The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Stop acting like bad losers, NADECO tells Atiku, Obi

    Stop acting like bad losers, NADECO tells Atiku, Obi

    National Democratic Coalition Renewal has advised the presidential flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and its counterparts in the Labour Party, Peter Obi to stop acting like a bad loser over the outcome of the February 25 general election. The group in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti by its National Leader, Prof Adeeyo Atilade, said that the rejection of the elections results by Atiku and Obi was an act inherent in bad loser. He noted that the entire process of the general elections had been nothing but free, fair, credible and complied with best international practices.

    He advised those opposing declaration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu by the electoral body to perish the thought of upturning his victory, saying that Tinubu’s presidency has come to stay. He added that the decision to challenge Tinubu’s victory as thoughtless exercise doomed to end in futility, urging them to accept defeat in good faith so that the nation can move on. The group’s National Leader maintained that the election that produced Tinubu represents the will of Nigerians, stating that the president-elect win the election because he was the people’s choice.

    His words “President-elect Tinubu has an impressive track record as a great, patriotic and detribalised leader. He  displayed this uncommon leadership traits when he served as the Executive Governor of Lagos State and deployed the competence and enduring capacities of a pan-Nigeria cabinet in his government to achieve great and giants strides in Lagos and we all are currently witnesses to the awesome development that state has got today.

    “I therefore, speak for thousands of our members in the NADECO Renewal group, and urge Nigerians across board, to allow peace to reign so that we can enjoin the glorious ride to Eldorado in this country as we would soon be driven by the President-elect Tinubu. Tinubu is loved by most patriotic Nigerians because he is a builder of men and not one who pulls others down. This is the more reason why Nigerians will experience the best of governance under his watch as president.

    “We can also assure our teeming youths to be rest assured that Tinubu will ensure that their yearning for a greater future is taken care of when he mounts the saddle of power. We are standing up for our nation and Nigeria will work again. The families of those that died in post annulment of 1993 elections’ saga will wish the annulment never happened. We cannot afford foreseeable consequences of such calls. Nigeria must work and in peace and tranquility.”

  • Senate presidency: Barau hosts 70 Senators-elect in Abuja

    Senate presidency: Barau hosts 70 Senators-elect in Abuja

    One of the frontline contenders for the position of Senate President in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), has hosted over 70 Senators-elect, in order to cultivate the needed bond and friendships, ahead of the inauguration of the incoming parliament. It was gathered that more than 70 Senators-elect attended the luncheon held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja last Tuesday. The meeting was held after the presentation of certificates of return to the lawmakers, it was further learnt.

    No fewer than 98 out of 109 senators were presented with Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, last Tuesday. The meeting lasted for over an hour. Barau who is regarded as a party man and an ardent supporter of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the only senator on the platform of the APC elected to the 10th National Assembly from Kano State. A Senator-elect, who attended the meeting, said attendance was not limited to senators-elect of the APC.

    He said senators-elect who are members of other political parties attended the party. “As a second timer at the red chamber, I know Barau because I have interacted with him previously. He has a thorough understanding of parliamentary proceedings and he is an easy-going fellow. He has my vote come June when the 10th Assembly will be inaugurated,” a lawmaker, who is from the southern part of the country said. Also speaking, a Senator-elect from the South-South zone, who is going to the Senate for the first time, said: “Senator Barau will surely have my vote for the Senate presidency. He is a fantastic lawmaker with good leadership qualities.

    An aide of the lawmaker said Senator Barau, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations, organised the event to enable him to interact with his colleagues. “It was to enable him to interact and familiarise himself with his colleagues and nothing more,” he said.

  • NNPP to INEC: Allow parties conduct their affairs

    NNPP to INEC: Allow parties conduct their affairs

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow political parties run their own affairs and concentrate on its role as electoral management body. Reacting to the Supreme Court judgement asking the commission to accept Senator Rufai Hanga as the Senatorial candidate for Kano Central in place of former Kano state governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, National Publicity Secretary of the said INEC should not involve itself in who becomes the candidate of the parties.

    In a judgement on Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal and directed the Commission to accept Hanga as the candidate for the election. Major said “Our victory at the Supreme Court was not unexpected because it is not INEC’s responsibility to determine political party candidates. Their responsibility is to engage in election management and not to decide who the candidate of a political party. Remember, the history is that Shekarau participated in the first primary and got the ticket. Shortly after that, for reasons best known to him, he decided to leave the party.

    “He wrote to the party withdrawing his membership as well as his candidacy and copied INEC and so, it was like a done deal. We conducted primary that produced Senator Rufai Hanga to replace him and INEC said no. We don’t know why they refused to replace Shekarau with Hanga. We felt that there were some political undertone and decided not to let them have their way. We approached the Court to compel them to accept our candidate. The Supreme Court has finally put the matter to rest.

    “The lesson from it for our people is that INEC should allow the parties run their affairs the way they like. It would have been a different issue if we did not conduct another primary to replace Shekarau. But that was not the case. So, it was not unexpected and the Courts have done what they need to do and have asked them to accept Senator Hanga as our candidate. So, they should concentrate on what they need to do as election monitoring body.”

  • How thugs attacked me in governor’s hometown -Bauchi guber candidate

    How thugs attacked me in governor’s hometown -Bauchi guber candidate

    The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar (retired) has spoken on the alleged attack on his convoy by suspected thugs during his campaign rally in Duguri village, Alkaleri Local Government Area, the hometown of the governor, Bala Mohammed. It would be recalled that the APC had accused the ruling PDP in the State of plotting to assassinate the APC gubernatorial candidate.

    Speaking on the incident to select journalists at his residence on Saturday, Abubakar accused the governor of allegedly inciting thugs against him through his utterances. “If you are listening to me, you are supposed to be in charge of the security but rather than be in charge, you are creating insecurity in the state through your attitude, your utterances and the way you are conducting some of your supporters, we are following very closely all the activities of the people who are working for the PDP in the state and I believe that the people of Bauchi State will finally speak on the 18th of March.”

