Clarifies statement on ESN

Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his readiness to bring peace to Nigeria and quicken the development of every part of the country. Obi said this while speaking to Northern Elders’ Forum at Arewa House, Kaduna on Monday.

On how he would achieve it and also while answering questions on why he is yet to condemn the Monday sit-at-home in the East, Obi said he would continue to condemn wrong doings in any part of the country and that he would not condone such in any guise. He said the overriding interest of Obi-Datti Presidency was to make Nigeria a better country, restore security and   secure the future of the country through massive support for education.

However, Obi said that his tactics of fighting agitators would be different. Explaining, he said that he would consult, discuss and dialogue with them and find out the substance of their agitations. Insisting that even the most intractable problems in the world had been solved through dialogue, he said he would consider other options only after he had exhausted reason.

It would be recalled that that was exactly what he did when he became the Governor of Anambra State. Through dialogue, he was able to solve internal agitations within the state. In the case of NARTO (National Association of Road transport Organisation), he called them severally for dialogue but only used force when they proved impervious to reason,” Obi’s Media Office said in a statement on Tuesday.

The media office also clarified Obi’s recent statement on Eastern Security Network (ESN), explaining that he was actually commenting on Ebubeagu Security Network formed by the Governors of the South-East to tackle rising insecurity in the region.

(Newsband)

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi has revealed what would make him vote for the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi in 2023.

Gumi assured Obi of his vote if he can restructure Nigeria if elected president in 2023.

He spoke in Kaduna yesterday while playing host to the former Anambra State governor and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Obi and his running mate were in Kaduna to attend an interactive session for presidential candidates organised by a joint committee of Arewa groups in the build up to the 2023 general elections.

(Journalist101)

“It is an honour to return to the City of Kaduna and to participate in the Arewa Joint Committee Interactive Session, and rub minds on some fundamental issues germane to the future of Nigeria.

I thank the leadership and stakeholders of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for their gracious invitation.

I wish to preface my remarks by setting out our mission and vision. We are all Nigerians. I am a Nigerian running for the Nigerian Presidency to serve every Nigerian. I continue to insist on a show of respect for every candidate, ethnicity, religion and person.

The mission and vision of the incoming Obi-Datti Administration is to give full expression to our democracy by moving our country from consumption to production; we shall achieve this by giving primacy to implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our dear country today has become a shadow of itself. Indeed, there is evidence that Nigeria exhibits two known indices of a failed state; parlous economy and loss of territory and emergence of ungoverned spaces.

The purpose of politics and governance is to generate economic and social progress for the citizens in larger freedom. But the status quo is the reverse. This is more so here in the North, where poverty, unemployment and insecurity are the new normal.

The North has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. It has highest number of school kidnappings in the world. The North also has the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

The vast agricultural lands of the north – the so-called food basket of the nation stand desolate and abandoned. This situation is painful and needs to be fixed. Great nations are built through visionary policies, programmes and projects, anchored on the people.

This was always the hope and wishes for Nigeria by our founding fathers. Sadly, things changed. Our leaders became selfish, myopic and stopped listening and caring for the common man. Bad leadership, divisive rhetoric, and impunity became the norm.

Nigerians have suffered; they have lost jobs, and lost their farms and herds and their trust in our leaders. That narrative must change.

The Nigerian people want solutions to the many problems confronting them. After all economic prosperity for all is an all important aspect of a successful leadership, there is hope. We know this for sure. A new Nigeria is Possible.

But we must return to dreams of our founding fathers to create an egalitarian society. The Nigeria we seek will be a United and Secure Nigeria that symbolizes the spirit, letters, and exhorting ethos of our national anthem – “one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” where “peace and justice shall reign.” As we seek to come to power in May 2023, we are aware of the daunting array of domestic and external challenges confronting our dear nation, and we are fully prepared to lead from the front.

We are cognizant of the domestic policy challenges that have accumulated over time; and that the lack of adequate public policy responses has made them worse, with a devastating impact on national unity, social cohesion, public trust in government, and economic performance.

We have a grasp of prevailing challenges.

Nigeria’s needs and unmet needs are very huge. Yet hunger, insecurity, poverty and deprivation know no tribe, religion or gender.

With all sense of urgency, we will, pursue aggressively policies programmes and projects to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.

