Presidential Candidate and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has travelled to France for a meeting, sccording to his media handler, Tunde Rahman.
Tunde said in a statement that Tinubu left for France today, June 27 shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The statement did not elaborate on the kind of meetings the APC Presidential flag bearer would hold in France, but that he would return to Nigeria soon.
Tunde said that earlier before his departure, Tinubu attended the public presentation of a book titled ‘Mr. Speaker’ and launch of legislative mentoring initiative in commemoration of the 60th birthday of Speaker of House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He recalled that immediately after he was elected as the Presidential candidate, Tinubu embarked on a series of thank you and reconciliation visits to those who contested against him at the party’s primaries, including the seven aspirants who stepped down for him.
Preparatory to the 2023 population and housing census scheduled for April 2023, the National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced Trial Census in nine of Cross River state’s 18 local government areas.
The Federal Commissioner, representing the state on the NPC Board, retired Navy Captain Charles Ogwa, who spoke today, June 27 in Calabar, Cross River State, said that the state level training workshop for field personnel for the Trial Census is ongoing and that the training would last till July 8, 2022.
“The Trial Census is to be conducted from July 11 to 24, 2022. The House numbering/listening will take place from 11th to 16th July, to be followed by validation of Enumeration Areas frame from 17th to 19th July and Enumeration of personnel from 20th to 24th July, 2022.
“The Trial Census in Cross River State will be conducted in one supervisory area in Nine(9) local government areas of the State with three(3) LGAs selected in each of the three senatorial districts.
“The LGAs that will be covered are Bakassi, Calabar Southern and Odukpani for the South Senatorial district; Yakurr, Obubra and Boki for the Central senatorial district, while in the northern Senatorial district, the chosen LGAs are Bekwarra, Ogoja and Obudu.
“The Commission is determined to successfully conduct the Trial Census in our quest to deliver a credible, reliable, acceptable and verifiable Census to the nation.
“The Commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the Trial Census is carried out meticulously, professionally and scientifically to provide a good foundation for the smooth conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.”
The Commissioner said that the Trial Census is not the actual Enumeration of the Population for 2023 and as such its outcome will not form the basis of the 2023 Census result.
Asked whether scheduling the main Census exercise in 2023 would not interfere with next year election, the Commissioner said the Council of State, which fixed April for the housing and head count, believed that by that period every election-related issues may have been sorted out and that the census will only precede the swearing in.
Describing the Trial Census as “a dress rehearsal,” Ogwa called for cooperation with the field enumerators to allow them move freely within the communities.
“I also solicit for the provision of adequate security for enumerators and their equipment during the Trial Census and urge you to respond truthfully to inquiries from enumerators.”
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has said that the constitution of the country does not give state governors power for the use of Police and other armed forces in any situation.
Reacting to the order by the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle to the people of the state to bear arms for the purpose of defending themselves against bandits, General Irabor said that such order was ill conceived, and that the armed forces and other security agencies are there to handle the challenges.
The Chief of Defence Staff, who spoke with newsmen today, June 27 on the matter at the opening of the Joint Exercise for the National Defence College and War Colleges of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, code named “Exercise Grand Nationale,” in Abuja, said that he is yet to understand the basis for asking the citizens of Zamfara state to bear arms.
“If what I read is true, I do not also think that the governor has the power to instruct the commissioner of police to issue licenses, because the commissioner of police does not have the powers to issue licenses.”
General Irabor emphasized that the armed forces is only an instrument of policy implementation and does not take instructions from state governments, adding that the constitution gives rights and powers only to the Commander-in-Chief for the use of the armed forces.
He said that in this circumstance, it is the responsibility of the Attorney General of the Federation to look at the constitution and the laws to see whether the governor had such powers.
“I believe that, in my view, it is not the right way to go.
“Of course, there are actions that members of the security agencies and the armed forces, in particular, the police and other security agencies, are doing to address insecurity in Zamfara and environs.
“Beyond that, of course, there are other legal issues, other issues of governance, issues that the government could have addressed using the instrumentality of the law that are available for him to bring greater peace and security.
“But like I said, I do not intend to say much about it, but I believe that the Federal Government, using the Attorney General, will look at the details of that press release and give further instruction.
“I believe that what we are doing in Zamfara and of course, across the states of the federation, is in deference to the provisions of the constitution.
“So, we are there because we are there to give support to the civil authority, in this case, the police.
