February 10, 2023

February 10, 2023

Ayu did not suffer slip of tongue, his PDP really brought shame to Nigeria

PRESS STATEMENT

NOT JUST A SLIP OF TONGUE, PDP HAS REALLY BROUGHT SHAME TO NIGERIA

The unravelling of the depraved Peoples Democratic Party reached extreme absurdity yesterday when its National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu while campaigning in Kano, declared that the party brought shame to Nigeria. Ayu’s verdict on his own party should not be seen as a mere slip of tongue.

It was truly an articulation of the inner mind of the former academic and senate president, a self-admission of the egregious failing of the party when it was in charge of our country for 16 years.

Ayu’s viral statement that “PDP has brought us shame and we will not retain them in power”, concurs with the general verdict that the party failed the country and its people and should never be given a chance to return to power.

One of the recent reminders of the failure of the umbrella party was the Ajaokuta Steel Complex. The party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as head of the Obasanjo era privatisation programme, granted Global Steel a concession in 2004 to take over the company.

Another PDP government cancelled the concession when it found out that it was a mess. Global Steel took Nigerian government to court and demanded $7 billion compensation, even though it failed to fulfil the terms of the concession by making Ajaokuta a reality.

The case lingered for 12 years until the APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari stepped in. Global Steel agreed to end its legal battle and walk away with $496 million of Nigeria’s money.

As the Minister of Information revealed recently, the Buhari government, which has been clearing many messes left by the successive PDP administration, made a bulk payment of $250 million and agreed to pay the balance in five instalments. Till date, Buhari has paid a total of $446 million out of the $496 million. The Buhari government will make the last payment of $50 million next month and Ajaokuta will revert fully to the country and allow the implementation of government’s plan, including Russian intervention, to make the company operational.

Without showing any remorse and shame, Atiku Abubakar recently went to Kogi state, the home of the unfortunate Steel company to make another empty promise of reviving the company.

Atiku probably wanted to cash in on the short memory of our people as his party has been going about with the conman campaign of recovering Nigeria, when it created, in the first place, the monumental damage that APC government has been struggling to fix for almost eight years.

While in charge of Nigeria, the PDP also left our national infrastructure, roads, rail, airports derelict. Notably, Atiku and his boss, Obasanjo failed to deliver on vital road networks, including roads to their towns. The APC government of President Buhari has now done the road to Atiku’s town in Jada, Adamawa State.

Worst of all and most callously, the PDP shared the $2.1 billion meant to procure arms to fight Boko Haram insurgency, making our soldiers vulnerable to the superior weaponry of the enemies of the state and allowing insecurity to fester.

In its degenerated state, the PDP in the last few days has been making outlandish claims and raising false alarms to just grab the headlines because the party and its perennial presidential candidate have nothing tangible to tell Nigerians because of their sordid past. If PDP campaign spokesmen are not making false claims of Billions being stashed away by our presidential candidate, their sleepwalking Director-General, Aminu Tambuwal who has no record of any achievement in Sokoto State, where he has been Governor for almost eight years, will construct imaginary plan by APC to hack INEC server and BVAS.

Nigerians, we believe, know the true hackers. Atiku’s PDP did so in 2019 and may well be planning to do so this month. PDP has become a danger to itself and a big threat to our country that must be finally exterminated from our body politic by Nigerians through their votes against the party that set our country back.

In our view, Iyorchia Ayu did not suffer slip of the tongue. He was only reflecting an inner guilt about the grave damage his party inflicted on our country for 16 years.

In the coming elections, Nigerians should never make the error of allowing this discredited party smell the scent of power. Iyorchia’s PDP has not learnt any lesson and has not changed its behaviour. The Nigerian voters should simply consign it to the dustbin of history, while keeping faith with the APC, which offers Renewed Hope.

Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media & Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council
February 10, 2023

February 10, 2023

Naira swap: Emefiele, CBN must comply with Supreme Court order, says Falana

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, Femi Falana, Naira swap

The interim Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Femi Falana, has given reasons the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must comply with the Supreme Court order in respect of the currency swap crisis.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Falana said his speaking up became necessary because there are reports suggesting that the CBN has decided that it will not follow the injunctions of the apex court.

According to the Senior Advocate, such a move by the CBN will be nothing but a contemptuous disregard for the rule of law.

Falana took a look at the technicalities of the case establishing the reason the Management of the Central Bank might be looking to ignore the court order.

The legal luminary however, gave his counter reasons why the CBN cannot disregard the Supreme Court, citing cases that give greater context to the matter on ground.

Falana’s statement titled “Why CBN Must Obey Ex Parte Order Of Supreme Court”: .

