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Tag: chatham house

  • Mixed Reactions as Obi, Kwankwso, Atiku get Chatham House Invite

    Mixed Reactions as Obi, Kwankwso, Atiku get Chatham House Invite

    Chatham House which recently hosted the Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has also extended invitations to the flagbearers of three other leading political parties and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu, sparking a mixed-reaction from Nigerians.

    A former Governor of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi, will be next to speak at the Chatham House in London, United Kingdom, on the country’s 2023 elections and political developments.

    The meeting, a members and Africa programme designed as part of a series of events and outputs examining Nigeria’s 2023 elections and political developments, will take place on January 16, 2023.

    Director of Africa Programme at Chatham House Alex Vines, disclosed during the hosting of Tinubu by the Royal Institute of International Affairs, that the presidential candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, will also be invited to share their vision for renewing hope in Nigeria.

    “Chatham House will host an event with INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu. We have invitations out to three other presidential candidates for this election in Nigeria,” Vines said.

    While the dates for engagement with the other leading presidential aspirants are yet to officially be made public, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that this will be Atiku’s second outing, having made the first appearance in April 2018 ahead of the 2019 presidential election which he also contested.

    Also, as a presidential hopeful, President Muhammadu Buhari was at Chatham House in February 2015 where he noted that peaceful alternation of power through competitive elections have happened in Ghana, Senegal, Malawi and Mauritius; adding that the prospects of democratic consolidation in Africa will be further brightened when the APC as an opposition took over power.

    “While you can’t have representative democracy without elections, it is equally important to look at the quality of the elections and to remember that mere elections do not democracy make.

    “It is globally agreed that democracy is not an event, but a journey. And that the destination of that journey is democratic consolidation – that state where democracy has become so rooted and so routine and widely accepted by all actors,” he said.

    Some Nigerians are now questioning the rationale behind politicians going to Chatham House at each election season and whether it should be encouraged.

    A curious Nigerian on Twitter BIshop ikmohit, wrote: “But why is Chatham house inviting Nigeria’s presidential candidates…will the candidates running for the office of PM honour the invitation of LCCI? just thinking”.

    Similarly, Gerald Nduaguba shared the same sentiments when he said: “I have no problem with our leaders having interviews and debates, in fact it’s needed, or even going to foreign countries to talk to Nigerians and to share their ideas. But why do our leaders need to go to a British organisation to answer questions about leading our Nigeria?

    Another tweet by @Man_Nedu said it was a dangerous trend for African leaders to always see the need to speak on Platforms hosted by European countries and advised the Labour Party candidate to boycott the meeting.

    “I would prefer that PO doesn’t speak at this event. Why in the world should African politicians speak on platforms hosted by European countries? I honestly don’t get it,” he said.

    However, some other Nigerians were of the opinion that such platforms would amplify the voices of African leaders in the diplomatic landscape, as it offers more visibility than the local organisations or institutions.

    Jane Oiza said it is very exciting news that Obi has also been invited by Chatham House. “The world will see the difference, between the competence, preparedness, intelligence, the desire to serve and salvage what is left of our dear Country, and those who feel it is their entitlement to rule.”

    In the same vein, Okoji Amarachukwu said: “Thank God we have another opportunity to redeem our image that was badly battered few days ago,” referring to Tinubu’s outing which has remained a subject of criticism.

    The APC candidate has been slammed for delegating questions to his campaign members who were with him during his Chatham House address.

  • VIDEO: Tinubu parties hard, dances to Kizz Daniel’s song after Chatham House outing

    VIDEO: Tinubu parties hard, dances to Kizz Daniel’s song after Chatham House outing

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu had a light-hearted moment and partied hard with his entourage after his outing at Chatham House, London on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Festus Keyamo, Spokesperson for the APC 2023 Presidential Campaign Council and Minister of State, Labour and Employment shared the video of Tinubu dancing to Buga, a song by Kizz Daniel.

    Keyamo captioned the video: “Okay, some requested for him to stand and dance. Now, due to popular demand by his detractors who are having buckets of tears since morning, we serve you the ‘standing version’ of the dancing CITY BOY!! For those who are depressed by his fitness, we say, ‘it is what it is!!’”

