Category: Lead

No fewer than three world leaders and global financial institutions have indicated an interest in discussing partnerships with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in France to move the nation’s economy further forward.

President Tinubu arrived in Paris, the capital of France, on Tuesday evening to participate in the New Global Financial Pact Summit at Palais Brongniart from June 22 to 23, 2023.

Disclosing developments on Tinubu’s itinerary in France to journalists after he had received briefings from members of his delegation ahead of his participation at a New Global Financing Pact Summit, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, said the President would be pushing for foreign direct investments in the scheduled meetings.

According to Alake, leaders from the United States of America, France, Switzerland and others have already indicated interest to meet with the President, especially after government’s policy on the unification of the Naira exchange rate, the domiciliary account restrictions removal, which will unlock the huge potentials for investment, create jobs and capital flows, thereby enhancing investor confidence in the economy.

Tinubu in his inaugural speech criticised the Central Bank of Nigeria saying that monetary policy requires a “thorough house-cleaning” and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on June 14th announced the unification of all segments of the foreign exchange (FX) market – replacing the old regime of multiple exchange rate “windows” for different purposes with, in effect, a market rate. 

Read Also: What I told President Tinubu during my visit, by Bill Gates

Asked about the expectations of Nigeria from the summit, he said: “The essence of this trip is to network as much as feasible and as much as is practicable. The President wants to network with international finance corporations and institutions, countries that are well healed that would facilitate or that could facilitate direct foreign investment into Nigeria. 

“Don’t forget that Mr. President has taken some very bold steps in the area of economy, in the area of social engineering in the last three weeks, and particularly with reference to the unification of the multiple exchange rates, which has caused very positive multiplier effects. 

“However, in the short term, we have noticed and expected that there will be a slight spike in the demand and then that would affect the value of the Naira viz-viz the dollar.  

“So apart from the immediate, short and long-term positive effects of that unification policy, there could be a need for an injection of direct foreign exchange into the economy to shore up the value of the naira while market forces stabilize and in the short run or medium term, there is going to be when the effects of this policy begin to mature. 

“For instance, you can now spend your money in your domiciliary account. The domiciliary account restrictions have been liberalized. So there’s no more restriction. Once there’s money in your account, you can spend it anywhere in the world. 

“Now that is going to build confidence in the foreign exchange system of Nigeria, which means people abroad can begin to bring in their money into the economy, even those at home, who have hoarded their dollars for fear of restrictions and all that will now be more encouraged to bring the dollars into the financial system. 

“However, with all of these, you still need a direct foreign injection of foreign exchange to build or complement the domestic policies. That is the essence of this meeting and is a global summit and there are several heads of state of developed societies that Mr. President’s policies in the last three weeks really have encouraged these foreign nations and investors to become more interested in the affairs of Nigeria in shoring up the economy of Nigeria. 

“So a lot of them are quite interested so many of them have even indicated interest to meet with Mr. President in this trip. Just upstairs now. We were having a meeting with the president structuring some of these meetings with heads of state. 

“At the last count about three, four different heads of state of developed countries have indicated willingness to meet with him, have a chat with him and explore areas of cooperation on the economy, on agriculture, on other areas that are salient to the development of Nigeria’s economy. That is generally the essence of this meeting”, he said.

The Acting Inspector – General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has officially assumed office as the 22nd IGP.

The former IGP, Usman Baba, officially handed over to Egbetokun around noon. 

Read Also: VIDEO: Shettima decorates Acting IGP Egbetokun

Egbetokun was decorated on Wednesday at the Villa by Vice President Kashim Shettima. 

Details shortly…

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) started and concluded hearing on the petition by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on Wednesday.

The whole proceedings lasted for about two and half hours.

APM is challenging President Bola Tinubu’s election on the grounds that his running mate, Kashim Shettma was not qualified to contest having allegedly engaged in double nomination.

