•Nigerians living in dark times – NLC

A mix of petrol scarcity, hike in transport fares,security challenge and high costs of food items  is making  preparations  for the Christmas and the New Year festivities unpleasant for many Nigerians, according to an investigation by The Nation.

Despite the recent ultimatum to petrol marketers and retailers by the Department of State Services (DSS) to make fuel available to motorists, the petrol scarcity has refused to ebb, and the price remains high.

No solution seemed to be in sight last night as motorists continued to form long queues at filling stations.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed solidarity with the generality of Nigerians  on the ‘dark times’ in  the country and told them that the coming year holds a torch of hope.

One of the fallouts of the current fuel scarcity is a hike in transport fares.

Mini bus operators charged N32,500 between  Abuja and  Lagos and N26,000 from Lagos to Warri.

Passengers taking off from the  Challenge, Iwo-Road, New Garage and Ojoo motor parks in Ibadan lamented the situation.

A passenger at New Garage motor park, Mr Joel Chukemeka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he paid N8,000 as fare from Ibadan to Benin, Edo State , as against the normal N5,000.

Another passenger travelling to Asaba, Delta State, Miss Chioma Inyama, said  she paid N10,200 for the journey instead of the N5,800 she used to pay.

Also speaking, Mr Tajudeen Ajibade, a passenger at Challenge motor park, said the sum of N4,500 was collected from him for a journey to Lagos.

Ajibade said that he used to pay N2,000 for the same journey before the fuel price hike and the Christmas and New Year festivities.

He said that the increase in fuel price, coupled with the yuletide period, had contributed to the hike in cost of transportation.

Mrs Hassant Umar, a passenger at Ojoo motor park, said that she paid N3,000 transportation fare from Ibadan to Ilorin, instead of the normal N2,000.

A commercial driver, Adewale Oladejo, attributed the transport fare hike to the challenges being faced by drivers in getting fuel.

Oladejo, who said that they bought fuel for between N250 or N300 per litre, expressed  regret that the situation had resulted in a low turn-out of passengers at motor parks.

A passenger in Abuja , Miss Mnena David, said she got  to the park only to find  that all the available vehicles had been fully booked.

She said: “For many years now, this is how we come and wait for vehicles each time it is close to Christmas again, the drivers always use the opportunity to increase their fares.

“Can you imagine, today is 23rd and the cost of fare to Makurdi is already N7,000. I am sure that before the end of tomorrow it will be up to N10,000.

Another passenger, Jacob Otive, said, “There is no way I am going to spend my Christmas in Abuja, so no matter the cost I must go to Benue.

“We came prepared to wait and I am sure vehicles will come to convey us, the only problem is that they will hike the price of the fare”.

At the New Nyanya Park, NAN gathered that the cost of fare for Abuja to Makurdi which used to be N3,000 had been increased to N5,500.

The security challenge in the South East, especially kidnapping, also seems to have discouraged a lot of people from travelling to that part.

The popular Ladipo Motor Spare parts market at Oshodi,Lagos,which has a high concentration of Igbo traders was full of activities    yesterday 48hours to Christmas when many of them should have travelled home for the festivities.

A trader was overheard telling a customer of his yesterday that he could not take the risk of going home to get kidnapped or even killed in the process.

Some Imo indigenes said they are scared visiting home this year because of the insecurity in the zone.

A businessman, Uba Kalu, who usually drove home during Yuletide period with his family, he came alone this time around to attend to some pressing family events. 

Another businessman based in Okigwe, Imo State, who pleaded anonymity, said the situation in the state is tense and no family would encourage their loved ones to return to the South East whether from other parts of Nigeria or abroad as the situation is unpredictable and many are leaving the zone in droves.

“The unknown gunmen led by Simon Ekpa are terrorising the entire zone. They can emerge from nowhere and attack the army and provoke their reprisals against the populace,” he said.

Some drivers who spoke under anonymity at popular motor parks visited, told The Nation that most management deliberately decided not to embark on night journey to ensure safety of their passengers.

However, those who embraced night travel are taking steps to ensure that no passenger comes into the bus with bags and luggage so that weapons are not smuggled into the bus.

“We do all these as a precautionary measure to save the lives of our passengers,” they said.

Abia markets, banks, parks record huge crowd

Major markets in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State,bubbled yesterday ahead of Christmas as residents continued their shopping.

Several  articulated trucks were also seen offloading  wares, especially clothes.

The banks and motor parks were also filled to the brim.

A native of Ntighauzo in Obingwa Local Government Area who was heading home for Christmas was  hopeful that more people would be coming in from different parts of the country.

He said: ” We are expecting more people back home.This is a political season when there will be an increase in  political activities in the various communities and  politicians will want to use the opportunity of the Christmas to reach out and woo potential voters.”

 Mr. Idika Chima from  Ohafia LGA said :”Come rain, come sunshine, Old Bende, Ohafia in particular, is a place with rich tradition and this time of the year is usually when we display such tradition and hospitality that even guests from outside the state come to witness.

“In Old Bende, some communities will be doing Igboto nma. Others will be doing Ime Uche.

 “New age grades will emerge as the older ones retire. If we all abandon our communities, where do we stay to do all these cultural activities that will be done in our villages?