For the North we will do the following:

– a) We will offer immediate and decisive long-lasting and permanent-effect resolution of all security challenges in the North;

-b) Ensure that farmers return to all farmlands for the 2023 farming Season. We will make Nigeria’s arable land in the North her new oil and gold;

-c) As part of our Marshall Plan for Education, we will foster Federal intervention in education at all levels in the North and partnership with State Governments and international organizations in order to improve access to affordable and quality education at all levels;

-d) Ensure very adequate representation in government, equitable appointments especially in the Security and Economic Sectors;

-e) Incentivize the resuscitation of the moribund cotton and textile industries; and full exploration of the cattle economy value chain, notably the $75b global hide and skin economy. Nigeria’s share of the global industry is envisaged to generate over $1bn by 2025;

and finally,

-f) We will ensure very generous deployment and allocation of economic and social projects and infrastructure in the North – with keen attention to Roads, Energy, Power, and Dams- and Solar energy from Sunlight.

In closing, let me say this on record. I have come in peace to develop, to secure, and to unite, and I will do so with every commitment to the growth of Nigeria, as one great and united country.

We shall pay as much attention to the development of the North as to the development of all other parts of the country; but with much greater emphasis on the development of the Agricultural resources.

The North remains where the biggest ad sustainable wealth of this great Nation lies.

If elected President, I shall govern with the fear of God and with all good conscience and intent. The Constitution and the rule of law will always prevail.

I thank you for your kind attention.
May Almighty God bless you all and bless Nigeria”.

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) owes Nigerians an explanation and an apology following rather controversial statements made by Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the party.

Atiku had on Sunday in Kaduna asserted that the north does not need a Yoruba or Igbo candidates.

“I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country.

This is what the northerner needs. He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin,” Atiku opined.

In his reaction to the comments which have generated heated arguments across the country, Governor Wike said while he doubts the possibility of Atiku making such a sensational statement at this critical time of the Nation’s history, such posture would justify his fight for equity, justice and fairness in the PDP.

According to him, the party must urgently address the issue and appeal to Nigerians lest the people stop rallying behind the PDP and begin to see the party as one where justice and equity do not abound.

Governor Wike also challenged the National Chairman of the Party, Iyorchia Ayu on his defense of the corruption allegations he leveled against him and condemned as ridiculous, the recommendations of the party’s Board of Trustees on the crisis in the PDP.

In the past few days, a couple of events have been threatening the peace within Peoples Democratic Party. Most notable amongst the recent incidents were the defense of the National Chairman against the allegations of corruption by Govenor Wike, the recommendations of the Board of Trustees on the crisis over leadership positions and a the comment credited to the party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar about the North not needing the Yoruba or Igbo candidates.

Wike had earlier said that the national leadership of the PDP needs to do the right thing, if the party must win the presidential election in 2023.

The right thing, Governor Wike insisted, is the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman, in order for a southerner to occupy the seat within the principle of equity, fairness and justice.

He emphasised that any leader of a group who causes crisis within the group that he leads, truly lacks the requisite skills to navigate affairs of such group.

This is the time to show leadership skill on the part of those who are leaders of the party. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate. He is the one who feels the pain.”

Governor Wike made reference to the party’s constitution that spells it out in Section 7 (3) (c) that that all political and elective positions must be zoned.

He wondered why it is now so difficult for Senator Ayu to respect the constitution or even keep to his promise and quit the office if a northern is elected as PDP standard bearer.

“We have not held the presidential primary before the national chairman of the party said if the presidential candidate emerges from his area, he will quit.”

Governor Wike also accused Senator Ayu of collecting one hundred million Naira, first from a certain governor to renovate the party’s democratic institution, and later went to PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to collect exact amount for the same purpose. Governor Wike dares Senator Ayu to deny it.

“In fact, let me also tell you, Ayu collected N100million naira from a governor that he was going to renovate our democratic institution and then he went back to the PDP NWC and took the same N100million naira for doing the same work.”

He further added, “What kind of system is that? I am telling you all these are facts. Let him (Ayu) say no first and I will tell you (those he collected money from).”

The Rivers State governor pointed to the importance of the mission of rescuing Nigeria expected of the PDP by Nigerians. But the mission, he said requires a leader with proven integrity to lead the party.

(Journalist101)

The narrative that former President Goodluck Jonathan has endorsed the Atiku/Okowa presidential ticket is false after all, as indications have emerged that some hawks in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stage-managed the meeting to achieve a pre-determined phantom endorsement.

The development came amid information that the former president has a soft spot for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi who he has severally supported morally and otherwise ahead of 2023 general election.

