Clark Accuses Gov Okowa Of Betrayal, Asks Him To Dump Atiku As Running Mate

February 2, 2023

Elder statesman and former federal commissioner for information, Edwin Clark, has accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar of betrayal, and asked him to immediately stop the move.

Speaking today, February 2, at a media briefing in Abuja, Edwin Clark said that Governor Okowa’s decision to be the running mate as the PDP Vice Presidential candidate, is contrary to the resolution of the ‘South-south Forum’ that the presidency must shift from the North to South in 2023.

“Mr Okowa has betrayed his colleagues in the Southern Governors Forum and the south generally.

“This man has betrayed us by accepting to be the running mate of Atiku. Without me, it would have been difficult for him to become governor of Delta.

“What shocked me was that our governor without discussing with anyone of us was working with a presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, without our knowing.

“This man has betrayed us. We all agreed, we held a series of meetings that this man had betrayed us. We can no longer trust him,” he said.

Edwin Clark, who is the Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said in a letter to Okowa, dated 2 February, said that the governor and Atiku will lose the presidential election.

He accused the governor of using the money belonging to the state to fund the PDP campaign and asked him to publicly apologise to the entire people of southern Nigeria.

“Today, I say with certainty that you are more dictatorial than any other military administrator that has administered Delta State since its creation in 1991.

“I can therefore understand why you have deliberately and immorally betrayed your colleagues of Southern Nigeria and the people for your own selfish ambition by wanting to land on safer ground by accepting to serve as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

“No, by God’s grace your prayer will not be answered. Perhaps, you have forgotten the gravity of the offence you have committed against the people of Southern Nigeria.

“In order to cover your nefarious plot, you voluntarily induced everyone to host a meeting of the 17 Southern governors in Government House Asaba on Tuesday 11th May 2021. You gave them a very good reception and provided them a secretariat that drafted the communique under your supervision, which was read by the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.

“It was indeed a bombshell, as you collectively demanded for the Southern Presidency and insisted that none of you should accept to be a Vice President.

“Shortly afterwards, the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), which I lead, gave the governors declaration 100% support and declared that no Southern serving governor, legislators or politicians should accept to be running mate, particularly to Atiku Abubakar.

“The 17 governors later met again in Lagos and Enugu to affirm the decision taken in your Government House Asaba. Little did we know that you were using this to perfect your secret plan to be running mate to Atiku Abubakar from the very beginning.

“We are therefore not surprised that you directed all the delegates from Delta State not to vote for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State or Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State who are your neighbours but instead, they voted massively for Atiku Abubakar during the PDP Presidential Primaries last year.

“It would be recalled in 2007, that Delta State finances were used in funding part of the election of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua through the directive of President Olusegun Obasanjo. We were therefore not surprised when you too have decided to finance Atiku Abubakar with Delta people’s money because; there is nobody to challenge you. I repeat, you will not succeed.

“It is therefore in your own interest to openly apologise to your colleagues of both APC and PDP whom you deceived in taking a decision you never believed in. After your unreserved apology to your people and Southern Nigeria, you should step down your ambition of becoming Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP. There your honour lies.”

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

We Won’t Obstruct 2023 Elections, IPOB Pledges

Editorial staff

February 2, 2023

File photo: Members of IPOB during protest in Anambra

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has pledged not to disrupt this year’s general elections, which start with Presidential election on February 25 across the country.

“IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has never forcefully obstructed the election process in Nigeria. Rather, we once called Biafrans to boycott elections, which was later called off.”

In a statement today, February 2, IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said that the group has no interest in Nigeria’s election but is focused on the release of Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, who is in detention.

“IPOB has no plan or intention to order any sit-at-home during the election period,” it said.

“We have maintained that we don’t have any interest in the Nigeria shambolic political selection process called Nigeria elections scheduled for February 2023.

“Our interest and focus is the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the date for Biafra referendum for Biafrans to determine their political future in or outside Nigeria.”

The group warned another group known as Pan Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction Coalition (PANPIEC) to stop linking it to criminal gang issuing and enforcing sit-at-home orders to blackmail IPOB and ESN.

“It’s on record and in the public domain that IPOB has not called for any sit-at-home during February elections. It’s also obvious that IPOB and ESN do not have any faction or splinter groups,” it added.

“IPOB remains peaceful and indivisible under one command for the liberation of Biafra Nation from the damnable Republic called Nigeria.”

It added that any group claiming to be IPOB and ordering sit-at-home is criminal and be regarded as a “sponsored” agent.

Source: TheCable.