The State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said  it would be deploying 970  of its personnel in  various strategic locations across the state to help in securing the state during the festivities.

The command’s spokesman, Ndukwe Aguiyi said  the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Muhammad Hassan Sanyinna, had during a meeting with Heads of Departments/Units, Area Commanders, Divisional Officers and Heads of Tactical Teams at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia assured residents of adequate security of lives and property before, during and after the celebrations.

Virtually all major roads in Anambra State are experiencing heavy presence of human and vehicular movements, while markets are witnessing increasing commercial and business activities.

Cities like Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia have witnessed traffic jam for some days as residents temporarily relocated to their villages, with others making quick purchases in preparation for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

A visit to various motor parks across the state showed traders, commercial transport operators, drivers, conductors as well as commuters being conveyed to their respective destinations.

At the popular Upper Iweka, all the motor parks were witnessing heavy traffic

For Kingsley Iwenofu, the situation is tough but it won’t stop people who want to see their loved ones this yuletide.

Despite the temporary opening of the second Niger Bridge, the old bridge is still heavily burdened with gridlock as motorists and commuters spend hours before crossing either side of the bridge.

In Ebonyi, The Nation checks show that residents are gearing up for the yuletide as Abakaliki, capital of the city was very busy when our reporter went round.

At the parks, it was noticed that there was influx of Indigenes from other states and even outside the country.

NSCDC deploys 3000 personnel to protect critical national assets in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Command of the NSCDC plans to deploy 3,000 operatives across the state to protect critical national assets, according to the Commandant,  Idris Adah.

This is to  guard against any breakdown of laws and order during the festive period.

He said the officers would protect lives and property, and also guard against theft of  national assets during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He advised residents to always report suspicious criminals in their environments, for prompt arrest and prosecution.

CP orders massive deployment of security operatives in Enugu

The Commissioner of Police in charge of Enugu State, Ahmed Ammani, yesterday  directed  all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Tactical and Operational Units of the Command to massively deploy all the operational, intelligence and other crime-fighting resources at their disposal during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

Ammani ordered the officers and men to visibly patrol all the highways, streets and places of public interests, as well as ensure the security and safety of the citizenry.

He also asked  Officers in-Charge of the State Traffic Department and the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), to ensure the massive deployment of personnel to effectively manage the anticipated upsurge in road traffic within Enugu metropolis and other places in the State.

FRSC deploys  personnel on highways

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is also deploying its officials on highways across the country on special patrol to help in maintaining safety of travellers.

Mr Sikiru Alonge, FRSC Unit Commander, told  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ore, Ondo State that his personnel would have a heavy presence on the Ore/Benin Road.

He said: “We are now in the festive season where we have high vehicular movement and influx of people too and that is why we began the special patrol.

“We have also collaborated with other security agencies to ease traffic flow and arrest drivers who flout traffic rules and regulations on the highway.”

He cautioned drivers against flouting traffic rules in order to avoid crashes for them to be alive for their families, enjoy and celebrate the yuletide.

Seven hundred and fifty eight FRSC officials will be so deployed in Benue State,the  State Sector Commander, Mr Ibrahim Abubakar said yesterday  in Makurdi.

Sixteen  patrol vehicles have also been  deployed for the exercise.

He said that the command had also deployed three ambulances and set up two functional roadsides clinics in the state.

Plateau Police arrest eight suspected kidnappers

Plateau State Police Commissioner Batholomew Onyeka yesterday announced the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, even as he assured residents of Plateau State of the commitment of the Command to provide watertight security before, during, and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

They include   an informant named Ashiru Ibrahim who was arrested in connection with the kidnap of a four year old boy.

The suspect was nabbed while trying to collect  a ransom of N3million from the victim’s parents,

He said upon interrogation, the suspect made some useful disclosures that led to the rescue of the victim from the kidnappers’ den unhurt, adding that further investigation led to the arrest of his accomplice, one Bashir Saleh of Rikkos, Jos, who initiated the kidnap.

Addressing reporters in Jos  the Police  Commissioner said  the Command had deployed all operational and intelligence assets at its disposal ,and  devised the best crime detection and prevention strategy to effectively police the entire state to ensure hitch-free celebrations.

He also announced the suspension of  tricycle operations within Jos metropolis and Bukuru on the 25th and 26th of December, 2022.

The ban on motorcycles, fireworks, fire crackers, and knockouts remains in force,he said.

He therefore appealed to the general public, especially traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and guardians, to warn and discourage their subjects, congregants, children, and wards, respectively, from purchasing and lighting these devices.

Nigerians living in dark times, says NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress  (NLC) yesterday described the current socio-economic situation in the country as dark times.

The NLC,in its Christmas message to Nigerians ,however  said there was a torch of hope in the coming year and asked Christians to “resonate the light of hope birthed through Jesus Christ”.

It said: “This Christmas, we urge Nigerian workers and people to resonate in the light of hope birthed by the love of God conveyed through the birth of His son Jesus Christ. It is the illumination of this hope that inspires confidence in our hearts that however dark our night as a country might be, light would certainly emerge and shine at the end of our tunnel.

