Bauchi Guber Election:Nisah Companies Congratulate Gov. Bala Mohammed for Landslide Victory

...says victory well deserved

The Management of Abuja based business empire, Nisah Group of Companies today joined other Nigerians to congratulate former Federal Capital Territory Minister and Bauchi Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed for a landslide victory during the concluded Guber Elections in the State.

The Management said it is surprised when the news filtered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the end of the keenly contested election declared him the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Bauchi State, north-east Nigeria.

Recalled that Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed was re-elected for another tenure of four years against the wishes of political kingmakers in the state.

In a congratulatory Message signed by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nisah Group, Hajiya Ummi Ahmed, Governor Bala Mohammed victory at the polls is certainly a major pointer that politics today is tilting towards meritocracy and not god-fatherism.

"We view your victory as a victory for all the Bauchi people irrespective of political affiliation as it shows that the hand of Allah is truly on you and dear state." It stated.




....Read full Message ....




Congratulatory Message



The Management of Nisah Group of Companies heartily congratulates former Federal Capital Territory Minister, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State,Alhaji Bala Mohammed on a worthy and well deserved re-election bid for a second term of office.

We were not surprised when the news filtered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the end of the keenly contested election declared him the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Bauchi State, north-east Nigeria.

We view your victory as a victory for all the Bauchi people irrespective of political affiliation as it shows that the hand of Allah is truly on you and dear state.

As you prepare to take another oath of office come May 29, 2023, we pray that your renowned doggedness, resilience; brilliance and sound leadership prowess serve as a catalyst to take Bauchi State to higher level of sustained progress and development .

Undoubetedly,Your emergence is a major pointer that politics today is tilting towards meritocracy and not god-fatherism.

You contested the election against several qualified fellow candidates whom equally have the best interest of the State at heart in offering up themselves for service, but the people spoke in loud voice and gave you their mandate apparently because you served them well .

The task ahead is enormous, but the fact that you have goodwill from across board should make the task a bit easy for you and we hope that you will use this goodwill to make the good people of Bauchi State proud of you, especially the women and Youths.

At this point ,we urge the good people of Bauchi; stakeholders and other candidates who vied against the Governor to concede defeat and join hands together and work to ensure the his campaign promises are implemented.

Once again, Congratulations Your Excellency sir as we acknowledge your tenacity, steadfastness and consistent courage to always deliver Dividends of democracy to the people.

The work starts now!!!
It’s time to write your name in gold again.

Nisah Group of Companies is proud to be associated with you .

Signed:
Haj. Ummi Ahmed
Founder /CEO
Nisah Group of Companies,Abuja

WE MUST PRIORITIZE CITIZENS WELFARE, SUSTAIN DEMOCRACY, UBA SANI SAYS IN EID-EL-FITR MESSAGE

In a message to Muslims as they prepare for the Eid-El-Fitr celebrations, Kaduna State Governor-Elect, Senator Uba Sani has noted that with the spiritual and physical renewal after one month of Ramadan fast, Nigerians are now adequately equipped to face new challenges and avail ourselves of fresh opportunities for personal and collective advancement.

Sending praises to Almighty Allah for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and the setting in of celebration of Eid-El-Fitr, the Governor-Elect sought Allah's guidance and courage to overcome whatever challenges.

"As we look to the future with hope, we pray for Allah's guidance. May He give us the courage to face whatever may come our way. May He bring our people together to work for the common good. May forgiveness, love, patience, goodness, kindness, compassion and mercy be our watchwords," he prayed.

He noted that leaders must prioritise the welfare and security of the citizens and put in place and effectively implement policies and programmes that will raise the quality of life of the people and make them secure in their communities.

"If we fail to rise up to our responsibilities, democracy will cease to make meaning to our people. It is by making our people happy and secure that we can sustain and deepen this democracy," he warned.
Looking forward to his inauguration as the democratically elected Governor of Kaduna State on May 29th, 2023, Uba Sani said they are assembling a formidable team of technocrats and politicians that will hit the ground running.

"We are keen to build on the good foundation laid by my leader and mentor, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. We shall further raise the bar of governance and make Kaduna State the model of development and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria," he said.

Alleged NNPCL N20bn payment to ghost consultants, NYCN got it wrong

Group under aegis of Promoters of Good Governance in Oil and Gas Sector said the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) story on alleged payment of 20 Billion Naira to ghost consultants by management of National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is not only fictitious,but also unfounded .

According to the statement signed by Alhaji Muhammad Salis,National Chairman, Promoters of Good Governance In Oil & Gas Sector , the story published in an online platform is no doubt a figment of the imagination of the writer, as it lacks verifiable source and authenticity.


...Read full press statement by the Group


It is with with utmost dismay we read a report by an online platform which alleges payment of N20bn to ghost consultants by the management of NNPCL.

The story is no doubt a figment of the imagination of the writer, as it lacks verifiable source and authenticity.
From my experience with the NNPCL, and for the benefits of hindsight, the organization do relate only with registered and verifiable companies that meet global standard.

The allegation by the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria as presented by an online media platform, is fictitious, grievous unfounded and was only aimed at distracting the positive progress if the biw improved company, while tarnishing the good image of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, who is known for his transparency, uprightness, dedication and patriotism.

Mele Kolo Kyari is no doubt a compendium of transparency in the oil and gas sector and has remained so in his many years in the field of oil and gas sector.

The last thing Kyari would ever allow, is illegality to occur under his watch. He is a stickler of transparency and accountability.

When Kyari emerged as CEO of the NNPCL, the oil and gas sector begun to witness robust transformations and there was growing hope and confidence building among stakeholders, which some disgruntled elements are now hell bent to tarnish, using remotely faceless civil society organisations that are not conversant with the goings on in the sector.

One would have hoped that, instead of dissipating energies aimed at destroying the good work of the CEO, by the NYCN and their paymasters, their attention should rather be set on how to make the oil and gas sector the best for the country, by joining hands with the Mele Kyari led management that charts a new course in the oil and gas sector of the country.

For the avoidance of doubt, the first measure introduced by the Kyari-led management team was his agenda entitled: Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE). And this agenda was aimed at turning around the moribund organisation and not to encourage illegality, either through dubious practices, lack of transparency or lack of accountability.

It was on this premise, the President, Muhammad Buhari saw the merit and competence in Kyari and thus reappointed him to turn around the ‘moribund’ organization, which he has started since his first appointment.
In all his years as CEO, Kyari had always aimed at changing the negative perception of the organisation, while keeping abreast with the global best practices.

Now that the nation’s oil and gas sector has started getting out of the woods with a glimmer of hope for the country, a pocket of armchair critics are busy promoting sentimental ill feelings to destroy the good work, using faceless organizations to achieve their negative objectives.

For those who know the CEO too well, knew that Kyari would never join issues with them either in the pages of newspapers or on any media platform.
But as NNPCL, under Kyari is making waves in the oil and gas industry by keeping to its mandate which is making the sector functional in the best interest of Nigerian citizens and the country at large, we feel duty bound to correct the erroneous impression of calling him to step aside, as presented by the NYCN civil society organisation. To say the least, the call is uncalled-for, misleading and unpatriotic.

As promoter of accountability and transparency, Kyari has been reputed at welcoming every oversight by the legislative body, even without notice and invitations from the lawmakers. He always clarified issues at every invitation but would never succumb to the antics of those who are out to destroy his good works.

If the calls for his stepping aside are sincere, why can't the NYCN and their paymasters follow due process instead of planning to cause commotion in the country?

The silent achievements being recorded in the organization, which many thought were impossible to occur, have written Kyari's name in gold.

Of course, the category of people who sees nothing good in the giant strides as initiated by the Chief Executive Officer are doing so in constant fears that their negative ways of doing things were over, hence, are now calling for the head of the CEO instead of following due process to channel their grievances, if any.

What make the Mele Kyari leadership very unique is his handling and the opening of the books of NNPC in a way never seen as a means of ensuring transparency and accountability in the country with constant financial reporting.

Therefore those calling for Kyari's head because of what they perceived as irregularities in handling and alleged manipulation of the fuel subsidy, should avoid causing commotion in the country, while using disgruntled groups in achieving their nefarious plans.

So far, Mele Kyari has written his name in gold. He has chart a new course in the oil and gas sector of the country and the sector can never forget him in a hurry.
As an outstanding personality, a humble and visionary leader, who has zero tolerance for indiscipline, corruption and lawlessness, Kyari sleeps and wakes up with performance indices and the principles of working for his country. Hence, those uncomfortable with his leadership style are bound to fail woefully, as no slur or mud could stick to his unblemished reputation.

Signed:
Alhaji Muhammad Salis,
National Chairman,
Promoters of Good Governance
In Oil & Gas Sector.

