The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Uzodinma

  • Thugs attack SDP’s Ajaka as Supreme Court upholds Ododo, Diri, Uzodinma elections

    Thugs attack SDP’s Ajaka as Supreme Court upholds Ododo, Diri, Uzodinma elections

    Pandemonium broke out yesterday on the premises of the Supreme Court Abuja soon after the apex court upheld the November 11 2023 election of Ahmed Ododo as Kogi State governor.

    Suspected thugs rushed at Yakubu Muritala Ajaka ,the  petitioner/appellant in the case against Ododo, booing and throwing objects at him.

    The Supreme Court also upheld two other governorship elections yesterday:those of Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.

    Diri described his victory at  the Supreme Court  as the triumph of truth over falsehood and evil while Uzodinma dedicated his own judgement to the people of the state.

    Ajaka, whose petition against Ododo had earlier suffered dismissal at the tribunal and the Appeal Court, was at the Supreme Court yesterday to hear the final judgement which did not go as he expected.

    He was met outside the courtroom by scores of thugs who sought to assault him.

    Read Also; How bandits, terrorists dominate TikTok, flaunt ransom collected from victims

    He was, however, hurriedly surrounded by his own supporters and aides who hurried him into his SUV which zoomed out of the premises.

     But Ododo’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State said it was SDP supporters that launched violent attacks on its own (APC’s) supporters.

    Kingsley Fanwo, Director, Media and Publicity of the State APC  condemned the attack on APC supporters ,saying “the attacks reportedly began when supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) started hurling stones, bottles, and plastic containers at APC supporters and leaders immediately after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment affirming Governor Usman Ododo as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.”

    He added: “During the ruling, the court had advised all parties and their supporters present in the courtroom to remain seated until all matters before it were fully addressed. However, the SDP candidate, Murtala Ajaka, ignored this advice and left the courtroom with his supporters as soon as the judgment was pronounced against him.

    “Upon noticing the jubilant APC members within the court premises, Ajaka’s supporters allegedly unleashed violence, attacking the celebrating APC members and causing significant disruption.

    “The APC in Kogi State has condemned these actions, describing them as undemocratic and uncivilised.”

     In all, the Supreme Court delivered six judgements yesterday.

     All the cases sought to void the Diri, Ododo and Uzodinma’s elections.

     The first judgment was on the appeal, marked: SC/CV/648/2024 by Timipre Sylva and the APC in which they prayed the court to among others, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed the judgment of the election tribunal, upholding Diri’s victory.

     The apex court’s five-member panel was unanimous in affirming the Court of Appeal’s ruling  that Sylva was wrong to have filed multiple notices of appeal against a single judgment of the election petition tribunal.

     Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, in the lead judgment held that it was wrong for Sylva and his party to file more than one notices of appeal against the single final judgment of the election tribunal.

     Other members of the panel – Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, Tijani Abubakar, Sadiq Umar and Mohammed Idris – agreed with the lead judgment.

     As agreed by lawyers to parties when the appeal was heard on August 19, the judgment in the appeal marked: SC/CV/648/2024  was applied to  the other four appeals which arose from the same judgment given by the election tribunal in the petition filed by Sylva and the APC.

     The other four are marked: SC/CV/650/2024, SC/CV/650A/2024, SC/CV/650B/2024 and SC/CV/650C/2024.

     In the second judgment, the apex court dismissed the appeal by the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State, Micah Akeems.

     The  court held that the appeal was without merit because the case was based on a pre-election issue of alleged supply of false information.

     The court affirmed the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal that the sole issue on which Governor Diri’s reelection was challenged by the appellants was a pre-election issue on which the election tribunal has no jurisdiction.

     Justice Garba also authored and read the lead judgment in the appeal.

     The NRM and Akeems had claimed that the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo submitted forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in his form 001 and EC9.

     In the third judgment, Kogi: Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, Olayinka Baimoh, seeking to void the victory of  Ododo in the election.

