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Tag: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

  • Five major appointments of President Tinubu in September

    Five major appointments of President Tinubu in September

    President Bola Tinubu on Sunday approved the appointment of Lagos Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola as his Principal Secretary.

    He was among many other new aides, whose appointment was released recently.

    Here are five major appointments of Tinubu in September:

    1.  Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso

    Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso

    President Bola Tinubu on Friday, September 15, appointed Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The nomination is for a term of five years at the first instance, pending his confirmation by the Senate.

    Tinubu also approved the nomination of four new Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a term of five years at the first instance, pending their confirmation by the Senate.

    2. Zacch Adedeji   

    Zacch Adedeji   
    Zacch Adedeji   

    President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, September 14, approved the appointment of Zacch Adedeji as the acting executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    Hon. Zacch Adedeji is a first-class graduate in accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University.

    Read Also: Tinubu names Cardoso CBN governor in major shake-up

    He most recently served the nation as the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, following meritorious service terms as the Oyo State Commissioner of Finance and as the Executive Secretary / CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

    3. Hakeem Muri-Okunola

    Hakeem Muri-Okunola
    Hakeem Muri-Okunola

    President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, September 17, approved the appointment of Hakeem Muri-Okunola as his Principal Secretary.

    The appointment of Muri-Okunola was among many other new aides, whose appointment was released recently.

    51-year-old Muri-Okunola holds a first degree in law from Lagos State University (LASU) and a Master’s degree in International Business Law from Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London.

    Muri-Okunola is the first son of the respected late jurist, Justice Muritala Okunola.

    4. Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Mr. Ayodele Olawande

    Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Mr. Ayodele Olawande

    President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, September 17, approved the nomination of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youth and Mr. Ayodele Olawande as Minister of State of the ministry.

    The new nominations are subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

    Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim is a young medical doctor and most recently served as the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF).

    She has also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Mr. Ayodele Olawande is a community development expert and youth leader in the governing All Progressives’ Congress (APC). He most recently served in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation from 2019 to 2023. 

     5. Khalil Suleiman Halilu

    . Khalil Suleiman Halilu

    President Bola Tinubu on September 1, approved the appointment of 32-year-old Khalil Suleiman Halilu as the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

    Khalil Suleiman Halilu will serve for an initial term of five years in accordance with the relevant sections of the NASENI Act, 2014.

  • BREAKING: Niger coup: Tinubu in meeting with Touray, Abubakar, Ribadu

    BREAKING: Niger coup: Tinubu in meeting with Touray, Abubakar, Ribadu

    As part of efforts to defuse the political crisis in Niger Republic, President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with some critical stakeholders in the ECOWAS intervention in the crisis.

    President Tinubu is the chairman of the authority of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Read Also: Niger coup: Giving strategic diplomacy a chance

    Attending the ongoing meeting are the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray; leader of the ECOWAS delegation to Niger Republic’s military junta, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

    Though there was no brief to the media on the agenda for the meeting, a source revealed that the reason would revolve round averting armed conflict over the Niger Republic crisis.

    Details shortly…

  • 2023: Osinbajo, Tinubu face smear campaign

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the national leader of the All progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, appear to be the targets of a vicious campaign ahead of the 2023 polls.

    The aim is to stop  power shift to the South in 2023 and where they are handicapped to “cast aspersions” on some political heavyweights.

    It was gathered that an agenda for a prolonged smear campaign has been put in place beginning with the printing of posters in Dubai by a Kaduna-based politician against Tinubu and the resurrection of a petition against Alpha Beta Consulting Limited.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC)  said  on Saturday that the  petitioner, Dapo Apara, has not substantiated his allegation of a N100billion scam against Alpha Beta.

    The Vice President had his first baptism with the probe of the activities of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) by the 8th House of Representatives in 2018.

    According to findings, the “war” against the Vice President and Tinubu will soon assume a media assault dimension which will spread for two years.

    It was also learnt that the forthcoming serial attacks were part of what is known as “Dubai Strategy”, which was developed by some stalwarts of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A source familiar with the alleged plot  said: “The overall objective of this grand plot by some politicians, including a mix of some APC governors, ex-governors and PDP elements, is to demystify the democratic credentials and integrity of Osinbajo and Tinubu.

