The Lagos State High Court, Ikoyi division, has ordered husband and wife; Bamise Ajetunmobi and Elizabeth Ajetunmobi to refund the sum of N18.8 billion to Nigerians who they scammed via a company, Imagine Global Holding Company Limited which they jointly formed.
Both Bamise and Elizabeth had founded Imagine Global Holding and Imagine Global Solutions as an investment company in 2017, and called on investors to take opportunity of its 10% monthly return on investment.
Imagine Global allegedly received over N20 billion before investors discovered that the Ajetunmobis were operating a ponzi scheme. The company was accused of scamming investors in 2021, resulting to multiple lawsuits against the couple and their firm.
It was gathered that 27 investors filed a lawsuit against Imagine Global, and the court, presided over by Justice Toyin Oyekan-Abdullahi, today, July 15, ordered that the couple should pay the 1st to 17th claimants the sum of N15.5 Billion, with N3.3 billion going to the 18th to 27th claimants out of the N18.8 billion.
The Judge, Justice Abdullahi said that the defendants; the husband and wife, including their company, breached the agreement Imagine Global had with the investors.
The Judge said: “A declaration that this Honourable Court is clothed with jurisdictional competence to enforce the written contracts executed between the parties herein vides this Originating Summons, on the ground that the underlying issues borders on the interpretation of written contracts, that arose out of the Claimants’ respective investment agreements and the failure of the Defendants to comply with the terms of the said agreements.
“A declaration that the Defendants’ failure to comply with the terms of the Investment Agreements executed between the Claimants and the 2nd Defendant, vis-à-vis, the failure of the Defendants to pay the Claimants their investment sums as agreed in the confirmation of investment, constitute a breach of the contract validly entered between the Claimants and the 2nd Defendant.
“An order of this Honourable Court mandating, compelling and directing the Defendants to forthwith pay the 1st – 17th Claimants jointly and severally pay the total sum of N15,541,350,000.00{Fifteen Billion, Five Hundred and Forty-One Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira} at 10.0% interest per annum being the outstanding investment sums accruing to the 1st – 17th Claimants who are investors; together with all other listed investors, in the 2nd Defendant’s company.
“An order of this Honourable Court mandating, compelling and directing the Defendants to forthwith pay the 18th – 27th Claimants jointly and severally pay the total sum of N3,387,450,000.00 (Three Billion, Three Hundred and Eight-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) at 10.0% interest per annum being the outstanding investment sums accruing to the 18th – 27th Claimants who are investors; together with all other listed investors, in the 2nd Defendant’s company.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faulted the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the lawsuit it instituted seeking the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, over their choice of presidential running mates.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in an interview on AriseTV today, July 15, said that there was no provision for a placeholder in the forms submitted by the political parties.
He cited section 33 of the Electoral Act to buttress the need for a fresh elections in the case of a Senatorial elections while the parties are free to nominate candidates, in the case of a presidential and governorship elections.
“We cannot comment on the matter because it is in court but I reiterate, there is no provision for a placeholder in the forms they submitted.
“Section 33 of the Electoral Act provides for the substitution of a candidate on account of death or voluntary withdrawal by the candidate.
“A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute whose name has been submitted pursuant to section 32 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate.
“In the case of Senatorial elections, it is mandatory to hold fresh elections but in the case of presidential and governorship, the parties are the ones who nominate the candidates.”
The PDP had earlier filed a lawsuit against INEC in an effort to prevent the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi from choosing Kashim Shettima and Datti Baba-Ahmed respectively as their running mates.
The PDP also requested the court to declare that Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe, who were Tinubu and Obi’s respective former running mates, are required for each of them to be eligible to run for office alone.
The PDP is asking for a court injunction that would prevent INEC from changing Tinubu and Obi’s running mates in the original summons with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022.
In this case, INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi, and Okupe are the first to seventh respondents.
Tinubu had chosen Masari to serve as a stand-in running mate so that he could meet the INEC deadline on June 17, while Obi picked Okupe, his campaign manager as temporary running mate.
