March 13, 2023

Sanwo-Olu: 9 political parties, 5 governorship candidates pledge support

Nine political parties under the umbrella of the Alliance of Registered Political Parties (ARPP) on Monday declared support for the re-election of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat in Lagos State.

Governorship candidates of five of the political parties in the ARPP also stepped down in support of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat in Saturday’s election.

The political parties are the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Ajayi Adebayo speaks at the declaration of support for Sanwo-Olu in Lagos

Others are the National Rescue Movement (NRM), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

The five governorship candidates stepping down for Sanwo-Olu are Chief Adeyemi Abiola of APP, Mr Adenipebi Mode-Adekunle of ZLP, and Mrs Funmi Kupoluyi of APM.

Others are Mr Ishola Bamidele of ADP and Mr Ajayi Adebayo of the YPP.

Addressing a news conference on Monday in Ikeja, Mr Ajayi Adebayo, leader of ARPP, said the decision was reached after a thorough analysis of the performance of Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State.

Adebayo said that the group had resolved not to sacrifice various landmark achievements of the Sanwo-Olu-led administration on the altar of bitter politicking.

According to him, ARPP is a group of nine committed and patriotic registered political parties in Lagos State that are interested in the good works of the state government.

It also desired continuity and realisation of the dream Lagos State, he added.

“We reached this decision sequel to our thorough analysis of all the good works and rapid development in Lagos State.

“We cannot sacrifice the various landmark achievements of the present administration scattered all over the state on the altar of bitter politicking.

“The governor’s consistency as a progressive democrat is worthy of due commendation and continuity.

“We observed at a close range his energetic campaign through the nooks and crannies of the state,’’ Adebayo stressed.

He said that Sanwo-Olu had delivered on his social contract with the good people of Lagos State through the famed THEMES mantra.

“It is worthy of note that he literarily saved the country from the scourge of COVID-19 through proactive measures that underscored his responsive and responsible attributes.

“Among others, massive road construction, investments in education, healthcare services, the environment, youth empowerment, tourism, public transportation, housing, science and technology need to be consolidated during his second term.

“It makes a whole lot of sense for Lagos State to be in tune with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency at a time like this to achieve our age-long desires and lofty aspirations,’’ he said.

According to him, Sanwo-Olu’s message of “GREATER LAGOS RISING’’ reverberates in all and sundry.

He said that the group safely concluded that it had in Sanwo-Olu a governor resolutely committed to take the state to greater heights in years ahead.

“Lagos State at a time like this is better entrusted in the hands of experienced and patriotic leaders.

“A vote for Sanwo-Olu will indeed be an endorsement for continuity and for greater development.

“This support is born out of love and desire for a greater Lagos State which Sanwo-Olu has set the pace and deserves to drive it to fruition.

“We seize this opportunity to inform and urge all our supporters to vote massively on Saturday, March 18 for Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor and his deputy, Quadri Obafemi Hamzat,’’ Adebayo stressed.

NAN reports that the event was attended by the governorship candidates as well as representatives of the nine political parties in the ARPP.

March 13, 2023

CBN complies with Supreme Court order 10 days after

Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Naira notes

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) declared on Monday said the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till Dec. 31, 2023.

It said in a statement issued by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Alhaji lsa AbdulMumin that the decision was reached at a meeting of the Bankers Committee.

“In compliance with established tradition of obedience to court orders the CBN as a regulator and Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of March 3.

“Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till Dec. 31, 2023.

“Consequently, all concerned are directed to conform accordingly,’’ the CBN stated.

The announcement was an anti-climax.

It came 10 days after the Supreme Court made the order, amid reports that governors were making orders that the old notes remain legal tender.

It also came after President Buhari denied making the Attorney-General of the Federation and the CBN disobey the Supreme Court.

March 13, 2023

February 25 election better than other elections in Nigeria: Presidency

February 25 election

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 25 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS A MARKED IMPROVEMENT ON PAST ELECTIONS, THE WORLD SHOULD NOTE THIS

The Presidency thanks former ambassadors Mark Green and Johnnie Carson – along with other foreign observers – for their concerns over the logistics of the recent general election in Nigeria and their work as observers on the National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Election Observation Missions.

It is worth setting their comments in context. No one has disputed the result of the election, except the candidates that fell short. The biggest and the most competitive presidential election in the history of Nigeria has been won by one man: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The US State department congratulated President-elect Bola Tinubu of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC and the people of Nigeria on the outcome of the “competitive election.” British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was also quick to congratulate the winner, on this victory. And so did many others in ECOWAS and the African Union.