    “It is also about permutations for 2023 ahead of a planned alliance by some APC and PDP elements to frustrate the suspected presidential ambition of Osinbajo and Tinubu.

    “They are out to paint Osinbajo and Tinubu as corrupt persons who should not be trusted by the political class, especially the power oligarchy in the country.

    “Apart from creating a wedge between President Muhammadu Buhari and the VP and Asiwaju, some of these schemers do not want power shift to the South in 2023 because of their secret presidential ambition.

    “They actually intend to provoke Buhari to move against Tinubu and Osinbajo under the guise of anti-corruption fight.”

    The source also said the assault on the VP and Tinubu was in connection with plans to decimate APC before 2023.

    “They see Osinbajo and Tinubu as stumbling blocks to their ambition. They have concluded plans to cause crisis in APC, destroy the party and use a new alliance to form a new party for their presidential aspiration.

    “Why will they go to Dubai to print 2023 posters to paint Tinubu as anti-Buhari? They are desperate to finish these two leaders. It is a crooked plot.”

    Petitioner can’t prove allegation against Alpha Beta, says EFCC

    The EFCC declared on Saturday that a petitioner, Dapo Apara has not substantiated his allegation of a N100billion scam against Alpha Beta Consulting Limited.

    It said although the investigation of the firm has been ongoing, it will not act on hearsays.

    The anti-graft agency, however, said its doors are open if Apara has any further proof with regards to his petition

    The EFCC, which made the clarifications in a statement by its Acting, Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade said it was false to claim that it has not acted on Apara’s petition in the last one year.

    The statement said a reporter sent apologies for not reflecting EFCC’s part in the story.

    The statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has noted a story in THE PUNCH newspaper of Saturday, July 13, 2019, titled: Osinbajo’s firm linked to company fingered in alleged N100bn Alpha Beta scam.

    “While not denying the fact that such petition was received on Alpha Beta by the Commission last year, preliminary investigation has shown that the petitioner did not substantiate the allegation contained in his petition.

    “For the records, the Alpha Beta investigation is ongoing and we have nothing to hide over the matter.

    “If the petitioner has any further proof with regards to the petition, our doors are wide open.”

    The EFCC said it does not conduct its investigation on hear says.

    It added: “As a tradition, we do not deal on hearsays, we act on facts and raw data.

    “The Commission will not allow anybody to drag its name and reputation into the mud for ill-motive reasons.

    “To underscore the desperation of the editorial team that anchored the report, Mr. Tobi Aworinde contacted the Commission’s acting Spokesperson at exactly 9:44 pm on Friday, July 12, 2019, on the subject matter.

    “Mr. Aworinde called the Spokesperson to know the position of the Commission on the petition.  The Spokesperson sent a response via a WhatsApp platform. Unfortunately, this response was not captured in the Punch report.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: Basic Education is a must

    “When contacted why the response of the Spokesperson was not reflected in the report, Mr. Aworinde replied and said: “I forwarded the message as soon as I got it.

    “It must have been the race to press. We were behind on our production deadline when I called for the reaction. My apologies sir.”

    “There is no doubt that the ‘race to press’ and ‘we were behind our production deadline when I called for reaction’, as explained by Aworinde, is suggestive that there was an agenda and a motive.”

    The anti-graft agency said it has attended to Apara’s petition contrary to insinuations.

    It said: “It is erroneous for the newspaper to claim that the Commission did not do anything in respect to the petition for one year.

    “It is also unfortunate and unprofessional for a paper like The Punch Newspapers to champion such misinformation and also rush to the press on a sensitive matter like this.

    “As we continue our investigation, we urge the media to be circumspect, fair and balance in their reportage.”

    Meanwhile, a group, Initiative to Save Democracy (ISD) has faulted a report linking Osinbajo with a firm implicated in the alleged N100b Alpha Beta scam.

    ISD, in a  statement on Saturday by its President, Sunday James Akinloye, also cautioned the press against being used by the People’s Democratic Party to propagate its Dubai strategy aimed at tarnishing the image and goodwill of persons in government, especially the President and the Vice President.