    He described the claim by the PDP in the state that his security personnel shot at their supporters as ‘cheap propaganda’ adding that the violence that broke out in Duguri was unfortunate and misrepresented. “Anybody that says my team will be going out to kill anybody, I think that person must be out of his or her mind.” Stating other circumstances where his campaign was allegedly disrupted by the PDP, he said aside from Duguri, his campaign train was also attacked in Akuyam, the hometown of the State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Hamza Akuyam, during another campaign.

    “Meanwhile, the Governor went to my LGA, Giade and he was well received. Nobody intimidated him, nobody insulted him, nobody shot at him nor killed anyone but if you look at all these locations, they are PDP locations, even in the Duguri axis, we have been to Kundak, and so many others, what we saw was a jubilant crowd welcoming us, nobody was attacked, why in Duguri? Why in Akuyam, the hometown of the PDP Chairman?” He asked.

    “These are questions they need to answer, so I want to say that the APC will not be intimidated, we will look at all situations and I have told all my supporters to exercise maximum restraint and make sure that they did not attack anybody, whether they like it or not, by the grace of God, this PDP gubernatorial will be dismantled by the Bauchi people,” the APC candidate said.

  • Naira swap: defiance, intransigence at CBN

    Naira swap: defiance, intransigence at CBN

    FOR all their grandstanding, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) never meant their naira swap (or currency redesign) policy to be deployed as a tool for achieving monetary policy goals. Without a shred of doubt, and especially following their resistance to and defiance of three separate Supreme Court orders and ruling on the subject, the naira swap policy remains a political tool to achieve political outcomes. No country swaps currency in 45 days, none; and certainly not a country of over 200 million people. More, no country withdraws the equivalence of three trillion naira from circulation in about three months and replaces it with the equivalence of N400 billion, assuming in the case of Nigeria what was printed and circulated was actually up to the amount publicly stated.

    The deadline for the swap was initially January 31. But as though the administration was doing the country a favour, that deadline was grudgingly extended by 10 days. Since then, the story of the swap has been one of defying the Supreme Court and inflicting cruel punishment on the people and their businesses. Analysts had believed that after the presidential election, more money would be pumped into circulation or at least the administration would relent and acknowledge and perhaps obey the apex court ruling extending the naira’s legal tender till December 31. Since the presumptive political aim of the naira swap policy was two-pronged, to wit, to alienate voters from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and to make it impossible for the party’s presidential candidate to win the February 25 poll, it was hoped that the country would return to normality after that election.

    Few, if any, now think the naira swap was an economic tool to stabilise the naira and rein in inflation and other monetary problems. By its own admission, even the CBN included among its reasons for initiating the policy such tangential goals as frustrating kidnappers and ransom takers as well as forestalling vote buying. It was, therefore, not unexpected that the apex bank and the administration would deliberately starve the country of cash and insouciantly disregarde the pains borne by the people as they struggled with network interruptions in online, so-called cashless transactions. For a few dizzying moments, the CBN even instigated the people against the commercial banks, insinuating that they were hoarding cash or funneling it to politicians desperate to get cash for elections. Angry citizens bought the boondoggle, until cash-strapped banks began to shut their doors against customers.

    Finally, everyone thought that once the Supreme Court gave a definitive judgement on March 3 on the suit brought before it by the three states of Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna, the country would be relieved. That judgement came two Fridays ago on the heels of two interim but explicit orders, and it was equally explicit and cathartic. The Buhari presidency, which had directly waded into the crisis twice by granting a reluctant extension in January to last till February 10 and then redacting the second Supreme Court order to allow for the N200 note to remain legal tender, has kept spectrally silent. The conspiratorial and highly politicised CBN, whose goals became coterminous with the political aims of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), has also kept defiantly aloof. Perhaps it is waiting for a certified true copy of the judgement. It had earlier issued a flurry of notices and memos to the commercial banks when the apex court was yet to rule on the naira swap suit, but since March 3, it has become frustratingly reticent and defiant.

    Even the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, who was at first glib in defending the administration and mischievously interpreting the CBN Act, has suddenly begun to stammer about the strict autonomy of the apex bank to propound monetary policy. Speaking about or deliberating on monetary policy was not in the remit of the AGF’s office, he exulted. He conveniently forgot that as the nation’s chief law officer, not to talk of being the number one legal adviser to the administration as well as its lead legal defender, he had no option but to make the administration to obey the highest court in the land. By last Friday, one full week after the apex court had spoken, no one in the administration had said a word, and the pains continued. It is not clear exactly what has angered the administration. Could it be the tongue-lashing by the apex court describing the president’s action on the naira swap, particularly his refusal to consult with the relevant agencies and bodies, as dictatorial? Or could it be that the administration hoped that its policy against vote-buying needed to be extended to the governorship and state elections, regardless of the policy’s failure in the presidential and national assembly polls?

    Whatever the reasons for the administration’s and CBN’s intransigence, the naira swap policy has been an unmitigated failure. Worse, the government now appears set to go down in history as the most lawless since the founding of the country. No administration, and certainly no agency, has tried so flagrantly to disobey the laws of the land. For one full week, they refused to give effect to the court judgement. Worse, they have pigheadedly refused to countenance the sufferings of the people whose money remains impounded by the CBN to the detriment of their small businesses. Their naira swap policy is coming to a chaotic end, and the image of the administration itself is at its repugnant worst. They have, therefore, continued to dither, unable to retreat or advance. The president may escape censure after he leaves office, for he will find convenient ways to avoid retribution. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, will not be so lucky in ending his abysmal career on the high note his exaggerated talents make him dream about.

    PDP, Atiku protests overruling the law

    NO one knows why the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his fellow party leaders think standing sentry at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja would put pressure on the electoral body to annul the presidential election won by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There have of course been elaborate attempts and efforts to delegitimise the election, in massive newspaper reports and essays, and on the social media. It is possible that PDP leaders hope that a little more effort, perhaps in line with the wish and incitement of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, could help galvanise massive public outrage. This wish has not been granted, nor is it likely ever to be granted. The laws of the land already made provisions for any aggrieved candidate to explore redress. The PDP has already embraced that option. So, why the protests?

