Ahead of the 2023 campaigns, a political pressure group, Like Minds 4A New Nigeria, has donated a building to the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi at Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.
Speaking shortly after the donation, Mr Kingsley Odum, explained that he was donating his personal building on behalf of the group to Labour Party in support of the Presidential aspiration of Mr Peter Obi.
Odum declared total support of the group for Mr Peter Obi in the 2023 elections, explaining that; “our support is based on a common belief that Peter Obi is the most capable candidate that can bring about a positive change in the country based on his track record.
“Like Minds 4A New Nigeria, is a frontline support group of Peter Obi with membership across the six geopolitical zones of the country, Africa, and the diaspora. The group is formed in pursuit of positive change, good governance, and sustainable development.
“I have donated my building to serve as a secretariat for Labour Party, to show my support and demonstration of my confidence in Mr Peter Obi’s capacity and competence to entrench good governance in Nigeria”.
Also, another Co-founder of the group, Mr Gabriel Nzewi, said they have started mobilising Nigerians across all the electoral wards in the six geopolitical zones in the country to get their PVC ready, vote and defend their votes during the election.
Nzewi said; “I urge Nigerians to strongly support and vote for Peter Obi in the forthcoming presidential election. Peter Obi is a consummate businessman and a trusted political administrator, is the change the country has long been yearning for”.
He urged those who have not registered to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration exercise to register to enable them to change the narrative of bad governance in the country through their votes.
A member of the group, Zainab Darlington, who also spoke during the ceremony, said; “an Obi’s presidency will not only heal the wounds of bad governance, but will lay the foundation for a New Nigeria.
“We have all complained about the failure of the Nigerian government to deliver good governance to its people, we need to go beyond complaining to taking action in the direction of our hopes.”
In his remark, Delta State Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, commended the group for the donation and urged them to remain committed to the project and enjoined them to help strengthen the party in their various localities.
Ezeagwu expressed optimism that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate would become the next President of Nigeria, adding that; “Peter Obi is the only one among the four leading presidential candidates that is best suited to bring Nigeria out of her numerous challenges.”
Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwim Clark has lampooned the nomination of Senator Kassim Shettima, Borno Central, a Muslim as the running mate to the party’s Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 general elections who is also a Muslim.
According to Clark, the Convener, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), with the action of the former Lagos State Governor in appointing a Muslim to run with him even as a Muslim in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country with Christianity and Islam as the major religions, he felt very threatened for Nigeria as a country.
Clark asked if the action of the APC Presidential Candidate are not pointers to the confirmation and actualisation of such rumours to Islamise Nigeria as a country.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja on the Muslim – Muslim Ticket of the APC ahead of next year’s elections, the Elderstatesman who is the Leader of the Sourthern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF lamented that with a very sharp division presently in the country, Tinubu’s action and that of the APC would further worsen the situation in the country.
According to Clark, with Kashim Shettima as the APC Presidential Candidate’s running mate, is Tinubu trying to portray to Nigeria and Nigerians that there are no Christians in the APC from the north who are “competent, capable and reliable?”
The Statement titled on Muslim – Muslim Ticket read, “I feel threatened for our beloved country because of the way things are going. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with Christianity and Islam as the major religions, even though Nigeria is a secular state.
“In compliance with Constitutional provisions of inclusiveness, the number one and number two positions in the country, viz, President and Vice President, have always been occupied by practitioners of the two major religions, to ensure balancing.
“It will be recalled that the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, could not be chosen in 2015 as Vice President to Muhammadu Buhari, because he is a Muslim and Muhammadu Buhari is a Muslim. Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in his own words confirmed this in his statement in Abeokuta, Ogun State. What has changed? One quality of a good leader is consistency. A good leader must act in the same way at all times, to all people. He must not display double standard.
“Today, what has the Presidential candidate of the APC, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu done? He has picked a person of his religion, a Muslim, as his Running-mate. Such choice is not inclusive, it is not good for a secular state like Nigeria.
“There is presently a sharp division in the country, even on religious lines, and all patriots are seeking ways to salvage the situation. Therefore, Alhaji Tinubu’s decision to take a fellow Muslim as his running mate, will further worsen the situation in the country. He should know that patriotism is a quality of a good leader. كيف تربح المال من الانترنت
“On the reasons adduced by Alhaji Tinubu on why he chose Kashim Shettima as Running-mate, is the APC Presidential Flag bearer telling Nigerians that there are no Christians in the APC from the north who are “competent, capable and reliable?”
“There are rumours of an attempt to Islamise the country. Are all these pointers to the confirmation and actualisation of such rumours.