Interim Government is an idea dead on arrival — Group warns politicians

Arewa New Agenda (ANA) has called on politicians to seek redress in court if they were not satisfied with the outcome of the just concluded 2023 presidential election instead of raising tensions of coup and interim government.
The Convener of ANA, Senator Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi while addressing journalists on Wednesday, state warns against the plot to install interim government in the country.
He said that the last Presidential election was peaceful and a candidate was declared winner, hence there is no need for the call to install interim government.
“ANA is concerned that at this critical period the nation needs healing, more social
cohesion, social re-engineering and reconciliation to get back to normality, some
elements are allegedly setting up roadblocks to unity and peaceful coexistence.
“We may recall that on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Directorate of State Security
Service (DSS) issued a statement that it had identified “some key players” involved in an
alleged plot for an interim government in Nigeria.
“According to the security agency, the
alleged plotters plan to sponsor series of “violent” protests and obtain “frivolous court
injunctions” to truncate the swearing in of new governments at federal and state levels.
“We may recall that Nigeria in 1993 was subjected to an interim national government
that lasted for a couple of months of high tension and uncertainty. Thirty years on, talks
of interim government are raring their head again for no good reasons.
For no good reasons because happenings and the situation of 1993 that led to the interim government then are completely different from the nation’s situation and happenings in 2023″, he said.
He further stated that the election in 1993 was declared inconclusive by the electoral body that conducted the election.
While the 2023 presidential election has produced a winner of the election and INEC the electoral body that conducted the election has declared and even issued a certificate of return to the declared winner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Where then is the place for an interim government? The only option left for anyone
aggrieved by the result of the election is to go to court – a remedy aggrieved parties are
already resorting to. Where then does interim government comes in?
“The 2023 presidential election was not characterized by violence and malpractices that would warrant calling for coup or interim government”, he added.
“Any flaw of the election is one capable of legal redress in our courts and this is where aggrieved parties should channel their grievances instead of raising national tensions with talks of coup and interim government.
“This is one election since 2011, in which there was least violence, killing and arson. The outcome of the election is largely a reflection of the popular will of Nigerian electorates”, MoAllahyidi said.
He said that ANA is constrained to say that some people are bad losers. He said for such people, wherever they lost, the election was rigged, but wherever they won, it was free and fair.
“It is important we remind Nigerians that only in one occasion has a Nigerian presidential election escaped being challenged in the courts. Ironically, that was the 2015 election that delivered Nigeria’s only opposition victory and change of power between political parties at the federal level.
“Steep in the culture of not accepting defeat
honorably, Nigerian politicians challenging the result of the 25 February 2023 presidential and national assembly polls the way they are currently doing is the common practice and not the exception.
“The Nigerian Constitution envisages disputes over election results and made robust and adequate provisions for aggrieved parties to
ventilate their grievances over election outcomes in court.
“Aggrieved politicians who have taken their grievances to court or are preparing to do so
are following the laudable constitutional path of ventilating grievances.
“Those seeking to disrupt the constitutional order and transition schedule as alleged by the DSS are enemies of public good toeing the path of conflict.
“We call on them to retrace their steps and embrace the constitutional and lawful means of addressing election disputes”, he added

NNPC: Group laments use of Northern youths as attack dogs against Kyari

The PMB Oil & Gas Progress has expressed concern over the use of Northern youth groups against the GCEO of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari.

This was contained in a statement signed by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Sabiu Abdullah and issued to newsmen on Tuesday.

The group said that the latest call by the Youth Council of Nigeria, on the NNPC boss to "step aside for a probe of a concocted N2bn theft was nothing new because it was done the same way on 6th July 2020 and 12th November 2022", adding that "it was all the same style of smear campaign against the Kyari-led NNPC management".

The statement observed that the same youths were being used by politicians with bad past records of service in government, to attack perceived enemies, for peanuts.

It called on the sponsors of the youth groups being used as attack dogs against Malam Kyari-led management not to forget the fact that the NNPC under his watch has attained tremendous success in terms of transparent leadership and modernization of the operations of the oil and gas industry.

On media reports that the House of Reps has invited Kyari over the same allegation of N20bn theft by staff of the giant oil company, the group expressed joy that Kyari welcomed the probe "because this is a proof that he has nothing to hide, as a transparent leader".

Meanwhile, the NNPC, in statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Deen Muhammad has, while welcoming the House Reps probe of the "spurious allegation", said the company would eventually be vindicated and put a final stop to such allegations.

Guber Race : Kaduna CSOs Declare Election as Fair, credible

...Vows to Defend Sen. Uba Sani's Victory,Mandate

Femi Adi

Group under aegis of Coalition of Kaduna Civil Society Organizations had scored the 2023 governatorial election in Kaduna “free, fair and credible”, noting that other candidates have rights to challenge the outcome in court if desatisfied .

According to the group, a fair; credible election was conducted and won with he honour of that victory and responsibility fell on Senator Uba Sani.

In a press statement signed by the Coordinator of the Group, Comrade Musa Mohammed, it is a fact Uba Sani won the election, and he was Officially declared winner by INEC and Certificate of Return was given to that effect accordingly .

The statement further reads: "After the declaration by INEC, some opposition political parties raised alarm and they were advised to seek redress through the legal means in the court of law by President Muhammadu Buhari, of which we believe it’s part of democracy.

"We advised Political Parties which Participated in 2023 elections to Seek Legal Redress If they are not Satisfied with Election.

“We therefore call on all those with grievances to address disputes through prescribed legal channels.”

"Any governatorial candidate or political party in Kaduna State who has misgivings about the election are advised to seek legal redress and eschew violence".

"The election was better than past elections, but equally has glitches. Violence can never be an option to show grievances, but rather candidates and their parties should seek legal redress as provider under Nigeria’s law.

"The kaduna 2023 governatorial elections were “largely peaceful” despite administrative and logistical hurdles at many polling units.

"We want the opposition's to know that, we will do everything possible to defend the democracy, to sustain the democracy, to grow the democracy and to defend the mandate given to Senator Uba Sani.

"We will mobilise all the people within the state to defend the said mandate. We are ready to lay down our lives if situation demand; we shall fight this battle without looking back to logical conclusion. We will not allow any intruder or any parasite individual or group of people to dethrone our democracy; we are ready to defend it with the last drop of our blood.

"We will not allow the repeat of PDP in Kaduna State.

"The people of Kaduna state has decided to chose their governor, which is Senator Uba Sani.

"We will not allow kaduna state to fall into the hands of terrorists and those who worship demons.

"PDP and Isa Ashiru inciting the good people of Kaduna state after Uba Sani’s victory

"We warn Isa Ashiru Kudan, the PDP governatorial candidate, to stop making inflammatory comments against the kaduna State governor elect.

"Barring no judicial intervention, Sen. Uba Sani, by the grace of Almighty Allah is would be sworn in on 29 May.

"We congratulate all the good citizens of Kaduna state for their determination, patience and resilience displayed throughout the electoral process.

"Social media was actively used by PDPand political actors as a campaign tool. However, the platforms were misused to spread harmful content, including disinformation on key electoral processes; the measures the platforms took to protect electoral integrity were insufficient.

"Misleading information also came from PDP and Isa Ashiru Kudan supporters which they contributed to a blurred information environment for voters.
Enough of Political Rascality Over 2023 kaduna governatorial Election.

"We as democrats, can no longer fold our arms and do nothing as responsible stakeholders in the kaduna project.
For the purpose of emphasis, what the state has been passing through since the 2023 governatorial election is nothing more than political rascality, irresponsibility, crudity, recklessness, insensitivity and treasonable acts which threaten our democracy and security.

"We have to commend the media and the Civil Society Organisation for joining forces to fact check. "

The Coordinator, thanked the Media for the good coverage of the elections especially at a time where fake news have dominated the media space and wished Christian Happy Easter.

Senate Presidency: Ignore rumours, Akpabio still firmly in the race- Dr Tafida

A close associate of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Jibril Tafida has refuted the rumour that the former Minister might have withdrawn from the ongoing race for Senate Presidency.

Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, Dr. Tafida said Akpabio is still very much in the race as a frontline contender.

It would be recalled that National Vanguard newspaper has reported few days ago that Akpabio might be withdrawing from race for the Senate Presidency in anticipation of a ministerial appointment in the new APC cabinet

He noted that the former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs had earlier solicited for the support and cooperation of party leadership, that of his immediate constituency, the nod of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu; civil society and respected political pressure groups across the nation.

"In this kind of race for the Senate Presidency, where Akpabio has gained increased popularity, it is expected that mischief-makers would like to concoct all sorts of fake news in order to divert the attention of Nigerians, especially those fully in support of Akpabio's candidature", Dr. Tafida argued.

He explained that Akpabio's active participation in the race "is cast in stone, and no amount of deliberate distortion in the media by hacks can change that."

Dr. Tafida said that "the massive, growing acceptability of Akpabio's candidature is an indication that he is, once again, favored by history. None of the candidates currently in this race has unique leadership experience and identity of uncommon transformation".

Turning to the issue of campaign for the emergence of a Senate President from the Southeast, Tafida said "Akpabio's South-south region gave more votes that led to the victory of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC got zero votes from the Southeast, a place now known more as a territory of violent groups like IPOB and ESN".

Kaduna Governor-elect, Uba Sani named most community-friendly Senator

The Arewa New Media Solidarity Association(ANMSA) has named the Kaduna State Governor-Elect, Uba Sani, as the most masses-friendly Senator from the North to have ever served in the Nigerian Senate.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Suleiman Abba after an expanded First Quarter stakeholders meeting, ANMSA, said though happy that Uba has been elevated to governorship level, his constituency and indeed the whole northern region would miss his human and community-based legislative battles in the Senate.

The Group noted that Uba Sani's four years in the Senate were dedicated to the pursuit of  edifying goals and keeping the  youth focused and disciplined, living with values that define the Northern character as a whole.

"Most of Uba Sani's four years in the Senate was spent in personal and official endeavours in the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of the weak and the vulnerable.

"As the Senator takes up a higher appointment in the state, we particularly want to place on record the immeasurable gratitude of the masses of Kaduna State to Dr. Uba Sani, whose leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to the interests of the downtrodden masses as a whole, has few parallels in our nation.

"We acknowledge Uba Sani as a passionate believer of the organic links between generations, who throughout his four years as Senator was always available for young and the vulnerable," the Group noted.

ANMSA said without a doubt, Senator Uba Sani has etched his name in gold on the fight against hunger, poverty, unemployment and insecurity since he was elected to represent Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone in 2019.They said under his first one year, Uba Sani had impacted positively in the efforts to address these challenges in critical moments Nigerians have found themselves.

"The masses of Kaduna Central constituency can surely testify to how he has generously touched their lives.