Petitioner’s lawyer, G. O. Idiagbonya presented his client’s case by calling a witness, Aisha Abubakar, who described herself as the APM’s Assistant Welfare Officer.

Idiagbonya made the witness to adopt her five written statements on oath and tendered some documents through her, following which he announced the closure of the petitiooner’s case.

Read Also: JUST IN: APM insists on prosecuting case against Tinubu, APC, INEC

She was cross examined by lawyers to the respondents, during which the May 26 judgment of the Supreme Court in the case by the PDP, where the apex court held that Shettima never had double nomination, was tendered.

The respondents – INEC, APC, Tinubu, Shettma and Kabir Masari – elected not to call evidence, but to rely on the May 26 Supreme Court judgment and a letter dated June 12, 2022 notifying INEC of the withdrawal of Shettma as a senatorial candidate of the APC for Borno Central Senatorial district.

The court then ordered each of the respondents to file and serve final written address within 10 days, it gave the petitioner seven days, from the date of being served by the respondents, to also file and serve it’s final written address, the respondents are to subsequently their reply.

It then adjourned till July 14 for the adoption of all final written addresses, following which a date will be set for judgment.

Details shortly…

A former Lagos Commissioner of Police AIG Hakeem Odumosu has debunked news reports that he has been appointed as chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The reports circulated online on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Odumosu as the acting Chairman of EFCC.

But in a statement, Odumosu, who retired as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, dismissed the media reports, saying he was not aware of such an appointment.

Read Also: EFCC releases Ortom after nine-hour grilling

Odumosu described the circulation of the fake appointment as an unnecessary distraction by mischief makers.

He said: “Good Morning everyone, I have been inundated with so many calls and messages between yesterday and today on a purported “EFCC Appointment”. I just want to use this opportunity to debunk this information and say it’s totally untrue.

“This information must have emanated from Mischief Makers and should be totally disregarded.”

The Nation reports President Bola Tinubu suspended Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while Abdulkarim Chukkol stepped in as Acting Chairman of the Commission.

• ‘It’s a unifier’

• Acting IG: I will battle criminals like tiger

The appointment of new Service chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu drew acclaim yesterday from eminent Nigerians.

Governors, monarchs, senators, House of Representatives members and other groups, said President was on course.

President Tinubu made key security appointments in a major shake-up.

The new Service Chiefs are Maj. Gen. Christopher Gewbi Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Maj.-Gen. Taoreed A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Rear Admiral Emmanuel A. Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Hassan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff (CAS). 

They will hold office in acting capacities.

Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police Kayode Egbetokun was named the acting Inspector-General of Police while Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is the NSA.

Egbetokun, who was decorated yesterday by Vice President Kashim Shettima, vowed to take the battle to criminals.

He said he felt like a tiger and a lion ready to attack their prey.

Among the governors who hailed the appointments are Uba Sani (Kaduna), Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti). 

Others are House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George; Secretary to Kano State Government Baffa Bichi; PDP governorship aspirant in Kano State, Mr. Jafar Bello and Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.

Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Mike Ejiofor; the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) and rights activist Deji Adeyanju also welcomed the appointments, among others.

Governors excited 

Sani said the appointment of Gen. Musa, an indigene of the state, as the CDS, was well-deserved.

In a statement, the governor said: “He is a worthy ambassador of Kaduna State, having had a distinguished military career and held many strategic positions, including Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai.”

Sani emphasised that Gen. Musa has been exemplary in his professional conduct throughout his years of military service. 

He praised the new CDS for his diligence, dedication, and loyalty, which have now been rewarded with his elevation.

Sani expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for recognising the worthiness of their son for such an important national assignment.

Adeleke hailed the appointments of Maj.-Gen. Lagbaja as the Chief of Army Staff and Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the acting Comptroller-General of Customs. 

He described the appointments as a recognition of capacity and outstanding track records.

The governor, who welcomed the elevation of the two indigenes of Osun as a great honour, thanked President Tinubu for trusting the duo with important roles.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, he expressed strong belief in their capacity to deliver on their assigned mandates. 

