By Emmanuel Daudu

The United Nations Habitat Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Raymond Edoh has bagged the 2023 International Humanitarian Icon award under the balcony of StirAfrika organization.



The organization whose primary scope of duty is within the Goals 1, 2, and 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, under the leadership of Amb. Efe Ekure while making the award presentation in Abuja on Tuesday lauded the efforts of Dr. Raymond Edoh in youth empowerment and emancipation stressing that his wealth of wisdom and unique leadership prowess has not only added value to him but to other younger youths who may have by rear privy sat under his tutelage and have experienced the dynamic charismatic style of attitudinal approach to issues, strategic way of reasoning and an unexplainable think-tank hub of proffering solutions to technical issues of national interest and in the private sector.
"I can't forget what you did during the last program of ours that you attended, where you donated three hundred thousand naira (300,000) to supply rise to the orphanage. Which we did and sent you pictures. Your lecture that day was so amazing. I remember telling myself that this guy has a Prado Jeep as such I can have one too, after seeing you. And then, I never had a car. But after seeing you, being inspired, I bought 2 Prado Jeeps in 6 months and we have embarked on lots of humanitarian activities since then. I appreciate you a lot for inspiring me, Your Excellency," he said.

Reacting to the gesture (award), " As I receive this award I want everyone to know that there is no point in life that is a waste. Most especially anything you're doing that has to do with humanity. So, I am so happy and I want to encourage every young person also to keep fit in contributing his or her quarter in changing their generation.


"I love anything, Africa. For me, Africa represents freedom, and when I see young people coming together to define something, most especially something that has to do with freedom. For me, it is a yes, yes. I was talking with a few people Yesterday, I had a meeting with them and I said I will always work with you on one condition. If only what you're doing is going to be for the benefit of humanity".

While appreciating the leadership of the organization, he assured the body of his continuous support as he urged them to keep up in the good work.


Speaking further, Edoh charged the incoming government to grant the youths the opportunity to serve in it's governm t in other to feel carried along in the affairs of governance.

The wife of the Kogi State governor, Her Excellency Rashida Yahaya Bello has been celebrated in eulogy by staff as she clocks 38 years old on the 2nd of May, 2023.



The head of her media team, Maryjane U.A, said, "Her Excellency Rashida Yahaya Bello is an Epitome of beauty and grace. A woman with a large heart. An answered prayer to the poor, the widows and less privileged. A mother to the motherless, indeed she is many beauties in one. Words can hardly describe how happy we all are for the great privilege / opportunity you have availed every one of us.
And as you mark yet another special birthday, it is our prayer that God in His infinite mercies will continually shower you with every good thing that life has to offer.
Age bountifully our true DIAMOND.
We love you", Maryjane U. A added.

#rashidayahayabello
#maryjaneoffici
#kraftivitytv_africa

By Aliyu Juwairat


The wife of the Kogi State governor, Her Excellency Rashida Bello clocks thirty-eight (38) years old yesterday 2nd May, 2023.


The ever-beautiful, elegant, and always smiling first lady, Her Excellency Rashida Yahaya Bello while addressing a cluster of dignitaries stated that her life is a miracle and product of God’s faithfulness.


In her words, "If I'm asked to describe my life, I'll call it a miracle, small moments like the joy of being with all my loved ones in health peace and joy, and the big ones like the giant strides God has helped me take. They have all led me to this point and I can say that I am a product of God's faithfulness and a part of His plan for humanity.


While speaking further, "For these and more, I am grateful and I feel fulfilled that through God's blessings, I've touched many lives.

"This year is a thriving year for me. I thrive in the love of my amazing family, health, abundance, and joy. I thrive living a life full of impact and purpose, and I thrive enjoying God's grace every day.
Happy birthday to me", she added.


END




#@rashidayahayabello
#@maryjaneoffici
#@kraftivitytv_africa

ECOWAS Commission Assesses implementation of Revised Operational Manual for ECOWAS National Office in Senegal





....Delegation led by the Director of External Relations Mr Jerome KOUASSI Boa of the ECOWAS Commission


In the context of efforts to ensure consistency and coherence in the ownership and implementation of the Revised Operational Manual for the ECOWAS National Offices, an ECOWAS delegation began the first leg of its three-countries (Senegal, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire) assessment mission with a working session with the ECOWAS National Office in Dakar, Senegal from 12th to 13th April 2023.

The assessment was aimed at ascertaining the level of support and commitment of the Member States in their implementation of the Revised Operational Manual as well as to identify challenges and constraints that could emerge from its ownership so as to put in place corrective measures.


The Revised Operational Manual was adopted by the Council of Ministers in December 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Assessment team was led by Mr. Jerome BOA, Director of External Relations and supported by officials from the Directorate of External Relations.


The team met with Amb. Stephan Sylvain SAMBOU, Head of the ECOWAS National Office in Senegal and Amb. Jean Antoine DIOUF, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, who was previously the Head of ECOWAS National Office in Senegal.

Amb. Stephan Sylvain Sambou, welcomed the assessment team and expressed his deep gratitude for the assessment mission as it offered the opportunity to identify areas for improvement in the ownership and implementation the Manual. Leveraging on his experience as the former Head of ECOWAS National Office, Amb. Diouf noted that there is a need for enhanced flow of communication between the Commission and ECOWAS National Offices.



He also highlighted the importance of synergy and coordination in enhancing ECOWAS visibility at the national level. He reiterated the commitment of the Senegalese Government H.E. Madame Aissata TALL SALL, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, towards supporting the 4X4 objectives of the ECOWAS Management and ECOWAS Vision 2050.

Mr. Jerome Boa briefed the Senegalese interlocutors about the Revised Operational Manual and reassured them of the continuing availability of the Commission and the Directorate of External Relations in supporting the ECOWAS National Office as it implements and operationalises the Revised Manual. He also used the opportunity to update the ECOWAS National Offices about the Aid Management Platform (AMP) being developed at the

Commission as information and communication tool to enable the Commission and Member states through the ECOWAS National Offices and Development Partners to gather access, and monitor information on regional partners’ projects, with the overarching goal of increasing aid effectiveness. The AMP aims to help users to track specific projects through the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages. Furthermore, its features such as online workspaces, data entry, reporting, interactive dashboards and maps provide the Commission and Member states with strategic information for efficient decision-making.

The Assessment team also took a detour of the ECOWAS National Office in Senegal with view to review the physical and staff complement of the office in line with the provisions of Article 2 of the Revised Operational Manual.

The observations and recommendations of the Assessment team as well as the suggestions for improving the ownership and implementation of the Revised Operational made by the Senegalese interlocutors will be shared with the other ECOWAS National Offices and the Commission. From Senegal, the assessment team will proceed to Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Emmanuel Huleji Daudu storms ECOWAS RCA technical meeting in Senegal as Communication Expert





The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) will hold a technical meeting on a draft
communication plan which is aimed at ensuring greater visibility of the ERCA’s activities of which the Nigerian based International Media Consultant, publisher, Africa Security Investigation news, and President, World Sustainable Development Goals Organization, Emmanuel Huleji Daudu, a communication expert to help amongst others help review the document.



According to the Executive Director, ERCA, Dr. Simeon Koffi in an electronic statement to journalists during the weekend stated that the ERCA’s Communication Plan review is scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal from 29-31 March 2023.

"Participants are expected to review the draft document and provide input during the Working Group
meeting which aims to pool the contributions of the invited experts and recommend avenues for
possible improvement".

Retrospectively, in 2008, ECOWAS adopted a Regional Competition Policy and in the same vein, the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) was established to implement the policy. The objective of this regional initiative was to support and promote open competition within the ECOWAS region, including the protection of consumers' economic interests, through the implementation of Community Competition Rules.

The awareness, information, and advocacy activities carried out during the second half of 2021 in eleven (11) Member States revealed a low level of knowledge of the regional competition mechanism and the ERCA among the majority of national stakeholders. Having actually started its activities in 2019, the relative operational infancy of the ERCA could partly explain the low awareness of its existence and activities. In order to strengthen dialogue and information sharing between all stakeholders, and to raise awareness of this mechanism for promoting competition within ECOWAS, the ERCA has decided to strengthen its communication activities.

Thus, the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), with the support of a regional expert designed a Communication Action Plan, which is intended to be proactive, for improving knowledge of the regional competition framework and visibility of its actions in ECOWAS Region.

This plan should include information and awareness-raising activities that would significantly improve knowledge of ECOWAS and ERCA’s competition policy among all private and public economic actors operating in the regional market as well as among consumers.

In 2014, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government designated the Republic of Gambia as the headquarters of the ERCA. The official launch of the ERCA took place in May 2019, following a meeting of the Technical Committee of Trade and Competition Experts in Banjul, The Gambia.

The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority was therefore established to implement the regional competition rules adopted by the ECOWAS Authority in 2008. These rules essentially promote, maintain and encourage competition while improving the economic efficiency of regional production, trade and business.

ECOWAS is a regional economic space of 15 West African Member states, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

The ERCA is headed by an Executive Director, assisted by two Directors and the staff necessary for its proper functioning. It has the following divisions; Mergers and acquisitions, Analysis of competition and economic research, Law, investigation, compliance and enforcement, Communications and advocacy, Administration and human resources, and Finance.

The ERCA's Consultative Competition Committee (CCC) is a thirty (30) member committee composed of two (2) competition experts from each Member state appointed for a four (4) year term. The CCC acts as an advisory body to the ERCA in the area of competition and consumer protection. In particular, the CCC: Reviews and makes recommendations on all draft policies, guidelines, directives, instruments, rules and regulations submitted to it by the ERCA; Makes recommendations requesting ERCA to undertake studies or research relevant to the formulation of competition and consumer protection policies; and
Evaluates reports on the status of implementation of competition and consumer protection principles and policies in the region submitted to it by the ERCA, intending to make the necessary recommendations.
The CCC is assisted by a Bureau elected from among its members, consisting of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and three (3) Rapporteurs.

