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FCT Ministers: MMB, RAT Checking Out

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (MMB) and Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu Tijjani (RAT) sign off their tenure as their appointee, Muhammadu Buhari handed over Presidency to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu today, May 29, 2023.

Kogi Gov. Jubilates As Buhari Honours Him With CON; Also Garba Shehu, Others

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is besides himself with joy as President Muhammadu Buhari confers a national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on him.
In a letter he addressed to the President today, May 28, Governor Yahaya Bello said that it’s a pleasant surprise to wake up this Sunday morning to be confronted with the news of the award of the national honour.
“I was pleasantly surprised to wake up on Sunday morning to the heartwarming news that Your Excellency has graciously Conferred on me, the national honour in the elevated echelon of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
“I treasure this prestigious recognition, especially as it comes from no other person than your Excellency, whom I have long regarded as a father figure and political mentor.”
The governor assured the president that he would use the award to serve Kogi State and Nigeria better than before.
President Buhari also conferred special national honour on his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, amongst 339 other Nigerians.
Garba Shehu and Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice President) were conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Also, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar received the National Honour of OON.
The President’s Personal Photographers for the eight years of his administration, Bayo Omoboriowo and Sunday Aghaeze bagged Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), respectively.
Also listed for the National Honours Award for their diligent services to the nation are Tolu Ogunlesi, the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, MON; Tolani Alli, Personal Photographer to the Vice President, MFR; Adamu Sambo, NTA Correspondent and Emmanuel Anrihi, NTA Cameraman, MFR.
An official publication by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs advised the award recipients to come to the office of the Ministry to collect their certificates and medals on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

We’re Blessed And Won’t Have Reason To Steal Nigeria’s Wealth To Survive – Tinubu’s Wife

Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear that members of her family are already blessed with enough that they would have no reason to steal the wealth of Nigeria to survive.
Speaking today, May 28, at the Presidential Inauguration Inter-Denominational Church Service at the National Christian Center, Abuja, ahead of the swearing in of Tinubu tomorrow, May 29, Remi promised that with the help of God, Tinubu’s tenure would set the nation on the right path.
She said: “Nigeria’s world is the Commonwealth of all. It belongs to everyone.
“God has blessed my family. We don’t need the wealth of Nigeria to survive but to do the right thing. And I promise you on this altar, that with your help, with the help of God, we will set this nation on the right path.”
The incoming First Lady called for prayers for Nigeria to succeed under her husband’s administration, saying that God has been merciful to Nigeria.
She said that for two years, Nigerians prayed to God to do a new thing as stated in Romans 8 but that when the new thing came, Nigerians kept arguing with God.
“I will begin from the Word of God in Romans 8 that says God will have mercy on whoever he will have mercy and show compassion on who he will show compassion. It is not he that willth nor he that runneth but is God that showeth mercy.
“God has been merciful to us. I can tell you on my own that we never believed this could happen. But thank God for giving us hope, for giving us the resilience to continue in the race of life.
“Asiwaju is 71 and I will be 63. I bet I will be one of the oldest First Ladies Nigeria would have. We need the grace of God and we need everyone to do what Nigerians are expecting.
“Today, God has really proved Himself as he did on the night of the primaries and put his seal on it. Because, when I saw votes count to be 1,271, I said God it means you are here.
“I was humbled to my rock bottom. And to believe that this is the 7th consecutive democratic transition Nigeria will be experiencing, that shows that this is a time of perfection for Nigeria.
“Perfection in the sense that, in the word of God, I remember for over two years we have been praying in our churches, according to Isaiah 43:18-19, that we should not remember the former things, that God is going to do a new thing. A new thing came and we still kept arguing with God. Who can argue with his maker? No one.
“I know in Ecclesiastes 3:14, God said whatever he doeth is for ever, we cannot add to it, we cannot take out of it:
“God does it so that men will fear before Him and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
“Today we have heard in Psalm 133:1-3. Except there is unity, lessons cannot flow down. This is the time for Nigeria to come together, for us to be renewed in our hope again. To hope in Nigeria as our young children I’ve sang here today. They are expecting the best for Nigeria.”
The incoming First Lady who described herself as a silent achiever reiterated her call for prayers.
“We need your prayers. We need your prayers. I can tell you, I for one. I’m a silent worker. I’m not a noisemaker but I listen and I hear, is not out of pride. But is about what the journey as melted on us.
“We’ve been bruised, our bodies is not like the same again. But once the spirit is strong, the Bible said if the spirit is there, it will sustain your infirmity. But when the spirit is gone, who can stand? But the Spirit of God is in us. We will do the right thing by the grace of God.
“We need your prayers.
We need your prayers. We need the prayers of the Church. We need the Mosque. We need everybody to pray so that one God who we just read in Ephesians that He is one God of all, He is a God of all flesh. He is sovereign and He sits in heaven and He does as He pleases.
“In conclusion, I think I will end with that last verse of Ephesians 4:6. He is one God, Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all, and in you all. He is in every of His creation.
“We want to thank you all for coming out today. We thank our fathers of faith and our mothers of faith. God bless you. God will continually renew your strength. You have prayed for this nation and so it shall be.
“But the little oil that God placed on my head, I pray over this nation, there shall be peace in our borders.
“This land shall be prosperous, and it will grow in leaps and bounds. Nigeria will be the cynosure of all eyes, and Nigeria will take its place among the community of nations in the name of Jesus.
Thank you so much for your time. God bless you all. God bless our nation, Nigeria.“