CBN Vows To Prosecute Those Selling New Notes; To End Queues At ATMs Soon

Greenbarge Reporters

February 2, 2023

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed, with grave concern, the activities of persons who sell the newly redesigned banknotes and those who flagrantly abuse the legal tender by hurling wads of Naira notes in the air and stamping on the currency at social functions.
The apex bank also expressed worry over the queues at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country and an upward trend in the cases of people stocking and aggregating the newly introduced banknotes they serially obtain from ATMs for reasons best known to them.
“Also worrisome are the reported cases of unregistered persons and non-bank officials swapping banknotes for members of the public, purportedly on behalf of the CBN.”
A statement today, February 2, by the Director, Corporate Communications of CBN, Osita Nwanisobi, said that contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons, it is unlawful to sell the Naira, hurl (spray), or stamp on the currency under any circumstance whatsoever.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (As amended) stipulates that “spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both.”
“Similarly, Section 21(4) states: “It shall also be an offence punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section for any person to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in the Naira notes, coins or any other note issued by the Bank.”
The statement said that the CBN, collaborating with the Nigeria Police, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has taken steps to address the unpatriotic practice.
“We, therefore, warn Nigerians, particularly those at social functions such as birthdays, weddings and funerals, to desist from disrespecting the Naira or risk being arrested by law enforcement agencies. While reiterating our commitment to Nigerians to ensure the effective distribution of the newly introduced Naira banknotes, we urge them to exercise patience as the CBN is working assiduously to address the challenge of queues at ATMs.
“In line with this resolve, the Govenor, Godwin Emefiele, has directed deposit money banks (DMBs) to commence the payment of the redesigned Naira notes over the counter, subject to a maximum daily payout limit of N20,000. “We also admonish members of the public to embrace and adopt other payment channels for their transactions.
“The Naira is our legal tender and symbol of national pride.
“Therefore, let us respect it and handle it with care.”

Kwankwaso Describes Atiku As Drowning Man, Says He’s Never In Talk With Him

Editorial staff

February 1, 2023

Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwakwaso has made it clear that he has neither met nor discussed with his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent, Atiku Abubakar, or his representatives, on any working relationship on the 2023 presidential election.

Kwankwaso said that it clear that Atikubis now “gasping for air as his platform crumbles and is seeking a solid branch to hold on!”

In a statement today, February 1, the spokesperson of Kwankwaso/NNPP Presidential Campaign Council, Ladipo Johnson, quoted his master as saying that he is finishing the race stronger than other presidential candidates, especially Atiku of the PDP.

He said that his response was important due to the statement by Atiku that he is “in touch with Kwankwaso,” adding that the response is also key because of the false statements on social media that three million members of the Kwankwasiyya movement in the North East had moved to the PDP.

He described it as orchestrated moves by Atiku’s campaign to pass a false and mischievous narrative to Nigerians that he is joining his team.

“The fact of the matter is that neither Atiku and Kwankwaso nor their representatives have met in private or at all to discuss any working relationship.

“They have only met during town hall meetings in the last few months.

“Nigerians will recall that earlier in the campaign the false narrative being pushed was that Kwankwaso was only strong in Kano.

“He suddenly has three million members leaving him in the North East.”

He reiterated that Kwankwaso was not stepping down for, nor working with any of the candidates or Atiku Abubakar.

“We are in this race to win and uplift the standard of living of all Nigerians.

“Opponents who have seen the ground game and the grassroots campaign of Kwankwaso now understand, 24 days to the polls, that the voters at the grassroots, the average man and woman, have decided to vote for Kwankwaso and the NNPP as their party of choice.”

Source: NAN

Gov Wike Denies Atiku Venue For February 11 Presidential Campaign Rally In Rivers

Editorial staff

February 1, 2023

Rivers State government has denied the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar the use of Adoki Amasiaemeka Stadium, Igwurita Ali, Ikwerre Local Government Area, as venue for presidential campaign rally, scheduled for February 11 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Governor Nyesom Wike had a couple of weeks ago, given approval for the use of the stadium for the campaign but with a condition that it would be accessed 48 hours to the event.

In a letter dated January 31, 2023, and addressed to the Director General of Atiku campaign organisation and Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, Barrister Christopher Green, said that intelligence revealed that Atiku campaign organisation is collaborating with the governorship candidate of APC , Arch. Tonye Cole, to accommodate and share the approved facility for the presidential campaign.

