Presidency To PDP: You Are Doing Boko Haram’s Work

February 6, 2021

The presidency has accused the main opposition Peoples Democratic Part (PDP0 of doing what an outlawed group known as Boko Haram should be doing.

“Pray, if a political party, in a blind search for power can spurn the interest of the nation, embrace the language of hate campaign against the country’s military as enunciated by the terrorists, as the PDP does, what will be left for the Boko Haram to do? PDP is doing Boko Haram’s work!”

Reacting to the PDP’s criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of former Service Chiefs to the Senate for confirmation as non-career ambassadors, in a statement today, February 6, the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said wanted PDP to publish such evidence instead of levying grave accusations.

“We live in an evidence-based era for arguments. If the PDP has evidence of rights abuse against the military in the war against terrorists, wouldn’t it be beneficial to the nation that they publish such evidence instead of levying grave accusations without proves? And to ask, in whose interest are they making these accusations that lack any depth?

“To add, we don’t think the ICC, which these childish calls are being made needs to be lectured on democratic values and human rights by the PDP. Who are they, and what is their record in office to lecture anyone? Zaki Biam and Odi where thousands of citizens were on record, the genocide operation comes to mind. Did they report themselves to the ICC?

“PDP’s attacks on the ambassadorial nominations should be seen in the context of the opposition party’s track record as a university of liars, whose modus operandi is to propagate lies.

“The President is rewarding hard work and exceptional sacrifice by a set of military leaders who gave their best to the nation and will be remembered, sooner than later, for their contributions to the security and survival of Nigeria as one nation. They should be allowed to move to the next level.

“This is so that their examples will help to inspire others if given the opportunity to serve.”

The Presidency said that it is baffling that this false and baseless assertion is coming not from Boko Haram terrorists who the military kept largely in check and confined to a known section of the country, Sambisa, but from a so-called leading opposition party that fraudulently kept power for 16 years and is nursing the hope of one day returning to office as an elected government.

The statement wondered why the PDP under which government insurgency conquered large swathes of territory-18 Local Government Areas would be making such allegation.

You Can’t Go On Strike While Dialogue Is Going On, Minister Reminds University Workers

Editorial staff

February 6, 2021

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has reminded the university workers that they can’t go on nationwide strike when dialogue towards resolving the issues at stake is still ongoing.

The minister emphasised that it will be illegal for the workers under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU, to proceed on strike.

This was even as he pleaded with the two unions to give the Federal Government three months to prepare a supplementary budget for the approval of the National Assembly to cover arrears of the minimum wage that have not been paid to them

Dr. Ngige, who spoke today, February 5 when briefing newsmen after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the government was surprised by the news of impeding strike after engaging on social dialogue with the unions, adding that it would be an illegality if they should go ahead with the planned strike.

“I was around to see Mr. President on so many urgent labour issues. We will not claim ignorant of the fact that three unions in the University system, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT had given us notice of strike.

“The first two unions SSANU and NASU did that under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee, JAC, and as government, we have moved to apprehend the strike because we just came out from a strike that lasted for nine months that was executed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

“So in consonance with the labour laws, we have apprehended both strikes. They gave us Trade dispute notice, we scheduled meetings with them after apprehension, we held meeting with NASU and SSANU last week Tuesday and government position was explained to them.

“They have a lot of issues mentioned as their grouse, issues like IPPIS. They said IPPIS has amputated some of their allowances, they also have the issue of consequential adjustment that was paid to all civil servants as a result of the new minimum wage of N30,000 for staff above Grade Level One, that is starting from Grade Level two up to level 17.

“Those in the University system have not received their own, that was an inadvertent omission and it was explained to them and even without their prompting, without their trying to go on strike, government on its own has computed the amount involved up to January with effect from 19th April 2019 when the minimum wage took effect to January 2020, that is the allowance or the consequential amount that was missed in the 2020 budget.

“We explained that government plans to put that in the Supplementary budget of 2021 which will be submitted by the National Assembly as soon as the Minister of Finance resumes from vacation. On the issue of IPPIS, we explained to them that it is something that is of general application, a lot of civil servants, public servants had complained that some of their allowances were omitted in the payment of their emoluments.