Lagos Wesley Girls To Represent Nigeria Junior Water Prize Competition In Sweden

The Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos are set to represent Nigeria at the 2023 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) competition in Sweden. The school falls under Education District IV of Lagos State.
The competition will bring together, the world’s brightest young scientists to encourage their continued interest in water-related issues.
A statement by the school, said that two students of the school: Abdul-Salam Hajarah and Korolo Elisabeth, won the Nigerian National Water Competition, which was held on May 18, 2023 at the Embassy of Sweden in Abuja.
The statement said: “First the achievement was the doing of God.
“We started a month ago just by putting heads together to showcase what the students have in mind.
“They live in Makoko where there is no drinkable water.
“This triggered the innovation of the students and their teacher, Mr Abiola Oyewale, ran with the project to encourage the students.
“We believe strongly that come August, by God’s grace, we will come back with the first position worldwide.
“The team created a device named ‘Bithermal Water Distillation Device.’
“This device can convert dirty water to distilled and drinkable water using solar energy directly from the sun with the aid of Fresnel Lens.
“The device also has a DC element connected to the battery and to a solar panel, this setup also generates heat energy that boils the water molecule inside the Distillation Box.”
The Principal of Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School, Adeola Bankole, said that the pupils’ choice of project was initiated by their place of habitation, Makoko, where they had no drinkable water.
The students, led by Oyewale, competed against 60 contestants at the preliminary round, which narrowed down to seven teams, including three from Lagos State: two public and one private, in the National Championship, where the girls emerged winners.
“The team is making all necessary preparation for the International Championship where countries like the US and Germany will also contest.
“Over 20 countries normally contest worldwide for a prize of $150,000 every year.”
The SJWP is slated for August this year.

Buhari Confers National Honour On CBN Gov., Emefiele

President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred national honour on the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele.
The CBN governor was today, May 28, less than 24 hours to the handing over of power to President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Others who got the CFR honour were the former governors of Osun and Ogun, Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba respectively.
Mamman Daura also got the honour even as the former secretary-general of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku was conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Olowu of Kuta Oba Adekunle Makama was also conferred with the Commander of the Order of Niger.
Buhari also gave national honour to members of his cabinet.
The president will hand over power to his successor Bola Tinubu on Monday, May 29.

Atiku, With Children Of His Late Media Aides At American University Graduation

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, flanked by Asuku Onukaba (right), son of late Dr Adinoyi Onukaba and Chinemenma Emma-Ugoji ,(left), daughter of late Emmanuel Ugoji; Atiku’s spokespersons, at the 14th Commencement Ceremony of AUN in Yola, Adamawa State on Saturday, 27 May, 2023. Both Asuku and Chinemenma were beneficiaries of Atiku’s Atiku’s full scholarship at AUN.