    The court was unanimous in holding that the appeal, marked: SC/CV/653/2024, was incompetent, the notice of appeal having been filed outside the 14 days allowed by law for the filing of such notice.

     Justice Sadiq Umar, who read the lead judgment, held that since the preliminary objection filed against the competence of the appeal was meritorious, it was of no use for the court to consider other issues raised in the appeal.

     He proceeded to dismiss the appeal and awarded a cost of N5million against the appellants and in favour of the respondents.

    In the fourth judgment, the apex court unanimously dismissed the appeal by the SDP and  its candidate Yakubu Ajaka, marked: SC/CV/654/2024,saying it  was without merit.

    Justice Sadiq Umar, who authored and read the lead judgment resolved all the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.

     In the fifth judgment, the Supreme Court affirmed the reelection of Governor Uzodinma,  dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Athan Achonu for being unmeritorious.

     Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, who authored and read the lead judgment, resolved the three issues identified for determination against the appellants.

     Justice Idris found that the appellants as petitioners at the election tribunal, failed to prove their case as required.

     He proceeded to affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision of the election tribunal, dismissing the appellants’ petition.

     The apex court, in the sixth judgment, dismissed the appeal of the PDP and its candidate in the last governorship election in Imo State, Samuel Anyawu.

     In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the court held that the appeal was without merit.

     Justice Idris, in the lead judgment, resolved all the issues raised for determination in the appeal against the appellants.

    I rededicate myself to the service of Imo people, says Uzodimma

    Reacting to the judgement yesterday, Governor Uzodimma expressed gratitude to God for granting him another victory, and to the Supreme Court, for upholding the law despite the barrage of blackmail and intimidation by enemies of democracy.

    Governor Uzodimma said when the people of Imo  overwhelmingly reelected him last year “it was simply based on my sterling performance, which remains unprecedented in the modern history of the state.

    “During my second tenure inauguration,  I pledged to serve them with renewed vigour, with honesty and transparency and accountability and with the fear of God.

    “Today, with this Supreme Court victory, which I dedicate to all Imo people, irrespective of political or religious affiliation,  I rededicate myself to the service of the good people of Imo State.”

    He asked his opponents in the election   to join him  in “the task of reinventing Imo to the state of our shared dreams.”

    He said his  doors would  “continue to remain open to all Imo people genuinely committed to the betterment of our society.”

    It’s  triumph of truth, says Diri

    Governor Diri said the ruling  was not for him or his deputy alone but also for people of the state whose  choice was validated by the courts.

    Governor Diri said his administration had started well and would  consolidate on the gains so far made and even introduce new programmes and policies that will benefit the people.

    He said:“From the election and the tribunal to the Supreme Court, we won four-zero. This is the triumph of truth over falsehood and evil. There is hope for democracy in Nigeria.”

    I am sad but we move forward,  Adebayo

    The presidential candidate of the SDP in the 2023 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said he was saddened by the apex court pronouncement on the Kogi election.

    ” I am saddened by today’s judgement of the Supreme Court against @TheSDPNg in Kogi governorship election. We have highlighted the pitfalls of our democracy and let posterity be the judge. A petition that has no error can only be filed in heaven with God Almighty. We March Forward!” Adebayo, who is also the leader of the party  said on his official X handle @Pres_Adebayo.

    PDP kicks over verdicts on  Kogi, Imo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed joy over the   judgement affirming  the electoral victory of Gov Diri  but faulted  those on Kogi and Imo.

    It described the verdict on Bayelsa State as  another victory for democracy, rule of law and the expressed will of the people of Bayelsa State in their quest for good governance and development on the platform of the PDP,” but said the decision to uphold the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi states “despite confirmed reports and evidence that the elections were heavily flawed and blatantly compromised, marred by widespread violence and manipulations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with certain unscrupulous officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)” further underscored a very serious challenge created by the blemished operation and violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Electoral Guidelines by INEC,.

