The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Burna Boy’s sister Nissi returns with Overthinking

    Burna Boy’s sister Nissi returns with Overthinking

    Singer Nissi has made a comeback into the Nigerian music scene with a visual of her newest single entitled, Overthinking.

    Shot in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, the music video was directed by The Alien.

    In the video, the 29-year-old vocalist and younger sister of Grammy award singer Burna Boy shows a more vulnerable side of herself and invites fans to journey with her on this creative endeavour.

    According to Nissi, the mid-tempo single, which was released last year, is a self-reflection and a declaration of her growth and self-discovery.

    “Overthinking is more or less the beginning of a re-introduction to who I am,” she said.

    Continuing she said, “It’s inspired by the times that just have us all constantly in our heads about everything. I’ve learned a lot more about myself and the world around me, overthinking represents one of those things.”

  • Ibom Icon Hotel plans special Valentine’s romantic surprises

    Ibom Icon Hotel plans special Valentine’s romantic surprises

    Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State is pulling all strings to ensure a perfect romantic and rejuvenating experience for guests as well as their loved ones this season as the countdown to Valentine’s Day continues.

    Speaking about the special offers for this year’s romantic celebrations, Charles Muia, Ibom Icom Hotel’s General Manager stated that the hotel has concluded all arrangements to make this a memorable Valentine’s Day.

    “Our goal is to bring couples to close under an atmosphere of love and affection. It is our pleasure to curate loving memories for all who choose IBOM ICON Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo for this Valentine’s season and beyond,” Charles noted.

    The valentine themed romantic surprises begin with a challenge, nominate your Valentine, where guests can win a night stay for two, Brunch for two, and two boxes of Pizza.

    Also as part of the Valentine’s day celebrations package is an exquisite celebration of love will take place on February 14 at the Bird Table (Pool Side). This will feature Valentine’s day dinner and entail a red carpet reception, welcome cocktail, and themed buffet dinner. It will also feature comedy, karaoke, a live band, games, a love tunnel, gifts exchange, spoken word, dance, complimentary photos, and prizes.

    Keke and Radio Mummy have been announced as the main hosts amongst many others performances from entertainers that include Captain Edet, DJ Bobo, Kayeon, Lady Willa, and the Band.

    In the same vein, guests can celebrate love and friendship through a staycation with the hotel’s Valentine getaway package that offers bed and Breakfast for two, food & drinks, access to the gym, swimming pool, golf course, and the Marina as well as VIP access to the hotel’s special Valentine day’s dinner.

  • Bola Akanbi’s The Delegates makes wave

    Bola Akanbi’s The Delegates makes wave

    Bola Akanbi’s The Delegates is currently making waves as the 2023 general elections are set to kick off on February 25.

    The film, which premiered in October 2022 at the Ebony Life Place, features some of Nollywood’s finest that include Ayo Adesanya, Okey Uzoeshi, and Michael Akpujiha.

    Produced by Arch Hub Africa, The Delegates, focuses on the build-up to an election in a Regin-area school, where three pupils must convince their peers through campaigns and manifesto that one of them is the most qualified for the post.

    The Delegates movie draws parallels with Nigeria’s political atmosphere by describing the mentality of a system, conditioned to bend the little will it has left to the whims of the poverty that engulfs it on a day-to-day basis.

  • Why most celebrities decline interviews, by Soso Soberekon

    Why most celebrities decline interviews, by Soso Soberekon

    Music executive Soso Soberekon has opened up on the reason most celebrities decline interview requests from many Nigerian journalists.

    Soberekon noted that most top celebrities avoid interviews from some media houses because their packaging is below the standard which in turn affects their employees.

    He further explained that the industry has grown beyond what it used to be while stating that physical appearance matters in the course of the job.