"From helping victims of banditry attacks, to supporting the people with palliatives in critical moments like the lockdown and special annual rituals like Ramadan and Christmas, Uba Sani has proven that he is a man of the people – reason why he was elected to the senate. Sani came to the aid of the masses to cushion the crippling effect of the lockdown by providing foodstuffs and other items worth N80 million for distribution. The welfare of his people has always been a priority to him.

"He is a man of immense capacity, connecting voices between two-layers -- simply put, he is a bridge. One can say he has made ample use of his high connections with influential people in the corridors of power to quietly convey the feelings of Nigerian masses, "the group noted.

ANMSA noted that he has always conveyed the message of the masses to appropriate authorities without using abusive words against such influential leaders. He applies political diplomacy to secure the rights and privileges of the people within the multiple economic advantages available in government.

The group then declared: "For instance, he influenced and guided several youths from Northern Nigeria in seizing the opportunity to apply for soft loans through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s policies on Small-scale and Medium enterprises. This is exactly the product of awareness by the senator.
He has also assisted many indigent students by paying for their WAEC and NECO exams. We also recall how he joined other prominent Nigerians in the corridors of power to make a strong case for an upward review of the federal government’s Covid-19 palliative budget against a paltry N500 billion," ANMSA said.

Amalgamated Support Groups Urges Tinubu to Consider Northwest Zone for Senate President


The Director-General of Amalgamated All Progressives Congress (APC) support groups , Engineer Kailani Muhammad has urged the President -elect to consider the Northwest zone for the Senate Presidency.

According to the DG, the massive votes APC got from northwest, no doubt gave the President- elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima the deserved victory at the polls .

The Director-General of the Amalgamated APC support groups , Engineer Kailani,who also the National Coordinator of Tinubu Shettima Network (TSN) stated this during a visit by the former Governor of Zamafara State , Alhaji Abdula'ziz Abubakar Yari to his office in Abuja to inform the support groups about his interest to vie for the position of the Senate President.

During the visit Kailani reiterated the call by members of the party from Zamfara State and party across the Northwest zone to consider ceding the Senate Presidency to northwest, especially to former Governor Yari for his experience and capacity.

He said : Yorubas have taken the president; the northeast ,the Vice President and so it's incumbent on the President-elect to give the northwest zone , the seat of the Senate President in appreciation of the invaluable contributions of the zone to his overwhelming victory.

He reiterated," It's the turn of the Northwest to become the Senate President , considering the massive vote given to the zone gave APC , during the just concluded 2023 general elections."

He however, urged former Zamfara Governor, Abdula'ziz Yari to ensure good rapport between the Executive arm of government and members of the National Assembly for speedy delivery and passage of bills sent to the National Assembly that have direct bearing on development of the people and country.

Former Governor Yari,who was at the APC support groups office to express his interest to become the President of the 10th Senate assured Nigerians of enhanced and quality legislative process for sustainable development across the country.

Yari who overtly signified his interest to become President of the 10th Senate,said the Northwest zone deserved it for several reasons , amongst which he said are issues of loyalty and support base for the ruling Party .

Speaking on his ability ,Yari said ," I am the most qualified for the position of Senate President considering my capacity to put everyone together for purpose of APC government succeeding from 2023 to 2027.

"My relationship with the President elect ,my relationship with the senators ,my relationship with the governors and former Governors cannot be in question".he said.

Reaction to the question of having Muslims 3 heads of government ,Yari said if Nigerians are practicing true democracy it shouldn't matter.

He explained ," The presidential election should be an eye opener that religion and ethnicity cannot be used as yard stick for electing leaders .

"If it is to be ethnicity,Obi can't win Lagos a predominantly Yoruba state and if it is by religion Asiwaju can't win Zamfara ,a predominantly Hausa State."

2023 polls: Group urges APC to reward Kano Central candidate

...Roots for Senator Jibril as Senate President

A group under the aegis of Kano Progressives Forum has called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress(APC) to consider rewarding its Kano Central Senatorial Zone candidate, Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura, for what described as his " legendary support and generosity to the party since 2019".

A statement signed by the group Director of Publicity, Malam Aminu Abubakar noted that Zaura "has donated 50 vehicles to the APC and ensured the establishment of functional Local Governments party offices in the entire Kano State" adding that " this commitment to the party's victory is almost unbeatable in the recent history of the party".

"We urge the national leadership of the APC to do all within its democratic powers to give special recognition to A. A Zaura, and we make thus call without prejudice to the possibility of reclaiming his mandate in court," the statement further noted.

Turning to the winner of APC Kano North, currently contesting for the slot of Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibril (Maliya), the group called on " both the party and distinguished members of the 10th Senate to give him massive support, on grounds of competence and in the spirit of accepted democratic principles"

Breaking: Group tackles Senator Uzor-Kalu on Senate Presidency

A group under the auspices of Northern Youth Forum( NYF) has lambasted Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu for saying it was his turn to serve as president of the 10th Senate.

A media statement signed by the group's coordinator Abubakar Lawal, noted that "it was ridiculous for Senator Kalu who couldn't deliver his Southeast to the APC in the just-concluded general elections to start angling for Senate President".

The group, in the statement, pointed out that as a lawmaker for instance, the Senator has failed woefully to suggest ways of taming the Biafran agenda of killings or "at least appeal to the terror group to consider dialogue with government, an act the suggested he didn't care about the lives and safety of civilians and the uniformed men posted to the Southeast".

The statement also reminded the lawmaker that the slot of the Senate President is earned because "it is not hereditary" and, therefore, beyond the weak ground the Senator was leaning on.

"It is evident that the South-south has harvested a lot of votes for the APC in the just-concluded general elections, unlike the case of Southeast, where the ruling party could not get a single vote.

"The South-south, given their performances in the last general election, remain eminently qualified for the Senate President's slot. We believe that someone like Senator Godswill Akpabio, the first presidential candidate to step down for President-elect Bola Tinubu at the Eagle Square has demonstrated his loyalty to the party and commitment to securing the victory that the APC is currently enjoying. No candidate can be better than this former Senate Minority Leader, "the group argued.

It would be recalled that Senator Kalu made this known in an interview with Daily Trust on Tuesday the 21st of March, 2023 thus: "Remember, I’m the only former governor who has never changeg phone line more than 20 years ago. I’m still willing to maintain that telephone number to answer all my calls. I’m not going to switch off my phones because I’m Senate President. I’m hoping that Nigerians will pray for me to become Senate President because it’s my turn.”

Senator Shehu Sani Tells Voters to Re-elect Sanwo-olu

...says experience, capacity matters


Ahead of the Saturday Governorship elections across Nigeria,the former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has backed the re-election bid of the All Progressives Congress candidate and current Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu.

According to him, though the recent presidential election results reveal the overt threats from the Labour Party in Lagos State, it's time the voters in the State shun all forms of sentiments and considered experience; capacity and ability to work and deliver on campaign promises.

He also said in a cosmopolitan State such as Lagos,people shouldn't vote along line of sentiments, especially when Sanwo-olu is a working clock and working machine,who has consolidated on the good works of all his predecessors.

Senator Shehu Sani, who stated this in an interview with some journalists on his view about the forthcoming March 18 gubernatorial elections across Nigeria said in his views that, "Stopping Sanwo-olu is stopping the wheel of progress."

Fielding question on why as a PDP member, he decided to support Sanwo-olu of APC for Lagos Governor instead the PDP candidate , the former Lawmaker said, " It's true that I am a member of the People's Democratic Party ,but from the PDP's performance during the Presidential election in Lagos , it obvious that the battle is between APC and Labour Party .For me, the leadership record of Sanwo-olu is inspiring.I’m not from Lagos, but Lagosians should vote for him.

On attacks on Igbos and their Properties , Sani said ,"Lagos is not a no man’s land, but it’s wrong to attack the Igbos.They are there, because they believe in one Nigeria. The constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live anywhere.

"I don’t know about the Labour candidate but it appears he is a man of honour and with great ideas. The challenge he poses is good for democracy."

NLC, TUC Strike Threats Insensitive, Anti-Masses -Eng Kailani Muhammad

...Says it's attempt to truncate peaceful transition of Power


The All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Engineer Kailani Muhammad said the recent threats by Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress over petroleum and naira notes Scarcity are insensitive; anti-massee and calculated moves to truncate All Progressives Congress' victory and smooth transition to power come May 29.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday issued a 7-day ultimatum to the federal government to address the current issue of fuel and naira scarcity in the country of face strike action .

But in a reaction to the strike threats , Engineer Kailani Muhammad in a press statement personally signed made it clear that the masses are not in support of TUC and NLC going on strike at this critical transition period .

According to him,giving the government 7-day ultimatum without recourse to what the federal government is doing to see that the scarcity of fuel disappear, amounts to being insensitive to efforts made so far to address the issues of fuel Scarcity and naira crunch challenges.

Kailani, who was a former staff of NNPC and union member spoke extensively on need for the two labour unions to shelve the strike idea and negotiate with federal government on way forward instead.

He noted that Nigeria just concluded a hitch-free presidential elections with Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima of All Progressives Congress emerging victorious ,but it seems already the Labour Party and NLC are in romance with PDP to cast aspersions on the election outcomes.

However he said ," The truth is that any attempt to go strike will not augur for Nigeria. If the labour unions want to embark on a sincere strike action, they must as matter of urgency discuss with government on the way forward first .

"Government has been doing his best by way of ensuring adequate supply of PMS and other petroleum products into this country.And from NNPCL reserve , all the time they have over one billion liters to service this country .

"All hand must be on deck to make sure that this government succeeds in the area regular fuel supply .It is unimaginable that at this critical period, NLC and TUC are talking about strike action

"We know there are still areas with queues , but NNPCL is working tirelessly to clear them . It is only the government that is importing fuel."

While reiterating that the masses will not tolerate any form of strike now, he asked ,"We don't know what they are up to,because we learnt they planned to cause trouble,so that Nigeria will be on fire?