    Party spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said the verdicts “further justify PDP’s demand for the comprehensive review of the Electoral Law, especially its aspects concerning the declaration of results of election without due regard to issues and complaints arising from obvious violation of the provisions of the law and electoral processes.”

  • I rededicate to Imo people, service, Uzodinma speaks on S/Court judgment

    I rededicate to Imo people, service, Uzodinma speaks on S/Court judgment

    Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma has expressed delight about Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court affirming his re-election.

    In a statement on Friday evening, Governor Uzodinma, who commended the Judiciary for upholding justice, said he was rededicating himself to the service of the people of Imo State.

    He said since the issues around the election have been finally put to rest by the Supreme, it was time for all to work for the growth and progress of the state.

    The statement reads: “A few hours ago,  the Supreme Court confirmed me as the duly elected Governor of Imo State, arising from the November 11th, 2023 governorship election. 

    Read Also; Mpox: NCDC confirms 40 cases as US donates vaccine to Nigeria

    “It is therefore, with a heart full of gratitude that I thank God Almighty for granting me another victory after I had also emerged victorious at the tribunal and the Court of Appeal. 

    “I express my gratitude to the Supreme Court for upholding the law despite the barrage of blackmail and intimidation by those who wanted sentiments to obfuscate justice. 

    “When Imo people overwhelmingly reelected me last year as their governor, it was simply based on my sterling performance, which remains unprecedented in the modern history of the state. 

    “During my second tenure inauguration,  I pledged to serve them with renewed vigour, with honesty and transparency and accountability and with the fear of God. 

    “Today, with this Supreme Court victory, which I dedicate to all Imo people, irrespective of political or religious affiliation,  I  rededicate myself to the service of the good people of Imo state. 

    “To my brothers who contested with me during the election, I re-invite them to join me in the task of reinventing Imo to the state of our shared dreams. 

    “My doors will continue to remain open to all Imo people genuinely committed to the betterment of our society. 

    “Now that all issues pertaining to the election have been resolved,  let us all work for the peace and progress of our dear state.” 

  • Supreme Court okays Diri, Ododo, Uzodinma’s election as Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo governors

    Supreme Court okays Diri, Ododo, Uzodinma’s election as Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo governors

    …awards N5m cast against AA’s Baimoh

    The Supreme Court on Friday, August 23, affirmed the reelection of Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governors of Bayelsa and Imo states for their second term.

    The apex court also affirmed the election of Ahmed Ododo of the APC as the governor of Kogi State.

    The court, in six judgments on Friday, dismissed all the cases seeking to void the victory recorded by Diri, Ododo, and Uzodinma in the governorship elections held in their states on November 11, 2023.

    The first judgment was on the appeal, marked: SC/CV/648/2024 by Sylva and the APC in which they had prayed the court to among others, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which earlier affirmed the judgment of the election tribunal, upholding Diri’s victory.

    The apex court’s five-member panel was unanimous in affirming the earlier decision by the Court of Appeal that Sylva was wrong to have filed multiple notices of appeal against a single judgment of the election petition tribunal.

    Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, in the lead judgment held that it was wrong for Sylva and his party to file more than one notice of appeal against the single final judgment of the election tribunal.

    Other members of the panel – Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, Tijani Abubakar, Sadiq Umar, and Mohammed Idris – agreed with the lead judgment.

    As agreed by lawyers to parties when the appeal was heard on August 19, the judgment in the appeal marked: SC/CV/648/2024 was applied to the other four appeals which arose from the same judgment given by the election tribunal in the petition filed by Sylva and the APC.

    The other four are marked: SC/CV/650/2024, SC/CV/650A/2024, SC/CV/650B/2024 and SC/CV/650C/2024.

    In the second judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State, Micah Akeems.

    A five-member panel of the court held that the appeal was without merit because the case was based on a pre-election issue of alleged supply of false information.

    The court affirmed the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal that the sole issue on which Governor Duoye Diri’s reelection was challenged by the appellants was a pre-election issue on which the election tribunal has no jurisdiction.