Masari and Okupe resigned after several weeks of discussion, and Tinubu and Obi then proposed Shettima and Baba-Ahmed as replacements.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have secured a ticket for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand, by walloping Cameroonian Super Lionesses by a goal to nothing.
The lone goal was scored in the second half of the game by Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade in the 57th minute.
The victory was achieved in the quarter final match played yesterday, July 14, at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
The defeat also guaranteed the Super Falcons a semi final place in the 12th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and a chance to still win the competition for the 10th time, excluding the 1991 and 1995 when there was no continental football championship.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Falcons for the victory.
In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President described Super Falcons victory as “emphatic” quarter-final victory at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.”
He recalled that Super Falcons is the record nine-time tile holder and defending champions of WAFCON, commending their spirited performance in the tournament and for maintaining its dominant posture as undisputed champions of the round-leather game and most successful international women’s football team in the continent.
The President assured the team that having won the tournament twice in 2016 and 2018, the whole nation is strongly standing with them and will continue to cheer them on until the final whistle in Morocco.
He prayed that the Super Falcons, who have produced some of the greatest African players in the history of the women’s game, will surpass their achievement in the last Women’s World Cup in 2019, where they advanced to the Round of 16, for the first time in 15 years.
President Buhari said that he looked forward to the next generation of upcoming stars, who through hard work, discipline, resilience and determination, will one day win the World Cup for Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that it has been tough for him fighting corruption in Nigeria.
The President, who is the African Ant-Corruption Champion, today, July 14, called for the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court to try offenders.
He called African leaders to intensify the fight against corruption and create more disincentives for pilfering of public funds.
In his recorded remark to celebrate the African Day of Anti-Corruption, the President said: “I must admit that the fight has not been a bed of roses.
“Truly, a lot of more work in many fronts is required. For example, civil and public servants must be ethical and professional at all times.
“The private sector must contribute in curving corruption. The international community needs to close safe havens. “The judiciary requires more impetus. Perhaps, an International Anti-corruption Criminal Court is needed.”
President Buhari said however that despite the toughness of the fight, he can confirm that the Anti-Corruption Agencies, the law enforcement agencies and the regulatory bodies are making great efforts at checking criminality, including corruption.
President Buhari insisted that the fight against corruption must be sustained for the benefit of present and future generations.
“Our youths have no place to go and live with dignity but in Africa. As I am leaving office next year, I am proud to leave behind a legacy of fighting corruption among others.
“Personally, I abhor corruption and I will render my best in or out office to get rid of corruption in Nigeria and Africa in general. I urge our youths to join me in this noble cause.”
He praised African leaders for gains so far recorded, admonishing that efforts must be intensified to prosecute offenders and collect resources that had been stored in other countries.
“Distinguished participants and fellow African leaders, corruption is evil and all efforts at tackling it are desirable. I have monitored the fight against corruption in Africa and I can see both successes and drawbacks. The battle must continue for the sake of the continent and its people no matter the difficulties.
“In Nigeria, the fight against corruption has been vigorous since 2015. A lot has been achieved in the areas of arrest, prosecution, conviction, asset recovery and anti-corruption laws.”
President Buhari said that family and religious values will have to be upgraded, and schools have a lot of work to do for a better society.
He appreciated fellow African leaders for their individual and collective efforts in fighting corruption on the continent.
“I appreciate all of you for the confidence reposed in me being the Africa Champion on Anti-Corruption.
“I understand that the theme for 2022 is ‘Strategy and Mechanisms for the Transparent Management of Covid-19 Funds, Lessons from the Pandemic.’ In Nigeria, we responded to the Covid-19 Pandemic swiftly and having tamed it, we have realized the need for more awareness campaigns on health issues and more investment in the health sector. Again, service delivery requires checkmating corruption.”
The President told African leaders: “we must get rid of corruption in Africa if the continent is to realize its full potentials.
“I have come to realize that nations in Africa have to ensure that national resources are not taken to safe havens around the world and we must curtail Illicit Financial Flows in all its ramifications. Also, we must work collectively to recover all resources taken abroad. We must show looters that crime does not pay by depriving them of the proceeds of their crime.