ECOWAS assures member nations of its resolution to combat Small Arms & light weapons proliferation

...over 850 million small arms and light weapons in the hands of civilians, set to mob them out-ECOWAS



Following the increasing insecurity within the ECOWAS member nations, in an Independent Experts Meeting Study on Civilian Possession of Arms and Operational Guidelines on licensing in the ECOWAS region held in Bolton White Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday, ECOWAS assured its member nations of its resolution to fully participate in combating the proliferation of
Small Arms and Light Weapons across its member nations.



The Head of the Small Arms Division of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Joseph Ahoba made the statement while declaring the event open.



The Facilitator for the Civilian Possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the West African Region, Major General Shehu Usman Abdulkadiri rtd, In an exclusive interview with Africa Security Investigation news journalist just after the event was declared open stated that member nations should be ready to partner and willing to work with ECOWAS to achieve the required result especially now that ECOWAS has made it a priority.


While speaking further he has this to say,
"To curb this illicit arms proliferation, member states should also be on board to checkmate the excesses of these illicit arms coming into the sub-region to bring about peace and security. It is very much understood that without peace and security, there can never be development. Therefore, there is a need for the ECOWAS Heads of State and government to come together and put their best in their various countries to see how they can end the menace of Small Arms and Light Weapons proliferation in collaboration with ECOWAS".



Speaking on the anticipated outcome of the program,
"Well, the anticipated result is that the ECOWAS would go back and put its House in order based on what the experts have suggested and what has come out of the report and then also escalated to the level of states and governments for implementation. Then, probably looking at legislation, the licensing regime, the regulatory aspects, and administrative control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, especially within the civilian fold. In the opening statement, it was mentioned there that over 850 million small arms and light weapons are in the hands of civilians, which is much more than what the state actors hold. So, it's alarming that even though some of them could be legally owned, others may not. And therefore, those are the ones that should be targeted.


"Owned modality should be put in place as to regular checking of those weapons. And then also, the issue of training for the handlers or the owners of those weapons. It is setting that we will not be able to completely mob these arms out of our societies but at least we'll reduce it to some extent.


Advising the ECOWAS member nations, Mr. Shehu suggested that all nations should embrace advocacy as it is one of the most friendly civic techniques that can generate a wide scope of results.
"Well, the first thing I will suggest is sensitization. There is a need for the populace to be aware of what the government is doing with the guise of regulation, and even the legal framework on small arms and light weapons within the various countries. If there's enough sensitization I'm sure the civilian populace will see the danger inherent in the illegal possession of arms. And then again, the report was also very clear that in some countries, arms
exchanged, for example, if the owner dies, the children probably inherit the weapon without knowing the consequence or even what it means. Those are some of the gray areas that should be looked into. And then see how also artisanal manufacturers can be brought on board to make their practices legalized. With that, we will be making some substantial progress in that regard", he said.










Earlier, in a keynote speech, the Deputy Director of UNREC, Dr. Jiaming Miao, lauded ECOWAS's effort in curbing the situation ravaging lots of lives and properties across its member nations stressing that collaboration should be strengthened among all stakeholders to ensure a wide range of results.
"The unregulated civilian use, possession, and production of SALW have exacerbated armed violence, insurgency, terrorism, jihadist activities and crime in the sub-region. Therefore, it is essential that we work together to address this issue.
UNREC is committed to supporting regional organizations and member states in Africa to promote disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation. We recognize the importance of working collaboratively with our partners to identify and address the root causes of arms proliferation in the region.
The study we are reviewing today, which was implemented by ECOWAS Commission and funded by Organized Crime-West Africa Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T) and the GIZ Nigeria, provides valuable insights into the current state of civilian possession of arms and related licensing in the ECOWAS region, while promoting the harmonization of the processes, methodology, and procedures for the control of possession of SALW by civilians in accordance with the ECOWAS Convention on SALW and other relevant international frameworks regulating arms possession and transfer, particularly the Arms Trade Treaty.


"The study highlights several challenges, including poor physical security and management of state stockpiles, illicit transfer of weapons to criminal and insurgent groups, unsuccessful disarmament and weapon destruction programs, weak judicial systems, unresolved conflicts, and the emerging problem of artisanal manufacture of weapons. However, the study also identifies best practices that can be adopted to address these challenges.





"I am confident that the collective review of this study and the further refinement of draft operational guidelines on licensing will contribute significantly to efforts aimed at reducing the proliferation of SALW in the ECOWAS region. UNREC remains committed to supporting regional organizations and member states in their efforts to promote disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation", Jiaming added.







To retrospect superficially, West African Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T) support ECOWAS member states and Mauritania in reducing transnational organised crime (TOC). For this purpose, the project is strengthening national and regional structures and capacities and is fostering evidence - led policy and decision-making. Specially, we support efforts in enhancing criminal investigation and prosecution, improving small arms control and reducing human trafficking.


OCWAR-T is an ECOWAS project, commissioned by the German government and co-founded by the EU. GIZ jointly implements OCWAR-T with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, Mines Advisory Group, MAG, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, ICMPD, Institute for Security Studies, ISS, and the Global Initiative Against Organised Crime, GITOC.

Dr. Simeon Koffi receives recommendations from Experts on ERCA draft communication plan




Recommendations of Media Experts following the review of ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority Draft Communication Plan, the three (3) Media Experts from ECOWAS Member States, namely Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia; after meeting in the Senegalese capital Darkar for three days, from March 29-31, 2023, to review the draft Communication Plan of ERCA has proffer lots of recommendations as outcome of it's three (3) days group meeting on the draft.

While making the presentation to the Executive Director, ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, ERCA, Dr. Simeon Koffi. The News Director, ECOWAS Radio, Liberia,
Mr. Raymond Kolubah Zarbay thanked the Executive Director, Dr. Simeon Koffi and his Team for their preferment from among hundreds of other professionals in West Africa, to perform the review task.


"After scrupulously and critically reviewing and discussing the 38-page draft communication document, intended to provide wider visibility for ERCA, one of the Specialized Agencies of the Regional Body ECOWAS with the Consultant, Mr. Bakary Kone’, we are pleased to recommend the following:
That the Communication Plan, following review and approval, be implemented using the three recognized Languages of ECOWAS, English, French and Portugese. That ERCA also considers using at least two other popular and widely spoken languages from each of the ECOWAS Member States. That ERCA begins considering a comprehensive budgetary allocation for the effective implementation of the Communication Plan when approved. That the approved Plan be implemented over a three-year period, considering monitoring and evaluation during the halfway period annually.
That ERCA in addition to the use of Radio and TV advertisements, considers Google Ads. That the use of documentary in gathering basic facts and information dissemination of ECRA, be considered. That the production of a monthly Newsletter on ERCA activities also be considered. That ERCA creates and manages all its social media platforms, considering the boosting of its Facebook and YouTube platforms regularly. That ERCA does a bi-weekly voice pops, engaging the final consumers and business sectors on their experiences of the business climate in West Africa, especially on competition, subsequently getting reactions from the Hierarchy of ERCA. That ERCA in addition to the production of souvenirs, including diaries and calendars, also considers the printing of customized T-shirts and Paper Bags. That a continuous collaboration be brokered between ERCA, the Consultant and the Team of Media Experts to enhance efficiency regarding the implementation of the Communication Plan. The collaboration should also lead to support to the Team of Experts in setting up Media Networks in their respective Countries and subsequently to other West African Countries.
That ERCA considers imploring the expertise of the Media Experts in the capacity building of its Communication Department. That the ERCA takes into consideration, the regular decentralization of its media and other activities in other ECOWAS Member Countries.That the ERCA considers gender sensitivity, the youth, student groups and the civil society in its activities. That ERCA solicits web Ambassadors and Influencers known to deal with economic issues to talk about the Agency and its attributions while urging the targeted stakeholders not to hesitate to solicit it. That ERCA has a free download or package the ERCA logo in high definition to allow the media especially to have a file every time they visit the website. As part of the evaluation of the impact and the effectiveness of the deployment of the communication campaign, that the official pages of ERCA on the social networks Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp be used to carry out regular surveys on the level of knowledge of the Agency by Internet users. That ERCA makes use of the International Web Media ''BRUT'' to do interviews with the Executive Director of ERCA and certain stakeholders. That ERCA produces video capsules to make a web series for broadcast on the ERCA website and on its various social media platforms, including Youtube. This web series will highlight information on the ARCC and regional provisions on competition as well as practices to avoid in order not to be in breach of the sub-regional rules established by the institution. In furtherance of its visibility campaign via information websites, that ERCA considers the production and posting of useful web articles for publication and dissemination via web banners. The web banners used in this case must be in HyperText Markup Language HTML and after the click by Internet users it will redirect to the ERCA website. From the point of view of Internal communication at ERCA, that the Regional Body’s Agency updates the Mail signature of its Executive Director to make it clickable and effective for redirections via its website and its Social media networks.
From the point of view of TV communication; Radio and Press releases, that ERCA includes in the final communication strategy, the three media selected by broadcast channel (TV; Radio, Press) justifying their choice, if possible, with figures on their audience in their respective countries. That ERCA includes in the Agency's website and in the paper presentation, brochure on Infographic presenting the Key Figures of ERCA's activities. That ERCA builds its own image bank that will serve as an archive but above all allow the Agency to have images of its own areas of intervention of which it owns the copyright, and which can be used to illustrate its Facebook posts, its activity reports and to produce its Campaign visuals. That ERCA considers collating testimonies from users on its website to motivate other players such as the business sectors in playing fairly within the Ecosystem.
That ERCA considers the purchase of photo and video cameras for the coverage of its activities.
That ERCA considers web referencing strategy through Google.
Done this day 31 March 2023 in the Senegalese Capital of Darkar at Fleur de Lys Hotel, Plateau
By: Mr.Emmanuel Huleji Daudu, Chief Executive Officer, ZENNITH Global Media Services & Consultancy. Mr. Nehemie M’BOKE, Executive Director, Communication-Trader BTP-Technology-Agro business; and Mr. Raymond Kolubah Zarbay, News Director, ECOWAS Radio".