    Justice Garba also authored and read the lead judgment in the appeal.

    The NRM and Akeems had claimed that the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in his form 001 and EC9.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Supreme Court affirms Uzodinma’s reelection

    In the third judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, Olayinka Baimoh, seeking to void the victory of Ododo in election.

    A five-member panel of the court was unanimous in holding that the appeal, marked: SC/CV/653/2024, was incompetent, the notice of appeal having been filed outside the 14 days allowed by law for the filing of such notice.

    Justice Sadiq Umar, who read the lead judgment, held that since the preliminary objection filed against the competence of the appeal was meritorious, it was of no use for the court to consider other issues raised in the appeal.

    He proceeded to dismiss the appeal and awarded a cost of N5 million against the appellants and in favour of the respondents.

    In the fourth judgment, a five-member of the apex court was unanimous in dismissing the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and candidate Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, marked: SC/CV/654/2024 was without merit, and proceeded to dismiss it.

    Justice Sadiq Umar, who authored and read the lead judgment resolved all the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.

    In the fifth judgment, the Supreme Court affirmed the reelection of Governor Uzodinma and dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Athan Achonu for being unmeritorious.

    Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, who authored and read the lead judgment, resolved the three issues identified for determination against the appellants.

    Justice Idris found that the appellants as petitioners at the election tribunal, failed to prove their case as required.

    He proceeded to affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision of the election tribunal, dismissing the appellants’ petition.

    The apex court, in the sixth judgment, dismissed the appeal of the PDP and its candidate in the last governorship election in Imo State, Samuel Anyawu.

    In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the court held that the appeal was without merit.

    Justice Idris, in the lead judgment, resolved all the issues raised for determination in the appeal against the appellants.

  • Nobody from southeast will protest against Tinubu, FG – Uzodinma

    Nobody from southeast will protest against Tinubu, FG – Uzodinma

    Governor Hope Uzodunma of Imo state has urged youths of southeast to shun calls for protest against the government.

    He alleged that proponents of such protests are enemies of the country who wanted to destabilise the national government.

    The governor spoke in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state during the grand finale of All Progressive Congress (APC) campaign for local government election.

    According to him, the people of the region have no reason to protest against the government of the day, stressing that the federal government and President Bola Tinubu are working hard to bring lasting solution to the economic challenges the people are facing.

    Uzodinma, who is the chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, further appealed to the people to give the government more time to work and fix the challenges.

    Read Also: Kano N-Power beneficiaries hail Tinubu on poverty alleviation

    He said: “To the youths of southeast, because we are on the path of growth, our enemies are trying to disorganize national government. 

    “They will come to you, they want you to protest, ask those who want you to protest where are their children. Why must you be the one to protest and to protest against what?

    “This government is our government, the government of President Bola Tinubu is our government. So nobody from Southeast will protest. We are not aggrieved, we have hope”

    “Whatever they say, this government is barely one year in office. Yes we are aware of the hardship, we are aware things are hard, but I promise you that the presidenti is working so hard to release money to the people, to deliver infrastructure to the people and to release and increase food security to the people. Follow your leaders, work with your leaders.”

    Also speaking, the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, urged Nigerians to support the president in his bid to beter the living standards of the people.

    “I call on every Nigerian to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Federal Government for their efforts, programmes and actions geared towards ensuring better standards of living for Nigerians. 

    “I believe and I am confident that very soon, Nigerians would have reasons to be smiling and acknowledging the prudence and effective results of their support for the APC”, Ganduje said.

  • BREAKING: Tribunal upholds Uzodinma’s second term election

    BREAKING: Tribunal upholds Uzodinma’s second term election

    The Imo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Imo state governor for the second term.

    In a judgment on Friday, May 24, the three-member tribunal, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the petition by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Athan Achonu.

    Read Also: Prada Uzodinma’s class act

    In the lead judgment by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, the tribunal held that Uzodinma’s election as Imo state governor complied substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    The tribunal equally held that the petitioner failed to prove their allegations of over-voting and non-compliance to the Electoral Act as required.

