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2023:Court says Jonathan eligible to contest presidential election

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The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Isa Hamma Dashen, gave the judgement on Friday.
He also held that Jonathan’s right to vie for the office of president again cannot be stopped by any retroactive law.

As of the time of publishing this report, the former Nigerian president has not issued an official comment about the ruling.

The ruling adds to the twists ahead of the 2023 general elections. A coalition of northern groups had bought the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for the former Bayelsa State governor months after speculations emerged that he will join the ruling party.

In the wake of the development, his media aide Ikechukwu Eze, however, said his principal did not consent to the decision.

While reports suggested that Jonathan had registered as an APC member in his Otuoke, Bayelsa hometown, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insisted that the former vice president is still in its fold.

Jonathan served as vice president between 2007 and 2010 but became president in May 2010 after President Musa Yar’ Adua (to complete the latter’s tenure).

He thereafter contested for the presidential seat in 2011 and won.

But he failed to retain the position after losing to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Children’s day: Buhari assures of access to education, safe schools

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..Parent should pay more attention to Child’s wellbeing- Students

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday said his government would ensure wider access to quality education that would further reduce the number of out-of-school children and guaranteed safe schools.

Buhari said this in his 2022 Children’s Day message contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

According to Adesina, the President “celebrates with young Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day, pledging that his administration will continue to work hard to ensure that every child has access to education, which prepares them for a bright future.

“The President recognises the place of education in the development of every country and is committed to seeing a further significant reduction in the number of out-of-school children.

“He acknowledges that while education of the Nigerian child will remain on the front burner for this government, other issues – healthcare, protection from harm, drugs, cultism, child trafficking and abuse, domestic violence- are equally receiving needed attention from the government.”

The statement noted that Buhari believes that Nigerian children deserve the best and a safe country  where they can grow, make friends, interact and travel freely, and emerge as successful leaders in different fields of endeavour.

‘‘With our investments in infrastructure, youth development, education, Information and Communication Technology, Digital Economy, Culture, Arts and Entertainment in the last seven years, I believe we are laying a solid foundation for a better quality of life for future generations in the country,’’ the President said.

This is as students have urged parents to pay more attention to their child’s well-being.

This was disclosed by Joseph Joshua, Beatricee Lawrence while speaking on Sunrise Daily on Friday.

Joshua urged Parents to always check on their child’s well- being.

On her part, Beatrice stressed the role of Children to Nigeria’s national development.

 

 

Mourinho shines after his side As Roma beat Feyenoord 1-0 to win Europa Conference League

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An emotional Jose Mourinho celebrated what he called an historic achievement having become the second manager to win five major European titles after Giovanni Trapattoni as his AS Roma side clinched the Europa Conference League on Wednesday.

Mourinho, who had previously won the Champions League, Europa League and the UEFA Cup, completed a unique European trophy haul as Roma beat Feyenoord 1-0 in Tirana to ensure he could add the inaugural Conference League to his collection.

That is five European finals for Porto, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Roma since 2003 that Mourinho has coached in and five times he has taken home the trophy.

“The great thing about my career is that, aside from the Europa League with Manchester United, doing it with Porto, Inter and Roma is very, very, very special,” Mourinho said.
“It is one thing to win when everyone expects it, when you made the investments to win, but it’s quite another to win when something feels immortal, that feels truly special.

“This remains in the history of Roma, but also mine. I was told only I, Sir Alex (Ferguson) and Giovanni Trapattoni won trophies in three different decades. It makes me feel a little old, but it’s nice for my career.”

It represented a fine end to his first season in the Italian capital for Mourinho, having steered his side to a sixth-placed finish in Serie A this term.

The Portuguese has no plans to seek new challenges, as he is already looking to next season with the club.

 

2023: Peter Obi resignation from PDP attracts mass defection

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…Anywhere Obi goes, we’ll follow, supporters tell PDP

The sudden resignation of presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, and his withdrawal from the race on the platform of the party has attracted mass resignation of his supporters from the party.

As majority of Obi’s supporters insisted that anywhere Obi goes they will follow.

