TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023 Elections

  • Atiku will take over from Tinubu 6 Months after inauguration – Bwala

    Atiku will take over from Tinubu 6 Months after inauguration – Bwala

    A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign council, Daniel Bwala, has said Atiku will take over power from the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, six months after may 29.

    Tinubu, the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) was declared as the winner of February 25 presidential election.

    He scored a total of 8,794,726 votes, the highest of all the candidates, while Atiku of the PDP came second with a total of 6,984,520 votes in the election.

    Bwala while speaking in an interview yesterday with ARISE TV about the petition, was asked what he would say about the accusation by the APC that the PDP has electoral malpractice in the country.

    He said, even though he could not entirely dismiss those accusations, PDP had tried to redeem itself by apologising to Nigerians and pledging to do better if given the chance to rule again.

    “PDP has over the years admitted that they made so many mistakes. I remember Secondus one time when he became the chairman of the party taking a campaign across the country to tell Nigerians that PDP is sorry. Has APC ever said “We are sorry”?

    “This is a party that wants to make lies a statecraft. They announced that the president-elect was traveling on an official visit where he’ll meet with investors, where he’ll do this and that. How many days has he been away? We haven’t seen a picture of him alighting from a plane or investors receiving him.”

    Speaking further on his optimism over PDP’s chances of victory in court, he said that after Tinubu is inaugurated on May 29, he will be in office for only six or seven months before he would get sacked and the PDP would take over power.

    “When he (Tinubu) becomes president on May 29, he’ll have about six or seven months before he’ll be sacked and then we’ll come and take over the power.”

     

  • FG planning to procure firefighting Aircraft for  all geopolitical zones – Aregbesola

    FG planning to procure firefighting Aircraft for  all geopolitical zones – Aregbesola

    The Minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola has said the Federal Government is planning to procure an aircraft in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country to fight wildfires, bushfires, and other large-scale fires.

    Aregbesola disclosed in Abuja, yesterday during the commissioning of the Metropolitan Fire Station, Kubwa.

    According to him, the prime challenge of the Federal Fire Service, (FFS) is on combating wildfires, bushfires and other largescale fires requiring aerial attacks.

    “We have initiated an arrangement with the Nigeria Airforce to use their planes to waterbomb fires of that nature from the air. It is my sincere hope that the Service will see this through.

    “Our projection is to have our own aircraft in the six geo-political zones of the country.”

    The interior minister explained that the Metro Fire Station is positioned strategically in the suburban Kubwa District for rapid fire and rescue interventions to the community in a much shorter life-saving time.

    “One can almost be sure of a rise in the awareness level of people in the community of fire protection and prevention through fire safety enlightenment campaigns that would be on the steady in and around the axis.

    “This beautiful edifice housing the Metropolitan Fire Station is the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria. We have all gathered here today to commission one of the 13 Metropolitan Stations spread across the country and at various stages of completion.”

     

  • U.S. clarifies visa restrictions, refuses to name those affected

    U.S. clarifies visa restrictions, refuses to name those affected

    The United States of America (USA) has further clarified the visa restrictions imposed on certain Nigerian politicians for undermining the democratic process in the 2023 elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, provided the clarification during a press briefing, where he disclosed “visa records are confidential” and therefore, will not “get into a specific litany of lists”.

    Fielding questions during the press briefing after US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Monday first disclosed visa restrictions are being imposed on a number of Nigerians, Patel noted that the restrictions are specific to certain individuals.

    “As you know…, visa records are confidential, so I’m just certainly not going to get into a specific litany of lists, but what I will note is that today’s steps are specific to certain individuals and they are not directed at the Nigerian people nor the Government of Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

    Patel recalled that in February Blinken spoke to this via a statement in which he congratulated Nigerians people and the winners in the 2023 general election.

    “So you might recall that in February the Secretary spoke to this via a statement in which – congratulating the Nigerian people and the winners of that election and calling that election credible, and our viewpoint is that both things can be true.

    “The election can be credible and we congratulated it when it happened, but also, individuals could have attempted to undermine it.  And that’s what today’s designation is about, is the Secretary announcing steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals who we believe were responsible for or complicit in undermining the democratic processes during Nigeria’s 2023 elections,” he emphasized.

    US Secretary of State Blinken in a statement disclosed there were visa restrictions being imposed on a number of Nigerians over undermining the democratic process in the elections this year.

    A number of opposition candidates have challenged the actual validity of the election results and the litigations are presently ongoing at election petitions tribunals set up across the country.

  • Avoid debts, pay salaries- Okonjo-Iweala urges governors

    Avoid debts, pay salaries- Okonjo-Iweala urges governors

    The Director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged Nigerian governors to avoid piling up debts on their states and to prioritise citizens’ welfare if they want to have successful tenures.

    Okonjo-Iweala in her address at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) induction ceremony yesterday in a Abuja, emphasised the importance of prudent financial management for state governments and the need to sustain payment of workers’ salaries.

    Speaking on the need for increased internally generated revenue (IGR), Okonjo-Iweala suggested that governors should focus on transparency and efficiency in their financial practices.

