Tag: 2023 Elections

2023: Don’t use the blood of your people to win elections – Gov Diri tells politicians

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged politicians seeking office in 2023 general elections not to use the blood of their people to win elections.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Diri made the call on Saturday during the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.

The Bayelsa State Governor called on politicians to avoid actions that would lead to bloodletting in the 2023 elections, stressing that the outcome of elections should be determined by the ballot box and not the strength of the gun, adding that the ultimate power to enthrone leadership lies in the hands of God.

He recalled the bloodletting that characterised the 2019 governorship campaigns in Nembe community and cautioned that all political players should vow never to allow the killing of youths in the state because of elections in spite of their ambitions.

Governor Diri appreciated the sacrifices of fallen heroes and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria, adding that the remembrance day should remind Nigerians of the sacrifices of the military and the need to live in peace and unity.

He called on all to support projects and intervention programmes initiated to care for the loved ones of fallen heroes and servicemen as a token of appreciation for the sacrifices the military men are making for the safety of all.

The Bayelsa helmsman also called on Bayelsans to unite and support his administration’s programmes to tackle under-development and poverty in order to achieve a prosperous Bayelsa.

He said: “This 2022 will trigger another episode in the political dynamics of our nation’s democratic growth. I believe this occasion is ideal to reiterate my often-stated optimism that elections should be about ballots and not bullets. That we should count ballots and not bodies.

“I give this admonition with the greatest sense of responsibility because the many wasted lives cut down in the prime of their lives at Nembe during the 2019 governorship elections in this state remain indelible in our memories.

“Let us collectively vow that never again will the blood of Bayelsans water the ambitions of desperate politicians. Whereas the temptation to overzealously take matters into our own hands exists, let us pause and appreciate the fact that, ultimately, all power belongs unto God.

“Our debt of gratitude to those who choose to die for us even when they did not even know us should be immense.

“The essence of commemorating this day is not to glorify war. Rather, it is to recall the price that others had to pay for us to live in peace and thus commit ourselves to live in such a manner that future generations will have no need to fight wars. The labour of our heroes past should never be in vain.

“Let us continue to show love to our heroes and their loved ones by supporting the various projects and interventions that have been set up to care for our men and women in uniform. This includes but not limited to making financial commitments to yielding our place in queues.

“Bayelsans cannot afford to be separated in interest or divided in purpose at this crucial time in the history ⁴ our state and Nigeria. And as we have demonstrated several times over the nearly two years of this Government of Prosperity, we are better together. Let us unite to fight poverty, lack, ignorance and any other vices. These are our common enemies.

Highpoint of the event was the laying of wreaths by the governor, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, and a former Military Governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.

Others who graced the occasion included heads of security agencies in the state, top government functionaries and traditional rulers.

January 17, 2022
2023: PDP Govs meet in Rivers to perfect how to send APC packing

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will today, meet in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital to properly plot how to send the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC out of Aso Rock in 2023.

The meeting according to a statement signed by the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Hon. Cyril “CID” Maduabum will review the state of the states, state of the nation and readiness of the PDP to provide the necessary leadership to rescue and rebuild Nigeria.”

All the elected PDP Governors are expected to attend the meeting to be presided over by the chairman of the forum and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal.

The meeting will be preceded by a gala night to be hosted by the chief host and governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

The governors will do an appraisal of ongoing reconciliatory efforts in Ekiti and Osun states where governorship elections are billed to hold this year.

The statement further noted that the governors are working hand-in-hand with the Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee, NWC “to craft a credible process and programme for Nigeria’s positive rebirth.”

Ayu is expected in Port-Harcourt to brief the governors of efforts currently being made to reposition the PDP for the task ahead.