Dr. Koffi while reacting to the recommendations made by the team of media experts, expressed satisfaction in the work done pointing out that the team has indeed done a great job stressing that soon as the communication draft is approved, activities of the agency would unfold in full force in all the ECOWAS member Nations.

drwaheedmusah@gmail.com


Religion, Slavery, Discrimination, War, Corruption, and Injustices on a national and international level has already caused damage in Africa.

Terrorism fueled by some local and international leaders in Africa has already dispersed much blood on the soil. Every country in the world has democratic constitutional rights that protect the country flags to the death of the country; why can African citizens not be covered on Earth?


The ability for one to impose or force one's belief on another is also against human rights. Culture plays a vital role in the context of Human rights. There is nothing universal about any rights whiles we have countries with their constitutional objective. It is hypocrisy. To disrespect the will of others or invade their natural rights and cultural beliefs.

It is time for Africans also to promote their beliefs as a Universal law and African doctrine. Africa is losing her values and morals as a result of mental slavery. We must protect and defend our heritage as a treasure of wealth, health and glory.

Africa has been taken for granted for far too long, we, the new generations of Africans, must protect our identity as a resource to reconnect with our ancestors and glory.

A new Africa is Africa that studies African education to solve the African problems and develop Africa we are hoping for.

It is time our leaders reestablish our diplomatic strength and presence as a seal for global equality.

Before we can talk very well about human rights, we must first look at human equality, national equality, and global equality, where every human is respected and treated well where they found their selves; nations are treated equally; that is a human right, where every human being is treated with dignity and mutual respect with equal opportunities.

The United Nations has failed the human race; if we look at human equality in every nation, blacks have been the only human race in history who are still fighting for their rights, freedom, and justice in every country on Earth as human beings, and the only human race till suffering in foreign lands, what is human right if lives are not protected.

The suffering of the continent of Africa is a result of slavery, non-Afrocentric education, and exploitation of African resources, which the world is benefiting from without direct impact on the people. This war is staged and funded by some foreign investors to continue to sustain the division of Africa. These Selfish and greedy African politicians are working with Invaders to keep invading the peace and riches of Africa.

The African rights to wealth, ownership, development, peace, unity and happiness against poverty, diseases and instabilities are fundamental to our socioeconomic and political rights.

We need freedom and absolute freedom now.

This is our right.

The Executive Director, of ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, ERCA, Dr. Simeon Koffi has declared the review of its communication plan in Dakar Senegal open on Tuesday at the Fleur De Lys hotel.



While speaking, Dr. Koffi disclosed that the conference is a 3-day working group meeting aimed at reviewing the ERCA's communication plan drafted by a consultant.

Speaking further, Dr. Koffi pointed out that the review is only aimed at increasing the visibility of ERCA's programs and activities, and as such critical work needs to be done on the draft by the communication experts which were harnessed from different countries.





Dr. Koffi, while appreciating the President of the ECOWAS Commission’s President Dr. Omar Allieu Touray, and the hierarchy of the Commission for the opportunity to serve in such a capacity assured the experts of a conducive environment to enable them to bring out the best in them for a successful ERCA's communication activities review.




The communication experts which are
Nehemie M’Boke, Executive Director of the Ivorian-based Communication Trader BTP, Technology Agro-business, Emmanuel Daudu, Chief Executive Officer of ZENITH Global Media Services & Consultancy, and ECOWAS Radio News Director Raymond Kolubah Zarbay in their sundry speeches assured the Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, Dr. Simeon Koffi of an amazing outcome pointing out that by the time they are done with the document, ERCA would be the most visible agency of ECOWAS.

Earlier, giving a brief background of ERCA, the Executive Director, ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, ERCA, Dr. Simeon Koffi has this to say,
"in 2008, ECOWAS adopted a Regional Competition Policy and in the same vein, the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) was established to implement the policy. The objective of this regional initiative was to support and promote open competition within the ECOWAS region, including the protection of consumers' economic interests, through the implementation of Community Competition Rules.

"The awareness, information, and advocacy activities carried out during the second half of 2021 in eleven (11) Member States revealed a low level of knowledge of the regional competition mechanism and the ERCA among the majority of national stakeholders. Having started its activities in 2019, the relative operational infancy of the ERCA could partly explain the low awareness of its existence and activities. In order to strengthen dialogue and information sharing between all stakeholders, and to raise awareness of this mechanism for promoting competition within ECOWAS, the ERCA has decided to strengthen its communication activities.

"Thus, the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), with the support of a regional expert designed a Communication Action Plan, which is intended to be proactive, for improving knowledge of the regional competition framework and visibility of its actions in the ECOWAS Region.

"This plan should include information and awareness-raising activities that would significantly improve knowledge of ECOWAS and ERCA’s competition policy among all private and public economic actors operating in the regional market as well as among consumers.

"In 2014, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government designated the Republic of Gambia as the headquarters of the ERCA. The official launch of the ERCA took place in May 2019, following a meeting of the Technical Committee of Trade and Competition Experts in Banjul, The Gambia.

"The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority was therefore established to implement the regional competition rules adopted by the ECOWAS Authority in 2008. These rules essentially promote, maintain and encourage competition while improving the economic efficiency of regional production, trade, and business.

"ECOWAS is a regional economic space of 15 West African Member states, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

"The ERCA is headed by an Executive Director, assisted by two Directors and the staff necessary for its proper functioning. It has the following divisions; Mergers and acquisitions, Analysis of competition and economic research, Law, investigation, compliance and enforcement, Communications and advocacy, Administration and human resources, and Finance.

"The ERCA's Consultative Competition Committee (CCC) is a thirty (30) member committee composed of two (2) competition experts from each Member state appointed for a four (4) year term. The CCC acts as an advisory body to the ERCA in the area of competition and consumer protection. In particular, the CCC: Reviews and makes recommendations on all draft policies, guidelines, directives, instruments, rules, and regulations submitted to it by the ERCA; Makes recommendations requesting the ERCA to undertake studies or research relevant to the formulation of competition and consumer protection policies; and
Evaluates reports on the status of implementation of competition and consumer protection principles and policies in the region submitted to it by the ERCA, intending to make the necessary recommendations.
The CCC is assisted by a Bureau elected from among its members, consisting of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and three (3) Rapporteurs", he added.

The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) will hold a technical meeting on a draft
communication plan which is aimed at ensuring greater visibility of the ERCA’s activities.



According to the Executive Director, ERCA, Dr. Simeon Koffi in an electronic statement to journalists during the weekend stated that the ERCA’s Communication Plan review is scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal from 29-31 March 2023.

"Participants are expected to review the draft document and provide input during the Working Group meeting which aims to pool the contributions of the invited experts and recommend avenues for
possible improvement".

Retrospectively, in 2008, ECOWAS adopted a Regional Competition Policy and in the same vein, the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) was established to implement the policy. The objective of this regional initiative was to support and promote open competition within the ECOWAS region, including the protection of consumers' economic interests, through the implementation of Community Competition Rules.

The awareness, information, and advocacy activities carried out during the second half of 2021 in eleven (11) Member States revealed a low level of knowledge of the regional competition mechanism and the ERCA among the majority of national stakeholders. Having actually started its activities in 2019, the relative operational infancy of the ERCA could partly explain the low awareness of its existence and activities. In order to strengthen dialogue and information sharing between all stakeholders, and to raise awareness of this mechanism for promoting competition within ECOWAS, the ERCA has decided to strengthen its communication activities.

Thus, the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), with the support of a regional expert designed a Communication Action Plan, which is intended to be proactive, for improving knowledge of the regional competition framework and visibility of its actions in ECOWAS Region.

This plan should include information and awareness-raising activities that would significantly improve knowledge of ECOWAS and ERCA’s competition policy among all private and public economic actors operating in the regional market as well as among consumers.

In 2014, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government designated the Republic of Gambia as the headquarters of the ERCA. The official launch of the ERCA took place in May 2019, following a meeting of the Technical Committee of Trade and Competition Experts in Banjul, The Gambia.

The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority was therefore established to implement the regional competition rules adopted by the ECOWAS Authority in 2008. These rules essentially promote, maintain and encourage competition while improving the economic efficiency of regional production, trade and business.

ECOWAS is a regional economic space of 15 West African Member states, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

The ERCA is headed by an Executive Director, assisted by two Directors and the staff necessary for its proper functioning. It has the following divisions; Mergers and acquisitions, Analysis of competition and economic research, Law, investigation, compliance and enforcement, Communications and advocacy, Administration and human resources, and Finance.

The ERCA's Consultative Competition Committee (CCC) is a thirty (30) member committee composed of two (2) competition experts from each Member state appointed for a four (4) year term. The CCC acts as an advisory body to the ERCA in the area of competition and consumer protection. In particular, the CCC: Reviews and makes recommendations on all draft policies, guidelines, directives, instruments, rules and regulations submitted to it by the ERCA; Makes recommendations requesting ERCA to undertake studies or research relevant to the formulation of competition and consumer protection policies; and
Evaluates reports on the status of implementation of competition and consumer protection principles and policies in the region submitted to it by the ERCA, intending to make the necessary recommendations.
The CCC is assisted by a Bureau elected from among its members, consisting of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and three (3) Rapporteurs.

An international None governmental Organization, World Sustainable Development Goals Organization, WorldSDGsOrganization, has congratulated the Nasarawa State governor Elect, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule over his well-deserved overwhelming victory in the just concluded States elections in Nigeria.

The congratulatory letter was signed by the organization's Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Raymond Edoh on the 20th of March following the declaration by INEC that Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule is the winner of the 2023 Nasarawa state Gubernatorial election.

According to the Organization, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule is a genuine leader who inspires and empowers others to accomplish something important without displaying presence.
"Being a good leader is something you learn and perfect with diligence, compassion, persistence, and experience.

"True leadership is about striving to become better in all areas of life and empowering everyone around you to become the best versions of themselves.



