Angry PDP Wields Its “Big Stick”, Suspends Pius Anyim, Ayo Fayose, Shema, Others

March 23, 2023

As a fallout from the just concluded elections in Nigerian, the main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has gone haywire, suspending its top leaders, including former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, a one-time Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and others for alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended are former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, the Commissioner for Education, Benue State, Professor Dennis Ityavyar and a chieftain of the party in Zamfara, Dr. Aslam Aliyu.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party announced the suspensions in a statement today, March 23 in Abuja, by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba.

He said that the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after very extensive review of the affairs of our Party in the country and pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) referred the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

“The NWC also approved the suspension of the following from the Party with effect from today, Thursday, March 23, 2023.
1. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)
2. Ibrahim Shema (Katsina)
3. Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)
4. Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State)
5. Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time.”

Source: Persecondnews

Keyamo Alerts DSS Of Moves By Peter Obi, His Running Mate To Truncate Democracy

Editorial staff

March 23, 2023

The spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has alerted the State Security Services (SSS) of moves by the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed to truncate the democracy in the country.

In a petition to the security outfit, which he said is personal, Ktyamo said that comments by the two personalities after the election in the country on February 25 and March 18, amounted to what he called “incendiary” and capable of causing rebellion.

Keyamo, who is currently the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, in the petition addressed to the Director General of the SSS, recalled that Datti Baba-Ahmed had recently made a comment on himself of himself and Peter Obi on Channels TV on Wednesday, March 22, “wherein he threatened that if the President-Elect is sworn in on May 29th, 2023, it would ‘signal the end of democracy’.

“The latest of such are the comments made by Datti Baba-Ahmed on behalf of himself and Mr. Peter Obi on Channels TV on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, wherein he threatened that if the President-Elect is sworn in on May 29th, 2023, it would ‘signal the end of democracy’.

“Posing as an accuser, a judge and a jury all by himself, he unilaterally declared the duly elected President-elect as ‘unconstitutional’ and, in a subliminal manner, threatened mayhem if the President-Elect is sworn in on May 29th, 2023.

“I also have it on good authority that Mr. Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed have camped some youths in a popular hotel in Abuja with the sole aim of instructing them to push out inciting messages everyday on social media in order to cause panic and fear within the federation and to incite people to riot and social unrest.

“It is noteworthy that Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed have submitted Elections Petitions to the courts for adjudication, but their conducts and utterances amount to a subversion of the processes they have instituted in court and a subversion of our Constitution and the laid-down processes for addressing disputes and grievances.

“These conduct and utterances are a build-up to something more sinister and it is important you rein them in now!

“In the circumstance, I submit this petition in my personal capacity as a patriotic Nigerian to invite/arrest, interrogate and after investigation, if necessary, charge both individuals to court for their conduct which amounts to incitement and treasonable felony”.

Keyamo said that in a post-election period such as the country had gone through, there is a need to soothe frayed nerves, lower the temperature and begin the healing process.

“The President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement to this effect a few days ago.

“However, it appears the President and Vice-Presidential Candidates of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed are not prepared to toe this conciliatory path for the sake of peace and national cohesion, whilst exercising their rights to pursue duly laid down constitutional means of addressing their grievances.”

He said that Obi and Datti have been gojng around media houses, making comments and claims not just within the boundaries of exercising their rights to freedom of speech and the freedom to air their grievances publicly, but they have since crossed the line to call for the outright truncation of democracy by insisting on the adoption of other processes outside the contemplation of our Constitution.

“In some cases, their privies have even called for the establishment of an Interim Government.

Keyamo submitted his petition barely two days after Peter Obi filed his petition to challenge the victory of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 election.

Buhari Angry With Traders Exploiting Muslims Ahead Of Ramadan Fasting

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness about traders in the country who always increase the prices of their goods, especially food items at every approach of Muslim Ramadan Fasting.