“Many Nigerian workers and ordinary people are currently going through the dark tunnel of soaring inflation marked by very steep increases in the prices of essential goods and services. Many Nigerian families are going through the dark tunnel of general apprehension about their security and personal safety as criminals and terrorists hold sway in many parts of the country looting, raping, kidnapping, and killing. Many Nigerians who would be traveling this festive season would be going through the dark tunnel of bruised, broken and battered infrastructure especially roads.

“While the light of Christmas would be celebrated across many cities, towns and villages around the world with bright illumination which are by-products of stability in public electricity supply, many Nigerians would be battling with queuing for hours to get petrol to power their generators.

“It is difficult to keep urging workers and ordinary Nigerians to hold on to the life buoy of hope in the midst of a burgeoning bay of darkness. Yet, hope is Christmas’s sublime message. It is only prudent that we take sinew from the knowledge that the darkest night usually births the brightest mornings. We believe that Nigeria’s brightest morning is just ahead of us”. Speaking further the NLC boss encouraged Nigerian workers to be deliberate during the 2023 political season.

“After this Christmas, the next major event that will face us as a country would be the 2023 general elections. There is no bigger harbinger of hope than the opportunity to select a fresh set of political leaders. Political leadership is the match that lights the torch of hope. Every country would rise and fall with its choice of political leadership. Nigeria is no exception.

“We urge our compatriots, especially workers to be very deliberate in their engagement with the political process come 2023. Elections are the time to ask critical questions and make rational choices. Workers must identify with political party candidates who demonstrate commitment to lighting up the end of the tunnels of economic downturns marked by soaring inflation, widespread insecurity, deepening poverty, escalating crises of unemployment especially among the youth demography of our country, decadent physical infrastructure, and brazen corruption in high places.

“We urge Nigerians to rise up to the challenge using the 2023 general poll as an enabling platform to elect a political leadership that is conscientious, prudent, and completely obedient to our demands as a people. 2023 is our torch of hope.”

SHELL, an international energy company, has agreed to pay €15 million compensation to three Nigerian farmers and their villages in Niger Delta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that farmers with the help of the Friends of the Earth, Netherlands, and two Nigerian lawyers, Chima Williams and Channa Samkalden, had in 2007 initiated legal proceedings in Hague, for oil pollution in Goi, Oruma and Ikot Ada Udo.

A Dutch court in 2021 ordered the international company to pay the claimants a compensation over the oil spills that took place in the villages between 2004 and 2007.

Goi is in Rivers; Oruma, Bayelsa while Ikot Ada Udo is in Akwa Ibom of the Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.

A statement on Friday in Benin by Mr Philip Jakpor, Media Head, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), described the historic victory at the courts and the acceptance of Shell to do the needful as a victory for all.

Jakpor said the company had also agreed to install a leak detection system to prevent future oil spills.

Chima Williams, a counsel in the case and the Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, said the resilience of the farmers and the communities was a model that would galvanise other impacted communities in the region and elsewhere.

“Justice may have been delayed but it has now been served. The resilience of the farmers, their communities and determination to make Shell pay is a model that will galvanise other impacted communities in the Niger Delta and elsewhere to act and stay on course.

“Shell’s acceptance to pay compensation and install leak detection system is both unprecedented and signals victory for all parties – the victims, environmental justice campaigners and Shell.

“Furthermore, if Shell can do this, it means that there is no hiding place for any corporate polluter as they may run, but cannot hide from the long arms of the law,” he said.

One of the plaintiffs in the case, Mr Eric Dooh, said the compensation would enhance a total transformation of the people as well as reinvestment in the community.

“The compensation we receive from the court case in the Netherlands will enhance a total transformation of the community people and myself in terms of reinvestment in our environment.

“It will be a relief for all of us when the money is finally paid as compensation for our losses after a long time of legal action against Shell,” said Dooh.

A quack parading himself as a medical doctor has been arrested for carrying out a caesarian session on a pregnant woman.

The suspect, it was learnt, stitched the pregnant woman’s womb to her urinary tract causing her to bleed excessively   from the private part.

The suspect, Rabin Olalekan, who was said to have studied Community Health Extension had been posing as Chief Medical Director of Iremide Private Hospital, Orita Ojo, in Odigbo Local Government Area and was arrested by a team of Special Intervention Squad when a report of unprofessionalism was reported against him.

Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami Omisanya, said investigation revealed that the suspect attended School of Health Technology, Ijebu-Ode where he studied Community Health Extension but had been posing as a medical doctor.

Omisanya said the suspect claimed that one Dr. Bayo helped him conduct the caesarian section on the victim but could not show detectives the address or contact of the Dr. Bayo.

The PPRO said, “On December 20, 2022, one Rabiu Olalekan who has been parading himself as a Medical Doctor of Iremide Private Hospital, Orita Ojo, in Odigbo Local Government Area was arrested by team of Special Intervention Squad when a report of unprofessionalism was reported against him.

“The suspect carried out a cesarean surgery on a pregnant woman who was later rushed to Mother and Child Hospital due to excessive bleeding from her private part, it was discovered that the self-acclaimed doctor stitched the womb and the urinary tract together.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect is not a medical doctor but attended the School of Health Technology, Ijebu-Ode where he studied Community Health Extension and has been deceiving the people with being a medical doctor. He also claimed he invited one Dr. Bayo to help him carry out the caesarian section on the victim but he does not know the address or contact of the said doctor as he said he has lost his phone which was the only means of communicating with the doctor.”

