TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023

  • 2023 elections: Photos Senator Sani shared that have Nigerians talking about voting “stingy” leaders

    As Nigeria prepare for general elections in 2023, Nigerians on twitter are reacting to photos of two top Nigerian politicians taken at the departure lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Saturday June 11.

    Former senator representing Kaduna Central and President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria Shehu Sani, posted photos taken with former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential aspirant under the Labour Party Peter Obi, with a caption describing himself as “poor”.

    “My friend Peter joining poor people like me on the masses side of the Airport,” Sani wrote, in what some people consider to be a campaign stunt.

    Reacting, a twitter user @joeljacob202 said: “Nope, the caption should be, your friend Peter Obi joining stingy people like you on the masses side of the airport. Peter Obi throughout his tenure as governor of Anambra State was known to be very stingy, these was attest to by even his closest friends and relatives”.

    The user added: “For a senator whose only achievement was sharing transistor radio, you can see the relationship”.

    L-R: Senator Shehu Sani and Former Governor of Anambra state Peter Obi.

    These comments sparked a debate on the platform, with many Nigerians saying they would choose a “stingy” leader over a generous one, if it meant being prudent with public funds.

    “We prefer a stingy man than the philanthropists who only enrich their circle of friends and allow the rest of us to suffer. The government house is not for father Christmas! It is to build capacity and deliver good governance. It is to serve you and I, not to do us a favor,” said a user named Victor.

    In the same vein, Eddie Onyibor wrote: “We need stingy people in government. Stingy people would ensure that government businesses are done right. Stingy people would not overblow their cabinet with unneeded portfolios. Stingy people will take our economy from consumption to production. Stingy people thrives in public and private”.

    Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that debt servicing may gulp 100 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue by 2026, if the government fails to implement adequate measures to improve revenue generation.

    “The biggest critical aspect for Nigeria is that we have done a macro-fiscal stress test, and… almost 100 per cent is projected by 2026 to be taken by debt service.

    “So, the fiscal space or the amount of revenues that will be needed and this without considering any shock is that most of the revenues of the federal government are now, in fact, 89 per cent and it will continue if nothing is done, to be taken by debt service,” IMF’s Resident Representative for Nigeria, Ari Aisen revealed.

    Earlier this year, it was disclosed that the Nigerian Government spent N4.2trillion on debt servicing between January and November 2021, which represents 76.2 per cent of the N5.51trillion revenue generated during the period.

    Nigeria is projected to spend N3.61trillion on servicing Nigeria’s debt burden in the 2022 fiscal year, which represents about 34 per cent of the 2022 anticipated revenue of the country.

    Nigeria’s debt stock, which was about N39.56tn as of December 2021, is likely to reach N45.95trillion following plans by the Debt Management Office to borrow an additional N6.39trillion to finance the 2022 budget deficit.

     

  • NNPP: Kwankwaso urged to pick running mate from Southwest

    New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential Flagbearer Rabiu Kwankwanso has been urged to pick a running mate from the Southwest.

    The Chairmen of the six South Western chapters of the NNPP made the call to him in Kano during the party’s meeting.

    The party leaders in the Southwest said the region deserves the slot due to the avalanche of tested and trusted politicians, technocrats etc, who have the experience to help in providing purposeful governance needed by Nigerians at this period of time.

    In a statement, Sunday, Dada Olayinka, on behalf of NNPP’s South West State Chairmen, said, the Vice Presidential slot should be given to the Southwest geopolitical region.

    “Going forward, we humbly appeal to our Presidential flagbearer Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso to consider the choice of his Vice Presidential candidate from the South West geopolitical region.

    “With his pedigree as a trusted administrator with unblemished record in public service, making a choice of a youthful running mate with antecedents as his requires wisdom, balancing and sagacity. “We shall be grateful if our region is given due consideration in this regard. We are assured of massive support for his emergence at the February 2023 election from the South West region” Olayinka stated.

    The group congratulated Kwankwaso on his emergence as NNPP’s presidential flagbearer for the 2023 general elections.

    “As Chairmen in our respective states, we align our thoughts, hopes, aspirations and connect with the wide acceptability of Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso, our candidate in the 2023 Presidential election.

    “We note with pride the resilience of our members who rose in unison and took a clear departure from the dollarisation of leadership involvement processes witnessed in the conduct of party primaries by the PDP and the ruling party the All Progressives Congress.

    On this note, the party Chairmen urged all members in the South West to begin massive mobilisation for the smooth emergence of Kwankwanso as the next President of Nigeria.

    “To banish hunger, restore hope, kill corruption, end insecurity, provide massive infrastructure and reform the Public Sector, our Presidential candidate towers higher ahead of other contenders” the Southwest NNPP Chairmen said.

    In the last three months, Olayinka stated that the leadership of the party had done so much in providing a credible alternative platform for Nigerians to realise their yearnings for good governance through well laid structure and articulation of their needs.

    “The NNPP under the able leadership of Prof. Rufai Alkali have carefully studied the rot in the Nigerian system thereby putting leadership of the party in the hands of the common people.

