Three presidential candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling APC yesterday intensified their bid to win the popular votes from the northern part of the country.

Mr Obi and Asiwaju Tinubu laid their agenda for the country before northern leaders under the aegis of the Arewa Joint Committee at Arewa House, Kaduna, who had invited them to share their visions for the country and the region while former vice president Atiku Abubakar spoke during a PDP rally, also in Kaduna.

At the interaction with northern elders at Arewa House which was attended by leaders from Northern Nigeria across party lines, academics, civil society and youth organisations, Tinubu said he would ensure that Nigeria remains an indivisible entity, adding that he would transform the country the same way he did as Lagos State governor.

He stated that the whole country is endowed with resources that can be harnessed for greater economic development.

The APC presidential candidate praised past leaders of the country, including the late Premier of the Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello; Nigeria first and only Prime minister, Tafawa Balewa; Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe for being visionary leaders who gave their all to nation-building.

Before addressing the Northern leaders, Tinubu had earlier visited the tomb of the late Saudauna of Sokoto who he prayed for and praised for his invaluable sacrifice to the North and country.


Standing on the ideals of the heroes of Nigeria’s independence and history, Tinubu said he would continue to give his best as president to ensure the country remains indivisible, with parts achieving greatness together as one.

He said, “As I said when I chaired the Sardauna Memorial Lecture last year, I have a solemn feeling of responsibility and duty to our country every time I am here. Standing here evokes memories of a great leader and a father of this nation, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto. The contributions of the Sardauna to nation-building remain a reference point for us all. He was a visionary builder of men and institutions.

“The dream of Sardauna, and indeed that of our other great leaders such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and our first and only prime minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was for one indivisible and prosperous nation built on shared values of patriotism, equity, justice and brotherhood.”

In a veiled criticism of his PDP rival, Atiku, who had earlier told the northern elders that they should ignore candidates of Igbo and Yoruba extraction, Tinubu said, “The framers of this anthem, God rest their souls, will cringe to know that 62 years after, someone would come to this hallowed platform to campaign on the basis of tribe or where others come from.”

On his plans for Nigeria as president, Tinubu promised to build on the successes recorded by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in all sectors of the nation.

“Our economic plan would utilize the vast natural resources we have, through strategic investment in infrastructure which will lead to the diversification of the economy and wealth creation across the entire country.  We will pay attention to modern economic drivers such as the digital economy, creative industries, sports and entertainment sectors for the benefit of our young people.

“We shall support private businesses in our country and attract foreign direct investment to create jobs, re-industrialise our country and accelerate economic development. Nigerian businesses in sectors like banking and cement have successfully ventured out of the country to build thriving subsidiaries,” he said.

Tinubu also promised to focus on using his experience of building human capital, which made Lagos one of the largest economies in Africa, to grow the nation’s economy to an enviable height.

“I will ensure that we take advantage of our resources to convert cotton to textile, plants to pharmaceutical products, groundnut to edible oil, cassava to ethanol and starch, etc., thereby building competitive advantage for our farmers through value addition.”

Tinubu said North has a greater advantage in agriculture and under his presidency, the region will emerge as the hub of agribusiness in Africa through huge investment in the sector in collaboration with the private sector.

He said, “Agriculture is of special interest to me. It is both an economic and existential issue for every country.

“Experience in the last seven years has shown the potential of agriculture in solving the problem of unemployment and boosting our GDP. For example, recent investment in the rice value chain has led to the springing up of rice mills across the country with attendant wealth creation and a reduction in our import bill.

“The North has a greater advantage in this regard due to its large and abundant arable land. My vision is for the region to be the hub of agribusiness in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We will improve investment in our livestock value chain, specifically, subsectors like the dairy industry that have the potential of adding billions of dollars into our economy will receive significant attention.”

On his plans for education and helping reduce the out-of-school children in the North, the APC presidential flag bearer said: “Millions of our children are currently roaming the streets instead of being in classrooms.  My administration will invest heavily in infrastructure to allow for proper integration of these children into our conventional schools.

“Education is the most effective weapon against poverty. Compared with other countries, education in Nigeria suffers from a funding deficit on account of our population and limited resources. I will provide the required leadership and mobilise investment for the development of the sector. We will work with both states and local governments to reform and retool the system. These reforms will give special attention to the welfare and training of our teachers and lecturers as a necessary catalyst for the better system we desire.”

 

 I Will Unlock Nigeria’s Greatness – Obi

On his part, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, told the northern leaders that Nigeria at the moment qualifies to be referred to as a failed state and that he would work to restore the country’s greatness which had been undermined by poor governance over the years.

