Nigerians will shock Political Class Come 2023 Election- Obaseki

September 20, 2022

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on political leaders across the country to step up and assuage the pains of Nigerians on many fronts due to poor governance and inefficiency or expect a surprise from the electorate in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Obaseki, while speaking to journalists in Benin City, noted that Nigerians are fed up with the inefficiencies and failures of government officials and other representatives and will reject the same if nothing is done to change the narrative.

He said the people are closely watching the political situation in the country and are ready to shock political parties with their new political orientation.

Obaseki stated, “I am sure that we are all watching the development in the country very closely, particularly the evolving political development. It’s clear now that Nigerians are getting fed up with the government and those that represent them in government. We can see that in their reactions in social media and where their actions and emotions are headed.

“For us as a government and representatives of our people, we would be hurting ourselves if we ignore the changes that are coming and believe that things are still the same. We will all be shocked as we are beginning to see.

“People are now beginning to realize that they need to demand more from people in government and those managing their resources and commonwealth; people will go out to vote their choice or interests.”

He added, “No political party today can beat its chest and say they will win or have a clear victory in the next election in the country.

People are watching and the only reason why people will leave their houses to polling units is because there is a reason to either vote for or against something. If they have not benefited, they are not likely to come out on Election Day.”

The governor further warned, “People will ask questions saying: you have not done what you promised us, you have not delivered; people will react. Nobody will be spared. The new group will come in and will not spare the civil servants; they will put pressure on them and politicians will be kicked out of office.

We are lucky in Edo State because we saw it coming and have laid down the roadmap and anticipated it coming but our challenge is that many people don’t believe it, thinking we have time and things will still happen the way they usually do.”

(Akelicious)

Crude Oil Theft will Lead Nigerian Economy to Coma- Lawan

Queen Madu

September 20, 2022

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, warned that unless prompt action is taken to stop crude oil theft, it will drive Nigeria’s economy into a coma.

Lawan stated this in his speech to welcome lawmakers back from the two-month recess.

While underscoring the need for an improvement in the country’s revenue earnings, Lawan said;

Distinguished Colleagues, the Economy of our Country is still challenged. The Senate working with the House of Representatives and the Executive needs to continually seek better responses to the economic situation.

“Generation and collection of revenues have remained major challenges. Also, the massive loss of revenue through oil theft is debilitating and threatening to throw the economy into a coma.

“Revelations about the scale of oil theft show that, until Government takes decisive actions, Nigeria could soon lose any revenue from that sector.

“We must therefore work to ensure that everything is done to curtail this theft.”

Lawan also recalled that the Senate during the recess showed serious concerns about the Security situation in the country and had two engagements with the Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defense Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Department of State Services, Director General of Nigerian Intelligence Agency and other heads of security agencies.

He disclosed that the meeting which was held on the 5th of August and the 12th of September, 2022, was to ensure that Nigeria’s defense and Security Agencies improve on their operational strategies to secure citizens and indeed our country.

From the assessment of the prevailing situation our security agencies are recording more successes and the situation seems to be improving”, he observed.

He added that the Senate would continue to engage defense and security agencies through its appropriate Committees, to ensure that the follow-up engagements are sustained.

The Senate president also expressed the willingness of the National Assembly to ensure transparent and credible elections next year at the polls.

According to him, the innovative amendment to the Electoral Act by the National Assembly has provided the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the wherewithal to deliver on a successful general election in 2023.

The Senate President said, “Distinguished Colleagues, the year 2023 is a momentous period for Nigeria, as elections will be held, across the Country. Nigerians are expected to exercise their franchise.

Therefore, the Senate, indeed the National Assembly will work with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure very successful, transparent, and credible elections.

“We are ready to support INEC in all possible ways as a Legislature.

“Already, the timely amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 has provided very important innovations in ensuring better electoral climate.”

(Akelicious)

2023 Election: Full List of Presidential Aspirants and their Vice

Queen Madu

September 20, 2022

Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Onwubuasi Obi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday released the final list of candidates eligible to contest the 2023 Presidential election.

The commission had in June released the particulars of presidential candidates and their running mates.

But on Tuesday, INEC published the final list of the presidential candidates. The list contains names of the candidates and their qualifications.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented Bachelor of Science degree, while his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima presented General Certificate of Education (GCE).

As displayed by the commission, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presented Master’s degree, while his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, presented MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree.

While Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), presented GCE, his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, presented PhD degree.

Both Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and his running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa both presented First School Leaving Certificates.

