The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NGE loses deputy president Tundun Wada

    The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)  Deputy President Malam Umar Saidu Tudun Wada is dead.

    The ace broadcaster died yesterday in an auto crash on his way from Abuja to Kano.

    Mallam Tudun Wada was the immediate past Managing Director of Kano State Radio Corporation and was at one time a Principal Editor at the then CTV, now Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV).

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over death of Malam Tudunwada.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described the late Tudunwada as a gentleman and thoroughbred professional who lived up to the standard of professionalism.

    He said: “Journalism is service to humanity because it serves as a watchdog of society by holding leaders accountable for their actions. I am proud that the late Tudunwada played his role very well, with an unblemished career.

    “Let me use this opportunity to extend my sincere condolences to the Guild of Editors, the Kano State government and family of Tudun Wada. May Allah grant them the fortitude to bear the loss and reward the deceased with al-Jannah (Paradise).”

    Also, the NGE yesterday mourned Tundun Wada, who the guild fondly calls UST.

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    In a statement by its President Funke Egbemode and General Secretary Mary Atolagbe, the guild expressed its deep sense of loss and unquantifiable sadness over the death of Malam Umar Saidu Tudunwada.

    It said: “The depth of our sense of loss is as profound as it is shocking. UST – as we will always refer to him, was a trailblazer, an indefatigable and quintessential journalist/broadcaster.

    “His sudden death following a ghastly car accident on Sunday, June 30, near Kura town in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, has left us all reeling and at a loss for words.

    “Yet, in all things, we must remember to continue to give gratitude to the Almighty God, who knows best!

    “Our heartfelt and most impassioned condolences go to members of his family, who must have to bear his painful exit.

    “We also extend our deepest sympathies to his friends, colleagues and staff in Kano State Radio Corporation, where UST was Managing Director.

    “His unopposed emergence as the Deputy President of the NGE at the last convention held in Lagos, on May 4, 2019, speaks volumes of the high regard, respect and affection he enjoyed as an invaluable contributor to matters of the guild!

    “UST: We will undoubtedly miss you. Adieu to a goodly human being! We take comfort in the faith that Allah loves you more and will reserve a place for you in Al-Jannatul Firdaus!!”

    A former Principal Editor at the then CTV, now Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), UST was also a broadcaster with the Voice of America and freelance correspondent for the Hausa and English services of Deutsche-Welle, as well as Editor of Concern Magazine.

    He served twice as Special Assistant (SA), Media and Publicity to former Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, as well as Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council.

  • MADE shares achievements, lessons from ESIP project with stakeholders in Edo

    Market Development in Niger Delta (MADE II) has organised a stakeholders’ conference to share its achievements as well as receive feedback from participants on projects aimed at tackling human trafficking and forced labour in Edo State.

    Themed: “Strengthening Market-based Approaches to Stimulate Livelihood Opportunities,” the event took place in Benin, the Edo State capital. It was organised as part of the organisation’s Edo State Investment Portfolio (ESIP) Project.

    In his welcome address, MADE’s Team Leader, Tunde Oderinde, applauded partners in the state, including the government, for embracing the project’s recommendations and approach.

    “Like travelers, we came into Edo State specifically to look into a new terrain, a new dimension, and how to strengthen livelihoods for the teeming youth,” he said.

    “We knocked the doors, we met some of our potential victims, and we met some of the returnees. We came with honest intentions and you did one thing: you opened your doors, you’ve shared knowledge with us, and in 2018, July 24 specifically, we came back to share our recipe with you, what we intended doing: aspirational sector on one side and also to look at livelihoods within the agricultural sector on the other side.

    “Today, we currently have a portfolio with suites of interventions within the agricultural value chains and also in some aspirational sector. And we are here today also to sit with you, share the soup with you, learn from you, and also chart a way forward.”

    Oderinde added that the event was also put in place to validate ideas that can be implemented subsequently and suggest means of stimulating investment into Edo State.

    Rufus Idris, who manages ESIP, provided an overview of the project. He explained that ESIP aims at reducing the incidents of human trafficking and irregular migration by increasing the state’s capacity to provide aspirational economic opportunities to raise the incomes of returnees and vulnerable persons.