    The only answer possible is that Alhaji Atiku and the PDP leaders had hoped that once the protest got underway, the public would rally behind their banner. But Nigerians note that the PDP candidate is torn between two options. One, he insists he won the poll, and would adduce evidence in court. Until he does that, no one will believe him. Two, in the same breath he calls for the cancellation of the poll. Well, how could he call for the cancellation of a poll he said he won? Does he not trust the case his lawyers would present? The engaging fact is that Alhaji Atiku has gone to court as an afterthought. He knows at bottom that he lost the election, but to lessen the pain and the humiliation of winning only one geopolitical zone, not to say witnessing the unraveling of his party before his very eyes, the candidate badmouths the poll and wants it annulled. He knows he is fighting a lost cause, and will in the near future suffer the additional pain and indignity of throwing good money at a bad venture. Whether he can stand the long and grueling legal haul remains to be seen.

    However, at the end, he knows that as is customary with Nigerian litigants, he can declare victory by condemning the courts for not giving him victory. In the press conference he gave where he served notice of the suit he was about to file, he blamed the LP for taking the PDP’s traditional votes in the Southeast and South-South. Yet he says he did not lose, and would soon prove it. Since he is used to chasing chimeras, let him continue to indulge his fantasy by trying to overrule the law and annul commonsense.    

  • Gunmen invade Abuja estate, abduct nine residents

    Gunmen invade Abuja estate, abduct nine residents

    NO fewer than nine residents of Grow Homes Estate along Kuchibiyi in the Kubuwa area of the Federal Capital Territory were kidnapped by gunmen after invading the estate on Friday.

    The gunmen numbering about 20 were said to have stormed the estate at about 11:30 pm.

    A resident of the community, who identified himself simply as Musa, told our correspondent on the phone that the victims were captured from two separate apartments in the estate.

     He added that the incident had caused panic in the community.

    Musa said: “Yesterday, at about 11:30 pm, some gunmen in their large numbers came to carry out an operation at Grow Homes Estate along Kuchibiyi.

    “We heard the sounds of gunshots and there was panic in the entire community as a result of the incident. “This morning, we went to the estate and we learnt that the gunmen were about 20 in number.

    “They moved from one apartment to the other dispossessing people of their belongings.

    “They also kidnapped at least nine persons including children and women from two apartments in the estate.

    “They escaped through the bush that links the community to Paze village.

    “The police and the estate security have been searching the bush since morning to see if they can rescue the kidnapped residents.”

    When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in Abuja, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident.

    She added that the police and the estate security men were combing the bushes in the area to ensure the victims were rescued.

    Adeh said: “Upon receipt of the distress call, we immediately deployed our men to the scene. The suspects however abruptly suspended their operation and took some victims with them into the bush.

    “Operatives of the Police and the estate security are still combing the bushes in the area to ensure they are rescued unhurt.”

    She urged residents of the area not to panic, calling on them to help the police with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the invaders.

    “We urge the residents to remain calm and assist with useful information that could lead to the swift arrest of these criminals,” Adeh said.

  • Generator fume kills mother, child in Ondo

    Generator fume kills mother, child in Ondo

    • Husband in coma

    AN employee of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo identified simply as Tawa and her five months old baby have been killed by fumes inhaled from a generator. Neighbours said the generator was bought last Monday.

    The incident happened on Friday in Owo, an ancient community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The husband of the deceased woman was said to be in coma and had been admitted at the Intensive Care Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

    Sources said the couple purchased the generator on Monday and left it on while they went to bed on Thursday evening. Witnesses said the family was found when their apartment was broken into after they did not report for work on Friday.

    Tawa’s elder sister who could not find the couple at their places of work was said to have raised the alarm.

    It was gathered that some co-workers went to their house in company of the elder sister and broke into the apartment where they discovered the family in critical condition. The baby was found dead while the parents lay unconscious.

    They were later rushed to the FMC where the wife died a few minutes later.

  • Tension in Osun, Edo, Anambra, others as govs battle to control assemblies

    Tension in Osun, Edo, Anambra, others as govs battle to control assemblies

    • Realignments heat up gubernatorial race in Oyo, Ogun, Rivers, Abia, others

    By Dare Odufowokan/Chris Njoku, Owerri/Nwanosike Onu, Awka/Toba Adedeji, Osogbo/Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

    Saturday’s house of assembly election is looking to be tougher in Edo, Anambra, Osun and Imo than the other 32 states, according  to projections by our team of reporters.

    The odds in the four states seem heavily stacked against the incumbent governors who are now under pressure to ensure their party controls the majority of the in-coming legislators.

    Realignment of political forces in Oyo, Ogun, Rivers, Katsina, Adamawa and other states following the outcome of the February 25th presidential election has already heightened tension ahead of the governorship polls also scheduled for Saturday.

    Although the governorship election will not take place in Edo, Anambra, Osun and Imo this weekend, Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Hope Uzodimma (Imo) have an uphill task to deliver their states for their respective parties.

    Obaseki’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Soludo’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Uzodimma’s All Progressives Congress (APC) performed poorly in the states in the presidential/National Assembly elections.

    PDP’s performance was so awful in Edo State that Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, lost their polling booths. The party came a distant third in the presidential election while the Labour party and APC won the majority of the national assembly seats.

    Gone is the sympathy the PDP enjoyed from the majority of the people in the 2021 governorship election. The governor and his deputy have since launched an aggressive campaign to woo back the people but the plan does not appear to be working.

    The presidential candidate of LP, Mr.Peter Obi, visited Benin yesterday and told his supporters to ensure that all the incoming 24 members of the state assembly are from his party.

    Soludo too has been appealing to the electorate in his state, majority of whom lined up behind LP in the last election, to vote for APGA candidates this time around to enable him deliver on his promises.