"The best leaders possess the qualities of humility, honesty, and cooperation. They are able to communicate clearly to help others take action.

"Great leaders not only inspire and motivate others, but also teach people the skills they need to achieve the goals of a team, company, organization, or project. They help others bring out their best talents and abilities.

"All of these qualities are found in Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule. He is a living legend. His efforts in ensuring the implementation of 17 SDGs in Nasarawa state is enormous and we sincerely want to appreciate him so much".

Speaking on the organization, Raymond said, World Sustainable Development Goals Organization, www.worldsdgs.org, is aimed at enhancing a comprehensive grassroots achievements of the 17 World Goals of the Sustainable Development Goals and ending human trafficking through its own projects execution all around the globe and playing synergy with the governments of the entire UN member Nations from Community, Ward, Local government, State and the Federal governments to ensure that SDGs projects are indeed beneficial to the targeted groups and also Spur governments at all levels of each country, private organizations, and all sundry stakeholders to make the 17 goals of SDGs an implemented priority for a better living on earth for all.

"World Sustainable Development Goals Organization, WSDGsO, is a global organization that operates within all the UN member nations with the widest scope of duties ever.

We are touching Lives, Transforming Societies, Healing Souls, Uniting Nations and Changing the world. WSDGsO stand as a mantra for Liberation, and Advancement of the Human Race", he added.

The Ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kogi State has been urged to take a cue from the leadership ingenuity of Governor Yahaya Bello by zoning the next governorship to the Western Senatorial District of Kogi State.

This is contained in a communique issued by the Congress of Kogi Patriots (KCP) after a meeting held in Lokoja.

The communique which was signed by the National President of (CKP), Doctor Zik Olatunde stated that Governor Yahaya Bello has recorded landmark achievements in the last few years of his administration and deserves commendation.

It also pointed out that the Governor has been fair in the equitable distribution of infrastructure and political patronage across the three Senatorial districts of the State.

The communique further stated that the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice so far exhibited by the Governor and his New Direction administration is unprecedented since the creation of the state hence the need for the people to rise above divisive issues that polarise the state in the past and allow power to rotate freely among the senatorial districts.

It appealed for concerted efforts of Kogites to achieve the idea to consolidate the remarkable record already set by the Governor, particularly in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

By Aliyu Juwariate





The Coalition of the 2023 Election Observers has called for the cancellation or rerun of the Abia North senatorial election stating that electorates didn't exercise their political franchise in over one hundred polling units across the senatorial district, while where elections held, it was characterized with electoral violence and other malpractices.



The Head of the Coalition for Abia North 2023 Election, Rasheed Shuaib, while addressing the press alongside others from several organizations accredited by INEC to observe the 2023 general elections in the Abia North Senatorial District pointed out that its advice to INEC going by what they observed is to cancel or have a rerun of the Abia North senatorial election.
"The Abia North Senatorial District covers Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, and Umu Nneochi LGAs. And 11 candidates from 11 political parties vied for the senatorial seat in that election. They are:
Martins Emetu- ADC, Orji Uzor Kalu-APC, Carol Dike-okafor-APGA, Nnenna Emmanuela Nwosu-APM, Ifeanyichukwu Kingsley Adijeh- APP, Nnamdi Iro Oji- LP, Saidu Ahmed- NNPP, Chinonyerem Wogu-NRM, Mao Ohuabunwa-PDP, Uche Brown Echewie- SDP, and Ahanna Orji Igwe- YPP

"About 500 Accredited INEC Domestic Observers were deployed by The Coalition of Observers to all the 5 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Abia North Senatorial District for the February 25th General Election.
As Observers, it’s important to begin by saying that the Senatorial election that took place in Abia North on 25th February 2023 was below the standard and unacceptable electoral practice, contrary to INEC electoral Acts and guidelines, and against the wishes and expectations of the electorates/constituents.
According to the INEC Electoral Guidelines for the election, the Official opening of the polling units is by 8:30 am. But this was not the case in all the polling units visited by our field observers in the Senatorial District as there were almost general reports of the late arrival of INEC Ad-hoc Staff and electoral materials.
There was late distribution of Electoral materials to the various RAC Centers across the 5 LGAs in Abia North, especially in Arochukwu and Ohafia LGAs; where some candidates have to volunteer by releasing their vehicles to convey the INEC Materials to the various polling units.
In some instances, there were no attached law enforcement agencies that will escort the INEC Materials to the various polling units. As a result, a greater number of INEC Ad-hoc Staff could not proceed to their place of primary assignment on Election Day since the election time was almost up.

"A special case is Bende LGA, where election materials moved from the LGA headquarters early but took some time to reach most polling units, while voters were waiting. Some polling units received their election materials between the hours of 2:30 pm and 6:00 pm as reported by our field observers at the LGA.
This also led to missing or misplacement of Result Sheets in some polling units, while the voters were already in the queue ready to exercise their franchise.
Despite the late arrival of INEC Materials, the people came out en-mass in the early hours of the day to exercise their franchise. Some later went home and never came back, especially the elderly and sick ones. The youths remained till they were accredited and voted for the candidate of their choice.
The BVAS was supposed to be used to authenticate or capture the faces of the Voters in all the polling units where the elections were held, but our observers noticed that the machines were either not functioning or were not used in most of the Polling Units.

"We also observed that some INEC Officials which were originally posted to some areas were dropped and their names changed to entirely new persons as confessed by one of the Youth Corpers we interacted with.
The collation which was supposed to be done at the ward level was done at the LGA while some of the Youth Corpers disappeared with their result sheets and reappeared at the wee hours of the night with mutilated results and some never came back especially in some units in Bende LGA.

"On the election Saturday 25th February 2023 INEC returning officer after noticing some irregularities and logistic challenges announced to the observers, party agents, and others in Ohafia, after speaking with the Resident Electoral Officer in Umuahia, that there will be a rerun election on Sunday 26th February 2023 in some places in Abia North where elections didn’t hold as a result of logistics.


"We want to put it on record that there was no rerun election in those affected places. Later around 2 pm on that 26th of February, one of the officials of INEC informed us that the elections in places where elections were never held will be done on the 27th starting by 8:30 am. All the voters that turned up in their numbers were disappointed and while some were still hanging around their various polling units, information came to us that the EO and the collation Officers were about to announce the results.


"As observers, we rushed to the venue and tried to remind them of the number of voters they will disfranchise if they should go on to call the result of the unfinished election and the consequences, but it all went on deaf ears.
After every effort to appeal to them to do the needful both by the Party Agents and Security Personnel, the two collation Officers went ahead and called the result of what should have been regarded as an inconclusive election.
It took the presence of the heavy joint security officers on the ground to calm the situation before the INEC officers were squeezed out of the premises of the Presbyterian Church school in Ohafia.
We want to put on record that election didn’t hold in over 100 polling units across the Senatorial districts with over 80,000 registered voters.


"Again, the new electoral law makes it mandatory that counting and announcement of results should be made open by the presiding officer at the polling units, but this was ignored in most polling units visited at the Bende, Ohafia, Arochukwu, and Isuikwu LGAs. The Law also mandates that the results be posted in the polling units; this was also not the case in most of the Polling Units.
This action negates the transparency of the voting process across the board in most of the polling units in Abia North Senatorial District.
Also, the 2022 electoral Act provides that there should be online transmission of result sheets at the conclusion of voting through the INEC Result viewing (IRev) portal. The report we received from both CPALD Station and Roving Observers as well from other observer groups is that there is no transmission of result sheet at most of the polling units across the Abia North Senatorial District".

While giving recommendations, he stated that INEC should as a matter of urgency helps to calm the growing agitation in these areas where elections were never held and fix a date to conduct a rerun election or cancel the elections as a result of irregularities which took place during the collation of the results which is not in line with the electoral new ACT.
"INEC should critically look into the distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials ahead of the Governorship and State Assembly election. As this was a major setback in the 25th February presidential election.
There should be an adequately attached police officer that will escort both the election materials and INEC Ad-Hoc Staff as this was one of the reasons why there was no election in some of the polling units in Ohafia, Arochukwu, etc. There should be an adequate arrangement between the commission and the major transport operators on how to convey the election materials to the polling units. There should be a proper orientation to the INEC Ad-Hoc Staff not to compromise or be influenced by any political party to do their bidding. There should be proper re-training of the INEC Presiding Officers who are going to handle the BVAS. To have a hitch-free March 18th rescheduled Governorship and States Assembly elections.
"INEC should properly communicate to both the State and Non-State Actors where there is any issue that will warrant a delay in the election processes", he added.

The UNESCO Laureate and Vice-Chancellor, Crown University Argentina, USA His Excellency Sir Bashiru Aremu has applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC while Congratulating the President-Elect, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Aremu made this known in a statement he made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, after the declaration of the 2023 Presidential election winner.


Aremu described the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a Political Warlord capable of transforming the Nigeria Economy within the shortest time stressing that in no distance time under Bola Tinubu's administration, the country would be great again.
"Tinubu is a technocrat and hardworking Nigerian with a wealth of experience. We are optimistic that he would do well and there is no too way, he will!"





"Please accept my warm congratulations on your victory and my best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high office."

Sir Aremu urged the incoming president to restore confidence in the Nigerian system for millions of Nigerians whose lack of confidence has become very clear in this election.

As a citizen of Nigeria, whose dream is to see Nigeria progress and her pride restored, the vice chancellor urged Tinubu to allow for unencumbered scientific research, encourage innovation to seek out those ideas which make us better as a nation, and to work tirelessly until they are seen through.

He further wishes the president-elect successful term in office and for his continued good health and well-being.

2023 polls: Dr. Kingsley Azonobi heads foreign observers team in FCT, says elections credible




The Chairman, Domak Group international, Dr. Kingsley Azonobi on Saturday the 25th of February, 2023 headed the Abuja team of forum observers under the balcony of International Police Chaplain Sustainable Development Law Enforcement Inc. USA.