    “Packaging is important in journalism, you just need to package yourself. There are ways a certain media house and its reporters package themselves that everyone wants to jump on whatever they do but the problem I have with so many other newspapers and media houses is that they don’t package their staffs. The way some journalists dress amazes me sometimes with bad shoes but some of them dress well as well,” he said.

    He made this known during an Instagram live session with three entertainment journalists, Kehinde Ajose, Adeniyi Adewoyin, and Sampson Unamka.

    The CEO of White Lion group also urges journalists to stop sensational journalism. According to him, distances entertainers from journalists.

  • The Criterion seeks active Muslim participation in governance

    The Criterion seeks active Muslim participation in governance

    The Criterion (an Association of Muslim women in business and the professions), has called on Muslims to be active in leadership and governance of the country.

    They argued that the presence of good Muslims at the helms of affairs would stop corruption, adding that Islam is a complete way of life that touches all aspects of human activities including politics.

    Speaking during the yearly seminar of the association, Ameerah of The Criterion Lagos District, Hajia Maryam Saba, said it is obligatory for Muslims to participate in politics and vote the right candidates during elections.

    “The election will be here in a few weeks, let go for our voter’s card and seek Allah’s guidance in voting for the right candidates. Let us contribute to the discussion and ask questions that will add value to us as ummah.”

    Chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Wale Sonaike, hailed the association on its choice of topic.

    Sonaike, the former National Amir of The Companion said: “Muslims need political power to liberate the masses. It is the failure of the leadership in the country that put us where we are today.”

    The guest lecturer, Chief Executive Officer of Azetas Integrated Environmental Service Limited, Hajia Azeezat Raji, said Muslims are vicegerents of Allah on earth and they are the agents of good change, therefore, should show interest in how the state is being governed.

    “The general election should be a resolution on the part of Muslims. Our political space is full of corrupt politicians; so, more Muslims should participate in the political process to clear the corruption.”

    She urged Muslims to focus on identifying Muslims with good conduct to run for political space or participate in administrative positions, The Criterion seeks active Muslim participation in governance.

    “It is not enough to elect people into position and relax, we must hold our leaders accountable to ensure they remain committed and be a good ambassadors of Islam,” she said.

    She added that Muslims elected into public offices must exhibit exemplary lifestyles, as they will be accountable to Allah on Judgment Day.   Hajia Raji called on Muslim organisations to bind forces together and sponsor credible  candidates to run for political positions.

    “Forums or gathering like Ramadan programmes and Jumat services should be used to enlighten Muslims on their role in leadership and electoral process,” she said.

    She advised parents to encourage their children to always take leadership positions  wherever they found themselves.

    Guest Speaker, Prof Tajudeen Yusuf, urged leaders to see leadership position as a trial from Allah, as they will be accountable on the Day of Judgment.

    “Whatever position you find yourself in today is a trial from Allah. The leadership position is not for pleasure, but hard work,” he said.

    He lamented the high rate of corruption in public offices, saying “How can there be good governance when expectations from our leaders are corruptive? We should refrain from unnecessary demands from our leaders.”

    He said attitude to the public position is very important as many see it as a family entitlement.

    “We don’t bother about who qualifies for a position so far the organisation is headed by our family member or beneficiaries. We should all desist from such mindset,” he said.

    He advised Muslims not to shy away from leadership positions because politics is an act of worship in Islam.

  • What Ekiti: A taste of history (SOCIAL)

    What Ekiti: A taste of history (SOCIAL)

    “Of course, the path of honour doesn’t lie down in flat miles. It’s in the imagination with which you perceive this world and the gestures with which you raise your banner that the honour finds its domicile”.

    Saturday, November 21, 2015 was a day of honour in Ekiti State. For two days before that Saturday, Ado Ekiti, the capital of the state, had come alive with a memorable history. The people of the state trooped out in their thousands to take a glimpse of a rare guest on a rare occasion. The guest was no other personality than His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). He was there as the first Sultan ever to visit Ekiti State.