    The former finance minister encouraged them to publish information about the federation revenue allocation and IGR, to enable citizens to have a clear understanding of their state’s financial situation.

    “Nigeria is a country with no social contract, meaning that Nigerian political leaders have never been able to agree with each other to stick to a common set of principles, values, and policies that consistently deliver for their citizens regardless of ethnic group or political persuasion.

    “You have a lot of healing to do – within your states, and between them. Through your words, deeds, and policies, you need to demonstrate to Nigerians that they are equally loved; that they can settle and do business in any part of the country without fear,” he said.

    Moreover, she emphasized the importance of monitoring debt profiles and controlling expenditure. According to her, while investing in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and basic healthcare, governors should prioritize the timely payment of teachers and healthcare workers.

    Citing data analysis from the National Bureau of Statistics and Budgit, an organisation dedicated to providing financial reports on country budgets, Okonjo-Iweala revealed that a majority of states rely heavily on federal allocations for revenue.

    In fact, for 33 states, federal allocations account for the majority of their revenue, with 13 of those states depending on monthly impact allocations for approximately 70 percent of their revenue.

    The WTO chief executive also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Nigeria, leading to a rise in poverty rates, as according to the World Bank, an estimated 95 million Nigerians fell below the national poverty line in 2022, accounting for 43 percent of the population.

    She further highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population, stating that the country has an opportunity to attract investment in labour-intensive production processes.

    Okonjo-Iweala encouraged governors to create business-friendly environments to attract both domestic and foreign investment, stressing the importance of Nigeria positioning itself as a platform for producing goods and services to meet regional and global demand.

    Speaking on youths’ craving to relocate from Nigeria, she said: “Excellencies, you must make your states and all Nigeria a hospitable, encouraging place where young people want to stay and thrive, not leave. Much as we appreciate remittances sent home by these migrants, Nigeria will not develop and prosper if its youthful, tech-savvy population leaves. Without them, our demographic dividend disappears.

    “Turning to the fashion space, people across the continent want to dress like us. Nigerian fashion is taking Africa and the world by storm. Our leather industry is moving up the value chain: we used to send tanned leather to Milan, now we are developing shoes, bags, and carpets ourselves of good quality, fit for consumption at home and abroad.”

     

  • Don’t let Emefiele, others go on leave before inauguration- Matawalle urges Buhari

    Don’t let Emefiele, others go on leave before inauguration- Matawalle urges Buhari

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari, not to approve any study leave for any officer critical to the take-off of the incoming administration.

    Matawalle in a Press statement he personally signed on Monday, said such persons that has been speculated in the media to have sought a study leave is Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, saying If the leave has been approved, as reported in the media, the President should cancel it in the interest of peaceful transfer of power.

    The governor praised President Buhari and his wife Aisha Buhari for showing they want a seamless orderly and peaceful transfer of power to the incoming administration.

    He however said, other officers in government have acted in a different manner. They are behaving as if they want to put spanners in the work for the incoming regime.

    The statement reads:

    “This is the import of this press statement today. I want, here and now, to urge President Buhari to not approve any study leave or whatever kind of leave for any officer critical to the take-off of the incoming administration of Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “One of such persons that has been speculated in the media to have sought a study leave is Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele. If the leave has been approved, as reported in the media, the President should cancel it in the interest of peaceful transfer of power, accountability and good governance.

    “CBN Governor Emefiele superintended over the management of the country’s financial and monetary systems. He is the one who initiated and implemented the recent disastrous Naira swap policy, the Naira confiscation program, which put Nigerians through untold woes and trauma and set our economy backwards.

    “Two of my brother-governors and I took the Federal Government to court over this ill-advised policy and fought resolutely until we got a respite for our people from Emefiele and company.

    “This same Emefiele now wants to proceed on study leave when he has some 10 months left of his tenure apparently in a bid to evade rendering accounts. This is unacceptable. President Buhari should not countenance this.

    ” Emefiele must stay at his job to give full accounts of all that transpired under his watch to the incoming administration. He must answer all the questions the new regime may have for him particularly when he still has some months left of his tenure”.

  • UPDATE: U.S. explains class of individuals affected by visa ban

    UPDATE: U.S. explains class of individuals affected by visa ban

    The United States of America (USA) on Monday disclosed it has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken made the disclosure on Monday in a statement titled: “Taking Steps to Impose Visa Restrictions on Individuals Involved in Undermining the Democratic Process During Nigeria’s 2023 Elections Cycle”.

    According to the statement, the visa restrictions are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole.

    The statement published on the official website of the USA explained that the visa restriction affects individuals involved in the intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence during the elections, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “These individuals will be subject to restrictions on visas to the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy,” the statement added.

    Read full statement below:

    Taking Steps to Impose Visa Restrictions on Individuals Involved in Undermining the Democratic Process During Nigeria’s 2023 Elections Cycle

    The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle. These actions are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole.

    Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be subject to restrictions on visas to the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy. These individuals have been involved in intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process.

