledging to support you. That agreement, that support stands,” he reassured Mbah and his entourage.

Dismissing the news on social media that he had joined the Labour Party or any other party as fake and untrue, Nnaji said even though they came to him with their tickets, he outrightly rejected them because he stood by the agreement to support Mbah.

“People say all manner of things on social media and if you’ve not been around in the political terrain, you’ll just swallow what you think to be the truth. If you’ve been around long enough there are things you don’t even need to respond to, listen to because they are just what they are,” he noted.

While congratulating the Enugu State governorship hopeful, Nnaji said he would continue to work with him and further charged his followers and supporters to join the PDP moving train for the successful prosecution and successful outcome of the election.

Speaking earlier, Mbah expressed his profound gratitude to Prof Nnaji for the reception and for his support, stressing that history would not forget the invaluable role he played in ensuring that the ticket came down to Nkanu East.

Addressing his host, Mbah said: “when the eligibility argument was raging, when we had people from all parts of the state; we had people from the West who said it was their turn to become governor. We also had some people from Enugu North senatorial district clamouring. And in the East we were also ardently advocating we were blessed with people with capacity. At that point you took a very critical step. You did not only acknowledge that it was the turn of Enugu East senatorial zone, but you actually went a step further.

“The Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum was constituted and you became the face of that Consultative Forum. You had a mission and that mission was clear. That mission was that because you assumed that the issue of the next governorship coming to Enugu East was given, it was also very important to you that it was narrowed down. You went on arguing about years of deplorable state of infrastructure that we had to endure in Nkanu East.

“You got people to buy into that mission and you went with your team talking to the political stalwarts that we have in Enugu State, convincing them on why it should be the turn of Nkanu East. You got people in the state to buy into this mission. That mission grew and became bigger than even the members.

“I also know that in the process when you got a lot of people who also became proponents of the mission, some of those people also began to take bruises because they believed in and argued for it. These are not people from Nkanu East but elsewhere.”

Nigeria Must Elect The Right Leaders To Move Forward - Enugu PDP Governorship Candidate

Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has said the only way Nigeria can navigate its way out of its current multifaceted ordeals is through the right leadership.

Mbah, who disclosed this on Saturday while delivering a lecture as guest speaker at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, bemoaned that the state of the nation is discouraging to the youths.

He stressed that security collapse, high crime rate and the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian University (ASUU) were products of bad leadership in the country.

Speaking on the theme of the annual lecture series, “Leadership in Modern Times: Youths Bridging The Gap”, organised by the Medical Research and Humanitarian Society, University of Nigeria, Mbah expressed confidence that only the right leadership would put Nigeria back on track.

“Good leadership should not only be about leadership traits, or visionary nature, but also about the ability of the leader to convey his vision and most of all, about his ability to carry his team through the motion of moving from their current state, to achieving their envisioned state. The test of leadership is the management of the journey and the dynamics of carrying the team along to the final objective,” he noted.

According to Mbah, Africa is still battling with the kind of leadership model its colonial masters bequeathed on it which he called, heroic leadership complex, where leaders wanted to be worshipped as heroes rather than seeing themselves as servants of the people they’re representing. This, he said, had led to the collapse of leadership in Nigeria where youths are now at the receiving end.

“The collapse of leadership in Africa has had a reverberating effect on youths of the continent. Nigeria for example reflects this collapse in the different malaises suffered by the youths. For instance, the level of nepotism that is currently in the country, the collapse of security, the menace of students staying at home for upwards of seven months simply due to the inability of government and the lecturers’ union to come to an accord on issues of funding of universities have a linkage to this collapse. More significantly is the fear that the Nigerian economy can go bankrupt if no urgent steps are taken to halt the decline,” he observed.

He called on different institutions and bodies to deliberately set up leadership programmes that would address leadership deficiency on the youths even as he commended the MEDRHUS for organizing this year’s lecture, saying it’s a right step in the right direction.

