The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Why Nnamani is in Tinubu’s Campaign Council, by Onoh

    Why Nnamani is in Tinubu’s Campaign Council, by Onoh

    Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Aspirant in Enugu State, Dr Josef Onoh, has explained why Senator Chimaroke Nnamani’s is in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to Onoh, even though Nnamani belongs to the PDP, he shares affinity with Tinubu in many ways, particularly since both were Governors between 1999 and 2007.

    He recalled that Tinubu and Nnamani commenced the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum, which has crystallized into a major political force for balancing of power in the Nigeria federation.

    He further recalled that it was at the same Southern Governors Forum meeting hosted by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba that took a decision that the next President should come from Southern despite any political party affiliation.

    Onoh said that he however regrets that the initial host of that Southern Governor’s meeting, Okowa, capitulated, sold out a decision taken in his house and negotiated for the vice presidential slot at the detriment of the entire Southern Nigeria.

    “Despite this, what is more worrisome is the PDP fatal error of negation of its own written constitution to elect a candidate of Northern extraction bearing in mind that the North has held power in the past seven and a half years.

    “There is a caveat in the PDP constitution which says that zoning should be respected for the purpose of giving a sense of belonging to all members of the party and for all-inclusiveness except and only when a resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) decides otherwise.

    ” Secondly, Section 7 (2) (c) of the PDP Constitution, states that In pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices, and it shall be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all levels,” Onoh said.

    Exonerating Senator Nnamani of any wrong doing in his choice of which presidential candidates to support, Onoh said that it was up to Nigerians to determine their choices; pointing out that Tinubu had already established a trade mark of excellence in his previous leaderships, particularly as Lagos state Governor.

    Read Also: Reactions as Tinubu’s 422-man campaign list unsettles PDP, LP supporters

    In his further defence of Nnamani, Onoh said that there was no crime in Tinubu choosing a friend of his as part of his presidential campaign, whose relationship cuts across party lines, nothing that the PDP had the opportunity of doing same but formed the habit of taking foundation members for granted.

    “If this problem of PDP governors led by Governor Nysome Wike continues and it’s not resolved amicably, taking cognizance that Wike as a heavy pillar has stood by the PDP through thick and thin, more surprises await PDP in the buildup of elections. Wike was one of the standing pillars of PDP, when the party needed a messiah, he was the Moses that led the PDP, but unfortunately, when the PDP got to the land flowing with milk and honey, it decided to dump the ship it used in sailing across, and in the instead chose to use a speed boat.

    “If the crisis is not resolved amicably for wisdom to prevail, more shockers await PDP that would be beyond the issue of Asiwaji Tinubu incorporating Chimaroke Nnamani into his campaign council. Nnamani is only running for Senate under the PDP and not for the President. Most of the PDP Governors have fallen out from the PDP presidential campaign and it’s only when the Wike crisis is resolved that the party can say it has a direction and so it’s only then that anybody can have recourse to Chimaroke Nnamani,” Onoh said.

  • JUST IN: Why Osinbajo is not on Presidential Campaign Council – APC

    JUST IN: Why Osinbajo is not on Presidential Campaign Council – APC

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) Presidential Campaign Council has explained why Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is not included in the 422-man list of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

    A statement by the Director of Public Affairs and the chief spokesperson of Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo clarified that President Muhammadu Buhari directed Osinbajo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha should be left out of the Campaign Council.

    Keyamo said: “Our attention has been drawn to some stories making the rounds that there may be something amiss within the family of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the name of our own revered and respected Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, is not included in the list of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

    “Nothing can be farther from the facts. For the avoidance of doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is the Chairman of the Campaign Council.

    “As a result, Mr. President has SPECIFICALLY directed that the Vice-President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha should be left out of the Campaign Council to concentrate on the governance of the country and administration of Government.

    “As a responsible Party and Government, all the key functionaries of government cannot abandon their positions for electioneering campaigns.

    “The APC has the mandate of the Nigerian people to administer the country on their behalf at least till May, 29, 2023, and this we intend to do with all sense of responsibility.

    “We will not toe the path of those who governed the country in an irresponsible manner before us and our Party is not in total disarray like those who wish to ‘rescue’ the country, but cannot simply manage their own internal affairs.”

  • Trade, investment, others should be right-based

    Trade, investment, others should be right-based

    An Independent expert of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights in Africa, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), called for a right-based approaches to trade, investment, banking and business practices across Africa.

    The frontline energy lawyer and global vice-chair of the International Law Association (ILA) stated this while speaking on a new book titled: “Business and human rights law and practice in Africa” published by Edward Elgar, United Kingdom, co-edited by Olawuyi and Oyeniyi Abe, a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom and senior fellow in business and human rights law at the Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES Institute), Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

    He stated that a vast volume of literature has been generated on its application in Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America amongst others since the adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2011.