“One need to bear in mind the antecedents of the major backers of Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition, which include Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Governor of Kano State, and the chosen one – Kashim Shettima.
“Both the Governor and Deputy Governor in Kaduna State, are Muslims. A blatant action by the Governor, Nasir el-Rufai. لعب القمار على الانترنت Unfortunately, the APC Gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 election, is following suit. Is there a deliberate move of making Kaduna an Islamic State? Unconfirmed statistics put the ratio of Christians and Muslims in Kaduna State as 50/50; some statistics even put it as 55% for Christians and 45% for Muslims, yet Nasir el-Rufai, despite complaints and agitations by people not only from Kaduna State, but from the entire country, ‘decided’ to pick a Muslim as his Deputy.
“It is illusion to think that except one is from the north, you may not win election. So, the idea that unless you come from the north or you are a Muslim, or a Muslim supports you if you are not a Muslim, you cannot win an election, should immediately be jettisoned by proponents of such an idea. The north needs the south to be in power, same way the south needs the north to be in power. No part can do it alone. About 46% or more of Nigerians are Christians.
“Yet a group of persons want to sideline and exclude them from the affairs of the country. This is not possible.
“The question is, is Alhaji Bola Ahmad Tinubu under pressure from these his core supporters and backers, to pick a Muslim as his Running-mate, and did he cave in to the pressure because “it is his turn to be President of Nigeria”, despite complaints and protestations?
“The PDP is the cause of these things because of its refusal to zone its presidency to the south.
“These are dangerous signals. Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu cannot compare 2022/2023 with 1993. In 1993, majority of Nigerians, on their own volition, supported the Muslim/Muslim ticket of M. K. O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as President and Vice President, 29 years ago. It was not shoved on them; it was not forced on them. كيف تلعب لعبة البوكر Also, during that period, Nigeria was not so divided on ethnic and religious divides. If people are complaining, a good leader should listen. Unfortunately, we have leaders who not only ignore the concerns of the people with impunity, but also make crass statements.
“The insecurity, the fate of Nigeria as a failing state as it is today, did not exist in 1993. The killing of Christians, especially Catholic Priests, the forty (40) persons killed at the Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State; what happened at the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre a few days ago, where about 1000 inmates, including about 63 Boko Haram terrorists were freed, the attack on the Kaduna bound train, and the killing of some and abduction of several of the passengers, does not speak well of the times we are in. They are all signs of a failing state and ought to make everyone to be very cautious in our actions. And nobody, should aggravate the situation.
“Those who are leaders should remember that power is transient.”
The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate for the July 16th governorship election, Hon Lasun Yusuf escaped being killed in the early hours of the day by yet-to-be-identified gunmen who launched an attack on his residence in his hometown in Ilobu of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun state.
Information on the attack still remains cloudy as at the time of filing this report. But sources hinted that the gunmen stormed his residence around 2.00 a.m of the day but were vehemently resisted by his security guards who engaged them in a fierce battle.
When contacted, his media aide, Mr Oyewole Oladimeji confirmed the incident.
Meanwhile, Lasun, on a radio programme in Osogbo on Monday, openly alleged that the attack on his house was organised by the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was intent on eliminating him from the gubernatorial race.
But the press secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Ismail Omipidan, has said that Lasun Yusuf, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the Osun gubernatorial election, is no threat to his principal’s second term ambition.
The Middle Belt Youth Forum has expressed anger over the decision by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to embark on a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
The decision by the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to have the former Borno Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate, has been a topic for public discourse since yesterday.
ABN TV had reported that the APC presidential candidate on Sunday announced Shettima, a fellow Muslim as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Reacting, a statement issued by the President, Middle Belt Youth Forum, Terrence Kuanum lambasted the ruling party for ignoring the Christian faithful, describing the decision as callous and senseless.
According to the forum, the party does not have the interest of Nigerians at heart, describing APC as an “anti-people party”.
The statement reads in part, “We note with sadness and utter disappointment the senseless and callous decision of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2023 election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to pick former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
“Although we anticipated that the party which has no regard for inclusiveness and fairness would go for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, we thought the party could for once, tow the line of honour, justice and fairness by taking into consideration the feelings of other Nigerians.
“We, therefore, condemn in totality, the unpopular, unsavoury, unnecessary and infamous show of shame by the APC as they intend to present a one-sided ticket to the people in a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society in this age. We are not ethnic jingoists or religious bigots but we sure are not fans of politics of exclusion”.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso has said he will support his counterpart from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, if he perceives he cannot win.
Kwankwaso made this known in an interview on Arise TV on Sunday evening, monitored by ABN TV.
