₦airaland Forum

helinues:
Hahahaha. The assurance is not to allow the coalition narration to sell. Whichever story they want to come up with, we would counter them without wasting time.

The Supreme Court has adjourned indefinitely judgment in the legal battle on the Edo State Governorship Election Petition.


The apex court adjourned the judgment sine die after taking arguments for and against the election that produced Senator Monday Obekpolo as the duly elected governor.

Justice Garba Lawal, who presided over the hearing of the appeal filed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said that the date for delivery of the judgment would be communicated to the parties involved.


Ighodalo, whose appeal was argued by Ken Mosia, SAN, prayed the Supreme Court to remove Obekpolo and pronounce him as the winner of the election.

His ground was that he scored the majority of lawful votes in the election.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represented by Kanu Agabi, SAN, asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety.


Agabi argued that Ighodalo and the PDP had, in their petition, stigmatized the election as invalid and unlawful on the ground of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.

The electoral body said that having declared the election as unlawful and illegal, Ighodalo and the PDP cannot turn around and pray the court to declare them as winners of an illegality.

INEC accused Ighodalo and the PDP of being inconsistent in their grievances against the election and pleaded that their case be dismissed for want of merit.

The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, has lamented the worsening state of Nigeria’s economy, stating that every sector in the country is battered and in decline.

Represented by labour and human rights activist, Dr. Comrade Auwalu Mudi Yakasai (Danmalikin Kano), the monarch made the remarks during the 51st regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting/training workshop of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), held at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State.

According to the Emir, the Nigerian labour movement is going through one of its most challenging eras in history, and no longer stands as the vocal champion of the masses as it once did.

“Every other sphere of human endeavour in Nigeria is now being battered. The economy, social life, education, health — all are going down,” the Emir said. “Even the labour movement is under a dwindling fortune.”

He described the current hardship in the country as unprecedented, pointing to recent increases in fuel prices and a steep economic downturn. He noted that in the past, labour unions were at the forefront of resisting anti-people policies and defending the rights of workers.

“In those days, labour was the vanguard of the struggle — united with student unions, market associations, religious leaders. What is happening now? Labour seems to have lost its voice,” he queried.

While addressing union leaders, he urged them to revisit the foundational principles of trade unionism — the three Cs: Cooperation, Contestation, and Confrontation — as tools to protect and advance workers’ rights.

“You start with cooperation. If that fails, move to contestation. And if that too fails, you confront. Confrontation has many forms — and strike action is just one of them.”

The Emir’s representative commended SSANU President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, for promoting open and democratic leadership through consistent engagement with members.

He also observed the evolution of unionism, noting that today’s labour leaders are more polished and educated — and better placed to make meaningful impact.

“Labour leaders now travel by air; it wasn’t so in our time. But that privilege must translate into improved welfare for union members,” he said.

Yakasai, who proudly identified as a Comrade, emphasized the value of honour and sacrifice in unionism.

“Comrade is the title I cherish most. It cannot be bought — it must be earned through commitment to the struggle,” he stated.

He urged SSANU members to explore Kano during their stay, describing the state as peaceful, welcoming, and accommodating.

The Emir concluded by praising SSANU for maintaining transparency and inclusiveness in its leadership, describing their regular NEC meetings as a model for other unions to emulate.

ProudlyLagos:
beating him blue black with just 10,000 votes don’t worry,we are ready to clip your wings in 2027…….your Agulu package fraud with be lucky to win any state outside is tribal enclave

Ikaeniyan0:
Peter Obi will never become the president of Nigeria.

Tjra:
Come 2027, we shall know who Nigerians are truly behind.

No be to dey make mouth on social media.

thesolutions:
He is actually a no body politically. Only people driven by sentiments that are paying attention to him.

Announced3:
coalition of failures


Bus Pe.ter Obi will never be president 😁 ✍️

Atik,u ambition dead on arriv.al

Thanks

professorPABX:
The man is no longer relevant. Patrick Doyle is correct by rightly summarised his activities as borderline neurotic and outright pettiness.

He is a busybody giving himself an unnecessary distraction. He should be told that he is never a distraction to Tinubu. Tinubu is unaware of his vomit. Tinubu acts based on his timetable drawn by his team and never knew his crying existed.

You cannot stop a man that knows where he is going and is determined to get there by deep focus.

