Author: The Nation

Statement by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presidential Flag Bearer of the All Progressives Congress on his Choice of the Vice Presidential Candidate. July 10, 2022.

1. Fellow Nigerians, we enter a moment of renewed hope. We hold the chance to move the nation and our collective cause forward as never before. Let us seize this moment so that history may write kindly of us.
2. It is time to focus with utmost devotion and love of country to do all we can do to advance the ideals of democratic and progressive good governance in the land.
3. We must end poverty and bring greater prosperity and more lasting peace. Let us be wise of thought yet courageous in action, as we embark on a collective enterprise that brings jobs, education, food, medicine, hope and belief in a better life to those who need them.
4. I stand ready to begin this journey with you, hopefully, to lead the nation on this needed path as your next President by the grace of God. I believe this is a pivotal moment at which the dynamics of history and destiny call us forth to reshape our beloved nation. This is our moment.
5. We all must answer the nation’s call. For some, this requires of us that we step forward, assuming new roles and responsibilities. For others, it may mean something else. For all of us, it requires that we dedicate ourselves to the collective national task as never before.
6. To re-envision and reshape the nation, I must compose the best team possible, a team put together with but one overriding purpose: to forever establish just, capable, and compassionate governance for the people of Nigeria without regard to religion, region, or ethnic origin.
7. In the weeks since becoming the presidential candidate and standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have been touched as Nigerians from all walks of life have demonstrated their faith in my capacity to lead this country. I thank you for the outpourings of support for they reveal to me the hope you hold for this nation’s greatness. As long as we walk together and work together, we shall arrive at our national greatness together. To this glad and great endeavour, I fully devote myself and my future labour. 

8. In full compliance with existing law and regulation, I submitted all necessary documents regarding my nomination as the APC presidential candidate to INEC. But, as was expected, the choice of my vice presidential running mate remained an open and burning question.
9. This gave rise to much speculation and debate.
10. Recent events [the voluntary withdrawal of my dear friend and brother Ibrahim Masari] mean that I am called upon, today, to put an end to the speculation.
11. I have never been an indecisive man and have no present intention to become one.
12. What I am, however, is a democrat. And a democrat must listen to, and consult with, the people and his advisors so that he may reform and govern wisely and on their behalf. This I have done. My political career was not built on blind indifference to the views of others. I appreciate the perspectives of leading members of the party, political allies and key national figures who see Nigeria’s future as I do. They gave me their views so that I might add their valuable insights to mine to reach the best decision possible and do so in a manner that strengthens the institutional fabric of our party as well as accelerating the evolution of our political democracy.
13. I am also a founding member of the APC. I hold our party’s core principles close to heart such that I shall do nothing to betray the spirit in which the party was created.
14. Having now listened to the sage, careful advice of a broad section of the party and of the nation, there are a few points I feel I must make about the exceptional and extraordinary person with whom I will share the APC ticket and the principles of open and good governance that informed this choice.
15. A dominant theme of my political history and my personal life is my staunch belief in our diversity. Greatness lies in embracing our diversity and making it work to enhance the dynamism and justice of our political system. My selection of a running mate comports entirely with this longstanding inclination.
16. The concurrence of my party in this matter has been a source of comfort and encouragement. We are truly building a progressive party that not only represents a departure from other political parties but one that truly may well be the best hope for democratic good governance in Nigeria.
17. I realize the momentous times we have entered. I know what lies in the balance. I also know that our political choices and activities send both intended and unintended signals to portions of the Nigerian electorate.
18. All my life, my decisions regarding the team around and supporting me have always been guided by the principles of competence, innovation, compassion, integrity, fairness, and adherence to excellence.

