President Muhammadu Buhari is in a meeting with some of his Ministers seeking elective offices in the 2023 general elections.
Ministers at the meeting as of the time of filing this report include Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation); Chris Ngige( Labour and Employment); Goodwill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs); Abubakar Malami (Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation).
Others are Ministers of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu and Women Affairs, Paullen Tallen.
Also at the meeting are Ministers of State for Mines and Steel, Uche Ogah; Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva and Minsiter of State for Niger Delta Affairs Tayo Alasoadura.
The President, in a circular, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, officially written Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefelie, and heads of agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, among others seeking to contest the 2023 general elections to resign on or before Monday.
The Nigerian Air Force has vowed to end insecurity in the country, urging Nigerians to be patient with the service.
This as it described the security challenges as dynamic and uncertain which requires continuous review of strategies.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists during a press briefing to herlard activities for the Nigerian Air Force 58th anniversary.
He said, “The security challenges remain very fluid, dynamic, and very uncertain. So when you find yourself in this kind of situation, the most important thing is for you to continue to review your strategy and continue to create an environment or platform so that you can get more ideas.
“We want to get things done, we want to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to go about their businesses even if it’s going to take us a year, two or 10 years, the focus is that we have to give Nigerians that peaceful environment to function.”
The Chairman Organising Committee for NAF 58th anniversary Air Commodore OlasunkanmiAbidoye said service in its 58 years of existence has grown into a formidable and respected force within the African continent and beyond.
He said the choice of this year’s theme is deliberately aimed at emphasizing renewed focus on joint military operations and effective synergy among the Services and other security agencies as well as consolidating on the gains of the employment of airpower, especially at this critical stage in our Nation’s history.
He said to mark this year’s Nigerian Air Force Day Celebration, a series of activities have been lined up to enlighten the citizens of Nigerian Air Force efforts in the fight against insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminality within the Country.
“Thus, there will be a series of pre-event activities taking place simultaneously at Nigerian Air Force units across the country. These activities include Juma’at Prayers and Interdenominational Church Service on Friday, 13 and Sunday, 15 May 2022 respectively. There will also be medical outreaches to host communities across the country.
“Furthermore, the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association will also embark on humanitarian support activities for some selected communities in Kano State. All these are geared towards winning the consent and support as well as appreciating Nigerians for their support and goodwill over the years”.
He said the anniversary will also feature a Seminar which is scheduled to hold on 19 May 2022 as well as the Pulling out Ceremony of members of 35th and 36th Regular Course who recently retired from the Service.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of debarment allowance for retired military personnel.
The military veterans, under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans, had embarked on a nationwide protest on January 5, with a vow to disrupt the celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15, but suspended the protest following the intervention of the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.).
In April, the retired military personnel vowed to resume their suspended protest, following the inability of the Federal Government to meet their demand.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, said the President had approved payment of the allowance.
He said, “the President has given approval for reform of the Ministry of Defence into our own Pentagon, in this case, they will be the deployment of senior military officers working alongside civilian staff.
“We will not be directly involved in Operations but we will handle the policy aspect of the Ministry of Defence to ensure the best for our troops.
The president has given approval for the establishment of the veteran’s services department in the ministry for retired soldiers.
“Recently, the President unanimously approved the debarment allowance for all veterans. For the veterans, I think better days are ahead”.
Kana also said the Ministry of Defense was undergoing a reform to take the shape of the Pentagon.
He added, “We are also reforming our health services to see to the well-being of personnel. Therefore, we are reforming our health services department to provide quality health service to our personnel.
“We are also reforming education, we are going to reform education in the command and secondary schools. Armed personnel have children and they have to go to school and that is our responsibility”.
Nigeria’s Immigration Service has denied reports that it is recruiting into the Service.
A statement issued by the acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris said the spurious public notices circulating on social media announcing a general recruitment/replacement exercise into the Service were fake.
He said the report was done by some fraudulent persons who are seeking to deceive and exploit unsuspecting members of the public into parting with their hard-earned resources for non-existent vacancies.
Idris advised Nigerians to ignore the publications as it was not undertaking a recruitment exercise whatsoever.
“The acting Comptroller General, therefore, wishes to use this opportunity to enjoin members of the public to avoid falling into the antics of fraudulent job merchants who are out there to deceive them with empty promises of job placement into the Service,” he said.
Idris noted that the Service uses conventional and notable social media means, including its website to announce recruitment exercises.
Idris assured that efforts were ongoing to track down those behind such fraudulent publications, with the aim of bringing them to justice.
A coalition of over 80 human rights organisations under the aegis of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, on Thursday, raised the alarm that unresolved issues in the areas of security, economy, transportation, and education may constitute a serious threat to peaceful and credible general election in 2023.
The NCSSR said that the situation could also create a tense political atmosphere which could be latched on by disgruntled groups to disrupt the polls.
