₦airaland Forum

By Matthew Atungwu

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama on his victory in Saturday’s general election in Ghana.

This was contained in a statement by the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Tinubu, in a telephone call with Mahama, expressed hope that his ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Tinubu applauded the people of Ghana for their unwavering commitment to democracy.

According to him, this was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Tinubu applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy was the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice and transparent governance in Africa.

He affirmed that Nigeria’s and the region’s belief in the principles of the people’s right to choose their leaders freely would remain a source of pride.

The Nigerian leader commended Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Vice- President of Ghana, for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghana’s Electoral Commission.

Tinubu said Bawumia’s stance reinforced Ghana’s democratic ethos.

He said that Mahama’s return to the Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflected the Ghanaian people’s trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.

DAILY POST reports that Mahama served as Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009, and held deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001.

“President Tinubu renews his steadfast support for deepening the fraternal bonds between Nigeria and Ghana underpinned by shared history, cultural ties, mutual support and cooperation, Pan-African goals, democracy, the rule of law and economic integration.

"The Nigerian leader thanks President Nana Akufo-Addo for his exemplary leadership and numerous contributions to Ghana’s progress and regional peace and stability.

“The President looks forward to working with President Mahama’s incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West Africa region,” the statement said.

Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he is dead and blind to his detractors.

Wike said he is focused on his assigned task of developing the FCT.

He spoke on Friday at the flag off of the design, construction, and furnishing of the office annex of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria in Abuja.

He said as a politician he can neither hear nor see what his detractors are saying or doing.

According to Wike: “The good thing about us, you know, as a politician, you must have thick skin. I have thick skin.

“I don’t even hear what people say. I don’t even see those who are saying it, and I can’t reply.

"Three signals a politician must always have.

“One, he can’t see. Two, he can’t talk. Three, he can’t hear.

“So, whatever they are saying, you don’t even hear. Those who are saying it, you don’t even see.

"And because I can’t talk, I cannot reply. I will go ahead and continue to do my work for the best of the country. That is all I can do.”

President Bola Tinubu is determined to change the fortunes of Nigeria, regardless of the challenges confronting the country, says Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Shettima said this on Saturday in Abuja at a one-day retreat for presidential aides and heads of units in his office.

According to him, the nation’s economy is on the path of growth on account of President Tinubu’s policies and determination to transform the economy for all Nigerians.

"President Tinubu is determined to change the fortunes of the nation. We all want to bequeath to the younger generation a united and progressive country.

"Yes, the economy has and is experiencing challenges but we have turned the corner. As of now, we are producing 1.8 million barrels of oil per day.

“The economy is on an upward trajectory and I believe in the new year, the economy will grow in leaps and bounds,” he said.

Shettima urged all aides in the presidency to synergise more and work harder in helping the President to deliver on his mandate.

"The country is greater than all of us. I urge you, let’s work as a team and as a family,” he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice-President) Sen. Hassan Hadejia, explained that the retreat was planned to enable aides to synergise on ideas.

According to him, this is to ensure a seamless execution of tasks assigned to the office of the Vice President.

He said the essence of the retreat was to enhance strategic communication in the office, streamlining project funding and partnership.

Hadejia added that the retreat would improve collaboration and synergy within the office and enhance collaboration with ministries, departments and agencies.

Also, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, commended the efforts of aides in the office, especially on tasks concerning strategic communication.

Baba-Ahmed stressed the need for improved collaboration across the presidency.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Moddibo-Umar, implored the aides to avail the system of their knowledge and expertise.

“Be humble and focus on the tasks at hand. We need to deliver on the difficult task ahead. The primary thing is just the work,” he said. (NAN)

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said he is not a member of any political party. He described himself as “a no-party statesman”.

Also, he raised the alarm that Nigerians were facing several challenges at the moment, but preached hope and optimism.

Obasanjo said these today in Abuja during a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Zone 3.

The service was for the 80th birthday of journalist and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu.