    The occasion was for the installation of an indigene of the state and a gentleman of honour as the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yoruba Land.  The honoree is Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello who incidentally is also the Grand Imam of Ekiti State. It was a special day of joy on the part of Ekiti people as it was on the part of the Sultan.

    Two days earlier (Thursday, November 19, 2015, His Eminence had travelled down to Ado-Ekiti from Ibadan where he had been installed as the new Chancellor of the University of Ibadan on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. The day of Imam’s installation in Ado Ekiti was his sixth day in Southwest. Shortly after his arrival in Ado Ekiti, penultimate Thursday, His Eminence paid a courtesy visit to Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, JP, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti (at his palace) who hosted him and his entourage including yours sincerely with the grandeur of royalty.

    Observance of Jum’at Prayer

    On Friday, November 20, 2015, His Eminence opened the renovated city’s Central Mosque after paying visited the State Governor. The Jum’at prayer observed in that Mosque was led by the Rector of the Centre for Arabic and Islamic Culture, (Markaz) Agege, Sheikh Habibullah Adam Abdllah Al-Ilory. In his sermon, Sheikh Al-Ilory laid emphasis on the duties of an Imam and the importance of Mosques in Islam. He counseled the new President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas on the challenges ahead of him and how he could surmount those challenges. While admonishing the Muslim Ummah against hearsay and tutored them on the need for cooperation with their leaders for the purpose of   unity, he called on Muslim leaders in the Southwest to give Imams and Muslim scholars their deserved respect and work hand in hand with them in promoting Islam in the region.

    Dignitaries

    Among the dignitaries that observed the Jum’at prayer were Sultan Abubakar and Oba Adejugbe (though a Christian who regarded joining His Eminence in the Mosque as part of royal hospitality). Others were Olukare of Ikare Oba Akadiri Momoh; Alhaji Sakariyau Olayiwola (S. O.) Babalola, President of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) who made the highest single monetary donation of N1 million; Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof Is-haq Oloyede, a retinue of Sokoto Chieftains who were in the royal entourage of the Sultan, the Head of Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies Department, University of Ibadan, Dr. Kamil Koyejo Oloso and all the Chiefs and Senior Imams of the six States of the Southwest as well as those of Edo and Delta States.

    Some of those dignitaries including Alhaji Babalola; the Magajin Rafi and Galadima of Sokoto; Professor T. G. Gbadamosi; Dr. Abdullah Jibril Oyekan; members of MUSWEN’s Secretariat Task Force as well as a retinue of other Muslim dignitaries from various states had been parts of the entourage of His Eminence since his arrival. The Vice Chairman of the Task Force, Alhaji Murziq Bidemi Siyanbade’s role in this was particularly distinct as he virtually relocated to Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, where His Eminence was officially hosted as he was shuttling between that place and the University of Ibadan to ensure that the hosting protocol was properly maintained.

    Grand Finale

    At the Ground Finale held at the grandiose Ado Ekiti pavilion, a galaxy of traditional rulers, Imams and Alfas as well as representatives of various Islamic Organizations were present in their joyful mood, an indication that the long awaited unity of the Southwest Ummah had come at last. Governor Ayodele Fayose was represented by his wife Mrs. Feyisara; Delegates of Hausa communities from various states and representatives of some Emirs who came from the North were also there. The Chairman of the occasion was Alhaji Khamis Tunde Badmus of Osun State who was ably represented by Senator Adebayo, made a very handsome monetary donation.

    The President-General designate was presented to the Sultan and the public for turbanning by the Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe of Owo, Ondo State, who also gave the welcome address.

    Alhaji Babalola gave a goodwill message in which he emphasized the unity of the Ummah and   further reiterated Sheikh Al-Ilory’s lecture.  