Dr. Kingsley Azonobi while addressing the team ahead of the exercise charged them with upholding the ethics of foreign electoral observers, stating that observers' roles in ensuring credible elections can't be over-emphasized as he stressed that a peaceful approach to issues, civil method of resolving civic disputes and polemics either between electorates and officials conducting the elections, electorates, and security operatives or between electorates base on uncoordinated crowd or challenges electorates go through in the process of vote casting or whatever, is a sure way to solving issues of such.

Speaking further, he cautioned observers to strictly report issues seen and always try to be objective while filing reports after the exercise.


Kingsley who manned the Garki, Maitama, and Mppape areas of Abuja alongside a few members of the team visited over 60 polling units.

At the end of the voting exercise, while addressing the press, he has this to say, "This is one of the most credible elections we have witnessed since the inception of democracy in Nigeria. Kudos to President Muhammadu Buhari for making this a reality.

"We have visited lots of polling units, and we are glad to tell the whole world that Nigeria has set a standard to be followed by other African Countries.

"The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has done overwhelmingly well, and I am glad to say to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, you have shown capacity and have discharged accordingly. Nigerians are proud of you", he added.


However, he cautioned INEC staff at the polling units to ensure that results are imputed correctly to avoid issues while collating results at the central collation center.

World Sustainable Development Goals Organization appoints Aisha Gana Member Advisory Board





The Chairman, Niger State Law Reform Commission, Matron ANG Progress Associates, Matron Ibrahim Tako Association, Hon. Barr. Aisha Gana Galadima has been appointed Member of, the Advisory Board of an International NGO, the World Sustainable Development Goals Organization, WSDGsO, www.wsdgso.org




In a letter signed by the organization's Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Raymond Edoh on the 1st of February, 2023, disclosed that her appointment which is expected to be a shock because she wasn't communicated is meritorious going by her tremendous record of achievements made in the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, world.
"We had a long list of several others who were competing for this office around the UN member Nations, and after independent rigorous research on all of their achievements in the areas concerned (SDGs) by the Directorate of Research and Data Analysis, you were amidst the few who made it to serve in this high profile capacity.

"In as much as the organization says, congratulations, a lot needs to be done as the 17 SDGs need to be domesticated by all means on or before 2030.

" We wish you success in your new office as you soar higher in your career", the letter added.

Ahead of the general elections, Nigerians are banking on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headed by its chairman, Yakubu Mahmood for credible, free, and fair elections.

The question now is, how credible and corrupt-free is INEC? This and many more are yet to be answered. However, we must commend the efforts of the Chairman in making sure Nigeria gets the best it can. But then, how prepared are his subordinates in the commission and the chairman of the commission, Yakubu Mahmood himself? Is he sabotaging his efforts or are his subordinates sabotaging his efforts without knowing or something is going on somewhere and the general public is not aware?




Ingmar Bergman once said, "the only thing I consider appalling would be to suddenly become a vegetable and a burden on other people. A soul slowly dying out, trapped in a body in which the insides gradually sabotage me - that, I think, would be terrifying".

The Yakubu Mahmood Nigerians know do not joke with the implementation of court cases. Why Should the implementation of Action Allied, AA, remain a mirage despite elections drawing closer with each second that passes by?

To base our discussion on facts, in 2019, the political party, Action Allied, AA, had a congress that removed its National Chairman Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze and its National Secretary, James Vernimbe. After the party officially communicated the development to INEC in writing. INEC wrote the said suspended Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze on the 9th of August, 2019 in a letter signed by the then Ag. Secretary of the commission, A.T Yusuf.


Item 5 in the letter, read, " It is therefore regrettable that the commission shall suspend your recognition as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively pending the party's notice to the commission on your resumption as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively".

Aftermath the letter, in 2021 a judgment determined by Hon. Justice Suleiman B. Belgore at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, suit No: FCT/HC/CV/ 1734/21 on -2021 in a case between Action Alliance, Chief (Barr.) Kenneth O. Udeze (Claimants) and INEC, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, Doreen Ifeoma Maduka-Arisa (Respondents), the court held the view that the 2nd plaintiff Kenneth Udeze has been suspended by the party at the time when the refusal of the list of his candidates was forwarded to INEC for upload to the INEC site and as such the 1st Defendant was on good grounds in refusing the names submitted by the 2nd plaintiff for the said election.

Similarly, on Friday 7th of January, 2022, Action Alliance, Chief (Barr.) Kenneth O. Udeze, John Okechukwu Ikeotuonye (Appellants ) and INEC, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, Doreen Ifeoma Maduka-Arisa (Respondents), appealed the Federal High Court judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division holding at Abuja, in a judgment delivered by Ali A. B Gumel JCA, he struck out the case.

Earlier, at the Federal High Court on, the 4th of November, 2022, the same case was struck out.

Despite all this evidence, INEC still recognizes this particular faction, while the legitimate chairman of the party, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje is still relegated behind the scene.


The National Chairman of the party, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje called on the Presidency and international communities to come into the issue and investigate the blunt refusal of INEC to recognize his party's candidates list, pointing out that he has continuously written INEC on the unfolded in all its court cases and yet refused to do the needful.

"Action Allied is not a political party in Nigeria that INEC can believe it can suppress and impose a presidential candidate on its good people.

"We have seen how corrupt INEC is and its efforts in sabotaging the persistent push of President Muhammadu Buhari in having a smooth transition of power.

"We in AA are affirming to Nigerians and the world at large that Hamza Al-Mustapha is not the Presidential candidate of Action Alliance and we will relent at nothing until the right thing is done.

"The court has held that Mr. Udeze, whose faction of AA presented Mr. Hamza Al-Mustapha to INEC as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 Presidential election, is not the authentic leader of the party, so his lists of nominees for all offices is also not valid. So, what does INEC still want if not corruption?

"What Yakubu Mahmood and INEC are doing bothers on corruption and it harps on our democracy and the world must know that. I repeat that we are stopping at nothing until the needful is done. All we are saying is that INEC should recognize the list coming from the legitimate Chairman of the party ", Adekunle added.

World Sustainable Development Goals Organization condoles with Nasarawa state governor over son's Death


The Global management, of the World Sustainable Development Goals Organization, WSDGsO, www.wsdgso.org has condoled with the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Abdullahi Sule over the death of his son, Hassan Abdullahi Sule on the 26th of January, 2023.


The statement which was signed by the Chairman Board of Trustees of the organization, His Excellency Dr. Raymond Edoh described the son's death of an iconic leader as a great loss to Nigeria and not only to the good people of Nasarawa state.

In the condolence letter to His Excellency Abdullahi Sule, the organization urged the governor to take refuge in Allah stating that Allah giveth and he taketh that instead of grieving, he should return all glory to Allah.
"May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you. Wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time. May our condolences bring you comfort and may our prayers ease the pain of this loss,” the organization added.



Earlier, the organization sent its representative, the African Director Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 6 of SDGs), Mal. Sanusi Hamisu who attended the burial at Gudi in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Ahead of the APC Presidential Candidate's campaign flag-off in Osun State, scheduled to hold on Thursday, 2nd February 2023, the National Chairman of Allied Peoples' Movement (APM), ALHAJI MUHAMMAD MUSA BAGANA warns against the illegal negotiation going around the state by one MR. WALE ADEBAYO who parades himself as the Osun state Chairman of the party, promising to mortgage all candidates of the party seeking elections into the National and State House of Assembly during the 2023 general elections to declare support for the APC.

The report further states that MR. WALE ADEBAYO is not the authentic APM State party Chairman in Osun State as he along with the former National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, and indeed the entire interim officers of the party at all levels were sacked by the declaratory judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja dated 20th May 2022 which declared the offices of all party officials at all levels vacant and directed that the affairs of the party be handed over to the Registered Trustees of the party, and further mandated them to conduct congresses and convention to democratically elect officers of the party at Ward, LGA/AC, State/FCT, and National levels.


The National Chairman disclosed that Hon. Adegboyega is the duly elected APM State Chairman in Osun State who participated in the party congress following the mandate of the Federal High Court.

You will recall that APM has been in the news since February 2022 as a result of a leadership tussle in the party which led to the suspension of the former National Chairman and Secretary, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle and Ayodele Oyadeyi Adebayo, respectively for abuse of office, fraudulent activities, flagrant disobedience to INEC guidelines on party administration and incompetence before the Federal High Court Judgement in May 2022 sacked the entire interim leadership and ordered for elections to democratically elect party officials.

The National Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bagana cautioned those dealing with Mr. WALE ADEBAYO as the Party State Chairman in Osun to desist from that because he parades himself as such for his personal gains.


He added that Mr. Adebayo and his cohorts are negotiating to mortgage the interest of the candidates seeking elections to the National and State Assembly and the party at large to perpetuate their desire to only use the party platform for negotiation with candidates and to also mortgage the party to the APC presidential Candidate by declaring support for him.
"This is not the decision of the party and anyone committed to doing any negotiation with Mr. Wale Adebayo does that at his or her own risk. Their action is against the motto of our party which is INTEGRITY, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE. They are not committed to ensuring that candidates win the election or for the sustainability of the party but are more interested and concerned about what they can get for their pockets".

He decried the continuous recognition of the sacked National Chairman and Secretary by INEC despite the judgment of the Federal High Court which was denied the stay of execution by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He, therefore, called on INEC to revisit the Declaratory Judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja made on 20th May 2022 and execute it to compliment the good work it is doing to reform the electoral process because internal democracy in the administration of the political parties would strengthen our democratic processes.

He urged all members of the party in Osun state to the team. up and resist every attempt by unscrupulous members within and outside the party that would drag the name of the party in the mud.

Alhaji Bagana applauded the good work of Hon. Adegboyega, the Osun state APM chairman for being vigilant and committed to the genuine course of the party upholding her motto of INTEGRITY, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Lagos youths charged to help security agencies, INEC achieve credible elections


As Nigerian general elections draw closer, the Lagos State Chairman, Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, Comr. Adeyemi Adewuyi has called on Lagos State youths to remain supportive of the resilient efforts of security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in ensuring a smooth transition of power in a few weeks from now.