The President, in a a goodwill message today, March 22, to Muslims, as they begin the 30-day Ramadan Fasting, March 23, said: “I am particularly aware of the activities of traders who artificially increase the prices of their goods, including food at the beginning of every month of Ramadan.

“This kind of exploitation is against the spirit of the Ramadan and the spirit of Islam.”

President Buhari said: “as we begin these 30 days fasting season, let us not forget that Ramadan is not only about abstention from eating and drinking, but it is a reminder to refrain from all kinds of evil and transgressions that harm humanity.”

He challenged Muslims to project the best and finest virtues of Islam by personal conduct, and not precept.

“Let us use this opportunity to put the best teachings of Islam into practice, such as kindness and the love of humanity. This is an occasion for deep reflection and greater fear of Allah and avoidance of all evils that harm humanity.

“The Ramadan is characterised by abstention from food and drinks from dawn to dusk, which brings both the rich and poor to share the experience of hunger together, thereby strengthening the bonds between haves and have-nots.

“While we are observing this important occasion in the spiritual life of Muslims, let us share food and drinks with the less fortunate, because by sharing our blessings with others, Allah will multiply our rewards for good deeds.”

60 Young Entrepreneurs Gather To Celebrate Tony Elumelu At 60

Editorial staff

March 22, 2023

Sixty young business owners, family, friends, and business associates convened at a symposium in Lagos today, March 22, to celebrate Africa’s leading philanthropist, entrepreneur, Chief Tony O. Elumelu, as he marked his 60^th birthday.

The symposium, with the theme: ‘60 for 60’ with hashtag #TOEAt60, was attended by the over 60 young entrepreneurs who have benefited from the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), to honour him.

Elumelu is the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) which operates in 20 countries across Africa, the United Kingdom, France, and the UAE; and also the Chairman of Heir Holdings; Transcorp Plc, whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power, one of the leading producers of electricity in Nigeria and Transcorp Hotels Plc as well as the founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation(TEF).

In 2020, Elumelu was ranked among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.

In a goodwill message, former U.S. President, Bill Clinton praised the renowned entrepreneur for his good works through his foundation.

“From your successful career in business to your Foundation, you’ve achieved a lot. On this milestone I want to say thank you for your good work and unwavering belief in a better tomorrow. Happy Birthday,” Clinton said.

He added: “I call you the lion of Africa’, Testimonies, pour in from TEF benefactors.”
At the symposium, some benefactors of the TEF from different African countries gave testimonies of how they have benefitted from the program and how his investment in young people across Africa has uplifted a lot of them.

One of the TEF Alumni, Temitayo Johnson Laleye, CEO of TJL Signature, a fashion accessory brand that creates bizzare fashion accessories for adventurous students said: “Through my business, 2000 young people have been up skilled; thanks to the Tony Elumelu Foundation training, my business has expanded to Ghana and USA, I was also the youngest winner of the 25 under 25 award.

“So clean is a home laundry service and I started this adventure in 2019, with a capital of 50,000 CFA. Then I had no machine and staff and I applied in 2019 and 2020 but was selected as a TEF Entreprneur in 2021.

“Thanks to the seed capital from the Foundation, I got more materials, a new space and could recruit more people. Because of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme training, sales have tripled due to our change in strategy,” another TEF Alumni from Benin Republic, Gbadamassi said at the symposium.

Also, another benefactor of the TEF, Monica Temido from Zambia said: “I am a 2019 beneficiary, my business is employing 21 people who are breadwinners. Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation we have gained investor confidence. May the sun keep shining on you.”

On his part, CEO of Medina farmers, Michael Puyi from Liberia, said: “I call you the lion of Africa. I call you a mentor. When we started in 2016, we were not attracting any loans from banks.

“We applied and went through the TEF training where we learnt managing human resources and we have sold 60 megaton of rice and have established a huge oil palm. and supply to small scale farmers and the government of Liberia. On behalf of medina farmers, we say thank you.