    Details shortly…

  • Edo guber primary: APC NWC drops Uzodinma, appoints Otu as chairman

    Edo guber primary: APC NWC drops Uzodinma, appoints Otu as chairman

    The crisis rocking the conduct of last Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State governorship primary election, which led the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to declare the exercise inconclusive, took a fresh twist on Wednesday, February 21.

    The party announced the removal of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state as the chairman of the Election Primary Committee.

    He has been replaced by Senator Bassey Otu, the deputy chairman of the committee and the governor of Cross River state.

    A release titled “Revised 2024 Edo State Governorship Primary Election and Primary Election Appeal Committees” by Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammadu Arugungu, National Organising Secretary in Abuja on Wednesday showed that Hon. Shetimma Shitu has been added to the committee, to retain its 7-man status.

    The release also showed that the party’s highest administrative organ retained the membership of the 5-man Barrister C. C Udenwa-led Primary Election Appeal Committee.

    The Nation learnt of this development followed a series of protests both in Benin and Abuja calling on the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) to step down from conducting the concluding process of the inconclusive shadow election billed for Thursday (today).

    Read Also: Edo guber primary: APC NWC drops Uzodinma, appoints Otu as chairman

    It was further gathered that the decision to relieve the Imo State from the exercise was reached on Tuesday night during the emergency meeting of the NWC.

    The Nation also gathered that the concluding part of the election process will be to complete the collation of the results of the election in the remaining 10 local government areas of the state.

    According to a highly placed source in the Directorate of Organisation of the party when asked what format the exercise will take, he simply said: “We will continue where we stopped. The process was going on before the disruption by thugs and since the committee has already collated results from the field from 8 local government areas, they are expected to conclude the exercise by collating results from the remaining 10 local government areas.”

    On the three petitions already submitted by the three aspirants, our source simply said: “The issue of the petition cannot be on the front burner now. The process is yet to be completed. It is after the exercise is completed that we talk of petition.”

    He added: “The Barrister C. C Udenwa is still in place to attend to any petition. But that will be after the exercise is completed.”

    Protests against Uzodinma

    Former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, had in a statement in Abuja criticised the mismanagement of the Edo State governorship primary election and asked members of the PGF to drop Uzodinma as their chairman.

    The Directorate of Political Affairs and Governance of the African Civil Society Forum in Abuja also asked the Imo state governor to step aside ahead of Thursday’s rescheduled continuation of the exercise.

    At APC national headquarters a group of placard-carrying youths under the aegis of APC Youth Solidarity Network stormed Muhammadu Buhari House to ask the Abdullahi Umar Gabduje-led NWC to drop Uzodinma from superintending the rescheduled election.

  • Uzodinma heads APC primary election committee for Edo Gov

    Uzodinma heads APC primary election committee for Edo Gov

    Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) Hope Uzodinma is to head the seven-man All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo Gubernatorial Primary Election Committee.

    His committee is to conduct the party’s shadow election on Saturday, February 17 in the 193 wards of Edo State to determine APC gubernatorial flag bearer in the September 21 governorship election.

    A statement late Tuesday night in Abuja announcing the names of various committee members by the party’s National Organising Secretary (NOS), Sulaiman Muhammad Arugungu showed that the committee will be inaugurated on Thursday by the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by 4 pm.

    Cross River Governor Bassey Otu will serve as Deputy Chairman of the committee while Alh. Rabiu Suleiman is appointed as Secretary.

    Other members are former Osun Deputy Gov Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Plateau 2023 APC governorship candidate, Dr. Nentanwe Yilwatda Goshwe, Hon. Umar Hassan and Lawan Garba.

    Read Also: Edo PDP risks not having candidate over irregularities

    The party also announced Barr. C. C Udenwa as Chairman of the five-man Election Appeal Committee while Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed will serve as Secretary.