    Profile

    The 63-year-old new President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the South West, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Muhammad Jamiu Kewulere Bello, was born on January 2, 1952. After his primary education at Ansar-ud-Deen, Ajilosun, Ekiti, he attended the famous Arabic/Islamic Institute (Zumratu Diyau Salihin) and later became a student at Arabic Training Centre, established by Sheikh Mahally Badrudeen of Ile Ami in Iwo, Osun State. He was also a student of Sheikh Agbarigidoma of Ilorin in Kwara State and a number of other renowned scholars were his teachers.     

    Sheikh Bello briefly dabbled into transportation business before he was persuaded to become the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti in 1985. He was turbaned by the then Chief Imam Yusuf Olatunji Ogunlayi of Ikole Ekiti. When Ekiti State was created from the old Ondo State in 1996, the Muslim leadership in Ekiti State unanimously appointed him as the Grand Imam of Ekiti State.

    Appointment as President-General

    On June 4, 2015, Sheikh Bello was unanimously appointed as President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the Southwest at a meeting of the League thereby becoming the 6th Imam to occupy that post. After his installation by the Sultan, the new President-General thanked everybody that played a role in his emergence and in making the occasion a success. He then promised to strengthen the unity of the Southwest on the one hand and that of the latter and the Northern Muslim Ummah on the other.

    Acceptance Speech

    In his acceptance speech, Sheikh Bello said: “I accept this responsibility placed on my shoulders through my appointment as President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the South States. As you are all aware, the responsibility of the office is enormous. However, with the special grace of Allah (SWT) coupled with the cooperation of all and sundry, I hope to contribute my quota to move forward the Muslim Ummah……”

    “Essentially, I would be ready to work with all Islamic Organizations, groups, sects and associations to advance the frontiers of our religion towards achieving greater peace, progress, unity and development. Good initiatives towards achieving peaceful co-existence and societal peace among various other faiths shall always be supported…….”

    Chronology

    Among his predecessors in that office were the late Chief Imam Muili Basunu of Ibadan, Oyo State; the late Chief Imam Armiyau Parakoyi of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; Chief Imam Yayi Akorede of Akure, Ondo State, Chief Imam Mustapha Olayiwola Ajisafe of Osogbo, Osun State and Chief Imam Aruna Shuara of Ibadan, Oyo State (who was not formally installed before his death in 2015).

    History

    The League of Imams and Alfas was established in 1964 at the instance of Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory of the great Institute of Arabic and Islamic Culture (MARKAZ), Agege who served as its second Secretary-General. At the inception of the League, Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory was nominated as President-General but he turned it down and opted for the post of Secretary-General. When the post was conceded to him, he chose to nominate Alhaji Jimoh Bamgbola of Abeokuta, Ogun State. The latter was both a scholar and a publisher.

    Other personalities that later served as Secretary-General after Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory were Sheikh Sadrudin Biobaku of Gbagura, Abeokuta, Ogun State and the current Chief Imam Ahmad Aladesawe of Owo, Ondo State. With that arrangement, the league succeeded in creating a formidable unity forum for all Imams and Alfas in the South-West region.

    Comment

    The establishment of the League of Imams and Alfas of Southwest was a turning point in the unity of the Muslim Ummah especially in speaking with one voice on matters of common interest and in fighting for the rights of the Muslim clerics in the region. And with the formal establishment of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) in 2008, that unity became formidably strengthened as both bodies began to work together like a pair of scissors. Today, Yoruba Muslim clerics and their elite brothers and sisters are one and the same in brotherhood. Their spiritual union has created a strong synergy between the Northern and Southern Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.

    Central Planning Committee

    Members of the planning committee for the installation of Sheikh Bello were selected from the states that constitute the League. They included: Imam Ahmad Aladesawe (Secretary-General), Owo, Ondo State; Alhaji Morufu Olawale Isola and Imam Rabiu Salahudeen, from Osun State; Dr. M. T. A. Alayinde, Imam Wasiu Nuru, (markaz) and Alhaji Saadullah Bello, Lagos State. Others were Imam S. S. Bamgbola, Ogun State, Grand Mufti Batuta, Ondo State; Alhaji Fatai Muili Alaga, Oyo State; Alhaji Abdul Fattah Enabulele, Edo State as well as Chief Imam of Delta State.