“We do not need to restate what the issues are that have led to the deployment of military across the country but then, like I said, we are doing the very best to ensure that peace returns to every part of the country,” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with the New Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola during his swearing-in at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, June 27. Photo by Sunday Aghaeze.
New Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has resigned. Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online said that the CJN resigned on health grounds. Impeccable sources at the Supreme Court anonymously confirmed the development. Recalled that sometimes last year, Justice Tanko Muhammad travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to treat an undisclosed ailment. His resignation comes on the heels of a protest letter by his brother justices of the Supreme Court over poor welfare service. Meanwhile, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has been slated to be sworn-in today, June 27 as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in place of Justice Tanko Muhammad. CJN’s spokesperson, Ahuraka Isah, who eventually confirmed the resignation of his principal, Justice Tanko Muhammad, said that the swearing in of the new CJN would be done by 11am.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has said that those are dreaming of winning the 2023 general elections in the Southeast under new parties apart from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will be disappointed.
Soludo, who described such politicians as jokers, stressed that those who joined the Labour Party (LP) like its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will just labour in vain in 2023.
,The Governor, who addressed APGA members at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, wondered that a party without a councillor has nothing to offer, insisting that APGA remained the most formidable party in the State.
Some notable politicians in the State, including the former National chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, left the party to join LP to realize his senatorial ambition, after alleging that leaders of the party ganged up against him to make sure he did not pick the senatorial ticket.
Soludo said: “It is sad that the people that left had to leave, why would one leave a party he had laboured to build? It is not good to labour in vain.
“However, they are not contesting elections. The election in Anambra is between APGA and other political parties. APGA remains the third in Nigeria as the country inches closer to the 2023 general elections.
“Elections are not done on WhatsApp or the Internet. You have to be on ground. APGA is on ground here and everywhere. How can a party that does not have a councillor want to compete with us?
“We are strong and we are growing stronger, stand a real chance in Abia, we will compete in all places vigorously.
“We shall campaign when it starts, and by the time we enter January next year, we will know those that are still contesting.
“Our victory will be resounding this time, but we will not take anything for granted, Anambra people will see.”
Founder of the Atiku Kawai Media Group, AbdulRasheed Shehu, has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is still very bitter that former vice president Atiku Abubakar frustrated his tenure elongation agenda, otherwise known as ‘the Third Term Agenda’ in 2007
Reacting to Obasanjo who said yesterday that he made mistake in selecting Atiku as his deputy, but that it was a genuine mistake in the end, AbdulRasheed, in a tweet, said that Obasanjo is “still bitter” that Atiku frustrated his tenure elongation agenda, otherwise known as the ‘Third Term Agenda’ in 2007.
AbdulRasheed Shehu, who is a member of the Atiku Abubakar presidential election technical committee, tweeted: “surprisingly, OBJ is still bitter about his failed 3rd term agenda. Although the PDP family holds him in high esteem, his recent statement is unbecoming. Had @atiku not fought that selfish and unconditional drive, Yar’adua, Jonathan, and Buhari wouldn’t have sniffed the presidency,”
Obasanjo had said: “One of the mistakes I made was picking my number two when I wanted to become the president. But because it was a genuine mistake, God saved me.”
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has confessed that his first 100 days in office has been very “bumpy,” with the fight against insecurity taken precedence over all of his administration’s initiatives since his swearing-in on March 17.
Speaking to newsmen today, June 26 to commemorate his first 100 days in office, Soludo, however reassured the populace that he would keep all of the commitments he had made to them, stressing that despite the difficulties, he remained unfazed because he had properly applied for the position of leading Anambra.
“I am not a fan of marking 100 days in office. I prefer to give you an annual report and we look forward to the first one in March next year. The last 100 days have been very bumpy and challenging. It has been a case of so far, so bumpy, but so good. Every day, we work 24 hours to ensure that we do not disappoint you. We have resolved that we must do that to make you happy and proud.”
“I remind everyone who wants to commiserate with me that I duly applied for this job. We have launched a campaign to restore our homeland. Most people can attest that the grave insecurity is gradually being contained and we remain undaunted. Even as I speak to you now, something is going on in various communities in Anambra State.”
The governor lamented the alarming zero oil revenue to enable him address the issues the state governance institutions are facing.
“The last 100 days have been bumpy and challenging as expected with insecurity and red treasury being the most impossible. Since February 2022, the contribution of oil revenue from the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited to the federation account has been zero and many states have difficulty paying salaries.
“The declining revenue and the context of insecurity and over N20 billion in the areas of gratuity to pensioners since 2018 as well as the sky-high expectations from you, our employers are then inevitable.
