2023: No Need To Prepare For Run-Off, We’ll Win In First Ballot, PDP Tells INEC

November 21, 2022

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to bother about preparing for a runoff in the 2023 Presidential election, as its candidate, Atiku Abubakar will win in the first ballot.

In a statement, the spokesperson of the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan, stressed that INEC doesn’t need to bother itself with any preparation for a run-off of the election.

“Our campaign counsels INEC not to listen to diversionary narratives by apologists of the deflated APC who are ostensibly seeking ways to derail the election, having realised that their party has been rejected.

“The campaign urges INEC to deploy its resources towards conducting a free, fair, transparent and credible election that will be generally accepted by majority of Nigerians.

“Our campaign is confident that by every indices and data available, our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will win the presidential election of February 25, 2023 at the first run.

“The APC has seen defeat ahead as Nigerians are quickly reaching a consensus on the fact that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, is not electable.”

Tinubu To ThisDay Newspaper: You Should Be Ashamed Of Your Ethical Standards

Editorial staff

November 21, 2022

The Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed disappointment at the way ThisDay newspaper has abandoned the ethics of journalism profession in the pursuit of a questionable agenda.

Reacting to the newspaper’s report about the death of a respected medical doctor, Kolapo Akande, who was the husband of Lola Akande, a commissioner in Lagos, Tinubu, through his Presidential Campaign Council, said that the report subsequently turned into a huge embarrassment for the paper and further dented its credibility and integrity.

“ThisDay should be truly ashamed of its ethical standards. It descended so low that even the despicable David Hundeyin, said to be desperate for asylum in the UK, excoriated the newspaper for the report.

“Without sounding remorseful, Hundeyin recanted his tweet and wrote: “Not sure why ThisDay published such a story without confirming it, but my information now is that Dr Kolapo Akande who just died is the elder brother of Mueez Adegboyega Akande, (who is still very much alive.) As such I’m taking down my earlier tweet with the ThisDay story link”.

“In his earlier full tweet, the reckless journalist, whose modus operandi is more like Alex Jones of the U.S. based Infowars had suggested that Tinubu masterminded Kolapo Akande’s death, quoting fictional ‘back channel sources’.

“What a wicked, unconscionable lie!

“At the heart of journalism is the credo that a medium should seek to verify its information before dishing it out to the public. ThisDay, just like its sister Arise TV News, has now clearly shown that it does not operate by such standards.

“We have waited for the past 48 hours, hoping the paper will show some remorse and apologise to the Akandes and Asiwaju Tinubu over the malicious report. We are surprised it has not taken such a dignified step.”

In the statement, signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of the Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said: “We now formally demand a full apology from the paper and its publisher, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, for the utterly unprofessional report.

“We hope henceforth the paper will seek to be driven by the ethical ideals of journalism and not other material considerations. In view of the established evidence of violation of the core ethics of journalism, we demand that the Nigeria Press Council take appropriate disciplinary action against Thisday to save journalism at this sensitive period from the merchants of falsehood and abusers of the public trust that the press embodies.

“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to invoke the relevant sections of the Electoral Act 2022 to sue Thisday and any other medium that commits flagrant violation of editorial rules to the courts.

“These are the only remedies to the reckless journalism of Thisday.

“They are the guarantees that the provisions of the Constitution mandating the Press as the Fourth Estate of the Realm shall be protected.”

Buhari’s “Compas,” Kazaure, Bags Dan Masanin Title; Receives President’s Encomium

Greenbarge Reporters

November 20, 2022

The State Chief of Protocol (SCOP), who can be described as President Muhammadu Buhari’s compass, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure has being conferred with the traditional title of Dan Masanin Kazaure, by the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Hussaini Adamu.

Hafsah, the only daughter of Ambassador Kazaure also got married to Ibrahim Tijjani Ibrahim.

In a personal letter, which was delivered by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari at a reception in honour of the couple and the newly turbaned Dan Masanin Kazaure, the President expressed delight that one of his principal aides has been deemed worthy to be honoured by the Emir of Kazaure.