January 17, 2022
2023: Where are the masquerades? – By Dakuku Peterside

By Dakuku Peterside

There are masquerades in every culture and the life of every individual. The masquerades wear masks for different reasons – from prevarication, illusion, fantasy, fright, horror to protection. No matter the reason, masquerades thrive by covering who they are and taking up a persona unique to the image they want to portray. This image becomes the identity of the masquerade. And the persona behind the masquerade dies for the masquerades persona to live. In most cultures, it is a taboo to unmask the masquerade. Even at the threat of losing life, a masquerade will fight to hide the person’s identity behind the mask.

In the past, masquerades were a rarity and often appeared on special occasions and festivities. Nowadays, both literally and metaphorically, we are all masquerades. We wear masks these days as a necessity. Facial mask existed before Covid 19, but Covid, at best, only heightened its usage. Mask during this pandemic era has become a symbol of self-preservation against a deadly viral infection. Aside from literal masks, we wear ‘symbolic masks’ to protect ourselves from emotional and psychological elements that we confront daily – financial secrets, relationship secrets, and privacy of life and family.

As the drumbeat of the 2023 election dance started , we have seen big “political masquerades“ coming out to declare their interest in the struggle for power and relevance. Across party lines, powerful politicians, likened to big masquerades, and their cohorts are showcasing introductory and essential aspects of their election dance and using both old and novel gimmicks to make known their interest in the presidency of Nigeria. Some have visited the incumbent President to tell him of their ambition; some are still consulting with stakeholders; some are waiting for the call of God and their people to declare their intention publicly, while others have gone ahead to make public their presidential ambition via the mass media.

So far, there are no surprises yet. Those who have declared or those rumoured to be on the verge of announcing their intentions to rule Nigeria are the same old political warhorses and, to a great extent, are known by Nigerians. We expect more to declare in the coming days and weeks. This is part of the political process, and any Nigerian is free to aspire to become the president and compete for the post through any political platform of his choice. In Nigeria, at least for now, only masquerades wearing the masks of APC or PDP are considered to have realistic chances of winning the presidential elections. But these are early days, and a third force political platform may challenge this status quo.

It is about 12 months to the general election for Nigerians to choose the leader of the most populous black nation on earth at a time of significant political, social, and economic turbulence. Nigeria faces, on all sides, existential threats that will require a highly skilled, competent and charismatic leader to galvanise all the human and natural resources at our disposal to tackle the vast socio-economic challenges confronting us. Among these “masquerades“ declaring their interest, one will emerge as the leader. This underscores the importance of galvanising Nigerians with outstanding leadership and empathic qualities to step up to the arena and be counted. One must be in the race to win.

Nigerians often complain about the same old leaders taking political offices and doing nothing innovative to develop the country but forget that it all starts with the calibre and quality of politicians coming out for the presidency. It is from that group that the president will emerge. Therefore, I implore all Nigerians to use this opportunity to encourage proven leaders with the proper knowledge and skills to come on board to compete for the presidency. Nigeria now more than ever before needs quality leadership at the highest level.

It is a positive for democracy that so many citizens are stepping forward to lead the nation, indicating increasing political participation. However, nothing yet distinguishes one aspirant from another in terms of either ideology or public policy leaning. For now, we are stuck at the level of personality cults, geopolitical interests, and ethnic entitlement syndrome. Even where aspirants are from different party platforms, their utterances do not yet reflect the broad agenda of those parties. More disturbingly, there is nothing that indicates depth on specific national issues from any aspirant.

So far, not less than six “political masquerades“ have declared their interest from the two main political parties – APC (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, David Umahi, and Orji Uzor Kalu) and PDP (Abubarkar Bukola Saraki, Anyim Pius Anyim, and Dele Momodu). There are other candidates with near unassailable profile in the fringe parties . It is time Nigerians started examining all of them from the prism of our complexities. Let us look at ‘the stuff they are made of’, those who gave them the masquerade and are in their company. We want to know what they are offering and what vision they are selling to Nigerians? How will they solve the multiplicity of Nigerian problems? We should not focus on inanities like what their religion is. What geopolitical zone they represent and what financial muscle they have.

