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Tag: Nigeria Decides 2023

  • Nigeria Decides 2023: Level of preparations okay – INEC

    Nigeria Decides 2023: Level of preparations okay – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it’s leaving no stone unturned in its quest to ensure a hitch-free and credible 2023 general election.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, INEC, said this when he addressed the press at Chatham House, London, on Tuesday.

    Yakubu said that INEC was satisfied with the level of its of preparations for the election, saying that 11 out of 14 activities scheduled for the election had been accomplished.

    He, however, said that in spite of extensive preparations, there were still some outstanding issues and challenges of concern, some of which were beyond INEC.

    Yakubu said that one of the problems had to do with the current security challenges in the country and the possible impact on the election.

    He said security challenges in many African countries remained source of concern for election managers.

    “For many years, Nigeria has been grappling with its own insecurity In the North-East, the long-standing Boko Haram insurgency has continued, albeit with attacks now more intermittent than regular.

    “In the North-West and the North Central, banditry, terrorism and the herder-farmer conflicts remain major challenges.

    “In the South-South, the threat of renewed insurgency by groups demanding more share of petroleum revenue to the Niger Delta continues to simmer.

    “In the SouthWest, although an earlier surge by a group demanding independence for the region has considerably dissipated, recent violent attacks on places of worship, rise in the activities of violent cults and kidnapping groups, as well as a history of violence involving groups seeking to control markets and motor parks remain strong,” he said.

    Yakubu added:“In the South-East, the lingering agitation for separatism championed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) pose a major security threat.

    “Not only have violent attacks by a number of armed groups increased, the long-standing weekly lockdown of the five States in that geo-political zone, continue to disrupt social and economic activities.”

    He said that violence and threat of violence were major challenges to organising credible election in 2023.

    He said that violence could make deployments for elections difficult, particularly where some of the attacks were targeted at the electoral process and participants.

    Yakubu however, said that the commission had been working with security agencies and other stakeholders to establish mechanisms to understand, track and mitigate security challenges.

    “We are working collaboratively in the context of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    “We also have the Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT), which is a research and diagnostic tool for predicting and mitigating election violence prior to elections.

    “In addition, there is the Election Risk Management Tool (ERM), which tracks and reports general risks to elections.

    “In all, we feel assured by the actions we have taken and our collaboration with the security agencies. The 2023 general election will proceed as planned. There is no plan to postpone the election,” he said.

    Yakubu said that another challenge was the fate of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and rising attacks on INEC facilities, materials and staff.

    He said that although INEC had revised its policy on IDPs voting, it was difficult to identify IDPs in some states as they lived in host communities or extended family members or in communities where they were not registered voters.

    “As a result, it is very difficult for the Commission to provide necessary electoral services to such IDPs. However, those in camps within Nigeria will be catered for in line with the commission’s policy,” he said.

    Yakubu said that between 2019 and 2022 INEC experienced 50 attacks on its facilities, mostly in the form of arson and vandalisation.

    He said that the 2022 attacks constituted the deepest concerns for INEC.

    “This is so not only because they are increasingly happening closer to the general election, but also because some of them seem to be coordinated,” he said.

    Yakubu said that the implication of the attacks was that those facilities must be rebuilt and several election materials must be replaced.

    “Further, the commission and security agencies must have to increase the number of their personnel to these facilities.

    “Nevertheless, the commission is determined to continue its preparations for the general election in spite of these attacks.

    “So far, all the destroyed facilities will be rebuilt, or alternatives found, and the materials lost are being replaced.

    “However, the commission has repeatedly called for more concerted efforts to control the attacks,” he said.

    He listed other challenges to include campaign violence, fake news and disinformation, campaign finance and vote buying as well as litigations.

    Yakubu said that in spite of the challenges, INEC had promised Nigerians and friends of Nigeria that the 2023 general election would be free, fair, credible and inclusive.

    “We have left no stone unturned in preparing for it, in spite of several challenges.

    “But all elections, especially those involving the type of extensive national deployment like we do in Nigeria, will naturally come with challenges.

    “We have worked closely with stakeholders and development partners to confront these challenges and we are satisfied with our preparations so far.