The resignation of Obi from PDP has also resulted to intense lobby for membership and offer of presidential ticket by leaders of the New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP) and Labour party(LP).

A senior chieftain of the Labour party expressed joy and confidence during a telephone call with Nigerian Newssphere that Peter Obi will pick the Presidential ticket of the labour party, saying, “We are happy to receive Mr Peter Obi into Labour Party as our Presidential candidate. Obi’s ideology and principles about governance is the same ideology being championed by the Labour party,” he assured.

However, when Nigerian Newsspgere reached out to Peter Obi’s media Aide, Mr Michael Jude he didn’t respond to text and call at the time of writing this report.

The development came just a few days to the date scheduled for the PDP primary, which is expected to hold on May 28 and May 29 in Abuja.

Announcing his resignation on Wednesday in  a letter titled “Resignation From PDP and Withdrawal from the Presidential Contest” addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Obi attributed the decision to recent developments within PDP.

The letter read, “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the PDP, which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2. Anaocha LGA Anambra, effective Friday 20 May, 2022.

“Consequently, I am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP Presidential Primaries.

“It has been a great honour to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party.

“Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.

“Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country.

“My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs.

“I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I wish you well and best of luck in the service of country,” Obi said.

In a swift response to the resignation, a supporter of Obi, @Obong_Ekpe took to social to discontinue his membership from the party.
He said, “I have sent my information to my ward chairman to delist me from the PDP’s register as I will no longer be able to continue my membership. I will never be in support of any party that places Party’s Interest over National Interest. Where ever you go I go with you Sir.”

According to another social media user @mdnazeal, “Obi is not among favourite at all. I told a friend of mine, he said Nigerians wants him, I asked, Are Nigerians to vote in the primaries or party Delegates?

“Obi wants to play integrity over money in the field of politics and this will make it very difficult for him to succeed,” he said.
For @imeogu_j, Peter Obi is the man for Nigeria whether he leaves the PDP or not.

In his words, “If Peter Obi leaves PDP, it doesn’t stop me from rooting for Him! Obi is the Man for Nigeria. Whichever way it plays out, he is the only qualified intellectual for the  position as the President of Nigeria!”

Information gathered by our correspondent revealed mass resignation from PDP by supporters who vowed to ensure the emergence of Peter Obi as the next President. However, Former aide of President Jonathan Reno Omokri, reacting to the resignation lambasted supporters of Peter Obi for not accommodating the view of others.

In another post, he wrote: “We have seen a premature result of the aggressive campaign strategy of selling your aspirant to those you want to vote for him by insulting and threatening them.

“I have never seen such a tactless and wrongheaded method.

“You counsel them, and they will insult you. They are the only ones who know politics. They are political geniuses.

“Has it not happened exactly as I said it? They just destroyed a good man!”
He stated that the PDP would have lost the election if Peter Obi had emerged as the presidential candidate.

He wrote: “Did I not say it? If the PDP had fielded Peter Obi, they would have LOST big time.
“Peter Obi is a decent man and someone I believe would have made a good President, but his online followers made him so unpopular and toxic with every region outside the Southeast. They know themselves. Insulting and threatening. Impervious to counsel. As if only them could have made him President.”

On the part of Dennis O. Adesanoye, “Unfortunately, most youth shouting ‘we will vote for Peter Obi in any political party’ will still end up voting for PDP or APC in 2023.
“The real problem is that people hardly vote for third force, no matter how good the candidate is,” he said.

He added that “the best option for Obi is to join NNPP. I live in the North and know Obi needs either PDP/APC to get reasonable votes in the North in addition to his Southern strength.”

Nigerian Newssphere reports that there are indications that the former Governor of Anambra is in discussion with the leaders of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) few hours after he resigned from PDP.

It was also gathered that he may pitch his tent with the Labour Party (LP) if the meeting with the NNPP is not fruitful.

2023:Peter Obi dumps PDP days before presidential primaries, yet to name next line of action

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Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he’s yet to mention his next line of action.

Obi dumped the PDP days before the presidential primary elections of the party.