    ISD said although a national newspaper failed to establish any clear cut relationship between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s former law firm and Ocean Trust Limited, it still went on to publish the report.

    “To think that three reporters and perhaps two editors sat down to deviously concoct a fake news against the Vice President is rather frightening. Prof Osinbajo has nothing to do with this old and stale matter, yet the paper used his name as the headline, trying so hard and desperately to link him to it.

    “Is the newspaper saying that if the VP has stakes in First Bank, MTN or any other company he is responsible for the actions and inactions of such organizations?

    “This is the worst kind of reporting particularly from a newspaper that is fully implementing PDP’s Dubai strategy.

    “Nigerians and all people of goodwill are hereby reminded of the evil intentions behind the whole charade against the VP.

    “Let me state categorically that Simmon Coopers is not Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s firm as alleged by the newspaper. Even the skewed report stated that Simmons Coopers was listed as a company in which Prof Yemi Osinbajo (now Vice-President) ‘had’ a stake in his asset declaration form in 2015. The VP could not have continued with the firm and he resigned before he became VP. This is public knowledge.”

    Mr. Akinloye then went on to explain that not only does VP Osinbajo have nothing to do with the law firm or its transactions; Simmon Coopers again has said it is not the Company Secretary. This is also in the public space.

    “Our checks with Corporate Affairs Commission officials show that Simmon Coopers were never appointed Company Secretary instead there was a resolution to appoint Simmon Coopers but they were never appointed.

    “The newspaper was handed fake documents which they published on their website. Anyone can go to CAC to verify the documents, they are completely fake claims.

    “A paper submitted by a company to CAC of its plans or intentions is not the same thing as a CAC document.  It is intriguing that the newspaper editors and reporters could not understand or comprehend these basic things.”

    “Students of history, will be perplexed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in July 2018 had investigated this matter, and the Vice President was not associated with the case in anyway.”

    He said the reporters who wrote the story, they have a track record of reporting falsehood especially against the VP, a part of the Dubai strategy.

    “This is unacceptable to attempt to link a man to an issue he has no business with and this is the way that newspaper has been conducting itself for many years.

    “Prof Osinbajo is a man of integrity, he is a honest man who has served Nigeria in every way possible, the least he deserves is this kind of fake reportage. Nigerians must be weary of reports like this.”

    This story is a clear malicious attempt to impugn the stellar credentials of perhaps Nigeria’s most influential and hardworking Nigerian VP.”

     

  • Buhari, Tinubu meet in Saudi Arabia

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday met in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

    Also at the dinner meeting were Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and Emir of Kazaure, Dr. Najib Hussaini Adamu.

    Speaking after an Iftar dinner meeting, Asiwaju Tinubu appealed to elderly Nigerians to avoid inflammatory statements that could undermine peaceful co-existence among the nation’s diverse communities.

    He said all citizens should consider the enormity of challenges facing the nation, and support the President.

    Tinubu also urged Nigerians to rally round President Buhari to solve the problems and stabilize the polity.

    Read also: June 12: Tinubu seeks urgent legislative action

    Tinubu, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that, “The President worked hard and will continue to do so to ensure peace and stability in the country, which are important for the economy to make progress. These are the key pegs of his agenda. Let us all come together to support him.”

    Alleging that the Peoples Democratic Party was reputed for “saucy and distractive statements’’, he urged Nigerians not to be angry with the opposition party, but assist them to overcome their “colossal defeat” in the February 2019 elections.”

    He said, “Don’t blame them. They are handicapped by the traumatic feelings of the colossal loss of the election. You should help them to manage the trauma.”

    Tinubu commended President Buhari for the recognition of June 12th as the nation’s Democracy Day.

    In his remarks, Sultan Abubakar pledged his support to the success of the President’s administration.

    The Sultan led prayers for President Buhari’s second term in office, and for the nation to overcome current challenges.

    Other guests at the Iftar dinner were: Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Justice Isa Dodo, Malam Mamman Daura, Isma’ila Isa, Mr Wale Tinubu and Mr Hakeem P. Fahm, the Commissioner of Science and Technology, Lagos State.