”I also wish to take this opportunity to thank you immensely for your services as my State Chief of Protocol over the past seven and half years. A job discharged with exemplary commitment and efficiency.

”Accept, my best wishes, and that of my family as you serve your community in this new role. Be assured of our prayers and support.”

The President wished the newly married couple a happy life, describing marriage as a demonstration of love which goes beyond physical attraction.

He advised the couple to garnish their union with understanding, mutual respect and friendship, praying for God’s continued blessing on their home.

The reception which was attended by cabinet ministers, Heads of Government agencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Captains of industry, family and friends of the Kazaures and Ibrahim Gamawas featured an outpouring of goodwill messages to SCOP and the newly wedded couple.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said at the reception that from a historical perspective, the Dan Masanin is not a common title in the courts of Emirs and Chiefs.

”Rather, it is one that is usually reserved for members of the royalty and those who make staggering contributions to community and national well-being, and there is a willingness on their part to do even more.”

Garba Shehu recalled that Maitama Sule of blessed memory was worthy of that title and commended Lawal Kazaure, who alongside Femi Adesina and himself were the first three appointees of President Buhari after the first inauguration in 2015, for receiving three important awards in the last few months, including the Nigerien highest civilian national awards and the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Also speaking, Ambassador Appolinus Demenongu Agev, descried his colleague of over 35 years as ”a detribalized Nigerian, a dependable ally, resolutely dedicated to the service of our fatherland.

”We are excited and proud of the traditional conferment on ‘Ambassador Kaz’, having also celebrated the National Honours Award conferred on him by the President. We look forward to celebrating more awards.”

He also thanked Mrs. Saudatu Lawal Kazaure and children for the support from the home front and important contributions to Ambassador Kazaure’s successes in diplomatic, public and community services.

L-R: Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President Media & Publicity; Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to the President; Ambassador Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure, State Chief of Protocol and Dan Masanin Kazaure; Hafsah and Ibrahim Tijjani Ibrahim; Hajiya Saudatu Lawal Kazaure; Mrs Maryam Abba and Sarki Abba, the Senior Special Assistant Domestic Affairs to the President at the reception in honour of the newly turbaned Dan Masanin Kazaure and the wedding of the only daughter of SCOP, Hafash, to Ibrahim Tijjani Ibrahim, at the weekend in Abuja.

Book On Obasanjo’s ‘Secret’ Letters Ready For Presentation, December 1

Greenbarge Reporters

November 20, 2022

A book, titled: “The Letterman: Inside the ‘Secret’ Letters of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo,” has been scheduled for public presentation on December 1.
Written by by the Editor-in-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed, will be unveiled at a ceremony in Abuja, after which it will be available in bookshops.
The 25-chapter narrative non-fiction, published by PREMIUM TIMES Books, curates some of the most significant and historical letters written and received by former President Obasanjo, which compellingly tell the story of his life, as defined by and is defining of the story of his country, Nigeria and the larger African continent. A number of these letters, written to dignitaries in Nigeria and around the world, have never been publicly seen.
The 492-page book is a product of seven years of assiduous research, whose chronicle unfolds from the time of Obasanjo as General Officer Commanding the Third Marine Commando and his wartime efforts, through his tenure as military head of state between 1976 and 1979, his continental liberation struggles and political activism from the 1970s to 1999, his civilian presidential term from 1999 to 2007, as well as his post-presidency era.
“These letters essentially tell a story that is as deeply personal as it is painstakingly national, and global”, Ololade Bamidele, who coordinated the production of the book, said.
“This tour de force of historical writing situates Musikilu Mojeed as a witness and skillful raconteur who deftly manages to braid far-flung pieces into a magisterial whole that unveils the attitudes, worldview, relationships, emotional complexity and stewardship of this enigmatic global statesman, through the correspondences he exchanged with others.”