The main concern of Peter OBI is not Nigeria but the Economic impact and stimulus of Tinubu's visit to the Saint Lucia and the invitation of Presidents of other Nations from the region to receive Tinubu and his team. What a great honour! ! ! this is too much and unbearable for Peter OBI. Presidents of Nations joining host President to receive Tinubu is unbearable for Peter OBI. I think another area of concern to Peter OBI is the shared heritage between Saint Lucia and some people in Nigeria.

Also, Peter OBI knows that Tinubu's rest outside the country is always a busy period of meetings and schemings and networking and political engagement with international players and Nigerians of high calibre in Political and business fields and he is exempted from such meetings because he is not qualified to be in such meetings.

Just like Arthur Nzeribe was depressed about the local and international stature and standing of ABIOLA is the same way Peter OBI is jealous and confused about personality of Tinubu.

He should go and rest. ATIKU and El Rufai never cared about him in their coalition. He should sit down and look at another strategy to look relevant.

press9jatv:
Subsidy Gone ✅
Naira Subsidy Gone ✅
Local Government financial autonomy ✅
Fiscal Reform and Tax Law ✅

WizardOfNG:
Stop running around chasing your own tail. Who are you talking to exactly?

Is it not your own fickle and emotional people, now rounding on Obi because of their perception he is ambivalent over joining a "rescue Nigeria" coalition that, for Obidients, is an "anyone but Yoruba President" mission in 2027?

I am no fan of Obi but I know his antecedent enough to predict his actions almost accurately, in every situation, which you "anyone but Yoruba" President desperados will never accept.

In this situation, Obi will rather run independently, as he fled PDP to do in 2022, than be consumed by Vampires he knows he can never trust let alone gain the respect of.

Obi as he recognised what Atiku and Tambuwal etal where trying to do in the PDP in 2022, leading to him fleeing, will also understand this is a coalition of Northern bloodsucking Vampires, in all but name, looking for Southerners to use and dump.

Same reasoning that made him flee PDP in 2022 will make him shun this coalition of Northern born-to-rule imperialism. Obi is not that hard to read. He will shun this coalition to run independently.

The Federal Government has disclosed that the implementation of the newly signed four tax fiscal reform laws will commence by January 1st, 2026.

Addressing State House correspondents shortly after the President signed the bills into law, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zach Adedeji, said the modalities will be put in place ahead of the implementation.

Adedeji further explained that the six-month period between the enactment of the new fiscal laws is designed to give ample time to those saddled with the implementation to carefully prepare and ensure that all Nigerians are adequately sensitised.

According to Adedeji, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS by the signing of the bills into Law is now the Nigeria Revenue Service, explaining that the new law now defines the NRS’s expanded mandate, including non-tax revenue collection, and lays out transparency, accountability, and efficiency mechanisms.

“The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the third bill, repeals the current Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and creates a more autonomous and performance-driven National Revenue Agency.

“Two hours ago before we were FIRS, now we are Nigeria Revenue Service with expanded scope to focus on tax collection and with match efficiency.”

Chairman Presidential Committee on Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said President Bola Tinubu had directed proper implementation of the laws while ensuring collective participation of all stakeholders.

“The journey is just beginning; writing the law, no matter how beautiful, no matter how transformative, no matter how innovative, it means nothing if it is not properly implemented. So, we are mindful of that. We are not going to relax.

“Mr President has given us the charge that now is time to move to implementation, and we are ready. We are prepared. It is not something we can’t do alone, even from the government side. It’s something we have to be collective about.”

Oyedele added that the committee will now include the private sector, public sector, civil society, professional bodies as well as international partners.

“The private sector, public sector, civil society, professional bodies, etc? Tax consultants, everyone, including our international partners, who mean well will work for Nigeria.

ABUJA: Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has again defended the decision of the President Bola Tinubu administration to renovate the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, saying in spite of the criticisms, the structure has now been booked till 2027.

He said he is trying to adjust the timetable to see how the FCT Administration can accommodate an application by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review to use the place.

The minister spoke on Thursday during the commissioning of the Kugbo Bus and Taxi Terminal.

Omenlon:
wait ooooo, is there any regime in Nigeria that is never CALAMITOUS according to your likes? Oga, focus on your life and leave those politicians to their politics, just collect your stipend for being on line always for them and move on.

favor914:
Joblessness established on severe bad belle, I wonder what use this jargon adds to your progress in life?

I warned u before the 2023 general election that u were wasting your time supporting that Loser Gringory Obi, in 2025 u haven’t still learnt anything Mr. Roberto Carlos, u are still deceiving yourself chasing shadows?

seunmsg:
Lol. Wike wins again. He’s got the party by the balls. Jokes apart, this is the only reasonable option for the party at this time. Allow Anyanwu stay till the end of his tenure in October and then organize another convention to elect a new NWC.