The content of the letter reads: “refer to our letter of reference no.mos/s/409/s.49./t/15 of 11th, January , 2023 approving the use of the Adoki Amasiaemeka Stadium for your presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold on the 11th , February, 2023, credible intelligence available to Rivers State government and recent development now show that your presidential campaign organization is working in collaboration with a faction of APC and its intention of your presidential campaign organization to accommodate and share the approved facility for your campaign with the said faction of APC.

“Government record shows that the activities of the APC in Rivers State have always been marred by violence due largely to irreconcilable internal conflict within the party.”

Barrister Green said that given “credible intelligence” and to expose the stadium to any risk of being damaged, the state government had decided to withdraw the approval for its use for Atiku presidential campaign.

Efforts made by our reporter to speak with the Spokesman of Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organization in Rivers State, Dr Lenu Nwibubasa, as to whether he had received the letter were unsuccessful as he did not pick calls and did not reply to text the messages sent to his line.

Source: Daily Trust.

It’s A Lie, I’m Not In Alliance Talk With Atiku – Peter Obi

Editorial staff

February 1, 2023

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has dismissed reports of any discussion with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over a possible alliance.

Reacting to Atiku’s allusion to the fact that talk was already ongoing for possible alliance, Peter Obi, through the spokes person of Obi-Datti campaign organization, Yunusa Tanko, said that those making the alliance claim are just trying to exploit Obi’s popularity.

“As of yesterday, before we left Numan, there was nothing of such nature. We are busy with campaigns. We are not aware of anything like an alliance.

“I think somebody is just trying to cash out on the Obi-Datti ticket. We are right now campaigning in Sokoto and we will be in Zamfara.”

Atiku had in an interview with BBC Hausa service today, February 1, said that he was in talks with Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) for possible alliance.

The former Vice President said however that he did not see the two presidential candidates as threats to his ambition.

“Although I see no threat in any of them, we are in talks, and the discussion might yield a positive result that will see one of them coming.”

Source: The PUNCH.

Atiku Accuses Wike’s Group Of Anti-Party Activities, Says They Can’t Stop His Victory

Editorial staff

February 1, 2023

Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has formally accused Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State and four other PDP governors in his camp, of anti-party activities.

According to him, when he answered questions today, February 1, in a 15- minute interview with BBC Hausa service, the anti-party activities of the five governors cannot stop him from winning the forthcoming Presidential election.

“Election now is not like in the past when a governor will dictate who to vote for election today is in the hands of the voters.”

Atiku emphasized that governors no longer control or dictate the outcome of elections in the current dispensation, adding: “their anti-party activities can’t deter us from clinching victory in the upcoming polls.”

He still sees hope of reconciliation with the five governors, saying: “each party has its internal crisis. “We are still talking with them. They are neither in PDP nor in other parties and definitely, that will not make us lose the election because we are okay with the election preparations for now.

The PDP flag bearer wrote off the Presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and the New Nigeria People’s Party presidential (NNPP) Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying that they cannot be threats to his electoral victory.

“Although, I see no threat in any of them, but we are in talks, and the discussion might yield a positive result that will see one of them coming (to join us in PDP)”

Tinubu Never Attacked President Buhari In Calabar, Onanuga Protests

Editorial staff

February 1, 2023

The Director of Media and Publicity to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga has said that the party’s Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not attack President Muhammadu Buhari at the campaign rally in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday, January 31, as reported by a section of the media, “especially Thisday Newspaper and its broadcast arm, Arise News.”

Reacting to the report, in a statement today, February 1, Onanuga stressed that all the machinations of the opposition elements to put a wedge between President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu will fail, saying: “APC, its leadership and President Buhari are strongly united behind our presidential candidate.”

According to the APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, while addressing party supporters in Calabar, Tinubu had called on them not to vote for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar because of their litany of failures while in power for 16 years.

“The reference to exchange rate was not in any way an attack on the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress administration but an attempt to capture how the economic mismanagement of the PDP created forex crisis in the country since 2015.

“Anyone who followed the entire sequence and context of what Asiwaju said at the rally in Calabar will know he directed his missiles against PDP and Atiku. Let’s we forget, the PDP left the forex reserve at $28 billion by May 2015, when Buhari took over.

“Despite the massive oil theft and low price of crude, until recently, President Buhari had built up the reserve to about $38 billion. The PDP in 1999 met the exchange rate at N85 to one US dollar in 1999 and left it at N230 in 2015.

“What Asiwaju could be faulted for doing in Calabar was that he cited the wrong figures. And this, except for the mischievous PDP media did not detract from his central message.

“Our candidate explicitly said the people should not follow PDP and Atiku because they don’t know the road.