    The governor yesterday described as deceitful a comment by Obi that LP state assembly candidates should work with Soludo after Saturday’s election.

    Soludo’s spokesman, Mr Christian Aburime, said: “That call was meant to deceive Anambra people. Obi cannot be talking about development in Anambra and also be talking about asking the Anambra people to elect lawmakers from an opposition party to work with Soludo.

    “He worked with a legislature that was dominated by lawmakers from the PDP when he first came in as governor, and he knows that it was not easy for him.

    “He even suffered impeachment because of that, and we hope it is not the same thing he wants to set Soludo up for.

    “Anambra people should go all out next Saturday and vote for APGA if they want the developmental strides of Mr Governor to continue.

    “You cannot be talking of development and at the same time talking of electing opposition politicians into the House of Assembly. It is not done. It is deceit.

    “Anambra people supported Obi during the presidential election, and besides, Soludo refused to interfere as the people trooped out to vote for Labour Party, and that was even before Soludo made the environment conducive for people to come out and vote.

    “We have voted Labour Party in the presidential election, but for the House of Assembly election, we are voting for APGA, and we want Anambra people to know so.”

    Aburime told The Nation separately that the House of Assembly elections would be a different ball game altogether.

    He said what the governor would not allow anyone to do is to cause problems during the election, adding that if INEC holds a free and fair election, APGA would triumph.

    For Ozo Obi Ochije, one of the chieftains of APGA, the Labour Party candidates should not dream of what transpired during the presidential to repeat itself.

    According to him, “Anambra State is APGA and APGA is Anambra. My problem with the LP members is that they only think straight forward without looking for other options.”

    Uzodimma’s dilemma is similar to Soludo’s. He has a daunting task to get the electorate to vote for the majority of APC candidates.

    Former Imo Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ibeh, who is contesting the Obowo seat for a record third time on the platform of APC will slug it out with the Labour Party candidate, Mbachu Nkechi Favour, and PDP candidate, Chika Ambrose.

    He comes from a constituency where people believe strongly in equity, and on that premise, it may be a difficult task for him to survive the political chess of some leaders in the area, particularly now that LP is enjoying popularity bliss, although with the backing of Governor Uzodimma, he stands the chance of been reelected.

    Another old war horse is the Deputy Speaker, Chycha Iwuanyanwu, from Nwangele state constituency. The deputy speaker is a member of APC and he is known as one of Uzodimma’s loyalists even though he has lately faced several integrity tests. He is a smart politician and stands a good chance to return if he plays his game well in his constituency.

    Oru East is the governor’s zone and he has not lost his constituency to the opposition. It may not be a political miscalculation to say that the government determines who wins an election in his den. Thus the chances of the APC candidate in the local government Chigozie Nwaneri making a comeback the second tenure look bright.

    In Ideato South, Johnson Duru will be facing hurdles during this election because his backbone, Rochas Okorocha, on whose back he rode to victory in 2019 is no longer there. Some of Okorocha’s loyalists are not likely to forgive him for ditching the former governor.

    Adeleke’s PDP fared well in Osun State last month, but he too is leaving nothing to chance as he has spent the last one week moving from one part of the state to the other to  get support for PDP candidates.

    For Governor Adeleke and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola of the PDP, the Saturday election will be a fresh test of their popularity.

    Both are determined to win the majority of the assembly seats for their parties more so when Oyetola is looking forward to returning to office on account of the petition he filed against the last governorship election.

    The election petition tribunal adjudged him winner but Adeleke has taken the matter to the Court of Appeal.

    Adeleke, since his inauguration, has been trying to endear himself to the people by clearing salary and pension arrears.

    Oyetola urged the people of the state to vote massively on Saturday for the candidates of the APC, saying this would go a long way to make things easy for his administration when he returns to power soon.

    He said: “We want you to continue to pray for us to reclaim our mandate soon. We want our people to win in the next House of Assembly election so that no opposition will be allowed.

    “We want you to know that APC is the only party that can take us to victory. This is the party that God has made for us. That is where benefits lie.

    “Please, vote APC all through. If we truly want to benefit from the federal government, please, let’s elect our people to House of Assembly. These are the people that will work with us when we return to government.”

    Adeleke in a broadcast explained why he needed the state assembly to be filled by PDP member.

    He said: “For me to continue to serve you well, I request that you vote for the 26 House of Assembly candidates of the PDP.

    “They are the team I will work with. They are very important for the implementation of the Imole agenda.

    “A PDP fully controlled State Assembly is the key to more dividends of democracy.”

    A civil society activist, Comrade Ayo Ologun, charged the electorate not to be swayed by politicians’ campaign of which party owns the assembly but vibrant legislative arm that will make policies and contribute to good governance.

    Majority of the current members of the state assembly are from the APC, which remains very popular in the state.

    Realignment in Oyo, Ogun, Rivers, Katsina, Adamawa, others

    The outcome of the last presidential election has sent the political class into a frenzy ahead of this weekend’s polls, the parties and candidates desperately resorting to fresh strategies in their bids to garner advantage over their opponents in the elections.

    Some of the parties are battling fresh crises stemming from disagreements over various issues.

    The governorship election will not take place in Edo, Anambra, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states.

    The political realignment is more noticeable in Oyo, Ogun, Rivers, Katsina and Adamawa.

    In Oyo State, for example, many politicians are engaging in open rebellion against their political parties by dumping the candidates and opting to support those of other parties.

    Leading beneficiaries of the unfolding political horse-trading are Governor Seyi Makinde of PDP and Senator Teslim Folarin of the APC both of whom have been receiving endorsement from different camps.

    Folarin is enjoying the backing of a former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who has asked his supporters to vote for Folarin.

    The APC candidate is also understood to have met with other influential politicians in the state to support his bid.

    These include a former deputy governor of the state, Hazeem Gbolarumi and Abdulrasheed Olopoenia.

    However, candidates of the Accord Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) have suffered from rebellions and re-alignments within their parties.