Tinubu’s appointment reasonable, says George 

George, a known critic of the president, said rejigging the security architecture was reasonable.

He said he was not averse to working with Tinubu if he is invited and permitted by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

The former military governor of Ondo State spoke on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today.

George, who said he was not an enemy of the president, said the appointments were a departure from the past, adding that they reflected federal character.

He urged President Tinubu to revisit Goodluck Jonathan’s report on restructuring and called for the creation of state police.

He also said he was not averse to working with the president if he is invited to come on board. 

But he added that he would need the permission of his party before accepting any offer.

He said: “On relieving the service chiefs and appointing a new set of service chiefs, Tinubu’s start-off is reasonable, though not perfect. At least, it is better than what we had known before.

“To lead the country is not an easy job and the only thing we can also do is to pray for whoever occupies the seat of the president. It is not a matter of totalitarianism or know-it all syndrome. You need a lot of good advisers, introspection.

“Now, the president is doing some balancing. So far, it is reasonable.

“For me, as regards the federal character, the appointment Tinubu has made so far is still reasonable.

“Let the President approve state police for us. He should revisit the report by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Though I am an irredentist member of the PDP, if the president calls me to work with him, I’ll go and seek permission from my party before considering it.

“I have no qualms with Tinubu. If we are fighting, it is not to death.”

Bichi and Bello hailed the appointments.

According to them, President Tinubu has shown that he knows his onions with these appointments.

They also expressed hope that with the crop of new security chiefs, the security challenges would soon be surmounted.

Bichi said: “The appointments were very much expected. Looking at the appointments, they are balanced. 

“The president has again shown that he knows his onions and he will select the correct set of people. 

“By and large, we believe that these choices are good for the country. We congratulate them and wish them well.”

Bello, who faulted some who have been agitating over the likely choice of Ribadu as the NSA, said that was a wrong mindset.

He said: “This is about competence, capacity and capability. 

“And I think that Mr. President has done the right thing to stand his ground on the choice of Ribabu and this is a welcome development.

“The president has to put every square peg in square holes and round pegs in round holes.

“With these appointments, it is clear that the president has the security of the nation at the bottom of his heart.

“And there could be no better time than now to rearrange the security architecture of this country.”

Deputy Speaker seeks support for Ogalla

Kalu commended the President for appointing Rear Admiral Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff.

He described the appointment as a diversity–sensitive one by the president, who is determined to lead an all inclusive government and promote national cohesion in the country.

He thanked President Tinubu for his proactiveness in appointing capable hands to man key areas of the new administration.

The deputy speaker congratulated the new Chief of Naval Staff and urged the Southeast to support the current administration as their interests are well secured by Tinubu.

Alhaji Gambari described the appointment of Egbetokun as a reward for diligence, hard work and patriotism.

The Chairman of Kwara Traditional Rulers Council conveyed his felicitation in a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Malam Abdulazeez Arowona.

He described Egbetokun as a detribalised Nigerian, adding that he is committed to the security and protection of lives and property of the nation.

The emir recalled that when Egbetokun was the Commissioner of Police in Kwara between January 2019 and December 2020, he fought crime and criminality across the state.

Ejiofor: TInubu dousing tension in Southeast

Ex-DSS chief Ejiofor hailed President Tinubu for promoting fairness in the appointments.

Describing them as all-inclusive, he added: “I’m more delighted that the Southeast is now represented and this is a way of dousing tension.

“I don’t think he (Tinubu) wants to look at solving the security challenges we have with the jackboot method that we’ve all been using.”

The former DSS director commended the President for appointing somebody from the Southeast, stating that he had received several calls following the news.

He said: “It’s a way of building confidence and reassuring the people. The President should be commended.”

‘Tinubu uniting Nigeria’

The NCYP commended President Tinubu for promoting equity in the country.

In a statement, its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, said the appointments reinforce the belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket during the election was never intended to disrespect Christians, especially those in the North, but a strategic move to secure electoral victory.