Adblg0610:
It’s too late. It doesn’t change anything. He is already the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Insha Allah, he would be re-elected in 2027.

seunmsg:
I will focus on whatever I wish to focus on. I don’t need you to tell me what to focus on or not. Thanks.

seunmsg:
Lol. Wike wins again. He’s got the party by the balls.

Racoon:
"....Public records and investigative reports have uncovered mismatches between Tinubu’s declared educational timeline and verifiable data from schools he purportedly attended.

Questions have also arisen about inconsistent names used in these records, raising suspicions of possible identity manipulation or falsified documents....." Tinubu is fraud personified.

Akpakomiza2:
He rubbished Atiku more. He can always get a title. He has dealt a blow to Atiku politically. Why not stick with Obi

gr8ofnnetwork:
If you have first, middle and surname, go ahead and make false defamatory commentary on people, Kuje will be your new employer. Shebi una say chochcochology na una food. Go run your mouth anyhow

Akpakomiza2:
Oga, they have rubbished Atiku. The governor intentionally included himself

•Those defecting are retired politicians

•Good governance will reduce defections


PRINCE Adewole Adebayo is the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

In this interview, the lawyer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who is optimistic about rebuilding Nigeria and restoring hope to all Nigerians, speaks on the wave of defections in the country saying that good governance will prevent politicians from jumping ship. Excerpts:

What is your take on the wave of defections into the APC fold and the reasons why they are defecting?

The causes are well known, they are preventable and the solution is good governance.

The so-called defections are sometimes coming out of the closet for people claiming to be opposition because they have been compulsorily retired into opposition, not by choice. When you choose to be in opposition by choice, you have access to the ruling party but you just don’t agree with them, and the reasons for that are well articulated which has to do with the interest of the Nigerian people. There is zero-risk of you defecting unless those fundamental disagreements or problems have now been eliminated.

Everybody in Nigeria will know that poverty is no longer there, that insecurity is no longer there, corruption and poor ethics that have dominated our politics have now changed, anything other than that, you will find out that people who missed the bus of the ruling party tend to wait at the bus stop of opposition until the next bus comes and then they hop along.

There is nothing new. Many of them are being kept in waiting for the dramatisation of resurgence by the ruling party. They just keep them somewhere so that when the time comes, they will use them to demoralise the opposition. That is why we are careful about people who come to us to say they are in opposition.

You sound like you have no intention of moving to another party but we have seen politicians defect even as they claim that the problems they talked about are being addressed and that’s why they defected.

They don’t have any burden because they don’t have to believe in what they are saying. They just say it for the moment. I joined the SDP when I was 19 years old in 1991 in the days leading to the election of the late MKO Abiola. At that time, it was even the late Musa Yar’Adua, the late Adamu Ciroma who was in NRC, Atiku Abubakar, Abiola came and Babagana Kingibe was to run with him after he was chairman of the party.

I joined because of the late Lateef Jakande in Lagos. I haven’t joined any other political party since that time. I don’t see any reason why I will join any other one because the party is well-positioned to solve the problems of Nigeria. When the late Abiola came with his farewell to poverty, that was 1992 leading to 1993.

It is still valid today, farewell to poverty. If you pick Abiola’s programme and you want to implement them, it is just unfortunate that none of the problems have been fixed, rather, more problems have been added. That was why in 2023 when I came, 30 years later, we did farewell to poverty and insecurity. The guidelines are there. No change of government is going to solve the problems without change of ideas, methodologies and culture.

The idea is that someone can receive a call from the State House or anywhere and become enraptured by photography with the president and say there is a new epiphany, it is their politics. If the president drops out tomorrow, they will also change their mind and go somewhere.

Those ones have their role in politics and that’s not the kind of role we want to play.

From the May Day address of the President on June 12, do you see the defection in his speech as a political strength?

You have to give President Tinubu an A1 in politics. The only problem he has with the A1 is that he tends to have F9 in governance. So how is he going to graduate into any substantive legacy? That is a problem because the A1 politics is that he knows the political class very well, he knows what moves and motivates them, and he knows how to recruit them, sometimes retrench them, retire them and reengage them because he knows what they want.

But I wish he knew what Nigerian people want which is basic services, stability, and security.