    Other members of the appeal committee are: Muhammad Zakari Sarima, Hon. Udogu Anthony Chijioke and Hon. Muhammad Garin Ali

    The APC cleared all the 12 aspirants jostling for its ticket to contest the September Edo governorship election.

    The 12 aspirants are: Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo; Lucky Imasuen, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri; Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu; Engr. Gideon Ikhine; Col. David Imuse (Rtd.); Gen. Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (Rtd.); Prof. (Sen.) Oserheimen Osunbor; Blessing Agbomhere, Hon Dennis Idahosa and Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.

  • Multinationals leaving Nigeria not genuine investors, says Uzodinma

    Multinationals leaving Nigeria not genuine investors, says Uzodinma

    Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodimma, said Shell, Mobil, Chevron and TotalEnergies are not genuine investors in the Nigerian oil sector.

    He also said President Bola Tinubu stopped “cabals and deities” from benefiting from disparities in foreign exchange and fuel subsidy payments.

    Uzodimma, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said fuel subsidy and foreign exchange were the passwords for overnight prosperity in the country.

    When he was asked to state if the cabals were also responsible for the relocation of investors from Nigeria, Uzodimma replied that those leaving Nigeria were not real investors.

    According to him, Shell and other oil giants have no regard for environmental laws in Nigeria, asking why they leave the onshore oil business for offshore.

    Read Also: Crude oil theft ends soon – Uzodinma

    Uzodinma said: “Let’s take the oil and gas industry for instance, is there anywhere in the world you go, and you see any filling station, you want to refill your car and you don’t see Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Total? How many of them are operating filling stations in Nigeria? Why are we isolated, and you call them real investors? Why have they taken to offshore operations, abandoning onshore operations if they are genuine?

    “You go to Houston, landing Houston Airport, you see oil locations, you see vegetables planted all over there, habitable for human existence.

    “Fly to Warri, as you are landing at Warri Airport, look at oil locations. Look at the sea, all the fishes, nothing existent, no fish there. The environment is degraded to a criminal level.

    “Are they what you call investors, people who have no regard for our environmental laws? Are those investors? People who are into double standard; applying different applications in other countries, applying degrading applications in Nigeria. Is that what you call investors? Please if we don’t take our destiny in our hands, we will be doomed for it.”

    According to the governor, those leaving Nigeria are not investors but those who are benefiting from the cabal system.

    He alleged that the investors were “leaving because they can no longer benefit from foreign exchange disparity. They can no longer benefit from crude oil theft. They can no longer benefit from petroleum subsidy, pretending to be importing fuel when they are not importing anything.

    “Again, it is a blessing in disguise because the more they leave, the more opportunities the indigenous companies would have to participate. There is no rocket science. No foreign investor, who is comfortable in his country wants to leave his country and come here.

    “And at the same time, the good investors who are Nigerians, who have been denied opportunities to practise and invest, they now have opportunities to do so. I think the earlier the artificial and fake investors leave, the better for Nigeria.”

  • Tinubu stopped cabals, deities from benefiting from fuel subsidy, forex scam – Uzodinma

    Tinubu stopped cabals, deities from benefiting from fuel subsidy, forex scam – Uzodinma

    Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma has said President Bola Tinubu stopped “cabals and deities” from benefiting from disparities in foreign exchange and fuel subsidy payments.

    Uzodinma said the cabals and deities were responsible for the economic woes confronting Nigerians.

    Uzodimma, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said fuel subsidy and foreign exchange were the passwords for overnight prosperity in the country.

    Read Also: Crude oil theft ends soon – Uzodinma

    He said: “I tell you, in my findings and understanding of the country, there exist cabals and deities, who before dollar business can be conducted, must be worshipped.

    “They are the people sponsoring artificial media, they are the people sponsoring oppositions to come with blackmail and negative propaganda against a very versatile President, who is from the private sector, who meant well, who wants to correct the ills of the past.

    “The fuel subsidy that has just been removed was benefiting a group of cabals who became very rich overnight to the detriment of Nigerians. We have billionaires who bought private jets, and built castles all over the world in the name of subsidy.”