    The project focuses on such sectors as agribusiness, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), entertainment, trading, renewable energy, and fashion. Its objective is to facilitate investments and partnerships that will positively impact 40,000 persons and increase the earnings of 30,000 residents of the state.

    “ESIP is a new component that came into MADE II sponsored by DFID focusing on Edo State and the northern part of Delta State,” he said.

    “These regions are unique because of the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration with data showing that prevalence of this is more is this region.

    “MADE through ESIP is here to see how we can help Edo State increase its human capacity to provide aspirational economic opportunities for people that are vulnerable and potential victims; and we believe by doing this we will reduce the incidents or temptation to want to embark on human trafficking.”

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    Idris admitted that part of the lessons learned so far in the implementation of the project is that the market systems approach as a solution to human trafficking is relatively new and “it is often challenging to persuade profit-oriented private sector partners to target unskilled and less educated youth in skills development and job placement”.

    Delivering a keynote lecture, Yinka Omorogbe, a professor of Energy Law and chairperson of the Edo Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration (ETAHT) shared the experience and successes of the state government in the fight against trafficking.

    She said  59 per cent of interviewed returnees said they travelled for economic reasons, 13.7 per cent blamed family pressure, while others mentioned unemployment, frustration, peer pressure, among other factors.

    The vast majority of the migrants, 72.5 per cent, are male, while the rest are female. Also, 43.3 per cent of them were found to be between the ages of 18 and 25.

    Also, out of 3911 returnees, 942 (24 per cent) had primary school leaving certificates, 2462 (63 per cent) were secondary school leavers, 330 had an OND, 61 and HND, and 117 were BSc holders.

    A typical migrant intends to travel to Italy, but other top countries of destination include Germany, France, Austria, and Spain. 90 per cent of the returnees had economically viable skills before embarking on the journey. While welding, fashion designing and furniture making were common skills among the males, the women were often inclined towards hair styling, business, and tailoring.

    The chairperson, who is also the  Attorney-General, said the task force has received up to 4769 returnees from various countries since its establishment in August 2017 and has, through partner support, successfully trained over 500 of those returnees.

    “All the returnees received went through counselling and those identified to be seriously traumatised were referred to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital or were given appointments to visit in-house social-workers for free treatment and follow-up,” she said.

    The event on also featured the screening of a documentary as well as two panel sessions on aspirational job creation and the ease of doing business in Edo.

    On the panel were Ukinebo Dare, Senior Special Adviser to the Edo governor on Skills Development and Jobs; Isimeme Whyte, founder of Genius Hub; Stephen Osawaru, Co-Founder of Ignite StartupX; Igbinoba Smart, chief executive officer of God Grace Multiple Fashion; and Kelvin Uwaibi, head of Edo State Investment Promotion Office.

    Others were Victor Legogie, chief executive officer of Asanita Agricultural Processing Company; Edosa Eghobamien, chief executive officer of Amena Academy; and Ayo Arikawe from Partnerships and Technology (Thrive Agric).

    ESIP is a two-year project funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (UKAid) that started in March 2018. It is an addition to the second phase of the Market Development in the Niger Delta project (MADE II) and targets the attraction of investments worth £10 million (N4.6 billion) into Edo State.

  • System collapses as DisCos drop load

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that the National Grid experienced a system collapse on sunday at 9.10a.m due to high voltage.

    It followed a massive drop of load by the electricity distribution companies.

    According to a statement by the General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the high voltage also caused a fire incident in the 75MXreactor in the Benin Substation, Sapele Road in Benin City, Edo State.

    The massive load drop led to high voltage in the system, which shattered the lightning arrester in close proximity to the 75MX Reactor in Benin Substation.

    The shattered lightning arrester porcelain hit the reactor bushing, causing further explosion on the reactor and resulting in fire outbreak.

    Restoration of the grid commenced immediately and as at 1.30pm, bulk power supply to most parts of the nation had been restored.

    The TCN management lauded the efforts and support of Edo State Government and Benin Electricity Distribution Company as well as the Fire Service in putting out the fire and restoring normal power supply.