She said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit by former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, seeking to void the nomination of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a judgment on Friday, Justice Zainab Abubakar held that she lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

According to her, it was statute-barred, having been filed outside the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution.

The judgment was on the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1114/2022 with Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

This is the second time the Federal High Court would be dismissing Nwajiuba ‘s suit against Tinubu’s nomination.

Read Also: Why Osinbajo, Tinubu met, by VP’s spokesman

In a judgment on December 15, Justice Inyang Ekwo (also of the Federal High Court in Abuja) dismissed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/942/2022 filed by Nwajiuba and a group, Rights for All International (RAI).

They sought to void the nomination of Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidates of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nwajiuba had among others, prayed the court to name him as a replacement for Tinubu as the candidate of the APC.

Justice Ekwo, who noted that RAI’s involvement in politically motivated cases violated its stated objectives and offended public policy, issued an order dissolving the group.

Details shortly…

•APC candidate promises to fix power, introduce students’ loan

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential standard bearer yesterday vowed to scrap multiple exchange rates and petroleum subsidy, if elected in next year’s election.

He also promised to fix power, guarantee ease of doing business in the country, and introduce student loan.

The former Lagos State governor, who said a climate of security is germane to economic development, promised to mobilise Nigerians to turn current challenges into a big opportunity to foster development.

He emphasized that business and insecurity cannot be good companions.

The presidential candidate spoke in Lagos at a luncheon with business owners tagged: “Business Forward”. The meeting which held at ‘The Wings’, Victoria Island, was attended by eminent entrepreneurs.

At the event were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oando Plc Group Chief Executive Officer Wale Tinubu, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, one-time Lagos State Finance Commissioner Wale Edun, and his Economic Planning and Information and Strategy counterparts – Yemi Kadozo and Dele Alake.

The entrepreneurs raised issues that are critical to investment survival, education, healthcare, electricity, investment climate, petroleum subsidy and multiple exchange rates.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) operates a multiple exchange rates regime with different rates adopted by different segments of the economy.

The operating exchange rates include the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Rate Fixing (NAFEX), also called the Investors and Exporters  (I&E) forex window, parallel market rate, International Air Transport Association (IATA) rate, Interbank Exchange Rate and Bureaux De Change (BDC) rate.

The parallel market rate is the most widely used rates for retail forex transactions, while the  NAFEX window controls over 60 per cent of official foreign exchange deals.

The NAFEX is now the official rate, indicating a move towards exchange rate convergence.

The market has continued to digest the impact of the CBN adopting the NAFEX as its official exchange rate. 

Tinubu, who acknowledged forex and the multiple exchange rates as challenges, said necessary actions should be taken to eliminate the menace.

He said: “I am no CBN, but I know that could go away, if I am the president. When you vote for me, write it down and confront me when it is time.”

Tinubu, who spoke on plans for ‘creating the path to a proud destination where Nigerians can be comfortably independent in a can-do society’, maintained that petrol subsidy must be removed.

The subsidy payment poses a challenge to the government. Figures from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) report showed that fuel subsidy gulped N316.7 billion in 2015; N99 billion in 2016; N141.63 billion in 2017; N722.3 billion in 2018; N578.07 billion in 2019; and N134 billion in 2020.

Although the NEITI report did not state the amount spent in 2021 and 2022, industry figures indicated that fuel subsidy jumped to N1.43 trillion in 2021.

The Federal Government spent N1.9 trillion on oil subsidy in seven months.

Petrol subsidy has been a perennial problem of the Nigerian economy and it has gotten to a level where it is a danger to the country’s fiscal sustainability.

Between January and July 2022, Nigeria paid N1.9 trillion on subsidy that benefitted mainly rich Nigerians, and the citizens and governments of neighbouring countries.

However, Tinubu, who rejected the payment, said: “The era when petrol subsidy was fashionable is gone”.

Reiterating his promise to remove petroleum subsidy, he said: “The Petroleum Act is there for us to take a second look at to meet our obligations and no matter how much or long the protest, we will remove petrol subsidy. We will take tough decisions, but it will be done, and that is the truth. The era when fuel subsidy was fashionable is gone. So, it must be removed. We can invest the money wisely, for instance in health, as some of you have said. No matter how long you protest, we will remove subsidy. We can do it. We are educated enough. How can we subsidise fuel consumption of Cameroon, Niger, Benin Republic and some others?”

Read Also: 2023: ‘Tinubu has capacity to transform Nigeria’

“Other economies are already building charged stations, but we are yet to generate electricity to even roast plantain. Electricity is the most important discovery for humanity in the last 1,000 years and so, we must have electricity whichever way and by all means possible. I can also promise you will not pay for estimated billing. We will talk and walk our talk.

“Please let us do it, we can do it, we are educated enough, we are courageous enough, we are great people. A promise made will be a promise kept.”

Unveiling his plan for education, Tinubu said: “We will establish student loans and take care of the variables, a four-year course must be four years. When do you start, when do you end, when do you stand to be employed, what aspect of the loan is to be written off during NYSC. we will answer those questions because they have answers.”

The candidate solicited the input of the business community to make his plans more robust and encompassing. 