  • Uzodinma’s swearing-in and Jagaban’s coded message to IPOB/ESN

    Uzodinma’s swearing-in and Jagaban’s coded message to IPOB/ESN

    It was another very hectic week for President Bola Tinubu, from Monday till Saturday, moving from events and engagements to others. However, gracing the swearing-in ceremony of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, trumped all other events, owing to the many significant codes hidden in the event.

    The coincidences around his visit to Owerri, the capital of Imo State, for the second-term swearing-in of Governor Uzodinma, made the outing stand out and deserving of the star event of the week spot. The strenuous nature of the event deserved it and the significance he himself pointed out in his speech made it the more worthy of the spot.

    Before going to Owerri on Monday, he had led other national figures to the National Arcade, Abuja, in commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, an annual ritual performed to honour the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the sakes of Nigeria and Nigerians. Though it was not meant for speeches, the actions of the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, are meant to encourage those who are still on duty, fighting with everything to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

    Then on to Owerri, where a mammoth crowd of citizens and top dignitaries were awaiting his arrival and the commencement of the event of the day, the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Uzodinma and his deputy, for his second term in office. Remember it was a Monday, a day the peculiar non-state actors of the East, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had hijacked for its brutally enforced sit-at-home across the states of the Southeast. In the past, the streets would be expected to be deserted; businesses shut, vehicular movements suspended, at least for that day.

    That was the day the Imo State Governor was scheduled for second term swearing-in and he invited the President to come make another history at the ceremony. It was historical because, according to one of the masters of the ceremony, no President had graced the swearing in of a governor in the state. But beyond that history-making attendance, the fact that Owerri could play host to an event of that magnitude, with all the categories of guests, yet it was void of any negative drama, as in the enforcers of IPOB could not be seen or heard, on a Monday, with all those people, then it was significant for, not just Uzodinma, but even the President and he did not fail to mark it out in his speech.

    “I’m glad we are showing to be a very united country and moving forward. The relative peace that you are enjoying here will be better and we will work hard with you to achieve that peace. Before now, every one of us was enveloped in fear to come to Imo State, but today Imo is safe and ready for business. What we learned from this is for us to work together, join hands and pay attention to our internal security. Incidentally, today is the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. I will invite all of you to State House to have dinner, but which date, I cannot say yet”, he said.

    He left Owerri at some minutes after 5pm to return to Abuja for other events scheduled for the next day, Tuesday, which started on a pensive note. You will recall that strange things have been happening in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in the past few weeks, so it was not strange when we started seeing security chiefs assembling at the Villa, to meet with the President.

    The fact that the media was blacked out after the meeting; as none of the security chiefs agreed to speak after the meeting and the Presidency would also not issue a statement on its outcomes, affirmed the seriousness of the situation and the determined position taken on it. On this one, not much to say, we just need to wait and see results of agreed action plans from the meeting.

    However, the President said something about a security strategy his administration is adopting, when he received a delegation from Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, a highly respected Islamic movement, at the State House, still on Tuesday. He said his administration will fight insecurity from its roots, unleashing education to treat poverty, which will in turn heal the nation of the menace of insecurity. 

    “There is no weapon against poverty that is as potent as learning. We are dedicated to building a lasting peace with a focus on the comprehensive education of our children. We will get our teachers and their owners involved in an education process that will be relevant to the future of this country. It is important. Knowledge brought me here with your prayers and your support. Without knowledge, there is nothing to generate hope for mankind”, he told the delegation.

    Tuesday, coincidentally, happened to be Chief Bisi Akande’s birthday and anyone who knows anything about Jagaban will know the very cordial relationship he has with Chief Akande. So after the events of the day, including being part of the unveiling of a memoir written on former President Muhammadu Buhari by his former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Tinubu organized a special birthday dinner for Chief Akande, where he revealed a bit of his personal life, in relation to his connection with the octogenarian.