    “Our commission does not take the pledge that we have repeatedly made to Nigerians lightly. We are leaving no stone unturned in our preparations,” he said.

    Yakubu renewed INEC’s commitment to serving Nigerians only as an independent body.

    “We cherish the institutional independence and integrity of the commission.

    “With the enthusiasm of Nigerians, the goodwill of stakeholders and partners, and the commitment of the Commission, we believe that the 2023 general election will be among the best conducted in Nigeria,” he said.

    He acknowledged that there were enormous expectations, both within Nigeria and outside, on the conduct and management of the election.

    Yakubu said that those expectations placed a great responsibility on INEC, a responsibility that was not taken lightly.

    “We appreciate that there are challenges and concerns. But we also realise that there is enormous goodwill and support, both in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.

  • For the Nigerian Youth, 2023 is a defining moment – By Dakuku Peterside

    For the Nigerian Youth, 2023 is a defining moment – By Dakuku Peterside

    Will 2023 be a defining moment for  the Nigerian youth and the future of Nigeria? Obviously a slippery question that deserves attention. The most recent Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter registration data suggests that youths have a historic role to play in the forthcoming election. They have an incredible demographic advantage and, if they choose, can decide the outcome of the election in any way they deem favourable to Nigeria.

    However, the crucial rhetorical question to consider is: will Nigerian youths constructively deploy this demographic power to influence the outcome of the elections and redefine the future of Nigeria, or would they sacrifice it on the altar of immediate convenience of primordial sensibilities of ethno-religious sentiment, political party affiliation, and economic considerations? The youths are the most powerful voting bloc by number, and  ironically they seem unaware of the power they have to  decide the fate of power strugglers and reshape the political landscape of this country to the way they want. Achieving this requires the youths coagulating into one potent and unique power bloc in the Nigerian firmament.

    INEC recently released updated voter registration data showing the distribution by age group. The data revealed that 37,060,399 registered voters constituting 39.65%, are youth between the ages of 18 and 34; 33,413,591 (35.75%) are middle-aged persons between the ages of 35 and 49; 17,700,270 (18.94%) are elderly voters between the ages of 50 and 69 while 5,294,748 (5.66%) are senior citizens aged 70 and above. If you chose 39.65% or 75.4%, assuming you extend the definition of youth to age 49, it is a demographic you must recognise. Nonetheless, we shall restrict ourselves to ages 18 to 34 as a youth for this conversation.

    This age group still made up about 40percent of the registered voters and, if properly mobilised, can tilt the balance of political election outcome to whom they choose. The key to achieving this lies in mobilising youth to participate in voting. And articulating their voices into one coherent voice in support of a political ideology and ideologues who they believe will not only stem our slide into perdition but will also radically change our fortunes – repositioning Nigeria into a country that harnesses its great potential for the benefit of all.

    Judging from historical antecedents, achieving this is a herculean task requiring more than any candidate or party is doing now in their campaigns. Our youths are more open to the political process than we have thought of in the past. They have always participated in the political process by joining political parties, participating in election campaign activities, engaging with parties and government officials, and engaging in communal activities with political ramifications.

    Political candidates recognise the nuisance value of  some young people that during elections, the de facto youth leaders are the toast of every candidate and mobilising them into a dangerous and sinister team ready to die to do the bidding of their masters by scattering the electoral process or defending it depending on what their transducers require of them. However, the youth participate less in the most critical aspect of the electoral process – voting. Herein lies the conundrum, how can youths influence the country’s leadership when there is enormous voting apathy among them, and the few that vote are not coordinated to vote en bloc to influence the outcome of elections? What a waste of political power. Little wonder youths have no say in the governance structure and the dictum “youths are leaders of tomorrow” seems nonsensical in the Nigerian parlance because the past leaders are still the present leaders, with youths refusing to fight for power.

    The political landscape has indeed changed in the past 3-4 years. This change has been perpetuated by the combined forces of technological determinism brought about by the deepening of the internet and its effect on online participation in political activities; the harsh economic conditions of the country that impacts negatively in a significant way on the youths, the higher civic enlightenment, and a massive appetite for change in the country. These forces are unleashing a great revolutionary spirit among the youths and opening them up to becoming interested in the political process.