Let the Presidential “masquerades” come forth and canvas ideas and proffer solutions. Twelve months is enough time to know which of these political masquerades we want to take seriously or ignore. For the political masquerades that have declared their intention, let us now hear their ideas. However, I acknowledge by trend analysis, that it is not the candidate with the most brilliant takes on issues that will win. As the factors that determines who wins elections in Nigeria do not have much to do with sound policy ideas.

Unlike the previous election period, Nigeria is in a precarious situation; inexperience, vacuity, incompetence, lack of proven service record, absence of ideas to drive positive change among candidates will not be overlooked nor tolerated by Nigerians. Between June and August this year, the parties will present masquerades dressed in party attire. Our options will be limited to the masquerades presented to the electorate by the parties. To a certain degree, the party will shield the person behind the masquerade from Nigerians. We may be denied the opportunity of knowing what the one behind the masquerade said as distinct from what the masquerade said.

The party-political machinery takes over immediately after primaries, and all forms of spin doctors and election pundits are engaged to convince the electorate of the rightfulness of the candidates. This powerful party campaign machinery will set out to use unfounded marketing tools, lies, half-truths, innuendoes, and propaganda to convince or confuse the electorate to vote for its candidate even though he/she may have apparent shortcomings that make him unfit for the presidency. That is why when a president is elected, there are lots of things the electorate assumes he said or stood for or championed that turns out completely different from what the president does. Maybe it is still too early in the day, but I strongly feel that now is the time to engage with the masquerades and try to figure out the man behind the mask.

Our current crisis correlates with the electoral decisions and leadership choices we have collectively made in the past. All elections have serious consequences. This underscores the importance of careful consideration of the masquerades to eliminate the wrong candidates from the presidential race and have people with clarity of vision, proven leadership skills and a good knowledge of the Nigerian context vis a vis the complexity of our religious, social, and ethnic makeup.

The only actual path forward is using the 2023 election to usher in good leadership with demonstrable capacity to implement a pan- Nigeria agenda . Nigeria is in dire need of positive change. But who will drive this change? More of the same masquerades — Nigeria’s political elite. Unpleasant and scary as today’s Nigeria has become, our present reality should force us to question our prior assumptions about leadership selection. We should not allow primordial sentiments to becloud our judgement in seeking out and choosing a competent and visionary leader as president.

We have a choice now facing all Nigerians: we can make use of the next 12 months to put our acts together and engage in positive politicking to seek out good leaders for the 2023 general elections, or we can decide to play politics as usual without seriously considering post-election governance. Elections are a means to an end and not an end in themselves. If we do not elect good leaders, we will bear the brunt of the consequences – debilitating poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and constant internal crisis and call for secession.

We are at the beginning of electing the president of Nigeria. We must get it right at this stage to have a realistic chance of electing a President that will make a difference. There is no doubt that the flawed election process in Nigeria is probably the cause of failed governance and leadership in Nigeria. I argue that we must reassess that process and start on time to get it right if we must make meaningful progress in getting the right president.

The president derives his power from the people who vote for him and elect him to lead them in a democracy. So, the president rises and falls with the people. A government by the people, as represented by a voted president, contextually assumes responsibility for the success or failure of the people. Democracy affords the people an opportunity to hold the president accountable through periodic elections. 2023 is another opportunity for the people to get it right.

Nigerians must carefully choose a leader with incredible qualities to take Nigeria to a new frontier. What are these qualities we require of the next president?The aspirant must have a clear vision of where he wants to take Nigeria to in terms of development and how he will achieve that given our current resource realities. The aspirant must have proven skills and competencies in management and leadership. He must have empathy for the plights of many Nigerians and must have a burning desire to work to ameliorate the sufferings. Based on association or ideology, the aspirant must be above board – not an ethnic or religious chauvinist, supporter of secession activities, or terrorism.