He was one of the leading presidential aspirants of the PDP alongside former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former Senate president Bukola Saraki, Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike and Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Director General, Peter Obi Campaign Organisation Doyin Okupe insisted that former Anambra State governor will be on the ballot for the 2023 presidential election.

The former governor under was a running mate to fellow presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 general elections.

Reports said Obi has submitted his resignation letter to the chairman of his Ward in Anambra to notify him of his decision to quit the party.

He has also written to the National chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, over his decision to quit the PDP.

Did Buhari sack CBN Governor, Emiefele?

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…I am unaware of his sack- CBN Director Corporate Communications, Osita

An unconfirmed report on social media claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari has relieved the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Godwin Emefiele of his job.

However, when Nigerian Newssphere called the Director of Corporate Communications at CBN, Osita Nwanisobi on Wednesday afternoon around 1:01pm to confirm the report, he simply said he is unaware of such news.

Emefiele has been entrapped in a controversy surrounding his aspiration to be Nigeria’s president come 2023 after a coalition of Rice Farmers bought him All Progressives Party’s N100m presidential form.

Nigerian Newssphere reported that many Nigerians have criticised the Governor’s involvement in politics without resigning.

For instance, the Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in a personal statement released on May 7th urged President to sack Emefiele if he refuses to resign. The same position has been toed by economic experts, Legal luminaries and others.

In pursuit of clarity, Godwin approached the court for interpretation.

However, on Tuesday Emefiele has withdrawn a suit asking the federal high court in Abuja to declare him eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Emefiele had, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/610/2022 and filed on May 5, asked the court to declare him eligible to contest the presidential election.

The suit was filed two days before the CBN governor said he had not made up his mind to run for office of the president.

The court had thereafter summoned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) — listed as defendants — to appear before it to show cause why Emefiele’s request should not be granted.

In a recently viral news, some users on the microblogging site, Twitter claimed the Governor of CBN was sacked.

@Papichulo:
BREAKING: Buhari Sacks CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

@Man of Letters:
Breaking: President Buhari has fired the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele this morning, many sources report.

The Naira lost over 70% of its value in the period he was the Governor of our Apex Bank.

@JJ.Omojuwa:

As at the last time I checked, the President cannot sack the CBN Governor. I’d love to be corrected by those who know better.

NEFERTITI:

If the reportage that says Buhari has finally sacked CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele is true, then it’s Great News. But he mustn’t stop there. Meffy must be investigated for corruption & for sabotaging a once burgeoning Economy. Start with the E-Naira & arbitrage in the FX Market.

 

Gunmen invade Kukah’s diocese, kidnap priests, others in Katsina

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Gunmen early Wednesday broke into one of the parishes presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah, Nigerian Newssphere has learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the armed hoodlums kidnapped two priests and two others in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, in the Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Kukah’s Sokoto Diocese covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States.

The Director, Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho, confirmed the development with our correspondent on Wednesday morning.

He said the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto is under attack and no information has been gotten as to the whereabouts of the abductees.

Omotosho said, “As at midnight of today, 25th May, 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State.

“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, and Oliver Okpara and two boys in the house were kidnapped.

“No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release.”

When contacted, the spokesman for Katsina State Police Command, Gambo Isah, said, “Let me find out.”

On May 14, rampaging hoodlums torched and vandalised some parishes presided over by Kukah in Sokoto following his condemnation of the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel by her Muslim colleagues.

The 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto was accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed.

The rioters also burnt some parts of Kukah’s church buildings and set a bus ablaze on one of the premises.

The Sokoto religious-tainted riot has extended to some parts of Bauchi and Abuja in the last few days while security agents and some northern governors have warned against religious violence.

CBN turns hawkish, raises Monetary Policy Rate to 13% as Nigerians will now pay more for Loans, credits

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…CBN blames rising inflation, aggregate demand

…Firms up 5% subsidy rate on Agric, Health, Power, Manufacturing sectors

…New interest rate will address concerns in Agric activities, reform Fx market, inflows — CPPE

Nigerians will now pay more for loans, credits following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s hawkish decision to raise the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 13 per cent as Nigerians banks to make more profit.