The former President hailed the celebrant for being a loyal and supportive person during his 1999 election campaigns despite the fact that Chief Alex Ekwueme also contested for the same position in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Obasanjo urged Ugochukwu to remain with the Lord and be committed to humanity throughout the rest of his life

He said: “But remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13. Your faith must not diminish. You must never lose hope. Even when things are as gloomy as they are in Nigeria today, we must remain optimistic and hopeful.

“And finally, you must live and continue to live a life of love. Love for your family.

“Love for friends and foes. Love for your community. Love for your state. Love for your country. Love for humanity. And love for God.

“When we came together, it was during the campaign. I’ve known a little bit about you by your reputation. We were two candidates competing in PDP – myself and Alex Ekweme.

“And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy. The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard.

“Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.

“You remained totally loyal. And I appreciate it. And you remain with me. Not 99.9% loyal, but 100% loyal. Throughout my tenure. I will be eternally grateful to you.

“When you went in, as the bishop said, to contest the election, and they overturned the election, you didn’t take revenge on anybody. You were not bitter. You didn’t even move out of the party. You remained.

“Some people would have moved out of their party. And you know some who are in our party, close to us, who did that.

My stand – OBJ
“Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter, but for the party that we all built together.

“Even though now I’m a no-party statesman. I want to emphasise what the bishop said. At 80, what more do you want? Do you need it?

“All I will say is that you need to continue to serve humanity and serve God. And there’s no end to that. And the bishop said you should enjoy yourself. I will concur with that.

“But don’t over-enjoy yourself. Because one can overdo it. Once again, happy birthday, many happy returns. You will celebrate 90. And I will be there. You will celebrate 100. I will not be there. But wherever I am.”



Atiku, too

On his part, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar at the reception also commended the Onyema Ugochukwu for his patriotism.

He said that the celebrant did not take sides when he (Atiku) had problems with President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that rather he tried to be a peacemaker.

Atiku said: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I will not claim that I know Ogochukwu long enough because we only met during our administration around 1998-99. And till now, we have been in contact with each other.

“But I want to say that during our administration, even when the President and I were having problems, Ogochukwu never took sides. Rather, he tried to be a conciliator and I want to say that all along I found him to be an extremely dedicated, passionate Nigerian.

“Let me also testify that in all those years that we worked together, I never heard of any unwarranted action by Onyema Ogochukwu.

“He was still a credible and perfect gentleman. Mrs. Ogochukwu, I think you are very lucky to have him.

“Honestly, I want to say that this is one of the very rare events I have put on a public face to identify myself, but I feel extremely delighted to have been part of this event. I also look forward to getting to your age.

“So, once again congratulations Onyema Ogochukwu and family and the entire people of Abia State and Nigeria in general.”

The celebrant …
In his remarks, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu was, however, emotional while explaining that out of his seven siblings five are dead. He said just him and his sister were left, thanking God for the good health God granted him.

According to him, he was the first out of his siblings to attain the age of 70, just as he acknowledged God’s faithfulness in his life, and promised to continue to serve God and humanity more than ever before.

He said: “In 2014, I lost my two younger brothers, my father, and then my uncle. So there was no urge to celebrate. There were seven. My eldest brother, let him be known, was the best of us all. But he died at 64.

“I grew up in a happy family, and all that. But then when the war came. I joined the army. I had bullet wounds, both in my hand and my leg. But God didn’t want to take me away.

“In retrospect, I thought that those bullet wounds were to take me off that front, because I probably would not have been alive if they had remained there subsequently.

“In 2007, I lost the election which I won, actually. I then went to court. And I was in court for three years.

“But in my own case, my friends stayed with me. So much so, that even those who were fighting us said they would like to join our group. How do we do it? And they have stayed together these many years. They are mostly the people helping to organise this.

“I am grateful to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the impact he made in my life. When I met him, it was General Liu that introduced us.”

Sermon
Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Nyanya Diocese, Rt. Rev. J. O. K. Adeyemi, admonished the celebrant to keep serving God and humanity, more than ever before.

He urged Ugochkwu to always seek heavenly race and be dedicated to living a good life.