    The decision to take steps to impose visa restrictions reflects the continued commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

  • BREAKING: US imposes visa ban on Nigerian politicians over 2023 elections

    BREAKING: US imposes visa ban on Nigerian politicians over 2023 elections

    The United States of America (USA) has imposed a VISA ban on a number of Nigerian politicians for undermining democratic processes during the 2023 elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken made the disclosure in a statement on Monday.

    However, Blinken did not disclose the identity of the individuals affected by the VISA ban.

    “We have imposed visa restrictions on specific individuals who undermined the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections.

    ALSO READ || UPDATE: U.S. explains class of individuals affected by visa ban

    “We remain committed to supporting Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and rule of law,” the US Secretary of State disclosed via Twitter.

     

  • May 29: IGP sends strong warning to politicians plotting to scuttle inauguration

    May 29: IGP sends strong warning to politicians plotting to scuttle inauguration

    The Nigeria Police Force, (NPF) has said it has launched a manhunt for politicians plotting to scuttle the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba disclosed this during a press briefing at Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

    According to him, the operation was being carried in collaboration with other security agencies particularly intelligence officials.

    He said: “Following the successful conclusion of the 2023 General elections, it has been observed that some major political actors that the outcome did not favour, have been issuing public threats that are directed at instigating actions to frustrate the Presidential inauguration ceremony on 29th May, 2023.

    “The Nigeria Police and the national intelligence community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites as well as other elements who have formed themselves into unpatriotic brands whose only fantasy, in recent times, is to subvert our national security interests.

    “In so doing, they seem to be bent on deploying extra-judicial and undemocratic means to truncate our democratic heritage in advancement of their narrow personal political considerations.

    “The beauty of democracy lies not just in the freedom of the citizens to freely exercise their franchise within the electoral cycle. It is also hinged on the right of aggrieved political actors to submit grievances on the electoral outcome to the judicial process for consideration,” the police chief said.

    He noted that the security agencies would no longer tolerate any utterance capable of throwing the country into a turmoil, adding that any political actor who does not heed to the warning will be made to face the wrath of law.

    “Firstly, the Nigeria Police hereby sternly warns all political actors with subversive agenda and their collaborators, particularly, their foot soldiers who they are exposing to political radicalization and extremism to, henceforth, jettison their on-going premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the 29th May 2023 Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.

  • Akpabio visits Hilda Baci as she breaks Guinness world record

    Akpabio visits Hilda Baci as she breaks Guinness world record

    Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Monday, visited Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey Effiong, popularly known as Hilda Baci, who broke the Guinness World Record for longest cooking hours.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Hilda broke the record, which was previously held by Indian chef, Lata Tondon on Monday morning.

    Shortly after she clinched the record, Godswill Akpabio made it to Amore Gardens, Lekki, Lagos State, the venue of the hisorical moment.

    He cheered her and promised to reward the 27-year old Akwa Ibom State citizen.

    Akpabio in his tweeter handle said “I was this morning accompanied by my colleagues Senators-elect, on a solidarity visit to an Akwa Ibom child, Hilda Baci, who is set to break the Guiness Book of record as the Chef with the longest cooking duration in the world.

    ”I pray for her success and I promise to reward her at the end of the event. I thank her for exhibiting the Can Do Spirit of the Akwa Ibom child”.

  • Expect 50-year masterplan from incoming administration, says Akande

    Expect 50-year masterplan from incoming administration, says Akande

    Elder statesman and founding Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has said the president-elect Bola Tinubu, is most prepared to be president of Nigeria

    Akande disclosed this at the 97th birthday lecture of a foremost nationalist and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

    Akande said: “We thank God that this time around; Nigerians have elected a leader who has planned for a long time to be our President.

    “When Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State, he did not just plan for his eight years in office; he did a Master Plan for Lagos which has since been running for more than the past 20 years and which has transformed the city-state into the powerhouse of the Nigerian economy.

    “Therefore, it is right and necessary to expect a 20 or 50 years Master Plan for Nigeria from President to be Tinubu when he assumes office. This will transform this blessed country into a great one.”

    To the political class, putting Nigeria first must be a priority, he advised.

    “In our country, we know the President cannot be the sole agent of change. There are leaders and there are followers”

    He advised all good patriots to get involved and keep all hands on deck in order to align modernity with development.

    “We cannot be in love with the products of modernity like cars, telephones and air travels while we continue to live in dreadful underdevelopment. But presently, to our collective shame, almost all the cars on Nigerian roads are imported.

    “We import foods, wines, spirits, clothing, perfume, body sprays, toothpick and toiletries and then turn around to complain that the Naira is not strong. Let us, as followers, make the Naira strong by changing our ways.

    “Let us learn to make our own cars, produce our own food, drink our own wine and wear our own clothes because those individuals, corporate entities or countries, who think deeply daily, plan meticulously and work assiduously towards the realisation of their plans would continue to devise all means to confuse, exploit and enslave the lazy, fun-loving and planless pleasure seekers.

    “All good living can only happen when we change the way we think and the way we educate the next generations.”