The NYC state chairman Comr. Adeyemi Adewuyi made the call while passing a vote of confidence on the Lagos State commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mr. Segun Dawodu over immeasurable heights attained in the development and empowerment of youths in the state.
" Hon. Mr. Segun Dawodu has severally demonstrated his love and passion for the youths of Lagos state and the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, can't play ignorance. We have been watching closely his programs and activities and we are glad to proudly Identify with him, to tell him that we have noticed all your good deeds and passionate dedication to the upliftment of the youths in the state.

Outlining a few remarkable projects of the Commissioner, Adeyemi said, The Chicago Exchange Programme which is one of the commitments of the state government to further build the capabilities of the youth and transform them from local champions to global citizens that can compete favorably with their peers from any part of the world, is a remarkable one.
" The State Government under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mr. Segun Dawodu sent a lot of youths to Chicago and today these youth beneficiaries are doing well in their sundry endeavors.



"Also, the Ibile Youth Academy is a leadership training platform designed to inculcate in young people the virtues of citizenship, leadership, and volunteerism for the development of our personality, society, the state, and by extension the nation. The leadership training will also ignite our personal development and transformation required for a bright future. All of these we don't take for granted. Thousands of youths have benefited and more would continue to benefit. What can we say than say thank you? We are grateful to you, Hon. Commissioner, Segun Dawodu".

Speaking on PVCs collection, Adeyemi Adewuyi urged youths in the state to be determined to claim theirs at INEC offices pointing out that the purpose of production is to be used by the owner to cast their votes.

However, he charged INEC to increase the number of staff or volunteers to help hasten the distribution speed to avoid unnecessary population in the collection centres.

Dr. Raymond Edoh urges youth Nationwide to go for PVC collection, inspects distribution in Lagos



The United Nations Habitat Ambassador to Nigeria and Convener, Go and Get Your PVC Youth Must Vote Campaign (GGYPVCYMVC), His Excellency Dr. Raymond Edoh on Friday 6th of January, 2023 inspects the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in Lagos State, calls on Nigerian youths to go for collection stressing that a good number of PVCs are lying fallow in INEC offices.
"Uncollected PVC in North West 0.74 million, North East 0.37 million, South West 3.48 million, South-South 1.28 million, North Central 1.20 million, South East 0.85 million. This implies that South West states; Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Ogun States with one hundred and thirty-seven (137) Local Government Areas (LGAs) are lacking behind in the collection of PVCs the federal government used its hard-earned resources to produce. This is very bad. Nigerians must go and get their PVCs. This time, it is a must to get PVCs and vote".

The Convener, Go and Get Your PVC Youth Must Vote Campaign (GGYPVCYMVC), His Excellency Dr. Raymond Edoh toured around the state for about ten hours and rapped up his inspection exercise in Victoria Island 2 where he addressed the media.

While speaking to journalists, he expressed optimism on the conduct of INEC staff stating that the PVC distribution exercise by INEC is going on smoothly in Lagos state and the turnout of Nigerians to get their PVCs is encouraging.
"I want to specially commend the efforts of the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. Here in Lagos, the collection of PVCs is going on hitch-free and the INEC staff are incredibly amazing.

"It is a new Dawn for every hardworking and politically-minded Nigerian youth
Elections nationwide are fast approaching, and all Nigerians especially the youth should come out and collect their PVCs. It must not end at collecting but on that day of the election come out and vote. This is the most powerful time we have as Nigerians in the history of the country and Africa to rightly determine the future of Africa not only Nigeria.


While tasking the youths to continue believing in the Nigerian project irrespective of all odds, assured the youths of a better Nigeria in a no-distance time if they don't fail in political participation as general elections draw closer.

According to him, "the vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice, selecting good leaders, and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men politically, economically, and socially.

"In the words of Nikki Reed, he said, "Young people need to vote. They need to get out there. Every vote counts. Educate yourself too. Don’t just vote. Know what you’re voting for, and stand by that.

"For the hard work of youths to yield desired results, good leaders must be in power. Leaders that have the youths in mind, Leaders that believe in the economy of the nation, and leaders that have Nigeria at heart. The issue now is, how do we have such people at the helm of affairs? This brings the youths in discharging their political franchise. We know the good leaders, and we have the voting population as youths, then, what are we waiting for? We should go out there during elections and vote for them", he said.

While urging the youths to desist from electoral violence, he pointed out that being used by politicians to discredit an election is one of the greatest offenses to national development stressing that change must begin with the youths by saying no to political/electoral violence irrespective of the amount of money involved.

Reacting to Nigerians' perception on the inspection of electoral materials by the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, Edoh pointed out that the perception of some Nigerians on the materials that some will be configured to allow electoral rigging is not true and urged Nigerians that are making rounds the rumor to disassociate selves from such misinformation.
"As I have always said in my sundry interviews on the forthcoming election, this election would be one of the most credible elections so far in the history of Africa because even President Muhammadu Buhari has given his words to that. He has assured us time without number that he would make sure that these elections are as credible and free and fair as possible.

"All PVCs produced by INEC must be collected before the time of elections", he urged Nigerians.

Barr Aisha G Gana Jekadia Alkalai Nupe and Team ANG identified with widows for the christmas and in addition lent support to the Medical outreach to Bida indigenes at Medical centre in Nasarafu ward. The Medical outreach involves medical consultation, treatment and surgery of 1000 patients by Dr Shehu Ahmed and his team.

Dr Shehu Ahmed, an APC stalwart and stake holder from Bida led his team of Doctors to the outreach held on the 27th to 28th December, 2022 at the PHC Nasarafu, Bida.

Team ANG Progressive Associates on behalf Hon. Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana, the Jekadiya Alikalain Nupe, Chairman Niger State Law Reform Commission, Member APC Presidential Campaign Council has Partnered with Dr. Shehu Ahmed in the just concluded Free medical outreach held in honour of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Candidate,
Umar Bago aside from the massive food item donation project she embarked on still in honour of Umar Bago, the APC Governorship candidate alongside the Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a campaign tool ahead of the February elections


The free medical outreach which comprises free medical consultancy, free drugs, free surgeries, and other related services rendered showed the masses that the APC gubernatorial candidate is the most outstanding as beneficiaries assured Hon. Aisha Galadima of taking the indoor campaigns upon themselves.

Earlier, Dr. Shehu in his speech stated that the outreach is borne out of the benevolence of Hon. Aisha Galadima Gana stated that she was the brain and financial backbone of the event while urging every one of them to Vote for the APC presidential candidate and the Niger State APC gubernatorial candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Umar Bago and all APC Candidates across the State, respectively.




Hon. Aisha Galadima while distributing the food items which were rice, noodles, semovita, spaghetti, Maggi, salt, tin tomatoes, salt, soaps & detergents, wrappers, and slippers, also engaged the women on issues bothering their immediate communities as she assured them of immediate intervention soon as APC wins the elections.



According to her, Aisha,
“the gesture is part of my passion for humanity and vision to help indigents and vulnerable people in order to alleviate their suffering, especially during this festive period.

“This is not the first time I am embarking on this kind of project, we have been providing for widows, we empowered them, and the vulnerable in the state generally.

“I promise to reach out to more beneficiaries in the years ahead by God’s grace,’’ Aisha said.

Beneficiaries prayed that God continues to bless, protect her, and grant all her heart desires so that she could continue to do more

Chief Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana assures Nigerians of Good governance if APC emerges in the February presidential election






The member, APC Presidential Women Campaign Council, member, PCC and Matron ANG Associates, Chief Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana has stated that Nigerians can only see more dividends of democracy if Nigerians give the mandate to the APC Presidential Candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Barr. Aisha made this known in a new year message she signed and made available to journalists on Sunday, the 1st of January, 2023.

Chief Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana noted that sustainability and continuity in governance are essential and as such, for Nigerians to actually see the practical evidence of what President Muhammadu Buhari has laid the foundation for, the people of Nigerian should realize that the same party should be given that mandate to prove what it had brought to bear.
"Tinubu is one of the best ever political technocrats who has all it takes to make Nigeria a country of our dreams. He is a leader with no questionable character, he is a leader who believes in the masses and has the unity of this country at heart. A vote for him is a vote for the good of Nigeria, a vote for him is a vote to better Nigeria, and a vote for him is a vote for economic viability.
Until Nigerians get to the level of understanding how things work politically, it might not go smoothly. It is on this, I urge all Nigerians to give a block vote to APC in the February elections". She added.


Stressing further in her new year message, thanked Her Excellency Aisha Buhari for her doggedness in leading women and giving them a leveled playing ground with their male counterparts in all spheres of discipline.

E & P Total Vs Felix Adariku: Defendant loses faith in Nigeria's Judiciary System

...says Justice must prevail for the common man


In a case, Mr. Felix Adariku Vs Total F & P Nigeria Limited, Suit No: AC/ABJCV/563/2020 judged by the lead judge of the Appeal Court, Justice Stephen Adah on the 20th, December 2022 in Abuja has rendered Mr. Felix Adariku and Co., disappointed in the Nigerian Judicial system after a judgment passed by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in the Abuja Judicial Division Holden at Abuja on the 26th October 2018 was upturned at the Appeal Court.


After the judgment, Barr. O .M Ikongbeh who spoke with journalists stated that the recap of the judgment given by the Appeal court today, in the Appeal of Total E&P Total Nigeria limited, versus Felix Adariku will undergo further studies.
"Today's judgment is the second judgment in a series of appeals. The first judgment was delivered on Thursday the 15th of December 2021.










"Of course, I can understand the grievance of my clients, considering particularly that the Industrial Court gave judgment in our favor. And, you know, it's unfortunate that we do not have the privilege of hearing the full judgment and the reasons behind it because the court sat this evening. So, at this point, it is difficult to state, to really consider what exactly the judgment contained as a yardstick and basis. But, we are submitting our application to get a copy of the judgment, and afterward, we proceed to the Supreme Court.








