Author: The Nation

• Buhari: I congratulate next president
• Crowds cheer APC candidate riding on open vehicle from Airport through Oshodi, Mushin, Ojuelegba to stadium
• President, governors, ministers at grand rally
• Ex-Lagos governor: I will work for Nigeria

A huge crowd of party members and supporters yesterday welcomed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign train to Lagos for the final rally of the ruling party.

Exuding confidence, Tinubu, who was full of praises for the party leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, promised to work hard like him for Nigeria if elected.

The President, who raised the hands of Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, wished them success at the polls.

President Buhari said: “I have the honour to raise the hands of the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Tinubu), and the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for re-election. Congratulations, and I wish APC the best.”

The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who presided over the rally, described Tinubu as the ‘president-in-waiting,’ saying that the crowds that graced the campaigns across the country had signalled the victory of the party. 

Adamu, a former Governor of Nasarawa State, assured that Tinubu will build on the legacies of the President. 

He said: “We are here for a symbolic rally where President Buhari is bringing the APC candidate to his home state after a long campaign.

“We have toured the whole country and we thank God for a successful campaign. We are assured of victory going by the large turnout in various states. It is our hope that the legacies of President Buhari will be built upon by Asiwaju Tinubu. 

“To accomplish this, we need your votes. The die is cast. We have a President waiting to be sworn in on May 29.”

However, the chairman reminded party leaders and members that the last rally will take place in Taraba State. 

It was a special homecoming for the former Lagos State governor, who rode confidently in a double-decker bus from the Muritala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja through Mushin to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the venue of the carnival-like rally. 

The procession passed through Ikorodu Road, bursting out at Western Avenue, Surulere. Lagosians trooped out to catch a glimpse of the standard bearer, shouting: ‘Asiwaju, Jagaban.’

Tinubu was accompanied by his ruling mate, Shettima, who Buhari described as a loyal, dependable and courageous ally; Senator Adamu, Campaign Director-General/Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello, Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, and Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu.

Also with him were the host Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare, Senator Solomon Adeola, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, former Borno State Governor Modi Sheriff, Ayiri Emami, Kashim Imam, Senator Musliu Obanikoro, Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola, and Director, Strategic Communication, APC Campaign Council, Dele Alake. 

They were welcomed to the main bowl of the stadium by Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members – Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Busura Alebiosu, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Olorunfunmi Basorun, Princess Sarah Sosan, Prince Murphy Adetoro, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosu, Iyaloja-General of Lagos Mrs. Folasade Tinubu Ojo, Lagos APC Women Leader Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Senator Andy Uba, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau, Ali Kumo, Zainab Bakare, Senator Binani, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his Deputy, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun. 

Also at the rally were Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Hakeem Odumosu, Col. Dele Oyefuga, Dele Shitta, Femi Adekanbi, Gen. Charles Airhivbere, Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor Tayo Ayinde, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, Mrs. Emmanuela Fashola, Bola Longe, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Olorunimbe Mamora, Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, and Adamawa governorship candidate of APC, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, APC Women Leader Dr. Betta Edu, and Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was the master of ceremony. 

Youths and students of the Lagos State University and Lagos State Polytechnic stormed the venue to affirm their endorsement of Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu. 

Artists, including Jide Kosoko, Foluke Daramola, Mama Surutu, Yinka Quadri, Zack Orji, Saheed Balogun and Fathia Balogun, and ace fuji maestro Chief Wasiu Ayinde entertained the crowd. 

The rally was orderly. It kicked off after Tinubu and other party leaders rode into the main bowl around 3pm with opening prayers by Bishop Stephen Adegbite and the Chief Imam of Lagos. 

Petty traders took the opportunity to make fortune as they hawked inside and outside the stadium unhindered. 

Supporters of various senatorial, House of Representatives and Assembly candidates were in an excited mood, singing and dancing around the main bowl, and displaying the banners and placards of their candidates.

Tinubu thanked the crowd for their patience, love and commitment, urging them to maintain that dedication on poll day.

He said there will be elaborate celebrations after victory, urging them to vote for him and Sanwo-Olu to make it a reality. 

Hailing the president, Tinubu acknowledged his commitment to a transparent poll and laying a solid foundation for the future generation. 

He said: “As you worked hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria. All the plans set out in our Action Plan for Renewed Hope for Nigerians will be pursued rigorously.”

The standard bearer thanked President Buhari for standing firm for democracy, accountability, transparency and fairness. 

Recalling his journey through the primary and choice of running mate, Tinubu said: “The president asked all of us interested to go and contest the primary of our party. 

“After I was picked overwhelmingly by the delegates, he didn’t ask them to change the results because of my tribe or religion or because I’m not from Daura like him. He accepted me and celebrated with me, telling me ‘you are almost there now’.”