Furthermore, the aspirant must love Nigeria and have a proven record of having links across the country. He must understand the economy especially productivity.He must have the strength, ability, knowledge, and intellectual capacity to carry the burden of Nigeria, manage our diversity and deliver dividends of good governance to all Nigeria, not just a section of Nigeria or the elites. Ultimately , the aspirant must demonstrate a clear understanding of how to tackle insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and a shambolic education system.

After all is said, 2022 offers all Nigerians the opportunity to chose the kind of country we want by the quality of the President we vote for in the 2023 general elections. As political masquerades have started declaring their intentions to contest for the presidency of Nigeria, now is the time to engage them to find out the person behind the masquerade.

January 17, 2022
2023: Meet 2 young Nigerians who have declared for president

As preparations for the 2023 general elections hit top gear, two young Nigerians, Mrs Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi and Chukwuka Monye have declared intention to contest the presidential election.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mrs Okunnu-Lamidi is a 38-year-old female entrepreneur while Monye is a leading social innovator and change management expert for over 20 years.

Okunnu-Lamidi, Founder, Slice Media Solutions, while declaring her intention to contest the presidential election in Lagos State, said she had become the arrowhead for the intervention of her generation’s interests across the nation for politics and good governance.

“I seek to change the direction of our country, because time and chance will happen to all of us and the time for action is today.

“We need a better class and a better crop of leaders that are selfless, disciplined and bound with integrity, and above all, who love the country and are invested in her future.

“I am here to activate all people, the old, the poor, the rich; to unite around a common ideal on the basis of a consensus about a superior national development agenda,” she said.

According to Okunnu-Lamidi, her interests include 70 per cent youths who are often disenfranchised and have not taken their rightful place in choosing the government of Nigeria.

She expressed disappointment that Nigeria had missed important milestones in building the nation.

She said it was more pertinent that Nigerians must begin to think differently in the way things are done and the way they interact with each other.

She said: “We are all guilty for surrendering to temporary powerlessness, we can and must start to think differently.

“We sing often about our heroes past. These are people who entered the governance of Nigeria by design or by chance at very young age to take over from the colonial power that ruled Nigeria.

“This again is a generational inflection point for the nation.

“A nation desperate for leadership needs the young, the strong, those who have vision, those who have ideas, those who have a united Nigerian identity and a belief in this country.

“The people of Nigeria believe in Nigeria, they should not be led by leaders who don’t.

“We have to keep fighting for what we believe in, and above all, never lose hope. If you were waiting for a sign, this is it,” said Okunnu-Lamidi, who was yet to join any party.

TNG reports Okunnu-Lamidi is the daughter of former Federal Works commissioner, Femi Okunnu.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Human Resources Management from the University of Bolton.

She also holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Project Management (MSc) from Heriot-Watt University.

Meanwhile, Monye, on the other hand, made the declaration to contest the presidential election in his hometown, Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta.

While Okunnu-Lamidi seeks a political party’s nomination to contest next year’s presidential election, Monye’s declaration was more like that of an independent candidate as he did not affiliate with any known political party in the country.

He stressed that there was no better time than now to make the right decision to recover and reposition the decaying foundation of the country, adding that the future the youths seek is now.

Monye noted that his declaration to occupy the number one seat in the nation was remarkable.

He said that there were lots of questions waiting for answers, given the sacrifices made by the founding fathers, fallen and living heroes, who fought and are still fighting for the country to become great.

The aspirant noted that the poverty rate in the country was alarming, signifying that many go to bed hungry and without hope for the next meal.

He said that the focus of his vision was security, institutional reforms and jobs creation.

“So, I wonder if our founding fathers would be contented with the state of our Nation today. For over 60 years, Nigeria has been drifting from pillar to post with no clear vision or direction. Today, we excel more away from home than we do here in Nigeria.

“With dwindling pride in our heritage, our growing lack of patriotism can be linked to; abuse of public trust, poor leadership and corruption; this can be better.

“Growing up as a young boy, I remember vividly being told that we are the leaders of the future. We accepted this with all our hearts believing that the future was coming soon.