Meanwhile, he urged the security agencies to act promptly. Stressing that it is insensitive for union bodies to give government one week ultimatum on the issues of naira Swap and PMS without prior failed negotiations .

"If they come out to protest the government should take action on them because they as re not sincere and honest. We want peace and tranquility to reign in this country .

"Subsidy regime is still there ,the federal government is yet to remove it .You are all aware that the President elect have promised to remove petroleum subsidy".he stated .

"More so, that assurance has been given by the Minister of State for Petroleum that government the subsidy regime will soon be over,thus there will be competition and marketers would be given opportunity to import without hinderance .

Kailani also hinted that the Port Harcourt refinery will soon become fully operational .

He warned against Saboteurs, saying "Anyone who wants to disturb the peace of this country would be arrested and jailed."

Sokoto guber: Who does the cap fit?

..Asks Aminu Mohammed

Barring any other logistical problem again, all is now set for a new governor to be elected in Sokoto state just like in many others in the country. If not for the one week postponement, there would have been a new Sheriff in town by now.
All the same, March 18, 2023 is another day in our political history as a successor to Gov Aminu Waziri Tambuwal would emerge and on May 29, 2023, the new Sheriff would formally take over for yet another four years of uncertainty.
As Nigerians await election day with anxiety, who would be the voters choice in Sokoto between the two major contestants representing the APC and the PDP respectively?
Although, the dust raised by the bribery scandal that consumed the former INEC boss in Sokoto is yet to die down, what most people would be thinking is, would the 2023 guber election in the state end as inconclusive as witnessed in 2019 and three weeks ago in the National Assembly elections? Sokoto is becoming a drama center during elections and this ugly trend has to be checked before it becomes an election ritual. Therefore, the March 18 Titanic battle between His Excellency, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto of the APC and Hon. Saidu Umar Ubandoma of the PDP Is a contest that would generate tension as both the ruling party and the opposition would want an outright victory.
Before the presidential and National Assembly elections, Sokoto was one of the states bookmakers kept giving the PDP an outright victory but the February 25 elections have proved otherwise. Despite all the manipulations and electoral malpractices exhibited by the ruling party, the margin between Atiku who won Sokoto and president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu was just a little over three thousand. The outcome of that election has indicated that the ruling party has failed to appease the electorate and in return, the electorates are willing to vote the PDP out.
However, a comparative analysis between the two major political parties and their candidates would enable one to judge where the votes are likely to go. The PDP as the ruling party under governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has failed to uplift the living standard of the people and is evident by the results of the last indices released by the office of the Bureau of Statistics on state by state which put Sokoto at a very disadvantaged position as the poorest in the country. A poor state is invariably a product of unemployment, hunger, starvation as a result of government failure to do the needful, in short, bad governance.
The PDP administration under Tambuwal has also failed to carry along the yearnings and aspirations of youths and women in the state. In the last 8 years of this administration, governance has suffered beyond one's imagination as all sectors have been grounded with the civil service most affected.
Education has collapsed as students sit on floors to read and write despite an imposed levy on all government workers while the 2022 final year students couldn't sit for WAEC Exams which was the height of irresponsibility by any government in power. The health sector is another area government pumped huge amount of money but with little to show while provision of infrastructure was lackadaisical.
In fact, two weeks into the month of March several government workers are yet to receive the February salary they worked for.
When one talks of basic social amenities, the government is found wanting. In the last one year, no civil servant can boast of receiving salaries as at when due. There is disquiet in Sokoto as far as the PDP administration is concerned
The task ahead of the PDP candidate between now and election day is how does he convince the electorate that he would be different from the present administration under Tambuwal?
Malam Saidu Umar was born in Sokoto on January 23, 1966, and attended the then Capital School, Sokoto, which is now Yakubu Muazu Model Primary School He also attended the Federal Government College, Sokoto, and then ABU Zaria, where he read agriculture. He began his political career in 2015 as a commissioner of finance based on his banking background. He worked in several banks in Nigeria, which include First Bank, UBA, Eko Bank, and the defunct Standard Trust Bank. Gov Aminu Waziri Tambuwal gave him the finance ministry, which he supervised for four years before becoming the Sokoto state Secretary to the Government from 2019 to 2022 when he resjoined the gubernatorial race. Before his appointment as a cabinet member in 2015, he was relatively unknown, and his biggest challenge still remains, relatively unknown.
Having served for 7 years as commissioner and SSG respectively, his popularity is expected to be wider, but he appears like an introvert and therefore lives a quiet life.
The APC is the major opposition party in Sokoto, having lost the governorship election in 2019 with a negligible 342 votes in a contest that saw Tambuwal and his former deputy Ahmed Aliyu who slugged it out.
The first election ended "inconclusive" while Tambuwal was declared winner after the re.run. The same candidate who overstretched Tambuwal in 2019 is running for the second time. The question is, would he defeat a Tambuwal stooge in the first ballot, or is there going to be another inconclusive since Sokoto has become the "centre for election inconclusive"? Like Malam Ubandoma, Ahmed Aliyu was also born in January 1970 and attended the Magajin Rafi primary school in Sokoto before going to Government Secondary School, Yabo and later College of Administration, Talata Mafara in Zamfara state. He has several diploma certificates in Accounts and Audit, a B.Sc in Business Administration and a Masters degree in International Affairs and Strategic Studies with a PhD on the way
Unlike his counterpart, Ahmed Aliyu has gone through the rank and file of the civil service in Sokoto and rose to the position of Director of Finance and Administration before becoming a commissioner in 2007 under the Wamakko administration. He was with the ministry for Social Welfare and his tenure marked the most memorable moments ever to date as he implemented the Wamakko agenda on empowerment which gave ample opportunities to youths and women as well as the disabled. It was during his tenure the Annual Ramadan Feeding in Sokoto started while payment of N6,500 monthly to registered disabled persons became a ritual. The state NYSC Secretariat in Wamakko was also completed under his supervision. The Skills Acquisition Program still stands as one of the best policy implementations of the Wamakko administration. He was later redeployed to the health ministry and also performed well as he supervised the construction of the Orthopedic Hospital in Wamakko and the upgrade of the state School of Nursing to a College status. Again, the School of Nursing in Tambuwal town was another landmark.
In May, 2020 Ahmed Aliyu was appointed as the first Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund ( NPTF) but after two years he had to resign to answer a clarion call back home to serve his people. He won the APC primaries with a landslide victory and having narrowly lost the 2019 guber election to Tambuwal, he would go for another shot hoping that his performance as a Commissioner for 8 years and experience as the first executive secretary of the NPTF and his highest political office as a deputy governor for three years, the electorate would give him the mandate to serve them better. As a former deputy governor he has the experience and expertise to move the state forward and already, he has assured the electorate that he would continue from where the Wamakko administration stopped.

The APC which was formed in 2014 took the nation by storm as it defeated the PDP at the center and took control of many states in the northwest and southwest in particular where President Muhammadu Buhari and President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu held sway. In Sokoto, former governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko who was voted in 2007 under the PDP platform joined other founding fathers of the APC to put up a solid structure which brought Tambuwal to power in 2015 but Tambuwal left and realigned with the PDP in 2018 to pursue his presidential ambition which he twice attempted and failed.
The Wamakko era in Sokoto from 2007- 2015 is still the most memorable in terms of welfare, human capacity building, youths and women empowerment as well as provision of infrastructure in all the sectors. It was a government with a human face and listening ears. It was a government that provided enabling environment for every business and a government which has respect for all. Both the able and disabled benefited from that administration. It was an administration which did not discriminate between indigenes and non indigenes. Every school aged child had free basic education during that period and above all , it was a democratic government with a democratic leader. This is the reason why the APC in Sokoto is still the party to beat. The people always say, their support is not for the APC but Wamakko who is their political party.
It was based on Wamakko's performance that the APC still wax stronger and stronger in Sokoto state and any APC candidate in whatever election past and present is a beneficiary of the Wamakko brand of politics without bitterness a slogan used by the defunct Great Nigeria Peoples Party ( GNPP) in 1979
In Sokoto, Wamakko is APC and the vice versa and to date, no politician has been able to come close to the former governor's brand of politics of inclusiveness. His generosity, humbleness and accommodative nature and behaviour towards everyone that comes his way has given him an edge that no politician in Sokoto can match those credentials.
On March 18 ,2023, the people of Sokoto state would join other voters from most of the states to elect new governors and in Sokoto a vote for APC is a vote for Wamakko and the people still have fresh memories of his government of Welfare to the People which is the major political dividend in African Democracy.
In 2019 the APC candidate Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto lost to Tambuwal with 342 votes despite the incumbency factor. In 2023, the PDP candidate has no incumbency factor going for him because Tambuwal is also fighting for his political future as his senatorial ambition is still uncertain. Hon. Saidu Umar has no political relevance in the state like Ahmed Aliyu who won in 2019 but was robbed and the people of Sokoto state who have vowed to pay governor Tambuwal back for misusing their funds and performing abysmally, are willing to form a new government in alliance with the APC on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

Breaking: Group wants Senate President slot zoned to South

A group under the auspices of Northern Youth Forum (NYF) has said that the best form of justice in appointing principal officers of the current National Assembly is to ensure that the Senate President slot goes to the South-south.

A media statement signed by the group's National Chairman Abubakar Lawal, said that the bold decision to return the nation's presidency to the South in 2023 should be completed with zoning the lot of Senate President to the South-south, because "Nigeria has had three(3) Senate Presidents from North, namely David Mark, from Benue State, Bukola Saraki from Kwara State and Ahmed Lawal from Yobe State.

The Statement noted that South-south has so far demonstrated maturity in "giving total support to the three Senate Presidents, out of which Senator Godswill Akpabio got legislative experience as Minority Leader of the upper Chamber".

