Dollar Towers Above Naira, Exchanges At N735

September 29, 2022

The dollar has continued to tower over Naira, hitting N735 in the parallel market yesterday, September 28, as political campaign activities began across Nigeria.

According to Bureau De Change operators in Lagos and Abuja, dollar price had increased from N718 to N720 to N728 and finally to N735 within the last one week.

An operator in Lagos Island, Mallam Zakari, confirmed that dollar rate had surged to N735 as at 4:54pm, saying: “Dollar is N735 and I will buy it for N731. Yesterday, we sold N728.”

However, at the Importers and Exporters Window, rate still hovered around N430/$. The dollar-naira exchange rate was N431.19 as of Tuesday.

Analysts said that the naira had weakened in the parallel market due to increased speculations, falling external reserves, and low foreign exchange inflows.

“Lending rates by banks and other financial institutions will rise following the MPR hike. This will lead to further rise in cost of operations by all businesses, aggravating the rising inflation. This has triggered further demand for dollars to avoid more decline in the value of any funds held in naira.”

According to Idahosa, the commencement of elections also meant that a lot of funds had started pouring into campaign-related activities.

“Beneficiaries of these spending will be converting naira funds received to dollars as fast as possible.”

A BDC operator at Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos, Bala Usman, said: “It is N728. I can’t go less than that.”

Another operator, Abubakar Jamiu, at Zone 4, Abuja, said: “Dollar don cost, we are selling at N730, no more no less.”

An economist at the University of Uyo, Professor Akpan Ekpo, said that the demand for dollar was higher than the supply, especially with the many restrictions by the CBN.

“There are two things: One is, demand for dollars is more than supply. So people are going to the black market. And the process for getting dollars from CBN is cumbersome.”

“Then there’s not much inflow. We don’t export enough non-oil goods and services, and we depend more on oil and the price has declined in the last few weeks.”

Nigeria’s forex reserves stood at $38.5bn on Wednesday, which was a drop by $1.8bn from $40.5bn recorded in January 2022.

Source: The PUNCH

Obasanjo Calls Religious Leaders To Save Nigeria From Collapse In Hand Of Politicians

Greenbarge Reporters

September 29, 2022

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to religious leaders to save the country from collapse in the hand of politicians whom he said are not God fearing.

The former military and civilian leader spoke when the new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, visited him at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Obasanjo was quoted in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, as saying that religious leaders could make politicians to become more responsible.

“If you stand on the truth, you stand for justice and equity. It is then the politicians will not be able to mess us around. I will say it with all sense of responsibility now: if we do not watch it, the politicians will wreck this country, and we all regret it.

“And where can we look for salvation? That is where you, religious leaders, have a significant role to play. I think it’s the mistake of the past (particularly in the Christendom) that we said politics is not for the righteous.”

Gov Wike, His Group, Absent At Inauguration Of PDP Presidential Campaign

Editorial staff

September 28, 2022

Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike and governors of other States, as well as top members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were conspicuously absent at the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council today, September 28.

The inauguration also witnessed a book launch in honour of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Those who were absent in addition to Wike, are Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

Also absent from the event was the National Chairman of the PDP who, according to the Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagum, was absent as a result of ill-health.

However, PDP governors believed to be loyal to the party’s presidential candidate were in attendance. They are Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Diri Duoye of Bayelsa State; Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Darius Ishaku of Taraba State; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

The Delta State governor and running mate to Atiku, Ifeanyi Okowa, was also present at the event.

I Was Schemed Out In 2019 Election In Most Devious Manner, Atiku Still Feels Bitter

Editorial staff

September 28, 2022

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is still bitter over what he said was his being schemed out in the 2019 Presidential election “in the most devious manner,” by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku, who spoke today, September 28, while inaugurating the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, said: “in 2019, and in spite of the drift, economic desolation, challenges of insecurity and massive dislocations to the lives of our citizens witnessed under the APC government in those years, and notwithstanding that our great party had put before the Nigerian people, a demonstrably better plan for recovery and development of our nation, our party was, once again, schemed out in the elections held that year in the most devious manner.”
He said that the situation under which he is inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council today is far from ordinary, adding: “it is a testament to the patriotism, dedication to constitutionalism and law and order, and the unshakable belief in the rule of law and the supremacy of the courts in our land, that our great party, the PDP, chose and pursued redress in the one and only way laid down by law – through the courts. Of course, you all know how that ended so, there is no need to bore you with details.
“Since the loss at the polls of 2019 till now, and under the watch of the current APC government, our dear country has witnessed a frightening descent into anarchy. Our nation is currently in the throes of a multidimensional crisis encompassing insecurity, economic meltdown, disunity and mutual mistrust, to mention a few.
“To start with, the current government has failed at the very essence of what makes a government: the security of lives and property of its citizens. Our security challenges are legion, and I do not need to bore you by rehashing them here.
“Our economy is in shambles, growth has stagnated, and our people are facing massive existential challenges daily. Hunger is the norm today in our country.
“Our nation is in disarray. The fabric of unity that binds our country is, today, being torn apart by mutual distrust, ethnic and sectarian strife and we are now more disunited than we have ever been in our history, including even when we fought a civil war.
“Our educational system is comatose. Nothing more underscores this than the twin embarrassing facts of the number of children that are currently out of school, and the length of time that University students have been kept out of their classrooms this year, as a result of the ASUU strike.
“Our system of government is broken. Our current system is unfair, unwieldy, skewed towards favouring the federal government at the expense of the other federating units, and has in itself, become a willing tool for underdevelopment. This kind of system of government is no longer suited to the challenges of a twenty first century economy that works for everyone and that is needed to bring development closer to our people.”