He said: “I have listened to your. When I am elected as president, we will create a committee from among you to compile all your ideas and couple you into circuit breakers so that together we can break the jinx of poverty and ignorance. A committee will be formed in the oil and gas sector to present a blueprint for the now and for the future of Nigeria. What I have come to promise is that my actions will speak louder than my voice.

“My aim is to develop local manufacturing and value-added businesses. My aim is to deepen consumer lending, increase affordable housing and provide business owners with low-cost loans to modernise operations and improve productivity. My aim is to reform the structural foundation of our economy. To accomplish this major feat, government and the private sector must work hand in hand.”

Tinubu added: “Our policy will further stimulate our world-leading start-up ecosystem. I want our brilliant entrepreneurs to continue to innovate our people out of poverty and lead us towards the path of prosperity.

“My discussion today is to inspire you to vote first. Recruit as many people as possible to vote for me so that the promise of today can be a reality tomorrow. It is only a strong determination, perseverance and consistency that can build a national edifice that we can call a nation; that is when we can bring prosperity to Nigeria. We promise you we will bring prosperity, fulfill your dreams, and please believe me hope is back here.

“But you have to vote first. With our PVCs, we will liberate ourselves and others from the shackles of poverty and turn Nigeria’s ship around for our prosperity.”

Sanwo-Olu urged businessmen to see things differently, adding that leadership is about vision, audacity to dream, gathering teams.

He said: “Tinubu encompasses all these and I can assure you that voting for him will ensure that everything works well. The rail line that was just opened was Tinubu’s brain child over from many years ago.

“You don’t have to go into the public service but you can have a voice. We can be strategic partners, critical stakeholders in which we influence conversations, policies and programmes so that as a business person, we will be able to fashion our visions clearer and it can be a win-win situation.”

Business tycoons and industrialists at the event reiterated that Tinubu is the best man for the job on account of his doggedness and ability to gather talents for development.

Oando chief Wale Tinubu described Asiwaju Tinubu as a lion who has been able to execute his ideas consistently, as well as leading an impressive team of like-minds to deliver.

He urged the business community to support the candidate because he has good plans for the country.

Wale Tinubu, who is also a lawyer, said: “I know Tinubu to be a stubborn human being who sticks to his convictions, no matter what. His strength and intelligence are unprecedented. I have been successful so far because Tinubu has been a strong support and I urge you all to give him your support. If you would be successful in life, love, family, country, please back a Lion, a courageous strong Asiwaju Tinubu for president.”

Cardoso, the first Lagos State Commissioner of Economic Planning and Budget under the Tinubu administration, praised the candidate for his vision in ensuring a prosperous Lagos.

He said: “Tinubu’s foresight in establishing the first Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget in the country served as a template, which other states copied.”

•Rivers governor rules out support for ‘serial defector’

AGGRIEVED Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and their allies in the Integrity Group will unveil their preferred candidate for the February 25, 2023 presidential poll, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike hinted yesterday.

The Group of Five (G-5) governors – Wike; Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and their allies opted of the team campaigning for the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Their decision was taken, following the refusal of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to step aside from office as the party’s National Chairman after Atiku clinched the presidential ticket.

The G-5 governors are insisting that only equity, justice and fairness in the PDP will make them have a rethink on their party’s presidential candidate.

Wike, who spoke at the inauguration of the Rumuokwurusi- Elimgbu Flyover (10th flyover) in Rumuokwurusi Town, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, asked his detractors in the PDP to wait for him till January.

The governor told party faithful’s in the state to vote for the PDP governorship, National and House of Assembly candidates for 2023, but to wait for the unveiling of the chosen presidential candidate in January.

He said the decision on the presidential candidate to moblise votes for in the forthcoming poll was being been taken and would be revealed next month.

The governor said that he will not only campaign for the yet-to-determined presidential candidate in Rivers, but tour the whole country to mobilise support for him.

Wike promised to explain to Nigerians why the candidate deserves their votes and why others lacked the qualities to govern the country.

He said the people needed to know a reliable and trusted candidate to deliver the required national transformation with the expected capability and results.

The governor said: “So, from January next year, I will campaign to my people who they will vote for. All of you who have been in suspense, who have been saying all kinds of things and abusing me, wait, January has come.

“Not only will I tell them where they will vote, I will move from state to state and tell them why they should vote for the people I think they should vote for. Nothing will happen.”

Wike, who said the Integrity Group would not support some persons with political inconsistencies, associations and philosophy, wondered if such individuals could, in good conscience, say they had been fair to Nigerians and fit to lead the country.

He said: “Those of you who have never been stable, you moved from PDP to there and you moved from there back to PDP. Those of you who campaigned in 2015, telling Nigerians if they vote for PDP, they were voting for insurgency, if they voted for PDP, they’re voting for corruption.

“Wait, all of us will get reply. We will tell Nigerians this thing that you said, how far now? Where do you still stand now? Is it the same PDP or a new-PDP?

Read Also: Wike hits Atiku’s campaigners linking him to violence in Rivers

Wike insisted that going into an election and clinching victory are beyond mere appearances on television, casting aspersions on others and talking big.

He said: “So, all of you appearing on television abusing me; don’t waste your saliva again. January has come. All those of you who are telling Nigerians that you used to have 40 shoes, you used to have 50 wrist watches, time has come to convert those shoes and wrist watches to votes. It’s not to be on the podium and raise your shoes high. And raise your wrist watch high. Time has come to convert them to votes.”

