advertise with us
Home Blog Page 377

Trouble looms in APC, LP as INEC rules out VP slot ‘placeholder’

By
Editor
-
0

All Progressives Party(APC), Labour Party may be in trouble as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out the concept of “vice presidential candidate placeholder” done by parties.

According to the Commission, the “placeholder” or dummy vice-presidential candidates has no place in the Constitution.

INEC had set June 17, as the deadline for the nomination of vice-presidential candidates, following the completion of presidential primaries of political parties.

However, as some political parties continued to search for the rightful vice-presidential candidate, and to beat the deadline set by the Commission, some candidates, including Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) submitted names of vice-presidential candidates whom they described as “placeholders or dummies.”

But, while speaking during a chat on ARISE TV In Monday, INEC Commissioner for Voters’ Education and Information, Barrister Festus Okoye, said the “placeholder is a unique Nigerian invention”, for which the commission’s law has no provision.

According to him, the constitution makes it very clear that you cannot run alone as a presidential candidate and must nominate an associate to run with you for that position, and as far as INEC is concerned, the presidential candidates have submitted their associates to run with them in the presidential election.

“As far as we are concerned, there’s no form submitted by the presidential candidate where they said ‘we’re submitting this person’s name as a place or placeholder”, he said.

Okoye said political parties’ candidates have submitted names of associates to run with them, and that is the position of the law as at today and nothing has changed, adding that for there to be, a substitution of a candidate, the vice-presidential candidate must write to INEC, with a sworn affidavit stating that he is withdrawing from the race within the time frame provided by the law. That’s the only way there can be a substitution of candidates.

He added that the commission can only replace a candidate if the person writes a “sworn affidavit stating that he is withdrawing from the race within the time frame provided by the law.

“The constitution makes it very clear that you cannot run alone as a presidential candidate and must nominate an associate to run with you for that position, and as far as INEC is concerned, the presidential candidates have submitted their associates to run with them in the presidential election.

“As far as we are concerned, there’s no form submitted by the presidential candidate, where they said, ‘we’re submitting this person’s name as a place or space holder.

“The issue of space or place holder is a unique Nigerian invention that has no place in our constitutional and legal framework.

“Political parties’ candidates have submitted names of associates to run with them, and that is the position of the law as at today and nothing has changed.

“For there to be a substitution of a candidate, the vice-presidential candidate must write to INEC, with a sworn affidavit stating that he is withdrawing from the race within the time frame provided by the law. That’s the only way there can be a substitution of candidates”, he added.

Nigeria under the grip of deraged Politicians-Peter Obi

By
Editor
-
0

Peter Obi has called on Nigerians to take back the country, claiming the nation’s political space has been taken over by those he described as “lunatics”.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) believes many of those in the political space do not have business being there.

“Seventy per cent of those who are in politics today should not have any reason to be near there. I have said it before and I will say it again. Politics in Nigeria is a case where lunatics took over the asylum. They must be out.” the former governor of Anambra State said on Sunday’s ‘Men of Valour’ conference organised by the Revival House of Glory International Church (RHOGIC), Abuja.

“You must replace that asylum with people who are competent. This is the only country where the worst is leading; the best should lead. I have served there; I am a trader and I started gradually and entered into politics.”
According to him, some persons in leadership positions who loot public funds are not greedy but “sick”.

How do you think about one person taking N80 billion? $200m? That is sickness. It is not greed. The person is greedy. Greed is taking one N1 billion which he is not entitled to but taking N80 billion is sickness. That is a simple truth. And that’s why I said mad people have taken over,” he said in the programme tagged ‘Navigating the Corridors of Power, the Church, and the Politics’.

According to him, more competent people should take over governance as that is the only way to reposition the country just as he accused political parties of having no ideology.
He, however, believes that “If we get more young people who have the competence and capacity to be there, they can start developing these things” he said.

Ibi dismissed claims that his party does not have the structure to challenge the two main parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“It is about the people. The people have allowed some group of persons to hijack their country,” he said.

“That is why I have said take back your country. It is not theirs. We can’t allow this gangsterism to continue.”

The presidential candidate recalled that when he was contesting as the governor of Anambra State, there were claims that he had no structure, maintaining that “the people will decide what they want. Not anybody”.