The Convener of the Situation Room, Eneh Obi, raised the issues during a press conference which held at the Headquarters of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre.
According to her, it was disappointing that there were clear lapses in the areas of security, economy, transportation and education in Nigeria that have remained largely unresolved.
Obi said that the Abuja – Kaduna bound train incident where passengers were abducted was still pending with the victims yet to regain freedom.
The activist said that other issues of concern including the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which has lasted for more than three months and the continuous plummeting of the Naira against the dollar were disturbing signals against the election.
“Yet, the political appointees in these sectors appear focused on their future political ambitions thereby neglecting their key responsibilities which scorecards reveal that they have not performed maximally; a great disservice to Nigeria. These issues raise questions, yet nomination forms are being purchased while the nation and Nigerians suffer.
“It is pertinent to state that these actions can have a direct negative effect on the 2023 general elections and result in low voter turnout because young people and others making up the marginalised groups, did not have a chance at nominations and their state of mind due to the present situation of things in the country had been befouled.
“This could also create a tensed political atmosphere created by disgruntled groups who are underrepresented.
“Situation Room therefore calls on the Federal Government to address these concerns and create a democratic environment to ensure a free, fair credible and inclusive 2023 general elections”, Obi said.
The organisation expressed the hope that the government would enforce the May 16, 2022 deadline given to Ministers vying for elective office to resign.
“Violations to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 are already ongoing. Situation Room notes that the belated directive for political appointees to resign contravenes Sections 66 (1)(f), 107 (1)(f), 137 (1)(g), 182 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution which stipulates that elected public officers, which include civil servants, who want to contest an election must have resigned their position at least 30 days to the date of the election. Political party primaries elections begin the electoral process for any candidate,” she said.
The group also called for the resignation of the Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele over rumours of his presidential ambition.
In politics we do not attack individuals but issues. If anyone has issues with OUK including Odo who has comparatively decided to play to political galleries, Igbere or Abuja could be reached to iron out such issues.
OUK, like him or hate him is a Political Iroko in Nigeria. He may not be a Saint, but when he was Governor salaries were paid as at and when due through out his tenure that spanned 1999 to 2007. Gratuities were paid to retired staff throughout this period under consideration. Teachers and other civil servants were able to build houses, bought cars and there was also Free Education in the State.
ABSU was given its due monthly subvention and was then rated as one of the best managed schools in Nigeria. Faculty of law under Prof Ojukwu as Dean of the Faculty of Law was rated the best in Nigeria and that was under OUK. Roads were ubiquitously built in Abia State but were not maintained from 2007. He was the only voice in Igbo Land!
Back home, there is no single project one can say was attracted by any government in Ohafia from 1999 todate apart from those built by OUK. In particular OUK built Amangwu Road, OUK built Okon Aku Road, OUK built Amuma through Ndi Ibe Roads. He reconstructed Ebem-Asaga Roads that were destroyed after the civil war.
As a Senator, just within 30 days of his being at the Red Chamber he fought and became the Chief Whip of the Senate and within the three years justified his being there by scattering meaningful and developmental projects (53 roads and still counting) across the five local government areas that made up Abia North, namely Ohafia, Arochukwu, Bende, Umunneochi and Isiukwuato. In particular we have so many roads he has attracted in Ohafia LGA including but not limited to Abia, Isiugwu, Abiriba ring Road, Nkporo by Eze Aja Road, Itumbu Uzo Road, Ntalakwu Road Bende, Eziama Road Isiukwuato and Umunneochi Link Road and others too numerous to mention.
OUK in his time allowed democracy to flourish especially at the local government level. For example in Ohafia LGA where l was the Boss between 2004 to 2006, we had ANPP councillor in the person of Mr. UDONSI Eke Kalu(UDAIK) from Okon, AD councillor in the person of Mrs Grace Agbara from Ameke Abiriba, NDP councillor in the person of Mr Eke Idika Uwa from Akanu Ukwu, and others from ANPP were ABACHA from Ndi Ufie Ward Nkporo, HILARY from Ania Ward. Others came from PDP including my humble self.That was democracy in action. What do we have now? One party system!!