    Read Also: Adeleke’s sacking of 1,500 teachers increased out-of-school children in Osun, says Oyetola

     “We the younger ones are very lucky to have you. You deserve to be celebrated. Anyone who wants to learn forgiveness, candour and reliability should see Chief Bisi Akande. You’re a father to many and you’ve lived a life worthy of emulation…You taught me perseverance, patience, honesty and management of resources, be it human and capital resources. Thank you because of who you are and what we are today. You kept telling me, be patient, forget the past, keep looking forward. Today I am not looking at the past but looking forward”, he told the celebrant.

    Then on Wednesday, he presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, during which he brainstormed with his ministers. The Council meeting, unlike most of the editions I have seen, rather did more of tinkering with policies and strategies than apportioning costs to contracts. For instance, the ministers who briefed, including Mohammed Idris (Information and national Orientation), Lateef Fagbemi (Attorney-General and Minister of Justice), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Defense), Professor Ali Pate (Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare), Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite (Industry, Trade and Investment), among others, informed journalists of various decisions aimed at easing life for Nigerians.

    An outstanding example was the information provided by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Pate, that three resolutions were approved by the President. According to him, the first aims to make pharmaceutical products cheaper for Nigerians, by supporting local manufacturers to be able to meet local needs. The second one targets empowering the regulatory organizations in the health sector to be effective, by giving them the required financial provisions. The third aims at bridging the vacuum created by the Japa Syndrome in the sector.

    The meeting also addressed the need for prioritizing safety of Nigerians. This followed the review of the devastating explosion, which occurred in Ibadan on Tuesday evening. The FEC decided on the review of laws governing possession and handling of explosives. President had earlier in the day vowed action over the explosion.

    Then on Thursday, he met with Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) and held a couple of other private meetings. He also held a couple of private meetings on Friday that was after he had returned from the Jumat service. Among his guests on Friday were the governors of  Nasarawa, Abdulahi Sule; Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang; and Oyo, Seyi Makinde. 

    ‘Baba, safe journey’

    One of the highlight of the outing in Imo State on Monday was the chanced-meeting between the Jagaban and former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the second-term inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodima. They were both cocooned, along with some other national leaders, inside the glazed state box, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, and sat with just one person sitting between them.

    Of course they spoke, with lit-up faces, what they uttered to each other are what I might not be able to tell you because I could only see them from afar, and later in pictures. There is hardly any politically aware person, of age, who does not know the adversarial colour their relationship has always worn, especially from the 1999 era. The most recent of their interactions was the negative intervention from the former President during the 2023 electoral process.

    It was Chief Obasanjo’s right to support a presidential candidate, he’s also a Nigerian with a voting right, what he might have taken overboard was coming out to display his choice and knowing the ramifications such held, he was deemed to have done it with an injurious intent to Asiwaju’s chances. Well, all that became history with Tinubu’s resounding victories at the polls and at the courts.

    May be a point must be made here that Chief Obasanjo has always been the aggressor, always working to undermine the younger politician, like devoting himself to ensuring Asiwaju fails. Shall we talk about the cantankerous attempt at sabotaging Lagos development when Asiwaju was governor, or the futile attempt at de-marketing him at the last polls? Well, if you thought OBJ was done with trying to slight his kinsman for whatever reason, you thought wrong because he always has one more up his sleeves.

    At the Owerri chanced-meeting, despite the smiles and hugs, Baba Obasanjo waited all through the proceedings until President Tinubu took the stage to address the people, waited a bit longer for his speech to reach some peach, then he did another one; OBJ stood up in the middle of the President’s speech and exited the stadium.

    You can trust Jagaban, he knew who he was dealing with. “Baba, safe journey” was his simple way of washing off the provocative irritation. One of the journalists who were recording the the President’s speech, an Imo State journalist, just looked up and said “OBJ can never change, he will take this from anybody”.

    The new week starts today and more is expected to flow out from the Villa, more impactful decisions and activities from the President. You can be sure to get the gist in next week’s edition. Have a great week.