Earlier in his welcome address, the President of MEDRHUS, Anigbo Stephen expressed his profound appreciation for the presence of the guest speaker, saying the knowledge he would impact on the youths would make them more useful to themselves and the society.

Others present at the occasion were Mbah’s running mate, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, Director General of the State PDP/Peter Mbah Campaign Organization, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, former deputy governor of Enugu State, Rev Dr Ralph Nwonye, former Senator Gil Nnaji, senatorial candidate for Enugu West, Engr Osita Ngwu, house of assembly members, local government chairmen, among others.

You Cannot Play God, PDP Is Surviving Without Obasanjo – Atiku Fire Back At Wike

 

Atiku Abubakar says the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will survive without Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike.

 

 Speaking through his spokesman, Daniel Bwala, the PDP 2023 presidential candidate argued that the party has survived the absence of more important founding members like former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Iyorcha Ayu and Atiku were founding members. They left and had to come back. Let me tell you why you can’t play God,” Mr Bwala said in a Channels TV interview on Friday night.

“Atiku left, the party survived. Ayu left, the party survived. If Wike leaves the party will survive. Obasanjo is not in PDP, it survived. You need to understand and know the limit of your operation and influence,” Mr Bwala added.

Mr Bwala’s statement comes in the wake of Mr Wike’s outburst on Friday, berating Mr Abubakar and insisting that the party chairman Iyorcha Ayu must resign.

Internal crisis has rocked the PDP since Mr Wike lost the party’s 2022 presidential primary to Mr Abubakar in May.

The crisis took a bad turn after Mr Abubakar dumped Mr Wike to pick Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, against the recommendation of a party committee that had put forward the Rivers governor.

 

Mixed Reactions As 80-year-old Equatorial Guinea President Set To Run For Sixth Term

 

The Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) holds 99 of the 100 seats in the outgoing lower house of parliament and all 70 of the senate seats.

 

 President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea with an iron fist for more than 43 years, will seek a sixth term in November, the vice president said Friday, AFP reports.

Obiang, 80, is the longest ruling head of state in the world excluding monarchs but it was uncertain if he would stand again or whether his son would succeed him.

It was his son, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, nicknamed “Teodorin”, who made the announcement.

“Because of his charisma, his leadership, and his political experience”, the ruling party unanimously chose Obiang as its candidate for the November 20 poll, Obiang Mangue wrote on Twitter.

The Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) holds 99 of the 100 seats in the outgoing lower house of parliament and all 70 of the senate seats.

But it had not been clear who would be named as the party’s candidate on the presidential ballot. No other candidate has so far been declared.

Obiang seized power in a coup in 1979 that led to the execution of his feared, ruthless uncle and predecessor Francisco Macias Nguema.

The PDGE was the country’s single legal political movement until 1991, when multi-party politics were introduced.

But Obiang himself has never officially been re-elected with less than 93 percent of the vote.

He could now be set for another seven years in power.

Last year, Teodorin seemed to have been lined up to stand in the elections. In the end, however, and to general surprise, he was not chosen as a candidate last November.

Observers and diplomats pointed to a power struggle between Teodorin and certain regime figures who did not want to see the president’s son taking over the reins of power.

Teodorin has been sentenced in France to a three-year suspended prison term and a fine of 30 million euros for having fraudulently accumulated luxury properties and goods.

On Tuesday, the small, oil-rich country announced it was bringing forward the presidential vote by five months.

It also said the poll would take place at the same time as parliamentary elections.

 

 

Holding the two costly votes together was necessary at a time of economic crisis due to the Ukraine conflict and the pandemic, it said.

The country, one of the world’s most authoritarian, abolished the death penalty, state television announced on Monday citing a new law signed by the president.

International rights groups regularly accuse the authorities in the former Spanish colony of human rights abuse

 

My Party Chairman, Ayu Collected N1 billion, Asked Other Candidates To Withdraw For Atiku – Wike Explode

 

Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike has alleged that Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), collected N1 billion from a presidential candidate in Lagos and worked for the emergence of presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

 

Mr Wike raised a fresh outburst in a media chat broadcasted on Friday. The Rivers governor accused Mr Ayu of obtaining the said amount on grounds that the party’s governors were not prepared to fund the party.