“However, overtime I realized that the future that we were promised appeared to be a date that will not be delivered. And so, I make bold to say to every Nigerian dreaming of a better Nigeria, that the future is not on a date on a calendar yet to be revealed. Believe me when I say, our future is now,” Monye said.

Monye added: “I have lived a life of faith; steadfast to God and in our human capacity to influence our destinies. So, much of who we are, depends on the choices we make.

“I believe that if together, we make the right decisions that employ all the human, mineral and natural resources that we have been endowed, we can see a better Nigeria in our lifetime.

“For this reason, I Chukwuka Monye, present myself to serve as the president of this great nation, Nigeria. I love Nigeria and I believe that Nigerians matter and deserves a better today.

“Come 2023, we must seize this moment to prove that our generation is ready to lead our nation to a promise land and that future we have waited so long for is now at hand. Our Future is Now.

“I am a Niger Delta, who is proudly Nigerian and a firm believer of ‘One Nigeria, due to the wholesome exposure to different parts and culture of the country where I met close friends from various ethnic background”.

In an interview, some of his friends and allies of the same philosophy from North and Southern Nigeria, lauded him for taking the bold initiative to declare his intention to run for president.

Alhaji, Rabiu Aliyu, an Educationalist; Mr Elvis Akpovi, Executive Director, Not Too Young to Lead Initiative; Dr Olori Boye-Ajayi, a Model and Mallam Nuhu Danladi-Teshi and others, lauded Monye for competence as a successful business and human manager.

They urged Nigerians, particularly youths to give their support to enable Monye realize his ambition and to bring his wealth of experience to bear come 2023.

They called him a Social Innovator, People Person, Excellence Driven and Community Oriented, believing he would work to ensure the realisation of Nigeria of our dream.

January 16, 2022
2023: Augoye assures Deltans of lasting legacies

Frontline governorship aspirant in Delta State, Chief James Augoye has assured Deltans of lasting legacies when given the opportunity to serve the State in the capacity of governor come 2023.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief Augoye gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen at a new year get-together of Delta Political Vanguard (DPV) held at Government Field, Boji-Boji, Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the State.

Augoye affirmed that since government is a continuum, he would not be leaving projects and programmes of past administrations to rot.

While calling on the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to support his ambition, Augoye said: “I have the solutions to the problems associated with the growth and development of Delta State. This is not to cast aspersions.

“Having traversed the State as Commissioner for Works twice, I have seen first hand challenges Deltans are passing through. I have solutions to the challenges.

“Past administrations have done so well to address some of these challenges, and in the process, contributing immensely to the growth and development of the State.

“Especially, the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, my boss, has done very well in this regard. But, there is more work to be done. Rome, they say, was not built in a day.

“Since the government is a continuum, I will not leave room for rot. While I will leave lasting legacies behind after my tenure when given the opportunity to serve the State in the capacity of governor, I will ensure projects and programmes of past administrations are not abandoned.

“In due course, I will be unveiling my manifesto so that Deltans can see how well I have articulated some of the challenges facing the State, and the solutions I have to tackle these challenges”.

Meanwhile, speaking during the DPV new year get-together, Chairman of the PDP in Delta State, Chief Kingsley Esiso said the party wants the next governor of the State come 2023 to be someone who will follow the footsteps of Okowa.

Chief Esiso stressed that the PDP wants a governor that will follow Okowa’s footsteps in 2023 because of the successes he said recorded by the incumbent governor.

“This is very apt because we want continuity in road construction, in health development, in educational development and human capital development.

“So, we have all agreed that we need a governor in 2023 that will follow the footsteps of Okowa,” Esiso stated.

While thanking the leadership DPV for putting up the ceremony, the PDP Chairman announced that a mega rally of the party would take place at the Cenotaph, Asaba, on January 22, 2022.

Meanwhile, DPV, a political pressure group in the state, reaffirmed their commitment to Okowa ahead of the 2023 general elections, saying “wherever Okowa goes, we go”.

National Chairman of the group, Chief Michael Diden said the group had resolved to work in unison with other groups to deliver the next governor of the state.