The Governor, Central Bank  of Nigeria ( CBN) Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)’s 142nd meeting held in Abuja.

Noting that the MPC of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) voted unanimously to raise the interest rate to 13 per cent, he said the development aims to curb the country’s rising inflation rate.

Nigerian Newssphere reports that the apex bank’s MPC raised the benchmark interest to 13 per cent, 150 basis points above the previous rate of 11.5 per cent.

The development is the first in two and a half years that the committee would increase the MPR, which forms the baseline interest rate in an economy while every other interest rate used within such an economy is built on it.

Justifying the decision, Emefiele said, “The sharp rise in inflation across both the advanced and emerging market economies has generated growing concerns among central banks as the progressive rise in inflation driven by rising aggregate demands and wage growth has put sustainable pressure on price levels.

“Consequently, the major central banks such as the U.S. Fed, the Bank of England, European Central Bank, and Bank of Canada have provided strong guidance of a progressive shift away from monetary policy accommodation to drive market interest rate which may ultimately impact capital flows away from emerging market economies.”

He added that the committee voted to retain the asymmetric corridor at +100 and -700 basis points around the MPR, as well as Cash Reserved Ratio (CRR) at 27 per cent.

The CBN Governor, however, noted that the committee voted to retain all other parameters.
On the country’s Agric, Health, Power, and Manufacturing sectors, the apex bank maintained the 5 per cent subsidy rate.

“The MPC is of the view that rates on the development finance initiatives of the Bank should remain at 5 percent till March 2023,” Mr Emefiele said.

The implication of the retention is that these sectors despite having benefitted from trillions of dollars in intervention funds from the central bank will continue to pay at 5 per cent.
Similarly, the MPC’s maintenance of 5 per cent interest rates for intervention funds aims to stimulate economic growth in the key sectors it is funding.

New interest rate will address concerns in Agric activities, reform Fx market, inflows — CPPE

Meanwhile, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), while reacting to the development, averred that the new interest rate will address concerns in Agric activities, reform Fx market, and inflows.

In a statement issued to Newssphere on Tuesday, the CPPE divulged that the increase in interest rates is understandable, considering the rising inflation among other challenges bedevilling the objectives of the apex bank.

According to the organisation, “The outcome of the MPC meeting was not unexpected having regard to the intense inflationary pressures, the increasing risks to price stability and the policy tightening trend by Central Banks globally. The primary mandate of the CBN is price stability.

“Numerous headwinds had posed significant risks to this critical CBN objective. Some of these include the surge in commodity prices and impact on energy costs, the spike in domestic liquidity from electioneering related spending and global supply chain disruptions.

“The hike in MPR by 150 basis points to 13% by the MPC is therefore understandable.  But whether this would significantly impact inflation is a different matter. Already, bank lending has been constrained by the high CRR (many operators in the sector claim that effective CRR is as high as 50% or more for many banks), the discretionary debts by the apex bank, the 65% Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) and liquidity ratio of 30%. The lending situation in the economy is already very tight.

“The Nigerian economy is not a credit-driven economy, unlike what obtains in many advanced economies which have much higher levels of financial inclusion, robust consumer credit framework and strong correlation between interest rate and aggregate demand.

“The level of financial inclusion in the Nigerian economy is still quite low, access to credit by households and MSMEs is still very challenging, and the informal sector accounts for close to 50% of the economy.

“The transmission effects of monetary policy on the economy is therefore still very weak. In the Nigerian context, price levels are not interest sensitive. Supply-side issues are much more profound drivers of inflation.”

“NCC committed to promoting organizational efficiency, capacity building” – Danbatta

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…set to strengthen strategic collaboration with NIM

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has once again reiterated its stance on professionalizing its workforce and strengthening collaborations with strategic partners such as the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in order to enhance operational efficiency.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this while receiving a delegation led by the Acting Registrar and CEO of NIM, Jude Iheanacho, who paid a courtesy visit to the NCC Head Office recently.

Director, Human Capital and Administration, Usman Malah, who represented the EVC at the event, noted that the Commission places a high premium on capacity building and is implementing policies geared towards achieving this vital objective. Malah also said that it was in the Commission’s best interest to deepen its collaboration with NIM, through strategic partnering, so that NCC can improve organisational efficiency and regulatory excellence.