“10 years ago, I was considered risky, my former company thought me too ambitious. I started my poultry with 200 chicken and 2,000 eggs weekly, now we produce 12,000 eggs weekly with six staff, 20 men and women along the value chain employed as casuals. Africa is shining because of your efforts,” Yaa Aduba Asare, from Ghana stated.

Source: Persecondnews.

All Now Set For Commissioning Of World Class Presidential Medical Centre

Editorial staff

March 22, 2023

The Presidential Medical Centre in Aso Rock is ready for commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari anytime from now.

The Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijjani Umar, who led the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and other top government officials to take a tour of the facilities in the Centre today, March 22, confirmed that all is set for the commissioning.

According to him, the world class facility will be commissioned by the President to add to the growing number of completed and commissioned legacy projects of this Administration.

He said that the calibration, testing of equipment and training of medical personnel are ongoing, and that the presidency is determined to ensure that the Centre remains fully operational and well maintained after inauguration.

This was even as the SGF, Mustapha described the newly built VIP wing as ‘money well spent,’ expressing satisfaction that the project was completed within a year as envisaged.

The ground-breaking ceremony at the VIP wing was performed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, on November 1, 2021 and work commenced in earnest by Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN).

The VIP Wing, which is a specialized/Intensive Care Centre, is dedicated for the exclusive use of the President, Vice President and other VIPs.

Naira Scarcity: NLC Flexes Muscle, Asks Workers To Stop Working In Protest

Editorial staff

March 22, 2023

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked workers across Nigeria to embark on a nationwide industrial action in protest against naira scarcity across the country from March 29.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, today, March 22, directed all affiliate unions of the Nigeria Labour Congress to use the protest to picket all branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria( CBN) across the country.

“Last week, we gave an ultimatum for the review of the cash crunch bedeviling the country, but we have discovered to our dismay that as at this moment, not much effort has been made to ameliorate the situation; the government is still foot dragging on these issues we raised.

“Based on this, we met again this morning to review our position and resolved that by Wednesday next week, all CBN branches will be picketed.

“Workers are directed to stay at home too because people cannot eat, workers can no longer go to the office, we have been pushed to the wall, we have decided to take our destiny in our hands, we have mobilised our workers for this exercise.”

After Weeks Of Campaign, President-elect, Tinubu, Goes To Rest Abroad

Editorial staff

March 22, 2023

The President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, has left for London and Paris, after weeks of campaign and election, to take a rest and to plan his transition programme ahead of May 29, 2023 inauguration.

This was made known today, March 22, in a statement by his spokesman, Tunde Rahman.

He said that the President-elect decided to take a break during which time he would go to Saudi Arabia to perform Lesser Hajj.

Rahman said that Tinubu asked all the senior aides and campaign staff to also go and observe a short rest.

The spokesman said that the President-elect is expected back in the country soon.

“We enjoin the media to stop publishing rumours and unsubstantiated claims and to always seek clarifications from our office.”

Buhari Angry With Traders Exploiting Muslims Ahead Of Ramadan Fasting Tomorrow

Editorial staff

March 22, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness about traders in the country who always increase the prices of their goods, especially food items at every approach of Muslim Ramadan Fasting.

“This kind of exploitation is against the spirit of the Ramadan and the spirit of Islam.”

He challenged Muslims to project the best and finest virtues of Islam by personal conduct, and not precept.

Amazon Publishes Book On President Buhari And People Around Him From 2015

Greenbarge Reporters

March 22, 2023

A US based multipurpose publishing company, Amazon Corporation, has published a 578-page book on the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and is now available on https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ58SXX9 across the world

The book, titled: People Around Nigeria’s President Buhari, gives the details about men and women that had assisted him to run the administration of Nigeria for two-terms of four years each, between 2015 and 2023.

Apart from giving a great insight into the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by a group of divergent political actors, which snowballed into surprised and shocking electoral victory over the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP in 2015, the book also features the profile of the first and second term ministers, relevant close aides in and around the Presidential Palace.