READ ALSO: Full text of Tinubu’s statement on Shettima as running mate

19. When I was Governor of Lagos State, these principles helped me assemble one of the most capable governing cabinets any state or this nation has ever seen. I trust enough in these principles to allow them to, once more, guide me to construct another exemplary team that can do Nigeria proud.
20. Second, this chapter in our country’s history demands a bold yet pragmatic approach, a path already chartered by the progressive ethos of the APC. The foundation for sustainable progress has been laid these past seven years by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The challenges of today are consequential because the lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians lie in the balance. Visionary and creative leadership will take us to our goal.
21. Our focus, therefore, must be on getting the job done; and that means getting the very best and competent people to do it. In this crucial moment, where so much is at stake, we must prioritize leadership, competence, and the ability to work as a team over other considerations.
22. I am mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate. Just and noble people have talked to me about this. Some have counselled that I should select a Christian to please the Christian community. Other have said I should pick a Muslim to appeal to the Muslim community. Clearly, I cannot do both.
23. Both sides of the debate have impressive reason and passionate arguments supporting their position. Both arguments are right in their own way. But neither is right in the way that Nigeria needs at the moment. As president, I hope to govern this nation toward uncommon progress. This will require innovation. It will require steps never before taken. It will also require decisions that are politically difficult and rare.
24. If I am to be that type of President, I must begin by being that type of candidate. Let me make the bold and innovative decision not to win political points but to move the nation and our party’s campaign closer to the greatness that we were meant to achieve.
25. Here is where politics ends, and true leadership must begin.
26. Today, I announce my selection with pride because I have made it not based on religion or to please one community or the other. I made this choice because I believe this is the man who can help me bring the best governance to all Nigerians, period, regardless of their religious affiliation or considerations of ethnicity or region.
27. May I say this to all of you, especially to those who will be disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I will not and cannot ignore the religious concerns and ethnic sensitivities of our people. Taking them into due consideration is an important part of good and able governance. But religion, ethnicity and region cannot always and fully determine our path. To forge ahead as a nation toward development and prosperity, we must break free of old binds. We must recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter more than reductive demographics.
28. This is why, today, I announce the selection of SENATOR KASHIM SHETTIMA as my partner and running mate in the mission to advance and reclaim the fortunes of this great country and the hopes of its people.
29. Senator Kasim Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all important electoral victory, but, also, step into the shoes of the Vice President. As a man with the talent, maturity, strength of character, and patriotism he has my implicit confidence and faith.
30. I am aware that many will continue focus on a particular detail, the question of his faith.
31. However, if we truly understand the challenges upon us a nation, then we must also see the imperative of placing competence in governance above religious sentiment.
32. In 1993, Nigerians embrace Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe in one of our fairest elections ever held.
33. The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023.
34. As such, the ticket we present today represents a milestone in our political history. It symbolizes our party’s determination to be a leading light among political parties in Africa.
35. The democratic process and the decorum that characterised our presidential primaries and the selection of our vice presidential candidate exemplifies why we are the party of the people and of the betterment of their future. With this selection the All Progressives Congress surely shall continue to be the party that shows the way and carries this nation towards its best future. I implore you all to join with me on this journey to a brighter future.

Signed.
Asiwaju Bola A. Tinubu,
APC Presidential candidate

Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola has prayed he will be re-elected on Saturday.

Oyetola prayed at Osogbo Central Eid prayer ground at Oke-Baale, Osogbo at the weekend to commemorate Sallah celebration.

He admonished residents to eschew statements that could lead to violence and reject inducement of any kind during the election period.

He prayed he would return as Governor noting that he will offer his thanksgiving during 2023 Sallah celebration.

READ ALSO: UPDATED: Why I stepped down as Tinubu’s running mate – Masari

According to him: “I implore everyone of us not to engage in violence during the forthcoming election. Voting is elect our leaders we must not let it snowball to crisis.

“I pray for free and fair election void of violence. Our state will witness tremendous development. I so pray that I will witness next year’s Sallah celebration as governor of the state.”

Ends.

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has told his newly inaugurated commissioners that his administration will do proper handover to his successor unlike his predecessor and former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

The Governor also described as an aberration the appointment of someone without requisite intellectual acumen to represent the state as a Minister in the Federal Executive Council.

Odum Odi, who hails from the state was recently named the Minister of State for Environment to replace Amaechi, who resigned as the Transport Minister to contest the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike spoke on Saturday after inaugurating five new commissioners at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt.

He said: “I have never seen an embarrassment like like that in my life. Yes, you must appoint those who are loyal but educated people are also loyal. It has never happened in our State. Everything cannot be politics. The image of the State is key.”

The Governor tasked commissioners, heads of ministries, departments and agencies to begin compilation of relevant information required to document the successes of his administration from 2015.

Wike said he was determined to do a proper handover to his successor “despite the fact that his predecessor did not do a proper handover to him”.

The commissioners are Deinma Iyalla, Special Projects; Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom; Education; Boma Iyaye, Local Government Affairs; Christopher Green, Sports and Burabe Anea-Bari Donald, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

Wike said his administration was in its last lap and there was a need for the different ministries to begin compiling records of their activities in lieu of handing over day.

He said: “Everybody should as a matter of fact put the records of their various ministries together. You won’t wait till May 29, 2023.

“You have to start now since this administration started in 2015. State what we have done, and by the grace of God, when the new person (governor) comes, he will have a handover note and it will not be like me who didn’t get a handover note.

READ ALSO: PDP will not allow Wike to defect to APC– Saraki 

“Everything we have done, all the records. What we have bought from ministry to ministry, you have to start compiling them. I don’t want to hear a situation where you will say there is no time, there is plenty of time. You don’t need to wait till the last day. That is why things are difficult for some people.”

Wike told the newly sworn-in commissioners that his administration was in its finishing stage and so much was required of them to ensure a good ending.

He urged them to serve the state with incontestable passion, demonstrate competence and leave an indelible imprint in their various ministries.

The governor acknowledged that some of them had served the state in different capacity as former commissioners and special adviser and urged them to utilise the present opportunity to further contribute to the development of Rivers.

He said: “It is not how long that you stayed in office that can make the difference. It is the passion and commitment that you give to it. You can be in office for six months and people will see your impact, and your impact will be known. But if you cannot do it within that period, even if they allowed you to stay ten years, you may not also be able to carry it out.”

Wike said his administration had completed more projects and would begin their inaugurations early August 2022.

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retired) has faulted report linking him with the about N1.85billion looted funds allegedly recovered by the Independent Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) in a property in Abuja.