    Local Organization Committee

    Some members of the Local Organization Committee for the installation  included the following: Alhaji Yakubu O. Sanni (Chairman); Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, former Deputy Governor (Ekiti State) and Chairman, Finance Committee; Aare Sulaiman Afolabi Ogunlayi, Chairman Programme and Publicity Committee; Alhaji Jimoh Dayo Ajayi, Chairman, Security Committee; Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade, Chairman, Welfare and Entertainment Committee; Dr. Ibraheem Azees, Chairman, Medical Committee; Alhaji Ganiyu Ibrahim, Secretary, LOC and Alhaji Jamiu Babalola, Assistant Secretary, LOC as well as a host of others. As can be seen on that list, some members of the LOC were also members of the Central Planning Committee.  

    The Role of MUSWEN

    Since its inception in 2008, the MUSWEN, being one of the two main pair organs of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in partnership with Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) of the North has been playing a very vital role in solidifying the unity of the Muslim ummah. For instance, the former Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, the late Sheikh Sadrudeen Biobaku was a member of the Board of Trustees of MUSWEN until his demise. Also, the late President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, Imam Mustapha Olayiwola Ajisafe was the Vice-President of MUSWEN. Thus, in furtherance of that unity, Sheikh Bello as well as Sheikh Aladesawe have been officially invited to be members of the Central Working Committee of MUSWEN.

    Besides, a special powerful delegation from MUSWEN, led by Alhaji Babalola visited Ekiti Muslim Community in the residence of the then President-General designate of the League in August 2015 in the spirit of unity and cooperation. These and many other gestures are pointers to the fact that MUSWEN’s hand of fellowship is always out for the League to grab with love. Also, in October 2015, another MUSWEN team led by its Executive Secretary, Prof. D. O. S. Noibi visited Ondo Muslim Community and even observed the monthly meeting of that community. If all these efforts by MUSWEN are adequately reciprocated and complimented by other stakeholders in the Southwest, any tendency for deviation that could cause fanaticism and consequent terrorism may become easy to nip in the bud.    

    Observation

    This is an era of religious uncertainty. What we call religion these days is nothing more than a fraudulent cloak for fraudulent activists. The more we claim to be religious the deeper we sink into the quagmire of iniquities. Some people who claim to be men of God are nothing more than men of evil. There is hardly any crime in the world today that is not aided or even generated by people who masquerade day and night in the cloak of religion. The modern day generation has turned religion into a capitalist mercantile. It is the duty and responsibility of both MUSWEN and the League of Imams and Alfas to cooperate in stemming any spate of such ugly trend and return sanity to Islam in the region.

  • PDP accuses APC of planning to hack INEC server, BVAS

    PDP accuses APC of planning to hack INEC server, BVAS

    • It’s a lie, APC replies PDP

    The Director-General (DG) of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has a plan to rig the forthcoming general election by hacking into the Independent National Electoral Commission’s server to manipulate the results to favour its candidate.

    The Sokoto State governor also alleged that the ruling party has brought in hackers to hack into the electronic device that authenticates the identity of prospective voters, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), saying the plan will not work.

    Tambuwal made the allegations during the PDP presidential campaign rally held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in Kano.

    He said: “We shall not accept any attempt by anybody to manipulate the electoral process.

    “We are aware they have brought in hackers to hack the BVAS and to hack the INEC cybers. We will not let them.”

    Tambuwal also alleged that the APC has stockpiled huge money with the purpose of buying votes on election day.

    He said: “They (APC) are planning to bring in money -the old and new notes; in fact, they are planning to also use the fake currency to deceive you on election day. Reject it. It is your money, which they should have used to provide security, infrastructure, employment and provided an enabling environment for businesses to grow, they stashed it so they will come and buy your votes.

