Tag: 2023

Defence Headquarters denies plotting coup to disrupt elections

The Defence Headquarters has dismissed as malicious propaganda, the report peddled by some unscrupulous elements of plot by some military officers to disrupt the forthcoming general elections.

The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The defence spokesman added that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was dismayed that even politically exposed persons had denigrated themselves into joining the agents of destabilisation.

He said that the unscrupulous elements claimed that some military officers met with a Presidential candidate with the aim of disrupting the general elections and setting the country on fire.

According to him, the purveyors of the wicked and very malicious propaganda also indicated that a so-called Thursday meeting is plotting a Coup d’etat to establish unconstitutional order.

The Defence spokesman said those who made the false claims were agents of destabilisation and violence seeking to heighten tension in the polity and would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“It needs to be stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military that is loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic and will never be part of any evil plot against our democracy.

“Besides, the Military remains apolitical and neutral in the current political process and will not engage in the alleged shenanigans.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate our hard-earned democracy,” he said.

Gusau said the military high command would ensure that those who fabricated and spread the unfounded report were invited by appropriate law enforcement agencies to substantiate their claims.

“The general public is advised to disregard such information and go about their normal activities,” he added.

February 12, 2023
INEC will not accept partisan, convicted lecturers as returning, collation officers – Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not accept the nomination of university lecturers who are card carrying members or had participated in partisan politics or were convicted of electoral malpractice as Returning and State Collation Officers in the forthcoming polls.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known in Abuja, at a meeting with Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

Yakubu said that for 2023 general elections collation of results would take place in 8,809 Registration Areas or Wards, 774 Local Government Areas, 36 States and the FCT that required returning officers for each constituency.

“Put together, we will engage 23,258 personnel as Collation and Returning Officers. It is for this reason that this meeting is of crucial.

“We need the support of our universities to source the requisite number of suitably academic staff of impeccable integrity who must also understand that this is a call to national service.

“As in previous elections, we have requested each University for a specified number and category of academic staff as contained in my letter to the vice chancellors.

“I must warn that staff who are card carrying members or have participated in partisan politics should not be nominated.

“Similarly, those who may not be involved in partisan politics but are known to have obvious political leanings should not be nominated.

“Furthermore, those who have been convicted of electoral malpractice must be excluded.”

Yakubu said that INEC would carefully scrutinise the list which must be submitted confidentially in the manner prescribed by the commission in his letter to the Vice Chancellors.

“Like all election duty personnel, each collation and returning officer will swear to an oath of neutrality.”

Yakubu commended partnership of Nigerian Universities to conduct of elections in Nigeria.

He said that without the involvement of the tertiary institutions, especially the universities, INEC would find it extremely difficult to conduct credible elections.

He said while INEC make use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as ad hoc staff for elections it make use of academic staff members as election collation and retuning officers.

“For the various collation and declaration centres, the Commission draws the required Collation and Returning Officers from the academic staff of our universities, including the Vice Chancellors who serve as Returning Officers for Governorship election and State Collation Officers for Presidential election.

“In spite of a few challenges, this happy partnership has further enhanced the transparency and credibility of the elections in Nigeria as well as public confidence in the process.

“The commission wishes to sustain this partnership,” he said.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, represented by Deputy Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki commended INEC for its confidence in the Nigeria university system.

“We like to appreciate INEC for always recorgnising this constituency. Why haven they gone to the civil service proper? Why not to the union? Why not to the bankers?

“I think this underscore the importance, the trust that the nation has in the university system.

“We hope this meeting will turn out to be a productive and fruitful one and at the end of the day as the international community and the nation expect, this elections like previous ones will also come to pass and we will have course to glorify God that Nigeria rose to the occasion,” Rasheed said.

Also, the Chairman, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Lilian Salami pledged that the academic staff deliver their best in the national assignment.

Salami who is also the Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, said if Nigeria is to be celebrated among comity of nations the academic staff must play their role effectively.

“That is because not only are we training the man power for this nation but that we are also building characters and we of course, are persons of good characters.

“We expect that in any role that we are given, I can almost vouch that because we have through come out stronger and that we will deliver to this nation.

“At the end of this exercise, we will be proud to have contributed our quota to the development of this country,” Salami said.

February 10, 2023
2023: PDP cautions against election postponement, setting up interim govt

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned against the postponement of the 2023 general election and setting up of an Interim National Government.

Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the Spokesperson for Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organisation said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that interim government does not have a place in the 1999 Constitution.

Ologbondiyan said that the alleged narratives or demands for the postponement of the 2023 general election should be perished.

He said the Feb. 25 presidential election date must be sacrosanct given that Nigerians were ready to go to the poll to elect the candidate of their choice as the next president of the country.

