Popular veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, has drummed support for All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Orji, who is the Vice-President of Ambassadors of Voice of Change, described Tinubu as a chief crusader and a man who stands for equity, fair play and national cohesion.
In a viral video, Zack Orji said: “My support for Asiwaju Tinubu is personal. I’ve lived in Lagos for over 40 years of my life. I’ve always known this man as a chief crusader for the democratic consolidation of our country Nigeria.
“I’ve always known him (Tinubu) as a man who stands for equity, fair play and national cohesion.
“In his time as Governor of Lagos State, he ran an all-inclusive government drawing people from different ethnic extractions into the Executive Council as decision makers to run the affairs of the state.
“People who came from different ethnic extractions were given an opportunity to be part of decision making in Lagos state. I know with a high degree of certainty that on a national scale, he’ll do the same.
“Though we differ in tribe and tongue, in brotherhood we stand tall. I know when he (Tinubu) becomes the president of this country, he will turn the fortune of this country around.”
Orji called on well-meaning Nigerians to join him in supporting Tinubu to emerge as the country’s next President.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogarahave embarked on seeking to build what they called “all-inclusive Nigeria.”
The duo, who have been in the forefront, complaining and campaigning against the Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party they belong to, said after a private visit to the Rivers State Governor, Nyeson wike today, July 30 said thattheir visit was based on “the quest and search to build an all-inclusive Nigeria.
At the end of the closed door meeting held at Governor Wike’s country home in Rumueprikom, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Dogara told Journalists: “we feel that as part of the agenda setting, we should meet with him and that is the reason why we are here. And for the rest, whatever it is, maybe in the future we can discuss that.
“Everyone agrees with us that Governor Wike is one of those indispensable political leaders. For us, it is a search to build an all-inclusive Nigeria.”
Also Babachir Lawal told Journalists that their mission was a brotherly visit to the governor of Rivers State, adding: “we came to visit our brother. He (Wike) is our brother. So, every now and then, the Bible enjoins you to visit one another. That is what we just did.”
Former SGF said that the interaction with the Rivers State governor had nothing to with the meeting some northern leaders held in Abuja yesterday, July 29.
“No, there are many things that in the world for which you need to visit a brother, so there is nothing to do with our meeting in Abuja.”
The news making the rounds about some Senators on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) planning to defect to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been described as fake.
Ola Awoniyi, a media aide to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in a statement today, July 30, said that no defection letter has been submitted to his principal by any Senator as claimed by some media outlets.
The statement read, “We have seen a story on social media and some online newspapers purporting that the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, is sitting on letters from some senators allegedly intimating him of their defections from the All Progressives Congress.
“The story insinuated that Lawan is sitting on the purported letters to protect his position as the President of the Senate. We hereby state categorically that the story is utter falsehood as there is no such letter before the Senate President.”
“Obviously, the purveyors of the syndicated lies had not even bothered to confirm from the Distinguished Senator if and when he submitted any such letter to the Senate President. It is public knowledge that the Senate President has always promptly read out at plenaries letters by senators defecting from one party to another.
Some news organizations, including Politics Nigeria, have been reporting about on the 12 senators from the ruling party that have since submitted their defection letters to the Senate president who had refused to read them.
The publications even went ahead today, to give the list of the Senators who are set to join the PDP. They are:
1. Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, (APC -Bauchi North)
2. Senator Ladi Dadu’ut, (APC – Plateau South)
3. Senator Bello Mandiya, (APC – Katsina South)
4. Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, (APC – Kwara Central)
5. Senator Danladi Sankara, (APC – Jigawa West)
6. Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, (APC – Niger North)
Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis, has given a hint about calling it quits to save himself from health challenge.
For the past few months, the Pope has been using a wheelchair, cane, or walker because of knee pain caused by a fracture and inflamed ligament.
The Pope made his intention to step down known today, July 30, after a visit to Canada, to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in schools where indigenous children were abused.
He said that he needed to slow down because he could no longer withstand the hectic schedule of international travels.