Former Kano governor spoke following Tinubu’s announcement of Sen Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
He claimed he had a good rapport with the APC national leader in the past and could not underrate his capabilities and tactics to manage Nigeria’s affairs.
Kwankwaso said: “I am so happy about the combination, my only worry is the platform, I know Bola Tinubu is a strategist; he is a good man, I have had reasons to sit with him several times, from 1990 till date.
“The only thing I don’t know is what he will tell Nigerians he will do differently from what President Muhammadu Buhari is doing. Ordinarily, if I cannot get (the presidency) I can recommend Tinubu”.
The pictures of Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and Nana Hadiza, daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he recently married, are in circulation.
The wedding ceremony, which took place at the Presidential Villa mosque, on Friday, was attended by families of the couple.
Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has expressed shock at the death of Chief Sir Micah Onyebuchi, father of Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
Chief Sir Micah Onyebuchi who was to clock 90 in October this year, passed on Saturday, 8th July, 2022.
While expressing his sadness at the death of Pa Onyebuchi, the Abia Speaker described him as a dedicated Christian and a man of repute who brought up his children in the way of God, ensured they had adequate education and in turn become responsible citizens. He also recalled how Dee Micah worked under his father, Senator T.A. Orji, without any blemish and led a life characterised by strict adherence to his beliefs in integrity and discipline.
Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and asked God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The Management of the Abia State University, ABSU, has debunked claims by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in the institution that its members were being owed for 10 months, insisting that staff of the university are only owed for five months.
Registrar, Dr Acho Elendu, who cleared the air in a press statement, explained that the current Management inherited a backlog of salary arrears of 10 months but had painstakingly reduced the backlog to five months, sometimes paying arrears of two months in one month.
The Management spoke on the heels of a recent media interview by ASUU Chairperson, Comrade Victor Nkemdirim, who complained that the academic staff of the university had run out of begging strategy and that some of them could no longer feed well owing to non payment of their salaries.
But the Registrar in a swift response, said that the current Management was making spirited efforts to clear every outstanding arrears, and advised ASUU against resorting to blackmail.
The statement entitled ” Outstanding Salaries of Staff of Abia State University – The True Position”, read in part: “The attention of Management of Abia State University has been drawn to a press statement by the Chairperson, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University branch, urging the State Government to intervene and pay outstanding 10 months salaries of staff of the University.
“Management appreciates the plight of our respected colleagues and would stop at nothing towards ameliorating the ugly situation through collective responsibility and mutual sacrifices.
“For the benefit of the public and to put the records straight, Management wishes to state as follows: That on assumption of office by the Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Onyemachi M, Ogbulu, on 1st December, 2020 the University was in arrears of salary payment for nine months occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
“That as a Distinguished Professor of Finance, prudent Manager of resources and unrepentant welfarist, the Vice-Chancellor between December, 2020 and February, 2022 paid 17 months salaries in 13 months; at times, two months salaries were paid in one month. The records are there.
“That having drastically reduced the arrears of salaries to five months and regularly providing municipal services in the university, Management promised to liquidate the outstanding salary payments within the year, given uninterrupted academic activities.
“That being an institution which depends largely on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to complement the monthly subvention by the State Government, the National ASUU strike and subsequent closure of the University have had consequential and debilitating effect on the University finances;
“We therefore, appeal to ASUU, ABSU branch to reconsider their position in this protracted strike action and desist from blackmailing the University Management with respect to funding.”
ASUU had in earlier statement entitled ” Save Our Souls: Abia State University Academics Are Dying”, accused the university Management of not mounting enough pressure on the State Government to release their subventions regularly.
It read in part:”With dismay, we are deeply pained because of the sorry state we have found ourselves. The peculiar situation where Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from student’s school fees would be used to pay salaries of staff. This is a case of self destruction where the Managers, instead of forcing it on the government to release subvention to the university pretends that IGR can solve the litany of problems in the University. What a deceit!
“It is important to note and to bring to the attention of the public the pathetic condition afflicting Lecturer’s in ABSU. We have never had it so rough and traumatic. The staff of ABSU are wondering what they did to earn such a fate/punishment. Who did we offend?
“For the avoidance of doubt, we are owed 10 long, tedious and agonizing months of arrears of salaries. The last salary payment received was that of September, 2021. The non implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, resulting in arrears of 18 months, amounting to close to 1 billion naira, withheld cooperative and loan deductions, non payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) since 2009 which must State Universities are enjoying, no pension fund and many more.