    “We recall that during these 3 months period, the party had successfully conducted Wards, Local Governments, States and National congresses without any hitch. We commend him and all other members of the National Working Committee for the thorough job they have done in building a formidable NNPP.”

    The group notes that the foundation for corruption begins with processes through which candidates emerge from their political platforms.

    “Nigerians have seen and the world has witnessed the sham that produced Presidential candidates of the two rejected political parties the PDP and APC. In 2023, Nigerians are ready to vote a candidate whose track record in leadership is untainted. This, our delegates have done when they elected Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso” the group said.

  • Shock as another flagbearer emerges in Peter Obi’s Labour Party

    Former Anambra Governor and Labour Party’s presidential flag bearer Peter Obi’s popularity and chances of becoming Nigeria’s president  is dwildling as another presidential candidate has emerged within the party.

    Jude Ezenwafor, a former chairman of the party in Anambra State, has been declared the winner of the presidential primary organized by a faction of the party.

    Ezenwafor’s affirmation took place in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “I am on a rescue mission to free Nigerian from social, economic and political crises currently bedevilling it.

    “Labour Party will win the general election. Our party is going to take over Nigeria and bring back the glory Nigeria needs.

    “I have been in the corridors of government for the past 20 years. We are here on a rescue mission,” NAN quoted Ezenwafor as saying.

    The development comes days after Peter Obi, was elected as the LP’s presidential candidate at a primary organized by the Julius Abure-led faction of the party.

    However, before Obi’s emergence a chieftain of Labour party Calistus Okafor had challenged the legality of the Abure-led faction before an Abuja Federal High Court .

    In a ruling on May 30, the presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, ordered that the LP and some of its executives be served with a fresh suit challenging the party’s leadership.

    The matter was then adjourned till June 30 for further mention.

    Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given all political parties until June 9 to conclude their primaries.

  • You can now lick your wounds – Tinubu attacks Ahmad Lawan

    Former Lagos state Governor and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken a jibe at the current senate president, Ahmed Lawan for competing with him when power was already zoned to the South.

    Tinubu posited that Lawan can now lick his wounds after losing out in at the presidential primaries.

    Tinubu made  this statement on Wednesday while delivering his acceptance speech at Eagle Square, Abuja  shortly after his emergence as the APC Flag bearer.

    He said “To the legislature, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, I would have been a little upset because you competed with me. But it is over now because you can easily lick your wounds,” Tinubu said.

    He however thanked Lawan for his efforts as a parliamentarian in moving Nigeria forward.

    TheNewsGuru.com  reports that Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 other aspirants, including a former Transport Minister, Rotimi Ameachi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who scored 316 and 235 votes respectively.

    Tinubu will now slug it out with People’s Democratic Party’s candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi in next year’s general election.

    Findings show that Tinubu supported Lawan in 2015 against Senator Bukola Saraki who eventually emerged senate president after a back and forth battle.

    He also threw his hat in the ring for him before his emergence in 2019 as the senate president.

     

     

     

  • OAU inaugurates Professor Bamire as 12th Vice Chancellor

    Simeon Bamire a professor of Agricultural Economics was on Tuesday inaugurated as the 12th Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Obafemi Awolowo University ,Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    Bamire took over the realm of affairs  from Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, who has already  completed his five-year tenure as OAU VC.

    In his acceptance speech, the new VC  Bamire promised to build on the achievements of his predecessor and build new ones.

    He appealed to various unions in the University to cooperate and work with him so as to develop more the institution. Bamire promised to introduce more philanthropists, private sector operators and governmental agencies to further develop the citadel of learning.

    He said, “There are so many things my predecessor has done, but there is always a room for improvement and incidentally, the rooms are so large this time around because of the inadequacy of funds, but by God’s grace, we are going to enhance our internally generated revenue in such a way that we will support government’s funding opportunities.

    “We have land resources here and we will be able to make use of the land resources to enhance and promote a lot of things aside from generating income. It will be a knowledge base for our students.

    “I am a man of peace and I find it very difficult to move ahead if there is disunity anywhere. That is why I am appealing to our unions that are not in good shape to come together, so that we will be able to work as one because a house divided against itself cannot stand

  • Primaries: You can’t wish Nigeria well and vote for someone you do not believe in – Osinbajo

    Primaries: You can’t wish Nigeria well and vote for someone you do not believe in – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday said you cannot wish Nigeria well by voting for someone you don’t believe in.

    The Vice President revealed this at the venue of the APC Convention in Abuja, the Vice president reminded the 2322 delegates that the future of the country lies in their hands.

    He said, 2,322 persons will decide our future and our children, will decide the future of the largest black African nation.

    While urging them to vote right, Osinbajo said; “God allows us by our prayers to vote for someone who has the interest of this country at heart. You cannot vote for someone you do not believe in.

    “When you vote tonight know that your vote carries the answers that you have prayed for the future of Nigeria and that of our children. Your vote will decide our future, the future of our children as well as the largest black African nation”.

    Osinbajo who disclosed that he is
    deeply honoured to stand with the other 22 aspirants to share the stage with them said, Nigeria has all its takes to compete with other nations.