“Ayu is corrupt. Quote me. I am a lawyer and I am the governor of Rivers State,” Mr Wike alleged. “Can Ayu deny that he did not collect one billion naira from Lagos. He told one of the PDP presidential aspirants before the primaries that the governors were not ready to fund the party.”

Mr Wike said he knows “how the money was arranged and those involved in packaging the money. He collected one billion.” Let him come out to tell Nigerians it is not true and I will reveal more,” the governor threatened.

Mr Wike lost the PDP presidential ticket to former vice president Atiku Abubakar at the party’s primary election in May. He accused Mr Ayu of masterminding the loss by reaching out to other contestants to step down for Mr Atiku.

He insisted that the current structure of the party has been compromised as some leaders have been allocated slots in a government to be formed from an election that is yet to be won.

Mr Wike and his supporters such as Oyo governor Seyi Makinde have been resolute in their call for the ouster of Mr Ayu. They say that would correct the “injustice” meted against the South.

The governor denies that his recent outbursts against the party were out of bitterness from losing the presidential ticket.

He said his only regrets were that he would not be able to tackle insecurity as he had planned.

“I feel pains for not being given the opportunity to fight bandits, I feel pains for not having the opportunity to fight oil theft,” Mr Wike said.

“If there are two things I promised myself I am going to do is to take insecurity head on and the issues of oil theft that’s affecting our economy as of today,” he added.

 

Wike Has Destroyed Atiku’s Electoral Chances In 2023 – Tinubu

 

The Bola Tinubu presidential campaign organisation has flung swiping remarks at Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the crisis rocking the opposition party, ahead of the country’s 2023 general election.

 

Mr Tinubu’s campaign says infighting between Mr Abubakar and Rivers governor Nyesom Wike has shown that the PDP is in “disarray” and on its way to electoral defeat.

“The ongoing fratricidal war where a faction of the party being led by the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is engaging Atiku in a fight to finish has undermined any momentum the PDP candidate had hoped to build. With further loss of confidence in PDP by its own members who can not find any redeeming feature in the fast disappearing party, it is crystal clear that Atiku’s latest bid for the Nigeria’s top job has hit the rocks,” Bayo Onanuga, spokesman for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, said on Friday.

The crisis in the opposition worsened on Thursday as leaders sympathetic to Mr Wike withdrew participation in the party’s presidential campaign.

Arising from an all-night meeting, the Wike group, in a briefing by Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the party, insisted that PDP national chairman Iyorchia Ayu must resign for a reconciliation to occur.

On Friday, Mr Wike, who sought the party’s presidential ticket, accused Mr Ayu of favouring Mr Abubakar against him.

He particularly accused Mr Ayu of reaching out to other contestants, especially Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal, to step down from the race to Mr Abubakar.

The dust raised from the allegation has led to more cracks in the walls of the party’s structure.

Mr Tinubu’s camp condemned Mr Abubakar for the crisis, saying the signs are showing that the former vice president will lose the 2023 election.

“The signs are just too ominous for the Waziri what with the report by the Economic Intelligence Unit predicting another trashing for him in the forthcoming polls.”

“After violating his party’s code for power rotation between the north and south and grabbing the PDP ticket without a modicum of sensibilities about our national ethos, Alhaji Atiku is now faced with the karma of his inordinate ambition,” the APC presidential campaign said.

Positing further, the campaign said instead of the PDP presidential candidate being a unifier, he is now a “divider-in-chief” in his party.

“A pillar of Atiku’s campaign is the claim of being a unifier and nationalist. That bogus claim has now been discredited, even within his party as the disaffected members cry for justice and inclusivity.

“As a campaign, we can only pity former Vice President Atiku for the self-inflicted injury he invited unto himself. Chinua Achebe, the very accomplished novelist in one of his classics, Arrow of God, wrote that a man who brought ant-infested faggots into the homestead should not grumble when lizards begin to pay him a visit.”