NYF also called on APC leaders and supporters at home and abroad to support Senator Godswill Akpabio for the seat, for being a loya memberl and being the first to declared support to Tinubu during the party's primary elections in Abuja.

The NYF, in the Statement, said since the new agenda is to Zone the House of Representatives slot to the North, "let the South take the Senate Presidency, in the spirit of justice, fairness and balance".

The group expressed confidence that zoning the Senate President's slot to the South-south at this time would be a political game-changer and a "bridge-building masterstroke by the APC at the national level.

IWD 2023: Uba Sani tasks policymakers on women's access to opportunities

The Kaduna APC 2023 governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani has said that for Nigeria to achieve sustained progress women must have unfettered access to opportunities.

In his message marking the International Women's Day on Thursday, the lawmaker said a more inclusive and equitable society should include the culture of giving women seats at the decision-making tables.

The Senator revealed that the interests of women have been factored into his campaign manifesto.

"Through our SUSTAIN manifesto, we seek to empower women as key players in the economy and governance. We aim to provide free antenatal care for expectant mothers, and advocate for six months of paid maternity leave in the private sector."

Going further, the lawmaker added thus: "We support women's participation in MSME businesses and pledge to increase funding for KADSWEF annually."

The Kaduna APC standard bearer also hailed women for the contributions to societal development, expressing his admiration for their unwavering efforts.

"As we celebrate International Women's Day, I want to take a moment to express my admiration for your incredible strength, resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination. Despite the obstacles and challenges you face every day, you continue to make history and break glass ceilings."

Turning to policymakers to step up action on gender equality.

"Today, we join you in this celebration and call on policymakers all over the world to take bold actions towards promoting gender equality", he said.

Election Observers Want INEC to Cancel Lagos West Senatorial Election


Groups of election observers under the auspices of Truly and Fully Arewa Movement of Nigeria called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to cancel the just concluded Lagos West Senatorial district elections .

The group made the demand during a press conference held in Kaduna on Monday through the spokesperson, Prince Elijah Francis said , the election was marred with lots of Irregularities.

According to him, there was late arrival of election materials, destruction and malfunctioning of BVAS machines, disruption of the election process by hoodlums, among others.


While explaining that there are 7,000 polling units across the ten local government areas of the Senatorial district, he urged INEC to declare the process void and announced new date for fresh poll.

He further said ,The district consists of 7,000 polling units spanning across ten local government areas of Lagos state.

"It's sad to note that the election was disrupted by a lot of Irregularities ranging from late arrival of materials, destruction and malfunctioning of BVAS machines, disruption of the entire process by hoodlums, insufficient security personnel in major polling units, non transmission of results in the polling units, among other challenges."

However, the group also called on both local and international observers to draw the attention of INEC with immediate effects so as to do the right thing so as to enhance democracy.

"The Irregularities was much. Few security personnels were deliberately posted in the major polling units to pave way for hoodlums. We also called on international observers to draw the attention of INEC with immediate effect."he stated .

Sokoto inconclusive: What game is Tambuwal playing?

By Aminu Mohammed

Typical of the PDP's most familiar backdoor scheming, the charade called Guber election four years ago is rearing its ugly head once again. The news emanating from Tambuwsl's domain on the just-concluded presidential and National Assembly elections is " inconclusive". Neither Tambuwal, who looked set to be defeated by a landslide nor the INEC officials entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections could explain in simple and clear terms why Sokoto's just-concluded elections can be said to be inconclusive.
I smell a rat and the innocent voters of Sokoto seem up against a deliberate political strategy that is, at best, a smear on decorum and democratic principles as played out in the 2019 governorship election.

The clear and present danger seems to be a compromised INEC official team that is widely believed to be acting Tambuwal's script by crying wolf where there is none. The current situation in Sokoto is that the voters feel let down by an unjustifiable claim to the inconclusiveness of an election in which they gave all their energy to that cause of changing an unperforming administration to a more promising future.

What is clear in the unfolding drama in Sokoto is that Tambuwal is trying, rather belatedly, to assert incumbency advantage in order to skew the election results in his favor. The signs of this self-righteous use of power and fixation on manipulation of elections started with the rumoured late night meetings between Tambuwal's footsoldiers and well-known political thug leaders. Many were not surprised to hear that some thugs tried to scuttle elections at various polling units.

Reports had it that in Sokoto east, the wanton thuggery was worse as the PDP used bandits to intimidate the APC agents. Recent reports showed that some people were even locked up in their houses till after the election.

God so kind to the innocent voters of Sokoto, the elections held and PDP was lagging seriously behind. A disappointed PDP leadership, acting the script of Tambuwal, tried to change the narrative that APC was the one using thugs. When the narrative failed to sink, they resorted to plan 'B', declaring elections in carefully-targetted polling units as "inconclusive" and they have a compromised INEC election officials to joining that sing-song.

Significantly, this consistent refrain of inconclusive elections in Sokoto has become a trademark of electoral cheating. We had it in 2019 in the governorship election at that time. So, what we are having now is actually a replay of a familiar democratic gimmick, though the current experience stands as worse ever. Why? Elections in all the three (3)senatorial zones have been declared inconclusive. In fact, all the 11 House of Reps have also been declared inconclusive. Who is fooling who here? Is it that all the polling units in the state had experienced over voting or someone is playing a game having seen defeat nakedly?

As we speak, no single senator has emerged. Again, in the House of Representatives elections too no single candidate has scaled through. The questions begging for answers are: what game is Tambuwal playing? Must he win at all cost?
An unforgettable fact in Sokoto' reflection. In 2019 he defeated the APC governorship candidate with a mere 342 votes margin after the second round, the first having been inconclusive. Now he is losing and out of desperation, making electoral officers compromise in favor of his desire to win at all cost. Another question is what is he afraid of? Already his few political godfather, Atiku Abubakar has failed and this may be his final attempt towards that presidential dream.

In the coming days and weeks Tanbuwal's shenanigans would be exposed because the claim to inconclusive elections has failed to sink and Sokoto voters have begun demanding convincing explanations on such claim. It all looks like the people of Sokoto and the Tambuwal administration are already poles apart, because of this brazen use of incumbency power to truncate simple democratic process of elections. It is a pity that this is the best Tambuwal has to offer even on exit from power, or an office that failed to improve even the basic economic living conditions of his millions of innocent followership.
As we await March 11 to reclaim the peoples mandate, all those involved in this electoral process should know that, "you can fool some people all the time and get away with it but you can't fool all the people all the time and think you can go free. The electorates are now penny wise and pound wise also not like 2019 when it was penny wise but pound foolish game.
The fall of Tambuwal is just a matter of days.

Sokoto governorship: Defend your votes, APC group tasks voters

APC supporters in Sokoto state have been called upon to come out in their large numbers to vote for the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto in the forthcoming elections billed for March the 11th.

The call was made by the Movement for the Actualization of All APC candidates in Sokoto state, in a statement signed by release signed by its chairman Alhaji Salisu Abdullahi Makama and secretary, comrade Kasimu Ahmed.

"Our Movement believes Sokoto is an APC state while the PDP is just administratively ruling on the 2019 stolen mandate and now the party has already been conniving with electoral officials to rig the 2023 exercise as well", the group argued.

The group expressed concern over what it described as the hidden agenda of the PDP government in Sokoto "working on a script of dominating the voting by force".

Abdullahi, in the statement decried what the Movement considers as "the political brigandage of Tambuwal's footsoldiers", saying it is undemocratic.

The statement advised the voters in Sokoto state who are loyal to the APC to adopt the 2019 strategy that secured Buhari's victory. "It is necessary for the APC to adopt the Buhari slogan of 2011 and 2015 respectively, namely "a zaba, a tsare, a raka".

The group expressed unhappiness over the conduct of the PDP administration in Sokoto State as regards elections.

Presidency: We'll Reserve 35 percent Slots For Women if Voted- PRP


Ahead of Saturday's Presidential polls, the People's Redemption Party ( PRP) has promised to give over 35 percent slots to women if it forms the next government .

Similarly, the party says it would Prioritise youths welfare and empowerment by allocating huge budgetary resources for youths

Arch.Haro Haruna Zego, the Vice Presidential candidate of the party made this known in Kaduna during an interview session with press men .

Mr.Zego, who accused the People's Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress of destroying the future of the country by neglecting the women and youths, said by failing to create employment opportunities for the youths and by failing to educate them, the two parties have put the the country in a needless existential threat .

"Since the two parties failed to educate the youths and since they failed to create employment opportunities for them, the youths have become susceptible to enticements from Boko Haram,bandits and other criminal gangs across the country .

He continued, "I have had the cause of accusing our leaders one on one for being the cause of the current insecurity.Nonetheless, I can assure you that if the PRP comes to power,we shall take a deep look into how to ameliorate the problems of insecurity and Unemployment, he added


The PRP Presidential running mate further charged the electorates to go out on Saturday massively and his party .He also advice that where the party did not field candidates, voters should choose credible and honest leaders .

Other highlights of the visit of the PRP national leadership to Television Village in Kaduna includes prayers by Christian leaders for the Presidential ambition of Kola Abiola, the Standard Bearer of the party and his running mate.

2023 Elections : APC Chieftain Praises NNPCL for Proactive Measures Taken to Make Petrol Available at Filling Stations



Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Engineer Kailani Muhammad has commended management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), for the proactive measures taken so far to make the Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known Petrol available ahead of forthcoming general elections across.


According to him, the information gathered so far, revealed that the long queues in Lagos and Abuja have disappeared as at today . While in Abuja and surrounding states , the queues are now low with hope that before Saturday , the national oil company will fulfill the promise to ensure that the protracted fuel scarcity problem would be history .