“IPPIS office explained that it was work in progress, they are putting back those allowances and they showed evidence that they have put back so many. So these two issues are the cardinal issues in the points they have made.

“So in the main, after conferring with Mr. President, we are telling the unions not to carry out the action because that action will run counter to ILO Statute on Social Dialogue and Principles at work because their employers have listened, they have brought them to the table. So for SSANU and NASU, we are imploring them not to carry out their threat which they said will take effect from this mid night.

“Moreso, when the meeting adjourned from their own instance. Just this morning I received a letter from them giving us a new date for the continuation of the dialogue, they proposed a new date of Thursday 11th of February and my office has communicated to them back that we will be ready for them at that time because as they claimed they needed time to consult with their constituency and come back on the fresh issues that have cropped up from the discussion. So I briefed Mr. President on that.”

Asked why government waited till the last day to respond to threats by the unions especially as they have decided to embark on strike starting from midnight of February 5, he said it would be illegal for them to go ahead with the strike.

“It will be preposterous for them to say that as we wait to negotiate further, they are invoking a strike by midnight today, that will be against the labour statute of both the International Labour Organization and the Nigeria Trade Dispute Act and we will frown at it if they ever go that route.”

Also asked if the government would invoke no work no pay policy should the workers go ahead with the strike, Senator Ngige said: “I don’t want to go to that area because I presume that good judgment will prevail.

“The leaders of SSANU and NASU are very knowledgeable and very experienced in labour matters. The General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi and the SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, they are experienced labour leaders, they know they will not go that route, they know if they go that route it will be an illegal strike.

“They know that if they go that route, yes they also have a right to strike and the employer also has the right to some relief. They also know that when they go that route it means that they have broken down the negotiation in my place that they are not listening.

“The labour laws also say what I can do if I find that I can’t manage the situation. The law says that I can refer those disputes upwards starting from industrial arbitration panel to the National Industrial Court, so these are the options that are left.

“I am very optimistic that if they give us three months, the Finance Minister will do the needful.”

Recall that the Joint Action Committee, JAC of SSANU and NASU had given the Federal Government till midnight of February 5 to address about seven points demand they made, saying if the government failed to address the issues, they would embark on indefinite strike.

Court Seals Off Brewery Over N169.2 Million Tax Debt

Editorial staff

February 5, 2021

An Ondo State High Court has ordered that the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc depot in Akure be sealed off pending the settlement of their tax liabilities to the state government.

Justice William Akintoroye also granted the cross-petition of the state government for the recovery of N169.175 million from the company, being the haulage fees it owed for the period 2017 to 2019.

Consequent upon series of arguments from both the petitioner and the respondents’ counsel, Justice Akinrotoye ruled in favour of the state government, dismissing the petition filed by the NB Plc that it lacked merit.

The court held that the first respondent (Ondo State Government) has the constitutional right and it is the constitutional duty of Nigerian Breweries Plc to pay haulage fees to the government being the principal to the transport agencies that convey its products.

The state government had earlier ordered the firm to pay N169.175 million as the haulage fees the company is owing the state government but the company approached the court to challenge the demand notices served on it by the Ondo State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives for the payment of haulage fees last year.

The respondents in the case were the Ondo State Government, the Ondo State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives and the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice

The petitioner, in the suit No: AK/l45/2020, sought:

“An order of the restraining it from paying the haulage fee and that it was ‘not liable to pay haulage of goods as part of its object and business and the respondents cannot therefore demand the payment of haulage fee from the petitioner and/or enforce the payment of haulage fees purportedly due to the respondent from third parties transport/haulage companies against the petitioner.

“An order of the court restraining the respondents from further demanding haulage fees from the petitioner forthwith as well as restraining the respondents from further harassing and intimidating the employees of the petitioner and from the unlawful disruption and closure of the petitioner’s business premises on the ground of non-payment of haulage fees.

“An order of the court directing and/or mandating the respondents to directly enforce the payment and/or collection of the alleged haulage fees due to them, directly from the third parties, transport companies, engaged by the petitioner to transport its drink to Akure, being the companies that actually engaged in haulage and/or haulage business, under the Taxes And Levies (Approved List For Collection) Act, (Amendment) Order, 2015, to wit: AOP Logistics Limited and Tasho Nigeria Limited.”