Also featured are the APC State Governors from 2015, party leaders, National Assembly leaders, heads of security and intelligent organizations, such as DSS, NIA, NSA, etc), anti-corruption agencies; EFCC, ICPC, etc, those in the socioeconomic driving seats; CBN, NCS, NIS, FIRS, NNPCL, NCC as well as the First Lady.

The book also contains the thoughts, action and inaction of both President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the views of prominent Nigerian and global leaders on President Buhari, as well as the President’s rubbing shoulder with high ranking world leaders like Donald Trump, Barak Obama, members of G7, Ban Ki-Moon, Jacob Zuma, Theresa May, Adewunmi Adesina and several others.

The book also details what the world leaders, and past Nigerian leaders, elder statesmen, religious and traditional leaders said about President Buhari, in addition to the government handling of such issues as June 12 and late Chief MKO Abiola.

The author of the book and a veteran journalist as well as editor that has been operating in the Presidential villa, Abuja since 2010, Yusuf Ozi-Usman, said that work on the book began in 2014, just when the alliance talks were going on amongst the political parties that later formed the APC, and continued all through the eight years of Buhari’s government.

“I kept on updating it to capture every development, including the death of some members of the government, infrastructural development of the government and cabinet changes and many more, up to the time the President was two months to the completion of his two-term tenure.”

He said that immediately after President Buhari won the second-term in 2019, he set to present the book publicly to local and international communities in Abuja, but that certain circumstances and developments hindered the moves.

He said that the decision to publish and sell it on Amazon and other international book publishing/selling sites was taken to give the world an opportunity to access the record of the totality of the Buhari’s government, especially, about those who were his background support-base for eight years.

The book can be access on https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ58SXX9

Another book, a fiction novel, by the same author, still on Amazon, can be accessed on http://www.amazon.com/dp/BOBSV88JRB

There is also another of his book on https://greenbreporters.com/downloads

I Have Nothing To Do With Your Reconciliation Move, Atiku Tells Tinubu

Editorial staff

March 21, 2023

The Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 election, Atiku Abubakar, has made it clear that he has nothing to do with the call by the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for healing after what he described as “a violent election”
Tinubu, had in a statement he personally signed today, March 21, called on all the opposition parties and their candidates to join him in healing the wounds of the campaigns and elections that had just taken place in the country.

In a statement responding to Tinubu, Atiku, through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described Tinubu’s statement as an after-thought and hypocritical garbage.
He said it was curious that Tinubu was talking about reconciliation after his minions attacked Igbo voters in Lagos in order to give his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) advantage during the governorship election.
He accused President-elect of continued to protect transport hooligans, politicians and even traditional leaders in Lagos who were seen on video threatening non-indigenes.
“Tinubu’s latest statement is laced with hypocrisy and lies. For a whole month, traditional leaders, transport hooligans and politicians in his camp threatened non-indigenes but Tinubu kept mute.

“His lackey, MC Oluomo, who is a member of his Presidential campaign council, was seen on video threatening Igbo people but Tinubu said nothing. His campaign spokesmen, Bayo Onanuga and Femi Fani-Kayode, went on social media to warn Igbo people against exercising their franchise but Tinubu looked the other way.
“Traditional rulers imposed curfews and went about slaughtering goats and placing them in front of polling units but Tinubu said nothing. A traditional leader and council chairman in Gbara community, Eti Osa local government summoned non-indigenes to a meeting where they threatened non-indigenes with eviction if they failed to vote for the APC but Tinubu said nothing. Those invited by the police ignored invitations because Tinubu was shielding them.
“On the day of election, many people who looked Igbo were beaten and prevented from voting but Tinubu kept mute. Now that his party has stolen the election, he has found his voice and is preaching reconciliation. He should tell that to the marines. If Tinubu is serious, he should ensure that all those found culpable are arrested and prosecuted. But we know he cannot do this because he is their godfather.”

1...333334335...2,494 Page 334 of 2,494