    The governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Adamawa State, Engr Umar Mustapha, has declared support for the APC candidate, Senator Aishatu Binani. Mustapha said he decided to put his ambition on hold and fully support the governorship ambition of Binani because “I am confident that Binani will provide a people-centred leadership that will prioritise human capital and resource development that will prosper Adamawa State.”

    More support for Sanwo-Olu in Lagos

    In Lagos State, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lagos State, yesterday asked eligible voters among the student populace in Lagos State to vote for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying he is tested and trusted with the best plan for education in Lagos State.

    Speaking during a press briefing at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja Lagos, Comrade Olusesi Tolulope hailed Sanwo-Olu’s contribution in the area of education.

    He said: “The priority accorded to tertiary education in Lagos by the Sanwo-Olu led administration is unrivaled, as the upgrade of former Lagos State Polytechnic and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education as Lagos State University of Education and University Science and Technology respectively are topnotch.”

    He noted further that the Sanwo-olu-led administration has been working on setting up an education trust fund that will change the mode of funding tertiary education in the country, by showing that with the right leadership at the state level, education can be taken to a world-class level in Nigeria.

    Amaechi canvasses vote for Tonye Cole

    Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi asked Rivers residents to go all out, vote and support Tonye Cole, the APC gubernatorial candidate of the state on March 18.

    Amaechi, who spoke during a visit to the northern community in the state, also urged residents to protect their votes on election day.

    “All we need from you is to go out and vote, and protect your votes; everybody should be his own policeman. When you vote, sit down there until they upload it. Even when they upload it, escort them to the Ward Centre. Let them upload it there.

    “Another set of people should escort them to the Local Government centre. That’s how you become your own policeman,” he said.

    Amaechi told the people that he did not discriminate based on ethnic and religious lines when he was a governor. He said that he made sure of was that 1,200 Christians went on pilgrimage, 500 Muslims also went on pilgrimage every year for eight years.

    He added that he appointed a Muslim Pilgrims Board the same way he appointed a Christian Welfare Pilgrims Board.

    The Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Haliru Imam, said that the Northern Community in Rivers expressed support for Cole who assured the people that his administration would give them an enabling environment to help them succeed.

    PDP vows to defeat LP in Abia

    The ruling PDP in Abia State said the Labour Party (LP) would be thoroughly defeated on Saturday.

    The PDP in a statement signed by Michael Nwabueze, for its Campaign Council in Abia, said the people of the state were  already aware that Peter Obi, who made a majority of them vote for LP on the February 25, would not be on the ballot election.

    The PDP Campaign Council berated the LP in Abia for alleging that it (PDP) has concluded plans to violently rig the March 18 governorship election, stressing that the reverse is the case.

    “This has always been the character and tactics of the desperate serial losers that have currently taken over the LP’s platform in the state after failing miserably sojourning in the APC and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA),” the Campaign Council said.

    Ebonyi APC candidate dismisses death rumour

    Governorship candidate of the APC in Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Nwifuru yesterday in Abakaliki dismissed social media report that he was indisposed or possibly dead.

    Nwifuru, Speaker of the State House of Assembly told newsmen that the rumour was a distractive tool employed by opposition which felt threatened by his soaring acceptability by the people.

    “You are already seeing me; I am alive, healthy and not sick. I never visited any hospital due to sickness. The last time I underwent medical check-up was in February 2022 and I am supposed to undergo another one in 2023,” he said.

    “I will do so hopefully after my inauguration because I am confident of being sworn in as the state governor.”

    Nwifuru urged the people to disregard reports about his ill-health, noting that he had nothing to hide.

    He said: “Ebonyi people have seen that the opposition cannot offer anything to them except lies and deceit.”

    Tension in Imo LP

    Meanwhile, tension is brewing in the LP in Imo State over dissolution of the former ad hoc committee of the party and reconstitution of a new caretaker committee.

    The party had on Thursday dissolved the old state leaders of the party led by Ambrose Onyekwere and put in place the Festus Onyekwulisi-led committee.

    It was gathered that the development is now threatening the peace and harmony of the party as majority of the members including nine governorship aspirants are kicking against the change of executive leadership.

    The governorship aspirants in a joint statement had frowned at the dissolution claiming it was a plot by a particular governorship candidate of the party to achieve his aim of grabbing the gubernatorial ticket as the party primary draws near.

    APC, PDP at war in Ogun

    Ahead of Saturday’s election, the Ogun State chapter of the LP has endorsed the re-election bid of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC.

    The endorsement by the Ogun State leadership of the LP, which does not have a governorship candidate in the state, was led by its National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi.

    Governor Abiodun said  the total endorsement by leaders of the frontline opposition party was a clear statement on how well the projects, programmes and policies that have shaped Ogun State under his administration sit with all and sundry, even across party lines.

    Other leaders of the LP who were led by Dr Arabambi were Comr. Michael Ashade, Engr Michael Feyisola, Mrs. Oladimeji Elizabeth, Babaseun Ogunyemi, Shobajo Olaniyi, Adebiyi Adekunle, Barr. Monday M., Comr. Oyewale Okusanya, Otunba Yinka Adeboye, Adeleye Godwin, Olufemi Olusola, and Prince Tosin Meadows.

    In a related development, factional governorship candidate of the PDP, Jimi Lawal, has joined the APC. Lawal’s defection to the APC came after he failed to make the courts declare him as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun.

    On Sunday, Lawal and his followers were received into the APC by Governor Dapo Abiodun. The defection of Lawal and his supporters is a big boost for the ruling party towards winning Saturday’s elections in the state.

    But Ladi Adebutu, the PDP candidate in the state, said that he was not bothered about the defection of Lawal and other party chieftains. He spoke shortly after a peaceful reunion with one of the governorship aspirants of the party in the state, Hon. Segun Sowunmi, at his residence in Abeokuta, the state capital, to reconcile their differences within the party.