Buratai, in letter dated July 8, 2022 by his lawyer, Dr. Reuben Atabo (SAN), is demanding the that an online publication – Sahara Reporters – that published the said report, should retract same and apologise within seven days.

The ex-Army chief, who is Ambassador to Benin Republic, said the very serious allegation in the report, which is capable of brewing hatred and attack by the public against him, has caused him great embarrassment.

The letter reads: “We refer to your publication dated 23rd day of June 2022 with the caption: ‘EXCLUSIVE: Anti-graft Agency, ICPC Uncovers Billions In Cash Meant For Arms, Ammunition To Fight Boko Haram In Abuja Home Of Ex-Chief Of Army Staff, Buratal.’

“In the said publication, you alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) had recovered N1.85 billion from a house and office said to belong to our client.
“It was further reported by you that ‘the huge cash was part of the billions of naira earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.’
“This is a very serious allegation capable of brewing hatred and attack by the public against our client as a former Chief of Army Staff.

“There is no doubt that Nigerians are seriously concerned about the security situation of the country and the said publication has portrayed our client as a person responsible for diversion of funds meant for the fight against Boko Haram.

READ ALSO:CSR: Army gifts multimillion-naira educational materials to Bayelsa pupils 

“Consequently, our client has been exposed to hate, ridicule and embarrassment from members of the public with his friends calling him from different parts of the world to ask for explanations.
“The publication is not only false but malicious and an attempt to malign the reputation of our client.

“Our client, who is the current Ambassador to Benin Republic, rose through the ranks and became a Lieutenant General in the Nigerian Army before his retirement in the year 2021.
“Our client, who was also a former Chief of Army Staff from July 2015 to 2021 has taken the battle against insurgency to the field with enormous energy and resources as well as loss of field officers.

“By your publication, our client has been ridiculed as a man without honour, dignity and incapable of representing Nigeria and portrayed as a fraudster/ dishonest person before Nigerians and the international community.
“We hereby demand that you retract your publication with a public apology to our client within seven days of receiving this letter and a public apology to be published in two national dailies in Nigeria.

“Take notice that if you fail, neglect and/ or refuse to publish the apology within seven from today, we shall not hesitate to commence legal action against your organisation for defamation.
“It is hoped that you would comply to avoid the unpleasantness of litigation and its attendant consequences.”

A female journalist has resigned to throw her full weight behind the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi for 2023.

The Abuja-based journalist identified as Favour Bassey Otu made this known on Saturday.

Otu explained her decision was based on the fact that her job wouldn’t allow her to expressly and publicly show solidarity with her preferred presidential candidate.

READ ALSO:2023: Journalist resigns to support Peter Obi 

“They said a journalist must be non-partisan (unbiased and fair). So I resigned my position with @SilverbirdTV to throw my full support on @PeterObi , after the elections next year, I’ll apply for a media job maybe with @channelstv or @ARISEtv or start up my business,” she tweeted.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has urged the National Assembly not to attend to the waterways bill reportedly presented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group said the bill would be a national disaster if passed into law.

In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB described the bill as Fulani agenda, vowing to resist it with full force.

It alleged that the plot by the “impostor” was to secure lands and water ways for bandits and terrorists before leaving office.

The statement reads in part: “We wish to call for caution once again over the water ways secret bill sent to the Nigerian National Assembly by Buhari and his Fulani kinsmen.

“We wish to unequivocally state our stand once again to Buhari, the national assembly, Fulani and entire world that Buhari cannot use crooked means to hand over our water ways in Biafraland to Fulani from Futajalon having passed through mighty expanse of empty land in the North, we never for once in our lifetime ventured into encroachment nor occupation of any inch or parcel of land not belonging to us despite our limited landspace.

“The national assembly must save Fulani because this bill sent by Buhari will consume so many of them if they venture into any river or water way situated in Biafraland.

READ ALSO:Stop meddling in Biafran matters – IPOB warns its US based lawyer 

“The national assembly must stop that bill because it will only end up in the dustbin of history as one of the useless non implementable acts of the Nigerian National Assembly. This deliberate attempt to steal our ancestral land and waterways by trick and through the back door is dead on arrival because it will be resisted with everything that we have at our disposal. Such impunity and selffishness considering the vast expanse of land available to fulani in Northern Nigeria.

“Biafrans would not shy away from protecting our heritage. We are waiting for them and they would learn an unforgettable lessons the hard way.

“This old strategy that Buhari and his kinsmen are adopting to re-introduce RUGA is not lost on us Biafrans or lost on any other Nation imprisoned in the hell of a country that is worth its name. Why must Fulanis’ terrorists and their cows be forced on us, to cohabit with us in our communities, those with whom we never share a single value system.

“Let us tell you, Ruga can never sail through for the sake of Umuchineke and no amount of their efforts would succeed in bringing RUGA evil project to fruition in our land.

“IPOB will never accept such permutations no matter the inducement they use to deceive the gullible, the compromised, the spineless good for nothing politicians and slaves of the uncircumcised Fulanis in Biafraland.

“We reject that in totality, we knew that the impostor wants to secure lands and water ways for Fulani bandits and terrorists before he leaves office in less than one year, let him look elsewhere.”