    The 2023 election campaign is quickly becoming a social media event where a bulk of young people have seized the narrative and are forcing their voices on all and setting the agenda for a political campaign in most instances. Although very pungent to youths’ political emancipation in Nigeria, such engagement in social media among the youths is not seen outside the social media in the real political space. However, it is generally too early to conclude how this will affect youth voter turnout and voting patterns. Many of our youths are outside social media which is dominated mostly by urban youths. How are these youths mobilised and sensitised when they are cut off from the active and vehemently visceral social media youths?

    What is known is that enthusiasm has been high among the youth since the “EndSars movement” period, but political consciousness to drive change is insufficient. This may be disappointing to candidates whose electoral thematic thrust and strategy are to galvanise the youth to vote for them. The youth are still not united by consciousness but mostly by poverty and social malaise in the land .  We  only have a few weeks before the elections so it seems to be a tall order to turn the tide, but in politics, nothing is impossible. Only time will tell how the pendulum will swing regarding youth voting and its impact on the election.

    Harnessing the enthusiasm among the youths is easier now than ever. The reason is that they are getting the brunt of the critical issues plaguing Nigeria. They feel the heat and understand now why it is essential to rescue the country from the brink of collapse. They are beginning to link their myriad of problems to poor leadership. These problems include mass unemployment, but critically massive youth unemployment is crippling many young people; national insecurity; poor quality education from primary to university with ASUU strike a common feature of university education in Nigeria; endemic corruption; and dearth of economic opportunities. These issues stop people of all ages, primarily youths, from fulfilling their potential.

    Unfortunately, but true, youth issues are not on the front burner in the discourse leading to this election. Youth issues are given secondary attention or mention and do not constitute key campaign issues. The campaign has been mainly about personalities and less about issues. Youths seem to have fallen back on their default setting of political party, religious, and ethnic affiliation. After the “EndSars saga”, Nigerian youths seem to have lost the Patriotic spirit that defined them.

    Because of the fallback affiliation mood, the tendency to vote en bloc is minimal or completely lost, and this is my fear that the youth demographics may mean little after all. They are incurably fragmented along different lines to the benefit of the orthodoxy, which is not about their interest. And they are not making a demand on the candidates and political parties on issues of concern to them.

    A dichotomous pattern between youths in the south and those  in the north, informed by varying levels of education, different levels of opportunities and civic culture, is evident. This divide has meant that although there may be a commonality of experience between youths from both divides, their modus operandi in electoral and political engagement differs. This difference also exists between youths in urban areas and rural communities. How to bridge these gaps has been a nightmare. This is more so for those championing youths’ ascendency in the political firmament of Nigeria. Most urban youth in Nigeria are using social media networks to engage in political participation. However, it is known that there is a weak or no correlation between online and offline political participation. The only way  the Nigerian youth can translate their demographic advantage to tangible influence is to come out and vote, and vote in a way that will shape the kind of future they want. Youth in other countries have done it at different times. Young people must take advantage of this opportunity to reshape their country.

    Voting gives youth the power to influence decisions. Youth disenchantment with governance in Nigeria will become an empty threat if a critical mass does not vote and does not express a clear preference for a secured future. Disjointed participation by Nigerian youth will dash the hopes of those who wish to see fundamental changes in the landscape.

    Nigerian youth can significantly impact the outcome of the 2023 elections if they are intentional about what the future means to them. There are instances in other clime when youth influenced electoral  outcomes. Perhaps the most well-known is former US President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and election , which was driven by young people. In another example, the term “youthquake” was used in the United Kingdom after young voters saw British Labour Party deny the Conservative Party an expected majority win.

    Since it worked elsewhere, we hope it will work in Nigeria too. I call on all youths to roll their sleeves and get to work in this 2023 elections. Get your PVC and vote for the candidate of your choice.

  • #NigeriaDecides2023: INEC has no reason to disappoint – Ooni

    #NigeriaDecides2023: INEC has no reason to disappoint – Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no reason to disappoint Nigerians in the conduct of the forthcoming general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ooni said this while playing host to the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, in his Palace, on Friday, in Ile-Ife.