Court Sacks Inspector General Of Police, Usman Alkali

A Federal High Court sitting in Akwa, Anambra capital has sacked Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali.
The Court directed Alkali to stop parading himself as the IGP because he is an illegal occupant of the office.
Justice Fatun Riman declared that Alkali’s appointment and continued stay in office is illegal and unconstitutional.
The judgment followed a suit by one Okechukwu Nwafor, a taxpayer, in the suit no. FHC/AKW/CS/58/2023.
Defendants in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Usman Alkali Baba, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Nigeria Police Council.
The court declared: “By a community reading of the provisions of Sections 215 (a) and 216 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Sections 7 (2) & (6) and 18 (8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the appointment of the 2nd Defendant (Alkali) is unlawful and invalid, the 2nd Defendant not being a person capable of fulfilling the mandatory requirement of tenure of office needed to hold the office of the Inspector General of Police and/or the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) having not been complied with.t
“The 2nd Defendant (Alkali) is not qualified to hold the office of the Inspector General of Police for the sole reason that doing so will lead to absurdity which will amount to a complete breach and total disregard for the clear and unambiguous provision of Section 7 (6) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
“The IGP, being a public servant and by virtue of the fact that he is a member of staff of the Nigeria Police Force, an authority established from the Federation by Section 214 (1) of the Constitution and in subject of the Federal Public Rules 299 (PSR) thereof which provides for the compulsory retirement of all grades of public service officers at the age of 60 or 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
“In the instant case, the 2nd Defendant’s birthday comes first. By the said Rule, the 2nd Defendant is obliged to step down on March 1st, 2023.
“The PSR retirement age provision, is mirrored in section 18 (8) of the Police Act, on the word “Shall” is used in the provision, it is mandatory.
“Section 7 (6) of the Police Act provides for a four-year term or tenure for the Inspector General of Police and the word “Shall” is also used in the said provision.
While observing that despite the prerogative power of the President, he said the President is limited by the provisions of the Constitution, adding that the IGP retirement is statutory and constitutional issue and no other law of the land can change the ground norm.
On the issue of the locus standi of the Plaintiff, the judge observed that locus standi is a central concept in the administration of justice and it delineates not only the jurisdiction of the court to entertain matters brought before them but also restricts access to courts to perform with genuine grievance.
“Thus, it is firmly established that a Plaintiff who fails to satisfy the “interest” and “injury test” will be denied the legal standing to sue to challenge any perceived act of unconstitutionality.
“It is my view, however, that required of locus standi is not necessary on constitutional cases as the application of the concept could impede the administration of justice.
“There is the liberalization of the concept of locus standi where it involves constitutional matters; the deposition of the Plaintiff in his affidavit as a Nigerian and tax payer has not been controverted,” the judge said.
Source: Persecond News.

I Am Leaving Nigeria Better Than I Met It In 2015, President Buhari Insists

President Muhammadu Buhari, who will hand over power to President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next 24 hours, has said that he is leaving Nigeria after his eight years in the saddle, better than he met it in 2015.
He said: “I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.”
In his farewell broadcast to the nation today, May 28, President Buhari said that he had fulfilled most of the electoral promises he made to Nigerians before he was elected in 2015.
Read the full text of the broadcast:
My fellow Nigerian brothers, sisters and friends of Nigeria.
I address you today, in my last assignment as a democratically elected President of our great and well-endowed nation, with a deep sense of gratitude to God, a great deal of appreciation to the Nigerian people and a modest sense of fulfilment.
Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
This year we witnessed the most keenly contested Presidential Elections since the first Republic and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election.
We must as a nation improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among Nations.
Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the Presidential Candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court.
In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better.
As your President, I call on all of us to bring to bear the strength of our individualism, the power of our unity, the convictions of our beliefs to make Nigeria work better and together with one spirit and one purpose.
To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -, I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.
You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher that I am leaving.
You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well.
The last eight years have been an exciting experience in my desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available, and accessible within a united, peaceful and secure nation.
Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.
This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness.
To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice.
We are already seeing the outcome of this process as it provided an even playing field where persons without any political God-Father or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates.
The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.
Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investments is guaranteed.
The private sector proved a strong partner in our drive to build a resilient and sustainable economy as evidenced by the growing number of turn-key projects in various sectors of the economy.
In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country.
Mindful of the need to ensure adequate infrastructure to drive economic growth, we completed age-long projects and processes notably amongst which are the Petroleum Industry Act, completion of some power projects, completion of the second Niger bridge and various important roads linking cities and states.
Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results. As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.
To sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that our values defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.
Up-till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage. For all those under unlawful captivity our Security Agencies are working round the clock to secure their release unharmed.
Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.
I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected push back. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our common wealth.
To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.
On the international scene, Nigeria’s influence continues to grow as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.
Our democracy is built on and continues to thrive on the principles of separation of powers. The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm.
I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.
I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first term of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace.
As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation.
I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.