 

APC, Oyebanji beats SDP, PDP to win Ekiti Governorship Election

By
Editor
-
0

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress(APC) winner of the 2022 Ekiti governorship election.

Oyebanji polled 187,057 to beat Social Democratic Party Segun Oni and Peoples Democratic Party Olabisi Kolawole.

Details later!

Atiku, Tinubu, others ill-prepared to solve Nigeria’s Problems, says IARSR Director, Ndu

By
Editor
-
0

…Reinterates clamour for Igbo Presidency

The Institute for African Renaissance Studies and Actualisation (IARSA), Alhaji Yahaya Ndu has said the presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar are ill-prepared to solve Nigeria’s problems.

Ndu made the remarks at a news conference titled, ‘To restore our dignity: Project 2023’, held during the weekend in Abuja.

Ndu extensively outlined both causes and solutions to Nigeria’s perennial challenges.

He revealed that no single man can take Nigeria out of its current economic quagmire, rather an amalgamation of intellects is a required antidote.

He urged that at the forthcoming 2023 elections, an Igbo man should takeover from President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Based on average of 10.71 years per each of the 6 regions, NW, NC and SW are overfed, SS and NE are moderately fed, while the SE is GROSSLY underfed and marginalized. They should get the next slot.

“If other regions have managed Nigeria for 99% of our existence Nigeria is still beset with poverty, corruption, weak economy, nepotism and terrorism, IT IS TIME TO TRY THE SOUTH EAST. Fortunately, the SE has an abundance of leadership talent”, he said.

Speaking on the competence of All Progressives Party(APC) presidential flagbearer, Ndu noted that Asiwaju “has been single-handedly picking key office holders in a government. He is bereft of how to move the nation out of the economic and security quagmire it has found itself.”

Ndu challenged President Muhammadu Buhari “not to concession Ajeokuta Steel Company.”

In order to find peace in the polity, however, Ndu said the institute “is leading initiatives to convoke people’s peace and security summit which will be designed to be mass participatory.

He added that the programme would be all inclusive of the citizens of Nigeria, both at home and in the diaspora, but also designed to commence from all the communities of Nigeria all physically and virtually

He said: “If the man has the ideas and is the right person to lead Nigeria now, why has he not shared his wonderful messianic ideas with the ruling party?

Why did he keep quiet while the whole country was virtually run over by terrorist, kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits. This has turned millions of Nigerians into refugees in their own country.

“If he has the magic wand to turn the economy of the nation around, why has he kept it to himself while the economy went into total shambles and the country became the poverty capital of the world?

“Not only was the same leader of the ruling party with unlimited access to the president, he was the person who single handedly nominated the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; powerful federal ministers and virtually all southwest governors.

The simple truth is that it is either he has absolutely no idea of how to get the nation out of the woods or he totally lacking in compassion for over 95 percent of the populace languishing in poverty and terrorism,” he said.

NCC, 3R sign partnership on Revenue Assurance Solutions

By
Editor
-
0

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has finally signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with its consultant, 3R Company Nigeria Limited, for the execution of the Revenue Assurance Solutions (RAS) to strengthen and manage the integrity of revenue generation process in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

The agreement-signing ceremony, which took place at the Commission’s Head Office, Abuja on Friday, June 17, 2022, was witnessed by representatives of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC). The ICRC has been guiding the partnership implementation process to give expression to the decision to procure the Solution within a PPP framework due to the scope of the project.

While the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, signed the agreement on behalf of the Commission, the Chief Executive Officer, 3R Nigeria Limited, Mr. Raymond Wodi, signed on behalf of his company.

Speaking at the event, Danbatta said the decision of the NCC to opt for RAS was to bolster the efforts of the Federal Government in increasing revenue generation, especially at a time when the resources at the disposal of the government are dwindling by the day.

The EVC stated that the deployment of RAS would enhance monitoring and regulatory activities concerning Annual Operating Levy (AOL) administration in the telecommunications industry and confer higher levels of integrity and fidelity on the AOL figures obtainable in the industry.

“It is our belief that if we can be able to deploy RAS and ensure we get the true picture of what the Mobile Networks Operators (MNOs) are supposed to be paying by way of AOL, we would have accomplished an important milestone in the area of revenue generation for the Commission as well as for the government,” Danbatta said.