Ologbondiyan said that the party’s position was predicated on reports alleging sinister plots and demands for the postponement of the 2023 general election.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immune itself from such demands and focus on its mandate to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) had also said that it had no business seeking for postponement of the 2023 general election, as it was fully prepared for the poll.

February 9, 2023
Naira redesign: Don’t make Nigerians scapegoats, says Atiku

The PDP standard bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has told the Federal Government not to allow Nigerians to be made scapegoats “in the ongoing battle of titans over the redesign of the naira’’.

Atiku made the appeal in a statement by his media aides in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the Federal Government had a duty to swiftly see to it that commercial banks did not constitute themselves into stumbling blocks on “the well-thought out policy of naira redesign.

“It is commendable that the Federal Government has rather preferred to work behind the scenes, based on the intelligence it is believed to have received, regarding suspicions that some presidential candidates may have stashed billions of naira as war-chest for vote-buying.’’

The former vice-president lamented that there had been widespread anxiety across the country, arising from poor execution of the naira redesign policy by commercial banks in the country.

“Businesses and cash-dependent small holder enterprises are all currently in serious distress. This should be addressed urgently to save the economy from collapse.’’

Atiku said that he had on Jan. 28, made a crucial intervention on the redesign of the naira, calling on the Federal Government and the CBN to consider adjusting the deadline date, to address the challenges being faced by members of the public.

He re-stated that the policy was being mismanaged, unlike what obtained in other parts of the world, where similar policies were implemented.

According to him, millions of Nigerians are being driven into grave desperation and despondency on account of the shortcomings of the execution of the policy.

“In recent weeks, social tension has been growing across Nigeria on account of the poor management of the redesign of the naira policy,’’ the presidential hopeful added.

February 7, 2023
2023: Buhari presents Tinubu to Katsina Emirate Council

President Muhammadu Buhari has again pledged to ensure electoral victory for the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the Feb. 25 presidential election.

Mr. Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman said Buhari made the pledge at the palace of the Emir of Katsina, on Monday.

He enjoined the Emir, Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, and Emirate Council to mobilise for the political leader.

”We are here to present our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the President said during a courtesy call in the palace.

“Asiwaju has been chosen by our party and we are fully in support of his candidature, and we will work for his victory at the polls.”

The president personally condole the leaders and citizens of Katsina State following the recent terrorist attack on vigilantes in Bakori Local Government area of the state, in which many lives were lost.

According to him, his administration will continue to listen to wise counsels from experts, traditional rulers and political leaders on the economy.

Buhari also pledged to adopt best practices in safeguarding the interest of the people.

“I hope citizens of the country and indigenes will remember what the Governor of Katsina state, and the Emir of Katsina said about the polity and situation in the country.

”I will not want to add more,” he said.

In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Masari commended the president for introducing a social security structure that directly impacted the lives of citizens, with direct transfer of funds to people, and a school feeding programme that encouraged more children to enroll.

“The President has approved more than N38 billion that went straight to improve the lives of citizens here and we saw the difference.

“He didn’t put money in the hands of the rich and privileged so that they could undermine the poor and vulnerable. He reached out directly.

“The President has worked for the interest of the country and citizens.

”We cannot compare the opportunities he got with the previous administrations. And yet, we can see the difference in terms of results in infrastructure and growth of the economy.

“It is unfair and uncharitable to compare someone who was given a N1000 with another person that got a N100. Yet, you can see the result” he added.

The governor sympathised with the families of vigilantes who were ambushed and killed by terrorists in Bakori Local Government Area.

“The terrorists have behaved like animals, animals are even better than them in many ways.

”Animals will only kill their kin when hungry, but terrorists have slain without purpose,” Masari noted.

The governor said the ambush and killing of the vigilantes would be investigated and those involved will face the law.

He urged citizens to avoid politicians that had been flagging the ethnic and religious cards.

“Our God is a God of wisdom and superior power. If he wanted the entire world to be called Katsina, he would have done so.

”If God wanted all citizens black, white or red, he would have done so. He created a diverse world, and we must respect that,” he said.

Masari presented the APC presidential candidate to the Emirate Council, noting that Tinubu’s record of service in Lagos State and the nation have been commendable.

“Lagos state had a poor security record, with cases of attacks, robberies and dead bodies on streets, until Asiwaju took over leadership in 1999.

“The state has been transformed with infrastructure and earned a reputation as one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

“The state is now a centre of excellence because of the vision of the APC presidential candidate,” Masari added.

The APC presidential candidate condoled with President Buhari, Masari and the Emirate Council over the terrorist attack.

He promised that the victims loved ones would be catered for, and efforts would be made to apprehend the masterminds of such heinous crime in the country.

“We will not forget them. We will not forget their children and the parents left behind.

”No leader will be happy to see citizens slaughtered or hear of it. It is sad, painful and tortuous,” Tinubu said.

According to him, the peace and stability of the nation remains a collective responsibility.