    Adebutu, while speaking at the reunion, said that some bad elements in the party were responsible for the feud between Sowunmi and him, adding that it was instigated to frustrate his chances of winning the 2023 governorship election in the state.

    Some other PDP bigwigs who dumped Adebutu to join Governor Abiodun include Segun Seriki, Johnson Fatoki, Otunba Femi Osifade, Alhaji Saula Adegunwa, Ralph Olaosebikan and Tola Mebude. Others are the former Financial Secretary of the PDP in Ogun State, Bola Odumosun; Chairman of the Elders Council, Alhaji T.A. Olatokunbo; Alhaja Fatimo Sonibare, former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Michael Agbolaade and former House of Assembly member, Akeem Salami.

    APC, PDP battle for assembly seats in Ekiti

    The March 11 governorship election in Ekiti State will be a two-horse race between the ruling APC and the PDP.

    Other parties appeared to have gone to sleep.

    The APC has six female candidates while the rest 20 are male. The party’s candidates include Mariam Ogunlade (Emure), Okeimen Fakunle ( Ilejemeje), Hakeem Jamiu (Irepodun/Ifelodun), Tajudeen Akingbolu (Ekiti West), Lateef Akanle (Ekiti East), Adeoye Aribasoye (Ikole II), Ayorinde Oluwayomi, Ayodeji Ajayi (Ise/Orun), and Babatunde Fawekun ( Ido/Osi I).

    Others are Babatunde Oke (Ikere II), Babatunde Idowu (Ikere II), Bode Oyekola (from Ekiti West II), Femi Akindele (from Irepodun/Ifelodun), and Adeteju Okuyiga (from Gbonyin).Abimbola Solanke (from Moba I), Ayodeji Adegbite (Ado I), Oladapo Osunniyi (from Ekiti southwest II), Bolaji Olagbaju (Ado II), and Bosede Olowookere (Efon ).

    They also include Temitope Longe, (Oye 1), Kareem Agunbiade (Ekiti West I), Goke Oyeleye (Ijero), Babafemi Fatunla (Ikole 1), and Omoyeni Oluwasola (Ekiti East II), Abraham Fatoba (Ekiti East I), Mathew Attah (Ikere II), Idowu Odebunmi (Oye II), Oluwafemi Alabi, and Adeyemi Awoniyi (Moba II) and Rotimi Orewole (Gbonyin).

    The PDP candidates are Akin Abimbola (Ekiti West 1), Anjorin Olarenwaju (Ikole 1), Abraham Adeleye ( Ekiti West 1), Bolarinwa Omolase(Ado 1), Victor Ogundipe (Ado 2), Simi Olusola (Ikere 2), Yomi Daramola ( Efon), Owoeye Oyeniyi ( Ikere 1) Oluwole Durodola ( Ijero) Kolade Oladeji (Emure) and Gbenga Olajide (Irepodun/Ifelodun 2).

    Others are Kehinde Ogunlade (Ise/Orun ), Adeolu Fasakin (Gbonyin), Akin Adeyemi (Ekiti East 1 ), Abiodun Ogunlade (Ekiti East 2), Edward Ojaomo (Ekiti Southwest 1 ), Afuye Awosode (Ekiti Southwest 2 ), Niyi Adeogun( Moba 2), Awoniyi Tolulope ( Ido/Osi 1), Ayodele Alonge (Ido/Osi 2), Samson Ayodele (Oye 1), Kayode Ojo (Oye 2), Owolabi Taiwo ( Ilejemeje) and Anifowose Oluwafemi (Irepodun/Ifelodun1).

    There is no doubt that the governorship race would follow the same pattern as the Presidential and National Assembly elections which the APC won with a wide margin.

    In the presidential poll, the APC’s Asiwaju Bola Tinubu got 202,494 votes to defeat his main challenger and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP who polled 89,554 votes. APC won all the 16 local government areas of the state with wide margins.

    The ruling APC also won all the National Assembly seats across the state, leaving the opposition PDP with nothing. It won the three senatorial seats and all the six House of Representatives seats, thus consigning PDP in Ekiti to the political dustbin at the moment.

    The outcome of the February 25 election is currently having a reverberating effect on the camps of all the political parties ahead of the Assembly election in the state.

    Observers believe that Saturday’s election may be an easy sail for the APC because Governor Oyebanji has wooed the people with his performance since assumption of office six months ago.

    PDP’s chances have been undermined by internal crisis which has torn the party apart. The PDP leaders of who are ordinarily supposed to galvanize supports for their candidates are at war with one another.

    Indications clearly shows that the ruling APC will clear all the 26 seats because Governor Oyebanji and his lieutenants are not leaving any stoned unturned in seeking votes across the states despite all odds in APC’s favour. So, it would be miracle of the year if PDP wins any seat.

  • Pressure on FG, CBN over naira scarcity, Supreme Court judgment

    Pressure on FG, CBN over naira scarcity, Supreme Court judgment

    • Anger in Ekiti, Osun, others over rejection of old notes
    • Radio presenter slumps, dies while trekking to work

    THE cash scarcity caused by the naira redesign claimed another life yesterday in Ibadan as pressure mounts on the Federal Government and the Central Bank (CBN) to ease the suffering of the people.

    The Bayelsa State Government is suing for calm in the state following Friday’s protest by residents of Akenfa community in Yenagoa Local Government Area to call government’s attention to the tough life they have been facing over the naira scarcity. 

    They said they had had enough of the rejection of the old naira notes by traders one week after the Supreme Court extended their validity to December 31, 2023.

    The placard carrying protesters said life had come to a standstill as they could neither sell nor buy while hunger continued to bite them and their children.

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji yesterday joined the list of governors threatening to arrest and prosecute traders and service providers who reject the old N500 and N1000 denominations.

    But the threats are having little or no effect as traders continue to reject the old notes.

    They insist that President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN must speak out on the judgment of the apex court to guide Nigerians appropriately on the old naira notes.

    Baba Bintin L’aye, a presenter with Ibadan-based private radio station, Fresh FM, slumped to death yesterday while taking a walk to the radio station to present his programme.