Though it is true there were some delays and technical faults in the process that we can learn from – as is the case in any election the world over – the vote progressed and consolidated democracy in Nigeria. The integrity of the Electoral Act of 2022 was strengthened. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System cut out ghost, unauthorised or multiple votes to stem fraud. The election may not have been pluperfect, but due to the steps the government has taken, it is an improvement on previous polls. That achievement should not be overlooked. The next step is for the Election Commission to ensure transparency in collation.

Adverse reactions as received from some quarters are themselves a part of the learning process for everyone. Elsewhere, the world had been treated to epic lies, obfuscation, jingoism and hate, and told by global media to expect a different outcome. Nigerians shocked the world by refusing religious hatred and sectarian politics.

All true friends of Nigeria should join the people in proceeding forward for sustainable peace.

APC victory in the presidential election, underscored by the nationwide wave of support in the National Assembly results is clear mandate for the party to retain power for another term of four years.

This election is an improvement on past elections and due credit should be given to the government and people of this country.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

March 13, 2023

March 13, 2023

Cashless policy: Buhari throws Emefiele under the bus

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has thrown under the bus his bumbling CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele over adherence to the Supreme Court order elongating the cashless policy and recirculating the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

In a rebuttal of public attacks on the President, spokesman Garba Shehu said at no time did the President order Emefiele and the attorney general not to respect the ruling.

“The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President”, the statement by Shehu said.

Governors first got an order for the extension of the Naira swap on 8 February.

On 3 March, the court handed over a broader ruling, virtually suspending the policy by assailing it for breaching the rules and causing suffering in the land.

The CBN and the attorney general of the federation kept mute over the ruling as cash became more scarce in the country.

Rebuking the AGF as well, Shehu said:

“The President is not a micromanager and will not, therefore, stop the Attorney General and the CBN Governor from performing the details of their duties in accordance with the law. In any case. it is debatable at this time if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the apex court.

“The directive of the President, following the meeting of the Council of State. is that the Bank must make available for circulation all the money that is needed and nothing has happened to change the position”.

Read the full statement

PRESIDENT BUHARI NEVER TOLD AG AND CBN GOV TO DEFY SUPREME COURT ORDER

The Presidency wishes to react to some public concerns that President Muhammadu Buhari did not react to the Supreme Court judgement on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes, and states here plainly and clearly that at no time did he instruct the Attorney General and the CBN Governor to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties.

Since the President was sworn into office in 2015, he has never directed anybody to defy court orders, in the strong belief that we can’t practise democracy without the rule of law and the commitment of his administration to this principle has not changed.

Following the ongoing intense debate about the compliance concerning the legality of the old currency notes, the Presidency therefore wishes to state clearly that President Buhari has not done anything knowingly and deliberately to interfere with or obstruct the administration of justice.

The President is not a micromanager and will not, therefore, stop the Attorney General and the CBN Governor from performing the details of their duties in accordance with the law. In any case. it is debatable at this time if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the apex court.

The directive of the President, following the meeting of the Council of State. is that the Bank must make available for circulation all the money that is needed and nothing has happened to change the position.

It is an established fact that the President is an absolute respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts. He has done nothing in the last eight or so years to act in any way to obstruct the administration of justice, cause lack of confidence in the administration of justice, or otherwise interfere or corrupt the courts and there is no reason whatsoever that he should do so now when he is getting ready to leave office.

The negative campaign and personalised attacks against the President by the opposition and all manner of commentators is unfair and unjust, as no court order at any level has been issued or directed at him.

As for the cashless system the CBN is determined to put in place, it is a known fact that many of the country’s citizens who bear the brunt of the sufferings, surprisingly support the policy as they believe that the action would cut corruption, fight terrorism, build an environment of honesty and reinforce the incorruptible leadership of the President.

It is therefore wide off the mark to blame the President for the current controversy over the cash scarcity, despite the Supreme Court judgement. The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.

President Buhari has also rejected the impression that he lacks compassion, saying that “no government in our recent history has introduced policies to help economically marginalised and vulnerable groups like the present administration.”

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 13, 2023

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Day: March 13, 2023

Sanwo-Olu: 9 political parties, 5 governorship candidates pledge support

CBN complies with Supreme Court order 10 days after

February 25 election better than other elections in Nigeria: Presidency

Cashless policy: Buhari throws Emefiele under the bus