“I don’t think I can go at the same pace as I used to travel.
“I think that at my age and with this knee limitation, I have to save myself a little bit to be able to serve the Church. Or, alternatively, to think about the possibility of stepping aside.
“Up until today, I did not use that door. I did not think it was necessary to think of this possibility but that does not mean that the day after tomorrow I don’t start thinking about it.”
Appreciation and depreciation of currency is not related to race or color or who is the president be it Hausa Igbo or Yoruba. It is basically about production of goods and services and the demand of your products in the world market.
A confused country that produces almost nothing will never meet up. Policies only control your currency, not the value of another country’s currency against yours.
A country where over 500 industries died within 30 years must be stupid to complain of depreciation of her currency. We keep killing local industries and expect policies to make it up.
It’s a joke sir. Don’t use China as an example in depreciating currencies and strong economy. China produces and may attract more export with that strategy unlike Nigeria that produces nothing.
A country where someone carried $2+billion simply to be shared is already a doomed one in terms of monetary policy and value.
A country that produces Dizeani and Bafarawa who spent billions to appease demons. Money without economic value is an economic poison injected into the system.
A country that favours importation over local production is doomed because it creates employment for another country while sacking her own citizens. Some people are working in Michelin and Dunlop somewhere, yet we use the tyre here. Don’t tell me principle of comparative advantage here. It’s not applicable.
A country that exports all raw materials without adding value is shameless to talk of depreciation of currency, to later re-import finished products of that material is the peak of daftness.
A bag of cocoa will go for like N1 million but when it is processed it will be worth around N7 million. Even farmers who produce raw cocoa can’t buy chocolate.
A country that deliberately operate a banking system that gives loans to importers at the expense of local industries is doomed and should say nothing about depreciation. Most of the loans are given to Senators and Representatives, not industrialists.
A country that gives loans in billions to agric sector without monitoring & evaluation of such loan on how it gets to the real farmers is a sham.
A guy collected over N2 billion agric loan, he bought a Jeep, built a mansion, and use the rest to import processed pork. Meanwhile, local pork farmers are dying here. Is that not a double tragedy, stressing forex and at the same time killing local industries.
A country that spend more on a few privileged politicians at the expense of the populace who are unemployed should not talk about depreciation.
A country that keeps paying NNPC staff N10 billion as salaries every month when a single drop of petrol was not refined should shut up about depreciation of currency. Crime is rising as value added to the initial failure.
A country where it is difficult for investors to register businesses because of the government officials demanding for bribe. Right from airport, to hotel, to Minister to Governors, investors must give bribe. All these are part of cost of investment.
A friend brought investor on estate development just for the State Commissioner in charge to demand 30% of the investment.
To see the Governor of a state will cost you N2 million as bribe before you can be scheduled. This is a State as poor as anything.
A country where the cost of travelling for treatment abroad by officials will build world class hospitals should not talk about naira against dollar parity. Money taken to that trip is part of stress on forex.
A country where few people have access to federal reserve and those few can get loans, not because of what they can produce, but because of the connection they have – is that country not gone already?
A country where we import what we produce because it’s cheaper over there is gone.
A country that has arable land, teaming idle youths and still complain of hunger should not talk about currency depreciation. It’s annoying.
A country where free money flows can never control inflow and outflow of forex. Imagine someone who wants to hide his loot went to bureau-de-change, to buy dollars worth $50 million just to hide it in the basement of his house. That money has no economic value yet it deprives Companies that need it to import raw materials. Those Companies go to that same bureau-de-change to buy forex at exorbitant price.
A country where a strong bank owner can influence shares from within Stock Exchange room to inflate their shares worth from N20 to N150, crash the same share to N30 and ready to buy it back at N28 all within a year. Forget it, currency will never appreciate in such economy.
A country where banks are involved in round tripping and inflated cost to siphon money is doomed. A Company wants to import caterpillar worths $50,000. A bank made the forex $550,000 meanwhile no caterpillar was imported, yet the money faded into private accounts. Who strain forex in that case?