We have just read a report that the Authorities of the Central Bank of Nigeria have decided not to comply with the ex parte order issued by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in respect of the avoidable currency swap crisis.

The reason adduced for the contemptuous disregard for the rule of law is that the Central Bank of Nigeria is not a party to the case of Attorney-General of Kaduna State & 2 Ors. v. Attorney-General of the Federation (Suit No: SC/CV/162/2023) pending at the Supreme Court.

It is pertinent to remind the Management of the Central Bank of the case of Nkwo Augustine Eddiego v. Board of Central Bank of Nigeria (Suit No: HCIK/38/2022), where the Delta State High Court granted an ex parte order which restrained the Defendants from preventing the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from seeking political offices pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in the case. Even though Mr. Emefiele was not a party to the suit he took advantage of the ex parte order to join the APC to contest the presidential primary of the APC before he was stopped by President Buhari.

Similarly, in the case of Incorporated Trustees of the Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors. (Suit No: FCT/HC/GAR/CV/41/2022) the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory granted an injunction restraining the State Security Services from arresting, investigating and prosecuting Mr. Emefiele for terrorism financing. Although he was not a party to the suit Mr. Emefiele has not been arrested by the State Security Services on the basis of the court order.

Therefore, it is height of arrogance of power for Mr. Emefiele to treat the ex parte of the Supreme Court with provocative contempt. In view of the looming anarchy in the country we are compelled to draw the attention of the Central Bank Management of the rule of law to the case of Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (2005) 2 WRN 1 at 109 where Tobi JSC of blessed memory cautioned all authorities and persons in Nigeria thus:

“In a society where the rule of law prevails, self-help is not available to the executive or any arm of government. In view of the fact that such a conduct could breed anarchy and totalitarianism, and since anarchy and totalitarianism are antitheses to democracy, courts operating the rule of law, the life-blood of democracy, are under a constitutional duty to stand against such action.

“The courts are available to accommodate all sorts of grievances that are justiciable in law and section 6 of the Constitution gives the courts power to adjudicate on matters between two or more competing parties. In our democracy all the governments of this country as well as organizations and individuals must kowtow to the due process of the law and this they can vindicate by resorting to the courts for redress in the event of any grievance.”

It is public knowledge that the Federal Government has filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to hear and determine the case of the Attorney-General of Kaduna State & 2 Ors v Attorney-General of the Federation (supra).

In the interim, the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria are bound by the valid and subsisting ex parte order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria until it is set aside by the same court.

The alternative is to compound the ongoing anarchy and chaos in the land.

Femi Falana SAN,
Interim Chairman,
Alliance for Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB)

*Reported by Channels TV

February 10, 2023

Peter Obi and those Onitsha-market polls

Nextier Poll, Peter Obi

By Fredrick Nwabufo

Propaganda, lies, and chicanery have always been instruments of war. In World War 2, Germany actuated and deployed the most pervasive, yet incisive propaganda ever witnessed in history. For the Germans, the idea was to psychologically overwhelm their adversaries, and consequently, secure victory on terra firma. The most pernicious warfare is that of the mind.

Politics, ordinarily, should not be warfare. But in a system of constant collision of interests like ours; it is sadly so. The weapons of political warfare are both corporeal and subliminal. The battle is fought in the minds of the electorate long before Election Day.

The recent Nextier poll which arrogates dubious electoral advantage to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, is an asymptote of political sorcery. The poll is essentially a subterfuge, a ruse, a gambit, an artifice; it is a serpentine machination through and through.

The Nextier 2023 presidential election survey like the ANAP Poll before it, is a deliberate fabrication in the pursuit of political gain. The poll seeks to achieve predetermined objectives – (1) to endorse Peter Obi as the people’s candidate; (2) to exaggerate Peter Obi’s electoral value; (3) to create a siege of choice and chaos should the outcome of presidential election reflect a different candidate; and (4) to prejudice the election with an impossible fait accompli.

Nextier said it used ‘’144 enumerators to poll 3,000 respondents in all states in Nigeria’’ to determine its projections. This is clearly defective and not extensive — as it leaves more room for error than stated by the pollster.

According to Nextier’s projections, survey respondents in all the southeast states; in four out of six states in the southwest; in six states in the south-south, and in two states in the north-central preferred Peter Obi as president of Nigeria. The poll also projected impressive performance for Peter Obi in the northwest and the northeast. This is ludicrous. The survey obviously discounted voting behaviour across the states, demographics, as well as sociological and ethnological influences among the electorate across the zones.