    While reaffirming the traditional institution’s support for INEC, the Ooni stressed that the future of over 200 million Nigerians rest heavily on the outcome of the poll.

    “I wish to laud this current administration for providing the needs of INEC and I also commend the INEC for the introduction of high-powered technology to our electoral lives.

    “If you ask me, INEC has no reason to disappoint Nigerians and I want to believe that, that won’t happen.

    “The last election which held in Osun is enough as barometer for INEC to discover and overcome all possible hitches in its system so that we can have a perfect election.

    “The rumour that the election could be postponed has caused a lot of panic in the system but I am also glad that INEC has debunked it and assured Nigerians that elections will hold as scheduled,” he stated.

    Earlier, the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, who was on an advocacy visit to the palace, commended Ooni on his fatherly role.

    Agboke said that all measures had been put in place to ensure a free, fair and credible general elections.

    He said that gone are the days when voters would be expecting the results for days, because  presently in Nigeria, where you vote is where you’ll see the results.

    “People’s votes are now counting through the introduction of technology to electioneering processes and that is why INEC is building on this achievement as we go into the forthcoming general election,” Agboke said.

    The Osun REC, however, lamented the refusal of some Osun residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

    “In Osun State now, we have 400,585 PVCs uncollected; these PVCs are enough to make someone a member of the National Assembly.

    “One of the reasons why I am here is to solicit Your Majesty’s support and help us talk to our people to collect their PVCs.

    “I have also come to assure Your Majesty that nothing will determine the winner in the forthcoming elections except from the electorate in Osun,” he said.

    He maintained that the era of manipulation and result forging had gone for good.

    “Our Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is the game changer for this coming election; everyone must be accredited by this machine and no one will be allowed to vote without accreditation,” Mutiu said.

  • 2023 polls: 70 million young people to decide Atiku, Tinubu, Obi’s fate [INFOGRAPHICS]

    2023 polls: 70 million young people to decide Atiku, Tinubu, Obi’s fate [INFOGRAPHICS]

    On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the final register of voters for the 2023 general election, which stands at 93,469,008.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu released the final voters register at a meeting with Chairmen and Secretaries of political parties, 44 days before the elections.

    Of the 93,469,008 registered voters, 49,054,162 (52.5%) are male while 44,414,846 (47.5%) are female.

    The distribution by age group shows that 37,060,399 (39.65%) are youth between the ages of 18 and 34; 33,413,591 (35.75%) are middle-aged persons between the ages of 35 and 49; 17,700,270 (18.94%) are elderly voters between the ages of 50 and 69 while 5,294,748 (5.66%) are senior citizens aged 70 and above.

    The age distribution shows that 70,473,990 young people make up the voters register as against 22,995,018 elderly.

    According to the figures released by INEC, in terms of occupational distribution, students constitute the largest category with 26,027,481 (27.8%) of all voters, followed by 14,742,554 (15.8%) Farmers/Fishermen and 13,006,939 (13.9%) housewives.

    The data on disability captured a cumulative figure of 85,362, indicating that there are 21,150 (24.5%) persons with Albinism; 13,387 (15.7%) with physical impediments and 8,103 (9.5%) are blind.

    TNG reports Nigeria goes into the 2023 election with Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as the toast of Nigerian youths.

    Peter Obi is contesting against Bola Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

  • FG opens up on likely cancellation of 2023 general election

    FG opens up on likely cancellation of 2023 general election

    The Federal Government on Tuesday assured Nigerians that the 2023 general elections will hold as planned.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the assurance in Abuja at the 17th edition of the “President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)”

    Mohammed was reacting to a widely-circulated report, credited to an INEC official, that the 2023 general elections face a serious threat of cancellation due to insecurity.

    The minister said there is no cause for alarm over the fake report as all hands are on deck to ensure peaceful and credible conduct of the polls.

    “The position of the Federal Government remains that the 2023 elections will be held as planned. Nothing has happened to change that position.

    “We are aware that INEC is working with the security agencies to ensure that the elections are successfully held across the country.

    “The security agencies have also continued to assure Nigerians that they are working tirelessly to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere,” the minister assured.