Dogara is a nomadic politician on the move again. Believe Dogara, you’ll believe anything.
Dogara was among those earlier speculated to be among those favoured to be nominated as vice presidential candidate of the APC.
During that time, Dogara knew who could make his dream come true, politicians of substance from the North, who happen to be Muslims by accident of birth.
Dogara busied himself consulting and reaching out to Muslim politicians in order to make his dream come true.
The APC presidential candidate, Senator Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, decided to go for Senator Kashim Shettima, who happens to be a Muslim.
Tinubu’s decision stemmed from his understanding that, for his party to become victorious at the 2023 general election, he needed someone that could attract support from the Muslim dominated North, with their 12m votes.
The calculation has nothing to do with pursuing any religious agenda but for political exigencies.
Now, Yakubu Dogara has decided to bite the hands that fed him. Muslim politicians always project and prop him up throughout his political career.
Dogara and his ilks are taking on a dangerous gamble, fruitlessly seeking to pitch Christians against Muslims, simply because they lost out.
However, their quest will not yield any result, except to further erode their political relevance. In their desperation, they readily forgot how impossible and impractical it will be to divide Nigerians along religious lines ahead of the 2023 general election.
Even though Tinubu picked Senator Kashim Shettima, it’s not possible that Asiwaju’s entire cabinet will be constituted by only Muslims.
Nigerians should be wary of desperate politicians like Yakubu Dogara and his ilks. They are only out to satisfy selfish ends. When the chips are really down, Dogara will run to a Muslim politician in Bauchi State or the North East, to seek favours.
With the way Dogara is acting, don’t be surprised if he moves again to another political party, where if he fails to get what he wants, then he will move elsewhere again.
Dogara and politicians like him don’t care a hoot about the people. They are only after their interests. And once they fail to realise their desire, they try to sink the boat.
The real reason why Dogara Yakubu lost out was not because of his religion. He lost out not because he is a Christian.
Yakubu Dogara missed the chance to become the vice presidential candidate of the APC essentially because he does not have the political clout to attract the anticipated votes to deliver the party during the forthcoming general elections.
Instead of accepting this reality, Dogara and others like him, who may have preferred the APC to lose the election, just so to satisfy their selfish goals, are running helter skelter, trying to deceive the gullible, whipping up religious sentiments.
All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has asked the newly elected President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Daniel Okoh, to aim at building bonds of unity, inter-religious understanding and tolerance while advocating for the benefits of democratic good governance for all Nigerians, regardless of creed or belief systems.
Asíwájú Tinubu, in a congratulatory message today, July 29, noted that the new CAN leader who is the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church, is a worthy successor to Rev. Ayokunle whose tenure as CAN president was one characterized by exceptional commitment, principle and wisdom.
“I congratulate Rev. Okoh on his election as the new president of CAN. Rev. Okoh had truly distinguished himself as the deputy to Rev. Ayokunle.”
The APC leader said that Nigeria can only expect nothing but inspired and enlightened leadership from Rev. Okoh.
“CAN is one of the most important organizations in the nation. Not only does it seek the betterment of the Christian community in Nigeria, its moral force and standing benefit all Nigerians as we seek to establish a just and compassionate society where people of all faiths and beliefs live and work together in peace and harmony.
“As a nation, we are in a critical moment where misguided and terrible actors attempt to destroy social harmony and reign violence on us all. These awful forces seek to stoke religious and ethnic divisions in hope of pitting Nigerian brother against Nigerian brother. Decent and good Nigerians of all faiths must ally again such designs. While we may not agree on everything, all well-meaning Nigerians agree that we must live in peace, must respect and honor our diversity and eschew violence and hatred.
“We are grateful that CAN as an organization embodies these and other principles that reflect the values and virtues of Christ. We are glad that the new President of CAN, Rev. Okoh, is a humane and kind soul who has dedicated his life to the betterment of his fellow man and is a person who will work with leaders of other faiths and beliefs to anneal the bonds of unity, inter-religious understanding and tolerance while advocating for the benefits of democratic good governance for all Nigerians regardless of creed or belief systems.