Speaking further, Malah declared that the Commission’s faith in the transformational capacity of skilled human resources is demonstrated by the Commission’s support to staff who are members of the Institute. The support includes prompt payment of membership fees for its staff; and subscription to and participation in NIM’s mandatory capacity building programmes for members.

Malah promised to make recommendations to the Management of Commission to take additional steps in solidifying the strategic relationship, such as setting up a joint committee of the two bodies to draw up modalities for inter-agency collaboration.

Iheanacho, in his response, lauded NCC for its positive contribution to the telecommunications sector and also said a highly-skilled, highly professional workforce was needed to regulate the dynamic, competitive, and highly intellectual world of telecommunications. The NCC, Ihenacho observed, has been an exemplary public sector institution noted for its proactive, all-inclusive engagement of stakeholders in the telecoms sector.

The NIM Chief Executive, who acceded that there was a need for strategic partnership between the two organisations, also declared that there were a variety of emergent upskilling programmes by NIM aimed at ensuring that Nigeria was in tune with global trends.

Iheanacho also informed the Commission that programmes such as the Mandatory Continuing Professional Education Programme; and the Continuing Learning and Development programmes were examples of programs that dealt with contemporary issues in management which NCC can leverage for improved workplace efficiency.

The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) was established in 1961, though the enabling Act, the Nigerian Institute of Management (Establishment) Act was enacted by the National Assembly on July 19, 2003.

The objectives of the institute include the development of good management, professionalizing management, and improving and standardizing management in Nigeria.

The reception of the NIM team and the interaction took place at the NCC Conference Hall and was attended by the Head of Administration at NCC, Ibrahim Aliyu; Head of Human Capital, Safiya Jijji, who was represented by Folorunso Mesele, a Principal Manager in the Human Capital Department.

 

N2.9b fraud: Finally, EFCC arrests Okorocha, ends siege to residence

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N2.9b fraud:EFCC arrests Okorocha, ends siege to residence
…EFCC clarifies, says former governor refuses to honour invitation
…as Okorocha begs EFCC to allow him go for APC presidential screening
The  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission finally arrested a former Governor of  Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, after a long siege to his Maitama residence in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Tuesday over N2.9 billion fraud.
This is as EFCC said in a statement released to Nigerian Newssphere that it laid siege on the former governor’s residence because of his refusal to honour invitation.
The EFCC officers whisked the embattled former governor away at exactly 06:48 pm in their vehicle after breaking into his living room.
Minutes before the officers broke in, Okorocha, in a live video made on his official Facebook Page, said officers of the commission had broken all his bulletproof doors.
He said, “The EFCC operatives are here with some gunmen and they have broken all my bulletproof doors. This may be my last appearance because I don’t know what they want to do.
“I am (being) held hostage here, I would say,” Okorocha lamented. “I have enquired if they have an arrest warrant or not and I am supposed to be getting ready for screening.
Okorocha and his family members could be seen in the video running around the living room in fear of the officers who were banging on the door leading to the living room.
He also begged EFCC to allow him go for APC’s of presidential aspirants.
Earlier on, security operatives accompanying officials of the EFCC shot sporadically to disperse female supporters protesting at the ex-governor’s home in a show of solidarity.
The women had come to protest the continued siege on Okorocha’s residence by the operatives, demanding an end to the siege.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) explained that its operatives laid siege to the residence of former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha because of his refusal to honour the commission’s invitations.
It said Okorocha jumped administrative bail granted him by EFCC.
It also alleged that attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were stalled twice owing to the absence of the ex-Governor who reportedly evaded service of processes
The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.
The statement reads: “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today May 24, 2022, arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former Governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, to effect his arrest.
The anti-graft agency had filed the charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja about the same time the lawmaker declared his intention to run for the office of president in 2023.
He was accused of conspiring with others, including a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and five companies to steal from public coffers.
But the former governor has since denied any wrongdoing, stressing that it was not the first time he would be facing such action from the agency which he said was politically motivated.
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