Emeka Anyaoku, a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, who wrote the Foreword to the book, said: “I believe that the Olusegun Obasanjo letters will find a prominent place in the chapters of Nigeria’s contemporary history as informative insights into the national affairs of the country when they were written. I, therefore, recommend this book, The Letterman, by Musikilu Mojeed to the reading public.
Mojeed said: “I am deeply pleased to release this book. It is my own modest contribution to knowledge and I pray it is well received. This effort is a product of a seven-year interesting voyage into the world of Obasanjo’s letters.
“I hope what I found and shared in this book provides additional understanding of the Obasanjo persona.”
About the Author
Musikilu Mojeed is the editor-in-chief and chief operating officer of Nigeria’s PREMIUM TIMES newspaper, which he co- founded. He is a multiple award-winning journalist and a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).
A 2012 Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University, and 2009 Ford Foundation International Fellow at The City University of New York, Mojeed was a judge of the UNESCO World Press Freedom Awards, completing his three-year tenure in 2016.
He is the President of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) and was member of the expert council of the Fetisov Journalism Awards, the world’s biggest journalism contest in terms of cash prizes.
He has reported extensively on corruption, human rights and human trafficking and is one of Africa’s most regarded investigative journalists.
A winner of several awards, Mojeed shared a Pulitzer for his team’s groundbreaking reporting on the Panama Papers. He has also been honoured with the Global Shining Light Award, FAIR’s Editor’s Courage Award, and the Wole Soyinka Investigative Reporting Awards, among other honours.
Mojeed is a trustee of the Global Media Campaign to End FGM (a UK charity) and was president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from the University of Uyo, Nigeria, and a Masters in Journalism from the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism.
He has been published by the Nigerian Tribune, TheNEWS, Tempo, TELL, The PUNCH, NEXT, New York Times, New York City News Service, PREMIUM TIMES, among others.

Wike, Best President For Nigeria, Gov Ortom Insists, Says Enough Of The North

Greenbarge Reporters

November 20, 2022

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has insisted that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyeson Wike would be the best President for Nigeria from 2023, even as he said that the county has had enough of the North producing the President again.

The Benue Governor who spoke yesterday, November 19 during the flag off of the Campaign team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, made it clear that the Presidency must go to the south regardless of political affiliation.

“Your son, the Governor of Rivers State contested, it was said that he lost, but some of us believes that he was the right person to unite, to bring us together and to ensure equity, fairness and justice for Nigerians. And after that, we talked about the issues of running mate, it was not done because of enemies of progress.

“I was the first Governor from the north to say that the five governors of the southern governors came out and say that the presidency should go to the south. The following day, i issued a press statement that what they have said is true and Nigerians for the sake of equity, fairness and justice, should have been fed up after eight years of President Buhari’s rule.

“The next president should go to the south, irrespective of political affiliation and that is the right thing to do. We are Nigerians and we must ensure that all of us work together. That is what i believe.

“Today we are in PDP and i want to assure you that we are working. That PDP is not together, they have not been able to deploy its conflict resolution mechanism to solve the problems that we have in the PDP.

“I’m sure this is where we are and i want Rivers State people to work with our Governor, Nyesom Wike and at the end of the day, just like the G5, who decide what we are going to do because Nigeria today is in turmoil. It is only when we choose the best that will help us to take us out of the challenges we are faced today, whether security, whether economy, whether in every other aspect, social lives that will help us redeem our image.

“And so, i want us to work together as a team and by the grace of God, in 2023, we are going to redeem Nigeria to the parts of security, in the parts of prosperity and everybody will be happy.”

Dino Melaye To Gov Wike: You Are Not Sincere About Seeking For Justice

Greenbarge Reporters

November 20, 2022

Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Senator Dino Melaye has questioned the sincerity of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State with regard to his demand for “justice” from the leadership of the party.

Dino Melaye wrote on his verified Facebook page: “Two days ago during Peter Obi’s visit in PH, Wike of Rivers state, stated that he would give Peter Obi support during presidential election.