Wike said some Rivers politicians, who had fled to Abuja to know that the 2023 election will confirm, who truly possessed political influence on Rivers electorate.

He said the general election would be an opportunity to retire such politicians, urging them to return home and campaign for their candidates.

The governor reiterated that the state government was not opposed to any political party or group holding rallies but that they must pay the non-refundable security fee before they could use public schools.

The governor urged those politicians to stop overpricing themselves and deceiving people with claims beyond their capacity.

He said: “Let me also use the opportunity to advise those of them who said that they are our brothers in Abuja. This 2023 election will confirm to us in Rivers State who are those that have influence on voters.

“Who are those that their people will listen to and vote. It is not only for you to be in Abuja and tell them whatever you’re telling them. Come home because our polling booths are not going to be in Abuja.

“This election will retire people in 2023. If they win us, we go. If we win them, they go. In fact, they have already gone.”

Wike said his administration had established a new political concept that would deepen understanding on how to endear the electorate and secure their votes.

He explained that the PDP in Rivers would not engage in vote buying, but would depend on the numerous projects implemented in all the 23 local government areas, consistent payment of pensions and gratuities by his administration to win the 2023 general election.

Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinima Alabo, who gave the project profile, said the Rumuokwurusi -Elimgbu Flyover, started on January 28 this year and was delivered in less than 10 months.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, yesterday came under scathing criticism for promising   to reopen the nation’s borders if elected.

Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Lai Mohammed, who faulted the plans, said the border closure policy, if reversed, would be count-productive.

He said the PDP candidate, in his desperation for power, plans to allow more arms peddlers and merchants to bring in more light weapons into the country.

Reminding the one-time vice president that the border closure measure was taken by the President Buhari Muhammadu administration to shore up local production, especially in the agriculture sector, Mohammed warned a reversal of the policy will lead to loss of jobs in rice mills and fertilizer plants.

The minister took Atiku on at the opening of the 15th edition of the presentation of the Buhari administration scorecard on police reforms. It was hosted by Police Affairs Minister Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, in Abuja.

Addressing his supporters at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium on Tuesday, the PDP candidate promised to open all borders.

The Buhari administration closed the borders to check proliferation of small arms, smuggling of rice into the country and smuggling of subsidized petrol through the land borders.

Accusing Atiku of inordinate ambition, Mohammed said: “Please permit me to use this opportunity to respond to the unfortunate comment credited to His Excellency, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during his campaign stop in Katsina on Tuesday that he will reopen all Nigerian borders if elected President.

“By that statement, Atiku has simply informed Nigerians that he will reverse all the efforts made by the PMB administration to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of many staples, especially rice.

“By that statement, the former Vice President has informed the country’s millions of rice farmers that they will soon lose their jobs when imported rice floods the country.

“By that statement, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, has told the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians working in the various rice mills that have sprung up under this administration that their jobs are over.

“By that statement, Alhaji Atiku will shut down most, if not all, of our new fertilizer blending companies, with thousands of jobs going down the drain.

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“And by his declaration, the former Vice President has told Nigerians that he will worsen security in the country by allowing arms and ammunition to flow unhindered into the country.”

The minister said it was clear Atiku was desperate to get millions of Nigerians into the unemployment market.

He added: “In case His Excellency Atiku Abubakar is not aware, the PMB Administration has increased the number of fertilizer blending plants in the country from 10 in 2015 to 142 today; the rice mills in the country from 10 in 2015 to 80 integrated rice mills today. In addition, 10 large scale integrated rice mills are currently being built across the country.

“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar may also want to know that while Nigeria was the number one export destination for rice in 2014, our country has now moved to number 79, according to Thai authorities.

“By throwing open the borders indiscriminately as he has pledged, Atiku Abubakar has simply announced that he intends to return Nigeria to the number one importer of Thai rice in 2023!

“It is now clear that in his desperation for power, the presidential candidate of the PDP will not hesitate to export Nigerian jobs, put millions of Nigerians out of job, and ruin the fertilizer companies and the rice mills that have grown exponentially in number since Nigeria shut its land borders in 2019 (with some of them later reopened) due to the smuggling of rice as well as arms and ammunition into the country.” 

The minister urged Nigerians to beware of Atiku’s desperation for power.

He said: “For sheer expediency, Alhaji Atiku, a former Customs Officer who rose to the pinnacle of his career, is ready to erase the gains made since 2015 in pushing Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency in the production of staples.

“Out of desperation, he is ready to worsen the security situation in Nigeria by throwing open all the borders and allowing a massive inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country.

“Only an inordinately-ambitious candidate will wish to return Nigeria to an era of massive importation of food, to the detriment of local farmers, and an era of unbridled inflow of weapons.

“This is a red flag to Nigerians who, in line with the admonition of President Muhammadu Buhari, have been striving to produce what they eat and eat what they produce.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) came down heavily on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the opposition party’s allegation that the ruling party was plotting to scuttle the 2023 general election by sponsoring attacks on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) facilities.

APC described the PDP’s allegation as a false and baseless alarm and a face-saving exit strategy knowing its electoral interment was imminent.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement Thursday in Abuja, said the PDP’s allegation has shown that the party has dived deeper into its murky cesspool of confusion, calumny and unmitigated irrationality.