    He had reportedly left home armed with his ATM card in the hope of getting some cash from a POS outlet to pay for his transport fare.

    He apparently failed to get the cash hence he resorted to trekking from his Amuloko residence to Challenge area of Ibadan, the location of the radio station, only to collapse on the way.

    Baba Bintin L’aye is the latest known casualty of the naira scarcity which has made life unbearable for millions of Nigerians.

    Before him was a Kaduna pregnant woman who died at the point of delivery because her husband was unable to pay the required hospital deposit on account of the cash squeeze.

    An employee of the Lagos State University (LASU), Johnson Adesola, had also slumped to death last month while on a queue to withdraw cash at a bank on the institution’s main campus at Ojo, Lagos.

    At least three other persons were killed also last month during violent protests in Edo State over the naira scarcity.

    The federal government and the CBN have continued to keep mum over the Supreme Court judgment, prompting the Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Ondo, Ekiti, Katsina, Ogun, Cross River, Lagos and Sokoto state governments to consider slamming contempt charges against the Attorney Genral of the Federation and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the apex bank for non-implementation of the court order.

    The states on Friday served the Attorney-General of the Federation the enrolled order of the Supreme Court on the extension of the validity of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 to December 31, 2023.

    By the service, the order became automatically applicable to all agencies of the Federal Government, including the CBN.

    Malami and CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele risk being committed for contempt of the court if by Monday they fail to comply with the order of the apex court.

    The 10 states have activated the machinery to file contempt charges against Malami and Emefiele if they defy the order of the Supreme Court.

    The delay in releasing the Certified True Copy (CTC) seems to have encouraged the banks to adopt different attitudes to the judgment of the apex court.

    Some of the banks have been giving the old notes to customers but insist that customers go through the strenuous process stipulated by the CBN for the old notes to be banked.

    The Nation gathered that the enrolled order, dated March 3rd, 2023, was served on AGF Malami yesterday.

    A counsel in the matter said: “We have finally served the Attorney-General of the Federation the enrolled order of the Supreme Court.

    “What we did on Friday was to fulfill all righteousness by serving the enrolled order on the AGF.

    “The Federal Government has been evasive by claiming that it had not received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, which we have obtained and made available to it.

    “The burden is on Malami to act as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation to comply with the order.

    “There is no hiding place for the government; there is no excuse again. While we are waiting for the government’s decision, the law provides us backing for Plan B.”

    The enrolled order of the Supreme Court, which was sighted by The Nation, reads as follows: “It is ordered that this suit has merit. That the demonetization directive/policy by the President of the Federation to wit: withdrawal of the old 200, 500, and 1000 naira notes is not consistent with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended) which makes provision for the Executive power of the President of the Federation and the extant laws on the subject matter.

    “That the three months’ notice given for the implementation and completion of the said demonetization policy by which time the old N1,000, N500 and N200 naira notes shall cease to be legal tender does not satisfy the condition set out in Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007.

    “That the President cannot unilaterally give a directive to embark on the demonetization policy pursuant to Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007 in view of Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism, the economic interest of the Constituents of the Federation and without consultation with, and advice from the plaintiff, individually, and in their capacity as members of the National Council of States and National Economic Council and that the directive cannot be given without consultation with, and advice from the cabinet, the National Security Council and other stakeholders.

    “That in issuing the directive for demonetization policy pursuant to Section  20(3) of the CBN Act, 2007 on behalf of the Federation of Nigeria, the President is under an obligation to ensure that adequate structures are put in place for the plaintiffs and Nigerian citizens prior to the implementation  of the said directive.

    “That the demonetization directive/policy by the President of the Federation to wit: withdrawal of the old N200, N500 and N1, 000 notes unlawfully impede the exercise of the Executive Powers of the plaintiffs’ states and other obligations to facilitate and protect the welfare of the citizens of the said states pursuant to Section 5(2) and other provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended) as well as other extant laws.

    “That the directive given by the President pursuant to Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007 limiting the amount that can be withdrawn and the charges therein without an enabling law is unconstitutional and not binding on the plaintiffs.

    “That the directive of the President of the President of the Federation exercised is illegal to the extent that it restricts, without an enabling law, the rights of the plaintiffs to freely use their money in various bank accounts.

    “That the old version of N200, N500 and N1,000 notes shall continue to be legal tender alongside with the new or redesigned version until 31st December, 2023.

    “That the reception of old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes and the swapping of same with new Naira notes shall continue till 31st December, 2023.

    “That all the consolidated suits listed in pp. 12-13 of the judgment shall abide this judgment.”

    Bayelsa govt calls for calm

    Following the Friday protest in Yenagoa and the continuing anger of the people over FG’s silence on the Supreme Court’s judgment, the Bayelsa State Government yesterday pleaded with residents of the state to be calm and shun acts that could jeopardise the peace of the state.

    Information, Orientation and Strategy Commissioner Ayibaina Duba said in a statement that while the state government was not in any way against the naira redesign policy of the CBN or the federal government, it was “not comfortable with the method of its implementation that has resulted in further hardship on people of the state and, indeed, the country.”

    It urged business operators in the state, particularly banks, traders and keke (tricycle) to “take into consideration the Supreme Court ruling in order to reduce the pains of people of the state.”

    It also asked the CBN to “take immediate steps to ease the burden of doing business in the state by making implementation of the policy less cumbersome.”

    Ekiti govt to arrest, prosecute traders rejecting old naira notes, says Oyebanji

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said government would arrest and prosecute traders and service providers who reject the old N500 and N1000 denominations.

    His Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, in a statement in Ado Ekiti particularly appealed to traders and business owners in the state to stop creating hardship for residents.

    The governor explained that the old N500 and N1000 denominations remained legal tender till the end of this year by virtue of the ruling of the Supreme Court.

    Oyebanji said that his office had been inundated with the cries of the people due to the hardship being faced as a result of the low circulation of the redesigned naira notes.