He urged all governorship aspirants on the PDP platform to pray harder to enable Governor Okowa and other leaders chose any of them for the 2023 race.

Earlier, welcoming guests to the occasion, Director-General of the group, Mr Ifeanyi Eboigbe, said that the new year get-together was organised to celebrate Governor Okowa and to restate the group’s commitment and loyalty to the governor’s political leadership in the state.

He said that the group was not supporting any governorship aspirant because it was awaiting directives from the governor, reiterating that “anywhere Okowa goes, we go”.

He, however, warned that the group would not support any aspirant that failed to identify with the group.

Meanwhile, so many Deltans, who attended the rally, have thrown their weights behind the governorship aspiration of Chief James Augoye, who was present at the event.

Watch video below as Deltans speak in favour of Chief Augoye’s governorship ambition.

TNG reports the rally was attended by members of the National Assembly, including Victor Nwokolo, Ben Igbakpa and Thomas Ereyitomi.

Others were Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori; governorship aspirants – Chief David Edevbie, Chief Abel Esievo, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, Chief Ejaife Odebala, amongst others.

January 16, 2022
2023: We want a governor that will follow Okowa’s footsteps – Delta PDP Chairman

Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Kingsley Esiso has said the party wants the next governor of the State come 2023 to be someone who will follow the footsteps of the incumbent, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief Esiso made this known at a well-attended new year get-together of Delta Political Vanguard (DPV) held at Government Field, Boji-Boji, Agbor.

Esiso, who thanked the leadership DPV for putting up the ceremony, lauded members of the group for their massive support for Governor Okowa since 2015 when he assumed office.

He stressed that the PDP wants a governor that will follow Okowa’s footsteps in 2023 because of the successes he said recorded by the incumbent governor.

“This is very apt because we want continuity in road construction, in health development, in educational development and human capital development.

“So, we have all agreed that we need a governor in 2023 that will follow the footsteps of Okowa,” Esiso stated.

He announced that a mega rally of the party would take place at the Cenotaph, Asaba, on January 22, 2022.

Meanwhile, DPV, a political pressure group in the state, reaffirmed their commitment to Okowa ahead of the 2023 general elections, saying “wherever Okowa goes, we go”.

National Chairman of the group, Chief Michael Diden said the group had resolved to work in unison with other groups to deliver the next governor of the state.

He urged all governorship aspirants on the PDP platform to pray harder to enable Governor Okowa and other leaders chose any of them for the 2023 race.

Earlier, welcoming guests to the occasion, Director-General of the group, Mr Ifeanyi Eboigbe, said that the new year get-together was organised to celebrate Governor Okowa and to restate the group’s commitment and loyalty to the governor’s political leadership in the state.

He said that the group was not supporting any governorship aspirant because it was awaiting directives from the governor, reiterating that “anywhere Okowa goes, we go”.

He, however, warned that the group would not support any aspirant that failed to identify with the group.

Meanwhile, so many Deltans, who attended the rally, have thrown their weights behind the governorship aspiration of Chief James Augoye, who was present at the event.

Watch video below as Deltans speak in favour of Chief Augoye’s governorship ambition.

TNG reports the rally was attended by members of the National Assembly, including Victor Nwokolo, Ben Igbakpa and Thomas Ereyitomi.

Others were Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori; governorship aspirants – Chief David Edevbie, Chief Abel Esievo, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, Chief Ejaife Odebala, amongst others.

January 15, 2022
2023: 43-year-old technocrat, Chukwuka Monye declares for president

Forty-three-year-old social innovator and change management expert, Chukwuka Monye has declared his intention to contest for the position of president in 2023.

With the slogan “our future is now”, the Oxford-trained innovation strategist outlined a three-point agenda of security, institutional reforms and jobs for Nigeria’s rapid transformation.

Urging Nigerians hoping for a better nation to remain steadfast as the dream is possible, Monye told a cheering crowd, mostly youths, that he is uniquely positioned by age and experience to serve as a bridge builder for the nation to realise the desired future.