The statement reads: “The PDP has continued to outdo its record of disgraceful display of despicable desperation and despondency in the conduct of its public affairs.

“Utterly discombobulated by prospects of impending annihilation at the polls, the PDP has dived deeper into its murky cesspool of confusion, calumny and unmitigated irrationality.

“Barely 65 days to the 2023 presidential election, the PDP remains preoccupied with spewing gibberish and falsehoods as a choice electoral strategy at a time when serious political parties are digging deep, canvassing votes and building viable electoral networks.

“Afflicted by its infamy, the PDP’s latest incoherent press conference built entirely on malicious lies and unimaginative conjecture only certifies the party’s irredeemable descent into the dark abyss of inglorious political history.”

“At a recent press conference, the PDP, alleged that our great party was plotting to scuttle the 2023 general election by sponsoring attacks on INEC facilities, allegedly, to prevent new registrants from collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs); destroy PVCs to forestall collection by potential voters; destroy INEC’s equipment and cripple its capacity to conduct elections; and create tension across the country to ‘validate a narrative that elections cannot hold, then orchestrate a constitutional crisis to justify a shift of the elections and perpetuate certain APC elements in office beyond May 29, 2023.’

“And the only basis for these dumb allegations is what decrepit PDP calls ‘intelligence available to our party’.

Read Also: ‘APC should work hard to win’

“We stand united with INEC in its effort to conduct a free, transparent and fair election next year.

“We have and continue to, unequivocally, condemn attacks on INEC’s facilities and staff, and urge our security agencies to protect these important facilities and to bring perpetrators of these acts to justice.

“Violent attacks against INEC facilities and staff are very serious matters of national concern and security and have the potential to destabilise our set electoral program on which the viability and sustainability of our nascent democracy depends.

“It is not a flimsy matter that anyone or political party should appropriate as material for a morbid comedy skit as the PDP chooses to do and has done quite consistently during this electoral season.

“A responsible political actor or party that has any credible and actionable intelligence on matters as serious as plots to destabilise our national elections would turn that information or ‘intelligence’ over to our many law enforcement agencies for a full and thorough investigation and possible arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.

“It is crassly irresponsible for the PDP and its officials to drown the airwaves and news wires with a dubious and immature cacophony of falsehoods, phantom plots and conspiracy theories.

“Without a doubt, the PDP’s false alarm and baseless allegations against our great party are only their twisted wish that next year’s election is averted as a face-saving exit strategy for what they already know would turn out to be a well-rounded electoral interment of their decadent and expired party.

“PDP’s vain attempt to associate our respected and respectable Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with their imagined plot to disrupt our elections is beyond the pale. PDP has always been intimidated by the towering popularity of our presidential candidate who is tirelessly traversing the length and breadth of our country justifying his bid for the highest office in the land and renewing hope of a more vibrant future for all Nigerians.

“It is illogical and infantile to suggest, as the PDP attempts to do, that the undisputed front-runner and preferred Candidate to win next year’s Presidential Election, bolstered by the profound accomplishments of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, would engage in acts or plots to scuttle an election he is eminently confident of winning. Nigerians are smarter and more discerning than the PDP believes them to be.

“It bears mentioning for the umpteenth time that one of many legacies APC is bequeathing to Nigeria, is an independent and credible electoral system.

“The new Electoral Act, the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS); the conduct of credible off-season elections in Anambra, Osun and Ekiti; adequate funding of INEC and improved capability of the security forces remain pointers to this unassailable fact.

“While the PDP keeps busy milling falsehood and propaganda as the preferred electoral strategy, we choose to remain undistracted, resolute and focused on serving Nigerians and soliciting their valued support ahead of the 2023 general elections.”

Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has promised entrepreneurs that he would turn Nigeria’s present challenges into opportunities for growth and development.

He also promised to work towards creating better security for an enabling business environment.

Tinubu was speaking at the business luncheon with business owners titled “Business Forward” on Thursday at the Wings, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The APC candidate said since it is the responsibility of government to secure the lives and properties of citizens, if elected, his administration would make that its priority, the same way he did when he was Lagos State governor.

According to him, business and insecurity cannot thrive side by side.

He was joined at the event by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, former Commissioners in his administration in Lagos, Messers Yemi Cardozo and Dele Alake, former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, and Hadiza Bala Usman among others.

The business entrepreneurs raised issues around education, healthcare development, electricity, investment climate, multiple exchange rates and prevailing oil subsidy, asking how he would deal with the challenges.

Tinubu in his address specifically addressed the pressing issue of fuel subsidy and what he will do as president.

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He promised to take bold decisions that will turn the economy around and one of such will be a firm decision on fuel subsidy, saying Nigeria will not continue to subsidise fuel consumption in neighbouring countries.

“How can we be subsidising fuel consumption of Cameroon, of Niger, of Benin Republic. No matter how long you protest, we are going to remove subsidy,” he said emphatically.

On security, he said: “First, the primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives, properties, and prosperity of its citizens.

“As Governor of Lagos, fixing the difficult security situation I inherited was the first item on my list. Only after we secured the state and changed its reputation for the better, could we embark on the economic reforms that have ultimately produced the vibrant and active megacity of today.