Atiku continues:

But all hope is not lost. We have a plan to address these issues and to arrest the drift of our nation. These plans have been laid our in the document titled “My Covenant With Nigerians”.
Our plans for Nigeria and Nigerians are as follows:
1. To restore Nigeria’s unity through equity, social justice, mutual collaboration, and consensus among our diverse peoples.
2. To build a strong and effective democratic government where the safety and security of our people and their property is our primary and singularly most important responsibility.
3. To establish a strong, resilient, inclusive and prosperous economy that generates opportunity, jobs and wealth while lifting the poor out of poverty.
4. To encourage the adoption of a true federal system that provides where all the federating units are equal, and has a fair and representative federal government that secures our borders, defends our people and ensures national unity, whilst allowing the federating units to develop and grow in line priorities which they have set on their own.
5. To redevelop, invest in, and strengthen our education system in order to provide its recipients with the education and skills needed to compete in the new global order driven by innovation, science, and technology, as well as to live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives.
To undertake these tasks, the members of our party, the PDP, have, graciously, granted me the ticket to lead the party in next year’s presidential elections, with the singular mandate to come and lead the efforts to cure these ills.
So, what is our task that we are gathered here today to undertake? It is beyond merely coming together to inaugurate a Presidential Campaign Council. No! Our task today is to come together to rescue and rebuild our beloved country, Nigeria. That is the end goal. It is existential to us as a nation, and it is a task that history beckons upon us all to grasp with both hands and undertake with vigour and zeal.
But, to rescue and rebuild our country, we must first takeover the mantle of leadership from the party that driven us into this mess. To do this, we must all be united in purpose and come together to fight and win all the elections slated for next year.
Every single person who loves this country, as I do, is needed for the arduous tasks that face us ahead as a nation, and this includes every member of the PDP. And it is my fervent hope and prayer that every man and woman of goodwill will join hands with us to help rescue, rebuild and reposition our beloved country, Nigeria.
So, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, and the distinguished members of our Presidential Campaign Council, it is in the light of all I have set out above that I want you to view today’s inauguration.
The tasks ahead may appear daunting; they may seem a load too heavy to bear. But, for the sake of our country, for the sake of our children, and for the sake of generations yet unborn, we must not, even for one minute, shirk in the responsibilities that we have been entrusted with to come together to rebuild this beloved country of ours.
I wish to congratulate all the men and women nominated to serve in the Presidential Campaign Council. You have been selected from among the millions of our party members to join this esteemed council because of your past contributions to the party.
Naturally, not all members of our party can be in the Presidential Campaign Council. But every single member of the PDP is an important member of the party and each one of you is still entrusted with the responsibility of leading our party to victory in next year’s elections. Those of you who have not found yourselves in the Presidential Campaign Council are just as important as those who have, and we do not take your contributions for granted.
I wish you all the best in your endeavours. And I welcome you all as you join me to lead the efforts to win next year’s general elections and help rebuild our country. Together, as one, we can get this job done.
May God guide and bless us all, and may God guide and bless our dear country, Nigeria.

Peter Obi’s Army And Regime Of Tyranny, By Fredrick Nwabufo

Editorial staff

September 28, 2022

Who wants a mob rule?

It is off-putting when a miscellany of threadbare youths taken up in hate, and seduced by ignorance unpack threats of violence and curses on people who differ with them on their political choice. Nobody wants a mob to hover around them with a scythe over who they choose to support or who they prefer. Nobody fancies a mob rule except the mob.

There is tyranny evidently effusive in the conduct of Peter Obi’s political soldiers. Tyranny of choice. If anyone supports any other candidate outside Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), then they must have been bought or compromised, and are deserving of violent death and the plagues of Egypt.

This is both disingenuous and silly. It is fascist psychology. A rule by threats and fear. No one should be bullied for their political choice.

