The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • ACF denies endorsing Atiku

    ACF denies endorsing Atiku

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has denied endorsing the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

    It said reports to that effect are fake and untrue.

    Addressing reporters, the chairman of the Kano chapter of ACF, Dr. Faruk Umar, said the report of any such endorsement was falsified to blackmail and confuse voters.

    He said: “I am addressing you today on an issue that was reported in the media suggesting that AREWA Consultative Forum, (ACF) has decided to support the presidential candidate of PDP. The statement is not true. ACF is not supporting any candidate.

    Read Also: Atiku disowns leaked ‘rigging’ audio

    “We have allowed our members to use their discretion and elect the candidate of their choice. The National Secretariat has confirmed to us that they have never taken such a position.

    “I am calling on all our members to disregard the publication and adhere to the position of the National Executive to allow members to exercise their rights in choosing their candidates,” Umar said.

  • JUST IN: LP’s logo missing on Ondo ballots

    JUST IN: LP’s logo missing on Ondo ballots

    The logo of the Labour Party(LP) is missing on the ballot papers sent to Ondo State.

    Details Shortly…

  • Airforce deploys military aircraft to Ebonyi for polls

    Airforce deploys military aircraft to Ebonyi for polls

    The Nigerian Airforce has deployed Military aircraft for surveillance ahead of tomorrow’s elections to aid security agencies in Ebonyi State.

    Governor David Umahi stated this in Abakaliki, capital of the State on Friday after a security council meeting.

    He said the security agencies are on the ground to secure voters, electoral officers and materials.

    The Governor called on Ebonyi residents not to entertain fears about the low flight patrol of Officers of the Air force across the State.

    Read Also : Airforce jets pound Shekau’s successor’s hideout

    He clarified that the operation was to ensure miscreants do not exploit opportunities to cause the breakdown of law and order during the general elections.

  • Eight parties back Tinubu, Musa in Niger

    Eight parties back Tinubu, Musa in Niger

    Eight political parties in Niger State have declared support for the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Niger East senatorial candidate Mohammed Sani Musa.

    The parties include: the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP); National Rescue Movement (NRM); Labour Party (LP); All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All People’s Party (APP) ACCORD and Action Democratic Party (ADP)

    Announcing the endorsement for the APC candidates in Minna on Friday, the spokesman for the G8, Yakubu Aliyu Ibrahim, said they are collapsing their structure for Sani Musa because he delivered during his first term and has become a formidable voice as well as attracted several projects for the state.

    Read Also : Tinubu will win with landslide – NRM

    They said that they are adopting Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate because they are assured that he would deliver on his promises.

    “It is not only us who are here, the decision has been accepted and approved by our state Chairmen, the local government Chairmen, local government executives, Polling Units Executives and Chairmen of all other executives. We are not the only ones who made this arrangement by ourselves.”

    ” We have agreed and resolved to adopt distinguished Senator Mohammed Sani Musa as our chosen Senatorial Candidate and we have collapsed our structures into a formidable structure that will work as the reflection of Sani Musa. We have also adopted Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our preferred Presidential candidate for the 2023 elections,” he said.

  • Let’s accept poll verdicts, Bakare advises

    Let’s accept poll verdicts, Bakare advises

    African Youth Ambassador, Mubarak Bakare has urged youths across the country to participate actively in the 2023 general elections this weekend.

    This he stressed, is particularly very inspiring, “as we anticipate even more youth involvement and engagement in the near future.I salute all Nigerian youths, home and in the diaspora, for the laudable and commendable involvement”.

    He continued: “The General election is right around the corner, and as a youth ambassador, I am saddled with the responsibility to encourage and implore fellow young Nigerians to work towards a very peaceful, credible, free and fair election, ultimately a peaceful and progressive post-election”.

    Read Also : Conduct DNA tests for your kids, Yetunde Bakare begs men

    Bakare informed that: Our power and responsibility, is to ensure we vote, as this is our civic responsibility. Let us also shun unnecessary violence and agitation, as it may lead our Nation to an unpleasant state”.

    He further explained that: “The great future that we yearn for is in our hands, we will get there but then, we must know that it goes beyond just only a presidential elections.
    We have to individually imbibe good leadership qualities and genuinely have the interest of our Nation at heart”.