Because OUK gave us free hand we were able to pay local government staff as at and when due. Salaries were paid every 23rd of the month throughout our tenure. What is the position today? Workers are owed over 23 months Salaries and are placed on half Salaries whenever they want to pay. Odo will not write on this issue! We opened Ohafia development because we attracted ZENITH BANK, ECO BANK and Micro Finance Banks because the allocation from the Federal Government was domiciled in Ohafia and no more Umuahia as it were. Again OUK gave us free hand to employ Ohafia people into the local government system. Hitherto, the system employed only Ngwa and Umuahia people because nobody stood for our people. Today, I am proud to say that the workforce from Ohafia in the system constitutes about 85%! We completed the Okon Aku health Centre through their Councillor Hon Udensi Eke Kalu (UDAIK), we built IYI AKARANI BRIDGE ASAGA and the contact was awarded to Prince Ndubuisi Onugu, ASAGA has been developed as a result of that project. We were the first LGA in Abia State to do asphalting and through that we opened the Ohafia ring Road that transversed through late Chief Ojigwe’s House up to Timber Shed road Ebem Ohafia and this has made it possible for people going to Asaga, Okon, Amangwu, Ndi Orieke, etc, Akanu, Ndi Uduma, Abia, Arochukwu to have alternative road whenever there’s hold up at Ebem Park. We also built the Ebem Daily Market, we recovered Egbe Mburumaja erosion in Akanu adjacent to High Chief Uche Ogboso’s House. We also brought down Abia hill through the invitation of Dr Uchendu of then PG of Abia Community. At Isiama we constructed the dual drainage from the General Hospital Amekpu close to Hon Sampson Anaga’s House at Okagwe. Without the drainage on both sides of the road, probably most probably the road would have collapsed. We rebuilt Abiriba Customary Court and Ekpekuma Health Centre. We built Iroyi Bridge at Nkporo, we started Nkporo Police Station, and renovated many schools in Ohafia LGA. We attracted all the Health Centres in Ohafia LGA that our people are enjoying today. We brought peace at Eziafor Ohafia without compromise. Within the 2 years in office we graded all the Wards in Ohafia and that was made possible because OUK gave us free hand to operate. All the Councillors in the system then built one or two projects in their various Wards. What is the position today??? The local government system properly so called is dead and buried! What is in place is what they call Transition Chairman in the system which is alien to our Constitution, yet people like Odo are so blind not to tackle on the issue but will at every slippery opportunity find pleasure to attack OUK.
For the avoidance of any iota, modicum or scintillia of doubt OUK is an outstanding polical figure in Nigeria. He is an enigma and has over grown party-politics. He is the man of the people and this was made possible by his developmental projects and God on his side. Whether PDP, APC, APGA, ANNP or even APP, these parties and indeed the PEOPLE will at all times embrace OUK in any context.
Last Line: Allowance has been given to some political merchants struggling in vain to be relevant, attacking OUK unjustly through name calling. Yes we have freedom of speech and Freedom of Information, but there must be a limit to it. Where your freedom stops is where another’s begins. Allowance has been given for immature perception of what is governance and that allowance has to stop somewhere! Nigeria is a country with robust legal system; even under military regime, the legal system is no respecter of anyone, government principalities, government powers and the likes including those hiding under free speech to bring down our Leaders. As things unfold we are poised henceforth to bring such people before a competent court to defend some of their utterances that negate constitutional democracy.
Femi Adesina, the Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity has opened up on his next move when his principal leaves office.
The controversial image maker of the president also disclosed that he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Adesina, who appeared on Channels Television on Thursday, said he will return to his house after he finishes serving under the Buhari administration.
He added that he works for the government only because he likes the APC.
Adesina said he could not enter the race for House of Representatives, Senate or other political offices because he is not a politician and was also not a card-carrying member of the APC even though it is his preferred party.
“I’m running to my house. Yes I’ve chosen to run to my house after serving,” the presidential aide said, laughing.
Asked if he was a member of the APC, he said, “I work for the APC government. I have sympathy for the APC.
“I’m not a card carrying member of the APC. I’m not a politician actually. APC is my preferred party. It’s the party I like. If I didn’t like the party I wouldn’t come to work for a government run by the APC.
“APC is my preferred party, the party has my best wishes but am I a card carrying member? No.”
Former Lagos Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday met Kaduna delegates ahead of the party’s presidential primary slated later for the month.
At the Umar Yar’Adua Indoor Sports Hall of the Murtala Square, the delegates instantly endorsed the presidential aspiration of the former governor.
This followed a voice vote put across to the delegates by the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
This is just as the presidential hopeful told the delegates that he was confident that he would be the next occupant of Aso Rock Presidential Villa after the tenure of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in 2023.
“Some are running, I don’t know where they are going but I am going to the Villa,” Tinubu told the delegates while addressing them.
He added that he remains the best of all the presidential aspirants on the platform of the APC, urging the delegates to cast their votes for him during the party’s presidential primary.
The former governor said he was in the state to identify with them and assure them that if elected President, he would defeat “all the evil called banditry.”
Meanwhile, the governor described the APC national leaders as “Asiwaju of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
El-Rufai noted that Kaduna State has been consistent in giving the ruling party the third highest votes in all the elections between 2015 and 2019.
The Governor then asked the delegates if they would vote for the former Lagos State helmsman during the party’s Presidential primaries slated later for the month.