In the column, ‘There is a dictator in every Nigerian’, I coloured the pugnacious tendency of some youths who take up residence on the internet. We want to be heard, but we do not want to hear others. Even when we listen, it is not to understand but to muster ammunition for a truculent response. The falcon does not hear the falconer. We have become so regimented in our cerebration that any view which does not follow a ‘’popular solitary narrative’’ is blitzed, and the messenger assailed ruthlessly.

It must be our way or the highway to hell. A straitjacket opinion dominates the landscape and all contrary perspectives sentenced to silence. If you dare to think different or say different, you are cancelled, ridiculed, vilified, slandered and threatened. In our world, everyone must be on the bandwagon of the solitary narrative. Is this not a tyranny of opinion? Are we not dictators?

Peter Obi’s army must understand that after the elections, comes governance. If he by some conspiracy of destiny, which is unlikely, wins the 2023 presidential election, how does he hope to govern the country when his foot soldiers are dangling a sword over those who differ?

I have been a sponge for the bellicosity of this Red Army and the like. I have been verbally abused and threatened. I am often reminded that I am Igbo, and so I must support Peter Obi or risk living with the tag of a quisling for the rest of my life. What happens to respect for divergent opinions and choices?

Let me share one of such threats. This is from a nondescript number which has been persistent in hounding me. Read abridged and as sent: ‘’This only confirms what we have always known. That you are just a sick, spineless, self-hating, sadistic, corrupt and cowardly villain who can kill your own people for a pot of porridge. You are a disgrace to yourself and your family. An outcast to all. Cursed is the womb that bore a sick, sadistic and shameless traitor like you. By your manifest self-hating bias and evil mindedness; people like you have worked to sustain Nigeria’s fault-lines and consequent misrule. You are cursed and will remain Cursed for the rest of your life. At a time, the youths in the country are rejecting the old guard that destroyed Nigeria, you chose to side with the corrupt devil. You have cursed yourself without knowing it.’’

This is what I put up with for my thoughts – from people with whom I share the same ethnic origin.

The 2023 presidential election is no longer about equity, but about realpolitik. Even though deserving of the presidency, the south-east failed to prepare and do the groundwork for power at the centre ahead of time. That ship has sailed; this is the sad reality we must contend with. But we should begin now to forge alliances and build for future elections.

As I often say, if we divide the country during the campaigns, we will have to live with the consequences of presiding over a divided people. If the purpose of seeking power is for the good of all, then we must begin by keeping the campaigns clean. What is the good of power when the next government will spend the next four years struggling to mend fences and manage diversity without success? We will be reinventing a parlous wheel. If we sow hate during the campaigns, we will reap hate afterwards. The travails of the past seven years should teach us not to make campaigns about ethnic and religious prejudices, threats and curses.

We should hear one another. If you insist only your way must stand, how are you different from Idi Amin? Dictatorship stirs resistance. When you come to people from a position of tyranny, naturally they will resist you. This is a normal human reaction. No one wants to be dictated to, no one wants to be pushed around or made to feel like an indentured slave. We should hear one another.

Peter Obi’s Red Army must retreat from this regime of tyranny.

Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo, aka Mr OneNigeria, is a writer and journalist.

Buhari Congratulates First Prime Minister Of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman

Editorial staff

September 28, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a congratulatory message to the new Saudi Arabian Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS). He is the son of the ruling Saudi Monarch, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz.

In a letter he personally signed today, September 28, President Buhari expressed happiness and satisfaction with the appointment, which is combined with the position of Defence Minister, the first ever in the history of the Kingdom.

The President said that the government and the people of Nigeria looked forward to working with him to further deepen and expand excellent bilateral relations.

He expressed confidence that with the dynamic and visionary leadership of the government by the Prime Minister under the guidance of his father, ruler of the Kingdom and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, “the comprehensive strategic partnership of our two states will continue to blossom.”

Nigerian leader wished Prime Minister Mohammed a successful tenure in office, even as he prayed to Allah to increase the health and wisdom of King Salman.

Federal Govt Declares Monday, October 3, Public Holiday For Independence

Editorial staff

September 28, 2022

The Federal Government has declared Monday as a public holiday to mark the nation’s 62nd independence anniversary celebration

“The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulates all Nigerians on this year’s celebration and assures of government’s commitment to tackling all the challenges facing the nation and bring smiles to the faces of all the people,”

A statement by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, quoted the minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as saying that the world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected Nigeria.

“However, I am assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at our disposal until respite comes our way,” Aregbesola said, according to the statement.

“Our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land, make Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world and Africa’s pride and beacon of hope. If we can rally ourselves together to harness our potentials, we shall be the greatest nation on the earth.

“A country of over 200 million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are; Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in the academia, science and technology, business, innovation, music, entertainment, fashion or culture.”

Aregbesola advised Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to reflect on the challenges facing the nation and the role individuals can play in addressing them.

He called on Nigerians to work hard, shun any attraction to get rich through criminal and other immoral means, saying only through productivity can an individual and the nation create wealth and get rich.