The EVC commended the ICRC for the guidance provided in the process of consummating the partnership. He also praised the Project Delivery Team (PDT), comprising staff of the Commission, who worked tirelessly in ensuring that the project was brought to fruition and for all their efforts. He urged the 3R Company Nigeria Limited to ensure effective deployment and implementation of the project within its scope, objective and government’s expectations. In his comment, Raymond Wodi of 3R Company Nigeria Limited, thanked the Commission for the opportunity given to the company to serve the industry and the government through deployment of 3R’s technology solution to ensure a more effective revenue generation from telecom licensees.

Wodi also assured the stakeholders that 3R is ready to meet and exceed expectation on the assignment. Director, Internal Audit, ICRC, Mr. Togunde Dada-Hammed, who represented the Director-General of ICRC, Mr. Michael Ohiani, commended the NCC for the bold decision to deploy RAS. He declared that with ICRC in the picture, it would offer required support for the process in order to ensure that the project’s objectives are realised for the betterment of all the parties involved.

“Anybody that is familiar with the trends around the world, especially in Nigeria with respect to revenue challenge that the country is facing, will know that the deployment of RAS solution is the right way to go, as demonstrated by the NCC,” Dada-Hammed said.

Meanwhile, the EVC has commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami for his role in presenting the NCC RAS project to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting where the final approval was given for the implementation of the Solution.

The RAS project is designed to be connected to the licensed telecommunications operators’ systems and will have the capability of capturing and reporting in real-time, the billing activities by the operators for the purposes of computing and assuring with minimal or no error margin, the accrued AOL payable to the NCC by the licensees.

When deployed, the NCC RAS will bring a lot of solutions to the industry, including a more effective and enhanced monitoring and regulation of the licensed telecommunications operators by the Commission.

Before now, the Commission had engaged and fully sensitised MNOs, licensees within the telecoms Value Added Service chain, officials of the Commission and other industry stakeholders on the Commission’s plan to deploy RAS that will instill greater transparency and increased accuracy in the administration of AOL in the sector, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003.

It would be recalled that the NCC’s desire to deploy the most appropriate RAS in the Nigerian telecommunications industry began in 2015 when the Commission published an invitation to bid, for entities that may wish to offer RAS services. The 3R Company Nigeria Ltd. emerged the preferred bidder and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), offered ‘no objection’ to the process and its outcome.

Due to the scope of the project, it was reasoned that the objective will be better achieved through a PPP arrangement. This understanding explains the invitation sent to ICRC to guide the process, as mandated by its regulations.

Accordingly, the Nigerian Communications Commission set up a Project Delivery Team, which worked with a consortium of legal advisers, financial modelers and PPP experts with the guidance of ICRC, which ensured that appropriate steps required were complied with in keeping with the ICRC Regulations 2005. Part of the process included ensuring due diligence of the preferred partner, which received a clean bill of health from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The Commission also subjected the software and hardware components of the proposed RAS to the certification of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Ekiti Election: Ensure conducive atmosphere for participation of women voters, Group tells INEC, Security Operatives

By
Editor
-
0
Civil society organization, Gender and Election Watch(GEW), an initiative of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF),
has urged Independent Electoral Commission(INEC), security operatives on conducive aarmsphere for participation of women voters during the Saturday’s Governorship election in Ekiti state.
The CEO of the Gender and Election Watch, Mufuliat Fijab disclosed this to Newssphere on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement, GEM advised that all pointers or actions that could lead to irregularities in the 18 June 2022 Ekiti Governorship election should be avoided to increase the credibility and fairness of the election.
The group further called on all registered voters in Ekiti State and women to turn out en-masse to participate in the election on Saturday 18 June 2022.
The group in it pre-election observation noted:
“That sixteen (16) candidates contesting the governorship election, in 2022, there are only two, (2) female candidates representing only 12.5% of the total candidates. This is a pointer to the extent of inclusion of women in Ekiti State Governorship election compared to the 2018 Governorship election where there was no female candidate.
“That of the Sixteen (16) Deputy Governorship Candidates Only Seven (7) are female candidates. This represents 43.8% of the Deputy Governorship candidates compared to the Ten, (10) female Deputy Governorship Candidates out of the Thirty – Five, (35)  in the 2018 Governorship election”, it stated.
Meanwhile, GEM particularly urged the following as the election commences in Ekiti today:
“That the security agents should continue to ensure that the atmosphere is calm to encourage the participation of all registered voters, especially women.
That all electoral stakeholders are guided by the 2022 INEC Guidelines on the Ekiti Election.
“That all voters should ensure that they abide by the government protocols on safety at the polls and covid-19 prevention measures.
“That all pointers or actions that could lead to irregularities in the 18 June 2022 Ekiti Governorship election should be avoided to increase the credibility and fairness of the election.
“That Security personnel should be ready to arrest electoral offenders and document all evidence of infractions and violence for appropriate sanctions.
“That political parties be reminded of their commitment to the Peace Accord signed by the candidates for a peaceful election throughout the duration of the election and after.
“That the Ekiti State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should sustain INEC’s drive based on its INEC Gender Policy towards a gender responsive electoral process through the prompt collation of disaggregated data reflecting the number of female voters compared to male voters.
“We encourage INEC in line with its guidelines to ensure that there is unfettered access to all voters especially female voters with special needs.
“NWTF GEW calls on all registered voters in Ekiti State and women to turn out en-masse to participate in the election on Saturday 18 June 2022”.
The Gender and Election Watch (GEW) is an initiative of Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund (NWTF), aimed at observing and analyzing the participation of women compared to men in elections through election observation from a gender perspective.