Two books for Onyema Ugochukwu
Two publications in his honour to commemorate the occasion were later launched by dignitaries at the occasion.

One is an anthology of his speeches titled: “Galvanizing Development in the Niger Delta: Selected engagements by Onyema Ugochukwu”.

The other is a volume of tributes titled: “Testaments and testimonials: Celebrating Onyema Ugochukwu at 80”.

Obasanjo wrote the foreword to the compilation of speeches which is co-edited by John Araka, a former Editor of Daily Times, and Tunde Olusunle, a renowned author and protege of Ugochukwu.

Olusunle also edited the tributes in the celebrant’s honour.

With just a week to the Ondo State governorship election, residents are feeling the pinch of severe cash shortages in commercial banks across the state.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that politicians from the major political parties had been making large withdrawals from banks and stockpiling cash to buy votes.

Our correspondent learnt that customers who wanted to withdraw money over the counter were given less than what they requested because of the unavailability of cash in commercial banks across the state.

A source in a new generation bank disclosed that the politicians had been withdrawing millions of naira from banks in the last one week.

They were alleged to be colluding with bank managers to make the withdrawal easy.

The source said, “In the past few weeks, there has been a high flow of cash in the state because politicians, particularly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have colluded with bank managers to withdraw huge amounts of money daily. When the politicians ‘settle’ the bankers, they permit them to withdraw as much as they want. I can tell you authoritatively that the politicians are withdrawing millions of naira in cash from the banks, with the assistance of the managers.

That is why we don’t have much cash to give customers. If you go to banks now, little cash is available in all their branches across the state. They are withdrawing money for their logistics in the campaigns and also keeping the money to buy votes on election day.”

Some bank customers, who spoke to our correspondent, said they had been finding it difficult to withdraw money across the counter.

While blaming politicians, the residents stated that the bankers informed them that they had little cash available in their branches.

A customer, who identified himself as Tunde, said he was disappointed to reach one of the commercial banks in Akure on Thursday only to be informed that he could not withdraw more than N10,000 from the counter.

While blaming politicians, the residents stated that the bankers informed them that they had little cash available in their branches.

A customer, who identified himself as Tunde, said he was disappointed to reach one of the commercial banks in Akure on Thursday only to be informed that he could not withdraw more than N10,000 from the counter.

He added that the bankers advised him to go out and withdraw from the Point-of-Sale machines outside.

"I was surprised that when I got to my bank on Thursday to withdraw N50,000, the man at the counter told me that cash was not available and that they couldn’t give me more than N2,000 cash. I was angry and I asked him the reason; they told me they didn’t get much cash from the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria),” the customer lamented.

Another bank customer told Sunday PUNCH that it had been a problem getting cash from the banks in Ondo State.

He said he was given the sum of N10,000 from his bank recently when he wanted to withdraw N30,000. Later, he was asked to go and use PoS for the remaining.

"I use one of the new generation banks. I got there to withdraw N30,000 cash to settle some bills but I was told I could only be given N10,000 as the highest I could withdraw from the counter. I asked the reason for this, but the only answer I got was little cash was available in the branch for customers,” he added.

A manager of one of the branches of a commercial bank, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.

He said little cash was left in the banks for customers to withdraw after politicians mopped up huge amounts of money from the banks.

The source said, “As a matter of fact, even before now, the amount of money in circulation is very low generally, not only in Ondo State, but there is a way we adequately manage the available money given to us. That is not known to the public. For instance, the CBN in Akure has mandated all the banks in its domain that you cannot withdraw (from the CBN) more than twice within two weeks, unlike before that we will go there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to withdraw cash. But now, they are dealing with us two times a week.

"Then, on the withdrawal by politicians, it is not a lie. It is really happening. It is not limited to only one bank but virtually all the commercial banks in the state. There are some locations that per week, they mop up close to N300m, N200m. You can see that when that one is gone from a branch, there is no way you can serve an ordinary man who wants to withdraw N50,000, N100,000. It is very unfortunate.”