“Asiwaju Tinubu could not have meant President Buhari does not know road, having celebrated numerous times the achievements of the Buhari administration. Tinubu had also said at campaign fora he would build on the achievements, when elected on 25 February.

“It is simply illogical that the same Asiwaju would attack the Buhari administration of not knowing the road.

“In contrast, throughout this campaign up till now, Asiwaju Tinubu has consistently said PDP and all the opposition parties put together do not know the road to prosperity for Nigeria. He also said the competing candidates do not have the track record the amassed as governor of Lagos.

“As the frontrunner in the race, he has promised to implement his robust Action Plan that will bring socio-economic prosperity to our country.

“We are not unmindful of the antics of Thisday and Arise News to deliberately misrepresent our candidate and accentuate anything they think will project Asiwaju Tinubu in a bad light since the beginning of this electioneering circle.

“All the sponsored innuendos, invented and imaginary discord in APC which the failed PDP and their media organs in Arise and ThisDay hope to cash on to win the coming election will blow up in their faces.

We’re Not Fighting Corruption To Impress Transparency International – Lai Mohammed

Editorial staff

February 1, 2023

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that the government of Muhammadu Buhari has been quietly fighting corruption as he promised during campaigns not to seek the attention of Transparency International.

Answering reporters’ questions today, February 1 at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the minister said: “our position is the same. We are not fighting corruption because we want to impress Transparency International or any organization whatsoever.

“We are fighting corruption because we believe if we do not fight corruption, there will be no growth either in terms of the economy or even political.

“Therefore, what we do and what we are putting in place to fight corruption is not because we want to be rated by anybody. “If, for instance, what we are doing catches the attention of Transparency International and and it gives us better marks, so be it. However, I can assure you that we do not know what template TI is using.

“Whatever template they are using is clearly oblivious of what this administration is doing to fight corruption.”

Lai Mohammed stressed that corruption fighting is not just by how many people arrested, tried and convicted, saying: “even in that respect, we have a very impressive record.

According to him, the government, through EFCC, ICPC and other relevant agencies, has doing a lot to make corrupt practices almost impossible or difficult.

“For instance, when funds were returned from the Abacha loot and other funds were recovered from the USD, the UK and Europe, what this administration did, was that rather than pay these funds into the treasury and face the possibility of it being stolen or being re-looted, it decided to put the money into a separate account and ask the National Sovereign Investment Fund to manage the funds, and that the money was used for specific projects.

“And some of our legacy projects today actually are being financed from the money that have been stolen, which were returned and which we have kept. To me, this is one example of how to fight corruption. An example of how to ensure that people do not steal what has been recovered again.

“I am proud to say that we have been more proactive in fighting corruption and people are not willing to see what we have put in place in fighting corruption. “And that’s why I gave that example of putting money aside and how those funds were being used.

“Again, the courage of this administration even to expose high ranking officials of administration who have ran foul of the law is evidence of our determination and courage to fight corruption.

“So, we are not really worried or bothered about rating of the TI, because we know that everything we do is to ensure that we fight corruption the best way we know how to do.

“Like I said, if TI are not seeing these, then again, I think they have to change their template. But again, we are not fighting corruption to impress them.”

Media Stakeholders Want Repressive Media Laws Repealed

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2023

Media stakeholders under the auspices of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has called on the federal government to review or repeal all repressive provisions in the nation’s relevant laws and policies.

The stakeholders also insisted on the government addressing the issue of press freedom as the core of the nation’s political, economic and development agenda.

These were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day symposium on: Election 2023, Security, Media and Safety, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Some of the offending provisions, the communiqué, signed by all the participants, noted, are cybercrime and terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act; section 17 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges Act) 2017; Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act.

The communiqué, which asked for the provision of a national policy to safe-guide press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists, wants the maintenance of journalists’ violators register to be published at regular intervals, saying: “this would discourage many, especially public office holders, from violating the rights of journalists.”

The stakeholders, according to the communiqué, would organize capacity-building workshops for journalists on media laws and ensure the transfer of knowledge between generations through mentorship.

“Young journalists need to know that they are not celebrities. Too many times, they put their lives at risk by behaving like celebrities and social media influencers.”

They also pledged to look into the academic and educational sector, to make sure that Mass Communications and Journalism departments of educational institutions are in tune with times, and appealed to media veterans who already have experience to dedicate some time to bringing up the next generation of journalists.

Some of those who signed the communiqué, which starts operating immediately are representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUG), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Human Rights Lawyers (HRL), HEDA Resource Centre; International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), PlusTv Africa and others.

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