A close ally of the former president who was at the recent courtesy visit facilitated by the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, told Daily Sun that Jonathan is not happy that the PDP turned the private visit into an endorsement for its presidential candidate.

He said journalists were not allowed to witness the private visit and conversation unknown to the host (Jonathan) that some of the PDP hawks secretly videoed the proceeding and posted it online to appear as if the former president had endorsed Atiku.

Our source said President Jonathan is a statesman who extends equal gestures to all the presidential candidates, hence, the event where he prayed for Okowa was not different.

He explained that the visitors led by the Bauchi governor brought some kola nuts for Jonathan to according to them, pray for the incoming vice president (Okowa) and that the former president merely used their own words to pray for him.

Our source told Daily Sun: “You know that President Jonathan has a soft spot for the Bauchi governor who led the delegation. Atiku who had made several efforts to get Jonathan’s support was not even part of the delegation.

“Jonathan was surprised when his attention was drawn to the news on the social media that he had endorsed Atiku. That did not happen but as a statesman, he just let it go instead of putting up a statement denying it.

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has expressed disappointment over a comment by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar that Northers don’t need Igbo or Yoruba to be president.

Recall that Atiku on Saturday during an interactive sanction With Arewa Joint Committee held in Kaduna State, claimed that Northerners do not need Igbo or Yoruba presidency in the forthcoming election.

Atiku’s shocking utterance has been generating reactions from concerned Nigerians across the country.

Reacting on his verified Twitter handle, the former CBN Deputy Governor said the comment was a “direct appeal to divisive ethnic sentiment and a denigration of the largest ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria.

I

was very disappointed to view the video clip of H.E. Atiku Abubakar @atiku, a former Vice-President of Nigeria, telling an audience in Kaduna that what the North needs is a northerner to be President, and not a Yoruba or Igbo candidate.

“All candidates in the 2023 presidential election must avoid ethnic or other divisive sentimental appeals”.

He called on Atiku to withdraw the statement and tender apology to Nigerians who picked offence in his utterances.

(Infodaily)

The deposed Emir of Kano and vice chairman, Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency, Lamido Sanusi, has expressed his compassion for the next president that will succeed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), due to the perceived depleted state of the economy.

Sanusi, who is also the current Khalifah, Tijaniyat Movement of Nigeria, said this in Kaduna on Saturday while addressing notable politicians at a Kaduna Investment programme titled, “Building a resilient economy”.

The 14th Emir said Nigeria’s economy has been tied to the oil and gas sector and subsidy removal is fast mitigating the economy’s growth.

“Nigeria has continued to be a rentier state. It does not exist for development but as a sight of rent, and extraction to make those who control the state rich turning them into billionaires overnight.

“In 2023, if we have an election, we cannot continue to have the trend. Because any continuation will lead to insecurity and might get us to Mali, Burkina Faso’s situation.

“We can’t keep towards pushing the brink; we have to come back,” he added.

Citing data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, Sanusi said only 50% of states in the country generated enough revenue to cover their wages, overheads and debt services.

He maintained that the cost of servicing debt in Nigeria with the Federal Government was N2.597 trillion whereas revenue was N2.4 trillion.

“In other words, debt service is now 108 per cent of revenue. Every naira the Federal Government earns goes to service debt and it is not enough, (as the FG) has to borrow to service the debt. And then begin to borrow to build roads, pay salaries and overheads.

“We are leaving a mountain of debt for our children. They (children) might curse us because we are taking all the money borrowed to subsidise petrol and enjoy it cheaply.

“We see the problem and we are going to continue. I’m sorry for the next president who comes in June and says I’m removing fuel subsidy after day one,” he asserted.

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State is gradually making good his promise to turn Anambra State into one huge road construction site, all in a bid to ultimately make travelling around the state easier and pleasurable.

To this end, Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) recently approved and awarded contracts for the construction of a flyover at Ekwulobia to decongest the hellish traffic jam often experienced at the roundabout. Other adjoining roads around the area to be constructed include the Nanka –Ekwulobia – Aguata local government headquarters road (2.0km); Ekwulobia – Oko road (0.825km) and Ekwulobia – Isuofia road (1.125km). Other ancillary structures and facilities to be built around the Ekwulobia hub are, a bus terminal building, fuel station, security office building, fire station and other external works such as sewage treatment facilities, drainage, landscaping, etc. All the construction work will be handled by A.V. Vision Construction Nig Ltd at the cost of N10,100,100, 000.00 (ten billion, one hundred million, hundred thousand naira) and the work is to be completed in 18 months.