“We wish to draw the attention of the students, parents and the general public to the fact that 99% of the Lecturer’s, apart from maybe the managers have run out of stock of begging strategies. Most colleagues are hospitalized, there are some who could not even afford to go to patent medicine shops, some neither have access to their routine drugs nor eat 1 full square meal a day. Our children have been sent out of school, landlord’s are on us as a result of expired rents, our aged parents and other dependants have lost hopes. It’s that bad.
“We call on the stakeholders in God’s own State, and the Abia State Government to come to our rescue. We acknowledge the fact that the State Government does not pay our salaries. All we are asking for is the prompt and regular release of the subvention to the university as it is in the appropriation law of the State. At this point, we call on our colleague, His Excellency, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD to listen to the cries from his constituency.”
A popular priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Fr. Oluoma Chinenye John, also known as Fada Oluoma, has urged Nigerians to reject the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling APC if they are displeased and instead vote Labour Party which has Peter Obi as its presidential candidate.
He said the multiplicity of political parties and candidates reflects the beauty of democracy, stating that those not happy with PDP and APC can invest in Labour Party which according to him is driving a political revolution.
Recall that APC presidential candidate and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu had on Sunday announced former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Both Tinubu and his running mate are Muslims in a multi-religious society like Nigeria. This has however attracted reactions as many Nigerians believe there should be a balancing instead of single-faith ticket which APC has announced.
Reacting to the development, Fada Oluoma in a statement on his verified Facebook page on Monday, expressed concerns that the move by APC would continue to trigger religious sentiments in the country.
He wrote, “APC is just one party, we have other parties in Nigeria. One of the beauties of democracy is the availability of options. تكساس بوكر Crying over APC’s candidates in the midst of other candidates questions our readiness to change the status quo or our capacity to make and accept informed decisions.
“There’s only one major reason behind the Muslim-Muslim ticket by APC; electoral victory. Without a Muslim VP, the APC will lose significant votes from the North and probably lose the entire presidency. This is the fear and the reason for a Muslim VP. Don’t let anyone beguile you to make it a religious problem, if you do, you will keep losing the big picture.
“I’ll never reduce this issue to a religious problem, it’s more of political dexterity. APC chose electoral votes over religious sentiments. كيف تربح في الروليت Of course, APC knows a number of Christians will be offended, but they still went ahead probably knowing that the mathematics of more votes favour them in this issue more than feelings.
“If you don’t like it, you are right. Crying and bemoaning it? That’s where you and I separate. There’s Labour Party that is driving a political revolution, invest in it, be part of it, preach it and convert others if PDP and APC don’t appeal to you.
“Whether this is a smart move by APC or not depends on voters. If it’s a bad strategy, it’s the APC that should bemoan it, not you an independent voter. Even card-carrying members of a party are not forced to vote for the candidates of their party.
“If APC wins 2023 presidency, Nigeria will be democratically handing over power from one Muslim to another. العاب كسب المال This means that religious sentiments can be thumped in our quest for a better nation. That also means that kindred sentiments like tribe and region can also be thumped”.
Billionaire businessman, Obi Cubana has promised to sponsor any tech-savvy individual of African descent to create a smartphone for the African market.
The Cubana Group boss revealed this during an Instagram Live video, noting “he has one crazy idea …progressive idea that has been burning in his heart and while he was meditating today, he felt strongly to bring it up and share it.”
He added: “I’ve been wondering, all these guys that are Tech-savvy, youngsters. I know you guys are out there millions, thousands, tens of you. But I’ve been wondering why you’ve not been able to develop a telephone, a brand of phone. Just like we have Apple, Samsung…this and that.
“Why have we not been able….a black man, African, a Nigerian develop a product, affordable but has all the features like what I’m using to make this live video right now and say, ‘”This made by one of us, for all of us.”
The Abuja-based socialite pledged to sponsor any African with the concept that births a mobile phone with all the many features and more present in current smartphones yet affordable and fitting for the Africans.
He continued: “If I see a guy that says he has the concept and wherewithal to develop a telephone, a mobile phone. A guy that says, “This has been made for us by one of us”. And then we look at it. I will sponsor the guy and bring everything that is needed.”
“I’m calling on on the Tech-sarvy guys. I want somebody that can come up with an innovation and say, “Obi, I have all the features plus more.”
“And then we come up with a rugged, fanciful, beautiful and affordable phone for our people. We will support this person, market the idea, sell the phone and even use part of the proceed to do charity, to save people…to send people back to school”, he said in parts.
Captioning his post, Obi Cubana added: “So I have this great idea……I need an African to create a smartphone for Africans….and we make it the BIGGEST thing of the decade…..yes we can!!!!”