“Also, elite greed and irresponsibility must be eradicated in Africa. Again, ethics, decency, decorum and respect for rule of law must be promoted in Africa. It is important to develop strategies for behavioral change in Africa if corruption is to be tamed. This will ensure that national resources are allowed to serve the population and not a tiny few.”
He urged African leaders to work together at whatever level to get rid of corruption in Africa, adding Posterity will judge us right if we deal with corruption as appropriate.
The President said it was imperative to kill corruption in Nigeria and Africa.
No fewer than 247 students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State have graduated from the College.
They are made up of 111 army officers, 69 naval officers, 42 air force officers, 10 students from paramilitary organisations and Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as 15 international students.
They went through 48 weeks intensive training, leading to the award of Pass Staff Course (PSC).
According to the Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Olurotimi Tuwase, during the graduation ceremony today, July 24, the international students on the Senior Course 44 were from Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Chad, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia.
The Commandant thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, who presided over the ceremony, for his unflinching support to the College, saying that students from the prestigious school have been sufficiently trained and equipped to cope with most challenges in their career, with the staff and leadership skills acquired in the College.
‘‘The College has laid a solid professional foundation for you to make informed decisions.’’
This was even as President Buhari pledged that his government would continue to provide the needed support required to wipe out terrorists and insurgents off the face of the earth.
‘‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria are working tirelessly to enhance their combat effectiveness, operational capability and training necessary to eliminate the threats, in synergy with other institutions and nations.
‘‘The response of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping as well as the activities of separatists and armed militias amongst others have been commendable.
‘‘This government will continue to provide the required guidance and support to ensure that the desired results are achieved.”
The President said that most of the security challenges facing the world today are both asymmetric and trans-border in nature, involving mainly non-state actors in different regions and sub-regions of the world.
He added that the West African sub-region and indeed our beloved continent of Africa are not immune to these threats.
‘‘We have witnessed recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria bearing the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries.
‘‘It will be part of your duty to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to our countries.”
President Buhari described the specifics of their training which focused primarily on countering security threats as very important, adding that combating these prevalent security threats effectively demands that African countries continue to work together at all levels; be it tactical, operational and strategic.
Appraising the ongoing collaboration of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Benin Republic and Chad in a multinational operation to combat the Boko Haram Insurgency in the Lake Chad region, the Nigerian leader said it has been productive, commendable and successful.
“The synergy achieved in operating together must have been enhanced by an understanding of the doctrines of the cooperating forces.
‘‘This occasion provides me another opportunity to briefly reflect on the state of the Nigerian nation, particularly regarding national security. The last 12 years have been very challenging for our nation, considering the different security threats that have besieged the country.
‘‘Our government is poised to promote national security and development, as well as to remain committed to promoting a vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong Nigeria.
‘‘We shall be employing all elements of our national power in ensuring security, a just society, peaceful coexistence, national unity and sustainable development while promoting our good standing internationally.’’
President Buhari expressed delight that amongst the graduating students were international officers from sister African countries, saying that he is confident they enjoyed the friendliness of the country during their stay.
Describing Nigeria as still one of the most hospitable and enjoyable countries to visit and stay, despite her diversity and challenges, the President enjoined the Course 44 fellows to keep fond memories of the over 40-year college, which prepares officers for tactical and operational level leadership, focusing on national security, joint planning processes, inter-agency cooperation and operations as well as multinational integration.
He told the graduating students that their participation in the Course was a further testimony of national security aspirations to promote international peace, friendship and cooperation.
‘‘To the graduating students from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, you have indeed justified the confidence reposed in you by your respective organizations. Congratulations!
‘‘We must specially commend the spouses of the graduands here for keeping the home front and without whose sacrifices there would have been no celebrations for many here today.”
President Buhari commended the Commandant and his team for transforming the graduating students into highly refined products and for the ongoing work to expand and upgrade the facilities of the College. This is to provide a conducive and amenable environment that is fit for purpose.
‘‘Your efforts are maintaining the status of the College as a mid-level military training institution of repute. I therefore commend the College Board as well as the Commandant and staff for these remarkable achievements.