He doesn’t need to have many people defecting to his party. If he cannot save lives in Benue, Plateau and many parts of the country, then he has failed. The problem with that speech is forgetting the fact he was at the National Assembly in front of politicians, supposed to give accountability to Nigerians. Therefore, I am not sure that Nigerians are as informed of the defections as the president appears to be in that speech. The politicians who are now waxing albums for the president featuring the Senate President as the solo singer, and they are singing the choruses, that music is only for their ears because the rumbling in the stomach of Nigerians will not let them hear the music of the National Assembly.

So that podium belongs to the Nigerian people and it is their issues which ought to be reported there. The idea that we will assume that the political fortune of the president and his political party and his co-travellers will be the whole essence of the four-year term is most unfortunate.

What you do with politics is that you compete well and I respect that the president can compete well but if you manage to get the power somehow, controversially, at that moment, politics ends. Then, you want to give service to the Nigerian people. You want to manage the diversity of the country very well. You want to obey the Constitution and execute the enforcement of other arms of government, obeying the Constitution. You want to manage the economy. The only skill you have in the management of the economy is the economisation of truth which is basically what they do, rather than manage the economy.

What we want to do differently is focus the entire politics on the welfare of the people. There will be less controversy if we address the issue of whether people are hungry or not, how many of them have good housing, are we investing in education as we should? Are we investing in healthcare as we should? Do we have the basic infrastructure for modern business and modern governance? Are we able to make a complete telephone call without dropping?

Aren’t you seeing yourself as a lone voice because the thinking about opposition in Nigeria is that it is in disarray? Are these principles of yours supported by your party which welcomes defectors to your party?

The principles that we have in the SDP do not only belong to me, they belong to the SDP. These are manifestoes written when I was a teenager and they belong to the Nigerian people because they are found in Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution, so it’s not something I am inventing, I might have been a good advocate of it and sincerely believe in it but it belongs to the party.

Now the leadership of the parties has dual roles to play. They want those of us in the party to promote this ideology of the party, they also want to have an open door policy to allow people to come to the party. Among those who are coming now, some might have intentions other than ideological and people-oriented, they will discover that because the SDP bus is well rooted.

Some who came for transactional purposes, trying to hijack a vehicle, discovered that this party exists in reality. We believe that many people you find in politics are following the bandwagon as they are doing what they think works.

So this lone voice, if he keeps resonating, people will discover that this is the right way, moreso that the house is already crowded on the government side as they don’t have the window to look at the other people anymore because all the problems of Nigeria are assembled inside their political party. Unless politics starts to work for the ordinary person, there is a limit to how many people want to turn into billionaires overnight.

So what we are doing on our side is that we do not want to say everybody outside the party now is automatically not ideological, not principled.

No, we are saying when you come in and how you interact with us will let us know whether you have come for principles or you have come to destabilise the party, we have supreme confidence in the membership of our party that they are ideologically rooted.

I have supreme confidence in the leadership of the party that the leadership of the party believes in the party, for that reason, if anyone comes to the party, he will have to blend in or have to move on.

It appears the public is fed up with the situation of things and the opposition which you are part of is also failing the public which is why the president can ignore the opposition if he wants.

The assumption that President Tinubu has is that the people are marginal to politics, that if you capture institutions and politicians, then there is no opposition but the real opposition is coming from the people.

There are problems with those who want to turn career politicians to opposition, you are going to have a problem because it’s only when they are dropped off from the list of ministers, board appointments, that is the only time they remember that they need to make this noise so that they can be brought back.

It’s like you are referring to a specific person.

No, no. It’s a general culture which has been there for ages and that is why you see many of them say I will never do this, the next page, they are doing it. The reason is that the real opposition is from the Nigerian people.

I will let you know that the country needs serious surgery, neurosurgery in particular to be able to solve the problems we have now.

To do that, the first thing a surgeon does is to sanitize himself because if you don’t do it, you will infect the patient. We must sanitize the opposition first to know who is in the opposition or who is in opposition by convenience. So, it is not everyone calling himself opposition today who prays in the morning and says I want to be in opposition.

If we do that and then allow the party to belong to the Nigerian people, we are not searching for big men with money, to come and dominate the party but we are letting the people contribute to the party. That is what we are doing, Maybe a lot of it is outside the view of the press.

What we are trying to do is quite fundamental such that when President Tinubu and all the paper castle he is building are blown away by the tide of time, he will realise that even in his old age, he needs a government that works. When he is out of power, he needs a deepened democracy and the rule of law.

What we are building requires time and that’s why we tend to attract young people who are not desperate to be in power within two weeks, who are ready to do the work, who are ready to grind and build a structure.

EdiskyHarry:
Buhari was the worst president in the history of Africa, but was 100 billion times better than tinubu