He, therefore, offered himself to “serve Nigeria in the capacity that will unify and engage the citizens to execute a plan that transforms the country into a true African leader.

“I represent a generation that desires opportunities to express their innovative capacities. I represent a generation that desires justice, peace and equity. I represent a generation that excels and has attempted to create the best we can, despite the limited empowerment we have received.

“I represent a generation that believes that a global economy can be created out of things that we are passionate about such as music, arts and technology.”

The presidential hopeful regretted the alarming poverty with 83 million Nigerians living below the poverty line.

Pointing to the fact that Nigerians are at a high point of hopelessness and despair, he said the nation’s foundational structures were “at a brink of collapse with institutions such as justice, education, health and the security infrastructure unable to effectively meet the needs of Nigerians.”

The declaration ceremony, which held in his hometown, Onicha-Ugbo in Delta State, opened with a discussion.

The panel of discussants comprising Ambassador Elvis Akpovi, executive director “Not too young to lead”, Alhaji Rabiu Aliyu Dr. Olori Boye-Ajayi, May Ikeora, pointing out the dire need for a youthful and vibrant president.

Monye, who believes that Africa’s growth would be propelled by empowering its people to build sustainable enterprises and embrace systems thinking, was born on July 21, 1979.

He was educated at Maryland convent primary school and the federal government college, Ijanikin, Lagos, before moving abroad on a scholarship.

He is the founder of Ciuci Consulting, the multinational operations management consulting firm. As Managing Partner, he has led over 400 institutional change programmes which, and developing strategic roadmaps for several companies.

Monye, who is featured in the 2021 bestselling “Business Success Secrets” of global leaders, has been impacting lives through various charitable initiatives around the country.

January 15, 2022
2023: Tinubu will take Nigeria to the gutters if he becomes president – Bode George

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George has said Bola Tinubu will take Nigeria to the gutters if elected as President of Nigeria.

George, who noted that he has nothing against the former Lagos State Governor, said he will leave Nigeria if the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerges as the President of the country in 2023.

Speaking in an interview, Bode George said Tinubu does not have what it takes to manage the country and that he would be the greatest joke on the international plane if elected as President of Nigeria.

“I have nothing personal, this man (Tinubu) does not have what it takes to manage this country. If he does, Nigerians will regret it.

“Who is he? In his character, in his name, or educational qualification. What I am telling him is what I know. If Nigerians are dumb enough not to see that and they choose that he is the one they want to put forward as president, I wish them the best of luck.

“I won’t be part of it here, because he will take the country to the gutters,” Bode George said in the interview with Vanguard.

He went on to say: “I will move away from Nigeria, I’ll leave because he will be your representative in the international plane. Which investment will he bring here?

“I am not talking because I have any hatred for him. This is not the kind of person we can hand over this massive country to manage. He will be the greatest joke on the international plane. We should bother who should lead us”.

This is coming after Tinubu disclosed that he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari about his intention to run for the office of the President in the 2023 general elections.

January 15, 2022
Wole Soyinka denies endorsing Tinubu for 2023 elections

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has debunked claims that he has endorsed the presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Pictures of Soyinka and Tinubu went viral on Wednesday after the former Lagos State Governor declared his presidential ambition.

The post, which first trended in 2021, quoted Soyinka as saying, “I have never involved myself in politics or campaign for any politician but in 2023 I will be involved in politics and campaign for a longtime friend in 1993 NADECO struggle.”

However, Soyinka in a statement entitled, “Season of Fakery Galore,” dismissed the post as fake news, advising the public to disregard it.

Part of the statement read, “Here we go again. This same boring, illiterate public interlopers who lack the courage of their conviction and must steal the identities of their betters. One can only hope that the public has learnt to identify Fake News and join in the urgent task of exposing and disgracing these despicable touts.”