    The scorecard series was launched by the Ministry of Information and Culture in October, last year to showcase the achievements of the Buhari Administration.

    Since the series started, 16 Ministers had featured and presented the achievements of their ministries and the parastatal agencies under them.

    The 17th edition featured the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire who also presented the strides that have been made in the country’s critical health sector.

  • 2023: INEC disowns purported final list of candidates

    2023: INEC disowns purported final list of candidates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from a purported final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections,  purpotedly  released on Sunday.

    The commission in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye in Abuja on Monday,, said INEC did not release any list on Sunday.

    “The attention of the commission has been drawn to reports widely circulated by a section of the media today, Monday Jan. 9,  that the final list of candidates was released on our website on Sunday Jan. 8.

    “The commission wishes to state categorically that no new publication of the final list of candidates was released as reported. The public should therefore discountenance the story.’’

    Okoye said that for the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections was published at least, 150 days before the day of election in compliance with the provision of Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “Accordingly, the final list for presidential and national assembly elections was published on Sept. 20, 2022 while that of governorship and state assembly elections was published two weeks later on Oct. 4, 2022.

    “These are clearly indicated as item eight  on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections released by the commission on Feb. 26, 2022.’’

    Okoye said there could not be a final list of candidates with just 46 days to the general elections,  except for names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier in compliance with Court Order.

    “Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new “final” list are still in court and the matter is therefore,  subjudice.

    “Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly,’’ Okoye said.

  • The Afe Babalola testimonies – By Owei Lakemfa

    The Afe Babalola testimonies – By Owei Lakemfa

    A lot of hope has been placed on the February 25, 2023 general elections in the country. It actually seems that the country’s continued existence depends on them. Already, some foreign observers have dispatched advanced teams.

    However, in the midst of all these, a 93-year-old statesman, scanning the horizon, advises that the elections be postponed by six months if the country were truly to benefit from their outcome.

    Aare Afe Babalola is as big as they can come. Sixty years ago, he was called to the English Bar and is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN. An educationist, 14 years ago, he established the Afe Babalola University, today, one of the best private universities in Africa.

    He has been conferred with national honours and is undoubtedly, one of the richest Nigerians. But he says despite his enormous wealth, he cannot afford the bill of running in our elections.

    His conclusion is that the elections, if they go ahead, would be won by the highest spender (bidder) and not the best candidates. But that is not his primary reason in calling for a brake rather than an acceleration towards the elections. His contention is that the Constitution is a fat lie suffocating the country and that Nigerians need to be rescued from its stranglehold so they can breathe better.

    Hence, his advice that the Federal Government suspends the elections for six months and put a Provisional National Government in place charged with producing a new constitution that would tackle insecurity, economic, political and other primary challenges of the country.

    He laments that enough tears and blood have been shed without government coming to the rescue of the populace and that this year appears to be the best opportunity for the country to change direction.

    Babalola posits: “The new constitution shall provide for part-time legislators and not full-time and the attendant wasting of resources, who will be collecting allowances and not salaries. Proposes federal system of government rather than presidential system and a parliamentary system with a unicameral legislature”.

    The lucid lawyer added: “I insist that unless a new Constitution is established, similar to the good old Constitutions of 1960 and 1963, with the necessary amendments, none of the contenders, and indeed, no angel can save the country from total collapse.”

    I am happy we have elders like him speaking to us. Many in his position would simply fold their hands and watch the country slide. I think it is worthy discussing his ideas, and other ideas for that matter even if we do not necessarily agree with them.

    First, his idea of postponing the elections would be unpopular because people are fed up with the Buhari entanglement and want to be free. To many, an interim government would be like extending the lifespan of this administration. Secondly, how do you constitute such a government without giving advantage to the out-going government and its cronies many of who may soon become political orphans of an inglorious era?

    The formation of such interim government may simply go the way some of the primaries went; hijacked by the rich for the wealthy. Thirdly, it is not the amount of time allotted but the efficiency; a determined government can within a dozen weeks, firmly begin to rewrite the recent narratives of the country.