“In Labour Party, their National party chairman is from South. Presidential candidate is from South. Their DG is from South. And majority of their national positions are being held by southerners.

“So where is the justice Governor Wike is talking about? Time to reunite with your family my brother.

“I thought it was agreed that it’s the turn of the South, to produce Buhari’s successor, how the South achieves this, I guess is the soul affairs of the Southern, some Comedian that wishes to sell his birth right, should do so without infiltrating.

“Atiku Abubakar is the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God.”

It would be recalled that ahead of the 2023 elections, aggrieved Wike had pledged to give all logistic support to the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi to campaign in Rivers State. The Governor spoke in Port Harcourt during the commissioning ceremony of a flyover in the state.

Buhari Challenges Men To Take Frontal Leadership For True Democracy

Editorial staff

November 18, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged men to take their rightful leadership position in evolving true democracy in Nigeria.

The President advised men to be guided in protecting and promoting democracy in Nigeria, by ensuring full participation in the 2023 elections, adhering to regulations of the electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and exploring redress in the courts.

President Buhari, who commemorated the International Men’s Day (IMD) today, November 18, acknowledged the pivotal role of men in ensuring a safe, peaceful and progressive environment, given their visible positions in families, governments, communities, and leadership in religious, traditional and political institutions.

The President expressed happiness that this year’s celebration places the spotlight on health issues, modeling and leadership roles, sacrifices and other multi-layered responsibilities of men, which include respect for women.

On the theme of this year’s IMD: “Men Leading By Example,” President Buhari called on men to take the front row in safeguarding and protecting national assets and shun acts of violence, like targeting of the offices and stores of the electoral body, which only adds to the cost of governance and projects the country as unstable.

He said that every citizen’s voice and vote matters in the choice of Nigeria’s leadership and governance, asking men in the country to provide the needed example of decency and decorum, and mobilize for the greater good of nation building.

The President commended the Local Organizing Committee of the IMD for setting an agenda for the 2023 elections, and remaining faithful in sensitizing men to be more patriotic, responsive and inclusive in decision making, at home and in the public.

Gov Wike Dares His PDP, Throws Support For Peter Obi Of LP

Editorial staff

November 17, 2022

Irrespective what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform, he is the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike appears to have thrown his support for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

The Governor, at the Nkpolu-Oroworokwo Flyover inauguration in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital, today, November 17, declared that Peter Obi has “characteristics” to lead Nigeria

While pledging to support Obi logistically in his presidential bid, Wike said: “each time you want to campaign in the state, let me know. All the logistics support, we will give to you.

“I know you as a person. You have all the criteria, you have all the characteristics to lead this country, you have it. Nobody can deny that for you.”

Wike expressed surprise at the recent verbal attack on Peter Obi by the governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, comforting Obi with: “it’s on record you performed exceptionally well in your state. But some people, because of the level you are in now in Nigeria, they’re envying you in your state. They can come and say all sorts of rubbish. but don’t worry, that’s how it is.

“It is your own people that will kill you first, so don’t bother about those things. I have told people, stop criticizing people who have already left. If you are a professor, professor well, if you are a doctor, doctor well.”

The flyover, built by the current administration, was declared opened by Peter Obi; supported by his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Drug-War-General, Marwa, Rallies Stakeholders To Tackle Drug Abuse Among Youths

Editorial staff

November 17, 2022

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, has charged parents and other stakeholders to rise up to the challenge of ensuring that illicit substances are kept away from young Nigerians.