    The APC presidential candidate was joined on the dance floor by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; his Cross River State counterpart, Ben Ayade; Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi.

    Watch video below:

     

  • Chatham House: Tinubu insists his records are consistent, promises student loan

    Chatham House: Tinubu insists his records are consistent, promises student loan

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu on Monday insisted that his birth, academic, and professional records are consistent.

    Tinubu stated this during an address to members of the Chatham House in London, the United Kingdom on the topic: ‘Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Security & Economic Development and Its Foreign Policy Imperatives’.

    Although there has been controversy over records of his early days in the public domain, the former governor of Lagos State stressed that he has had a very good exposure in life and his school records were consistent and there for every one to see, insisting he was born on March 29, 1952.

    “Equally, it remains the same, Deloitte, Chicago State University where I graduated from has attested to that. Now, I can announce that I have received my original replacement degree certificate from them,” said.

    Tinubu also unveiled some of his strategies to fix the Nigerian economy and revive key sectors like defense, education, and technology.

    He told his audience that he would prioritise education, by providing student loans and reforming the Almajiri educational system practiced in northern Nigeria.

    “There will be student loans. We are going to reform the Almajiri system. We’ll equally build more schools, recruit more teachers and train them,” Tinubu said.

    He added that his government will also introduce technology hubs for youths to acquire digital skills. “Youths can even develop technological languages on their own and make a better 21st-century approach to governance in Nigeria,” he said.

    However, during the Question and Answers session that followed his address, Tinubu delegated some of his allies to respond on his behalf.

    Some of those who answered questions on Tinubu’s behalf include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; APC national women’s leader, Dr Betta Edu; former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos, Wale Edun; and the Director of Strategic Communication of the  APC Presidential Campaign Council Dele Aleke, amongst others.

    According to the former governor of Lagos State, he adopted the delegation method “to show the team and the capacity that we have”.

    El-Rufai answered questions on security, saying banditry, terrorism, separatism, and oil theft require a new approach including increasing the number of security operatives.

    “The numbers must change and the Bola Tinubu administration already has a blueprint which is embedded in our action plan to address this. We will scale up the numbers of the armed forces. We’ll ramp up not only the numbers but the training and the equipment,” the Kaduna governor said.

    Gbajabiamila also responded to a question on the strategies of Tinubu on defence, while the APC national women’s leader answered a question on healthcare delivery, amongst others.

    Aleke, on his part, answered question on how Tinubu plans to lift Nigerians out of poverty if elected. “The key to his policy for increasing economic growth is to enable the private sector to make the investment that will increase productivity, grow the economy, create the jobs, and reduce poverty,” he said.

  • Why El-Rufai, Ayade, others spoke for me at Chatham House – Tinubu

    Why El-Rufai, Ayade, others spoke for me at Chatham House – Tinubu

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and his Cross River State counterpart, Ben Ayade answered questions on behalf of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections, at Chatham House, London, on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Tinubu also delegated Dele Alake, Adviser, Media, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council and a former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Wale Edun to respond to questions on his behalf.

    Others, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi; APC National Women’s Leader, Dr Betta Edu; also answered questions.

    According to the former Lagos Governor, he adopted the delegation method “to show team-ship”. Tinubu spoke at the Chatham House lecture titled: ‘Nigeria’s 2023 elections: In conversation with Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, monitored by The Nation.

    At the lecture, Tinubu, after his opening remarks, assigned Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai to speak on how his government if elected would address insecurity while Alake responded to a question on oil theft that recently rocked Nigeria.

    Tinubu said: “Let me demonstrate here one of those philosophies and doctrines that I believe firmly in, it is team-ship, unbreakable team. To demonstrate that, I’ll assign it to my team.”

    On education, Tinubu promised to provide student loans and reform the Almajiri educational system practiced in northern Nigeria.

    El-Rufai who answered questions on security, stated that banditry, terrorism, separatism, and oil theft require a new approach including increasing the number of security operatives.

    “The numbers must change and the Bola Tinubu administration already has a blueprint which is embedded in our action plan to address this. We will scale up the numbers of the armed forces. We’ll ramp up not only the numbers but the training and the equipment,” the Kaduna governor said.