I Didn’t Say Buhari Has Disappointed Nigerians, Pastor Tunde Bakare Protests

Editorial staff

February 4, 2021

Founder and General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has denied saying President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians.

Bakare had, in an Instagram live interview with the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, on Tuesday, February 2, reported to have said that the President had disappointed Nigerians.

But speaking on Arise TV today, February 4, the clergyman dismissed the reports, insisting that media outlets quoted him wrongly.

“The truth of the matter is, that was an instagram live interview that lasted for over 2 hours and the audio and the video will be available, I’m sure the publisher of Ovation Media, Bashorun Dele Momodu, can make that available to the public.

“Those headlines in the newspapers were the creation of the newspapers themselves, those were not the exact words I used. I said, if I remember correctly, that the coming of President Buhari into power in 2015 was a breath of fresh air to so many people.

“But in the midst of all competing demands, the conflicts and everything that happened, the expectations they had; not all of them would have been met. And, therefore, Nigerians are entitled to say they are disappointed.

“I did not use the words ‘Buhari has disappointed Nigerians’. I will not ask the papers not to sell their papers using any headline. Sometimes they make their own deduction from what was spoken but those words were not exactly or expressly spoken by me.

“I choose to be moderate in all that I say. Except I have concrete facts, I do not just talk. But are Nigerians disappointed? It’s everywhere, every day. You see it in the news. When expectations are not met, people will express their frustrations. It is natural and normal.

“But that does not mean this administration has not done anything good at all and, therefore, should be consigned to the dustbin of history as a big disappointment. These were not my words, those were what the papers chose to use.”

Ooni Of Ife Forgives Sunday Igboho For His “Misbehaviour”

Editorial staff

February 4, 2021

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has accepted the apology tendered by popular Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, saying: “Sunday is a human being like a normal human being who could misbehave as well.”

He said Igboho, who apologized yesterday, February 3, in a viral video for declaring the Ooni disappointed Yoruba nation for not speaking the truth on herdsmen killings in Southwest during a recent visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, is forgiven.

Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare, said: “he has forgiven him as he had tendered an apology via a video clip he produced via social media yesterday evening.

“Before tendering the apology, it was the Olugbon of Ile-igbon that first called and informed Arole Oodua on the phone that he had scolded Sunday on phone on his misdeeds and that, he would soon tender an apology to him on the matter. Sunday Igboho later released a video in which he tendered the apology.

“Even though the way and manner, Sunday behaved was sacrilege to the Oduduwa throne but he has already apologized and I can confirm that Arole Oodua forgiven him, because, there is no perfection in humanity.

“As the father of all, the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II remains his father who had even identified with him in the past two weeks he has begun with the struggle and he is still solidly behind him for the liberation of the Yorubas from criminal herdsmen who have adamantly terrorized our land.”

Junaid Describes Kanu, Nwodo As Gangsters That Can Jeopardize Igbo Presidency In 2023

Editorial staff

February 4, 2021

A Second Republic Federal lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, has described the leader of outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo as gangsters’ and scoundrels who may impede the chances of the Southeast in the 2023 presidential contest.

Junaid Mohammed, who spoke to news men today, February 4, said that the Southeast would need to form a coalition with other regions to produce the country’s President.

“I have never believed in this abstract called zoning and rotation of presidency. If the Igbos believe they have a candidate good enough, they are allowed to contest.

“For some years now, the Igbo ethnic group has been making some claims that they must produce the president, there must be restructuring without them telling us the meaning of restructuring and that the geopolitical zones should be converted into regions.

“The reality is that their position is apolitical and nonsensical. I have no doubt that they can’t on their own bring about any change no matter who they associate with.

“The idea that you will play politics on the basis of an ethnic group is unfortunate. The rest of Nigeria must make sure they allow you to produce the president ab-initio.

“We are talking about a country of 200 million people, who are you as a group, individual or a zone that the nation must concede the presidency to you ab-initio?