Giving assurance to the national leader of the party, the governor added, “These are the people that delivered the highest votes to President Buhari both in 2015 and 2019.”
El-Rufai noted that the former Governor had the capacity to lead, adding that he had worked together with him while presiding over the affairs of the Bureau of Public Enterprise and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has stated that the party won’t serve as an “opportunistic vehicle” for defectors.
This was stated on Thursday by Supo Shonibare, SDP’s acting national chairman at a media briefing on the party’s plans for the 2023 polls.
There have been speculations that Bola Tinubu, presidential hopeful on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), may defect to the SDP if he doesn’t clinch his party’s ticket.
Addressing questions from journalists on if the party will accept Tinubu and offer him its presidential ticket should that be the eventual case, Shonibare said the SDP will be cautious about those they accept.
“The issue of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the last time I checked, he is not a member of the Social Democratic Party. I checked the membership list of our party as INEC has required, and which has been submitted by our state chapters to us in Abuja, and his name is not on the list of those who are members of our party in Lagos state,” he said.
“The party won’t be an opportunistic vehicle. Definitely, in instances where we’ve seen great injustice to an individual who we feel that the individual is not coming to us with baggage, yes, that individual will be welcomed to our party.
“But we won’t welcome anyone who we feel has a case pending in court. We won’t welcome anyone who we feel has been convicted, even if the person is actually now appealing that conviction.
“So, we will try to ensure that those who we will welcome into our party, are men and women of integrity, and make SDP be a succour for those who have been wrongly dealt with in their political parties, provided those who are coming have displayed integrity and honour in the way and manner they have conducted themselves in government.
“We want SDP to be an exemplary political vehicle, that when people look at those who are leading and those who are elected or those who are our candidates, they’ll see those who have displayed integrity, honour, and prudent management of our public resources when they were placed in a position to superintend over our resources.
“If he (Tinubu) wants to join, then the party has to make a determination whether the way and manner he’s actually managed the resources of the state from where he started is consistent with the profile of the integrity that we said needs to displayed by anyone that is coming to us.
“Remember, I said we will welcome anyone who is not with us now, who feels they have been cheated in their political party. But then, in that process, we will look at that particular individual at that time.”
Shonibare also said the federal high court has fixed May 30 and 31 to deliver judgment on the party’s leadership crisis, adding that “interlopers” are seeking to hijack the party.
In the preparation for the 2023 presidential election, he said the ward and LGA congresses will be held on May 19, while state congresses are scheduled for May 20.
Shonibare added that the national convention of the party will take place from May 20 to 30.
A Benue State governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, Michael Aondoakaa, has disclosed that he did not sign the ‘Voluntary Letter of Withdrawal’ attached to the expression of interest and nomination forms before he submitted.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under late President Umaru Yar’Adua revealed this on Thursday while fielding questions at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Aondoakaa said that he left the letter of withdrawal unsigned after he sought clarification and considered its implication.
“Unfortunately, I did not sign and I sought clearance. The implication is two-way traffic. If you sign that agreement now and you win the election and the opponent comes to know that you signed the agreement, I can bet you, that your election will be invalidated.
“If you sign an agreement, you have withdrawn from the race. Assuming you win the election, you participate in the general election, the opposition party will file an action that you did not partake in the election. When that form is subpoenaed, you have withdrawn from the election. So you cannot be part of it.
“I think what the leadership of the party intended is to have that withdrawal in the case, at the time, of primaries people want to withdraw in compliance with the Electoral Act, they just fill in there and a Commissioner for Oaths will endorse it. It cannot be intended that you withdraw before you participate, it looks absurd because if you win the election, the election will be invalid,” he said.
The APC spokesman, Felix Morka, in an earlier interview had denied any sinister motive regarding the withdrawal form and fresh guidelines imposed on the presidential, governorship and parliamentary aspirants ahead of the APC primaries for the 2023 elections.
In the controversial guidelines, aspirants contesting various offices were barred from seeking redress in court without first exhausting party avenues for resolution of their grievances. They were also mandated to sign an undertaking to accept the outcomes of the polls; take oaths not to engage in thuggery, anti-party activities and promoting factions, and support whoever emerged as a candidate for the general elections.
Political observers had also raised eyebrows over the voluntary letter of withdrawal contained on page 17 of the nomination form, which aspirants were expected to sign before a Commissioner for Oaths or a Notary Public.
While describing the controversial withdrawal letter as “just a Pro-forma document,” Morka said the party is not giving conditions or compelling any aspirant to withdraw.
According to the APC publicity secretary, the document is there to make provision for when an aspirant makes a personal decision to withdraw.
“That’s when they are required to execute it. The party didn’t create the withdrawal form, the Electoral Act did. It is evident that no aspirant was forced to do that. That answers any question regarding the imposition of candidates,” he noted.
The people of Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom have rolled out warm tributes to Hon. Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in...