According to the LP presidential hopeful, when a country is no longer in control of the economy and security, such a country is nothing but a failed state, stressing that if elected president in 2023 he will positively change the narrative.

Obi stated this during an interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee made up of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Northern Elders For (NEF), Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), Jamiyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Arewa House (Centre for Historical Development and Research) and Arewa Research Development Project (ARDP).

“Nigeria is not bereft of ideas but institutional weakness and lack of political will to effect genuine change that will better the lives of average Nigerians,” he said, adding that he is committed to unlocking the greatness of the country and lifting it from a consuming country to a producing country.

Obi reiterated that insecurity will be a thing of the past when he gets elected as president through the creation of employment opportunities for youths who are tools used to perpetrate social vices.

On insecurity ravaging the country such as banditry and Boko Haram terrorists, among others, Obi said once jobs are created and the youths are gainfully engaged and made productive, insecurity would have been reduced to the barest minimum and will no longer be a lucrative business.

He, however, asserted that the security agencies will be adequately equipped to handle all forms of insecurity in the country.

“We want to bring a transformative government. The greatest assets of Nigeria are in the north, the greatest assets of Nigeria are vast uncultivated land in the north but these lands have been taken over by bandits. We are going to unlock Nigeria.

“We will bring Nigeria back to life. All banks will be shareholders in the Bank of Agriculture where our farmers can directly assess loans,” he said.

Obi also promised to eradicate poverty in Nigeria, saying that when people are pulled out of poverty, the rate of crime in the country will reduce.

Stressing that his candidacy is for a new Nigeria, Obi said he wants to make Nigeria a country the people will be proud of.

Obi further said he will fight corruption to standstill, maintaining that fighting corruption is easy when one is not stealing.

“Our past is gone; we are going to face the future. Fighting corruption is easy when one is not stealing; our money is being stolen, subsidy is organised crime.

“I want to give Nigerians’ hope. I and my running mate will be in charge, they will not find us wanting; we have the physical strength; I will dialogue with every agitator because it will make us a better and united Nigeria.”

He promised to invest more in women, maintaining that women are very industrious and dedicated and committed when given responsibility.

He urged Nigerians to vote for a person with the character and capacity they can trust, saying he is that candidate that can be trusted.

 

 Atiku Pledges To Reposition Manufacturing Sector

Also yesterday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, promised to revive moribund manufacturing industries in Kaduna as well as finding solutions to terrorism, which has bedeviled Kaduna for years and Nigeria in general.

Speaking at the presidential rally which took place at the Ranchers Bees Township Stadium in Kaduna, Atiku thanked the people of Kaduna for giving him the highest number of votes in 2019 and pledged to take issues concerning Kaduna seriously if elected in the 2023 election.

Atiku said, “Let me thank you for your support in 2019. You gave me the highest number of votes in 2019 and I believe you will do so this time around. I have come here on behalf of PDP to tell you If you vote for us, we will end insecurity in Kaduna. We will revive the industries in Kaduna in partnership with the private sector of Kaduna.”

In his remarks, the director-general of the Atiku’s campaign council, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state, said efforts to throw a spanner in PDP’s campaign will fail.

“The people of Kaduna have seen and felt the negative impact of the APC and when Atiku gets into power by next year, all the factories will return by God’s grace.

“His administration will ensure we invigorate our economy to have jobs and better life. I urge the people of Kaduna to come out in their millions to vote come February 2023.”

The party’s national chairman, Iyiocha Ayu, in his remarks said despite being denied the proposed venue for the rally, the PDP has shown that if rallies were held on the road, they will always be successful.

Reacting on his Twitter handle to reports of an attack on PDP members by suspected APC thugs at the rally, Atiku urged President Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns towards the general elections are kept free, fair and safe.

 

 NNPP Intervenes In South West Crisis

The New Nigeria Peoples Party  crisis rocking their party in the South West, calling on the warring factions to eschew bitterness and come to compromise.

Speaking at a press conference, the national chairman of the party, Prof Rufai Alkali, said as the party goes into the campaign mode, it is correcting certain misconceptions being peddled in the public space.

“NNPP has been drawn to some misunderstanding among the leaders of our party in the South West Zone, leading to suspension of some zonal and state executives.

“However, the leadership of the party has resolved as follows: That all feuding parties should eschew bitterness and embrace peace for the sake of the greater good of the party; that the suspension of the Executive members has been reversed to status quo ante bellum.