    The firm’s management has commenced the movement of another reactor to Benin City to replace the burnt reactor and ensure voltage stability in the city as well as prevent a re-occurrence.

    The TCN added that it would also ensure a review of the entire protection and earthing system nationwide. This will be done in addition to the overall upgrading of the system through the TREP programme being financed by multi-lateral donors.

    It added that the installation of three reactors on the Ikot- Ekpene- Ugwuaji –Jos line has reached an advance stage.

    It is expected that once these three reactors are installed and commissioned, the grid would be further stabilised.

    TCN Management assured Nigerians that “it is doing everything possible to modernise, upgrade and stabilise the National Grid”.

  • My commissioners’ list ’ll be ready in 10 days, says Makinde

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has hinted that his list of commissioners will be ready within 10 days from now.

    He gave the hint while featuring on a television programme to mark his first 30 days in office at the weekend.

    Makinde said he would have constituted his cabinet had the outgone administration cooperated with his team for a smooth transition after he won the March 9 election.

    According to him, his efforts to achieve a smooth transition were frustrated by the alleged attitude of the last administration.

    He said his administration would have hit the ground running after his swearing-in if he got the cooperation he sought.

    He, however, assured that his list of commissioners will be ready within 10 days, stressing that efforts on it were being finalised.

    He said: “Within the next 10 to 14 days, we should have the cabinet formed and other things in place.”

    Makinde also explained that the need for balancing and inclusiveness informed his decision to appoint a female technocrat, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). She is the first female SSG in the state.

    Until her appointment, Mrs. Adeosun was the Country Implementation Lead of the Shell Business Operations (SBO), Nigeria.

    Read Also: Makinde: We inherited N150b debt, threatens to expose Ajimobi

    The governor explained that the move was simply meant to balance his cabinet along with gender and religious considerations aside her eminent qualification.

    His words: “While I was campaigning, I promised to ensure that my cabinet is balanced when it comes to gender and religion and zonal consideration. I, the governor, am male and Christian; the deputy governor is a male and Muslim. The Chief of Staff is male and Muslim. So, we felt that the Secretary to State Government, which is a very important position in the executive, should automatically be a woman and a Christian.”

    He assured of continuous balancing in his appointments in line with his firm belief in inclusiveness and diversity in government.

    Makinde also added that it is a thing of pride that both the current Head of Service (HoS) and the SSG in the state are women.

    Adeosun’s appointment had shocked politicians, especially members of the alliance that worked for Makinde’s victory in the election. They expected that the governor would appoint one of them since all professionals are found among politicians.

  • Abibatu Mogaji lived exemplary life, says Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the late President-General (Iyaloja) of the Association of Market Women, Alhaja Abibabu Mogaji, as a “fantastic adviser and selfless leader” that used her influence for the common good of the people.

    Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, spoke during a thanksgiving at the Chapel of Christ The Light in Alausa to mark the sixth year remembrance of the late Alhaja Mogaji, noted that she was a leader and a social crusader worthy of emulating.

    He urged leaders to emulate the leadership traits of the late Alhaja Mogaji, saying her legacies would only be sustained, if leaders created a society that will work for all citizens.

    During his exhortation, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, urged leaders to dedicate their lives towards building legacies that will outlive them and also to devote time for righteous deeds while alive.

    In his homily sermon titled: “God’s Mercy In The Midst of Adversity”, Apostle Bamgbola noted that God had a conclusion for every human’s life when he said people must always seek direction from God to live a life that would have an exemplary conclusion.

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    Reading from 2 Samuel 24:14, the cleric urged believers not to hesitate in seeking God’s mercy, noting that it is only through the mercy of God that a life could end with good memories.

    The cleric, who stressed that Alhaja Mogaji led a life that was worthy of emulation, said the deceased left a memory that posed a challenge to people towards building on the good legacies she left behind.

    He said: “After death, what is left is a memory of the deceased. And this is what people will remember about every one of us after we leave this world.

    “Mama Mogaji is being remembered six years after her demise because of the good memories she left in our mind. It is the only memory that will abide forever. What memory are we leaving behind when we leave?” he said.