Tinubu’s Inauguration: FG Warns Trouble Makers, Declares May 29 Public Holiday

The Federal Government has warned trouble makers not to try their luck at the inauguration of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima on May 29, 2023.
This is even as it declared the same day, Monday 29, a public holiday for the inauguration.
In a statement today, May 26, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, quoted the minister in the ministry, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as asking Nigerians “to shun any form of violence and other untoward acts.”
He assured Nigerians that with all hands on deck, the future is very bright when the nation will attain greatness in all facets of human development.
The Minister sent words of encouragement to all Nigerians on what he called “momentous occasion,” commending them for their faith in democracy as expressed in the nationwide election that produced the President and his Deputy, and in all elections across the nation.
He begged them to continue to support and promote democracy through adherence to the rule of law and uphold all democratic institutions. ”Democracy anywhere is an unfinished business and the only way it can keep developing and serve its end of being the vehicle to good governance and the welfare of all the people is by adhering to its tenets of rule of law, support for democratic institutions, promotion of free and responsible press and advancement of the frontiers of freedom for all the people.”
Ogbeni Aregbesola called on Nigerian also to continue to promote ideals of peaceful co-existence and love for the neighbours.
“We can only practice democracy and enjoy its dividends in a peaceful environment.”
The Minister commended Nigerians for their strident efforts at achieving an unbroken civilian rule and successful change of governments since 1999 and emphasized the need for them to support and cooperate with the coming administration.

Yari Is Our Man For President Of 10Th Senate – Nigerians In Diaspora

Nigerians living in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), Canada and Ireland have declared their total support for Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar for the Senate Presidency come June 13, 2023 when the 10th National Assembly (NASS) is scheduled for proclamation.
The Diasporan Nigerians gave their support to Senator Yari at a World Media Conference they held yesterday, May 25, in Belfast, Ireland.
They also demanded a free, independent 10th NASS which they insisted must be allowed to choose its leadership in an open, transparent election in which all contestants participate on a level-playing field.
In a statement, the Nigerians under the auspices of Diaspora For Yari Movement, called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to drop the idea of micro-zoning positions of leadership in the 10th NASS and allow members-elect of the incoming Assembly to elect the leaders of their choice.
Backing Senator Yari’s candidature for Senate President, the Nigerians in Diaspora declared: “We in the Diaspora for Yari Movement are convinced that Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar has the competence to lead the next Senate as Senate President.
“The Diaspora for Yari Movement hereby declares that Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar enjoys the confidence of the majority of the incoming Senators of the 10th NASS and will be elected Senate President on June 13, 2023 on the floor of the Upper Chamber in an open and fair contest.
“With his wealth of experience as a twice-elected Governor of Zamfara State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and his demonstrated energy cum capacity for copious work, etc Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar is the Senate President Nigeria needs in the 10th NASS to move our country forward.”
The statement, signed by Adebayo Hassan, Convener, Diaspora For Yari Movement and Secretary of the group, Charise Mba, reads in part:
“The Diaspora For Yari Movement in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America, Canada and Ireland jointly refer to the recent zoning list released by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in which the party zoned and micro-zoned the leadership offices of the incoming 10th National Assembly.
“The Diaspora For Yari Movement hereby registers our displeasure with the list and the machinations behind its production which, from all intent and purposes is to make mockery of our democracy by turning the 10th NASS into the lapdog of the Executive and non-Parliamentarians.