    Oyebanji said that the refusal of many business owners in the state to accept the old naira notes as means of transaction was unlawful.

    He said: “This is an appeal to all residents of Ekiti to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court, which has provided a reprieve for the people by extending the validity date of the old naira notes till December 31.

    “As honourable people, what is expected of us is to abide by the ruling of the apex court and continue to accept the old naira notes as means of transactions and not to inflict further hardship on one another by rejecting it.

    “Government will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute business owners found rejecting the old naira notes,” the statement quoted Oyebanji as saying.

    He pledged that his administration would continue to explore avenues to make life more meaningful for the people, as it continues to build a more prosperous state.

    The governor, therefore, appealed to the market women and men, artisans, transporters, filling station attendants, supermarket owners and school proprietors as well as service providers to remain law abiding and accept the old naira notes.

    He also urged the commercial banks and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make the old and new currencies available in their branches and at their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) points to ease the stress residents go through to get money for their daily and commercial needs.

    Osun residents decry inability to spend old N500, N1000 notes

    Residents of Osogbo in Osun have decried their inability to spend the old N500 and N1,000 denominations in spite of the  Supreme Court’s pronouncement that they remain legal tender until December 31.

    Some of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that were happy with the Supreme Court’s judgment, but were disappointed when traders refused to accept the money.

    Mr Adejare Agunloye, a civil servant, said the N10,000 old notes he got from the ATM had become useless as traders refused to accept them from him .

     “The situation is really messed up,” he said.

    “Imagine the situation where the Supreme Court would give a judgment and people still have to wait for the President to give such court order power of authenticity.

    “I have been cash strapped since the new currency issue started and imagine my joy (like many others) when the judgment that banks should circulate the old N500 and N1,000 notes was given.

    “Now see, after rushing to withdraw the old money from the bank, there is no where to spend it as traders continue to reject it because the President and CBN governor have not said it should be spent.

    “At the moment, I have money I cannot spend, and the worst part is, banks are not collecting the old notes from customers who want to deposit them. Instead, they are asking us to take the money directly to the CBN office for deposit.

    “I don’t understand why things in Nigeria are always made difficult by the authorities.”

    Another resident, Mrs Ayoade Usman, said she withdrew N5,000 old notes from the ATM with the intention of buying food items from the market.

    Usman said she almost got into a fight with some traders when they refused to collect the money from her, saying they don’t accept the old notes.

    “I was angry after I wanted to buy pepper and meat and other food items, and these people said they are not collecting the old notes.

    “This is the money that the Supreme Court said remains a legal tender till December and this is the same money these traders are refusing to collect.

    “So, what is the essence of collecting the old Naira notes from the banks if business operators and traders would not collect them?

    “I hope the CBN governor or Mr President would speak or issue an official statement to address this matter, because the banks are still paying out the old notes to customers while business owners are rejecting them,” she said.

    Mr Ajayi Ogunsola, a resident and a commercial transport operator, said he was collecting the old notes from passengers, but stopped when he discovered filling stations and traders were not collecting them from him.

    “I was collecting the old N500 and N1,000 when the court said we should continue to spend them. But to my surprise, when I wanted to buy fuel, the fuel attendant said she was not collecting the old notes.

    “I thought she was joking and told her the Supreme Court has directed that the old notes should remain a legal tender till December 31, but she insisted that the management had directed her and her colleagues not to collect the old notes.

    “At this point, I did not know what to do with the old notes with me because I heard banks are also not collecting them, and people are saying I have to take it to the CBN office.” he said.

    May God’s judgement be on you, Fani-Kayode curses CBN managers

    Lamenting the naira scarcity situation across the country despite recent orders by the Supreme Court, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode took to his Twitter page on Saturday to rain curses on the people at the helm in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for causing the people untold hardship.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain lamented that some people at the CBN believe they are greater than the court but should remember they are not greater than God.

    “May God’s judgement and curse be upon those at Central Bank who believe that despite the ruling of the courts they are above the law & are greater than their creator. Your money, power, properties & wealth are for but a fleeting moment in the sands of time & echoes of eternity,” he wrote.

  • Tinubu’s victory: Fasoranti spoke for Afenifere, says ex-scribe Arogbofa

    Tinubu’s victory: Fasoranti spoke for Afenifere, says ex-scribe Arogbofa

    Immediate past Secretary General of pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Seinde Arogbofa,  has revealed that the position of the group is represented by the stance of Pa Reuben Fasoranti on the victory of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Crisis continues the group as Pa Fasoranti has insisted that he remained the leader of the group and no invidividual would foist the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on the group.

    Acting head of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, had in a communiqué, said Obi won the presidential election and not Tinubu as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The communiqué was issued few days after Pa Fasoranti congratulated Tinubu on his victory at the poll and assured him of the group’s total support. Arogbofa, in a statement said Fasoranti’s pronouncement on any issue remained final on behalf of Afenifere.

    He maintained that Afenifere was made up of people with sound intellects and strong convictions but have occasional divergent views. “Chief Dr. R. F. Fasoranti is still alive and kicking. By the Afenifere tradition, he is still the leader of Afenifere. We defer to him in line with our cherished Yoruba culture. So whatever any other member says or does after he has spoken or acted is immaterial.

    “On March 3rd, 2023, Chief R.F. Fasoranti sent a very warm congratulatory letter, on our behalf and his own, to Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his hard-won victory in the February 25, 2023, presidential election. That was done in line with the well-known Afenifere practice. This is where Afenifere stands. The oracle has spoken. Any person or group that may see things differently is free to do so as he is free to exercise his liberty.

    “You will recall that on September 3, 2020, in an interview, I granted that some members were foisting Peter Obi as a presidential candidate on us and that Afenifere members are not robots. They are made up of intelligent people with strong convictions but occasional divergent views. I concluded by saying, if elections will hold in 2023, most Afenifere members and, by extension, the right-thinking, accommodating, and unbiased Yoruba ethnic group who are in the silent majority will vote for Tinubu,” Arogbofa said.