In a press statement personally signed , Engineer Kailani Muhammad also disclosed that NNPCL now have 2.5 billion liters on ground ready to distributed to filling stations across Nigeria.

Kailani ,who also the owner of a Kaduna based media company, Liberator Newspapers, lauded NNPCL management for constituting a committee headed by the Managing Director of Trading to monitor petroleum supply and distribution chains during the day; afternoon and night.

"This is a feat worthy of commendation, considering that Saboteurs are hell bent on using the lingering scarcity to frustrate the election exercises.

"He Alhaji Sade has been doing his best in conjunction with his team to ensure fair distribution to states accordingly.

There is also a sanction for all marketers that have loaded and don't want to carry the products to filling stations" he stated.

He however said ,"Nigerians can now heive a sigh of relief because, the hardship occasioned by the lingering queues at filling stations has been addressed .

Meanwhile, he said as a former staff and union leader during his days at NNPC, he urged the mainstream and downstream sectors of NNPCL to ensure proper monitoring .

While appealing to media houses report facts and stop joining issues with NNPCL, he said this is time for all hands to be on deck to ensure free flow of Petrol before and after the election exercises.

Police Trust Fund trains 2,000 across Nigeria for credible elections

As part of its effort towards ensuring a free, fair, and credible elections, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund has embarked on a week long capacity building training ahead of the 2023 elections for 2,000 Police personnel drawn from various Police Commands & formations across the nation.

This was contained in a statement signed yesterday by Muhammad A. Lawal, Head of Press and Public Affairs Unit of the NPTF.

The capacity building training tagged: "The Role of the Nigeria Police
Force In Credible Elections;Before, During and After" will inject
contemporary knowledge on national election management into the
policing institutions and prepare the NPF personnel in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility for credible national elections.

The training,which began on the 15th of February 2023 is currently ongoing in 21 states of the federation including the FCT.

"Part of the mandate of the NPTF Is to "train and re-train the Personnel of
the NPF and Its auxiliary staff within and outside Nigeria. The Trust fund is also mandated to train the NPF personnel for overall improvement,Performance,and efficiency in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities", the statement noted.

The training is expected to be rounded up on the 20th of February 2023,a few days to the February 25th Presidential elections, according to the NPTF statement

Again, court dismisses suit seeking to disqualify Uba Sani, all APC Candidates' congress annulment

The suit by Abdullahi Adamu Mohammed and two others against INEC, APC, and Senator Uba Sani seeking to annul the Ward, Local Government, State and National congresses has been dismissed.

Recall that the suit sought for the annulment of all the congresses of the APC and to ultimately disqualify all candidates of the ruling party in Kaduna State and set aside the election of the EXCOS

The dismissal of the suit, according to counsel to the APC in Kaduna, Sule Shu'aibu Esq, was following a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division on Monday afternoon.

Senator Uba Sani's supporters in the Kaduna State APC were seen jubilating in the various campaign offices in the city shortly after the verdict of the court was delivered.

The latest judgement is coming on the heels of another verdict earlier delivered by Supreme Court of Nigeria Wednesday 8th February, 2023 in which two appeals brought against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani by Hon Sani Mahmoud Sha'aban were equally dismissed.

Fulbe Group Backs Tinubu for President, Sets 5 Point Agenda

... as Business Leaders Cast Vote of Confidence, Underscore Challenges

The Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recieved endorsement from the Fulbe United for Peace and Development (FUPD) at an event jointly organized with Arewa New Agenda held at the auditorium of the Abuja International Conference Centre on Sunday.

The event, drawing participants of fulbe extraction from all over the country, is part of the series of strategic engagements the Presidential hopeful is having with various stakeholders including religious, business, artisans, manufacturers and professionals ahead of the February 25th Presidential polls.

While endorsing the APC candidate based on the common grounds of his track record and sterling performance as former Governor of Lagos State, the occasion brainstormed on the challenges faced by the fulbe in Nigeria.

Through their national leadership under Ardo Aliyu Liman Bobboi, the group set 5 important themes for the APC standard bearer to address as soon as he gets into office. These include the set up of a ministry for livestock affairs, revival of extant grazing laws, facilitation of environmental identity, national identity card and support for nomadic education and other education programmes of the federal government exclusively for the fulbe.

Responding, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu assured to "look into all the demands raised by the fulbe." He urged the assembly to "mobilize their members, family, and friends and vote for the man who knows the road."

In their remarks, Sen. Ahmad Abubakar Moallahyidi, the coordinator, Arewa New Agenda, stated that it was a "gathering to support a government that cares for the fulbe." Many papers were presented by renowned academics, including Dr. Aliyu Tilde, Prof. Ahmad Danfulani, Amb. Haruna Jika Ardo, among others. In attendance at the occasion were the APC flagbearer, Bola Tinubu, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Badaru Abubakar of Kano and Jigawa States respectively. Malam Nuhu Ribadu, director and members of the Directorate of Stakeholder Relations such as former minister Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Barr. Abdullahi Mukhtar and Malam Jalalu Arabi.

In tandem with the fulbe tradition, distribution of Kolanut was made to the dignitaries and participants marking highpoint of the occasion.

In a related development, the APC candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu, has met with Northern entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders at an interactive dinner held late Sunday at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Abuja Continental Hotel. The event follows his series of engagements with relevant stakeholders ahead of the presidential elections holding in the coming days. Many old and young vibrant voices from the participants were heard, and presentations made for the presidential candidate. Some of the speakers at the dinner include Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga (Sarkin Fulani Gombe), Alhaji Rabiu Isyaka Rabiu, Maimuna Yaya Arabi (founder, Tozali TV/magazine), Mansurah Isa among many other industry players from the oil and gas, agric commodities, power etc.

In his remarks, Tinubu assures of his ability to think and scientifically turn around the fortunes of Nigeria for the better. He took pride in his track record as Governor of Lagos State insisting that he has the capacity and if given the chance he will definitely "put together, a network of investors" for the business community to thrive. He solicited their support to win the presidential elections so that the country can benefit from the collective vision and efforts of progressive leadership.

2023 Elections: Makarfi Ambassadors Warn Youths Against Selling Votes

... Urges Electorate to PDP from Top to Bottom for Better Nigeria


As the forthcoming presidential elections draw closer, a People's Democratic Party (PDP) support Group under umbrella of Makarfi Ambassadors has charged the Nigerian youths to shun money politics and acts inimical to success of the election exercises.


The group which, warned against voting along ethic;tribal or religious sentiments, asked youths not support any candidate because such is from a tribe or has given money

It stressed ,"Money politics is the strongest tool of retrogression ,thus youths must avoid selling their votes for cheap money that would have effect on their live and future generation.

"Don't Support a candidate because he has the character and vision to take Nigeria out of the woods and make us proud citizens of a functional nation."

The group in a press statement jointly signed by Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed - Coordinator on General-Matters and Engr. Bolade Aina - Coordinator Planning/Strategy, said now that the February 25, presidential elections around the corner, it's important that the youths become political conscious of taking their destiny in their hands by voting the People's Democratic Party from top to bottom .

" The PDP Flagbearer, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa are a combination designed to rescue Nigeria from shackles of ravaging insecurity caused Boko Haram and banditry; dwindling economy, CBN reckless as well as bad governance .

The statement further reads,"It incontrovertible that the PDP era between 1999 to 2015 was a period Nigerians enjoyed the most flourishing economy; Good educational system , sound health care delivery systems , gradual industrial growth and agricultural development .

"We can authoritatively promise Nigerians that the future will brighter under PDP if it wins the Presidential Elections. No gain saying the difference was crystal clear during the reign of PDP as the ruling party .

"We urge the entire citizens of Kaduna State and Nigerians to restrain from the double stance of APC, not to cajole voters sympathy after sponsoring unfriendly bill and debunking it for parochial advantage at edge of electioneering course.

On Kaduna Guber race , the Makarfi Ambassadors threw it weight behind the PDP candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan and his running mate Dr. John Ayuba .

According to the group, Kaduna State has experience to much of anti-people policies and can't afford to the ruling party APC that has brought so much pains to the citizens in the last seven years .

"We can outrightly trace the high level of insecurity in the state to the collapse of Chiefdoms; demolition of markets areas , sacking of workers and failure to their pensions and gratuities.

"These political anomalies can never happen under the reign of PDP in Kaduna State .We therefore call on our voters to shine their eyes and vote PDP into power again and enjoy a guaranteed good governance with human face.

Tinubu/Shettima: Eng. Kailani Emerges As DG Amalgamated APC Support Groups

...Vows to Unite Members to Deliver 40 million Votes for Tinubu/Shettima


Ahead of the 2023 general elections,the National Coordinator of Tinubu Shettima Network (TSN), Engineer Kailani Muhammad has been appointmented , Acting Director-General of the Amalgamated All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups for the Presidential flagbearer of the Party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima.

Engineer Kailani Muhammad,who is also an APC Chieftain with a huge grassroots support base across the 19 Northern states of the country,promised to use the position to bring all members of the support groups together as a united front to win the election landslide.

In a chat with journalists shortly after a meeting with stakeholders and women groups at his Kaduna Residence, Kailani hinted that the over two thousand support groups spread the 36 states of Nigeria have commenced a door-door campaign to mobilize nothing less than forty million votes for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the February 25 presidential elections.

According to him,the same support groups were able to deliver twenty million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 election and will do same for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima this time round.

He spoke further,"Today there are many people in our groups, who don't believe in the reckless manner the People's Democratic Party (PDP) governed the country.And we still have several Nigerians joining the Tinubu Shettima support groups in order to sustain the good work of President Muhammadu Buhari."

On issue of Naira swap and fuel scarcity, Kailani thanked Governors of Kaduna ,Kogi and Zamfara States for swiftly filing a case at the Supreme court to secure the order stoping CBN's February 10 deadline .