    According to him, what however remained absent for many years was an in-depth, exhaustive and book length exposition of the application of the UNGPs in African countries.

    He added that the book fills a significant gap in this regard.

    “Since the adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2011, a vast volume of literature has been generated on its application in Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America amongst others.

    “What however remained absent for many years was an in-depth, exhaustive and book length exposition of the application of the UNGPs in African countries.

    “This book fills a significant gap in this regard,” he said.

    He noted the new book is the very first book-length examination of business and human rights law and practice in Africa.

    While describing the book, Olawuyi noted that it unpacks good-fit and home-grown approaches for advancing business and human rights norms across Africa.

    Read also:

    The Energy expert added that it explores the latest developments in law, regulations, policies, and governance structures across the continent, focusing on key legal innovations in response to human rights impacts of business operations and activities.

    He stated dedicated the book to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN a frontline business and human rights lawyer, trailblazer, proprietor and founder of ABUAD, who for several decades has utilized his legal expertise to provide ethical guidance and wisdom to business enterprises operating in Africa and beyond, in key economic sectors.

    Olawuyi said he was inspired by his exemplary leadership and achievements in the field; hence, they have put together this book to provide a simplified toolkit for lawyers, investors, students, corporations, ministries, arbitrators, courts, and international tribunals, to understand the corporate strategies for managing business and human rights risks when investing in the African continent.

    Speaking also, Professor Surya Deva, a professor of law at the Macquarie Law School, Australia and former independent expert of the United Nations Working Group on business and Human Rights expressed that this volume provides much-needed African perspectives on the business and human rights landscape.

    Surya said such work should help in promoting business respect for human rights and corporate acceptability in different world regions.

    A Professor of Law at Hamad bin Khafila University Qatar, Ilias Bantekas, noted: “The in-depth and systematic approach of this book makes it a must-read for students, academics, practitioners, policy makers and business leaders in Africa and beyond.”

  • Reactions as Tinubu’s 422-man campaign list unsettles PDP, LP supporters

    Reactions as Tinubu’s 422-man campaign list unsettles PDP, LP supporters

    The 422-man Presidential Campaign Council list of the flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has unsettled supporters of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP), The Nation has observed.

    The Nation reports Secretary of the APC presidential campaign council, James Faleke released the list in Abuja on Friday.

    Plateau Governor Simon Lalong retained his position as Director-General of the campaign council while former National APC Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, and Bayo Onanuga were listed as the Deputy Director-General (Operations) and Director of Media and Publicity, respectively.

    Also included in the list is Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, and Director of New Media, Femi Fani-Kayode.

    The list, excited supporters of the ruling party. They stated that their candidate (Tinubu) is now ready for battle, come 2023 general elections.

    Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have been jittery over the list.

    Our correspondent observed that many of the opposition supporters were surprised to see a broad list accommodating serving and past public office holders, entertainment personalities and others.

    Here are few reactions:

    Read Also: Buhari heads APC’s 422 presidential campaign council

    @Teeana_world said: “THE APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL LIST IS FULLY LOADED”

    Bashir Ahmad, the Special Assistant on Digital Communications to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said: “An immense honor and privilege to be called once again for such an important national assignment for my party, the APC, and our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    “We did it in 2015 and 2019, and with much more experience, we will do it again in 2023, in sha Allah!”

    @DeeOneAyekooto said: “I’m extremely happy especially for the appointment of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode as the Director of New Media for TINUBU-SHETTIMA 2023. This is a round peg in a round hole! The battle has just begun.”

    @Woye1 said: “APC Presidential Campaign Council’s list. @OfficialAPCNg did not shun @ProfOsinbajo at all. Where you have @MBuhari you have PYO. Some of the members on that list will still delegate their responsibilities to other people behind the scene. No rift in APC.”

  • Seven takeaways from Atiku’s response to Wike on Ayu’s removal

    Seven takeaways from Atiku’s response to Wike on Ayu’s removal

    Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike on Friday ignited more fire over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis with many damning revelations and allegations.

    But the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar responded vehemently. Here are 10 takeaways from his response:

    (1)It’s too close for comfort….

    According to one of the spokespersons of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu, with the 2023 general election a few months away, the call for the removal of PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, is ill-timed. He spoke during an NTA Network programme “Good Morning Nigeria” on Friday. Rather, Aniagwu appealed to those calling for Ayu’s removal to look at the bigger picture of PDP winning the Presidency.