Urging Christians and all Nigerians to wholeheartedly embrace the schemes of things in the Tinubu-led administration, and foster unity within the diverse nation, the NCYP urged those appointed by the president to serve Nigeria as one regardless of any basis of ethnicity, or faith.

Abrak said: “In particular, we would like to express our deep appreciation for the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Musa as the Chief of Staff. Maj.-Gen. Musa, a northern Christian from the minority tribe of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna state, has been appointed despite the fact that his local government did not strongly support the President during the election.

“This appointment stands as a shining example that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not engage in the politics of bitterness, which is unfortunately rare among politicians. Instead, he governs with remarkable ingenuity and inclusiveness, leading all Nigerians as one united nation.”

He added: “President Tinubu with his rare ingenuity has set aside the politics of the election and is now governing all Nigerians as one, without distinction. His visionary leadership deserves our admiration, and support and is worthy of emulation by all politicians, especially the emerging generation.”

“The Northern Christian Youth Professionals calls upon all Christians and Nigerians to unite in prayer for the well-being of the President. 

“Let us pray for his wisdom, good health, and divine guidance as he leads our great nation through these challenging times. 

“By standing together and offering our collective support, we can help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.”

Rights activist Deji Adeyanju commended the President for appointing Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as NSA.

He described the appointment as fitting and a courageous decision by the President.

In a statement, Adeyanju said: “As Nigeria gradually exits a period where political appointments, once made, were retained for the duration of their term, irrespective of the appointee’s incompetence, it is important to remind President Tinubu that military appointments are not to be made as political patronage.

“If the new service chiefs fail in their duty, they should equally be sacked without much ado. Only through this means can we have service chiefs whose loyalty is to the Nigerian state.

“I also use this medium to congratulate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on his appointment as the National Security Adviser. Mallam Ribadu has had a stellar career, and expect that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the nation’s security affairs.

“I call on the new service chiefs and acting Inspector General of Police to eschew interagency conflict and corruption.

“President Bola Tinubu and all newly appointed officials must make efforts to halt the decline in every strata of our national life,” he said.

Group hails Tinubu for appointing Ribadu 

Founder and Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal, hailed President Tinubu for appointing Ribadu as NSA.

Lawal in a statement said the appointment demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security apparatus.

He added that Ribadu brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a proven track record in the field of intelligence as an outstanding and highly respected retired police officer.

He added: “This unprecedented decision demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security apparatus and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

“Mallam Ribadu brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a proven track record in the field of intelligence as an outstanding and highly respected retired police officer.”

Oyebanji hails Alake’s appointment

The President also got kudo for appointing competent technocrats into other positions.

Oyebanji thanked President Tinubu for the appointments of two illustrious indigenes-Dele Alake as Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, and Ibrahim Olanrewaju as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

Oyebanji who described the duo as “very experienced, hardworking and capable,” said he was happy the President found them worthy of such significant positions in his government.

The Governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Yinka Oyebode, said he was optimistic that the former lawmaker would excel in his new role as the President’s Liaison Officer in the National Assembly, giving his antecedence as a decent and pragmatic politician and lawmaker, who served as Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Production Services as well as a member of the Defence, Judiciary, Environment and Justice committees in the 9th House of Representatives.

While congratulating Olanrewaju on the new appointment, which he described as a notable recognition of his steadfastness, political maturity and high-level integrity, Governor Oyebanji urged him to deploy his energy, contact, tact and political sagacity in building an excellent working relationship between the National Assembly and the Presidency, a development he said is crucial to the country’s political stability.

Oyebanji said Alake’s wealth of experience as a Veteran journalist, prolific writer, media manager, pro-democracy activist and political communication strategist would add great value to the administration’s commitment to running a people-oriented government, where effective communication with the citizenry is very key.   