The Nextier Poll is not worth a breath of concern, really. It is sufficiently flawed in conception, and design. The preconceived agenda is obvious. Political propaganda through questionable polls. The poll is not different from the quotidian tallying of goods by Onitsha-market traders.

There have been open threats of violence by supporters of Peter Obi if he loses the election. These polls which mock reality, objectivity and common sense could be ammunition for what is to come if the election does not go in the way of the ‘’Obidients’’.

There should be a ceiling for propaganda. When electoral impossibilities are sold as definite outcomes by established pollsters, the risk is ominous. There is nothing dissuading the thought that ‘’Obidients’’, known to be choleric and unthinking, in their delusion of certain victory will not unleash themselves on the nation.

There are concerns that the country may experience another insurrection in the gravity of the #EndSARS violence over the outcome of the presidential election. It is dangerous giving hope where there is obviously no chance; it is foolhardy creating a dream that is unrealisable. It is unwise holding unto an illusion, believing it and living it. The only way out of this phantasm is the asylum.

As I wrote in a previous column, Peter Obi did not plan to run for president. If he did plan to run for president, he would not be freewheeling through endless tunnels of gaffes and inchoate ideas. But really, he did not plan to run for president. An accident happened.

Peter Obi’s presidential bid is a freak of politics; an idea contrived for performance and political quota. His bid is perhaps only relevant for regional affirmation and for intimation of anger by a section of the youth.

Obi’s bid was not out of compulsion to fix Nigeria or to make any change to the country; it was a just response to the scheming in the PDP. He was schemed out of the loop by a party notable for treachery. Peter Obi never planned, designed, or imagined running for president. His presidential bid is a hoax and a ploy to get back at those in the PDP who declared him a political liability.

Running for president takes intention; it takes years of planning; building a network of people and structures. It is not a happenstance or what you decide on in protest against the scheming in your party.

Peter Obi is not running for president to win, ‘’Obidients’’ must understand this; he only wants to make a trenchant statement, and perhaps build a following to secure political value-ship. If he was really running to win, he would have started forging alliances and building the necessary cross-zonal network years ago.

‘’Obidients’’ must give up chasing a will-o-the-wisp; they must become realistic and measure their expectations.

Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a media executive.

February 10, 2023

I don’t see victory for PDP— Fashola

APC, Babatunde Raji Fashola, PDP

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said he does not see victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming presidential elections.

Fashola, the Director, Election Planning and Monitoring of APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the remark at the formal launching of Eko O Ni Baje 10,000 Foot Soldiers for Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat on Thursday in Lagos.

He said that the main opposition party has been so much divided to record electoral victory either in the state or at the centre in the Feb. 25 and March 11 elections.

He said that if PDP failed to beat the APC in 2019 elections when it was united with the current presidential candidates of NNPP and Labour Party in the party, it would be impossible for the party to beat APC in forthcoming elections.

“When they (PDP) were together, they were not enough to challenge us. They are now broken into three, how can the sum total of what was not enough then be enough now that they have broken it into three parts.

“Politics is about numbers but it is also about mathematics. It is a game of addition and multiplication. It is not a game of division and subtraction.

“From 2019, this umbrella party that used to be one has now been divided into three. That party has divisions and subtractions, I don’t see a way to victory (for PDP).

“Tell them that the arithmetics does not add up. We must go out and use our strength now. We have the largest number of registered voters, it must count.

Fashola urged the the canvassers to move out and tell voters some of the reasons to allow APC to continue.

According to him, the PDP ruled for 16 years without commencing work on many of the roads connecting Lagos State with other states but the APC administration is working on all of them.

Listing such expressways to include Ikorodu-Sagamu, Lagos -Ibadan, Lagos-Badagry, Lagos-Abeokuta, Fashola urged the canvassers to explain to the people to be patient for APC to finish roads.

Fashola commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for continuing projects he inherited and starting new ones to position the state for the next wave technical development to make Lagos the smartest city in the region.

Stressing the need for experience to lead a state like Lagos, Fashola said that some of those contesting the seat were not ready because they lacked experience.

Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State and the Chief Host of the event, urged the party agents to be conversant with the usage of BVAS and monitor its readings to prevent manipulation of figures.

He urged the party canvassers to educate educate voters on the right way to vote to avoid void votes on election days.

“It is not about whether we will beat them (PDP), it is about how convincingly we will beat them,” he said.

He urged the canvassers and party agents to keep their eyes open, saying, “our tool is our PVCS and our path to victory are our votes.”

According to him, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu and other APC candidates are resting on the people as the wall, hence the people must not let them down.

In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu, who commended the party leaders for support, stressed the need for all to work together to deliver highest number of votes for Tinubu and other candidates in the state.