    “I am sure Kano people are very conscious and politically not unaware of this and will reject their money.”

    He described the turnout as “impressive,” saying Kano has always been the melting pot of Nigeria’s politics and it is clear Atiku is going to win the presidency, adding: “the presidential election is between the Wazirin Adamawa and others.”

    In a swift reaction, the APC dismissed the PDP claim as lies. Its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka said that the allegation was nothing but a fabrication from a demented mind.

    Morka noted in a telephone interview that with the electoral credentials and progress recorded by the INEC under the leadership of the APC in the last 8 years, “it will unthinkable for anybody to accuse APC of planning to hack into INEC cyber.

    Morka said, “This is nothing but a pack of lies from a disillusioned party. Having been faced with impending defeat, PDP has to resort into lying and this is a venture that can not earn them victory at the polls. Twice Nigerians rejected them and they are about to face another round of electoral humiliation at the polls.

    “No amount of lies can win them the sympathy of Nigerians. It is on record that the conduct of elections by INEC under an APC-led administration have been adjudged free and fair. President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to leave a legacy of a free and fair electoral process and we are committed to ensuring that.”

    PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, described the APC as a “contraption,” saying APC has no policy to implement in the interest of Nigerians. “They only came to take over power for their selfish interest.

    “Since they came to power eight years ago, there is no money. There is no fuel.  They are killing people in our villages. APC is responsible. They came and changed our good policies.  Vote them out.  APC is a party of suffering.

    “No one asked them to redesign money, they changed the money and now currency implementation has become a problem. But we shall correct it when Atiku becomes president.”

    Ayu expressed optimism that Atiku Abubakar will win the presidential election. “In the next few weeks, Atiku will be elected president and we will rally around him and come up with good policies that will stop the suffering of Nigerians,” Ayu said.

    Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Udom Emmanuel, described the gathering as an endorsement of Atiku’s presidential bid by the Kano people.

    He said if Atiku is voted into power on February 25, Nigeria will have a good economy, education, health and peace, among other developments. He said: “Under Atiku, the poor shall never be made poorer, rather, the poor will be made richer. Youths and women empowerment will be part of our policies.

    “I assure you that better days are coming when Atiku will take over the leadership of the country. Industries and factories in Kano that have closed down will be revamped.”

    The leader of the party in Kano, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, urged Kano people to vote for Atiku and all other PDP candidates, adding: “we don’t have to tell you what we are going to do for you. We did it before, and we are going to do it again.”

  • SDP Reps candidate backs APC candidate

    SDP Reps candidate backs APC candidate

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) House of Representatives candidate for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Prince Saheed Popoola has called on his supporters to vote for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    Popoola said that he is rooting for Tinubu because of his antecedents as a defender of democracy. He recalled how Tinubu came to his rescue while facing torments as the chairman of Offa local government area of Kwara State.

    The state lawmaker spoke in Ilorin at the 36th edition of Media Parliament of Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    The House of Representatives candidate, who said he remains a committed progressive in his political sojourn, said the APC presidential candidate is the most qualified among the array of candidates in the presidential polls.

    He said: “I owe Asiwaju Bola Tinubu my allegiance and loyalty irrespective of my interest because he came to my rescue when they were tormenting me in this state. Then, I was serving as council chairman.”

    Popoola spoke on the theme: “With quality legislative, social re-engineering is possible”, described the legislation as the most important aspect of governance and appealed to the electorate to vote reasonable individuals into the legislative arm for quality representation.

    Earlier, the NUJ chairman in the state, Abdullateef Ahmed, had lamented that state Houses of Assembly have continued to parade themselves as mere appendages of the executive, thus belittling the temple of lawmaking.

  • Rivers APC hails Wike for releasing stadium to party

    Rivers APC hails Wike for releasing stadium to party

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended Governor Nyesom Wike for releasing the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, to the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for next Wednesday’s campaign rally in the state.