He described the Ikoro-Ekiti-born veteran journalist as a highly decorated journalist and communication strategist who has continued to demonstrate a great capacity for communication strategies and perception management since his role as a Communication Adviser to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola in the nineties; his eight years stint as Commissioner for Information and Strategy during the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in Lagos State and his recent role as Communication Adviser during the presidential campaigns, with outstanding performance.

‘Tinubu is gender sensitive’

An educationist and gender activist, Osamaye Seun Bosede, congratulated Hadiza Bala Usman, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and other women appointed into key positions by President Tinubu.

Osamaye commended President Tinubu for being gender sensitive in his appointments so far, asserting that the President would perform beyond expectations and prove his critics wrong.

Osamaye said in a statement that “these appointments are a significant step towards the advancement of women in the country and a testament to the President’s commitment to gender equality.”

A group, Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (COGGA), hailed Tinubu for appointing female technocrats and core professionals into positions.

The group made the commendation yesterday at a news conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, urging the President to always boost the confidence of Nigerians in his administration.

The National Coordinator of COGGA, Comrade Amatare Mozimo, applauded President Tinubu for hitting the ground running, barely three weeks after assuming the leadership of Africa’s most populous nation.

He said it was against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s giant strides that COGGA is urging him to consider a frontline chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Ongoebi Maureen Orubide Etebu, as a minister.

Mozimo said Etebu, a Bayelsa-born Professor of Engineering with three doctoral degrees and four Masters in core engineering fields of mechanical, industrial, power and energy from top Ivy-League universities across the globe, would boost the President’s ministerial pick.

He stated: “We are full of admiration for the rich resume of the female engineer of impeccable character. Prof. Etebu’s pedigree is second to none as President Tinubu shall find her worthy and capable to work with.

• Agency begins process to determine actual figure

The 60 million litres of petrol claimed by the former subsidy support programme managers as Nigeria’s daily consumption is inflated, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) insisted yesterday.

NEITI said it has commissioned a study to ascertain the actual quantity.

The study, according to the NEITI Executive Secretary, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, will cover the subsidy era and the period after the policy removal on May 29.

But Orji, who did not give the study’s time limit, described the operation of the subsidy support programme as opaque.

He spoke at the stakeholders’ validation workshop on the 2022 Annual Progress Report (ARP) in Nigeria Extractive Industries in Abuja yesterday. 

Orji described the removal of subsidy as a “bold step,’ and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to reverse it.

He said: “For a very long time, NEITI’s position has been ‘remove subsidy.  And this government right from day one has taken that bold step and there shouldn’t be any going back.  

“For us in NEITI, we still believe that subsidy removal will still throw up other issues. 

“The issue that we know will happen is the actual figure, the actual figure of consumption. We believe the figures that are being thrown up as daily consumption in Nigeria, but we do not think that is very correct. 

“We think we need to have an empirical figure and that is why NEITI is just commissioning a study on the actual PMS consumption in Nigeria. 

“We have every reason to believe that the figure is less than what is being projected.”

Orji, who noted that so many facts were swept under the carpet in the management of the subsidy, also urged all the actors to take their leave.

He said:  ”I have highlighted that there was a need to remove subsidy and a lot was hiding under subsidy. Now that subsidy is removed let everybody find his way. 

“The removal of subsidy has also removed all the incentives for hyping these figures and highlighting these figures in a manner that lacks logical empirical reasoning. 

“The removal of subsidy will remove opacity and suspicious budgeting based on an estimate.

“That is why subsidy removal is a very fundamental policy shift that needs to be sustained.”

Orji expressed optimism that with the removal, the country has now freed a lot of resources to develop infrastructure: roads, electricity, healthcare and job creation.

He enjoined the media and civil society organisations to call for robust and prudent management of the savings from subsidy removal for building infrastructure. 

Orji also advised the government to introduce instant measures to alleviate the impacts of the removal of subsidy on the masses.

The NEITI  chief said: “The second stage is also some short-term steps that need to be put in place to cushion the immediate effects that subsidy has brought to bear on the very vulnerable less – privilege poor who are spread across the working class, the non-working class and the unemployed. 