“We have spent the last 100 days addressing some key foundational issues, part of which are to make some key appointments, mobilise the people of the state to take back the state from criminals, domestic and comprehensive attack on criminals, reverse the 2022 budget, declaration of a state of emergency on roads and traffic and preparation to commission over 220 kilometres of road constructions.”
The Zamfara State government has ordered the recruitment of 500 additional community protection guards in each of the 19 emirates of the State, and taken other measures to tackle the rising cases of banditry.
The State Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Dosara, today, June 26 in Gusau, the state capital, said that the 500 guards are expected to be recruited per emirate to increase their manpower and strengthen its force and capacity to deal with the bandits.
The State Government requested the House of Assembly to pass the informants bill before it to enable government take drastic measures on informants as contained in the bill.
The government has also decided to establish a special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants as a way of ensuring efficiency and effectiveness as well as the proper implementation of the measures.
The committee has the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe as chairman while Bello Bakyasuwa to serve as the secretary. The committee’s terms of reference will be given to them by the office of the SSG tomorrow, June 27.
The committee has among its members, retired AIG, Top government officials and many erstwhile security experts.
The government also formed additional paramilitary unit for support and control the command to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of the community protection guards CPG.
This newly established unit also has retired Commissioner of Police, Mamman Anka as Commandant – General.
The State government strictly warned and advised people to make sure that any information or intelligence about an informant must be true and nothing but the truth, as all information on such informants must carry correct data on the suspects, including their pictures, correct names, address and the informant occupation.
Witness must testify the authenticity of the information given as government is taking punitive measures against anyone found as informant.
“Any person who give wrong information against anybody, will be served the same punishment with as an informant and will be treated as such,” it said.
A secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.
Another Committee set up by the government is the control and command centre of the Community Protection Guards.
The centrenis saddled with the responsibility of re -constituting the state committee on prosecution of banditry related offences with former APGA National Secretary, Sani Abdullahi as Chairman and Barr. Aminu Junaidu, the Attorney General and Commissioner of justice of the State as – Secretary.
Other members include representatives of all security outfits that Includes the civil defence, military, the police and other top government officials.
The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu has said that he is still in search of his running mate with whom he prays, he will work as good partners.
“I will need to learn from both of you, how you made the pair work because I’m still searching for my running mate,”
Tinubu who spoke today, June 26 in Abuja at the 60th birthday celebration of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, savored the smooth working relationship between Gbajabiamila and his Deputy, Hon Idris Wase, saying that they are reliable allies.
“As a Minority Leader, he consults wide and he’s always there to see the thinking of opposition, that we must bring a revolution to the house to be able to beat the PDP.
“And then, he will brainstorm for any length of time that you want a lecture about political strategy.
“When we need to challenge for the position of the speaker, I think after our merger he worked me tirelessly; Femi is a workaholic. The problem of failure stared him at the face, he lost the election to become the Speaker.
“I was close to tears, standing my foot to the ground, we will win again, Femi, keep on, pick yourself up. I am very proud of what you did, you didn’t give up. You did the opposition and the support job. You demonstrated what we learnt from the textbooks, and other authors.
“That life is not about education of one section of the society. Remember what we discussed about paying the WAEC fee of Omo Iya Oniboli (the Son of the Woman who roasts plantain), and my Mum was alive then, asking me to see to it each time I have her money, it doesn’t last.
“And I said whatever you do with the money I don’t know. Mama will say no, those women there are mothers, they want to pay WAEC fees. And Femi was one of the first I consulted that paying? Are we going to say that the children of the poor are not deserving of becoming Governors, Doctors and Engineers? I said I was afraid, he said to do it. So that is how a junior brother can inspire a senior leader.
“Femi with your determination, reach you are a contributor to our democratic growth, thank you. Character, a great …it’s about charting a path to success, you’ve done a good job and I say thank you, thank you.
“What you did during my primary (Presidential election) is a story for another day. I’ve spent more time, too many times and people might be bored, they might be envious too, they might be jealous. I won by a landslide, I thank you.
“I could see a Deputy (Wase) sitting down there too, you are a very good symbol of unity, dependability, and honesty, thank you. Thank you for both of you, you’ve not rocked the boat. I will need to learn from both of you, how you made the pair work because I’m still searching for my Running Mate,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila advised Asiwaju Tinubu to take his time in choosing his running mate, adding: “as a parting shot, I will like to say you should consult with his younger Brother (Gbajabiamila), but this time it won’t be for free.”
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