    (2) Call resonates with equity, justice, credibility, but…

    The campaign spokesperson noted that the call for Ayu’s removal resonates with the principles of equity and justice as being demanded by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his loyalists. Aniagwu admitted that Ayu had, before he was elected chairman, made a commitment to resign if the party’s presidential candidate eventually emerged from the North. Six months after, Atiku Abubakar, from the North, emerged candidate.

    (3) Ayu gave condition for his resignation…

    According to Aniagwu, Ayu, at the time, said he would resign “if” the PDP asked him to resign after the emergence of a candidate from the North. However, the party did not make that request on Ayu. Rather, the party’s highest decision making organ, the National Executive Committee (NEC) passed a vote of confidence in Ayu and the National Working Committee (NWC) that he leads. Case closed.

    (4) Ayu, Wike ignored constitutional structures….

    While Ayu failed to consider the constitutional impediments to his resignation in the event Atiku emerged candidate, Wike has also ignored the same constitutional structures Ayu overlooked when he glibly offered to resign should the outcome of the PDP presidential primary go in a certain direction.
    “Ayu has never denied what he said, but let us look at what he said and the laws of the party. Let us always think of the country first and not about North and South that tends to divide us”, says Aniagwu.

    Read Also: Fresh crisis rocks Plateau PDP over Atiku/Wike feud

    (5) Precedent already set…

    Aniagwu justifies Ayu’s retention of the PDP chair: “In 2006, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was President and Ahmadu Ali was National Chairman, the primary was conducted and Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua of blessed memory emerged presidential candidate of the party.
    “Ahmadu Ali prosecuted that election and Yar’ Adua became President before the party held a Convention to bring in somebody from the South and nobody asked Ahmadu Ali to leave because a presidential candidate had emerged from the North. “When Jonathan became President after the death of Yar’Adua, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor remained National Chairman of the party until it was time for another election”
    “These are tenured offices and the issue of zoning is only in the offices and positions, the position of a presidential candidate is not an office, it only becomes an office after winning election”.

    (6)!Atiku not against Ayu’s removal, but…

    According to Aniagwu, Atiku is not opposed to Ayu vacating his office for a candidate from the South. But that it should come after the general elections; “because we have a bigger picture in view”, which is winning the poll. “Going by our party constitution, moving the chairman from the North to the South is the problem because the Deputy National is expected to take over from him by virtue of Section 45 of the party’s constitution. Incidentally, if Ayu leaves today, the man that would take his seat, is the Deputy National Chairman (North), Iliya Damagum from Yobe State. It’s a Catch-22 situation where the solution presents the same problem.

    (7) Appeal to Wike…

    “And so we appeal to our great leader, Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders of the party to respect the decision of NEC on the matter by exercising patience with the party until after the general elections”. “The reason why we are pleading with them is because Atiku wants to run with everybody on board, in six months time, this election would have been done and dusted and these changes would be effected,” Aniagwu pleads on Atiku’s behalf. Is Governor Wike listening?

    END

  • 35, 0000 scholars benefit from Tetfund’s PhD, Master’s training

    35, 0000 scholars benefit from Tetfund’s PhD, Master’s training

    About 35,000 academic staff have so far benefitted from its Masters and PhD training, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND) has said.

    The agency said it had put in place mechanisms through specialised training to ensure Nigerian graduates are easily employable in the society.

    It noted that its Centres of Excellence are also churning out cutting-edge research to meet Nigeria’s developmental needs.

    Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono said this when he received the Anambra Governor Charles Soludo at the headquarters of the agency on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Soludo was at TETFund to seek strategic partnership in the delivery of intervention projects in tertiary institutions in the state.

    The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said such collaboration would ensure TETFund’s projects in the state bring about a more robust impact.

    Echono said: “In the last 11 years, 35,000 academic staff have been trained in Master’s and PhDs. We have also done a lot in the research component of our intervention. We are also working on the employability of our graduates by linking our institutions with industries.”

    The executive secretary of TETFund said the agency would continue to contribute to both infrastructure and academic content development.

    Echono, who said TETFund projects are everywhere in tertiary institutions in Anambra State, especially in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said the agency would do more in the state-owned institutions.

    “In Anambra, you will see a lot of our presence, but I admit at the level of state institutions we need to do more,” Echono said.

    Soludo also expressed some reservations about the proliferation of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, especially universities, noting that it might pose a challenge in future.

    Read Also:FG inaugurates N274m TETFUND projects in Cross River 

    He said: “We have a big dream, a big agenda to partner with you and other critical stakeholders; the Federal Government is very critical player in this field. Education as we know is on the concurrent list – the federal and state work together. The only way we can make it work for ourselves is to work together through collaboration, coordination and cooperation, and coincidentally the resource envelope of the federation is disproportionate here in Abuja….