The governor said that Tinubu remained the most suitable for the country, having done a lot for the state, the country and democracy.

“When we work together, we can achieve a lot together. The bottom line is that we want to reach every nook and cranny of the state.

“Our target, the five million votes will come out, we will deliver it. It is the number that we want to display.

“Nobody has any credential that is close to Tinubu’s. Given his experience, Nigeria will be better off for it. This is what we deserve and what the county needs at this point in time.

“We are going to deliver the largest number for our Presidential Candidate. Go all out and do all you need to do to canvass,” the governor said.

On the tough economic situation, Sanwo-Olu said that he had given order for 50 per cent reduction in transport fares in government-controlled buses and provided food packages for people as reliefs.

Also, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, said that Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu did not have any comparison with other presidential and governorship candidates because the duo understood the terrain with excellent track records.

Hazmat urged the canvassers to move to “wake up those who are sleeping because this election is not about sentiment, it is about fact. The difference is clear. Open your eyes. We should not go back to PDP.”

Dr Muiz Banire, the Guest Lecturer and former APC National Legal Adviser, noted that elections had become sophisticated in Nigeria.

He said that APC canvassers must be knowledgeable, educated and respectable to convince voters.

According to him, with the use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), party canvassers must avoid over-voting.

Speaking, Mr Kayode Eleshin, the Director General, Eko Oni Baje 10, 000 Foot Soldiers, said that Nigerians must exercise their voting right in the forthcoming elections in favour of APC candidates, hence the launching of the group.

Several APC leaders at the event took turns to address the crowd.

They include Mr Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr Olorunimbe Mamora, the Minister of Science and Technology, Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, former Deputy Governor, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, several party chieftains and executive council members.

Buhari, Tinubu, the Sultan and other APC leaders

February 10, 2023

Buhari,Tinubu to Sultan: We want your support, we want to win

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Buhari, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Sokoto, called for support and blessings of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, said Buhari and Tinubu made the request during their visit before the APC mega rally in the city.

Tinubu, the first to speak and the first to bait the Sultan, told the leader of the Sokoto Caliphate:

“I have come to be presented to you as Candidate. The President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari is here in person to do that.

He is my candidate- Buhari, Tinubu and Wamakko in Sokoto

”I want to win the election. Is there a way you will decline the request of the President?”

While echoing the same line, President Buhari said: ”My wish is for your support and blessings; we want to win.”

He went on to narrate the qualities of the candidates, including their common belief and commitment to the unity and progress of every section of the country.

Buhari said he had associated with Asiwaju for more than 20 years and did not have any reservations in supporting him as the candidate of the APC.

The president said Tinubu’s greatest strength was in his effective governance of Lagos, the country’s former Capital, a business hub and home to diverse individuals from all over Nigeria for two terms.

He added that Tinubu has deep commitment to democracy and had played great role at the center as Senator.

According to him, his message to Nigerians is that they should trust Tinubu with power to succeed him because the APC candidate, supported by Kashim Shettima, the running mate will build on the successes of his administration.

In his response, the Sultan declared that being an apolitical father of all and custodian of culture, he would continue to receive everyone that sought the blessing of the throne.

He told President Buhari that many had come before him for the same purpose while many more would still come.

“We will continue to pray for our nation. We cannot be tired of praying and will continue to advocate for peaceful and free elections in our fatherland,” the Sultan further said.

He assured the president that the Caliphate was behind him as he sought to ensure free and fair elections.

The Sultan noted that the president’s commitment to be present at the next signing of the Peace Accord by political parties, underscored his desire to bequeath to the nation a credible electoral process.

Speaking before an unprecedented crowd at the Giginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto, venue of the party’s Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign rally, Buhari stressed the need for all members to work towards the success of the party in the forthcoming elections at all levels.

He affirmed that the party’s Presidential candidate who had been nominated by the party in a free, fair and democratic primary, deserved the support of all members and supporters of the party.

He remarked that Tinubu and his Vice, Sen. Kashim Shettima, were men who understand the problems of Nigeria, having been in politics as two-time Governors in their respective states.

He assured that they would proffer solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria.

Also present at the rally were the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, the party leader in the state who got a great deal of attention at the rally, as well as other party stalwarts.

Sign In

Day: February 10, 2023

Ayu did not suffer slip of tongue, his PDP really brought shame to Nigeria

Naira swap: Emefiele, CBN must comply with Supreme Court order, says Falana

Peter Obi and those Onitsha-market polls

I don’t see victory for PDP— Fashola

Buhari,Tinubu to Sultan: We want your support, we want to win