“Look at the elections of 1999, Obasanjo would not have won that election with his own ethnic group, the Yorubas if he had relied on their votes. In most of the states and local governments the election held; even in his Owu ward, Obasanjo did not win. I was with him physically and I know his reaction.

“So you can see clearly that if anybody is to rely on his own ethnic group, local government, region or religion then none of those who did would be able to produce the president of Nigeria.

“The president of Nigeria can only be produced by some coalition of people who have the understanding of themselves.

“But, the idea that we should now concede the presidency to some people simply because they have an understanding with IPOB, a terrorist under Kanu and some hypocrites like John Nwodo and co who are the political wing of IPOB then you expect people to vote for you. If they want to produce the president, they have the constitutional right to do so but not at the exclusion of other Nigerians.

“I remember in 2006, Nwodo came to Kano with a delegation and we held a meeting in the house of one-time Governor of Kaduna State, Brig. Jafaru Isa and Nwodo went on his knees begging that he should make him the president and I asked what he has to offer because only Kano can’t make him the president, he said yes that he was the president of student union in Ibadan, what else nothing.

“Now are these the kind of characters they are sending to us to vote as president? Despite serving two military administration’s, Nwodo recently went to London and said the Nigerian constitution should be condemned which they produced.

“Now if you have gangsters’ and scoundrels like this in politics who are always in alliances with organizations like Boko Haram or IPOB, OPC then you can see we have a long way to go.”

Source: Daily Post

Biafra Republic Agitators Warn Tinubu, Gov Yahaya Bello To Stay Off 2023 Presidency

Editorial staff

February 4, 2021

Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has warned Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to bury their presidential ambitions in 2023 and work towards ensuring that a Southeasterner gets the Presidency.

The Biafran Republic advocators also cautioned ex President Goodluck Jonathan to beware of the danger involved in the subtle political move by some Northern APC governors to lure and influence him to vie for 2023 presidential election.

A statement today, February 4 by MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, called all the political parties to ensure that their presidential ticket is given to credible Southeasterner as a way of ensuring equity, justice and fairness in the Nigeria project.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his Ijaw kinsmen should be wise enough to discern this subtle and hypocritical move of Arewa Governors. The Sultan of Sokoto, the Aso villa cabals, the frontline emirs, the Arewa opinion leaders and Islamic gurus both Nigerians and foreigners, are perfectly aware and systematically pushing for a Goodluck Jonathan one tenure administration.

“Their ultimate political aim is to sideline and frustrate the golden chances of Igbo man or Southeast zone to emerge as president of Nigeria.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his Ijaw kinsmen should avoid and discard this destructive and political end of Ijaw ethnic nationality in Nigeria. The people of Southeast and the indigenous Igbo in South South region have always support the Ijaws, particularly on the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan during his political travails in the hands of Arewa leaders.

“MASSOB also warns Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to bury their presidential ambitions in 2023 because it is solely and sacrosanct for the Southeast zone to produce the next president of Nigeria. “It is not about sentiment or selfishness to support the Southeast zone; it is the turn of Southeast zone to produce the next president of Nigeria according to the zoning arrangement.

“Nigeria is already sitting on an explosive time bomb that will eventually explode in 2023 if justice and national integration are not done to the people of Southeast in producing the next president of Nigeria. The Hausa Fulani are seriously plotting to scuttle and frustrate the chances of Southeast zone to produce the next president of Nigeria.

“MASSOB warns All Progressive Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to immediately commence picking of their presidential candidates from Southeast zone for 2023 presidential election. If the political conspiracy against THE people of Southeast prevails, we shall once again proof that Ndigbo have the capacity and capability to make or mar Nigeria. 2023 shall determine if Nigeria will continue to exist or not.”

Source: Vanguard.

President Buhari Encourages Youths To Fully Participate In Politics

Editorial staff

February 4, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the youths in the country to come out and fully participate in politics, especially the elective positions to drive and strengthen internal democracy, with transparent electoral processes, pro-people policies and programmes.

In a virtual meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC ) youths held at the presidential Villa, Abuja today, February 4, President Buhari said that the ongoing registration and revalidation across the country will further ensure a shared vision for the party, grassroots ownership and participation, and inclusiveness for youths.