“Thank you for the prayers and support. You promised to be behind the President like a rock of Gibraltar and you have done so.

“The President brought me here, and he has brought me home. I can say welcome home, because I am at home here,” he stated.

Tinubu thanked the Emirate Council for their support to the president, assuring that he would continue with the same legacy of discipline and fairness, when elected to office.

The Emir of Katsina thanked President Buhari for presenting the APC candidate to the Emirate Council and citizens of Katsina, assuring that they would pray and mobilize for victory at the polls.

He appealed to the president to look into the challenges posed by currency swap, adding that the “pain of the people, should be the pain of leadership.”

February 7, 2023
2023: CAN hails president Buhari for propagating free, fair polls

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter, has praised president Buhari for insisting on a free and fair election come February 25, 2023.

The Christian body also hailed the president for the 10-day extension of the deadline for the old currency to lose its legal tender status by Mr President is a step in the right direction.

Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Kaduna State CAN chairman, in a statement said, “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter wishes to salute President Buhari for insisting that the 2023 elections must be free and devoid of vote buying. We also like to thank the President for the 10 days extension of the deadline for the old currency to lose its legal tender status.”

CAN added that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should endeavour to make new notes circulate to supress the suffering already being experienced by Nigerians.

He explained that the citizenry is prepared to support the President on the matter of the deadline, especially if it would assist to ease the tension in the country, no matter what the temporary pains Nigerians may face.

He noted that bank managers should be investigated if found to be hoarding the new naira note to create artificial scarcity and help money-bag politicians to get the new notes.

CAN noted that the president should try and fix the fuel scarcity issues before election day.

February 5, 2023
FG responds to El-Rufai’s comment on saboteurs in presidency working against APC

The Federal Government says it is unaware of anyone in the presidency working against the victory of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, in the February 25 presidential election.

The governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday, February 1, appeared on Channels TV, where he alleged that some elements in the presidency were working against the party’s victory at the poll.

“I believe there are elements in the Villa that want us to lose the election because they didn’t get their way; they had their candidate. Their candidate did not win the primaries. They are trying to get us to lose the election, and they are hiding behind the President’s desire to do what he thinks is right. I will give two examples: this petroleum subsidy, which is costing the country trillions of Naira, was something that we all agreed would be removed.

In fact, I discussed with the President and showed him why it had to go. Because how can you have a capital budget of N200b for federal roads and then spend N2 Trillion on petroleum subsidy? This was a conversation I had with the President in 2021 when the subsidy thing started rising. He was convinced. We left. It changed. Everyone in the government agreed, and it changed.

The second example I will give is this currency redesign. You have to understand the President. People are blaming the Governor of the Central Bank for the currency redesign, but No. You have to go back and look at the first outing of Buhari as President. He did this; the Buhari-Idiagbon regime changed our currency and did it in secrecy with a view to catching those that are stashing away illicit funds. It is a very good intention. The President has his right. But doing it at this time within the allotted time does not make any political or economic sense.” Gov El-Rufai said

In reaction, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, dismissed the claim saying the government is unofficially aware of anyone working against the victory of the party at the polls. He stated that the Buhari-led government has been fair to all candidates regardless of party affiliations.

Speaking to state house correspondents after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the President, Mohammed said;

“On a more serious note, one thing I can assure you is that, no matter who, this administration is focused and determined to ensure a free and fair election. And I think this administration, and for that matter now, the most important person in this regard is Mr. President. I think he has shown by words and deed that he is committed to a free, fair and credible election. And fair, free and credible elections mean not favouring or disfavouring anybody.

Everywhere he goes, he makes that very clear, even as recently as Friday, when he was in Daura. He said the same thing. So if there’s anybody who?s working against any candidate, we don’t know officially.” he said.

February 2, 2023
‘Let them carry their own cross’ – FG accepts U.S. visa ban on Nigerians

The Federal Government says whatever action was taken against anyone who undermines the nation”s democracy, watered by the blood of many patriots, is right and justified.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the 20th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari’ (PMB) Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023).

Mohammed was responding to the decision by the United States of America to slam a visa ban on some Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in undermining democracy in Nigeria.

The decision was announced in a statement recently issued by The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

The minister reiterated the position of the Buhari administration to ensure free, fair, and credible elections as well as a smooth handover to a successor elected by Nigerians in May 29.

“As a government, we are proud to say that no administration since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, has shown more fidelity to the democratic process than ours.

“No President, since 1999, has been as unambiguous as President Muhammadu Buhari, in word and in deed, with regards to leaving office after the constitutionally-stipulated two terms,” he said

According to the minister, President Buhari had given unprecedented support to INEC, including signing into law the Electoral Bill 2022, which was applauded by Nigerians.

He also reiterated the position of the government to conduct the general elections as planned and scheduled.