“We have a stake to speak up on this burning national issues as Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora who are deeply interested in the goings-on in our natal land where all of us have our filial, economic, spiritual, etc, roots firmly planted, even as we have built outstanding careers out here in the Western Hemisphere and around the world.
“Our mediation is also borne out of first-hand experience of the workings of advance democracies here in the West and our desire to see that the Nigerian democratic processes and institutions mature to the heights of those found in these foreign lands in which we are sojourners and all hope to leave and return home – Nigeria – to experience same standards of people-driven governance and strong, democratic framework.
“All scholars of government know that separation of power is a cardinal component of democratic rule. The on-going scheme to impose its leadership on the 10th NASS is therefore, a blatant attempt to jettison this basic principle of democracy, which does not rest well with us Diaspora Nigerians.
“Consequently, the Diaspora For Yari Movement hereby declare unequivocally that we condemn the on-going scheming to pocket the 10th NASS as demonstrated by the zoning list released by the APC NWC, purportedly after consultations with the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other stakeholders in the party.
“In tandem with many voices of reason who have spoken out on the matter, the Diaspora For Yari Movement hereby demand a total voiding of that purported zoning list and its withdrawal from the public domain by the APC NWC.
“While zoning political offices is not exactly strange in Nigerian politics, the current attempt to do so with the 10th NASS leadership election is distasteful and disrespectful to the Nigerian Electorate who sent the incoming federal lawmakers to the National Assembly as their choices.
“To foist a leadership on the 10th NASS as the APC NWC and its clandestine allies in the incoming Executive are apparently planning is to dismiss all members of the Assembly as toddlers incapable of organising themselves to choose their leaders. If this is the image those behind the plot desires for the 10th NASS, why would the average Nigerian have any confidence in the federal lawmakers? Why should Nigerians be convinced that indeed the incoming NASS can make laws for the good of the country?
“Yet it is common knowledge that the incoming crop of the National Assembly is made up of highly experience public administrators, astute technocrats and who have distinguished themselves in several spheres of human endeavours, including public administration and boardroom business, as returning members of NASS, former governors, ex-ministers, erstwhile labour leaders and trade unionists, diplomats, investment gurus, etc.
“What better qualifications do those pulling the strings behind the scene, trying to hand-pick the leaders of the 10th NASS for the Assembly have than the Senators-Elect coming into the Upper Chambers of NASS and Members-Elect of the House of Representatives? If they are not better qualified or experienced, as is truly the case, then they need to cease and desist forthwith in meddling in the affairs of the 10th NASS.
“It is the case that majority of Nigerians are clear on what they want to see on June 13, 2023 when the 10th NASS is proclaimed by the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What Nigerians want to see is an independent 10th NASS which proceeds to elect its leaders in a transparent, free and fair vote on the floors of both chambers, without any illegal meddling in the process by non-lawmakers like the APC NWC or the Presidency.

“The Diaspora For Yari Movement aligns itself with the Nigerian People and their demand as succinctly stated above.
“To be clear, the Diaspora For Yari Movement hereby demands an unfettered 10th NASS, which characteristic we want to see manifestly established via the very first act of the Parliament, to wit: electing their own leaders on June 13, 2023, openly, freely and un-controlled by any list drawn up by interlopers from outside NASS.
“Come Proclamation Day, the APC NWC, the Executive and its rumored cabalists are advised to steer clear of the business of electing leaders of the 10th NASS if truly they are democrats and place Nigeria above their personal pecuniary interest as has been alleged is the reason behind this brazen attempt to pocket a whole arm of government.
“To be sure, neither the APC NWC nor President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – as he would then be on June 13, 2023 – should anoint Senators or Members of the House of Representatives for all the leadership positions up for grabs in the 10th NASS.
“We believe that the APC NWC as a party must allow the members of the 10th NASS to elect whoever they choose from among themselves to lead them. It is what is obtainable in advance democracies of the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, etc to which Nigerians home and abroad aspire to be.
“Executive whims and caprices and party supremacy cannot and must not be weaponised to cripple and mock Nigeria’s democracy. The Diaspora For Yari Movement calls on the APC NWC to withdraw that zoning list and allow a free and fair contest for the Senate President and other National Assembly positions.”
“The Diaspora For Yari Movement hereby alerts the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to a big blackmail campaign being carried out with his name and against those who have shown interest in leading the 10th NASS, particularly those whose names are not found on the purported zoning list released by the APC NWC.
“We therefore urge the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to publicly dissociate himself from that disreputable act and the discredited zoning list, as well as prevail on those using his name to blackmail candidates in the race for the leadership of NASS to stop the cheap act immediately.
“To us Nigerians in Diaspora, all candidates aspiring to the lead the 10th NASS in one capacity or another are patriots who would work with the President-Elect for a better Nigeria. Therefore, their quest to serve the nation in this regard must not be truncated by a zoning list drawn up by shadowy persons whom the Nigerian people did not elect into NASS in February 2023.”

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