Below is the full list:

(Newsband)

GGM On Soludo Manifesto: We Will Always Remind You

bvichannel1

September 20, 2022

Mr Governor, you have failed to keep this promise as contain in your manifesto

”My full agenda for prosperous Anambra , costed with timelines and delivery mechanisms will be published within the first 30 days on assumption of office ”

Good Governance Ministry cares

It has no nutritional value – FG set to ban ‘Kpomo’ to grow the economy

Queen Madu

September 20, 2022

The federal government says it is proposing legislation to ban the consumption of animal skin, locally known as ponmo, in the country to revive tanneries.
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Muhammad Yakubu, director-general, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Zaria, said this in Abuja on Sunday. He said the litigation was necessary to revive the comatose leather industry in the country.
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He said the habit of eating animal skin, which has no nutritional value, should be stopped to save the industry and boost the nation’s economy. The director-general added that the institute, in collaboration with stakeholders in the industry, would approach the national assembly and state governments to bring out legislation banning “ponmo” consumption.
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“To the best of my knowledge, Nigerians are the only people in the world that overvalue skin as food, after all, Ponmo has no nutritional value. At one point, there was a motion before the two chambers of the national assembly, it was debated but I don’t know how the matter was thrown away,” he said.
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According to him, the consumption of animal skin is partly responsible for the present comatose state of tanneries in Nigeria.He also said the current National Leather Policy had addressed some fundamental problems of the sector.
“If we get our tanneries, our footwear and leather production working well in Nigeria, people will hardly get pomo to buy and eat. When implemented fully, it would turn around most of the comatose tanneries and ginger greater output in production.”
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Yakubu appealed to stakeholders to support the legislation and the national leather policy to revive the sector.

(gistlover)

Chaos as Imo House of Assembly Speaker Resigns, New Speaker Emerges

Queen Madu

September 19, 2022

Imolites have been thrown into confusion following the reported resignation of the speaker of their House of Assembly, Kennedy Ibeh from his position.

The reason for the reported resignation of the ex-speaker isn’t known yet but a photo of the new speaker, Emeka Nduka, representing Ehime Mbano, state constituency, surfaced on Monday in Owerri, alongside the Deputy Speaker of the House, Chyna Iwuayanwu, majority leader, Kanayo Onyemaechi and the member representing Isu state Constituency, Ngozi Obiefule.

Imo state Assembly Speaker; Kennedy Ibeh impeached… Emeka Nduka elected as new speaker.

Under 2yrs of Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s administration, Imo State House of

Assembly has produced 4 speakers.

Chiji Collins representing Isiala Mbano was speaker when The supreme Court declared Hope Uzodinma Governor of Imo state. After some months, Chiji was impeached and Paul Emeziem representing Onuimo LGA became speaker. Months ago, Paul Emeziem was Impeached and Kennedy Ibeh representing Obowo state constituency was elected speaker of Imo state house of assembly.

There are unconfirmed reports that in few months time, the member representing Ihitte Uboma state constituency in the Assembly maybe taking over from Speaker Nduka.

(Journalist101)

Breaking: Court Dismisses Law Suit Filed Against Peter Obi and Tinubu to Disqualify them

Queen Madu

September 19, 2022

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, dismissed a suit filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi, the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) respectively.

Justice Donatus Okorowo, in a judgment, held that the suit was unknown to law and hence, described it as “an abuse of court process.”

Okorowo, who said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, also held that the suit did not disclose any reasonable cause of action against the respondents.

When a court finds out that a suit is an abuse of court process, the court has the right to dismiss it,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022 sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, Tinubu, Kabiru Masari, LP, Obi and Doyin Okupe respectively as 1st to 8th respondents respectively

The PDP had asked the court to compel INEC to prevent Tinubu and Obi from replacing their running mates with Sen. Kashim Shettima and Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed respectively.

The PDP is also asking the court to declare that Tinubu and Obi be disqualified unless they contest alongside their previous running mates – Masari and Okupe respectively.

In the originating summons with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, the PDP sought an order barring the INEC from replacing the running mates of Tinubu and Obi.

NAN reports that Tinubu had nominated Masari as a surrogate running mate or placeholder in order to beat the June 17 INEC deadline.

Obi had also nominated his campaign manager, Okupe, as an interim running mate. However, INEC gave a grace period of about one month to substitute their names.

After weeks of consultations, Tinubu and Obi nominated Shettima and Baba-Ahmed respectively while Masari and Okupe resigned.

However, the PDP asked the court to determine if by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s timetable, Tinubu and Obi are bound by the submission of Masari and Okupe respectively as their running mates.

The party also asked the court to determine if “by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the first defendant (INEC) can validly accept any change or substitution of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates of the 3rd (APC) and 6th (Labour Party) defendants.”

The PDP sought five reliefs including a declaration that by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s timetable, both Tinubu and Obi must be bound by their submission.

The party asked the court to rule that both Tinubu and Obi will be disqualified the moment they substituted the names of their running mates.