‘‘This government will continue to support the College in its developmental strides. My administration will also continue to give priority to the training and welfare of officers and men of our Armed Forces.
‘‘You, the graduating students, should realize that the nation has made a lot of investment in your training up to this stage of your respective careers.
‘‘I am confident that you have been sufficiently groomed in character and learning to take up the challenges you will be confronted with hereafter.
‘‘For the Nigerian graduating students amongst you, the graduation today is a clarion call to duty in service to our country. Nigeria expects the very best from you in terms of loyalty, commitment to duty and service to your fatherland.
‘‘Therefore, you must endeavour to make honest and positive contributions in the discharge of the constitutional responsibilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, your strategic Ministries, Department and Agencies and be good ambassadors of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.”
At the event, President Buhari presented PSC certificates and awards to select graduands as well as the best graduating students.
Major Sunday Olayinka Atomode, bagged three awards namely Minister of Defence Award for highest overall score, Chief of Defence Staff Award for Department of Joint Studies and Chief of Army Staff Award for Department of Land Warfare.
Lt.-Cdr. Godwin Emeka Okutue won the Chief of Naval Staff Award for Department of Marine Warfare, Squadron Leader Peter Chika Echeazu bagged the Chief of Air Staff Award for Department of Air Warfare while the Commandant’s Award for best non-military student was awarded to CDIO AM Ajiamah, and Major Errol Donkoh from Ghana for best international student.
In the picture are Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc Obajana, Mr. J.V Gungune presenting a copy of the Community Development Agreement to the Elosho of Iwaa land, Oba Francis Migbole at the signing ceremony of the Community Development Agreement (CDA) today, July 14, at Obajana Kogi State.
Some of the areas of support itemized in the five-year Community Development Agreement include: Road infrastructure, education and scholarship, health, micro-credit and enterprise development, employment, vocational training, award of contracts, and the provision of startup capital to businesswomen, among others.
On the cusp of every political evolution in Nigeria, there is often a trafficking of recriminations: “The north is scheming to dominate the south, and the south is angling to outwit the north.” Syrupy conjectures and time-tested misconceptions. Crisis merchandisers are at their best stoking the tension as conspiracy theories of Islamisation surge in the public grid.
We will always have conspiracy theories and crisis merchandisers – for as long as unity and mutual trust remain elusive.
Bola Tinubu, APC presidential candidate, has set off a tinderbox of reactions by his choice of running mate – Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno. Ordinarily, there should be no hue and cry over his decision. He is at liberty to decide who to walk and work with. But Nigeria has been diametrically sundered by years of attrition, hate-bartering and exhausting recriminations. Undoubtedly, the psychological mutilations from these years of anger will shape up to be the frustrations of the next administration.
Should Tinubu relinquish his right to choose a running mate he believes is loyal, competent and can help him win the presidential election so as to pacify those threatening Armageddon? I do not think it will be fair to relieve him of carte blanche in this regard. He is only a presidential candidate, and not yet the president. If he becomes the president in 2023, then it becomes a bounden and inescapable obligation for him to abide, through and through, by the constitutional stipulations of federal character.
The truth is, Nigerians are hurting from the exclusivist governance style of the current administration and are afraid of a reprise of their agony; hence the outcry. It will be imprudent to dismiss the concerns of the Christian community who have endured the tragedies of kidnapping, killing; desecration of places of worship and other assaults on their existence by Islamist terrorists. Their agitations are born out of the realities of the times. Priests are being kidnapped in what appears to be a targeted hit. Only a few weeks ago, terrorists attacked a church in Owo, Ondo state, killing about 40 people, including children. So, it will be injudicious to shrug off the apprehension of the Christian community on the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
However, Tinubu is one whose leadership antecedents are a staple of public discourse. Religious or ethnic bigotry is not in the trove of the famous allegations against him. As governor of Lagos, Tinubu had a diverse cabinet; in fact, he is reputed to be one of the few governors who appointed non-natives, including Igbo citizens, to their cabinet at the time — when bringing non-indigenes into state cabinets or government positions was unsexy.