He warned that complacency is capable of compromising the bright future of the youth population.
Marwa, who spoke today, November 17 at the Realnews Magazine 10th year anniversary lecture in Lagos, said: “Let me leave us with a thought-provoking submission about the danger of complacency in tackling drug abuse among youth.
“By 2030, demographic factors project the number of people using drugs to rise by 11 per cent around the world, and as much as 40 per cent in Africa alone.
“This is an early warning that we should all take serious and ensure that we keep our young people away from dangerous substances that compromise the bright future ahead of them.”
Marwa said that instead of benefitting from the advantages of the huge youth population in Nigeria, the reverse may be the case if relevant stakeholders fail to stand up and join ongoing efforts against the drug scourge.
“It is globally recognised that one of Africas comparative advantages is its huge youth population.
“This country, Nigeria, for instance, has no less than 151 million young people, accounting for 70 per cent of our estimated 217 million population.
“Most of us don’t know what that means.
“Youth means creativity, strength, resourcefulness and productivity.
“But how do we rake in these benefits when a significant number of this population is involved in the abuse of illicit substances?
“The truth is instead of a boon they could become a burden because of abuse of illicit substances.”
Marwa said that a whole-of-society approaches are needed to ensure that young people have the information and develop the resilience to make good choices, especially as it relates to drug abuse.

According to him, NDLEA has initiated some youth focused measures to safeguard them against the pressures and temptations of going into drugs.
Such measures, he said, include War Against Drug Abuse campaign, “a grassroots-oriented advocacy which we are using to diffuse anti-drug sentiment across the various strata of our society; NDLEA Twitter Space where drug issues are discussed by experts from within the country and around the world to an audience of young people; a 24/7 Drug Abuse call centre with a toll-free helpline: 0800 1020 3040, which allows drug users, their families and employers to seek treatment without compromising their identities or safety, as well as open-door treatment at 26 NDLEA treatment facilities across the country.”
Marwa that said this has become necessary following the release of the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey.
According to him, Nigeria has been seeking solutions to the drug scourge, especially as it pertains to youths.
The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari gives NDLEA unflinching support, he said, adding that the Agency in turn has been working on several measures, which are largely youth-focused.
Speaking earlier at a debrief workshop on Controlled Delivery Exercise of Drug Trafficking for Law Enforcement in Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC and ECOWAS Commission, General Marwa noted that the capacity building training has further increased efficiency in tackling the scourge of drug trafficking, which in recent years has become one of the most devastating threats to the human race.
“Today’s workshop has helped to put us all on the same page about the intricacies of this methodology, which requires greater cooperation of relevant law enforcement agencies at the national and international levels.
“More than other techniques, controlled delivery sharpens our awareness as to why law enforcement agencies should not work in silos and why bilateral and multilateral agreements, good and regular contact and exchange of information between anti-drug enforcement organisations are important.”
He commended the European Union, UNODC and ECOWAS Commission for supporting the training workshop.

Sokoto Ranks Highest In Poverty Index As NBS Declares 133 Million Nigerians Enmesh In Poverty

Editorial staff

November 17, 2022

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced that no fewer than 133 million Nigerians are ridden with poverty, with Sokoto State taking the lead of the pack.

The NBS, in its “Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index’’ released today, November 17, explained that the figure represents 63 per cent of the nation’s population.

“Poverty levels across states vary significantly, with the incidence of multidimensional poverty ranging from a low of 27 per cent in Ondo state to a high of 91 per cent in Sokoto state,” the Bureau said in the report.

The report said the poorest States are Sokoto, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe and Yobe, “but we could not say for sure which of these is the poorest, because their confidence intervals overlap.”

According to the report, over half of the population who are poor cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than cleaner energy, adding that high deprivations are also apparent in sanitation, time to healthcare, food insecurity and housing.

The report said that multidimensional poverty is higher in rural areas, where 72 per cent of people are poor, compared to 42 per cent of people in urban areas.

The Bureau said that approximately, 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population live in rural areas which are home to 80 per cent of poor people.

It said that the first poverty index survey published by the statistics bureau since 2010, said that 65 per cent of the poor (86 million people) live in the North, while 35 per cent (nearly 47 million) live in the South.

The NBS said that the incidence of monetary poverty is lower than the incidence of multidimensional poverty across most states.

“In Nigeria, 40.1 per cent of people were poor, based on the 2018/19 national monetary poverty line, and 63 per cent are multidimensionally poor according to the National MPI 2022.”

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