“As long as we stand forthright and adhere to these tenets, Nigeria will defeat the plans of those who seek to place discord and hatred at our door.
“As Rev. Okoh assumes the mantle of leadership, it is my hope and prayer that his tenure brightens every corner of our country and may he be a shining light to all.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured Nigerians that it is addressing the challenge facing the foreign exchange issues confronting the country, even as it advised the citizens to resist the urge of succumbing to the speculative activities of some players in the foreign exchange market.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja today, the bank’s Director, Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, said that the CBN is committed to resolving the foreign exchange issues confronting the nation and as such “has been working to manage both the demand and supply side challenges.”
The apex bank’s spokesman, who admitted that there has been a huge demand pressure for foreign exchange to meet the needs of manufacturers as well as those for the payment of tuition, medical fees and other invisibles, said that the bank is concerned about the international value of the Naira.
According to him, the monetary authority is currently strategizing to help Nigeria earn more stable and sustainable inflows of foreign exchange in the face of dwindling inflows from oil sector.
He said that the bank’s records showed that foreign exchange inflow through the RT200 FX Programme in the first and second quarters of 2022 increased significantly to about US$600 million as at June 2022.
Nwanisobi assured that the bank would continue to make deliberate efforts in the foreign exchange sector to avert further downward slides in the value of the Naira which, according to him is fuelled by speculative tendencies.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has described the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a liar.
He also complained about the insult rained on him by the Atiku’s “attack dogs,” in the person of the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, Maina Waziri and others.
“Look at his attack dogs, former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, Maina Waziri and others; look at the statement they issued. Look at the abuses they rained on me, I never reacted.”
Governor Wike, who for the first time since the end of the party’s Presidential primary where he lost to Atiku, reacted to issues that arose from the primary, said that he decided not to speak but concentrate on fulfilling his campaign promises to the people in his state, said that he has to now speak to expose all the lies concocted against him by Atiku and his attack dogs.
The governor, who spoke today, July 29 at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State shortly after he returned from Spain, said: “I told my special adviser on media that I am going to speak on issues. We know in this part of our world, when lies are contorted, it becomes fact.
“I have always believed when the left speaks, allow the right to also speak. We are not getting younger and as days pass, we get older. So, it is important when issues are raised or when speeches are made, one should be able to say this is the part of my story, so that the public knows the truth.
“It is most unfortunate since after our primary I have decided to be quiet, because it is a party I love so much. I never said anything, I decided to go back home and fulfill the promises I made to the people of Rivers State.
“But there comes a time I need to speak and let Nigerians know the actual truth. Having known the truth, whatever they decide to do with it is left for them.
“When the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar unveiled his running mate, no right thinking person and a lover of this party will say that the speech he made on that day was fair.
“Forget about his hailers, the scavengers and I never reacted to it. I said, no, this party belongs to all of us. Thereafter, Atiku appeared on Arise TV, see the statement he made. So many lies were told and then you said I should not react to some of those issues. That will not be fair.
“Assuming today I am not alive, obviously what he has said will be accepted as the truth. Look at his attack dogs, former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, Maina Waziri and others look at the statement they issued. Look at the abuses they rained on me, I never reacted.
“If a presidential candidate who believes he wants to win the election, and as somebody who contested fiercely with him, I never raised issues. I just kept quiet, minding my business to see how my State can move forward, yet every day his attack dogs continued to attack me.”
Governor Wike said that the reconciliation committee which Atiku claimed to have constituted was a big lie, saying that there is nothing they can’t do.
“Some Senators called me to say that Atiku Abubakar said he sent Bukola Saraki to me. That is not true, that is not fair and that is not correct. I was in Spain, Bukola came to me and said, my brother how do we solve this problem. I said well, were you sent by Atiku Abubakar? He said no. So what do you want me to do? Look at the issues. Bukola said the matter is so serious that he never knew.