‘‘I was in Daura to revalidate my membership and I encourage you all to do same. My belief and firm commitment is that politics is a game of numbers, and political power truly belongs to the people. Parties are built from the ground up.

‘‘So I envisage a party that we can have transparent electoral contests, drive policies and programmes that are pro-people, and most importantly, have the members determine who represents them, not some leaders somewhere.“

The President assured the youths of more party and government policies that will accommodate their interests, with a committee on the way, largely of the young, that will specially take into cognizance and work for the interest of youths.

‘‘Young people owe this country the responsibility to deploy their energy and creativity in every field — health, science, education, sports, agriculture, etc. — and bring up innovations that would be in tandem with the changing dynamics of the world.

‘‘While I will be looking forward to a more robust engagement with young people across the country, I wish to emphasize to you all that in me, you have a major supporter. I will offer you my full support to grow in politics, public service, entertainment, entrepreneurship and many other sectors, because I know that the future we envisage as a country cannot happen without our youths.

‘‘In the days ahead, I will be engaging with the Minister for Youth, National Youth Leader of the party and others to fine-tune continuous and deliberate strategy on how to better drive a more robust youth inclusion and participation in different sectors.’’

The President urged youths to join the APC, while thanking many who stood by the party over the years.

‘‘I have followed with keen interest the efforts of many of you in your bid to grow our party, the APC, into a strong and long lasting platform that would sustain progressive governance in Nigeria. Taking issues concerning our party seriously is commendable and shows your forward thinking.

‘‘I am also aware of the daily toils and sacrifices many of our online warriors make on social media to defend and promote the party and government. I appreciate you deeply and I am committed to making sure everyone appreciates your work as well.’’

President Buhari told the youths to closely monitor the processes that lead to the emergence of leaders in the political party, and also pick more interest in taking up leadership roles.

‘‘Tell your colleagues to go back to their constituencies and join in party registration, attend party meetings, pay your dues, make contributions and bring your youthful energy and zeal to bear on the development of the party right from the unit and ward level up to the national. If you want to see something different you have to be willing to do something different.“

In his remarks, the National Youth Representative, APC Caretaker Committee, Barrister Ismaeel Buba Ahmed, appreciated the President for always giving quick response to issues that affect young people in the country, which include the N-Power project, with N75 billion youth fund, and various interventions that stimulate entrepreneurship, especially to cushion the effects of COVID-19.

Ahmed, who is also Senior Special Assistant on National Social Investment Programme to the President, appealed to the President to ensure more youth inclusion in all committees of the Federal Government since young people constitute more than 60 per cent of the population, and creation of a Youth Commission.

Immediate Past Chief Of Army Staff, Others Get Ambassadorial Appointment

Editorial staff

February 4, 2021

The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and other past Service Chiefs have been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari for ambassadorial positions.

President Buhari nominated the former Service Chiefs as non-career ambassadors in a letter to the Senate.

A statement today, February 4 by the spokesman of the President, Femi Adesina, said that the Senate is to screen and confirm.

In the letter, which the Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, President Buhari said: “In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five names of nominees as Non-Career ambassador designate.”

The nominees are: former Chief of Defence Staff, retired General Abayomi G. Olonisakin; former Chief of Army staff, retired Lieutenant General Tukur Y. Buratai; former Chief of Naval Staff, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; former Chief of the Air Staff, retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and retired Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman.

The President called on the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations.

DSS Vows To Deal Decisively With Those Out To Cause Ethno-Religious Violence In Nigeria

Editorial staff

February 3, 2021

The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Nigerians about plans by persons and groups to exploit some fault lines to cause ethno-religious violence in parts of the country.

A statement today, February 3 by the spokesman of the Service, Dr. Peter Afunanya said that latest developments indicate desperate efforts by these groups to subvert public order.

“In this regard, they have continued to resort to inciting, unguarded and divisive statements and acts.

“The objective is to pit citizens against one another in order to apparently inflame the embers of tribal and religious discords.

“For the umpteenth time, the Service strongly warns these elements to desist forthwith from their (planned) nefarious acts or face the full wraths of the law.”

The statement said that the Service is determined to join hands with other security and law enforcement agencies, to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

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