Soyinka noted that he has not thought about the 2023 presidential election or endorsing any candidate for the position.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I have not even thought about 2023, much less inserted candidates into coveted positions. The signature of this latest moron is familiar as he or she does not even know the difference between ‘Laureate and Laurel.’

“This is an ancient forgery being recycled for the umpteenth time. Those who pass it round do themselves and their recipients a disservice. Find something worthwhile to occupy your time.

“In any case, we have no business with politics in the land of the dead, and the most recent information I have on me is that I died sometime last year,” the statement read.

January 14, 2022
2023: PDP must unite to have an acceptable presidential candidate – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said Governors of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other stakeholders must work tirelessly for the party to produce the next Nigerian president in 2023.

He urged those fanning the embers of discord over the issue of zoning of presidential ticket and dividing governors, to focus their energy on rebuilding and strengthening the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Governor Wike stated this when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri at the Government House, Yenagoa on Monday.

“I’ve come to let him know that everybody as PDP members must put ourselves together to build the party. Without the party nobody can be a presidential candidate. There must be a party. So, there is the need for everybody to work together, make the party to be united before we talk about who will be presidential candidate,” Wike said.

The Rivers State Governor reiterated that Nigerians are waiting anxiously for PDP to rescue the country from the poor governance the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has foisted on them.

“We cannot afford to miss this opportunity that Nigerians are giving back to PDP to takeover the government in 2023. Everybody must work together as a party. And as governors, we must work together. If we didn’t work together we won’t have had the best convention we have ever had as a party,” he added.

Governor Wike warned that if governors and members of the party are not united, it would be difficult for the party to amicably nominate an acceptable presidential candidate.

According to him, PDP must capitalise on the brewing crisis in the APC to build a more formidable party to wrest power from the APC led federal government.

Governor Wike assured that PDP governors will not be distracted by the antics of those who are fanning the embers of discords in their bid to weaken their resolve to work unison for the PDP to clinch the presidency in 2023.

“We as governors will be united. Nobody can divide the governors because we are determined to work together to make sure PDP produces the next president in 2023.”

He commended Governor Diri, who was the deputy chairman of the PDP convention committee for the pivotal role he played in ensuring the success of the convention that produced the National Working Committee (NWC ) of the party.

Governor Wike urged the Bayelsa state governor to focus on providing democratic dividends to the people of his state, as that is the best strategy to silence the opposition in the State.

“You must make a difference, silence the opposition. We have silenced them and will continue to silence them because they are looking for where to get Rivers State to fight Bayelsa. They are looking for how they’ll use Bayelsa to fight Rivers. We’ll not allow that.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, lauded Governor Wike for the role he and other governors played in the emergence of a new NWC with a national chairman of proven integrity who will steer the PDP back to power in 2023.

“The presidency is one sacred office of our country that we must do everything to protect and to ensure that this time around, our party gets a clinch back. And that can only happen if you and I, not only governors, party structures elders, leaders and followers alike come together to give Nigerians their expectations.

“We all know here that Nigerians are expecting a change in the Villa. Nigerians are expecting a party to rescue them and the only party that has that pedigree is our party, PDP. There is no other party. So I thank you, have seen you going all over preaching the same thing, preaching unity of purpose of our party, preaching oneness, that is the right way to go.”

The Bayelsa state governor commended Governor Wike for his resolve to end illegal crude oil bunkering and artisanal refining in Rivers State.

Governor Diri said the state government has credible intelligence that some of the illegal oil thieves and operators of illegal refineries intend to relocate to Bayelsa state. He warned that his administration will not tolerate their presence in his state.

“Let me use this opportunity to warn that Bayelsa will not condone any of those oil bunkers. Those days are over. We have moved on and anyone who is planning to leave Rivers State to come and start that illicit, illegitimate, illegal business in Bayelsa, please have a change of mind and look elsewhere, because we already have a standing committee on that.

“From our state Security Council meeting, we will come down very hard on anyone that will do that illegal and illegitimate business in Bayelsa.”

January 11, 2022