    Alake, on his part, answered the question on how Tinubu plans to lift Nigerians out of poverty if elected and also curb oil theft in six months. “The key to his policy for increasing economic growth is to enable the private sector to make the investment that will increase productivity, grow the economy, create jobs, and reduce poverty,” he said.

    Also, Gbajabiamila responded to the question on the strategies of Tinubu on defence, the APC national women’s leader answered the question on healthcare delivery, and how to convert brain drain into gain gain for the country amongst others.

  • I’ve collected my original certificate from Chicago – Tinubu

    I’ve collected my original certificate from Chicago – Tinubu

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential election, Mr Bola Tinubu on Monday revealed he has collected his original certificate from the Chicago State University.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Tinubu made the disclosure at Chatham House, London when he was hosted by the Royal Institute of International Affairs to speak on “Nigeria’s 2023 elections: Security, economic and foreign policy imperatives”.

    Tinubu said: “When I was born in March 1952, nobody knew I would join politics, talkless of running for President. My records have been consistent and there was no mutilation. I am a Tinubu proper….those without history and track records dwell in lies against me.

    “One of the presidential candidates has been rumoured not to be a Nigerian. We never dwell on that. We have serious matters to talk about. I am a graduate of Chicago State University. By the way, I have collected my original certificate from Chicago.

    “I was trained as an accountant by Deloitte, I reached the pinnacle of my career at ExxonMobil. Who among my opponents has these records? That is why they dwell on cheap propaganda,” the APC presidential candidate said at Chatham House.

    TNG reports Tinubu also responded to those claiming that he changed his name over the years to what he currently bears.

    Recall that there were allegations that the APC presidential candidate had another name on his primary and secondary school certificates after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the personal particulars of 16 presidential candidates and their running mates who will be contesting the 2023 presidential election.

    But addressing the British Royal Institute on the 2023 general elections, the former Lagos state governor claimed his record had been consistent.

    According to Tinubu: “My record is consistent and the school and the university they questioned, they now confessed that they wasted their money and time, the record is theirs; the transcript is their showing March 1952

    “I am not claiming another father; I’m Tinubu and Tinubu proper, if they want a DNA, they could as well request for one, one of them has been accused of not being a Nigeria citizen, I didn’t touch that area.

    “Chicago State University where I graduated has attested to that; now I can announce that I have received my original replacement degree from them.”

     

  • VIDEO: Bola Tinubu’s U.S. visa sparks laughter at Chatham House

    VIDEO: Bola Tinubu’s U.S. visa sparks laughter at Chatham House

    A conversation centred around the much talked about U.S. visa of Mr Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential election on Monday sparked laughter at Chatham House, London.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs invited Tinubu to speak on “Nigeria’s 2023 elections: Security, economic and foreign policy imperatives”.

    In his introductory remarks, Alex Vines, Director of Africa Programme at Chatham House sparked laughter when he joked about the U.S. visa of the APC presidential candidate.

    “I understand that you have very much a valid U.S. visa and would be going to the United States after this,” Vines said to rousing applause and laughter by participants at the event.

    Recall that Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo recently debunked claims that the United States denied Tinubu a visa.

    Keyamo who is also the spokesman of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign council said the rumour was the handiwork of mischief makers.

    2023: Peter Obi, INEC Chairman, others to speak at Chatham House

    Meanwhile, Vines disclosed that the candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu have been scheduled to speak at Chatham House.

    He also disclosed that Chatham House will also host the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and also the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso in series of meetings leading up to Nigeria’s 2023 general election.

    “On the 17th of January 2023, Chatham House will host an event with INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu. We have invitations out to three other presidential candidates for this election in Nigeria.

    “So, Atiku Abubakar, the candidate for the People’s Democratic Party, we have issued an invitation to him. As you know, some of you, he spoke here in 2018 about Nigeria’s economy. He is no stranger to Chatham House.

    “An invitation has also been issued to Peter Obi, the leader for the Labour Party. He is also considering that invitation. And finally, we have also invited Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party candidate.

    “So, we do want to be equitable and impartial here at this institute and as you can understand and see, not only are we interested in the electoral processes and systems and checks and balances in Nigeria, we also want to hear from potential Nigerian leadership,” Vines disclosed.