    “I’ve schooled here, work here, been around here all my life. It is possible to have a world class health care system, explore oil and gas in the Niger Delta, south east, Gombe, we can have one of the best steel companies here.

    “We can build helicopters and planes etc and in two decade, we can become the fastest developed nation on earth. We have the talent and resources, we have the capacity.

    “We can release a hundred million people out of poverty, social welfare program for the poor. We’ve done the most ambitious projects under President Muhammadu Buhari. Everything we can imagine or dream is within our reach. All that is left is for us to make the right decision tonight.

    ” In discharging my duties as vice president in the past 7 years, I am most prepared for the task ahead and I will be ready from day one. It is for this reason that I Vice President Yemi Osinbajo present myself to you as the presidential candidate tonight”, Osinbajo added.

  • APC Presidential primary: If I am not qualified don’t vote me – Amaechi urges delegates

    APC Presidential primary: If I am not qualified don’t vote me – Amaechi urges delegates

    A presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the immediate past minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has urged delegates not to vote for him if he’s not qualified.

    He called on delegates to vote candidates based on experience and not financial rewards.

    Amaechi stated this while addressing delegates at the APC convention and presidential primary election at Eagle Square, Abuja.

    He commiserated with family of those that were killed at the St. Francis Catholic church Owo, by unknown gunmen.

    Amaechi who was a former speaker of Rivers state House of Assembly, a two term governor of the state, and two term minister of transport said he is most experienced and urged the delegates to vote him.

    ” I just turned 57 years and i might not be the youngest or the oldest but I have what it takes.

    “Don’t vote for me if I am not qualified. I am the most experienced among all the aspirants.

    “I was Speaker of Rivers state, Governor for two terms, Chairman of Governors forum twice and Minister transportation, again I served twice.

    “First in history of Nigeria, I led a campaign to remove a sitting government. As a governor I built 300 to 500 schools, 150 health centres, employed 600 doctors.

    “Built 500 roads, built power. Crime had reduced”, Amaechi stated.

    Amaechi is one of the aspirants from the South South region on the platform of the All Progressive Congress at the presidential primary.

    Though about six aspirants stepped down for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu so far.

  • [BREAKING] APC primaries: I won’t step down for any aspirant – Bakare declares

    [BREAKING] APC primaries: I won’t step down for any aspirant – Bakare declares

    The senior Pastor of Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Tunde Bakare, has said that he is still in the race for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and not ready to step down for anybody.

    Bakare in his long speech gave a shott account on how he was privileged to nurture the APC to what it has become today to ensure that the party becomes great.

    Pastor Bakare who insisted that he is stepping up in the game urged his supporters to cue behind him.

    He said:”Today I am offering myself. I will instill the young people with a touch of hope when I become president. I will solve Nigeria’s problems and ensure peace, prosperity and possibility.

    “Experience people have brought us to where we are today. Many of the experience people brought corruption and are responsible for our predicament today. Time will tell when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC start coming after them.

    “We need more than experience, we need genius that will be in the fore front of Science and Technology. I am stepping up. My name is Tunde Bakare and I am here to solicit for your support”.

  • BREAKING: Ex-Ogun gov, Amosun follows Akpabio to step down for Tinubu

    Former Governor of Ogun, Ibikunle Amosu, one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants, has withdrawn from the race.

    Amosun announced his withdrawal while addressing delegates at APC Special National Convention on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He directed his supporters to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the convention.

    Former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, had earlier withdrawn from the race urging his supporters to vote for Tinubu. 

  • REVEALED: EFCC on covert mission at APC convention to unearth alleged cash inducement to delegates

    REVEALED: EFCC on covert mission at APC convention to unearth alleged cash inducement to delegates

    The Nigerian Anti-graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is on a covert mission at the ongoing special APC convention to uncover alleged massive cash inducement to delegates.

    A reliable source confirmed that the anti-graft agency is currently carrying out a covert investigation to observe delegates’ inducement and vote-buying at the ongoing presidential primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “We’re currently at the APC convention ground on a covert operation.

    “We’re monitoring activities, and watching keenly for incidents of delegates inducement, vote-buying, and other electoral or financial fraud activities that might take place”.

    The source also confirmed that the anti-graft agency is carrying out the covert operation in order to arrest potential perpetrators unaware.

    This is coming as reports of delegates’ inducement to the tune of about $40,000 by major contenders in the ongoing presidential primary elections is making the rounds.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalled that at the presidential primary elections of the major opposition party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party, held on Saturday May 28, 2022, some officers of the EFCC stormed the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola International Stadium, Abuja, venue of the event at about 4:40 pm.

    The Anti-graft body operatives stormed the venue of the PDP’s presidential primary elections in Abuja following reports of alleged vote-buying and bribing of delegates at the event.

    The EFCC, then confirmed this an official statement explaining why they stormed the venue.

    “Our operatives were at the PDP presidential primary elections at the MKO Abiola Stadium to monitor the exercise, and most especially, to check delegates’ inducement and other financial malpractices”, the statement had read in part.