I watched the interview of Sam Ayedogbon, senior apostolic leader at Realm of Glory International Churches, on Arise TV, on Tuesday. The pastor railed against Tinubu’s choice of running mate, but said something profound about the APC presidential candidate. He said when Tinubu was governor of Lagos, a church was to be demolished for certain official reasons, but he protested against it to the governor. He said Tinubu invited him to explain the reasons for the planned exercise, but he declined to meet with him. According to Pastor Ayedogbon: ‘’But the church was no longer demolished’’.
Really, I black out when conversations oscillate around religion and ethnicity. I think the issues we should be interrogating at this time are: Security; Economy; Education; Healthcare; Infrastructure. I would rather assess the presidential hopefuls by their blueprint on these fundamentals which directly affect me than flagellate over religion.
I believe Tinubu has his work cut out for him. He should reach out to the Christian community, their leaders and groups with tactile assurances, and that if he becomes president, he will build a country where all Nigerians can exist under justice, equity, peace and harmony and where no one will be excluded on the basis of religion or ethnicity.
He should going forward begin to show prospects of inclusion and of sensitivity to diversity in his disposition, plans and policy paradigms. It is important that he shows there will be no perpetuation of the current administration’s exclusivist proclivities which deepen national strife and insecurity.
Let me synopsise my thoughts with this poignant paragraph from ‘The Broken Truths; Nigeria’s Quest for National Cohesion’ – a book by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. He wrote ever so candidly: ‘’God created us for a purpose and meaning in life. He is the Lord of History and time. However, for us Nigerians, God has become the greatest excuse for the inefficiency, corruption, and shameful degrading life of our people today. We are over 90% percent Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, but there is nowhere in the world where religion has become an incubus, a burden, and a source of dreadful violence as it has in Nigeria. Our leaders are constantly kneeling before pastors and imams seeking blessings while the rest of the world is moving on, drawing inspiration from sweat, brains and brawn without evoking God. We, on the other hand, evoke God to witness to our corruption and outright larceny.’’
Nwabufo aka Mr. OneNigeria is a writer and journalist.
Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO) has cautioned that Nigeria might drop into debt distress, unless it earns more revenue, defending the government’s eurobond issuances to fund its spending plans.
It emphasized that the nation needs to generate significantly more revenue beyond current levels to avoid debt distress.
In a statement today, July 13, DMO noted that while other developing and advanced countries have higher debt as a proportion of gross domestic product than Nigeria, the nation’s revenue-to-GDP ratio is much lower.
“With revenue-to-GDP at just 6.3%, Nigeria has one of the lowest ratios in the world, placing it 194 out of 196 countries.”
Citing the World Bank’s Economic Outlook for 2020 report, DMO, which issued the statement in response to criticism from a member of Nigeria’s rate-setting monetary policy committee that the West Africa nation risks debt distress due to its eurobond obligations, insisted that the increasing accumulation of eurobonds in the external debt component is worrisome,
According to transcripts of the May meeting published on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website, a member of the MPC, Robert Asogwa, unexplained that the government preference of eurobonds at high interest costs, with the associated exchange rate risk may hurt Nigeria, sooner than anticipated.
Africa’s largest economy had total outstanding debt of $100 billion as of March 31, according to the latest figures from the DMO.
External loans comprising concessional and commercial debt stood at $40 billion, with the balance of $60 billion owed to domestic issuers.
Yields on Nigeria’s external borrowings have risen sharply since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — to an average of 12% — increasing the country’s debt service burden, which already consumes more than 90% of government income.
The DMO said that the country has had to issue eurobonds due to the size of the annual budget deficit and the need not to crowd out the private sector from domestic capital markets.
“The public should take into cognizance other benefits of eurobonds, which include increase in the level of external reserves, and opening up of opportunities for the private sector to issue” similar debt since 2011, the DMO said.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has Advised Nigerians to beware of what he called “ touts” in uniform of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) that are going about duping people in the name of issuing international passports to them.
The minister, who queried the Passport Control Officer of the Alausa Passport Office of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos, Mrs. B. L. Bukar, today, July 13 for breaching due process in the issuance of passports, called on Nigerians to follow due process in their passport application.