    The cleric advised believers to strive to create memories that would make people remember them for their deeds.

    President-General of Association of Market Women Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo led members of Tinubu’s family and market leaders to the service.

    Others dignitaries at the thanksgiving service include the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, Chief of Staff Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Head of Service Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adebunmi Adekanye, among others.

  • Sunu Assurances backs recapitalisation

    The ongoing move to recapitalise Nigerian insurance sector will lead to emergence of a more virile, productive and competitive insurance sector that will contribute more to national development.

    Managing Director Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc  Mr Samuel Ogbodu, at the weekend praised the new policy on minimum capital requirements for insurance functions recently released by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), noting that the move was in the best interest of the insurance sector.

    NAICOM had in May 2019 released new capital requirements for insurance businesses with a 13-month compliance period for operators to shore up their minimum capital base to the required level. The minimum paid-up share capital of a life insurance company was increased from N2 billion to N8 billion, non-life insurance from N3 billion to N10 billion, composite insurance from N5 billion to N18 billion while re-insurance companies were directed to raise their capital base from N10 billion to N20 billion.

    Ogbodu spoke in Lagos at the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) Quarterly Forum themed, “Deepening insurance penetration through effective broker engagement”.

    He said the recapitalisation would lead to consolidation of the insurance sector and provide more opportunities for large ticket transactions while positioning Nigerian insurance companies as big players, as against the current trend of being agents to foreign insurance underwriters.

    He added that insurance brokers would have more creative roles to play towards harnessing the benefits of the new capital base requirement.

    According to him, the recapitalisation will help to reposition the Nigerian insurance sector to take its rightful place in the country’s economy as insurance companies would at the end of the recapitalisation be able to take up opportunities hitherto taken by foreign companies.

    He said various efforts aimed at boosting the insurance sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from its present 0.1 per cent level would be accelerated with the implementation of the new capital base.

    Ogbodu was optimistic that insurance penetration in the country would surpass one per cent with proper implementation of the capital raising exercise as players would be forced to harness new grounds.

    He assured shareholders that Sunu Assurances Nigeria would surpass the new capital base of N10 billion.

    “Sunu is positioned to take up the new challenges, having been rightly placed to meet up with the new capital requirement of N10 billion, even as the framework for the new policy is yet to be released,” Ogbodu said.

    He said the new era would open doors for new products, reduce challenges posed by liquidity in the sector, strengthen financial inclusion and as well re-open new regulatory windows for regulators.

    He pointed out that Sunu Assurances with its presence in over 14 countries, combined robust product offerings and a unique technology-driven platform, provides insurance management solutions at competitive costs to individuals and institutions.

    Executive Director, Strategy and Performance, Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc, Mr Karim Dione, also lauded the recapitalisation effort, noting that recapitalisation was the right step to take.

    He said the players needed to have profitable businesses adding that the potential in Nigeria in terms of size, potential, and resources was enormous for the Sunu Group, which is ready to meet the new capital base.

    “SUNU is here to stay because Nigeria is the real market in Africa in size, potential, resources and population,” Dione said.

    He noted that the company’s fully paid capital presently stands at N7 billion against N10 billion required for general insurance.

    Dione said the company would fully comply with the Naicom’s policy but urged the Commission to make clarification on whether total shareholders’ funds or paid-up share capital will be used to measure the minimum capital base.

    Dione said enforcement of the new capital requirement would boost penetration, and also enable companies to take bigger risks.

    “Nigeria is extremely competitive, when there are too many players in the industry, it will lead to price dumping. We need to reduce the players in the industry to boost the reputation of the industry,” Dione said.

    He said Nigerian insurance brokers were largely professional and ethical contrary to insinuations in some quarters.

    Stressing the role of brokers in the sector, Ogbodu said the sector’s earnings were mainly due to the contributions of the brokers that stood at 80 per cent.

    “Without the brokers, there won’t be insurance; they contribute about 80 per cent of the earnings. We place very high premium on brokers,” Ogbodu said.

    He also commended the efforts of brokers in the industry in strengthening insurance penetration.