“We just need the impact of this subsidy removal to reflect in the general well-being of Nigerians and also in our socio-infrastructure.

“We should move forward from there and then put in place a robust arrangement that will show a clear departure from the manner we had operated under subsidy. 

“Nigerians want to see what will change when subsidy is no more.”

He revealed that he has already informed the global body:  Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) that Nigeria now has a new government that has commenced massive reforms.”

He noted that some of the reforms have affected the NEITI board.

Orji revealed that he would soon have an audience with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on the need to quickly reconstitute the board.

In his goodwill message, NNPCL Chief Compliance Officer, Mr Nasir Usman, said there is a global perception of Nigeria as “corrupt.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last night arrived in Paris, France, to participate in the review and signing of a New Global Financial Pact.

His plane touched down at about 6:47pm and he was received by top government officials.

The pact signing, it was gathered, would place the vulnerable countries on priority list for support and investment, following devastating impact of climate change, energy crisis, and the after-effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The two-day summit to be hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron, with the theme: “Focus 2030” will hold between tomorrow and Friday at Palais Brongniart.

Macron announced the plan to host the summit during the COP27 summit in Egypt.

Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, in a statement, said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tuesday arrived in Paris, France, preparatory to the Summit on New Global Financing Pact, which will be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. 

“President Tinubu was received at the airport by Ambassador Kayode Laro and other top government officials from the Nigerian Embassy and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the plane touched down at 6.47pm local time. 

“President Tinubu will receive detailed briefs on Wednesday from Ambassador Laro, Permanent Secretary Adamu Lamuwa, and other officials on Nigeria’s position on the Summit, and the scheduled sideline meetings with leaders and multilateral institutions. 

“The President will participate in a two-day Summit, June 22nd and 23rd, that looks at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges, especially the most indebted, mobilize innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change and economies struggling with the effects of Covid-19 and energy crisis”. 

President Tinubu and the other global leaders, multilateral institutions, financial experts and economists will take a more holistic look at the recovery of economies from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and rising cases of poverty, with a view to providing access to finance and investment that will leverage inclusive growth. 

The President is accompanied by members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and senior government officials.

President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, will lead a roundtable discussion about the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa with heads of state and representatives of development partners on 22 June 2023, according to organizers.

Numerous leaders have already been confirmed, including Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva, President of Brazil, and many others. 

Numerous representatives of international organizations, philanthropists and activists will also be present: Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Vanessa Nakate, activist and UN Goodwill Ambassador, Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and more.

President Bola Tinubu around 6:21 pm Nigerian time arrived in Paris, the capital of France, where he will be participating in the review and signing of a New Global Financial Pact.

The Nation gathered that President Tinubu was received by government officials from Nigeria and France.

The pact signing, it was gathered, would place vulnerable countries on the priority list for support and investment, following the devastating impact of climate change, energy crisis and after effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two-day summit hosted by France President, Emmanuel Macron, has the theme: “Focus 2030” will hold from June 22 to 23, 2023, at Palais Brongniart.

Macron had expressed the wish for France to host the event during the COP27 in Egypt.

According to a statement by Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, the Summit, will look at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges, especially the most indebted; mobilize innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change; foster development in low-income countries, and encourage investment in “green” infrastructure for the energy transition in emerging and developing economies.

President Tinubu and the other global leaders, multilateral institutions, financial experts and economists will take a more holistic look at the recovery of economies from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and rising cases of poverty, with a view to providing access to finance and investment that will leverage inclusive growth.

The President is accompanied by members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and senior government officials.

President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, will lead a roundtable discussion about the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa with heads of state and representatives of development partners on 22 June 2023, according to organizers.

Numerous leaders have already been confirmed, including Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva, President of Brazil, and many others.

Numerous representatives of international organizations, philanthropists and activists will also be present: Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Vanessa Nakate, activist and UN Goodwill Ambassador, Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and more.

Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met on Tuesday in Abuja to review the party’s performance at the last general election.

The meeting, which was chaired by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, listed 183 chieftains from across the six geopolitical zones for attendance.

Damagum canvassed the need to reconcile aggrieved members and to strengthen the party for future challenges.

He said: “We have had series of meetings with the members of the national ex officio, state chairmen, Board of Trustees members as well as members of the National Assembly.

“This is a continuation of the discussions on what happened during the previous meetings. The whole idea is to unite the party.

“Initially, the meeting was supposed to be for only the founding fathers of this party. But we realised that after over twenty years of the existence of this party, a lot of people have also graduated to be founding fathers.

“From our first set of governors who may not really be the founding fathers, we have had leaders who have contributed their own quota to be recognised as members of this great party and leaders in their own right”.

The party chairman urged stakeholders to be mindful of their utterances while voicing their grievances, saying that PDP remains one family regardless of individual grievances.

The PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, gave a breakdown of the party’s performance at the last general election.

Bature said: “In the State Houses of Assembly, we have 342 members. We have 116 members in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, we have 36 members, and we have 13 Governors. We believe strongly that the ongoing tribunal cases in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kaduna and Sokoto States will be in our favour”.

Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara cautioned members on their public statements regarding proceedings in the ongoing election petition cases.

Those who attended the meeting included a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja

Others are Chief Olabode George, Chief Tom Ikimi, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Dr Babangida Aliyu among others.

However, three members of the G-5 who were invited to the meeting did not show up.

They are former Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar have hinted at the plan to conclude the presentation of their case on Thursday before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

The leader of their legal team, Chris Uche (SAN) disclosed this at the resumed hearing in their petition on Tuesday.

Although the petitioners had, during the preliminary hearing in the case, indicated their intention to call 100 witnesses, they called 25 as of June 19.

While speaking outside the courtroom, Uche said the petitioners could still call five more witnesses to raise the total number of witnesses called by them to 30.

Uche said that some of the documents to be tendered in the remaining two days would take the place of the remaining 70 witnesses.

“We are closing our case on Thursday, it was supposed to end today (Tuesday) but because we lost two days, one of which was the June 12 public holiday, the court graciously extended our time by two days”, Uche told newsmen after the proceedings

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Earlier during Tuesday’s proceedings, Uche applied to tender documents, which he said were handed to them by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  pursuant to two subpoenas served on him.

He tendered 14 bundles of voters register for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which admission was objected to by laywera to the respondents.

Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) for INEC, Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) for President Bola Tinubu and Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) objected to the admissibility of the documents and  promised to advance their reasons at the point of filing final written addresses.

The proceedings were however brought to an abrupt end when Uche moved to tender some bundles of certified true copies (CTCs) of election results, which he claimed was brought to them following second subpoena issued on INEC Chairman.

The Presiding Justice of the court, Justice Haruna Tsammani noted that the documents were not properly arranged and marked for easy reference. 

Uche blamed INEC for the state of the documents, claiming that the commission did not release the materials on time and was reluctant to release the others the petitioners requested.

He added that it was getting difficult for them to get election materials from INEC to prosecute their case, adding: “Getting materials from INEC is like getting weapons from opponents.”

Uche suggested the creation of a separate body to always warehouse election materials immediately after the election to allow easy access to such materials by petitioners. 

Responding, Pinheiro faulted Uche’s claim, insisting that neither INEC nor its officials have any reason to withhold election materials from petitioners.

Pinheiro accused the petitioners of not paying the required fees for the certification of the documents they planned to tender.

“The petitioners have not paid for certification. We brought these documents from across the country,” he said.

At a point, the court elected to suspend proceedings for 10 minutes to enable the petitioners arrange the documents and mark them as required.

When proceedings resumed later, Uche told  the court that parties  have agreed that the petitioners return home with the documents, prepare a schedule of documents and mark them for tendering on Wednesday

Details shortly…