Also to be constructed by A.V. Vision Construction Nig Ltd are the Isuofia to Nanka Road with spur to Nanka/Obi Adimorah Road (2.2km and 10.3m wide) at the cost of N748,000,085.05k (seven hundred and forty eight million, eighty five naira, fifty kobo).

Six vital roads in Awka, the capital city of the state that were also among the set of contracts just awarded include, the Club (Abakaliki) Road (2.078km); Regina Caeli to Y Junction (1.173km); Millenium Industry – INEC – Ekwueme Square (1.762km) and Unizik Temp Site – Okpuno – Isuaniocha Junction (6.847km). Others are, Chukwudifu Street (0.297km) and PPSSC – NECO office Road (0.473km). The construction of these roads have been awarded Niger Construction Company Ltd (Nigercat) at the cost of N6,665,960,804.70k (six billion, six hundred and sixty five million, nine hundred and sixty thousand, eight hundred and four naira, seventy kobo and the company has a target of 10 months to complete the job.

The construction of Oye Agu Abagana to Nimo Road with spur at Nimo road (5.12km and 10.3m wide) was equally awarded Triconstruct Nig Ltd at the cost of N1,600,013,018.72k (0ne billion, six hundred million, thirteen thousand, eighteen naira, seventy two kobo). The company has 8 months to finish the work.

Meanwhile, the following roads have been awarded by Governor Soludo for construction. They are:

AWKA

1. Club (Abakaliki) Road (2.078km).

2. Regina Caeli to Y Junction (1.173km).

3. Millenium Industry – INEC – Ekwueme Square (1.762km).

4. Unizik Temp Site – Okpuno – Isuaniocha Junction (6.847km).

5. Chukwudifu Street (0.297km).

6. PPSSC – NECO office Road (0.473km).

OKPOKO

1. Obodoukwu road Obodo-Owerri Rd 5.77km.

2. Oguagu- Ik Onuorah-Anumudu-Mgbuka- Amazu-Owerri Rd -2.97km.

3.Edeh Road-School rd-Awalite – Ojoto-Owerri rd 1.48km.

4. School rd- umuobom Street-Ojoto Street Junction -0.58km.

5. Umuobom st (Ojoto st Junction-Adazi ani street- Owerri Rd- 0.77km.

6. Umenweke st (Obodoukwu Junction)-Umeojiakor st ( School Rd Junction)-0.58km.

7. Ojoto Junction-Anumudu (Mgbuka Amazu Junction)0.99km.

8. Uzii st- Mission st (Awaited Junction) 0.54km.

9. Anumudu street (Ik Onuorah Junction )- Gmi Rd- 0.38km.

EKWULOBIA AND ENVIRONS

1. Flyover At Ekwulobia Roundabout.

2. Nanka –Ekwulobia – Aguata local government headquarters road (2.0km).

3. Ekwulobia – Oko road (0.825km).

4. Ekwulobia – Isuofia road (1.125km).

5. Isuofia to Nanka Road with spur to Nanka/Obi Adimorah Road (2.2km and 10.3m wide).

6. Isu-Igbo River that is Isuofia – Ekwulobia Section of Ekwulobia – Nnobi Road – 600m stretch including 1.2km drainage.

(Ancillary structures and facilities to be built around the Ekwulobia hub are, a bus terminal building, fuel station, security office building, fire station and other external works such as sewage treatment facilities, drainage, landscaping, etc).

Others are:

1. Mmiata-Anam- Nzam Road (Second Phase) (with bridges, culverts, etc) – 11km.

2. Akpaka-Basilica Road, Onitsha – 7.79km.

3. Amansea-Ndukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma Road – 26. 4km.

4. Amansea-Awba-Ofemili – 26km.

5. Dredging of 500m of Mmili John River, culvert desilting and widening of water flow.

6. Flood Control Work at Ogbunike/Ogidi section of Enugu-Onitsha Old Road.

7. The construction of Oye Agu Abagana to Nimo Road with spur at Nimo road (5.12km and 10.3m wide).

*REHABILITATION (ONGOING /COMPLETED)*

1. Chisco Park Section of Onitsha – Enugu Federal Highway at Onitsha.

2. Major interventions on two sections of Amansea axis of the Enugu – Onitsha Old road.

3. Intervention on Inland Doors axis of Nkpor-Umuoji road.