Another source alleged that the chieftains of all political parties approached banks for cash, but the ruling APC and the PDP were most responsible for the cash crisis in Ondo banks.

The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical is set to begin fuel exports to South Africa, Angola, and Namibia, Saturday PUNCH can confirm.

A highly credible source, who confirmed this exclusively to one of our correspondents on Friday, said the management of the 650,000-barrel per-day capacity refinery was at advanced stages of talks with the countries to start lifting fuel.

Our correspondents gathered that four other African countries – Niger Republic, Chad, Burkina Faso and Central Africa Republic – had also started negotiation with the refinery.

Saturday PUNCH was reliably informed that more countries were being expected to signify interest in lifting fuel from the refinery in the coming months.

Ghana was recently reported to have expressed interest in buying petrol from the $20bn Lekki-based refinery.

The Chairman of the National Petroleum Authority, Ghana, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, said the arrangement with Dangote refinery would end his country’s monthly $400m fuel imports from Europe.

“I can confirm to you that talk is actually at advance stage with Ghana, Angola, Namibia and South Africa, while initial discussion is coming up with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic,” the source said.

When asked why marketers are insisting on not buying from Dangote despite the refinery’s capacity, the source said the dealers had hidden agenda.

“However, between now and January 2025, their plan would be exposed. Dangote refinery remains the hope of this country for a sustainable supply of petrol and the refinery has the capacity to serve the entire country,” the source added.

Meanwhile, local marketers have resolved to import fuel from outside the country.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria last week insisted on fuel importation after accusing the Dangote refinery of selling fuel to Nigerians at an exorbitant price.

The marketers are awaiting the approvals of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to import cheaper petrol.

The marketers argued that importing more affordable petrol would offer relief for consumers still adjusting to the price surges following the removal of fuel subsidy.

However, to proceed, the marketers requested access to foreign exchange from the CBN, and permits from NMDPRA to ensure compliance with fuel quality and regulatory standards.

The NMDPRA has, however, refuted claims that IPMAN and PETROAN were allowed to obtain petrol import licence as associations.

An official of the NMDPRA, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the agency could not approve the request of oil marketers to obtain import licence as an association, but based on individual requests.

The source added that individual application was the stipulated law and could not be shelved.

“The truth of the matter is that they can’t apply for petrol import licence as a body or association. Individual marketers have to apply by themselves before they can be granted that licence. They have to apply by themselves. We are not going to give the permit jointly so they can’t apply as an association.

“So, this also means that if individual marketers don’t apply for it, we can’t approve it.”

Responding, the National Public Relations Officer of PETROAN, Dr Joseph Obele, said the association applied for the import licence about one month ago through its newly incorporated trading wing.

He described Dangote as an “aggressive competitor” who would go to any length to monopolise the market.

"You should know that Dangote is just out to close all the doors and windows so that no person enters the market. He is determined to ensure that nobody enters the market as a competitor. We assure Nigerians that as soon as the regulatory agency approves our authority to import, this price of PMS that is causing pain to Nigerians right now will crash to the barest minimum.

“The product we are planning to import is one of the best products so far, far better than his (Dangote) own, but he is just telling Nigerians that any product that is coming into the country is not better than his own.

"We call on Nigerians to support the call for dismantling monopolies so that we can liberate the market; otherwise, we will remain in the trap we are. We are trapped at the moment; we are trapped with exploitation and the only way out of the trap is to dismantle every dimension of monopoly and we are calling on Nigerians to support us,” Obele said.

A media aide to former governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Lere Olayinka, has suggested that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar should make sacrifices and support Peter Obi for the presidency in 2027.

Olayinka was responding to an X user, Mfaarees, that Obi should accept the Vice Presidential slot to Atiku.

He noted that Obi has what it takes to save Nigeria, adding that he and Atiku can defeat the forces of tyranny in Nigeria.

Mfaarees had said: “Peter Obi has what it takes to save this country. If he really cares about Nigerians, he should accept the VP slot with Atiku as President, they’re the only people who can defeat this great force of tyranny.”