  • 2023: Peter Obi, INEC Chairman, others to speak at Chatham House

    2023: Peter Obi, INEC Chairman, others to speak at Chatham House

    Candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu have been scheduled to speak at Chatham House.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alex Vines, Director of Africa Programme at Chatham House disclosed this on Monday when the Royal Institute of International Affairs hosted the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Bola Tinubu.

    According to Vines, Chatham House will also host the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and also the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso in series of meetings leading up to Nigeria’s 2023 general election.

    “On the 17th of January 2023, Chatham House will host an event with INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu. We have invitations out to three other presidential candidates for this election in Nigeria.

    “So, Atiku Abubakar, the candidate for the People’s Democratic Party, we have issued an invitation to him. As you know, some of you, he spoke here in 2018 about Nigeria’s economy. He is no stranger to Chatham House.

    “An invitation has also been issued to Peter Obi, the leader for the Labour Party. He is also considering that invitation. And finally, we have also invited Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party candidate.

    “So, we do want to be equitable and impartial here at this institute and as you can understand and see, not only are we interested in the electoral processes and systems and checks and balances in Nigeria, we also want to hear from potential Nigerian leadership,” Vines disclosed.

  • Chatham House: ‘My record is consistent in school, transcript shows March 1952’ – Tinubu boasts

    Chatham House: ‘My record is consistent in school, transcript shows March 1952’ – Tinubu boasts

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday boasted that his records are correct and consistent regarding his date of birth.

    Tinubu stated this in London, United Kingdom during his speech at Chatham House.

    He spoke on the topic: ‘Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Security & Economic Development and Its Foreign Policy Imperatives’.

    There has been controversy over the early days of the former governor of Lagos State but Tinubu said his detractors can request a DNA test to validate that he is indeed a scion of the Tinubu family.

    Asked to clear the air on some of the issues surrounding his formative years, Tinubu said the question is “inquisitive but at the time of birth, I was dated March 29, 1952”.

    “I’ve had a very good exposure in life, my record is consistent in the school, in the university, they (critics) are now convinced that they wasted their money and their time. The record is there, the transcript is there showing March 1952,” he said.

  • Tinubu will never forget the protest at Chatham House – Omokri

    Tinubu will never forget the protest at Chatham House – Omokri

    Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has said the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will never forget the protest staged on Monday at Chatham House in London.

    Tinubu is in London to address the British Royal Institute on the 2023 general elections, with a focus on national security, economic and foreign policy imperatives.

    The protest was tagged #HarassTinubuOutofLondon.

    In reaction to the protest, Reno wrote: “Tinubu will never forget the protest we just pulled off at Chatham House. He was disgraced and could not get out of his car. He had to run away. The #HarassTinubuOutofLondon Protest Against Drug Lord Tinubu at Chatham House was a resounding success! We shook the drug lord Asiwaju.”

    See Tweet:

  • Reno Omokri stages protest against Tinubu, but see the blunder that has Nigerians talking

    Reno Omokri stages protest against Tinubu, but see the blunder that has Nigerians talking

    Former presidential aide Reno Omokri on Monday led a protest aimed at harassing the All Progressives Congress’ presidential flagbearer Bola Ahmed Tinubu out of London.

    Tinubu is in London to address the British Royal Institute on the 2023 general elections, with a focus on national security, economic and foreign policy imperatives.

    Tweeting about the protest on Monday, he wrote: “Tinubu will never forget the protest we just pulled off at Chatham House. He was disgraced and could not get out of his car. He had to run away. The #HarassTinubuOutofLondon Protest Against Drug Lord Tinubu at Chatham House was a resounding success! We shook the drug lord Asiwaju”.

    However, some Nigerians were quick to spot the message on one of the placards which showed support for Tinubu, and have called him out.

     

    @Tony_OBG tweeted: “Little double-edged protest you carried out with a few number of people literally showed how disorganized, mischievous and confused that you are. The banners held by participants were in favour of Tinubu. How come you still rally for Atiku. @renoomokri pick a side.”

    Another user. Kunle Gazali Sefiu commented: “You were seriously disgraced, they killed your negative intention and overshadowed you and your paymaster”.

    However, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that Tinubu addressed the British Royal Institute.

     

    Details to come later!