One of the reliefs reads, “A declaration that by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the 1st defendant’s (INEC’s) election timetable, the 3rd (Tinubu) and 6th (Obi) cannot validly contest the 2023 Presidential election without the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Obi) respondents as their respective running mates.”

The PDP also based its argument on the fact that the term ‘placeholder’ is unknown to Nigerian law.

“The Electoral Act makes no provisions whatsoever for placeholder or temporary running mates. The acts of the 2nd (APC), 3rd (Tinubu), 5th (Labour Party ) and 6th (Obi) defendants in nominating and forwarding the names of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates for the 2023 Presidential elections is valid and subsisting,” the party added.

(NAN)

Obidient Movement Blasts Oshiomhole Over Comment Against Peter Obi

bvichannel1

September 19, 2022

Obidient Movement Blasts Oshiomhole Over Comment Against Peter Obi

Obidient Movement from the Obi-Datti Media office, has described as untrue the statement credited to the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, where he accused the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi of not fixing the security challenges in Anambra state when he was governor.

The former governor of Edo said that Obi was incapable of solving Nigeria’s insecurity because he failed to tackle insecurity in Anambra when he served as governor.

Irked with his statement, the Obidient Movement on Monday replied him with , Abubakar Mohammad IG’s testimonial and other outstanding Obi’s record on security in the state.

According to the movement: “The attention of the Media Office of Obi-Datti Campaign was drawn on Sunday to the baseless claim by the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has no capacity to tackle security as his tenure in Anambra proved so.

“The former Edo Governor also in his groundless outburst to satisfy his audience claimed that it was Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano who was able to solve some security challenges that Obi could not tackle.

“When the LP candidate told Nigerians severally to go and verify his past, he knew what the outcome of such verification would be, in his favor, except for attack dogs like Oshiomhole who would always stand truth on its head, fabricate tales ostensibly to satisfy his pay master who incontrovertibly is not verifiable.

“If Comrade Oshiomhole had bordered to verify Obi’s security records as Anambra state governor, he would have found what the Inspector General of Police in 2014, Abubakar Mohammad said in Awka, Anambra state capital on April 10, 2014 shortly after Obi left office that was copiously captured by many mainstream and social media establishments on April 11, 2014.

“Oshiohmole but for mischief would also have found that Obi is on record to have been one of the most ruthless state Governors in tackling the kidnap menace in the country. It’s still green in everybody’s memory how Obi personally supervised the sealing off and demolition of hotels and buildings used by Kidnappers and other criminal gangs in the state. Crime record in Anambra state under Obi was outstanding and security leadership never failed to appreciate this feat.

“Below we republish a story as published by one of the top National Dailies, the Nation Newspaper in the country on April 11, 2014 captioned “IG declares Anambra safest since five years”

“The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed, yesterday declared that Anambra State remained the safest state in the last five years, according to police records.

“Abubakar, who was speaking at the Women Development Centre, Awka, at the state’s Stakeholders’ Summit announced that there was no bank robbery in the state in the last five years during former Governor Peter Obi.

“He urged Governor Willie Obiano to emulate his predecessor by sustaining the security situation in the state.

“The inspector-general hailed the relationship between the police and the government under Peter Obi, which contributed to the improved security, and reassured Governor Obiano that the police would give him a 100 per cent support to rid the state of kidnappers and robbers. He urged Obiano to deal with any ruler, who encourages crime in his community.

‘’I am ready to support Anambra governor actualize its dream of securing the state. And I must assure you that if the governor is initiating measures to strengthen security in Anambra, he needs the support and it is time for the governor to tell you that the change you are looking for is here.’’

“He assured the people that the era of police impunity is over, and ordered that the harassment of road users by siren-crazy politicians should stop”

“Obi-Datti Media therefore urges members of the public to be vigilant and resist any attempt to foist proxy Presidents on them with lies and they should repel any fraudulent try to frustrate the Movement’s goal of taking back our beloved country battered by corrupt and greedy leaders.

“Let’s always remain Obidient and focused for a new Nigeria whose time has come.”

FG Grants N16trillion Waiver to Dangote and others

Queen Madu

September 19, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has reportedly waived the sum of N16.76tn in revenue to tax reliefs and concessions given to large companies between 2019 and 2021.

The beneficiaries of the tax reliefs and concessions included Dangote, Lafarge, Honeywell and 43 other major beneficiaries.

At least 46 companies had benefitted from various tax incentives and duty waiver schemes as of the end of 2021, while the requests of 186 companies were still pending, The PUNCH reports.

This is according to the tax expenditure statement (TES) reports in the Medium-Term Expenditure and Fiscal Strategy documents posted on the website of the Budget Office of the Federation.

The TES deals with revenue forgone on Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Petroleum Production Tax, and Customs Duty.