Tinubu also recalled that when it was time for the choice of a running mate, the President turned down his offer to choose for him, telling him “you know better, you are very experienced and you know the kind of person who will assist you to run the country, so pick that person”.

He said President Buhari gave him the courage, the confidence and the will to pick the right running mate.

The APC candidate said he chose Shettima as his running mate because he is a knowledgeable and independent-minded person.

Tinubu said Shettima had shown determination and grit to perform and be different, describing him as a dependable, reliable and courageous man.

He said while combating insurgency in his native Borno State, Shettima did not faint or blink.

He promised to do all in his power to continue where Buhari would stop, and consolidate his achievements. 

Sanwo-Olu thanked party faithful and supporters for believing in the progressive cause, assuring that Lagos will remain a centre of excellence and a rallying point for Nigeria. 

The governor urged the people to show their maximum love for Tinubu by voting for him on Saturday. 

Sanwo-Olu said: “We thank everyone for coming out for Asiwaju Tinubu; we thank everyone for believing in the progressives. 

“Your large turnout has shown that Lagos will continue to be the centre of excellence and the rallying point of our country. 

“You have never disappointed us. On Saturday, we shall vote, count and be declared the winner.”

The governor thanked President Buhari for his fatherly role. 

Lalong, who described Tinubu as the incoming president, said the party was already celebrating victory. 

He stressed: “It is like we are already celebrating the victory of our party. Our incoming President, you won’t be a City Boy again, you would go back to Abuja to be Garki Boy. Before the election, a new president is already seen. I thank members of the campaign council.”

Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said her husband could be counted upon to deliver.

She said Tinubu will serve the country, urging Nigerians to vote for him and other APC candidates.

Mrs. Tinubu added: “We are at a crucial stage after a tough and hard campaign. God has been faithful. We thank you all. You can always count on us. We have been consistent for over 23 years. Asiwaju sees a need for the coming generation. We want to make Nigeria comfortable for you. 

“You can count on my husband. He won’t disappoint. I will also not allow him to derail from the path of progress. 

“By the grace of God, we will not disappoint you. We will not take your support for granted. Vote for all APC candidates in Nigeria. God bless you.”

VOTERS in Rivers State have been told who to cast their ballot for as president on Saturday, Governor Nyesom Wike, has said.

He, however did not name the particular contender the electorate have adopted as choice presidential candidate.

The expressed unflinching faith in the willingness of voters in the state to honour the agreement he reached with them on the preferred presidential candidate.

Wike spoke yesterday during the kick-off of second phase of Ahoada-Omoku Road at Ogbo/Ukordu Junction in Ahoada East Local Government Area.

The project was designed to connect communities in Ahoada East Local Government Area (AELGA) to those in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of the state. 

The governor urged the people to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) handy and use them to “pepper” their political opponents. 

He said: “I am sure you must have brought out your PVC and kept it very well so that nobody will say my PVC is missing. Go now and put it under your pillow.

“By 6:30 in the morning on Saturday make sure you’re in your various polling units and use your PVC and pepper them. Help us and use your PVC to pepper those wicked people.”

According to Wike, the state government needs N70 billion to complete the Ahoada-Omoku Road (Phase II) and the Emohua Road to Abalama/Tema Junction project.

The governor said funding would not be a problem because the payment plan has been structured to be an irrevocable monthly deductions of N4 billion from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to complete to project in 18 months.

Wike, who restated his conviction that Rivers people deserved the best, explained why his administration had not looked back in committing resources to engage the best construction firms.

Wike recalled that when the first phase of the Ahoada -Omoku Road was inaugurated, he promised to  return and kick off the phase two of the road.

He said when completed, it would not only ease movement of farm produce from the rural area to the city, but reduce travel time and encourage people work in Port Harcourt to take up accommodation in their communities.

The governor said that his administration would end in the next three months, but his successor, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara, would continue and complete the projects.

Works Commissioner George Kelly Dakorinima Alabo, who gave the profile of the project, said the 6.2-kilometre first phase one and another 25.4-kilometre  Phase II make up the 31.6-kilometre dual carriageway.

Dr. Alabo said: “If I’m not mistaken, this will be one of the longest carriageways in Rivers State as it is. Your Excellency, this is not cheap. It comes with a lot of resources.

“It comes with a lot of finance, as it will be handled by Julius Berger, Nigeria PLC, and they are about the most expensive contractors to deliver very quality projects.”

AELGA Chairman Ben Eke commended Wike for the numerous projects delivered in the area.

He noted that the road would further ease transportation stimulate employment opportunities for the youths.

His ONELGA counterpart Vincent Job described the project as additional development in his council.

Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states have made moves to jail the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele for alleged contempt.

The states initiated contempt proceedings against the two at the Supreme Court.