“That the National Working Committee has set up a peace and reconciliation Committee to immediately meet with all the aggrieved parties at Lagos to listen to their grievances and amicably resolve the differences.”

The leadership of the NNPP called on all its members, particularly in the South West, to remain calm as all their grievances will be properly addressed to bring everlasting peace and harmonious relationship among members of the NNPP family.

On the campaigns, Alkali said NNPP will soon release its timetable for the campaign that will take its presidential candidate, Sen. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to every nook and cranny of the country.

“However, one incontrovertible fact is that His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is the best and the most qualified among those contesting for the number one position in the country. His performance in all the positions he had held is second to none.”

“He is ready to replicate all the past achievements at the Presidency level if elected into office in 2023. His records speak for him. This is the icon that the NNPP is offering Nigeria.”

He promised that the party will run an issue-based campaign in line with the words and letters of the Peace Accord signed last month by the various candidates.

 

 PDP Condemn Attack On Party’s Rally

 

Following the reported attack on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally in Kaduna yesterday, the Kaduna State Peace Commission has warned political parties and supporters against thuggery and disturbance of public peace.

In a statement issued by the executive vice chairman of Kaduna State Peace Commission, Saleh B. Momale, he appreciated the proactive response by security agencies in immediately halting the development, and urged the agencies to be extra vigilant in monitoring campaign processes in order to prevent occurrences of clashes.

The commission assured the residents of the state of its commitment to continue working with stakeholders in ensuring peaceful campaigns and elections in all parts of Kaduna State.

The statement said, ”The Kaduna Peace Commission notes with dismay acts of aggression reported at the Kaduna Township Stadium during the political rally organized by one of the political parties, today, Monday, 17th October, 2022”

“The commission also notes the negative reportage, deliberate distortion of facts and inciting discussions on social media relating to the sad event.

“The probable aim was to escalate the mild event that was immediately stopped due to the intervention of the security agencies and peace-loving citizens of the State.

“The commission strongly cautions political parties, candidates, supporters and the teeming youths in Kaduna State against all acts of provocation, thuggery, arson, destruction of properties and disturbance of public peace,” it said.

Similarly, PDP yesterday condemned the violent attack on its Presidential Campaign Rally in Kaduna, Kaduna State capital yesterday by those it called heavily armed hoodlums sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party said the unprovoked attack is not only reprehensible but also exposed the desperation of the APC which is overwhelmed by the continuing popularity of the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for which they have now resorted to violence.

The PDP national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, said the aim of the APC for this attack was to frustrate the PDP Presidential rally, trigger tension, violence and cause bloodletting in Kaduna State.

He added that this is contrary to the undertaking in the Peace Accord signed by political parties on September 28, 2022 in which the presidential candidate of the APC was conspicuously absent.

He said, “The APC is intimidated by Atiku Abubakar’s popularity and acceptance among majority of Nigerians following their confidence in Atiku Abubakar’s practical experience, record, capacity, broad-mindedness, Pan-Nigerianism and willpower to unite our nation, revamp our devastated economy and guarantee security of lives and property in our country.

“In any case, our party is undeterred by such cowardly attacks as Nigerians are already connected with our issue-based campaign and Atiku Abubakar’s message of hope which is already resonating throughout the nooks and crannies of our country.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has begun an inclusive campaign for grassroot adoption of its digital currency, eNaira.

The bank engaged some commercial drivers in the Federal Capital Territory yesterday to educate them on how to use the digital currency with a focus on making them ambassadors to drive the adoption campaign to the grassroot.

The apex bank said it is targeting the installment of a minimum of 10 agent points in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to help in facilitating the visibility and nationwide adoption of the Central bank digital currency (CBDC).

Speaking at an awareness campaign that was organised for association of tricycle drivers yesterday in Abuja, CBN coordinator, technical working committee on eNaira Hajiya Rekiya Mohammed said the bank was at the park to promote eNaira awareness campaign by intimating commercial drivers of the idea, aim, benefits and use of the eNaira application for everyday transaction.

“We are here to engage the wider community of Keke Napep riders. This is to simplify the application for people to use it and onboard people unto the platform,” Mohammed who was represented by Dr Khalipha Nuhu, an officer in information technology department said.

“From today, we are going to carry out this sensitisation programme through all the nooks and crannies of this country until eNaira is widely accepted,” Bizi said.

 

“We are targeting 774 local governments and, each local government will have not less than 10 agents,” said Dr Aminu Bizi, chief executive officer of Bizi Mobile Cashless, a consultant with the CBN to drive the grassroot eNaira adoption in Nigeria.