The minister, who wished Nigerians a memorable independence celebration, reminded them of the fact that our founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue, still came together for Nigeria’s independence.

“Though our nation is going through challenges, especially on security, these challenges are temporary and do not define us. We are defined by the greatness of the Nigerian people in our diversity, strength, ingenuity and resilience.

“We shall overcome all the challenges. A time is coming when we shall look at this period in retrospect and give thanks to the most high for the stormy waters we have waded through and the triumphs we have recorded over the challenges that look so huge and gargantuan today,”

He called on all Nigerians to join hands with the Muhammadu Buhari Administration in its quest to ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad as this, he said, shall be a befitting tribute to our heroes past.

The Minister urged Nigerians to shun violence of any kind and be security conscious, asking them to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency and through the N-Alert application on Android and IOS, saying “when you see something do N-Alert for prompt response from security agents.”

I Will Quit Politics And Return To My Farm Next Year – Ex SGF, Babachi

Editorial staff

September 28, 2022

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has said that he will retire from active politics next year and return fully to his farm.

“I had joined politics just because of President Muhammadu Buhari and will therefore have no further motivation to remain so after 29th May, 2023.

“I find the pleasure and comfort of my farms more attractive and rewarding.”

In the statement today, September 28, Babachir Lawal said that the speculation that he would join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), just because he recently visited the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to condole with him over the death of one of his aides, was fake news.

“It has just been brought to my notice that I have defected to the PDP. This is not true. This is fake news.

“Just like other politicians, including some in the APC, I visited VP Atiku yesterday to condole with him over the death of his PA and I noticed some people took my pictures. I suspect this fake news must have originated from this episode.

“Despite our being in separate political parties, Atiku and I are like brothers and I am always warmly received in his home.

“I am still a member of the APC and have no plans to leave it for any other party. In fact, I am considering leaving party politics altogether so as to remain an elder statesman.

Babachir Lawal has been opposing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and former Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, as the party’s flag bearers in the 2023 presidential election.

Senate Throws Out Bill To Allow Power Rotation In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

September 28, 2022

A bill to legalize the rotation of power in Nigeria amongst the six geo-political zones was strongly rejected by senators at the plenary yesterday, September 27.

The bill, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Benue South, Senator Patrick Moro, generated a lot of arguments on the floor as it was mainly supported by the majority caucus.

Senator Moro, in his lead debate on the piece of legislation titled: “A Bill for an Act to provide for the Rotation of Power and Other Related Matters therein 2022,” said “If there is a law on power rotation in Nigeria, it will help to ameliorate the squabble for power, particularly the Presidency across the various six geo-political zones, and also promote unity in the country.”

The motion was first opposed by the APC senator representing Kebbi South, Bala Na’ Allah, who said the bill should have been presented as one seeking to amend relevant provisions of the Constitution and not just one seeking legislation from the Senate or, by extension, the National Assembly.

The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central), in his contribution, also kicked against the bill, making similar submissions like Bala Na’Allah and many others.

Following other reservations, Senator Moro hurriedly withdrew the bill through Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules.

Afenifere’s Endorsement Of Peter Obi: Count Me Out – Olu Falae

Greenbarge Reporters

September 28, 2022

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Olu Falae, has distanced himself from Afenifere’s endorsement of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Falae’s position is coming a day after the Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo, announced the pan-Yoruba group’s support of Peter Obi.

In a statement yesterday, September 27 through his Personal Assistant, Raji Moshood, Falae said that it is too early to endorse any candidate without going through the programmes he had for the masses.

The elder statesman said that he has to consider all important parameters, including capacity, experience and proven track record before endorsing a candidate.

Falae admitted that the South East had not had the opportunity of being Nigeria’s President, but that it’s not an automatic slot that can be filled without other important considerations.

“As a responsible leader, Chief Falae will consider all important parameters, including capacity, experience and proven track record before endorsing a candidate.

“This correction is necessary in order not to mislead the public that Chief Falae is supporting any of the candidates yet.

It is necessary to await the programmes and manifestos of the political parties and their candidates before arriving at a particular candidate to support.”

Falae agreed that although the South-east region had not had the opportunity of being Nigeria’s president, it was for them to persuade other Nigerians that they could offer something better than candidates from other geopolitical zones.

”It’s not an automatic slot that can be filled without other important considerations. Chief Falae never canvassed or claimed to be supporting Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the 2023 race,” the statement added.

The Afenifere acting leader, Adebanjo had said that Afenifere is backing Peter Obi for reasons of equity and inclusiveness, adding that other geopolitical zones had produced leaders of the country in the past and would be fair that the next president should emerge from the South-east.

“We cannot continue to demand that the Igbo people remain in Nigeria, while we at the same time continue to brutally marginalize and exclude them from the power dynamic.”

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