It is for their alleged failure to comply with the order extending the February 10 deadline for the use of old N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

The states – original plaintiffs in the suit against the naira swap policy – cautioned the AGF and Emefiele about the consequences of their continued failure to comply with the February 3 .

Two sets of Form 48, one directed at the AGF and the other at Emefiele, were issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court following an application by the team of lawyers representing the three states.

It was learnt that the documents form part of the processes now awaiting the Supreme Court’s consideration when proceedings resume today.

Copies of Form 48 sighted showed that the CBN Governor and the AGF were served on February 17 while it was received at the Supreme Court two days earlier.

The form, dated February 15, reads: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the attached Order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria…you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

The issuance of Form 48 on an alleged contemnor (a party believed to have flouted a court order) is the first stage in the commencement of contempt proceedings.

Form 48 is a notice of the consequence of disobedience of the court order, which could be followed by the issuance of Form 49 should the disobedience persist.

On February 8, the Supreme Court barred the Federal Government, acting through the CBN or any other agent, from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old naira notes.

Justice John Okoro, leading a seven-member panel, held that the states’ ex-parte application raised issues of real urgency requiring the court’s intervention.

He held: “After careful consideration of this ex-parte application and the grounds in support of same, this court finds that there is a real urgency for this court to intervene by the grant of this application. Accordingly, this application is hereby granted as prayed.

“That is to say, an order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria, either by itself or acting through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or the commercial banks, its agents, agencies, corporations, ministries, parastatals, organisations or through any person or persons (natural and artificial) howsoever, from suspending or determining or ending on the 10th of February 2023 the timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs/applicants’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

Justice Okoro underscored the validity of the order on February 15.

Counsel for the plaintiffs, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), had informed the Justices that the Federal Government and CBN failed to comply with the order.

He said he filed a notice of non-compliance with the order because banks were rejecting the old notes, and urged the court to protect its dignity.

“We want the court to renew the order for parties to be properly guided,” he said.

Justice Okoro asked Mustapha to file a proper application that captures his complaints.

The Justice then clarified that there was no need for a renewal of the order.

He noted that since the order was made pending the determination of the motion for an injunction, it remained in force since the motion has not been heard.

The court had joined the Attorneys-General of Katsina, Lagos, Cross River, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Sokoto states as co-plaintiffs; while Edo and Bayelsa were joined as co-respondents.

A few other states, including Abia, may also be joined as co-plaintiffs today.

• Return of N1000, N500, N200 notes likely

THE search for an out-of-court resolution of the suit instituted against the Federal Government by Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi) over the implementation of naira policy continued yesterday.

For the past 48 hours, both parties have been locked in talks with the Federal Government asking the governors to withdraw the case in the Supreme Court over the phasing out of the old notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) naira redesign policy.

The CBN had on February 10 redesigned the 200, 500 and 1,000 denominations and replaced them with new ones.

But, in a nationwide broadcast on February 17, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the CBN to reintroduced the N200 bill following public outcry.

The President said the resuscitated old N200 notes will co-exist for 60 days effective from February 10.

The apex court will hear the suit instituted by the states today. Seven states – Katsina, Lagos, Cross River, Ondo, Ekiti, Sokoto and Ogun have joined as co-plaintiffs. Imo and Abia states have also indicated to join as co-plaintiffs.

However, Bayelsa and Edo states joined the Federal Governt as co-respondents.  

The Nation learnt that the governors and the Federal Government were yet to agree on terms as at the time of filing this report last night.

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) initiated moves to stave off the contempt proceedings insitituted against him and the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele by El-Rufai, Matawalle and Bello.

The AGF said he do not want the contempt proceedings because of the wrong signal it might send to the international community.

He said since Emefiele carried out a presidential directive, he was not personally liable.

Investigation showed that Malami and three governors have since Monday been discussing the February 8 interim order of the apex court, which declared N1,000, N500 and N200 as legal tenders until the determination of the suit pending before it.

The first meeting was held at the instance of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

Apart from the three governors, the session was attended by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF)/Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu.

A source at the session said: “Adamu said he convened the meeting to explore ways of amicable resolution of the case in court over the redesigning of some Naira notes.

“He said APC as the party in government should not be seen as divided against itself. He said the party believes in the rule of law.

“The governors said they were not out to undermine or sabotage the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. They said the naira redesign was not in the interest of the common man.

“They however said the government owes it a responsibility to respect the order of the court in order not to set bad precedent.

“Malami, who flew in from Addis Ababa to attend the meeting, pleaded with the governors to sheathe their swords. He said he had consulted all APC governors who have agreed to withdraw the case in court.

“But the APC governors at the meeting said they were unaware of the resolution of the governors which Malami was brandishing. They asked the AGF to speak to the issue.”

Another source said: “At a stage, Malami said the Federal Government was ready to allow the old notes of N200, N500 and N1,000 to be legal tender with the new notes till April 10.