In the TES report, Federal Government had forgone revenue of N4.2tn in 2019 from two main sources, CIT and VAT.

The estimated amount of revenue forgone for CIT was N1.1tn while N3.1tn was for VAT.

“The most significant conclusion is the large size of Nigeria’s revenue forgone from just two of the main taxes, i.e., CIT and VAT. Nigeria’s non-oil revenue potential is at least twice its current collections.

The preliminary estimate of revenue forgone from CIT incentives and concessions in 2019 is N1.1tn; for contrast, 2019 CIT collections was N1.6tn. The preliminary estimate of revenue forgone from VAT policy choices and compliance gaps is estimated to be NGN 3.1tn and could possibly be more. It is worth reiterating that revenue forgone from Customs Duty, Excises, Petroleum Production Tax, Personal Income Tax and concessions under the Oil and Gas Zones legislation is still to be computed,” The TES report read.

According to the TES report, the figure for revenue foregone would likely exceed N4.2tn if there were sufficient data, especially from Customs Duty, Excises, PPT, Personal Income Tax and concessions under the Oil and Gas Zones legislation.

The report also said by 2020, the figure rose to N5.8tn, with the majority of it coming from revenue forgone under VAT. A breakdown showed that N4.3tn was forgone under VAT; N457bn under CIT; N307bn under PPT, and N780bn under customs duty.

It was discovered that five countries accounted for about 86 per cent of total customs relief, with China accounting for nearly two-thirds of total relief granted. Netherlands, Togo, Benin and India were the other top sources of supplies benefitting from the reliefs.

In 2021, the total figure continued to rise, hitting N6.79tn, with revenue foregone on VAT accounting for most of it. A breakdown showed that N3.87tn was forgone under VAT, N548.40bn under CIT; N337.70bn under PPT; N1.84tn under customs duty; and N111.15bn under imports VAT.

The Nigerian government had to forgo a total of N16.79tn in tax reliefs for the three-year period, Customs duty waivers and concessions, according to an analysis by The PUNCH.

Under this figure, tax exemptions covered imported goods covered by diplomatic privileges, military hardware, fuels and lubricants, hospital and surgical equipment, aircraft (their parts and ancillary equipment), plant and machinery imported for use by companies in export processing zones, health and medical supplies to abate the spread of COVID.

Other exemptions were said to be included reliefs on the presidential initiative on COVID-19 supplies, Import Duty and VAT on commercial airlines.

It was also noted that five countries accounted for about 92 per cent of total Customs relief with China accounting for nearly half of the total relief granted. Singapore, Netherlands, Togo, Benin Republic and India were the other top sources of supplies benefitting from the reliefs.

They were beneficiaries of the pioneer status tax relief under the Industrial Development Income Tax Act with tax reliefs for a three-year period.

This was contained in the Q4 2021 PSI report released by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission.

The pioneer status is an incentive offered by the Federal Government, which exempts companies from paying income tax for a certain period. This tax exemption can be full or partial.

The incentive is generally regarded as an industrial measure aimed at stimulating investments in the economy.

The products or companies eligible for this pioneer status were said to be those that do not already exist in the country.

These companies are Dangote Sinotrucks West Africa Limited, Lafarge Africa Plc, Honeywell Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Jigawa Rice Limited, and Stallion Motors Limited.

Others are African Foundries Limited, Royal Pacific Group Limited, Kunoch Hotels Limited, Princess Medi Clinics Nigeria Limited, Medlog Logistics Limited, and Masters Liquefied Gas Limited.

Whereas, Nigeria’s budgetary situation is dire, as seen by low tax receipts. According to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the country generated N6.4tn in taxes in 2021. This amounts to approximately $15.433 billion.

(Punch)

Halima Abubakar Finally Admits to Having An Affair with Apostle Sulieman

Queen Madu

September 19, 2022

Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, has finally admitted to an alleged romantic relationship with popular cleric, Johnson Suleman.

She disclosed this in a series of posts shared on her Instagram page on Sunday.

Abubakar admitted she had an affair with the preacher because he told her he was divorced with three children.

She wrote, “I f*ck up, yes. I own my mistakes. But I won’t lie anymore. N*gg* said he was separated. I didn’t meet a married man. I met a bizman with three kids. Long story, stay away from liars.

The actress also accused Suleman of feeding bloggers with negative stories about her.

She said, “Every month only you. You paid off the blogs, only you, God forbid. Look for lies and send it to your bloggers. They need am.But you you you JS. You bought market Sule. Emperor Sule. Allow me rest biko.”

Abubakar and other popular female celebrities have been in the news due to their alleged relationship with the pastor for months.

Meanwhile, Suleman has dismissed the claims against him.

(Journalist101)

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