The central bank has incentivised the process with the introduction of a discount for a tricycle customer and the driver.

What it means is that any tricycle driver who does payment transaction with his customer on the platform gets 5 percent discount while the customer also gets equal amount of discount on the actual price of the transport fare.

“The essence of this is to reach the grassroot. If the sachet water seller, shoe shiner and other petty traders adopt its use, then the eNaira is good to go,” Dr Bizi said.

The major requirement to operate on the platform is a National Identification Number (NIN).

Earlier, Dr Nuhu told the commercial drivers that the platform has a language feature of the three major Nigerian languages

Hajiya Mohammed who is also the director, information technology at CBN said the adoption drive covers all sectors and all segments i.e government institutions, companies, small scale and medium enterprises and all currency users.

The campaign is expected to improve their knowledge of the digital currency. Beyond the inclusive drive of the CBN, the commercial drivers are also encourages to be co-drivers of the process for wider adoption of the project.

No much literacy is required to transact on the eNaira platform. Dr Nuhu said its multi-lingual feature of Nigeria’s three major languages: Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba provides easy usage for majority of Nigerians without much technical knowledge.

He told the crowd that apart from the mobile application, those without data network enabled phones can use the USSD code of *997# to begin transaction on the eNaira platform at no cost.

The awareness campaign is being done in the different states of Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections that there won’t be ballot stuffing and snatching by criminal elements as was the case in most areas in previous elections in the country.

The administrative secretary of INEC in Kaduna State, Alhaji Muhammed Mashi said such cases have been rendered impossible because of electoral reform and improvement, preparatory to the general elections.

Mashi stated this yesterday when members of a non governmental organization under the auspices of Integrity Group for Better Nigeria (IGBN) paid him a courtesy call. He said Nigerians will be surprised and happy about the smooth conduct and outcome of the forthcoming general elections.

The INEC scribe further said INEC office in the state has received both sensitive and non sensitive materials for the next year elections.

He also announced that those who did fresh registration and transfer of polling booths registration should go for the collection of their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) as they are ready.

“With the new electoral reform, Nigerians will be surprised and happy to see what will happen in the 2023 election because it will be smooth and transparent, free and fair.
 

“Issue of ballot stuffing and snatching will not happen, and no voter can vote twice. The election will be smooth so that if Mr. A wins the election, Mr. B will not hesitate to congratulate Mr. A, and vice versa.

“People who did multiple registration will be taken to court because it is a criminal offence. Whoever perpetrated the offence will face the wrath of the law.

 

“We have started receiving both sensitive and insensitive materials for the 2023 elections. We are improving day by day.

“Those who did fresh registration and transfer of polling booths in July can go and collect their PVCs because they are ready,” Mashi said.

He told the group that INEC is very transparent in whatever it does toward the conduct of the forthcoming elections, adding that, “this is the type of association we want to partner with, and  our door is open to everyone”.

Earlier, convener of IGBN, Chief Patrick Lawson told the secretary that the group was impressed by the way INEC conducted Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections, and urged the Commission to maintain the tempo as well as improve on it.

“We are a nongovernmental organisation group that is passionate about political development and progress of our dear country. We are in partnership with other organisations to ensure that religion and ethnicity should not be  barriers to the nation’s unity.

“We are saying that we should rather look for a person that has the capacity to lead the country. So we want to partner with INEC to ensure transparency in the elections.

“So far INEC is doing well and it should continue to do well. And we are pleased INEC over the issue of PVCs as only those who registered can get the PVCs.

“We are happy that in recent times INEC has done so well, especially in the conduct of governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. We are indeed impressed,” Lawson said.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have said there is likelihood of more states experiencing floods in the coming days, especially in the North Central, South East and South Western States.

Director-General, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, and Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Clement Nze, gave the indication at the opening ceremony of the workshop on Hydro-meteorological status and outlook system (HydroSOS).


The NiMet DG said in the coming days, there would be high intensity rains and coupled with the dams being let open, there will be more floods.

Benue and Kogi states are experiencing huge flooding, reminiscent of the 2012 floods. The latest floods has led to loss of lives and properties worth billions of naira.

“Remember, we issued the forecast in February and we followed up with the monthly updates that we’re going to have above normal rainfall in most part of the country. So in terms of the rainfall induced floods, we’ve seen the peak but remember we told you that this rainwater gets collected into the reservoirs and dams, and whenever they are filled, it gets spilled. So, on the13th of September, the Lagbo Dam was released. And also Kainji and Shiroro dams were also were released. So what we’re witnessing now is riverine flooding” Prof. Matazu explained.