"The action has helped to expose all the crooks ,who have conspired with some persons within corridors of power to frustrate the outcome of elections.

"For adequate fuel supply at filling stations , I can authoritatively inform you that the National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL has stepped up measures to ensure enough supply of petrol and within few days the queues will be a thing of past .

He however, urged Nigerians to shun detractors, who hell bent on working against Tinubu Shettima ticket for selfish reasons and come out en masse to vote the APC candidate,who has the best of programmes to deliver Nigeria from shackles of poverty; insecurity,unemployment , dwindling economy and shortage of food supply .

"The essence of the meeting held are to inform and show the whole world that we don't have any other candidates than Tinubu and Shettima to deliver Nigeria and other candidates contesting under APC platform .

"We have already won the election , we have 21 governors in vault and have 5 PDP Governors supporting us .

It will interest you to know that 27 political parties have endorsed our principal Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and hoping that more persons will join as the election draw nearer.

Breaking: Supreme court affirms Uba Sani as Kaduna APC Gov'ship Candidate

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday 8th February, 2023 has dismissed two appeals brought against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Sen. Uba Sani by Sani Mahmoud Sha'aban.

The Solicitor to the APC who is also past Chairman of NBA Kaduna Branch, Sule Shu’aibu, Esq in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna declared: “Finally, the two appeals at the instance of Sani Mahmoud Sha'aban against the APC, its Gubernatorial Candidate, Uba Sani and INEC have both been dismissed this morning bringing an end to the litigation that started at the Federal High Court, kaduna Division seeking to disqualify the APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the forthcoming General Elections."
 
Details in course of time.

Machina/Lawan Case : Makarfi Ambassadors Faults Supreme Court Judgement, Says Judgement Unhealthy for Democracy

... This Travesty of Justice Can't Happen under PDP Govt

Group under aegis of Makarfi Ambassadors has faulted the Supreme Court judgement on the Machina/Lawan Senatorial issue, declaring it as travesty of Justice.

The group,which is a People's Democratic Party Campaign Support group observed that three Apex Court Justices that over-turned the earlier judgements of the Federal High Court and Appeal Court do not appear to be helping the nation’s democracy to grow.

According to the group , the judgment is not only shocking ,but also unhealthy for democracy.

The Supreme Court had on Monday in its judgment ruled in favour of the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, in the case between him and Bashir Machina regarding Yobe North Senatorial District,which the Federal High Court in Damaturu and the Appeal Court in Abuja had earlier ruled in favour of Machina.

Reacting to the judgement in a press statement jointly signed by
Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed - Coordinator on General-Matters and Engr. Bolade Aina, Coordinator Planning/Strategy, the group described as unfortunate a situation, where Senator Ahmed Lawan didn't participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary that took place in Yobe State and produced Machina and was declared winner.

Makarfi Ambassadors further said ," The understanding the group had based on the Electoral Law, among others is that candidate must emerge from primaries conducted by political parties.

"But how logical, sensible and fair is it that a person who did not participate directly and actively in a competition would be rewarded with the prize at the expense of those who took active parts in the said competition?”

“The lower courts that adjudicated on this matter, in our view, did the right thing. The three Supreme Court Justices that over- turned the judgements do not appear to be helping our democracy to grow.

What we deduce from this action is that the judiciary , especially the Supreme under the ruling party APC would not be a last resort for the masses.

Recalled the Imo Guber race case where Hope Uzodinma ,who was number four in the elections later became number one via same supreme court judgment .

We are calling on Nigerians to vote out APC and consider the main opposition party ,PDP that will give fair grounds for democracy to thrive .

PDP is a party that respects rule of law and has demonstrated that during its sixteen years reign as ruling party .

On Kaduna Guber race, the Makarfi Ambassadors urged the Electorate to vote Hon Isa Ashiru Kudan,Stating, "we assure citizens of a progressive leadership with human face .

APC stakeholder Relations Directorate canvases solidarity for Tinubu presidency

APC presidential flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he is counting on God to win the 2023 presidential elections because "power rests with the almighty Allah".

Asiwaju made this known at a Town Hall Meeting organized by the Stakeholders Relations Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Sunday.

He explained that a true believer is he who looks up to Devine intervention in all he or she does, including seeking an elective office.

He also advised religious leaders not to allow themselves to be misled by politicians in the choice of elected representatives in the forthcoming general elections, assuring that the APC means well for long-suffering Nigerians.

Tinubu told the gathering of Muslim leaders and stakeholders that the forthcoming election would be an opportunity to strengthen the ligaments that bind Nigerians together as a people whose resilience would pay off handsomely in nation building.

In his opening remark at the event, Malam Jamilu Haidara explained that the event was a roll call of Nigerians from all walks of life, namely religious scholars from the North, South-south and Southeast, expressing confidence that the engagement would be robust. He described the participants as patriots passionate about the democratic future of the nation under the APC leadership.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Stakeholders Relations', Malam Nuhu Ribadu said that Tinubu has built enough goodwill since his days as governor of Lagos State and many years afterwards, supporting empowerment of people across the nation and advocating for good governance on the democratic space.

Jigawa State Governor Mohammad Badaru Abubakar in his submission at the event urged Nigerians to focus on the track records of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as elected representative in the past and ignore the "failed revisionism of Tinubu's political rivals", adding that the APC presidential flagbearer has already unveiled his development agenda for the country.

In attendance at the event were other prominent Nigerians, notably the former Speaker Oladimeji Bankole, former Minister of the FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, former State House permanent secretary, Mal. Jalalu Arabi, Mal. Nafiu Baba Ahmed, Secretary-General, SCSIN, Sheikh Dr. Khalid Aliyu, Secretary-General, JNI and member Board of Trustees, SCSIN, Sheikh Dr. Bashir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, Sheikh Prof. Abdullahi Pakistan, Sheikh Khalid Usman Khalid, Dr. Aliyu Tilde, Sheikh Dr. Haroun Ajah, Sheikh Muhammad Sirajuddeen, Special Adviser to the APCP PCC on Public Affairs, Mahmud Jega, among many others.

MAISHANU's WINDOW DRESSING AND SHAMELESS PROPAGANDA

*By Sharafadeen Muhammad*

In a desperate attempt to present a good picture of the administration of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the visiting APC presidential candidate Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Sokoto on February 9, 2023, one Dahiru Maishanu, in a restricted circulated open letter, embarked on a shameless image laundering propaganda, for the outgoing governor

In a piece, which he titled "OPEN LETTER TO THE JAGABAN", Maishanu, tried to call Tinubu's attention to Tambuwal's projects in different parts of the state, as testimony of his achievements for the two term tenure that he has spent as governor of the state
He tried to do a good job of his propaganda, through meticulous listing of those projects, which he said lined the routes from the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, up to the Sokoto metropolis

While this may be seen as a lobbying tactics to some extent for a dream political position which he used in deceiving Wamakko in 2007, it mày also be a desperate way of seeking for funds to settle his medical bills abroad because he looks pale compared to years back as commissioner under the Wamakko administration. Anyway, we would like to request him to show as evidences of some of the projects he mentioned like the University of Education he claimed inside the Shehu Shagari College of Education because the last time we checked it only existed on paper. Again, he made mention of a certain health institution that BUA Cement CEO gave out TWO BILLION (N2bn) for that project. We want evidence that the government built it "solo" as he boasted.

However, because he was only out for propaganda and image laundering for those who commissioned him to do the job, he completely ignored the very important aspect of accountability with the application of public resources to those projects

Maishanu, was so much excited about showcasing, projects that the good people of Sokoto, generally believe to be conduits for the mindless siphoning of state resources by the Governor and his cronies
For obvious reasons, Maishanu wouldn't want the august visitor to know that most of those projects are more of white elephant projects that do not really take into account the immediate socio-economic needs of the people of Sokoto state.

The august visitor, must wonder at the huge costs for the states that these projects were embarked upon by Governor Tambuwal, at a time that the state had been overwhelmed by abject poverty, that has placed the state on the map as the poorest state in Nigeria. Wow!

It is also obvious that Maishanu and his sponsors, would not like the august visitor to know that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, are currently investigating, allegations of humongous sleaze perpetrated by the governor and his cronies in the state amounting to over N189bn. Is this not one of the "mother of all corruption cases under investigation"?
Therefore, the propaganda stunt, should be seen for what it is, a mere deception and crafty attempt to hide the odious stench that the Tambuwal administration is covered in
We have a duty to expose the excesses of the Tambuwal administration, which is seen as the worst administration in the history of Sokoto state