"To the judiciary, it must understand its role as a social engineer to bring about social justice, justice that will affect the lives of the people and change their lives for the better.




"my encouragement, you know, when it comes to change, change is a gradual process. what we have had to fight is still even though a negative outcome, positive, it is one step at a time. I will continue pressing, and I encourage my clients to continue pressing, not to give up, and to know that they're not to lose hope in the Nigerian judiciary. We believe that the judiciary over the years has with time also stood the test where sometimes gotten it wrong, sometimes right. But the bottom line is, we will continue to press on and ensure that we get an outcome that we believe represents what would be satisfactory to every one of them", he added.


However, all effort to get across to the country's communication manager, Mr Charles Ebereonwu prove abortive.

APM National Woman Leader Canvasses For Implementation Of 40% Provision For Women In Party's Constitution




The National Woman Leader of the ALLIED PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT (APM) Mrs. Oladipo Ponmile has advocated for the implementation of the 40% provision for women in all elective and appointive positions as contained in the party's constitution.


She stated this after the stakeholders' meeting held at the National Secretariat at No. 26 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako Abuja to strategize on the party's successful participation in the 2023 general elections. She reminded the leadership of the party that women are committed to nation building and national development hence their active participation in the democratic process of voter registration and voting itself, therefore they deserve to be included in the governance process at every level.


She recalled that during every voting exercise, women would be seen on the queue with their children at their backs under the scourging sunshine or in the rain waiting patiently for their turn to cast their votes. There is no other commitment greater than this to demonstrate love of a country by performing this important civic duty of electing leaders.


She added that the party have capable women who can occupy any position. She therefore enjoined the party leadership to demonstrate their political will of implementing the 40% provision for women in the campaign structures at all levels.



Reacting to this, the National Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bagana assured the National Woman leader that the party under his leadership will domesticate every provision of the party's constitution in the operations of the party.


He applauded the efforts of the National Woman leader in mobilising women across the states to join the party which was demonstrated during the 1st National Convention of the party held in August, 2022 at Links Hotel, Utako, Abuja.



He further added that the party would do everything within its powers to promote and support women participation in politics and governance, and also reaffirmed his commitment towards giving a level playing field for all members of the party at any occasion to compete or contest for any position.

Also commenting on the issue, the Deputy National Chairman (Administration), Pastor Merci Imuseh Omo-Ebere assured the National Woman Leader of every administrative support she would require to mobilize women to join the party and also take advantage of the constitutional provision to excel.


He however, admonished that women must be ready to wrestle power by building their capacity and preparing themselves mentally and psychologically and not wait to be given power. He added his voice in commending the efforts of the National Woman Leader in mobilising women into the party, and urged her to reach out to organized women groups and sensitise them on the need to participate also in party politics as the only way they can support their struggle for inclusion in the governance process.



The National Woman Leader thanked the leadership of the party for listening to her and assured them that mobilization of women to register as members of the party is work in progress.


She also added that "on behalf of my good women of APM
I applaud the National Chairman of our great party Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bagana and his 2 deputies Mrs Rose Gyar D N C (operations) and Pastor Merci lmuseh Omo-Ebere D N C (Administration) for giving the APM WOMENS' WING
the administrative and technical support needed to successfully establish the Women Wing as a platform for easy mainstreaming of women into the activities of the party. I promised to do what ever I can do within my power to Mobilise my women and deliver on this great job", she said.

Chief Barr Aisha Galadima Gana Chairman Niger State Law Reform Commission, Member APC Women Campaign Council, and P.C.C congratulate Chief (Ada Anioma) Lauretta Anochie, Media Assistant to the President and Deputy Director APC Women Presidential Council on her recent appointment as Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Barr. Aisha Gana made this known to journalists in a press release she signed and made available to pressmen in Abuja immediately after the confirmation of her appointment.

Aisha, in her congratulatory message, described Lauretta Anochie as a political icon who has been tested and trusted. Easy to access, and welcoming to all and sundry.
"Chairman NDDC,
Anti Lauretta Anochie,
we know you are tested and have the capacity to steer the leadership of that herculean task,
May you succeed, Amin."

She further assured the Niger Delta people that going by her precedence, she will deliver beyond expectations and everyone's imagination.


Barr. Aisha also thanked the entire women in the APC for the support given to Lauretta Anochie and for believing in her at all times, stressing that she will not disappoint the trust vested in her.


Earlier, she pleaded with Nigerians to support the Tinubu/Shettima presidential race assuring Nigerians that the country can be a better place if the nation gives mandate to the APC flag bearers in all levels of political contest.


Aisha who specially lauded the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, the leadership of the Senate, the Executives, the Niger Delta Minister, Presidential aides, and his Executives for their relentless efforts in making sure that women are adequately carried along in this administration through the instrumentality of tangible political appointments in all sectors, pleads the Buhari led government for more appointments of women into strategic positions.

The United Nations Habitat Ambassador to Nigeria who doubles as the Nigerian Youth Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency, Dr. Raymond Edoh has bagged the 2022 Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria award.


The award ceremony which took place in Ikeja Lagos, St. Leo’s Hall, with the
theme “G.R.E.E.N – Get Ready! Enfranchise Every Nigerian is her Biennial Dinner and Awards Night.

Dr. Raymond who spoke with journalists after the ward presentation thank the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria for the National recognition.
"Nigerian youths are my heroes and heroines. Time without number, they have proven that with my little support. Honestly, it has encouraged me to keep helping them the little way I can. We are all youths, we know the situation in the country at the moment and we all need such encouragements, we need people by our side who believes in us, who can tell us, you can make it and the rest. I still wish to state it clearly that I dedicate this award to the Nigerian youths. I can't love them less", he added.

Earlier, Edoh while speaking on the topic, "Enlightening youth to the vast electoral system in Nigeria: Fostering unity and love through vote & Promoting right to vote and effective participation towards the election", as the keynote speaker, said, Young people’s active contributions can bring democratic values to life, leading to the overturning of authoritarian practices. In countries where young people have led protests that have forced authoritarian regimes from power, they are likely to feel significant frustration if they are not included in new formal decision-making procedures. This can destabilize democratization and accelerate conflict dynamics.
"Now, the disadvantages of youths exclusiveness in political process can lead to the following changes as it has to do with Nation building.
"Diminished trust in democratic processes and institutions: Electoral violence reproduces repressive and non-democratic power structures including patriarchal repression in the institutional space. It doesn’t only diminish trust in democratic processes, it undermines the quality of democracy both directly (repressing/killing voters, candidates, etc) and indirectly (limited inclusive participation) as well as through public perceptions of legitimacy. In some contexts, elections have already become synonymous with trouble and danger. Such associations have devastating effects on trust in democratic processes and institutions.
Economic implications: Elections are the largest administrative undertakings in democratic societies, and consequently the costs associated with elections may represent a major financial burden. In some cases, governments are unable to finance elections and depend on international electoral assistance. In addition, electoral competition and election monitoring involve significant expenditures for political parties, and domestic and international monitoring groups.
Election-related violence will not only squander those resources but will further cause destruction of local communities and infrastructure with numerous negative economic and developmental consequences, both direct and indirect.



"We are experiencing a heated time in our country. Contention and anger are prevalent on social media, news, and sadly in some of our hearts.



"Now, Fostering Unity and Love through Vote:
The key to love as regards the electoral process is constitutional patriotism. We have to remain united by and through the Constitution, regardless of our ideological disagreements. Loyalty to established law instead of temporary “allies” is one of the best way to love our adversaries above political interest as we seek unity in diversity.




"For the right to participate in public affairs, voting rights and the right of equal access to public service is reproduced through the right to self determination,
freedom of information and expression,
freedom of association and freedom of assembly.

"This emphasises the relationship between the rights recognised in Article 25 and other rights, including
Voter education and registration campaigns are necessary to ensure the effective exercise of article 25 rights by an informed community.
Freedom of expression, assembly and association are essential conditions for the effective exercise of the right to vote and must be fully protected.

"State reports should describe the rules governing the right to vote, and the application of those rules in the period covered by the report. State reports should also describe factors which impede citizens from exercising the right to vote and the positive measures which have been adopted to overcome these factors.
In their reports, States parties should indicate and explain the legislative provisions which would deprive citizens of their right to vote. The grounds for such deprivation should be objective and reasonable. If conviction for an offence is a basis for suspending the right to vote, the period of such suspension should be proportionate to the offence and the sentence. Persons who are deprived of liberty but who have not been convicted should not be excluded from exercising the right to vote.


"The effective implementation of the right and the opportunity to stand for elective office ensures that persons entitled to vote have a free choice of candidates. Any restrictions on the right to stand for election, such as minimum age, must be justifiable on objective and reasonable criteria. Persons who are otherwise eligible to stand for election should not be excluded by unreasonable or discriminatory requirements such as education, residence or descent, or by reason of political affiliation. No person should suffer discrimination or disadvantage of any kind because of that person's candidacy. States parties should indicate and explain the legislative provisions which exclude any group or category of persons from elective office.
Conditions relating to nomination dates, fees or deposits should be reasonable and not discriminatory. If there are reasonable grounds for regarding certain elective offices as incompatible with tenure of specific positions (e.g. the judiciary, high-ranking military office, public service), measures to avoid any conflicts of interest should not unduly limit the rights protected. The grounds for the removal of elected office holders should be established by laws based on objective and reasonable criteria and incorporating fair procedures.
The right of persons to stand for election should not be limited unreasonably by requiring candidates to be members of parties or of specific parties. If a candidate is required to have a minimum number of supporters for nomination this requirement should be reasonable and not act as a barrier to candidacy. Without prejudice to paragraph (1) of article 5 of the Covenant, political opinion may not be used as a ground to deprive any person of the right to stand for election.
State reports should describe the legal provisions which establish the conditions for holding elective public office, and any limitations and qualifications which apply to particular offices. Reports should describe conditions for nomination, e.g. age limits, and any other qualifications or restrictions", Edoh said.