  • Group holds prayer for Tinubu, Bello

    The Mainland Independent Group (MIG), a socio-political pressure group and philanthropic organisation in Lagos State, has congratulated National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the party’s victory in the elections.

    The chairman, Kayode Aransiola, at a special thanksgiving prayer at the Fiwakesin Mosque on Olonode Street, Yaba, to mark Tinubu’s 67th birthday, lauded the group’s patron, Tunji Bello, for being the pillar of the APC in Mainland local government and for his role in putting the APC on landslide lead.

    Aransiola lauded Tinubu for his inspirational leadership which has contributed to deepening the democratic practice. He also praised Bello for his role in the economic empowerment of the people, and his mobilisational acumen which earned the APC a lead at the election.

    Group leader Ibrahim Alao Megida described Tinubu as an enigma who bestrides the political scene like a colossus.

    Chairman of Association of Lagos State indigenes, Lagos Mainland branch Ganiyu Salako said: “There is no doubt that in the political scene today, Asiwaju Tinubu is the most powerful and most influential politician we have presently in Nigeria. No one else compares with him. His type only comes once in a generation. I wish him long life and greater successes in all his exploits.

    “Asiwaju’s leading role is due to the will of God and his purity of heart; this is why Asiwaju will continue to thrive above his contenders; and this is also the reason why anyone trying to pull him down will labour in vain and does so at his own peril.”

    REad also: Tinubu, political asset for all seasons

    Women leader Folashade Morounkeji said: “We are grateful to Asiwaju for giving us a person like Tunji Bello, who through his exemplary philanthropy and empowerment of the poor, has warmed himself into the heart of the Mainlanders, irrespective of tribe, religion and sex.”

    Presiding clerics included Alfa Sheikh Salman Abdulateef, Alhaji Taiwo Sontana, Alhaji R. A Sule, who also paid glowing tribute to Tinubu and Bello. There were koranic recitations, and prayers at the event.

  • ‘Sanwo-Olu will fulfil campaign promises’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Tunde Balogun spoke on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at 67 and expectations about the in-coming Sanwo-Olu administration.

    After elections, what next?

    The expectation of the people who voted us was to have good government. They want good governance. They expect us to come out with good programmes which we already have as a party in All Progressive Congress (APC) over the years and we had some cardinal things.

    We have programmes on transportation, health, education, housing and a lot of other areas.

    Firstly, on integrated transportation system, we want to have a type of transportation that has to do with maximum use of all things we have naturally.

    Like inland water ways in Lagos, we want to make maximum use of that, by using boat or ferry to transport people from one point to the other.

    On transportation, we want to make use of some mode of transportation through water, roads, bridges and railway that will be interconnectivity.

    Like, if you are coming with rail from Mile 2 going to CMS, there will be a terminus at a stop where you can be transfer to a bus. Getting out from the boat or ferry through water system to CMS and getting to a bus which will take you to other parts of Lagos.

    Also, we would ensure that the railway becomes one of the main modes of transportation in Lagos that can convey a lot of people at once from a point and take a large number of workers from that point in Lagos to other parts.

    Also, for the health system, we want to have a comprehensive health insurance scheme for Lagosians so that when you pay the premium for the insurance, you will have access to free medical treatment locally and this is part of the comprehensive health insurance scheme we are talking about.

    Read also: I’ll not betray Lagosians, says Sanwo-Olu 

    Also for the schools, we want to rehabilitate all our schools and ensure to have quality teachers with constant training with all teachers.

    We want have a lot of hospitals that will be well equipped. We want to improve the personnel of hospital and to improve the facility there. We want modern equipment for the facility in our hospitals. We want to train the health workers include doctors, nurses and all health officers in the hospitals.

    We want to ensure that our public schools are the best, that is to have quality teachers and the kind of education giving to our children must be standard.

    Also, we want to ensure that our housing programmes are second to none. We want to have a programme that will be a multi-modern system.

    How would you describe Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a leader?

    As a man, he is fantastic and unique human being. He lives his life for others to thrive. He lives a life of service to humanity. I was looking at a picture of him in one of the daily newspaper recently with about five to six leaders in Nigeria such as Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and Adeola Ipaye, a lawyer. All these men were brought into limelight. They were made by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He promoted them to a leadership position in Nigeria. He did it single-handedly.