    He added that: “Wherever we are in the world, we must remember that we were first Nigerians, before we became anything else and we are better off with a better Nigeria, no matter our personal achievement or ambitions”.

    He concluded by admonishing all to prepare to uphold the Nation’s interestsand live peacefully and progressively, regardless of whoever emerges the President”.

  • Group to presidential candidates : accept polls results in good faith

    Group to presidential candidates : accept polls results in good faith

    Ahead of tomorrow’s election, a call has been made to all presidential candidates to accept the results of the exercise regardless of the winner or loser.

    This is even as aggrieved standard bearers have been urged to use legal and democratic means to challenge the outcome of the election.

    A socio-political and good governance advocacy group, The Compatriots, stated these after a strategy meeting in Abuja.

    In a statement by the group’s Chairman and former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, it congratulated the National Peace Committee on midwifing the signing of the second peace accord.

    Obong Attah also called on the winner to embark on a comprehensive review of the 1999 Constitution.

    “A commitment by the winner to form a government that will strengthen our unity and utilize the best Nigerians available to head the most critical positions especially those that relate to the Economy and Security.

    “A firm commitment to working on ‘Reconciliation and National Rebirth’ that will usher in a New and Better Nigeria that is anchored on Justice and Equity.

    “A pledge to ensure there is good governance and rule of law in our Nation.

    “An unequivocal commitment to a comprehensive review of the Constitution that will deliver to the Nigerian people, a Constitution made by the people for the people”, the statement reads.

    The Chairman called on candidates not to heat up the polity with unguarded statements before, during and after the polls.

    Read Also : FRSC deploys 1,422 personnel for presidential election in Osun

    This, he emphasized, should be handled as threats to our unity and national security by security agencies.

    His words: “Citizens must however be protected from intimidation and violence as they exercise their inalienable civic and sovereign right to freely select who represents them.

    “Rhetoric and actions which inflame passions and could undermine the credibility of the elections without evidence of widespread fraud or malpractices should be avoided by all. In particular, comments that would subvert the peaceful transfer of power should be handled as threats to our unity and national security.

    “While The Compatriots do not endorse candidates, we nonetheless reaffirm our belief in the supremacy of the Nigerian Citizen, whose inalienable right to sovereignty must be protected”.

  • Man to die by hanging for killing pregnant wife

    Man to die by hanging for killing pregnant wife

    An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced one Oluwaseun Olabode to death by hanging for killing his pregnant wife, Adaeze Olabode.

    Family of the deceased had testified that the convict continued assault led to her death.

    The convict was said to have beaten his wife with a blunt object on the right side of her abdomen while she was heavily pregnant.

    Father of the deceased, Anya testified during trial that his late daughter l attempted suicide and left a suicide note due to maltreatment but that he waded into the matter and brokered peace.

    He stressed that their entire family were aware of the maltreatment.

    Read Also : Naira Policy: Void Buhari’s order, Lagos, Sokoto, Katsina, seven others tell S/Court

    “After my daughter’s death on April 14, 2020, her corpse was abandoned at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Owo, until the intervention of my immediate younger brother,” he stated.

    Presiding judge, Justice A. Adebusoye, ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    He found Olabode guilty as charged and sentenced him to death by hanging.

  • Our relationship for enjoyment not kids, says Iyabo Ojo

    Our relationship for enjoyment not kids, says Iyabo Ojo

    Actress Iyabo Ojo has thrown more light on her relationship with lover and businessman, Paulo Okoye aka Paulo as regards having more babies.

    The ace movie star said they do not plan on having any more kids.

    During a recent Instagram Live chat with media personality, Daddy Freeze, the couple cancelled the idea of having kids when asked by the host if people should anticipate the arrival of a new baby soon.

    According to Paulo, at 56 with his lover at 45, the only plans they had was to travel around the world and have fun.

    The mother of two said their children are the ones to start having kids after they must have introduced their partners to the family and legally married.
    I’m 55 years old and Iyabo 45, do you want to kill her? Our relationship is to enjoy our lives. Travel across the world. No it’s not us. Our children will start having kids not us,” Paulo stated.

    Suggesting what he’d do if Iyabo fell pregnant, the record executive said: “I go run away. If she has a baby, I go run away, change my name. You no go know me again.

    On Iyabo Ojo’s part, she explained: “I can’t even imagine having a baby now. If I have a baby now, Paulo don suffer because na him go raise that pikin.