Cooperative society, Betalife to empower 36,000 Nigerians

By
Editor
-
0

In line with the Federal Goverment’s agenda of lifting poor Nigerians out of poverty, Betalife international Community, a cooperative society, has said it is aimed at empowering thirty-six thousand (36,000) Nigerians across the country with funds.

The country coordinator, Dr. Friday George stated this on Friday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

George said the cooperative was aimed at empowering 36,000 members of its cooperative across the country with funds, hereby lifting them out of poverty.

He noted that the Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited was set at achieving this empowerment target between year 2022 – 2031.

In his words, “We want to raise one thousand millionaires from each state in Nigeria in the next ten years who also would empower others to become millionaires.

“We are in partnership with International Community and also support government initiatives of raising people out of poverty,’’ he said.

The country coordinator while speaking said the web based platform was fully operational and automated.

“Our system of operation and all necessary details can be found on our website- www.betalifecommunity.com

“Our contact information, and all necessary details on how to become a member can be found on our webpage.

He noted that the cooperative society operates three major departments where everyone is accommodated depending on their preference and needs.

“They are;- (1)Empowerment programme,
(2)Advance/help contribution programme and
(3) Cooperative Saving and Loan,’’ he said.

George added that what distinguished Betalife International Community from other cooperative societies is its indigenous friendly policies where loads of benefits and rewards are enjoyed by members from time to time.

“Our savings and Loans department prompt response to businesses/traders and individuals who need loan for expansion and support and our very low interest rates on loans are some of the benefits, of becoming a member” he added.

He disclosed that a new soft loan package called kiakia loans had recently been introduced to members.

According to him, the soft loans attract a 10% interest rate for a duration of 30 days and it is targeted at entrepreneurs, SMSE’s, salary earners and civil servants.

Tinubu names Muslim from Buhari state Katsina, Kabir Masari as ‘temporary’ running mate to beat INEC deadline

By
Editor
-
0

Caught in the rush to met Independent Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of running mate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has dropped the name of a northern Muslim from President Muhammadu Buhari State, Katsina, Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari as ‘temporary’ running mate for the 2023 Presidential election.

Newssphere learns that Tinubu dropped his name as a place holder ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for parties to submit the names of their candidates for the 2023 elections.

The running mate of the APC Presidential Candidate hails from Masari, a village in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He is the kinsman of Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, governor of Katsina.

The running mate of the APC Presidential Candidate served as the National Welfare Secretary of the ruling party during the tenure of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman.
Oshiomhole chaired APC from 2018 to 2020.
Tinubu’s running mate was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the era of late President Umaru Musa YarÁdua.

After the death of YarÁdua in 2010, Masari defected to the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), the party under which President Muhammadu Buhari contested but lost the 2011 election.
Masari had worked for the president but ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who stepped into office after YarÁdua’s death, won the election.

Ahead of the 2015 election, CPC collapsed its structure into APC and Masari joined the ruling party.

He was also involved in the election where an opposition party unseated a ruling party for the first time in the history of the country.
There are reports that Tinubu would replace Masari before the election as he only dropped his name to meet INEC’s deadline.