    Aare Babalola’s main headache is that the elections may go to the highest spender. This is likely to be so because the stakes are high. Politics has been reduced to financial investment in which investors are waiting for high returns, and, impunity struts the landscape like a conquering giant. A man or group who ‘invests’ a trillion or more Naira in elections intends to loot in multiple trillions; a proverb says a hunter who sets a trap with a goat does not intend to catch a rabbit; his intention is something far bigger than a goat.

    I think the primary reason why the contest for executive positions like the presidency is a gruelling, fratricidal war is because the country is a unitary system where the centre has a stranglehold on the constituents. Were the country a federation with federating units down the line exercising their rights, the centre would not be so attractive. If you are President in Nigeria, you are everything except God.

    There are 68 items on the Exclusive legislative list from which states are barred. These include ports, metrology, aviation, finger printing and criminal records, political parties, insurance, monuments, copyright, state creation and so-called federal trunk roads. Despite these, the National Assembly is empowered to load more on any matter it “has power”.

    For me, except monetary and foreign policy (excluding trade) there is no other item, including defence, that cannot be on the concurrent list. That was the wise decision of the Aburi Agreement.

    It is this unitary, stifling, exploitative and indolence-inducing Constitution Aare Babalola wants us to replace. As a man of ideas, he does not only suggest, but also gives concrete proposals such as the replacement of the current unworkable Constitution with a revised version of the 1960 Independence and 1963 Republican constitutions.

    One of the highlights of these constitutions are their emphasis on federalism with the existence of regions. For instance, if the six-eight geo-political structure is accepted, then each region can have the number of states and local governments it can afford.

    The Aare also has loads of other suggestions like cutting costs by making parliament part-time. But that is not the primary problem: the issue is that the parliament has been reduced to a money sharing centre with parliamentarians padding budgets and awarding themselves contracts in the name of constituency projects.

    He suggests a unicameral system; of course, for equity, seriousness and true democracy, we have no business with two chambers of the National Assembly. For me, the House of Representatives is a mere duplication of the Senate. Unlike the Senate which is based on three Senators per state, the House, apart from being a waste of resources, also has constituencies arbitrarily created with no sense of equity.

    Aare Babalola also thinks we should go parliamentary. He might have good reasons for this; however, our challenge is not whether our democracy is presidential or parliamentary, it is about evolving a democratic system based on our needs and culture.

    The problem with Afe’s suggestions are not so much their flaws, but the fact that he is uploading so much on an indolent political class that cannot think or refuses to think. When I read some reactions to his suggestions, it is like somebody declaring that: “Afe Babalola is talking nonsense”. When you ask: “What did he say?” and the reply is: “I don’t know. I have not had time to read his nonsense.”

  • Nigeria Decides 2023: No miracle on earth will make APC or PDP win – NNPP Spokesman

    Nigeria Decides 2023: No miracle on earth will make APC or PDP win – NNPP Spokesman

    Spokesman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Abdulmumin Jibrin has said no miracle will make the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) win the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Jibrin, who is a former member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, said this on Monday while stressing that the presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso will win the election.

    Jibrin argued that the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu cannot in any way benefit from the advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election.

    The NNPP Spokesman, speaking on Channels TV Politics Today, opined that Northern votes will come in bulk and that they will go to Kwankwaso because of his credibility, and the trust that the Northern voters have in him.

    “When they do their analysis, all the time, they talk about only the PDP. They say PDP lost Kwankwaso, PDP lost Peter Obi and PDP lost 5 governors. Yes, PDP is in crisis, PDP is in a mess but APC is even in a more challenging and more damaging situation.

    “One, that 12 million vote is not there. Two, when you say Kwankwaso left PDP, the assumption is that he left with only PDP people. Many people from APC joined him. Where did I come from? Am I not coming from APC?

    “As it stands today, APC has lost about 70 to 80 of its support based in Northern Nigeria. By the time Kwankwaso mop up those votes, particularly in the North Western part of the country, we will be able to win the election.

    “I dont see how the APC will win the election. There is no miracle on earth will APC or PDP win the next presidential election. We are winning the election.