Mohammed said the scorecard series, during which ministers gave the giant strides of their ministries since 2015, was another indication of the administration’s determination to leave office on May 29, 2023.

According to him, the scorecard series was in essence, a presentation of the handover notes of the administration to those who elected them to office, as they prepare to leave in May.

“We have not been mired in any third-term controversy like was witnessed under the Peoples Democratic Party.

“In fact, we are creating the template on a smooth transition of power that will guide future administrations.

“Let those who undermine our democracy be sanctioned, and let them carry their own cross.

“As a government, we have no reason to worry because our hands are clean!,” he said.

The U.S. Secretary of State, in the statement, had said his country was committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world.

He said: “Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian election.

“Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States under a policy to restrict visas of those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.

“Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions.”

Blinken added: “Additional persons who undermine the democratic process in Nigeria—including in the lead-up to, during, and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.

“The visa restrictions announced today are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria.

“The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.”

January 30, 2023
Nigeria to generate $500m revenue from cashew export in 2023 – Minister

Dr Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development says cashew nuts export from NIgeria had generated over 250m dollars in 2022 and it is expected to fetch Nigerian farmers about $500million in 2023 .

Represented by Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abubakar said this during the Nigerian Cashew Day and cashew season commencement with the theme: “Industrialising the Nigeria Cashew Sector through Inclusive Policies,” on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said: “In Nigeria, cashew is increasing in its importance as an export oriented cash crop since the 1990’s, it has become an important source of non-oil export earnings.

”It is estimated to represent over 10% GDP based on export data of 2022 and it is becoming a commercial crop in Nigeria and is cultivated in 27 States including the FCT..

“In realisation of the importance of cashew, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development listed cashew as a priority crop.

”It is being promoted under the Import Substitution Strategy of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Abubakar said that the cashew value chain was among the crops being promoted under the Value Chain Programme of the ministry.

“The Ministry had carried out a number of activities over the years to promote the growth of the value chain in the Country including the distribution of improved seeds/seedlings to cashew farmers free of charge.

“Establishment of cashew cottage industries in some states, distribution of agro-chemicals/growth enhancers, carbon free jute bags and knapsack sprayers.

”Others were provision of water pumps to cashew farmers, conducting capacity building/training for cashew farmers and having sensitisation exercises,” the minister added

Mr Ojo Ajanaku, President, National Cashew Association of NIgeria (NCAN) said that NIgeria was steadily becoming an export hub and taking over in the country’s foreign exchange trading over the last three years by at least 11 per cent ..

He said: “This implies that the sector has the potential to drive national revenue generation, increase job creation and diversify the economy.”

Ajanaku said that more than 3 million people in Nigeria, especially women have become cashew producers and were driving the sector among their male counterparts.

”NCAN”s long term goal is to transform NIgeria from a low-priced commodity producer to a reliable supplier and exporter of high quality cashew products, adopt indigenous innovations and policies that will drive the sector.”he added

January 25, 2023
2023: I‘ll unseat Abiodun with Amosun’s support, says Otegbeye

Mr. Biyi Otegbeye, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship candidate in Ogun, says with the support of former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, he will defeat incumbent Gov. Dapo Abiodun in the forthcoming governorship election.

Otegbeye, who claimed that he was enjoying the backing of Amosun for his candidacy, made the assertions on Tuesday while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta after securing a court judgment, which reinstated him as the ADC Governorship candidate.

Recalled that Amosun, a serving Senator on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had openly declared his support for Otegbeye and the ADC, insisting that Abiodun must not return as governor.

Otegbeye, condemning the alleged endorsement of Abiodun by traditional rulers in the state, said that Amosun’s endorsement of his candidacy overrides the “procured endorsements” by the governor.

According to him, he has been procuring endorsement everywhere and two weeks after, I visited my paramount ruler, he received me warmly and prayed for me.

“In truth, blood they say is thicker than water; there is no father that will disown his son.

“I have seen the traditional institutions being bullied and so when he went around on the jamboree, getting the endorsements, we congratulated him.

“But let’s see whether the endorsements he has been gathering will count. INEC will not count it; BVAS will not count it.

“Let’s compare all those endorsements and put it side by side with Amosun’s endorsement, where he pointedly said he is supporting Biyi Otegbeye and ADC.

“Amosun is a man of tremendous goodwill; this present administration is doing everything within its power to erase some of his (Amosun) accomplishments.

“But that is not possible, because everywhere you go, you are going to see the footprints of Sen. Ibikunle Amosun when he was the governor of the state,” Otebejeye said.

The Yewa-born lawyer admitted that the court processes had distracted the party and also cost them a lot of money.

He, however, pledged that if elected, his administration would fix and repair all the “broken systems” in the state.

According to him, let us now prepare for the 2023 elections by collecting our PVCs and be ready to exercise our democratic franchise by voting for ADC,” he said.

January 25, 2023