The APC presidential campaign noted, “Atiku brought this unto himself and we dare say he can kiss his ill-fated presidential bid goodbye.

“The former Vice President created the crisis for himself, by pushing the fallacy that only a northern candidate can win the presidency for his party, despite the open record that southerners, when they network with their northern compatriots, can also win the election.”

 

You’re A Liar- Atiku Slams Lai Mohammed, Says Buhari Administration Has No Policy Document

 

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Communication, Lai Mohammed, told a “tsunami of lies” during his interview on Thursday.

 

Lai Mohammed had told newsmen on Thursday, that Atiku copied the economic blueprint of President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

Reacting to the claim, Atiku said the Buhari administration came into power without a single sheet of paper of what could be called a policy document.

 

The statement released by the presidential candidate’s campaign council read: “That is a tsunami of a lie! To begin with, it has been openly acknowledged that this current administration came into power without a single sheet of paper of what could be called a policy document. Nigerians are aware that in both 2015 and 2019, it took the APC six months and three months respectively, to constitute a cabinet. Perhaps the Minister might be interested in telling Nigerians if it is also part of the APC manifesto to foot drag in forming a government.

 

“It is on record that the first economic recession that the country experienced in 2016, which happens to be our worst economic decline in thirty years, happened primarily because the APC administration applied what can be called a catch-up strategy to the early signals of the recession.

 

“That is why to this day, Nigerians are more agreeable to the fact that the tenure of the APC has been nothing but a sheer waste of time, all thanks to the catch-up economic strategy of the ruling party that has left the people more malnourished, sick and disillusioned.

 

“The poor records of the APC in the areas of economic management, jobs creation, education, security, and in virtually all spheres of our national life, is the reason why there is a lot of anxiety about the 2023 general election. Indeed, it needs to be stressed that next year’s election will be a referendum on the APC and it is not in doubt that the ruling party in Nigeria will present a global case study of how a political party can lose popular goodwill within a short period of time.

 

“Nigerians of all hues, both the rich and those that are not; the educated and those who are not; the elderly and the young are all witnesses to the scandal that the APC has become in the art of governance. Nigerians are rallied in their frustration with the APC and the promise of a better future that our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar holds for the country after his victory in the 2023 presidential election.

 

“What Minister Lai Mohammed reeled out as achievements of the APC is a compilation of the reasons why Nigerians have roundly rejected the ruling party. It’s nothing but a testimonial of failures. Conversely, what His Excellency Atiku Abubakar presented to the organised private sector in Lagos State last week represents the hopes of a new beginning, which Nigerians eagerly anticipate.

 

“Trying to associate the Atiku policy plans with the failed policies of the APC is the comical height of Minister Lai Mohammed’s aversion for the truth.

 

“It is contempt not just against the PDP and our presidential candidate, but also to the whole nation. Lai Mohammed must apologise to Nigerians for such an insensitive onslaught against truth in broad daylight.”

Unknown Gunmen Kidnap Three Police Officers In Ogun

 

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted three policemen In Ewekoro local government area of Ogun state, The Nation reports. 

 

 The officers led by Inspector Oladipo Olayemi, who were on assignment in Ogun from Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, were abducted on Thursday, September 22, at Wasinmi. 

 

It was gathered that the officers have been duly booked at the police division in Wasinmi before they left to carry out their assignment. 

 

The gunmen were said to have waylaid the police officers who were being conveyed in a commercial vehicle at about 2.30 pm.

 

The driver of the vehicle conveying them managed to escape from the kidnappers.

However, spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident said "people were kidnapped but only one policeman is involved."

 

Oyeyemi said men of the command are already on the trail of the kidnappers, assuring that the victims would be rescued. 

 

"We are on the trail of the kidnappers. Do you think we are going to keep quiet? We will get them and rescue the victims unhurt,” the PPRO added.