“So, Atiku has never forgotten about the scavengers. In fact, some of those around called my friends and said O boy, tell your guy to now make him support us. I have been reduced to that level. I have become a guy.
“So, Atiku Abubakar cannot say that he has sent anybody to me. Forget about those who are running around him trying to get what to eat saying we called Wike’s number, he didn’t pick. I don’t know your phone number and you did not send a text that it is so and so person calling to say please I want to talk to you. Nobody has done that. So, since the 31st of May, not one person has spoken to me.
“After commissioning of the project, I will speak. It doesn’t matter who is involved. I am not a slave and I will never be a slave. I am a free-born citizen of this country. I must be able to state how things are. Whether it suits you or not, I don’t care.”
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other northern Christian leaders have vowed to resist the Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election.
They have described the party as anti-Christ, stressing that Christians, including members of the APC, will use their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) and prayers to resist the party’s plan ahead of the polls.
The northern Christian leaders spoke today, July 29, at an APC Northern Christian Leaders Summit in Abuja.
The former SGF stressed that he would keep protesting against the Muslim-Muslim ticket, describing his “resistance” as a wake-up call.
He said that the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket is proof of its anti-Christian agenda and that the party has completely eliminated northern Christians from its National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC).
The Muslim-Muslim ticket, he said, has been a long-term political strategy and not a one-off decision.
“Thus, all this talk of competence as the reason for the choice of the Muslim VP is balderdash and diversionary. This is a calculated anti-Christian exclusion agenda that is being implemented.”
He wondered why the APC is quiet on the opposition of some members and why the party “hired fake Bishops to further embarrass the church.”
“Christians all over the country see this ticket as a deliberate and premeditated attempt to introduce and firmly entrench religion into the politics of the country, which could lead to further disharmony.
“This is truly a wake-up call for all Nigerian Christians. We didn’t start this religious politics; APC and its candidates did; so, all of us should take note and act as appropriate.
“So, our dear APC colleagues spare us these sanctimonious lectures on competence and the cliche ‘religion of the candidates does not matter’. The truth is that the 2023 presidential election will be all about religion, and sadly, you started it; religion does matter in this context so be ready for the consequences,” he said.
He emphasized that Christians neither seek to oppress nor dominate any one or religion, adding that Christians will resist any one trying to discriminate against them and the religion.
“The PVC and our prayers will be our weapons of choice and we will massively deploy them in 2023.
“But while we are ready to battle this politics of exclusion and oppression, we are open to discussions with anyone who wants to engage with us in good faith.”
The former Reps Speaker too said that the party’s flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a fatal error in choosing Kashim Shettima as a running mate, saying that the is a rude awakening that happened sooner than later.
He lamented unhelpful framings of a debate by pundits that posit that Christians in the North are so small in number that their votes don’t count, adding that this argument seeks to reinforce the satanic agenda of dividing the church in Nigeria into North and South.
The former lawmaker said that the Muslim/Muslim ticket is a bad decision because it would fuel inequality and breed division which is counter-productive to the collective aspirations for a united and prosperous nation.
“An indispensable attribute of a leader in crisis is to be able to recognise a departure of events from routine to novel.
“Consequently, anyone who thinks that events in Nigeria in 2022 are not novel but routine as they were in 1993 is totally incapable of finding solutions to challenges currently ravaging our dear nation.”
He called on Nigerians to rebuke with love, the nodding dogs who have sold themselves to lying spirits by deliberately believing in lies or are refusing to accept the truth.
“The harder they try to make us bow to the golden image of greed, the more we should chant to their chagrin the answer given by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
“As long as God remains the God of justice, may we continue to resist injustice to our sinews, no matter who is for or against it because it is the requirement of the just God.”
Also at the event were Adamawa senator, Elisha Abbo; former sports minister, Solomon Dalung, and other APC leaders.
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Popular veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, has drummed support for All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara have embarked on seeking to build what they called “all-inclusive Nigeria.”
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has described the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a liar.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other northern Christian leaders have vowed to resist the Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election.
Dogara: Desperation Of A Nomadic Politician