He asked them to shun patronizing touts who will end up disrupting the standardized procedure, saying: “I have said it for the umpteenth time that Nigerians must stop patronizing touts either in uniforms or in civilian clothing. The only way for you to apply for your passport is online.
“The attempt to get passports on-the-go and boycott the standardize collection timeline of three weeks for reissue and six weeks for fresh application after capturing, which is the main reason why many patronize touts, will only end up in disappointment.
“Our appointment-based system for capturing applicants data and standardized passport collection procedure has made nonsense of promise by touts to deliver passports to applicants who patronize them. Patronizing them will only end in disappointment.”
An applicant had complained on Facebook about the application process being cumbersome, saying: “after I completed my application and chose today for my data capturing appointment, I printed every necessary documents, however, on my arrival here, I was asked to start filling a manual form again, which I had filled online and printed already.”
However, the Minister, who came across such complain in the Facebook, asked the Passport Control Officer at the station, Mrs. B. L. Bukar, to explain the breach of due process.
According to the minister, such request on applicant is strange.
The officer who allegedly sold the obnoxious form and made the request for manual filling was identified and subsequently queried.
Addressing the applicants, the Minister pleaded with Nigerians to totally avoid the urge to patronize touts, saying that if they cooperate with government, the ongoing passport reforms will work and the system will be improved overall.
Ogbeni Aregbesola told the officers on duty that they are servants of the people and this must be reflected in their attitude at work and the way they relate with passport applicants. As such, they should avoid creating false gridlock that frustrates and exasperates the people.
Aregbesola said that the earlier visit to Kirikiri Custodial Centres and the Alausa Passport office is part of his effort at ensuring that the Ministry and the agencies serve Nigerians to the best of her abilities and to keep the agencies on their toes, knowing that he may walk into any of our service centres at any time.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has made it clear thathis mission is to recover Nigeria and take back Nigeria from those who have misruled it all these years.
Reacting to the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who cursed the Labour Party to the point that that it would labour to deat, Peter, at a political rally today, July 13 ahead of Saturday governorship election in the State, said that there is dignity in labour.
Peter Obi, who is former Anambra State governor, called on the people in the State to reject the APC and the PDP in the election., saying: “those of you who have gathered here, it is easy for you to think those other parties who have kept Nigeria in darkness for 23 years are better. You are the one that is suffering. They have stolen your future and I want you to recover it from them. You have no jobs; you have no food.
“Your children are not in school, and their children are schooling overseas. This is the time to recover Nigeria. This is the time to take back Nigeria. We have governors that owing salaries and pensions, and labour people who are working hard have not been paid.
“Somebody said that they can labour till death. When they show hatred or talk like that, Labour Party will show them love. There is dignity in labour. We have promised to move Nigeria forward from consumption to production. You cannot do production without labour. Those of you who have laboured will get their reward. That is what we want to do in Nigeria.”
Tinubu, who is also former Lagos State governor had, while speaking during the APC mega governorship rally in Osogbo, dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the LP as mushroom parties, saying that members of the LP would “labour till death”.
“I ask you to please do the same thing you did in Ekiti. Come out with your PVCs and vote massively for APC.
“The voting is now in your hand. Be very vigilant. Be watchful. You will not do it in vain.
“Think about your children and vote accordingly so you can see the future. Come out en masse. Don’t mind PDP and other mushroom parties — parties like Labour; they will labour till they die. God will not make you labourers.
“You’re next. We will be here till tomorrow. We will come back here for the victory dance. Look at the trajectory of our lives. We make promises and fulfil them. We are the ones upholding the party, the Buhari party. Don’t answer the naysayers.”
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President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that it has been tough for him fighting corruption in Nigeria.
No fewer than 247 students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State have graduated from the College.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has Advised Nigerians to beware of what he called “ touts” in uniform of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) that are going about duping people in the name of issuing international passports to them.
No One Is Islamising Nigeria, By Fredrick Nwabufo
On the cusp of every political evolution in Nigeria, there is often a trafficking of recriminations: “The north is scheming to dominate the south, and the south is angling to outwit the north.” Syrupy conjectures and time-tested misconceptions. Crisis merchandisers are at their best stoking the tension as conspiracy theories of Islamisation surge in the public grid.