Nigerian Youth knocks Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, and others for becutting youth debate, set to campaign against them

By Maryam Aminu, Abuja


Nigerian Youths under the algae of Diamond Youths Transformation Initiative DYTI, Nigerian Youth Decide NYD, Yoruba Youth Parliament, Arewa Youth, Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria Youth wing, YOWINCAN/ Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Youth wing /Nigerians in the Diaspora has rolled out a list of Presidential candidates who falled to attend and would be campaigning against stating that the candidates don't have youths at heart for not attending the youth debate which held on Saturday 10th December 2022 at Merit House, Maitama, ahead of the Presidential election come February 2023.


In a Press Conference organized by the above cluster of organizations super headed by Amb. Uchechukwu Ekpere Paul pointed out that the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, His Excellency Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of PDP, His Excellency
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of Apc, His Excellency
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Excellency,
Al Mustapha, AA Presidential Candidate, His Excellency
Prof Justice Umehadi
APGA, and His Excellency
Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso
NNPP, His Excellency
Yabaji Y Sani
ADP has disappointed the Nigerian Youths for not coming to its debate to tell the youths what they have for them and why they are vying for the office of the President.

Stressing further, he assured all the candidates mentioned that the youths have mutually agreed that they would campaign against them because their absence has shown that they don't have anything to offer to Nigerians and the youths in particular.
"The candidates didn't come after all assurances. They have sent a message that they don't value the youth and it would be foolish for any youth to campaign for such candidates they have not heard from or seen. In other nations, youths are honoured. Their absence simply means they are not for the youths and we will raise against them in all the 36 States that we are in and campaign against them. It is an insult to we the youths", he added.

The press conference which held immediately after the debate at the same venue enlightened youths on the need to disassociate selves from candidates who are not youth friendly as if given power, would disregard and exclude the youths in it's programs and policies.

Also Digital imam shierk Mohamed Nuru Khalid pointed that those candidates has sent a message to the Nigerian Youth that they can succeed without them.

However, speaking about the organization, Uche said, "Diamond Youth Transformation Initiative of Nigeria (DYTI)/Nigerian Youth Decide (NYD) is a Leadership/Social Economic and Empowerment Institute with Million registered members across Nigeria and Africa.
We train leaders of exceptional value that model integrity, competence, accountability in their specialized fields, and organizational skills for both private and public sectors.

"Retrospectively, we hosted the first and one of the Best Nigerian National Presidential Debate in 2019. In attendance were 10 presidential candidates on stage.

"We have hosted many State's governorship debates too. Our social project cut across the 36 states in Nigeria", he said .

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) one of the 18 political parties preparing for the 2023 general elections held meeting to critically appraise their engagement with the stakeholders ie INEC, Judiciary, IPAC and other Stakeholders on their respective roles in the sustenance of Democratic ideals and upholding rule of law amidst the various litigations concerning the smooth conduct of the 2023general elections.



In an opening remark during the one day stakeholder engagement appraisal by the leaders of the party, the National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bagana decried the insensitivity of INEC towards supporting internal democracy in political parties by not upholding court judgements aimed at strengthening democracy and Democratic processes.




He added that since the Federal High Court Judgement of 20th May, 2022 dissolving the party structure at all levels and transferring powers to the Registered Trustees mandating them to conduct Congresses and convention for the election of officers at National, State, LGA/AC and Ward levels for the party, INEC has not obliged to the court ruling even when all efforts by Yusuf Mamman Dantalle to stay the execution of the judgement failed both at the Federal High Court and Appeal Court.



The chairman went ahead to inform members that even though the Appeal for stay of execution of the Federal High Court Judgement was denied, INEC has continued to recognise and deal with Yusuf M. Dantalle as the National Chairman of the party with no recourse to the provisions of the party constitution, desire of the founding members of the party to protect the dignity and Motto of the party ie INTEGRITY, SACRIFICE, SERVICE or even moved by moral conscience or patriotism despite several engagement with the current leadership of the party who emerged following the mandate of the Court judgement.
He congratulated members of the party for their steadfastness and sustained loyalty to the motto of the party, as well as their resilience in obedience to the rule of law in spite of provocation by the action of INEC.


While answering questions as to whether IPAC as a platform for self regulation and coordination of political parties is aware of what is happening and what their intervention is in the matter, the National chairman, Alhaji Bagana said it's unfortunate that even IPAC could not offer any positive intervention even when the party informed the body that the National Working Committee suspended the then National Chairman, Yusuf M. Dantalle for gross misuse of office, fraudulent activities and diversion of party funds into his personal account. Rather than look at the allegation of the party with a a view to investigating the matter for appropriate sanction, more so that the then chairman was the National Secretary of IPAC in order to provide leadership to the political parties, IPAC went ahead to clear him to contest election and retained him as the National Secretary in an election he came out from incarceration and detention in Kabba prison for an allegation of illegal possession of unauthorized firearms.



The party is worried that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mamoud tells Nigerians and the world that INEC would conduct credible, free and fair election in 2023 and yet not adhering to the rule of law by respecting Court orders.


The INEC chairman informed Nigerians and his guests from the African Union of the numerous litigations including pre-election and intra party cases still lingering in courts across the country. It is indeed disturbing that INEC will not commit to implementing a judgement from Federal High Court until it awaits the judgement from the Appeal court on the same matter whose stay of execution was sought for and not granted. . Where then lies the hope of an enduring democracy in our country?
After hours of deliberations, however, the meeting issued a 3 point communique as follows:
1. The party leadership should again remind INEC of the pending Federal High Court Judgement of 20th May, 2022 yet to be stayed by any court of competent jurisdiction since the Appeal Court dismissed the request to stay execution of the judgement. The judgement should therefore be implemented while waiting for the determination of the substantive case in the Appeal court.


2. INEC should recognize and deal with the new leadership of the party who were elected during the congresses and convention organized by the Registered Trustees of party in line with the mandate contained in the judgement of 20th May, 2022 to allow members of the party enjoy legitimate leadership.
3. All candidates of the party who emerged during the primaries conducted by the Registered Trustees should be considered legitimate candidates of the party and be replaced by INEC with those who were submitted by Yusuf M. Dantalle
The meeting then called on INEC to do the needful as soon as possible to enable the candidates consolidate their campaign activities among electorates as the election dates draw closer. They however, warned that the party may be forced to seek redress on the damages caused by the commission by its continues refusal to do the needful.

Nigerian Youth Presidential Debate holds today Saturday, Tinubu, Obi, Atiku, Adebayo, others set to attend, ticket is free


By Juwairate Aliyu, Abuja

A cluster of Nigeria Youth groups focused on credibility, integrity, workable, achievable manifesto, and trustworthiness of candidates instead of the ritual money bag politicking under the umbrella of
Nigeria Youth Decide/Diamond Youth Transformation Initiative (NYD/DYTI), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Wing (YOWINCAN), National Youths Wing Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria amongst many others in a press conference held today in Abuja ahead of the Presidential Debate scheduled for today 10th of December, 2022 at Merit House, Maitama-Abuja, 6 pm, disclosed that all Presidential candidates are confirmed to be in attendance stressing that the youth debate is the only platform in which all youths would listen and interact with candidates, pointing out that what candidates say in the debate informs the decision of the Nigerian youths on who to support and vote during the election.

The leader of the Coalition, Amb. Uchechukwu Ekpere Paul explained that the presidential debate will be an avenue for candidates to expose their political opinions and public policy proposals to the Nigeria Youth.

Paul added that youth, women, leaders, and those seeking elective offices should know that every vote counts and that every youth is Important.

The leader of the group cautioned presidential aspirants not to think of absenting themselves from the debate as doing so will signal that they don’t have value for Nigeria’s Youths and the youth will in turn see them as not serious.

The Director of media, Nigerian Youth Presidential Debate, Emmanuel Huleji Daudu, while speaking, said, millions of people are expected to watch the debate as the ticket sales committee has almost exhausted its available tickets.

However, he stated that for inquiries the following numbers can be contacted: 09036683775, +234 812 072 0414

“The debate will be broadcast live on NTA, ARISE NEWS, AIT, Channels, Kaftan TV, Ben TV, various radio stations, and online media and social media handles”, Daudu added.

Nigerian Youth Presidential Debate comes up on Saturday 10th December 2022 ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election


A cluster of Nigeria Youth groups focused on credibility, integrity, workable, achievable manifesto, and trustworthiness of candidates instead of the ritual money bag politicking under the umbrella of
Nigeria Youth Decide/Diamond Youth Transformation Initiative (NYD/DYTI), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Wing (YOWINCAN), National Youths Wing Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria amongst many others in a press conference held today in Abuja ahead of the Presidential Debate scheduled for 10th of December, 2022 at Merit House, Maitama-Abuja, 6 pm, disclosed that it is essential for Presidential candidates to attend the debate, stressing that the youth debate is the only platform in which all youths would listen and interact with candidates, pointing out that what candidates say in the debate informs the decision of the Nigerian youths on who to support and vote during the election.





The leader of the Coalition, Amb. Uchechukwu Ekpere Paul explained that the presidential debate will be an avenue for candidates to expose their political opinions and public policy proposals to the Nigeria Youth.

Paul added that youth, women, leaders, and those seeking elective offices should know that every vote counts and that every youth is Important.

The leader of the group cautioned presidential aspirants not to think of absenting themselves from the debate as doing so will signal that they don't have value for Nigeria's Youths and the youth will in turn see them as not serious.


The Director of media, Nigerian Youth Presidential Debate, Emmanuel Huleji Daudu, while speaking, said, millions of people are expected to watch the debate as the ticket sales committee has almost exhausted its available tickets.


However, he stated that for inquiries the following numbers can be contacted: 09036683775, +234 812 072 0414

"The debate will be broadcast live on NTA, ARISE NEWS, AIT, Channels, Kaftan TV, Ben TV, various radio stations, and online media and social media handles", Daudu added.