    The APC Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, said the approval was a result of the efforts of the campaign council through James Faleke, the Campaign Secretary and the State Coordinator, Tonye Cole.

    Nwauju described as erroneous the claim that the approval came through Tony Okocha, whom he described as a mere member of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) promoting the candidature of Tinubu in Rivers State.

    He said: “Tony is not and cannot be the coordinator of an APC event as he is merely a member of an NGO under the PCC promoting the candidature of our presidential candidate. He has no right to address the media either on behalf of the Presidential Rally Committee/LOC or the APC in Rivers State.

    “Tony’s NGO has nothing to do with the preparations by Rivers State APC to host its Presidential candidate on the 15th of February 2023. We are surprised that the PDP in the state is so interested in using the likes of Tony as a decoy to join the APC.”

    Nwauju, who spoke in Port Harcourt on Thursday, confirmed that Wike had given the local government chairmen in the state and his aides a directive to work for Tinubu in the state.

    He said: “Today, we are surprised that the Governor of Rivers State, who once referred to the APC as ‘cancer’ and has mocked our party, that anyone who would try to continue with the legacies of the APC is an enemy of the people of Nigeria, surprisingly, we have reliably gathered of the instructions to council chairmen across the 23 LGAs to canvass support surreptitiously for the Presidential candidate of the APC”.

    He recalled that a few days ago, the governor alleged that there were intelligence reports that the APC in Rivers was planning to share the same campaign venue with the PCC of Atiku/Okowa

  • Why Jandor can’t be governor, by Fashola

    Why Jandor can’t be governor, by Fashola

    •APC footsoldiers undergo training for Tinubu, Shettima

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday explained why Lagosians should reject the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Jide Adediran, at the poll.

    He said the main opposition candidate, who worked with him as a cameraman and consultant when he was governor, lacked the required maturity, experience, competence and capacity to run Lagos, which is the fifth-largest economy in Africa.

    Fashola maintained that being a cameraman and following the governor to state functions do not qualify Adediran to be governor.

    The PDP candidate, a former reporter with Lagos Television when Fashola was governor, covered the Lagos State House at times handled the camera during the governor’s events. He owns the Core Media.

    However, Fashola put him on the scale during the launch of Eko O ni baje 10,000 Foot Soldiers for Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat, saying that his “boy” does not have the qualities required for the number one seat in the state.

    Reacting to the minister’s comment, Adediran said he was never a cameraman. He said he will continue to hold his former boss in high esteem.

    The former governor said PDP cannot win presidential poll because it is polarise.

    Fashola, who is also the Director of Election Planning and Monitoring, APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), canvassed support for the APC presidential standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima,  Governor Babaijde Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

    At the event which was held at the Haven Event Centre, Ikeja, former APC National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire, and Lanre Akinsola conducted training for the canvassers and foot soldiers.

    The launch was attended by Sanwo-Olu,  his deputy, Hamzat, former Deputy Governors Abiodun Ogunleye, Sarah Sosah and Joke Orelope-Adefulire; Minister of Science and Technology Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Rotimi Agunsoye, Ademorin Kuye, Delapo Badru, Hakeem Odumosu, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai and Femi Onibokun.

    Fashola, who took a swipe at the PDP, said: “Some people say they will take the land from us. That is too much. I did the job of a governor for eight years and part of what helped me was that I was Chief of Staff to the governor. Even, that was not enough.

    “So, just following a governor being a cameraman and then, watching me for eight years, then, you think you will now be a governor, you are not ready. Come to our leadership school, you are not yet ready.

    “That is why you will see that they are focusing on the 51 billion naira Lagos State is generating. You did not see the immigrant population that is coming into Lagos every day. The bigger the prosperity, the bigger the problem. Their party doesn’t see people; they don’t  see the problem.”

    Fashola urged members of the APC to canvas massively so that more people can vote for the party.

    Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that nobody has the credential to become president more than him.

    He said Lagos will deliver the largest vote for the APC because Tinubu is on the ballot.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “I want to thank our minister and all those who have worked with him, especially his 10,000-foot soldiers; that five million votes will come out. Tinubu is the best for Nigeria. Nobody has a credential like Tinubu to become president. That is why we truly believe in him. We will deliver the largest number for our presidential candidate.”

    The governor said the Lagos State Government would from this weekend begin to distribute food packs to cushion the effect of the naira and fuel scarcity, which Lagosians are facing.

    Sanwo-Olu said the initiative was borne out of concern, adding that “it is not for politic’s sake.”

    Sanwo-Olu said the five million votes pledged by the APC supporters in Lagos to deliver the State to Tinubu were not impossible, given the strength and structure of the campaign employed by the party in Lagos. The Governor said it was time for the party’s canvassers to embark on mass voter enlightenment in order to minimise void votes for the party.

    Sanwo-Olu boasted that the party’s presidential ticket remained unbeatable, noting that Tinubu’s academic background, political acumen and administrative capacity stood him out as the most qualified contender with better credentials.

    The governor said the election of Tinubu as president would usher in a new era of hope for the masses, adding that the APC presidential manifesto was designed to stimulate socio-economic growth and take the country to its pride place as a major force on the continent.

    He said: “We gather today to add yet another layer to the structures already put in place with other existing platforms that are working for the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I thank our Honorable Minister and the team working with him for bringing about this stakeholders’ engagement. This is an engagement where we want to hit the ground running and our aim is to reach out to the electorate in every nook and cranny of Lagos.

    “When we work together, we can achieve a lot together. With the emergence of this structure, the five million votes we pledged to deliver for our presidential candidate in Lagos will be delivered. We know that Tinubu is the best choice for our country at this moment in our history. This is a team that is unbeatable and one that possesses the best credentials, given the political and educational backgrounds of Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima.

    “We have seen the reality of political and economic breakthroughs in Lagos. Given Tinubu’s skills, experience and capacity, we believe Nigeria would be better served under his leadership. We have seen how other States are working together for Asiwaju. We who are his people in Lagos cannot but keep our rightful position to deliver the larger number of votes to the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. That is why we must put our political strength to work at the next presidential election.”

    Sanwo-Olu said the APC candidate was already positioned to win the election but said the party’s canvassers must work to ensure a wide margin of victory against Tinubu’s opponents.

    The governor said the task before APC foot soldiers were to adopt a method of vote management, stressing that the method involved proper education of the electorate on how to cast their ballots in line with methods prescribed by the electoral umpire.

    Speaker Obasa urged party faithful and supporters to be dedicated and committed to enlightening prospective voters on the importance of the elections.

    He said Tinubu has moulded many people in politics, stressing that it is a payback for the party

    Deputy Governor Hamzat enjoined parents to enlighten their wards, especially youths on the need to vote for Tinubu.

    He said Tinubu has a pedigree, based on his developmental strides as a former Governor of Lagos State.

    Eminent lawyer and former Environment Commissioner Banire told the foot soldiers that “elections are now predictable and scientific,” adding that APC should change and strengthen its campaign strategies.

    He cautioned against an exclusive focus on rallies, warning that it may not lead to victory.

    Banire said canvassers should embrace the “cell approach” by traversing the grassroots and mobilising voters through the more effective sectoral appeals and door-to-door system.

    The legal luminary advised the canvassers to target professional and non-professional groups, artisans, peasants and youths in the neighbourhood.

    Banire also enjoined the prospective voters to learn from the Osun State governorship election by paying attention to the importance of BVAS.

    Akinsola, who spoke before Banire, described the BVAS as a game changer, urging party supporters to stick to guidelines on poll day.

    He added: “Don’t arrive at polling booths with government vehicles. Don’t put on party uniforms.”