    To tell you the kind of man who he is more that any Nigerian, he is a man who have created more leaders than any other Nigerian either dead or alive now.

    He is very kind, generous and a philanthropic. He is generous to a legendary point.

    As a leader in politic, he is experience and brilliant. He has a lot of capital politically and enjoy it because of his year of experience and political acumen. He is a political strategist. In context of African, he has no equal to me.

    What advice do you have to the citizens of the country?

    All Nigerians should learn to live together as brothers and sisters. We should tolerate one another. If we really want build a good country, we must be our brother’s keeper. We must not discriminate against one another, no matter where you come from. Once you are a Nigerian, we should learn to accommodate ourselves and that is the way the country can unite together.

    How can Nigeria be a better place in the next three years?

    The role of a political building is first of all to offer good leadership, exemplary leadership, inspirational leadership that can inspire others to do well.

    To make this country better, a good leader must be ready to unite his people. He must lead them by example so that others can follow. He must be a man who must devoid of violence so that we can continue to live peacefully. He should not be a selfish man. He must be selfless, that is the way a nation can be build.

    What we need in the next three years is such leaders that can lead and leave by example, try and unite the people that can promote the economy of the well-being of the people in the country.

  • He was a true father of Lagos, says Tinubu

    Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has described elder-statesman Pa Hassan Fasinro, who died on Sunday, as a true father of Lagos and a committed progressive.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart said Papa fought to establish the rule of law and to give Lagosians a democratic egalitarian society.

    “He believed in the innate goodness of the people and that democratic governance would help our people realise their fullest potentials,” Tinubu said

    In a condolence message to the Fasinro family he personally signed and released yesterday night by his Media Office, Tinubu said the late senator contributed immensely to Lagos and Nigeria as a lawyer, politician, administrator, legislator, author and community leader, adding that he would be deeply missed.

    The message, titled: “Pas Fasinro: A true father of Lagos,” reads: “Alhaji Hassan Adisa Fasinro was a true father of Lagos. Born and bred here, he personified the best of Lagos and dedicated his life to making Lagos a place of progressive governance, cultural richness and social justice for all its people. He lived and breathed Lagos till his last breath.

    “A committed progressive, Papa fought to establish the rule of law and to give Lagosians a democratic egalitarian society. He believed in the innate goodness of the people and that democratic governance would help our people realise their fullest potentials.

    “He contributed immensely to Lagos and Nigeria as a lawyer, politician, administrator, legislator, author and community leader. A devout Muslim, he committed himself to the betterment of humankind and the history of his life bears the fruits of his selfless devotion to the people.

    “Whether as the first Clerk of the Lagos City Council or Senator representing Lagos State, he gave his best. Pa Fasinro truly served Lagos to the best of his abilities. As such, he shall always stand as an example to all of us.

    “He was elected to the Senate under the Unity Party of Nigeria, a progressive party that is one of the ideological precursors of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Pa Fasinro was an important factor in the political and traditional histories of Lagos.  On the political and administrative fronts, Pa Fasinro was Lagos Town Council Clerk when that council was an administrative unit of Lagos created under a new Local Government Law in succession to the council created by the 1941 Ordinance. He also participated in the reorganisation of the Town Council by the late Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    “Regarding further reorganisation of the council, Pa Fasinro was a strong ally and wise adviser when I spearheaded creation of additional councils in the state to accelerate economic development in Lagos.

    “We are grateful to Allah for granting Baba a long and eventful life of almost a century and for allowing him time to accomplish so much and to enrich so many lives.

    “The country and Lagos greatly benefited from his wise counsel. Lagos and the nation shall miss him greatly. The Muslim Ulammah in Lagos, Southwest and indeed Nigeria will deeply miss him.

    “We take some solace in that Pa Fasinro left behind talented and able children, who will carry on his progressive legacy. My prayer is that God grant the family the strength and grace to continue to contribute to the improvement of Lagos and Nigeria as our beloved Pa Fasinro would want them to do.

    “May Almighty Allah also grant Baba Aljanna Fridaus.”