“Tinubu is still consulting widely on the choice of his running mate. He would replace Masari as soon as the right candidate is selected,” a source said.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has named Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in the 2023 election, which is widely seen as a two horse race.

2023: Atiku announces Delta State Governor, Okowa as running mate

By
Editor
-
0

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has announced Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

Atiku made the announcement at a meeting attended by PDP executives at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, said a 17-member committee had been set up by the party to pick a running mate.

He said the committee had submitted three names to Atiku to choose from.

The final decision however, Ayu said, was Atiku’s.
Speaking at the announcement event, Atiku said making a choice between the three names had been a difficult decision.

He also noted that some of the qualities he looked out for include someone who understands the enormity of the challenges facing the country and one who has demonstrated, from experience, that he can proffer some solutions.

He said he looked out for one who has the qualities of a president, who can stand in for him when he’s not around.

According to him, while all the three names submitted were qualified, he had to settle for just one: Okowa.

Fr Mbaka blasts Peter Obi, says stingy man cannot be Nigeria’s president

By
Editor
-
0

…As the cleric receives knocks from Obi’s supporters on Social Media

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Fr. Ejike Mbaka has said Peter Obi cannot be Nigeria’s president, describing the Labour Party presidential candidate as a stingy man. Mbaka spoke during a prayer service on Wednesday, June 15, at the church in Enugu, which was attended by thousands of worshippers, BBC Igbo reported.

The controversial cleric said Obi was a man without a generous spirit, adding that “a gum-holder would not be accepted a Nigerian leader.

According to him, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku had shown that he is ready to run for office because he and Peter Obi are no longer in the running.

“Peter Obi has a mouthful, he has nowhere to go unless he kneels down on the Adoration altar.”

Mbaka added. The cleric alleged that Obi had had insulted the Holy Spirit, saying that he helped Obi to become governor in Anambra and that he never returned to thank God.

Who doesn’t spend his money eating what you want to support? Do you want people to starve? If he becomes president, he will close our ministry. “If Igbo people are looking for a representative in Nigeria, they are not the kind of person Peter Obi is. Whoever refuses to donate to the church should be the president?”

Mbaka receives knocks from Obi’s supporters on Social Media

Newssphere has gathered flurry of reactions over the cleric, Mbaka’s comment on Peter Obi:

@Ezigbo_mmadu, ”90% of Nigerians abroad became less religious immediately they traveled because the government of the country they reside in has already provided close to 100% of what they do fast & pray for. Same reason hy Mbaka prefers a bad leader,so that his religious business will keep booming.”

@novieverest, ”Mbaka was not given money by Peter Obi some years ago. Show me a project where I will put money into and see the result. That’s all Peter Obi asked for. Till today Mbaka has refused to rest

@GideonFidy, ”Mbaka supported Buhari the worst president ever bcos they gave him money, Mbaka supported Hope Uzodinma because he got money from him, even if you are BH just give him money and he’ll support you. Nobody rate him again.”
@taqueenobi, ”While other men of God are encouraging voting for the right candidate, mbaka is looking for who will buy our future with money.SHAMEFUL

@PastorBlessid, ”Even Fr Mbaka couldn’t push Peter Obi to do what he doesn’t want to do even when he told him God was involved and related it with winning election.Peter stood on his principles.SHI SHI we won’t give.His tenacity and articulated savviness is 100%.Competence!”
@mrstanlei, ”I was born and brought up in the Roman Catholic church, I have so much respect for Rev fr Mbaka, But as it stands right now, even Pope Francis can’t tell me not to vote for Peter obi talkless of Fr Mbaka, the same man that told us to vote for Buhari.”

@uggoprince, ”Truly this election is revealing.From pastors, priests, politicians, activists, everyone. Imagine Father Mbaka don’t want you to vote Peter Obi because he wasn’t successful in manipulating him into giving to his ministry with the name of God.God is alive.”

@GeneralKingslee, ”Someone should tell the Catholic Bishops to please caution Rev Fr Mbaka to desist from attacking the person of Mr Peter Obi and face his ministry work.”

1...376377378...393Page 377 of 393

ABOUT US

Your trusted source for breaking news, politics, business, entertainment, sports, technology, and trending stories from Nigeria and around the world.

FOLLOW US

© Nigerian News Sphere