  • Osun set to disburse N615m soft loans to small businesses

    Osun State Government is set to begin the disbursement of over N615 million to micro and small businesses, General Manager of Osun Micro-credit Agency, Mr. Dayo Babaranti said at the weekend.

    Babaranti added that the state had so far given out about N4.8 billion to about 28,000 residents to support their businesses.

    He said the N615.150 million received from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is a part payment from the N2 billion revolving Micro Small Medium Enterprise Development Fund (MSMEDF) loan being given to states by the apex bank.

    Babaranti, who spoke in his office in Osogbo, the state capital, added that since 2014, the Federal Government, through the CBN, had been releasing intervention funds (MSMEDF) to support socio-economic activities in states.

    The General Manager said the N4.8 billion received through the CBN microcredit scheme was disbursed to citizens as soft loans to support small businesses.

    According to him, Osun was rated first among the 36 benefiting states of the CBN’s MSMEDF because of its promptness and diligence in repayment and for using the funds for the primary purpose it was meant.

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    Speaking on the terms and conditions for accessing the loan, Babaranti said the agency had maintained simple and bearable requirements for the citizens, adding that the scheme had helped to rekindle the hope among the citizens who were unable to meet the condition to obtain loans from commercial banks.

    He said: “This scheme has been really helpful in boosting socio-economic activities in the state as thousands of people have benefited from it. Our state has received N4.8 billion since the intervention of the CBN on MSMEDF began in 2014, and so far so good, over 28,000 people have benefited from this scheme.

    “We have recorded over 70 per cent repayment by beneficiaries. We divide our lending scheme into three categories to accommodate all sectors and these include: individual lending, group lending and SME lending. The maximum amount individual lenders can benefit from this agency isN500,000 and this must be paid back within one year.

    “We are empowered to give from zero to N5 million to those who are operating Small and Medium Enterprise, while those under the umbrella of co-operative or group can access limitless funds depending on the strength of their membership.”

    “This scheme has helped our people to expand the scope of their businesses, reduce unemployment, eradicate poverty, banish hunger and create a sense of belonging for all. It has helped to improve on the capital of the participating microfinance banks, which has translated into increased sales volume.

    “We have made significant improvement on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through tax payments from the income earned by the beneficiaries. Through this scheme, the nine per cent interest of the facility has forced all microfinance banks in the state to review downwards their hitherto high-interest rates.”

  • Party dismisses media reports on appointments

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed media reports that it has selected principal officers for its caucus in the National Assembly, saying such reports were false.

    Its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, said in a statement that the party was still consulting with relevant stakeholders and would make their consultation public once that is concluded.

    There have been reports that the party has zoned the principal officers’ positions in both the Senate and House of Representatives, with a former Nasarawa State governor picked for the position of Senate Leader and the House Leader is zoned to Kano State.

    Read Also: APC challenges PDP to offer quality opposition

    Onilu said the party has always been open in all its decisions and will not act differently in to case of principal officers of the National Assembly

    “Consultations are ongoing and in our typical style, we will come out to formally announce the party’s decision on the appointments.

    “With the prevalence of fake news, we urge the media to always wait for and rely on official statements from the party other than unofficial sources. The media should please take due note of this on future issues that involve our party,” the statement said.

  • Prestige Assurance creates 14b shares to raise new capital

    Shareholders of Prestige Assurance Plc are meeting later this month to consider creation of additional new 14 billion ordinary shares and a new capital raising exercise to boost the capital base of the insurance company.

    Prestige Assurance plans to increase its authorised share capital from N3 billion of 6.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to N10 billion of 20 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each through the creation of additional 14 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

    At the meeting this month-end, shareholders are expected to authorise the board of directors of the company to raise “capital by way most suitable to the company in line with the recapitalisation requirement of the National Insurance Commission”.

    The increase in authorized share capital is meant to create headroom for a new capital raising exercise. Prestige Assurance currently has total issued share capital of 5.38 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each out of its current total authorised share capital of 6.0 billion ordinary shares.