    “The North always tilt to a particular side. The Northern vote will come in bulk. It is not going to go into pieces. And because of the credibility of Kwankwaso, because of the performance of Kwankwaso, because of the trust that the Northern voters have in this gentle man, Kwankwaso is going to mop substantially the vote that is going to come from the Northern part of the country.

    “Kwankwaso is the beneficiary of the Buhari 12 million votes. Certainly, a Northern politician would have to come up to inherit that because Buhari’s politics is commoners’ politics, masses based. None of the surviving Northern politicians has that connection with the masses like Kwankwaso,” Jibrin said.

    NNPP inaugurates 2023 Presidential Campaign Council

    Meanwhile, the NNPP on Monday inaugurated its 2023 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) known as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (RMK2023 PCC) for the success of the party in the 2023 presidential election.

    The NNPP Presidential Candidate, inaugurating the council in Abuja, said the party would continue to work for a new and better Nigeria to kick-start from May 29.

    Kwankwaso said that the “RMK2023 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC)’’ was made up of four organs including the PCC, the Management of the PCC, the Board of Advisors, and the Committees of the PCC.

    He said that all the organs would be working in sync for the success of the NNPP in the 2023 presidential elections.

    He urged all Nigerians, especially NNPP members, especially support groups such as the Kwankwasiyya, and the TNM etc to join hands to continue to mobilise supports and votes for the party.

    Kwankwaso said that the party “Presidential Road Campaign’’ had visited all the states of the federation with the exception of three states.

    He said that the party deliberately chose to do the road campaign to avail itself with the difficulties that Nigerian road users were living with across the country

    “We have covered tens of thousands of kilometres and visited over 300 local government areas so far.

    “We have gone through difficult terrains, visited hard-to-reach communities like Illela in Sokoto State, Kauran Namoda in Zamfara State, Kamba in Kebbi State, Mubi in Adamawa State, Ikom and Ughep in Cross River State.

    “Geidam in Yobe State, Ikare in Ondo State, Kwoi in Kaduna State and numerous such other places.’’

    Kwankwaso said that in all the places visited, the party took time to visit the traditional and religious leaders in the areas in its determination to carry them along when it eventually took over power.

    “In particular, these leaders will be the drivers of our flagship initiative of Community Participation and Reorientation Committees (CPRC), which we intend to create at all the 8809 wards.

    “This committees will be funded directly from the Federal Government through appropriate legislations.’’

    kwankwaso added that it was gratifying that NNPP met with the under-served communities across the country, we listened to their experiences, their grievances, their fears and their expectations.

    He said that the experiences on the road campaign had further strengthened NNPP’s commitment to the pledges it had made to Nigerians.

    “Let me remind us that we are determined to reform the education sector to improve quality and access at all levels.

    “Specifically we will provide 500 thousand classrooms across the states of the federation to accommodate the over 20 million out-of-school children that we planned to mop up from the streets of Nigeria.

    “We will make all application forms for admission and employment free; we will make all examinations such us WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, NBIAS, JAMB etc. free;’’

    He added that NNPP would introduce a four-year moratorium for JAMB so that Nigerian children co9uld use the same JAMB results to gain admission into tertiary education institutions.

    “We will upgrade and expand all our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education and raise their standard to global competitiveness.’’

    Kwankwaso disclosed that the party would be putting its campaign rallies on holds for a couple of days to honour an invitation from London.

    “I am happy to announce that beginning from Jan. 12 this month, we will start our Zonal Rallies in Bauchi for the Northeast, Kaduna on the 14th for the North West, and Lafia on the 16th for the North Central.

    “We will pause the zonal rallies for a couple of days to create time to travel to London to honour the invitation from the Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House and present a discussion paper to a selected global audience.

    “Immediately we return from London, we shall resume the zonal rallies and complete the remaining zones.’’

    Highlight of the occasion include the unveiling of Fundraising Portal by the party to support  Kwankwaso presidential ambition.

    Kwankwaso expressed his gratitude to all supporters and volunteers for their commitment and the purchasing power of the peoples.

    The campaign organisation, comprising “The Council, The Management, The Advisory Board, and The Committees,’’ is to be chaired by Kwankwaso  while the Campaign is headed by a technocrat, Madam Folashade Aliu as the National Campaign Secretary.