“But he added a caveat – that the governors must discontinue with the case in the Supreme Court before the government makes its decision known. He even said the President may address the nation on Thursday (tomorrow) on the new development if the governors accepted the offer.

“The governors instantly rejected the promissory notes from the AGF. They demanded written terms of settlement which they will table before the apex court. They feared that the Federal Government may renege on the verbal agreement.

“As at the close of the meeting on Monday, there was a stalemate.”

Worried by the breakdown of negotiation, Malami yesterday met with the attorneys-general of Kogi and Zamfara states.

Another source said: “He told the attorneys-general to instruct their counsel to withdraw the matter in the apex court. He said he had secured the consent of the three governors to direct them to close the case.

“Again, one of the attorneys-general asked him why he (AGF) was giving them directive on behalf of their principals. They said they cannot withdraw the case without hearing from the affected governors whose states are the plaintiffs.”

As at press time, Malami and his legal team were expected to begin fresh out-of-court settlement with the counsel to the three states.

“There was no consensus till 7pm when the parties decided to meet again on likely terms of settlement. The gaps in negotiation made the three states to push ahead with the contempt proceedings against Malami and Emefiele.”

Asked of what has become of the case, a counsel in the matter said: “The outcome of the negotiation on Tuesday night will determine whether or not we will withdraw the case.

“We have no choice other than to abide by what the two parties agreed upon.”

• NSA alleges plots to cause unrest

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on local and International observers accredited for the general elections not to interfere with the exercise or show partisanship.

About 144,800 national and 2,113 international observers are to monitor the elections which begin on Saturday with the Presidential and National Assembly polls. The observers are drawn from 229 national groups and 33 international observer groups.

INEC Chairman  Mahmood Yakubu gave the advice just as the National Security Adviser,   Babagana Monguno said the government was aware of plots by “subversive local and their international collaborators” to cause civil unrest during elections.

Briefing the observers from 260 local and international groups in Abuja, Yakubu said as guests of INEC, “there is a code of conduct for election observation,” that they must comply with.

He said: “You are by definition observers. Do not interfere with the process or show partisanship. In addition, international observers must be guided by the fact that the election is conducted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria whose sovereignty must be respected.

“I urge you all to keep to the rules, listen to the presentation to be made shortly and ask questions where you require further clarification..”

The INEC boss, who  described the number of observers as  the largest   in the history of elections in Nigeria, said their accreditation was in line with “global good practice.”

His words: “In line with global good practice, electoral commissions in most jurisdictions invite national and international organisations to deploy observers or organise study tours for election managers during elections.

“As a consequence, observers submit reports to electoral commissions highlighting strengths and weaknesses of processes.

“Arising from study tours, election managers also learn from other jurisdictions. The reports and recommendations of observers and the knowledge from the study tours help electoral commissions to progressively improve processes.

“The progressive improvement in our electoral democracy since 1999 draws in part from the reports of observers and the study tours. That is why over the years, the commission has sent open or specific invitations to national and international observers.

“The implication is that all accredited observers are guests of INEC.

“For the 2023 General Election beginning this weekend with the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Commission has accredited 196 national or domestic groups that are collectively deploying 144,800 observers.

“Similarly, the Commission accredited 33 international organisations deploying 2,113 observers. In all, 229 groups are deploying 146,913 observers for the 2023 General Election. 

“Today’s briefing for observers is in keeping with international good practice.”

*NSA alleges  plots to cause   unrest 

Also yesterday, NSA   Monguno said the government was aware of plots by subversive elements to use the currency redesign brouhaha to create unrest before and during the elections.

Monguno said that security agents have been directed to deal decisively with such persons if identified.

He raised the alarm during a  meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security hosted by INEC..  

Monguno, represented  by   Sanusi Galadima,  blamed electoral violence at campaign rallies on  “political actors and their sponsored thugs.” 

The NSA said: “There is an escalation of violence during electioneering across the country. This is in spite of the peace accord endorsed by all the presidential standard bearers.

“This ugly trend is created largely by the attitude of political actors, their sponsored thugs and other unpatriotic elements. This has further hampered the efforts of security and intelligence agencies to effectively neutralise the prevailing security situation across the country.

“It is obstructive to state that government is very much aware of plots by domestic subversive elements and their external collaborators to use the current socio-economic climate in the country due to well-intended government policies to organise civil unrest during the election.

“In this vein and in line with Mr President’s commitment to ensure a peaceful transition of political power to a democratically elected government through a free, fair and credible election, security agents have been charged to ensure lawful deployment to deal decisively with any individual or group involved, no matter how highly placed.”

INEC Chairman Yakubu said the commission was encouraged by the assurances of security agencies, especially the Police. 

A revised code of conduct and rules of engagement for security personnel on election duty was unveiled at the meeting.