    Market analysts said Prestige Assurance might consider raising capital through a rights issue, the most preferred instrument by most fund-raising companies in recent period. The New India Assurance Company Limited, Mumbai, the precursor and founder of Prestige Assurance, holds 69.50 per cent majority equity stake in the Nigerian subsidiary while Leadway Assurance Company, an unlisted Nigerian insurance company, holds 11.47 per cent equity stake.

    Prestige Assurance had in November 2018 distributed 1.53 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to its shareholders as bonus shares, almost restoring 1.6 billion ordinary shares that it had cancelled under a recent capital restructuring. The company distributed bonus shares of 41 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each for every 100 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each held as at the close of business on November 27, 2018.

    The company capitalised N782.57 million from its share premium account to pay for the new shares issuance. The scrip issue increased the company’s issued share capital from N1.91 billion or 3.82 billion ordinary shares to N2.69 billion or 5.38 billion ordinary shares.

    Prestige Assurance had undergone a major capital restructuring in 2018. The insurance company had in June 2018 concluded share reconstruction exercise that resulted in cancellation of about 1.6 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each. The reconstruction was undertaken to remove bubble assets.

    Under the share reconstruction, Prestige Assurance had reduced its share capital from N2.685 billion or 5.370 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to N1.909 billion or 3.817 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in the issued and fully paid up ordinary shares of the company.

    This led to reduction of N776 million or 1.55 billion ordinary shares. “The share capital so reduced will be applied in writing off the capital of the company which is lost or unrepresented by available assets,” according to a regulatory filing on the reconstruction.

    Prestige Assurance had stated that the essence of the capital reconstruction was to enable it wipe out its accumulated retained losses of N776.511 million.

    Key extracts of the audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2018 showed that Prestige Assurance’s gross premium increased from N3.39 billion in 2017 to N4.66 billion. Profit before tax however decreased from N697.99 million in 2017 to N645.43 million in 2018. After taxes, net profit dropped from N531.84 million in 2017 to N423.8 million in 2018. With these, earnings per share declined from 9.90 kobo in 2017 to 7.89 kobo in 2018.

  • APC challenges PDP to offer quality opposition

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to first put its house in order and offer quality opposition rather than embarking on shadow chasing with baseless allegations against.

    APC’s National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu told the PDP in a statement that it should engage the ruling party on issues of good governance rather than interfering in other party’s affairs.

    The APC described as laughable that the PDP, who could not rally its members to support its preferred candidates for National Assembly principal officers’ positions was talking about infighting in the APC over appointments.

    Issa-Onilu said President Muhammadu Buhari will always appoint people of proven integrity who are loyal to the programmes and mandate of the party and government into positions of authority.

    The statement reads: “Judging by the latest antics and laughable allegations of the PDP, it is now clear that the rejected party has again resumed its idle chatter and specious remarks. How long will it take PDP to learn proper opposition politics?

    Read Also: NASS: We have not selected principal officers – APC

    “PDP’s allegation of ‘infighting’ within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency over appointments is the latest of shameful interventions of PDP in our nation’s affairs.

    “The party that was sent into a state of shock following the outcome of the National Assembly election is now accusing APC of infighting. The accusation is coming from the PDP that failed to rally its members to support its own candidates for principal offices at the National Assembly.

    “Perhaps, to the delusional PDP, it is a sign of division within our rank to successfully mobilize our members behind our candidates for the National Assembly election.

    “In other words, PDP had proved ultimate unity within its rank with several of its members disregarding the directive to vote for its adopted candidates. Here you have a party wallowing in denial.

    “As contained in PDP’s latest statement, odious practices like looting, booty-sharing and power-grabbing are not practices that the APC wishes to continue from the wasted PDP years.

    “Nigerians voted against these devious practices of PDP in 2015 and 2019 and opted for Change, which APC represents. We, therefore, call on the PDP to do better as opposition by engaging our party on issues of good governance and matters that would better the lives of the people. This is the least Nigerians expect from the main opposition party.

    “While the APC does not owe the PDP any explanation on the modalities for appointments, we assure Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would always appoint deserving individuals, who share our progressive ideals and Change Agenda into positions.”