“I am committed to securing Nigerians from violence and the fear of such violence. Terror, kidnapping and banditry have no place in the society I envision. Upon entering office, we will move to implement several measures:

“We will increase the numbers of our military and non-military security forces. Specialist anti-terrorist battalions with integrated special forces units shall also be established.

“Our Critical National Infrastructure Protection Plan will deploy aerial and ground surveillance technology to surveil the most dangerous areas and secure our country’s vital national infrastructure and installations.

“We shall acquire and upgrade the tactical communications and mobility of our troops and security personnel. We must also devote greater attention to the care and welfare of our military and security forces who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe.

“In sum, our objective is to be able to outmanoeuvre, outwit and outflank the terrorists and criminal groups. They want to defeat our democratic and good society. We shall defeat their evil one.

“We did it in Lagos with the RRS Scheme. We can do it again for Nigeria.

“As we fight insecurity, we must deal with our economy at the same time. We know that business and insecurity cannot thrive side by side.”

He said his government would give room to allow the private sector to thrive by not interfering while opening rooms for collaborations.

“Thus, where the private sector is doing well, my government will not interfere. Our guiding principle regarding economic policy shall be to provide the right policy framework so that businesses can flourish.

“But I want to do more than help existing businesses to exist. We must create a space where new sectors and lines of business can open. 

“We must grow this economy so that it can accommodate over 200 million people with a decent standard of living.

“My government will collaborate with the private sector to bring about massive infrastructural renewal that enhances economic opportunities, and lowers business costs and overheads while producing jobs that spur further growth and development through increased consumer demand. This is the virtuous economic cycle we seek to create,” he added.

He then shared his plans for boosting the country’s economy. “From our national infrastructural campaign to our national portable water campaign and plans to reticulate major dams, our intention is to leverage public-private partnerships to attract private sector investment along the critical path leading from modernization of infrastructure to realization of sustainable yet significant economic growth.

“Please also note the various sectors in which we have promised fiscal incentives, tax breaks, tax credits, rebates and access to finance.

“My aim is to develop local manufacturing and value-added businesses. My aim is to deepen consumer lending, increase affordable housing and provide business owners with low-cost loans to modernize operations and improve productivity. My aim is to reform the structural foundation of our economy. To accomplish this major feat, the government and the private must work hand in hand.

“Our policy will further stimulate our world-leading start-up ecosystem. I want our brilliant entrepreneurs to continue to innovate our people out of poverty and lead us towards the path of prosperity.

“But I must also say we shall not be afraid to regulate wisely. We cannot allow instances like the collapse of FTX to happen here. We must protect business, consumer and investor confidence in equal proportion.”

The former Lagos State governor also touched on improving the nation’s power sector which he said is critical to any economic development and strengthening the health sector.

On the demands and inputs of the participants, Tinubu said, “Indeed, I have been assured by the organisers that the secretariat is already collating your inputs so that your contributions can be melded into our plans.”

Who among the leading presidential candidates will the Group of Five (G5) governors in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) support?

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said this will be made known in January.

He hinted that the Integrity Group – five governors fighting for equity, justice and fairness in the PDP – will unveil their chosen 2023 presidential candidate in January.

He spoke at the inauguration of the Rumuokwurusi – Elimgbu Flyover (10th flyover) in Rumuokwurusi Town, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area on Thursday.

He asked his detractors in the PDP to wait for him in January.

The governor told the people of the state to vote for his governorship, and National and House of Assembly candidates for 2023 but to wait for the unveiling of the chosen presidential candidate in January.

He said the decision on the presidential candidate to mobilise votes for in the forthcoming 2023 has been taken and will be revealed in January 2023.

Read Also: Wike vows to jail politicians disobeying his orders

Wike said that he would not just campaign for the presidential candidate in Rivers but would tour the whole country to mobilise support for him.

The governor said he would inform Nigerians why the candidate deserved their votes and why others lacked the qualities to govern the country.

He said the people needed to know a reliable and trusted candidate to deliver the required national transformation with the expected capability and results.

Wike said: “So, from January next year, I will campaign to my people who they will vote for. 

“So, all of you who have been in suspense, who have been saying all kinds of things, and abusing me, wait, January has come.

“Not only will I tell them where they will vote, but I will also move from state to state and tell them why they should vote for the people I think they should vote for. Nothing will happen.”

Wike said they would not support some persons who are politically inconsistent.

He said: “Those of you who have never been stable; you move from PDP to there, and you moved from there back to PDP. 

“Those of you who campaigned in 2015, telling Nigerians if they vote for PDP they are voting for insurgency, if they vote for PDP, they’re voting for corruption.

“Wait, all of us will reply. We will tell Nigerians this thing that you said, how far now. Where do you still stand now? Is it the same PDP or a new PDP?”

Wike insisted that going into an election and clinching the needed victory was beyond mere appearances on television, casting aspersions on others and talking big.

He said: “So, all of you appearing on television abusing me, don’t waste your saliva again. January has come. 

“All those of you who are telling Nigerians that you used to have 40 shoes, you used to have 50 wristwatches, the time has come to convert those shoes and wristwatches to votes.

“It’s not to be on the podium and raise your shoes high. And raise your wristwatch high. Time has come to convert them to votes.”