    Boniface Aniebonam, BoT Chairman; the Party Presidential running mate Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Deputy Chairman; Prof. Rufai Alkali Deputy Chairman II; Contact and Mobilisation Committee is chaired by Buba Galadima.

  • #NigeriaDecides2023: Fuel subsidy will go immediately if I’m elected president – Peter Obi

    #NigeriaDecides2023: Fuel subsidy will go immediately if I’m elected president – Peter Obi

    Candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi has said fuel subsidy payments will go immediately if he is elected president of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Peter Obi said this on Sunday when he appeared on The People’s Townhall 2023 where he compared fuel consumption in Nigeria with what is consumed in Pakistan.

    Recall that fuel subsidy payments gulped N2.565 trillion between January and August 2022.

    In the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, the federal government proposed to spend N3.3 trillion on fuel subsidy between January and June 2023.

    However, Peter Obi argued that half of what is being mentioned as fuel subsidy payments is not ought to be, adding that with Nigeri’as debt profile, the money could be used to finance critical social development issue.

    Peter Obi said: “I can assure you fuel subsidy will go immediately. Subsidy, I have said it before, is an organized crime and I cannot allow it to stay a day longer.

    “What they are telling you is not what it is. Half of subsidy payments that is being mentioned is not subsidy.  First is that we consume the quantity that is not supposed to be consumed. We are the same population as Pakistan. They consume below 50% of what we consume.

    “So, the first half, I will remove it and give those people who are drinking it water. Because that is what they are supposed to be drinking. So we can save money. Two, we will deal with the other remaining issue.

    “With our debt profile, we need the money to be able to invest in critical social development issues. Look at this year’s budget. This year’s budget, education, which is the highest since this government came, is about N2 trillion; health, which is the highest since this government came, is about N1.5 trillion. Then, infrastructure, which is road and everything related, is about N1 trillion.

    “So, these three critical development areas, are receiving N4.5 trillion while subsidy is N3.6 trillion for the half year. So, if it is full year, it is about N7 trillion.

    “Which country will invest more in subsidy than education, health and even roads put together? It doesn’t make sense.

    “The annual budget for education is N2 trillion, annual budget for health is N1.5 trillion, road infrastructure is N1 trillion, and fuel subsidy half year is N3.6 trillion. It will go immediately”.

  • #NigeriaDecides2023: Why Tinubu will win presidential election – Senator Musa

    #NigeriaDecides2023: Why Tinubu will win presidential election – Senator Musa

    Sen Sani Musa (APC/Niger East) has said that the antecedents of Sen Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, would give him victory in the 2023 election.

    Musa said this in a telephone interview on Sunday, stressing that Tinubu also had the followers and supporters to win the nation’s top seat.

    “Tinubu possesses enormous qualities to make Nigeria great again. His legacies in Lagos are responsible for its rising economic fortunes that has made it the economic hub of West Africa.

    “Tinubu remains the best for Nigeria today in terms of experience, exposure and commitment to a better Nigeria for generations yet unborn,” the Niger Senator said.

    Sani expressed optimism that Tinubu would attract foreign investments into the Nigeria while building the home economy, just like he did in Lagos.

    “In Tinubu, we have an astute political strategist, an economist and administrator whose contributions to democracy resonates across the country and beyond.

    “He has the capacity, experience, knowledge, the firmness; he understands governance and would bring that to bear in his leadership.

    “He has done it before and will do it again; he is tested and trusted. He transformed Lagos to what it is today.

    “Since 1999 and after leaving office as the Governor of Lagos State, he has consistently led his party to victory. No politician in Nigeria, for the past 21 years, has that track record,” Musa said in the interview with NAN.

    He appealed to Nigerians to embrace the Tinubu project and work for the success of the APC in 2023.

    “Tinubu remains committed to changing Nigeria’s narratives and will surpass the expectations of Nigerians.

    “He has the foresight to identify Nigeria’s problems and tackle them just as he transformed Lagos to what it is today. We should give him the opportunity to reenact the Lagos feat at the national level,” Musa said.

    He urged Nigerians to rally round Tinubu to enable him emerge Nigeria’s President in 2023.