    “I would like us to work together in a whole lot of areas we are interested in and in some years to come, we will be able to say with partnership with TETFund we were able to deliver ABCD, that here are the impacts. Impact measurement is very important,” the governor, who did not list specific areas of such collaboration.”

    He commended TETFund for its various intervention projects across the country, adding that the three state-owned tertiary institutions in the state; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, University, Anambra Polytechnic, Mgbakwu and College of Education, Nsugbe, are eager to welcome more of the Fund’s intervention projects.

  • Nigerian striker John Ejoor moves to Austrian club SV Seekirchen

    Nigerian striker John Ejoor moves to Austrian club SV Seekirchen

    Former Vandrezzer FC Striker John Ejoor has secured a move to Austrian club SV Seekirchen.

    The Nigeria played for Ladan Boso’s U- 20 team

    John moved from Vandrezzer FC in Nigeria after expiration of his loan deal.

    The former Rolly FC hitman was a part of the Nigeria Flying Eagles squad that prepared for the U-20 WAFU B Championship in 2022.

    The Nigerian finest forward has been featured in two games for his new club at Austria, SV Seekirchen winning one game and drawing

  • Eight interesting key points of APC Presidential Campaign Council

    Eight interesting key points of APC Presidential Campaign Council

    On Friday evening, the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) constituted a 422–man Presidential Campaign council.

    Here are interesting points to note about the Council:

    * President Muhammadu Buhari heads the 422-man APC Presidential Campaign Council.
    *. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu to serve as deputy chairmen.

    *. Governors in APC-Controlled States and Governorship candidates in non-APC Controlled states are to coordinate campaigns in their States.

    *. All National Working Committee (NWC) members are accommodated in the council for easy synergy with the party and the campaign council.

    Read Also: Full list of APC Presidential Campaign Council

    *. The campaign council has 15 Campaign Advisers which include former Presidential aspirants of the party. They are of Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Gov. Yahaya Bello, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, Dr. Nicholas Felix, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun. APC National Secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore and Gov. Nasir El’Rufai among others.

    *. The council is made up of 33 directories.

    *. A special performing arts directorate for Nollywood stars.

    *. A 75-man campaign comprises former National Chairmen of the party and other foundation members.

  • 2023: Zack Orji, Jide Kosoko, Ogogo, 21 others make Tinubu’s campaign list

    2023: Zack Orji, Jide Kosoko, Ogogo, 21 others make Tinubu’s campaign list

    Nollywood actors and film-makers have been enlisted in the presidential campaign council list of the flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    The 422-man list is made up of APC Governors, Ministers, lawmakers, serving and past public office holders.

    For the Nollywood stars, in past weeks, many of them have publicly endorsed Tinubu.

    Orji has been appointed as Director of performing arts (PFA) for the presidential campaign council and is to work in the South-East zone.

    Read Also: Economist Intelligence Unit predicts victory for Tinubu in 2023 polls

    Foluke Daramola was appointed Media Assistant for Lagos while Jide Kosoko was named the Lagos Secretary.

    Others including Saheed Balogun, Gentle Jack, Benedict Johnson, Bimbo Akintola, Fathia Williams, and a host of others will play major role in the campaign.

    In total, 24 entertainment personalities were appointed to join the campaign council.

    The nominees are to pick up their respective appointment letters in Abuja.

  • Wike off to Europe after media chat

    Wike off to Europe after media chat

    Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has travelled to Europe after a two-hour stormy media chat on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 polls.

    It was gathered the Governor left on Saturday morning to a yet-to-be identified European nation.

    Since the crisis started in the party, Wike had been to European countries with some members of his team.

    The Governor recently visited London in the company of significant members of his team and met with PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; who was accompanied by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    But at the media briefing on Friday, Wike disclosed that Atiku despite reaching an agreement with his team members during the meeting refused to fulfill his side of the bargain.

    He said Atiku promised that he would work out modalities within one week for the replacement of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, with a Southern Chairman.

    Speaking on London meeting with Atiku, Wike said: “We were invited to a meeting in London, Adamawa, Ortom, Makinde, Ikpeazu. Atiku said he had confronted Ayu on this statement and Ayu said yes.

    Read Also: Wike off to Europe after media chat

    “We sat down and he agreed with us that Ayu had to go. He said we should give him one week, that we would work out the modalities. This is what we must do to move forward. You are the presidential candidate, give the chairmanship to the south. If he respects us what stops him from calling us to tell us there are constitutional issues”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the Governor left early Saturday morning but said he did not know the mission of the Governor.

    Wike devoted much of his time at the media chat lambasting Ayu for ganging up against him during the presidential primary election.

    He also accused Ayu of corruption saying he manipulated the primary to ensure the emergence of Atiku Abubakar.