    Read Also : Iyabo Ojo hits Wale Akerele for ‘ashawo’ rant

    “The last time I had a baby was almost 22 years ago. Priscillia is going to be 22 next month. I have a list of places I want to go, Paulo has his too.

    “So we just want to enjoy. Work, travel and enjoy. Wait for our children to come and bring their spouses and then, we’ll do a wedding for them. You know, they get married and bear us grandchildren.”

    In December 2022, in her birthday post, Ojo revealed that the Chief Executive Officer of Upfront and Personal Management, Paul Okoye, popularly known as Paulo, was her lover.

    Prior to her announcement, the actress had hinted at dating an Igbo man and promised to unveil him when the time was right.

  • FG to implement five-year visa reciprocity with America

    FG to implement five-year visa reciprocity with America

    The Federal Government has directed the full implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for citizens of the United States of America.

    The government said the policy takes effect from March 1, 2023.

    The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, issued the directive following the approval for the implementation of the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the governments of Nigeria and the United States of America.

    Aregbesola said the agreement included reciprocity of five (5) year tourist visa validity for American Citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015.

    “Extension of visa validity to three (3) years for Diplomats and government officials between the citizens of Nigeria and the United States of America,” the Minister added according to a statement signed by Aregbesola Media aide, Mr Sola Fasure.

    The statement reads: “Consequently, the Minister of Interior has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to start the implementation of the policy from 1st March 2023.

    Read Also : ‘Why visa applications from Nigeria will continue to rise ‘

    “Nigerians will recall that President Muhammadu Buhari launched the new Nigeria Visa Policy (NPV) in 2020, which amongst other things promote tourism. Tourist Visa falls under the Short Visit Visa (F5A) category. This policy is in line with Mr. President’s desire to boost cultural exchange and business between both nations.

    “As part of the Bilateral Agreement, the United States of America will implement a similar policy for Nigerians wishing to travel on Tourist Visas to the United States and for our diplomats and officials visiting the country. The United States will thus extend Tourist Visa Validity for Nigerian citizens to five (5) years.”

  • Naira scarcity may increase vote buying, Yiaga Africa warns

    Naira scarcity may increase vote buying, Yiaga Africa warns

    A civil society, Yiaga Africa, has warned the untold economic hardship caused by the recent scarcity of new naira notes may force Nigerians into relinquishing their votes in exchange for cash.

    The Board Chairman of Yiaga Africa, Dr Hussaini Abdu, who stated this on in Abuja while presenting the group’s preliminary statement on the conduct of the presidential election process, regretted that the economic hardship may impact on citizens’ participation.

    Abdu maintained that the untold economic hardship caused by the recent scarcity of new naira notes and perennial fuel scarcity has led to a series of protests in different parts of the country.

    He said: “This growing discontent amongst citizens may lead to voter apathy in the form of “protest” which will eventually lead to low voter turnouts. We are also worried that citizens facing these forms of adversities going into the election may be unable to make informed choices at the polls.

    “The current Naira redesign policy and scarcity of legal tender are aimed to fight vote trading on election day, the prevailing hardship it has come with may even make it easier for voters to relinquish their votes in exchange for the scarce currency.”

    Acknowledging the existing security challenges of insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, Abdu said the prevailing security situation leading to the 2023 Presidential election has been further escalated by the tense political atmosphere.

    Read Also : Naira swap crisis: Fed Govt not in breach of Supreme Court order, says Malami

    He commended the political parties and candidates for signing the National Peace Accord and initiative of the National Peace Committee, headed by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and called on the parties, candidates and their supporters to maintain the peace during and after the elections.

    Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo said the organisation will deploy 3,836 observers throughout the country for the presidential election.

    “This is comprised of 3,014 stationary Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) observers deployed to a random representative statistical sample of 1,507 polling units; 822 roving observers across the 774 LGAs and 36 states; and 8 Working Group members who run real-time election analysis.

    “Yiaga Africa will also deploy observers to the LGA and State Results Collation Centres in every state. Our observers will observe the entire election day process from set-up of the polling units through the announcement, posting of the official results and uploading of the polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal. The observers will send in periodic reports to the Watching the Vote National Data Centre located in the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja where they will be processed and analysed,” he said.