  • Obi hails Tinubu’s advice on VAT

    Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi has hailed National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on his position on the proposed increment in Value Added Tax (VAT).

    Tinubu, last Thursday, advised the Federal Government against increasing VAT rate as being canvassed by the Minister of National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Babatunde Fowler.

    In a statement yesterday by his media office, Obi described Tinubu’s advice as gratifying and making economic sense given the situation in the country.

    According to him, Tinubu’s position was clearly at variance with that of his party, saying it goes to underscore the uncoordinated campaign the APC dished out to Nigerians.

    Obi, who said tax must be relaxed to act as incentive to local and foreign investors, insisted that the right way to shape up the economy in the face of mass unemployment is to have attractive economic policies to encourage entrepreneurs and investors.

    Read also:  VAT increase will raise misery index, says MAN

    According to him, the call for an increase in VAT or other taxes in the present economic situation amounted to insensitivity on the part of the government.

    He, however, noted that Tinubu’s advice was in tandem with the position of the PDP, stressing that tax reduction was one of the main electioneering campaign messages of the PDP presidential campaign.

    “It is extremely unrealistic for anybody to think of growing the economy and creating jobs by increasing tax. It’s too simplistic an approach,” Obi reiterated.

    The former vice presidential candidate enjoined Tinubu to also advise the All Progressives Congress (APC) to embrace restructuring, saying it is the only option left to move the country forward.

    “Anybody thinking this country will work without tinkering with the political and economic structure is deceiving himself because no nation grows on injustice,” he noted.

  • Obi hails Tinubu’s advice on VAT

    The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi has commended the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his position on Value Added Tax (VAT).

    Tinubu had, in Abuja on Thursday, advised the Federal Government against increasing VAT rate, as being canvassed by the Minister of National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Babatunde Fowler.

    In a statement Sunday by his media office, Obi described Asiwaju Tinubu’s advice as gratifying and made a lot of economic sense given the situation in the country.

    According to the PDP chieftain, Tinubu’s position was clearly at variance with that of his party, saying it goes to underscore the uncoordinated campaign the APC dished out to Nigerians.

    Stating that tax must be relaxed to act as an incentive to local and foreign investors, Obi insisted that the right way to shape up the economy in the face of mass unemployment in the country is to have an attractive economic policy to encourage entrepreneurs and investors.

    REad also: APA Buhari: don’t forget your promise to run inclusive govt

    Obi said the call for increase in VAT or other taxes in the present economic situation amounted to insensitivity on the part of government to the plight of the populace.

    Mr Obi, however, said that Tinubu’s advice on VAT was in tandem with the position of the PDP, stressing that tax reduction was one of the main electioneering campaign messages of the PDP presidential campaign.

    “It’s extremely unrealistic for anybody to think of growing the economy of this country and creating jobs just by increasing tax. It’s too simplistic an approach”, Obi said.

    The former opposition vice presidential candidate enjoined Tinubu to also advise the APC to embrace restructuring, saying it’s the only option left to move the country forward.

    Obi said, “Anybody thinking that this country will work without tinkering with the political and economic structure is deceiving himself because no nation grows on injustice”.

    He described as unfortunate the fact that Nigeria with all her potential, is among the three African countries that Pew Research Center indicated that 45 percent of their adult population are desiring to leave the countries in search of greener pastures.

  • Tinubu, real Yoruba leader – Ehindero

    In this interview with Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, the General Overseer of Messiah New Life Ministry Inc., Archbishop Joseph Ehindero, warned those antagonising the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to desist, saying the former governor of Lagos State is the true leader of the Yoruba race today. The cleric bared his mind on some other national issues. Excerpts

    WHAT is your reaction to the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Election?

    Buhari’s victory is divinely ordained. His victory was revealed to me months before the election and my prediction of Buhari’s victory was published in an interview I had with a national daily which came out on Tuesday 18th December 2018.

    Before then, several ministers of God were predicting Atiku Abubakar’s victory but God clearly told me that Buhari will win and my prediction was published in that interview.

    In 2015,that was how God revealed to me that the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan would lose and my prediction equally came to pass as the main opposition leader then who is now the President, Muhammadu Buhari, won the election. This is to show people that there are still genuine prophets in this country.