We urge our august visitor not to be carried away by those projects, as they are conduits for the reckless looting of the resources of the state by the Tambuwal administration
: Back to Maishanu who we have not forgotten how Wamakko lifted him from a mere hassler to the prestigious position of a state commissioner of information who was for years the mouthpiece of the Wamakko administration. Based on the trust and confidence Wamakko had on him, he created a new ministry of solid minerals and made him the pioneer chief executive of that sensitive place. How quickly people forget good deeds because as information commissioner Wamakko gave huge amount of money within the range of N500 million for the resuscitation of the state owned newspaper company, publishers of The Path Weekly Newspaper but the sub standard printing machines Maishanu contracted by himself were nothing but waste products from the Netherlands. In fact, it is on record that the sub standard printing machines were the ones he was using while he was at the Netherlands. Again, both Rima Radio and Rima Television were near collapsing state when he moved to the solid minerals ministry.
And lest we forget, Maishanu was picked by Wamakko because he believed in his intellectual prowess but his stay at the information ministry rendered government media toothless because the commissioner was busy partying rather than helping to develop the state.
Maishanu is an ingrate because the same Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal he is dining and wining with today was part of the Bafarawa Boys he was always accusing, abusing and insulting in 2006 so nothing stops him from taking Tambuwal to the cleaners when the "party is over very soon". Before Wamakko appointed him a commissioner, the name Dahiru Maishanu was as ordinary as that of anyone from his village. He came to the limelight in 2006 when he wrote about two or so articles attacking then governor Bafarawa and because the electorate were eager to vote that administration out, anything negative on that administration was a soothing balm. Therefore, the sponsored attack on the man who brought him from the hassles of a roaming freelancer dressed and made him what is has become today is not new because people like him are always greedy and greedy people never go to equity with clean hands but hands soiled with dirt.
The chronicle of projects he listed are laughable because how many of these " supposedly projects" have been viable and would be viable after Tambuwal's journey to a bad ending with huge amount at his disposal but nothing much to show?
Facts are sacred and so no amount of propaganda can erase the indelible marks Wamakko has left behind as a two term proactive governor. We need not remind Maishanu and his sponsored that the State University which he claimed was completed and equipped by Tambuwal was a full fledged institution which had graduated students before Wamakko handed over state affairs to Tambuwal in 2015. Tambuwal added only one physical structure since 2015. And for the records, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was among the personalities that graced the commissioning ceremony by former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar and even president Buhari was there at the occasion.
Maybe he forgot to mention the Kasarawa Conference Centre or a deliberate omission in order not to give credit to whom it is due?
The two fly overs Tambuwal wasted state resources on could have waited for other pressing needs such as tables, desks, chairs and other useful educational instructional materials but sadly greed for personal accumulation of wealth overshadowed the immediate needs of students in the state who daily sit on the floor in overcrowded classrooms and in the end cannot sit for the examination of their lives, WAEC simply because government officials prefer personal gain than the welfare of our future leaders. How does Maishanu feel when Sokoto state is the ONLY state in the country without WAEC candidates in 2022 as a result of government recklessness?
There are so many sins and crimes surrounding this administration Maishanu is busy defending forgetting that the ladder you use in claimbing a tree should not be thrown away because you will surely need it when you want to get down. Wamakko is a tree with many branches and no matter how hard you throw stones to bring it down, like the iroko, it would still be standing. Tinubu knows the value of Wamakko more than Maishanu can imagine. In fact, Tinubu once said it in Sokoto that in 2015, he made just one call to Wamakko for Tambuwal to be anointed as APC gubernatorial candidate and so it became. So with or without an open letter, the Jagaban Borgu and Jagaban Sakkwato are forever political allies that neither a Tambuwal nor a Maishanu can come between them. The bond is beyond the comprehension of political neophyte like a co
mmissioner turned to a mere letter writer.

Sharafa wrote from Abuja

ACF Backs Removal of Subsidy as Solution to Fuel Scarcity

...Commends Kyari Led NNPCL Management for proactive measures so far


Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has thrown its weight behind the clamour for removal of subsidy as the only remedy for recurring fuel Scarcity across the country.

According to the northern based political and socio-cultural organization, the best way for the National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)to make fuel available always is to removed subsidy completely.

The Secretary-General of ACF,Murtala Aliyu, who disclosed this in an interview said ,"For as long as we continue to import fuel, we have to subsidize it and doing so, will certainly make government resources to continue to be limited .

He vehemently kicked against the idea of borrowing money to pay for subsidy, adding that government has been shying away from the issue of subsidy and this is where the problem resides .

He further explained : "We all know that Petrol; diesel , kerosene and gas are all utilities . Like we buy firewoods, pay for water and pay for electricity, if we want to use it, we should pay for petrol too.It will definitely put cost on transportation, and other things but, that is the reality of the situation .

While noting that If subsidy is removed,there would be enough resources to provide for security of lives and property of the citizens; education, health care etc, he expressed strong support for open market for marketers to do the importation and sell freely.

" I am sure if this is done, the rate will crash because ,products will be are available . And certainly, issue of price hikes will be over. Let the market forces of demand and supply determine price of goods and services ." He stated .

Meanwhile ,he urged the Management of Engineer Mele Kyari led Management of National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to intensify efforts to ensure the recent fuel queues at filling stations across Nigeria disappear .

On the performance of NNPC under Mele Kyari ,the ACF Scribe said ," If you're talking about the performance of the NNPCL or the oil sector generally, I think since the Buhari administration came up, we have had less problem with fuel queues until recently .

He therefore urged the leadership of NNPCL to redeem the good image hitherto achieved in recent years as a company with improved performance and ensure that the issue of long queues in the filling stations are addressed immediately.

Fielding question on issue of oil discovery in the north, the ACF Scribe, said there is not exciting the news of about oil discovery in the north .

He explained: In the first place ,the issue of discovering oil should not a competition matter ,but something that the whole country should be happy with .

"I can tell you that if for any reason we discovered oil anywhere Within the country, we should all be happy because, it's an additional resources that will help provide more jobs ,lead to sustainable growth and development .

"If there is oil in commercial quantity found inland ,it should not be used for export,but processed for internal consumption.

"We can have modular refineries all around to produce the crude oil discovered in Gombe and Bauchi states .And where there is gas, we should use it for generation of energy instead of looking at it from the export dimensions. And if it becomes abundant ,even our neighbours can now benefit."

While stating that discovery of oil in the north is a positive thing, he advised, "It shouldn't be about export or 13 per cent derivation,but about the fact that there is enough resources for the country,for the population to enjoy .

"We in the ACF are not expressing undue excitement about oil discovery in the north."

"People look at things politically ,they think north needs to also measure up because the see you as not producing anything . If you at the Nigerian GDP ,Oil is responsible for less 10 per cent, Which means there is something else keeping the country together like Agriculture.

"Secondly , agriculture provides more employment than any other sector which means they engage the economy more the oil sector .

"I think not just oil any other resources that help could help the teeming masses to more comfortable and wealthier. ,I think government should embark on exploration of such resources."

Attack on NNPCL by CNPP Unfounded, Cheap Blackmail - Eng.Kailani


...Insists Kyari Led Management Doing Well to Resposition Company



The National Coordinator of Tinubu Shettima Network (TSN), Engineer Kailani Muhammad has described as 'Cheap blackmail' the recent call by Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) on President Muhammadu Buhari led government to purge National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of corrupt management team, who are currently overseeing the company .

According to him, the major issues of fuel Scarcity and failure to meet up with OPEC quota advanced by CNPP are nothing, but clear attempt to call a dog a bad to hang it.

He asked:"Is it NNPC staff that are stealing oil .it is a cartel and which the security agencies and politicians are involved and this has been happening since 1983 in this country?"

The group Coordinator, who applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up a 14-man Steering Committee to find lasting solutions to the problems surrounding the supply and distribution chain of petroleum products in the country, said, "I don't think there is any corruption in the newly incorporated NNPCL, because since the repositioning , nobody or leader can deep hands in NNPC's coffers to steal money, because there are laws guiding the company now unlike before ,when a president can just write and sipphon money .

Engineer Kailani Muhammad, who spoke in a reaction to a recent statement signed by CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu explained," It beats our imagination that a group to condemn the current management has been doing a lot ,most especially the Group Managing Director. Eng. Mele Kyari, who works round-the-clock to ensure optimum operations are guaranteed with everything now done through the rule of law .

In the Press release personally signed and made available to journalists in Kaduna, Engineer Kailani who was the National Coordinator of Muhammadu Buhari Votes Guard before it metamorphosed into Tinubu Shettima Network posited,"These so called comrades of CNPP and their allies have no just reasons to accuse management of Mele Kyari led team of corruption .

According to him, it's more disheartening that they don't even have figures to back up their allegations of corruption against the management.

However he stated:"We expect members of CNPP to know that under previous government, NNPC was more of a cash cow for years than National oil company, until President Muhammadu Buhari's government repositioned it.

"NNPC is now an independent company, which was established by CAMA and the Petroleum Industry Act that passed by NASS and signed by the President .

"As independent company now ,it needs to generate money for Nigeria for Proper investment and open up the system for business individuals willing to invest in the Oil sector to do so with ease .

"Today NNPCL can pay taxes and royalty to the government,which it has been doing . If the CNPP and its allies don't have anything doing ,they should shut up and support this Government to ensure that dividends of democracy are delivered to the people."

While claiming that CNPP is being sponsored by PDP to castigate and denigrate Buhari's government, Kailani expressed strong believe they will fail.But called on the them to desist from negative insinuations and leave NNPCL alone.

He further stated ," All those enemies,who think Nigeria is their heritage and have failed to leave the political scene for better tomorrow are doomed to fail .

"We know they want the government to fail because, they don't believe in President Muhammadu Buhari's government .

"There is nothing wrong, when a Leader does well ,such deserves commendation and where anything wrong is observed rather than unnecessary criticism, suggest ideas objectively.

I saw CNPP, the group of those enemies of these government , who don't even want Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to with the election.

On issue of meeting up with OPEC quota , Kailani spoke on measures adopted by Kyari's led Management team to tackle oil theft cases.

He said, The government in his wisdom allowed the NNPCL to engage Tompolo ,when crude Oil production output dropped from 1.8 to 900 and later to even almost 100 barrel per day .

"After the engagement of Tompolo ,we are now producing optimally and maybe in the next few months ,we can meet up with our OPEC quota, because he done well to make sure that all the taps on the pipelines are no more and checkmating the thieves in the creeks. This is feat that we need to give kudos to the government and NNPC instead of criticising them .

" NNPCL has been intervening on issue of bad roads to ensure that our major roads are either rehabilitated or reconstructed. It's doing this to make sure that it supplements government's efforts,where the government is yet to do something for the benefits of Nigerians .

That NNPC has intervened on matters of roads; hospitals and even during COVID-19 is no doubt a good omen that should be commended, especially the president Muhammadu Buhari's government , who has been doing tremendously well in the areas of infrastructure , security and repositioning the NNPCL.