“And from the information we’re getting from NIHSA we’re going to see more floods. And now the rain is concentrating on the North Central and the southern states. So that will be a combination of short duration, high intensity rain, which riverine flooding. So we’re going to see more of these floods in the north central states as we are seeing in Kogi and also south eastern and southwestern states as we are beginning to see in a number of parts of South West.”

He further noted that water-associated risks are going to intensify in the coming years as the full weight of climate change begin to bear on our earth.

“In Africa, water-related hazards such as flood, drought etc has become a major cause of food insecurity, strains on livelihoods, health risks and conflicts in many parts of the continent.”

The DG NIHSA said the flood that has happened was primarily caused by rainfall and not the released dams.

He also noted that coupled with the fact that some people had built on flood plains, and with the rise in water levels in the River Niger and Benue, the floods became inevitable.

Alan Jenkins, the Deputy Director of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, commended NiMet for being first agency in the world to apply the HydroSOS.

The Kogi State government has initiated a probe into the fire incident which gutted the state House of Assembly yesterday.
In a statement, the commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the state government wished to inform the people of Kogi and other Nigerians that the House of Assembly had been razed down by fire.

He said the sad incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday.

According to him, security and technical experts have started working hard to unravel the cause(s) of the inferno which caused significant damage to the complex.

Fanwo said the state government would inform the general public of findings as they unfold.

The commissioner said the state government would make temporary arrangements to ensure that legislative business was not halted as a result of the unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has said it was not involved in the fire outbreak at the Assembly complex.

The group and the state government have been on the warpath over the acquisition of the land occupied by Dangote Cement Factory in Obajana.

The House of Assembly’s resolutions and directives led to the executive arm of government’s decision to take over the plant.

In a statement signed by the group’s chief branding and communications officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, he said:

“Our attention has been drawn to a circulating press statement issued by the Kogi State government, wherein the Dangote Group was accused of allegedly sponsoring arsonists to set the Kogi State House of Assembly on fire in the early hours of October 10, 2022.”

The statement titled, ‘Obajana: Desperation sets in as imported hoodlums burn down Kogi Assembly’, which was signed by the Kogi State commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, pointedly accused the company of burning the Complex in an attempt to possibly destroy evidence relating to the ownership tussle between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Group over the Obajana Cement Company.

Dangote Group said:  “as a socially responsible corporate entity, we totally refute this allegation and condemn this unprofessional and irresponsible attempt to smear our image before local and international investors and thus erode our brand value.”

The rot in the federal government’s school feeding programme has been exposed after the Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi revealed that 349 non-existent public primary schools were included in the scheme for which money was disbursed and pocketed by officials.

Governor Sule, who made this revelation when he hosted the newly constituted members of the enumeration committee of the school feeding programme in Lafia, the state capital, said officials of the programme listed 349 non-existent public primary schools in the programme and diverted the funds to their personal use.

Appealing to the officials to exhibit the fear of God in the course of discharging their duty, the governor told them to stop misappropriating funds meant to feed poor children in public primary schools in the state.

Domiciled in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) is one of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) initiated by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2016 as a key component of its intervention in primary school education in Nigeria through providing one meal per pupil in selected public primary schools to encourage school enrolment and improve pupils’ general wellbeing.

Warning his guests, the governor said any member of the programme in the state who joined the bandwagon of diverting funds meant for the exercise would pay for it.

According to him, the state has over 1,200 public primary schools, but some crooked officials shortchanged it by registering 349 non-existent schools and cornered the money meant to feed the actual beneficiaries.
 
Sule said their action denied the real schools from being captured in the programme.

“We have over 1,200 schools, but only 800 and something they actually presented – which are the ones you verified, and the others are the duplications. The duplications were the ones the criminals were making money from, but in reality, denying the other schools that would have been benefiting from it,” he said, adding that the team is expected to enroll more primary school pupils.

The committee had rated Nasarawa State as the best supportive state in the country in the school feeding programme.

The team leader of the committee and special adviser to the minister of humanitarian affairs, Mallam Abdullahi Usman, said following the discovery, top ministry officials in Abuja had called for the removal of Nasarawa State from the scheme, but the decision was rejected in order not to punish the poor children that would benefit from the scheme.

Usman said even though he was not comparing the performance of state governors on the programme, but having visited a number of states, Nasarawa emerged as the best state where the team received the most cooperation from the state government.