We will always have conspiracy theories and crisis merchandisers – for as long as unity and mutual trust remain elusive.
Bola Tinubu, APC presidential candidate, has set off a tinderbox of reactions by his choice of running mate – Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno. Ordinarily, there should be no hue and cry over his decision. He is at liberty to decide who to walk and work with. But Nigeria has been diametrically sundered by years of attrition, hate-bartering and exhausting recriminations. Undoubtedly, the psychological mutilations from these years of anger will shape up to be the frustrations of the next administration.
Should Tinubu relinquish his right to choose a running mate he believes is loyal, competent and can help him win the presidential election so as to pacify those threatening Armageddon? I do not think it will be fair to relieve him of carte blanche in this regard. He is only a presidential candidate, and not yet the president. If he becomes the president in 2023, then it becomes a bounden and inescapable obligation for him to abide, through and through, by the constitutional stipulations of federal character.
The truth is, Nigerians are hurting from the exclusivist governance style of the current administration and are afraid of a reprise of their agony; hence the outcry. It will be imprudent to dismiss the concerns of the Christian community who have endured the tragedies of kidnapping, killing; desecration of places of worship and other assaults on their existence by Islamist terrorists. Their agitations are born out of the realities of the times. Priests are being kidnapped in what appears to be a targeted hit. Only a few weeks ago, terrorists attacked a church in Owo, Ondo state, killing about 40 people, including children. So, it will be injudicious to shrug off the apprehension of the Christian community on the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
However, Tinubu is one whose leadership antecedents are a staple of public discourse. Religious or ethnic bigotry is not in the trove of the famous allegations against him. As governor of Lagos, Tinubu had a diverse cabinet; in fact, he is reputed to be one of the few governors who appointed non-natives, including Igbo citizens, to their cabinet at the time — when bringing non-indigenes into state cabinets or government positions was unsexy.
I watched the interview of Sam Ayedogbon, senior apostolic leader at Realm of Glory International Churches, on Arise TV, on Tuesday. The pastor railed against Tinubu’s choice of running mate, but said something profound about the APC presidential candidate. He said when Tinubu was governor of Lagos, a church was to be demolished for certain official reasons, but he protested against it to the governor. He said Tinubu invited him to explain the reasons for the planned exercise, but he declined to meet with him. According to Pastor Ayedogbon: ‘’But the church was no longer demolished’’.
Really, I black out when conversations oscillate around religion and ethnicity. I think the issues we should be interrogating at this time are: Security; Economy; Education; Healthcare; Infrastructure. I would rather assess the presidential hopefuls by their blueprint on these fundamentals which directly affect me than flagellate over religion.
I believe Tinubu has his work cut out for him. He should reach out to the Christian community, their leaders and groups with tactile assurances, and that if he becomes president, he will build a country where all Nigerians can exist under justice, equity, peace and harmony and where no one will be excluded on the basis of religion or ethnicity.
He should going forward begin to show prospects of inclusion and of sensitivity to diversity in his disposition, plans and policy paradigms. It is important that he shows there will be no perpetuation of the current administration’s exclusivist proclivities which deepen national strife and insecurity.
Let me synopsise my thoughts with this poignant paragraph from ‘The Broken Truths; Nigeria’s Quest for National Cohesion’ – a book by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. He wrote ever so candidly: ‘’God created us for a purpose and meaning in life. He is the Lord of History and time. However, for us Nigerians, God has become the greatest excuse for the inefficiency, corruption, and shameful degrading life of our people today. We are over 90% percent Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, but there is nowhere in the world where religion has become an incubus, a burden, and a source of dreadful violence as it has in Nigeria. Our leaders are constantly kneeling before pastors and imams seeking blessings while the rest of the world is moving on, drawing inspiration from sweat, brains and brawn without evoking God. We, on the other hand, evoke God to witness to our corruption and outright larceny.’’
Nwabufo aka Mr. OneNigeria is a writer and journalist.