    What I want Nigerians to clearly understand is that Buhari is on a divine mission to salvage Nigeria from the rot of the past. Buhari has a divine mission to fulfill for this nation and I enjoin Nigerians to support his government.

    I’m not a politician but a Minister of God and whatever I’m saying about Buhari is the revelation that God gave me concerning him. Buhari is an unusual politician; he is not self-centred and from his actions, especially his anti- corruption war, the man wants to restore sanity in this nation. Buhari wants to restore Nigeria’s lost glory.

    What Nigerians must realise is that this nation has been in a mess before Buhari came to power. He has done a lot to bring Nigeria back on the path of greatness. It would have been a big tragedy if Buhari had lost to Atiku because Atiku is not the man God wants to use to redeem Nigeria.

    What is your reaction to the court case against Buhari’s victory by Atiku and PDP?

    Atiku is wasting his time. Buhari’s victory is secured. My advise to Atiku is that he should not waste his time. Nothing would come out of his efforts. What I expect him to do is to be sober, and reflective. He should do stock taking, and I’m sure if does these; he will know that he has been very lucky. He should stop fighting Buhari. He should stop wasting his time and resources. God have a divine mission for Buhari for this period in Nigeria’s history. God wants Buhari to consolidate on his present achievements and Nigerians are enjoined to co-operate with his government.

    Before the polls some prominent clerics predicted victory for Atiku Abubakar but ……. (Cuts in..) It is very sad and unfortunate that some highly regarded men of God were also involved as they predicted Atiku’s victory. What God revealed to me was that those eminent men of God who claimed that they saw Atiku being declared winner were not led by the spirit of God to make the pronouncements. They were led by the flesh. Some of these clerics have personal hatred for Buhari and this is wrong. They should not have allowed their emotions to lead them into taking wrong decisions. I’m also not happy that some Christian bodies appear to be taking sides and were openly in a subtle manner canvassing support for Atiku Abubakar. This is very wrong. This is a lesson to all Christian leaders and prophets that they should always allow the Holy Spirit to lead them and not the flesh. It is the same thing that happened to Afenifere leaders. They did not behave like elders by openly supported Atiku before and during the elections.

    Afenifere leaders have no justification for backing a particular candidate. As elders and leaders, they are supposed to play the role of fathers to all times. They are supposed to be neutral. By being partisan and taking sides, they were not promoting the interests of Yoruba people.

    This is why I like Tinubu and give him kudos. If not for him, the behaviour and actions of Afenfere leaders would have jeopardized Yoruba interests. I give kudos to Tinubu. By his actions, he has proved to be the true Yoruba leader. Enough is enough, Afenifere leaders should stay out of politics and behave like genuine leaders who are not partisan and self-centred.

    Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has won re-election, what is your advise to him?

    Buhari should hit the ground running. He should quickly form his cabinet and set to work immediately. He should take Nigeria to the next level as he promised during his campaigns. First and foremost, he should sustain the on-going war against corruption. Corruption has permeated every facet of our lives and this is why some Nigerians who are involved are not happy with Buhari’s war against corruption. Buhari should not spare looters. Every looter must be punished and every loot must be recovered.

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    Then his administration must also sustain the on-going tempo in the area of infrastructure development like the construction of roads and rail lines that are on-going across the country. It is good that his administration is already shifting attention to the agricultural sector, an area that has been neglected by successive administrations in the country. For Nigerians that are complaining, they need to exercise patience. Nigeria has been messed up before Buhari took over and he can’t transform the country overnight. Buhari is not a magician. I believe that if Nigerians co-operate with him, he will be able to take Nigeria to greater heights.

    What’s your advise for newly elected officials and those that will be going for second term in office?

    My advise to them is very simple: They should see politics as an avenue to serve people. They should not be self-serving or self-centred. I also want to advise our politicians not to see politics as a do-or die affair. If you lose today, you may win the next time. Politics is like a game, so our politicians should develop the spirit of sportsmanship.

    Our political leaders should not see public office as an avenue or short cut to ill-gotten wealth. In other climes, leaders use public office to serve people. This is what our leaders should emulate.