Reacting, Lere posted: “Why can’t @atiku also make sacrifice and support @PeterObi for President?”

This is coming amid the proposed merger talks among top opposition leaders in Nigeria.

But Katchi Ononuju, a chieftain of the PDP, had declared that Obi won’t be a Vice Presidential candidate to Atiku.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has commenced moves to drop the charges brought against the 32 minors arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Hours after the arraignment, the AGF disclosed in a statement late Friday night his interest in taking over the matter from the Inspector General of Police.

He noted that there were issues his office would like to review.

"There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me to make an informed decision,” the AGF said.

"It is not within my power to vary the court order remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January. I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file to my office and hand it over to the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation tomorrow, Saturday, November 2, 2024.

“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately initiate steps to request an earlier adjournment date,” he added.

A source from the Federal Ministry of Justice confirmed to our correspondent that the IG had already submitted the case file to the AGF as requested, and actions were underway to swiftly drop the charges against the defendants.

The source added that the court was set to reconvene early this week, rather than on the adjourned date of January 24, 2025.

“The police have submitted the case file, and the parties are working together. The court will reconvene early this week,” the source said.

Also, the defence counsel for all 119 defendants, Marshall Abubakar, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, confirmed that steps were being taken to drop the charges against the children this week, especially since the AGF had requested transfer of the case file.

“The government has been calling; the AGF has called. I think, most likely, by next week (this week) we will get the charges thrown out,” Abubakar said.

He also confirmed that the minors among the 119 remanded protesters were in the custody of the SARS IRT, adding that they were kept in a large hall as the purported Borstal system for juvenile detention was non-existent.

“The children were taken to IRT SARS. There is a big hall there where they are kept because there is actually no Borstal Centre.”

Another source knowledgeable about the case told our correspondent on Saturday that the AGF’s office was considering filing an affidavit of urgency and an application on Monday before the court.

The source said, “This means if the application is granted, the case will come up on Tuesday. Hopefully, the case will be discontinued.”

Meanwhile, human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has raised the alarm over the whereabouts of two children arrested by the police.

Adeyanju said the minors were supposed to be arraigned alongside the 76 accused persons brought to court on Friday.

He noted that the two children were on the list of those earlier taken to court by the police to obtain a remand warrant a few months ago.

The activist called on the attorney general to use his good offices to discontinue the case.

"It took a lot of effort for us to get the children to be brought to court on Friday. Two of them who were originally arrested were not even brought to court. We don’t know their whereabouts or what has happened to them. Their names were on the warrant obtained from the court, but they were never brought to court on Friday,” Adeyanju told Sunday PUNCH.

He revealed that about seven other arrested protesters were also not arraigned on Friday because they were sick and had to be taken to the Federal High Court clinic.

"Their names were withdrawn from the charge sheet due to their illness. They couldn’t stand trial. Their plea was not taken, meaning they will be arraigned again.

“We asked the police to release them since the court had discharged them and struck out their names from the charge, but the police refused. They took them back to the IRT,” Adeyanju explained.

Meanwhile, the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria and the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Lagos have condemned recent statements from the IG regarding the children who fainted in court on Friday.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, NCMN National Secretary Ahmad Ashir, said, “The IG’s assertion that the minors fainting in court was staged is utterly unacceptable. Video evidence clearly shows these minors collapsing, making this allegation not only baseless but deeply insensitive.

"To suggest that these minors fainted intentionally disregards the trauma they may have experienced. It’s imperative to prioritise their health and ensure they receive adequate medical care and psychological support.”

A representative of the #EndBadGovernance organisers, Hassan Soweto, called for the immediate release of the children, saying, “It’s profoundly insensitive for the police to make such claims about children who have endured starvation and torture for three months. This is an outright insult.”

Blessedman98:
Pray for our enemy' is a scriptural admonition indeed

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Friday called on Nigerians to continue to pray for President Bola Tinubu, saying he means well for the country.

He stated this at the flag off of the construction of the six-lane Arterial Road N5, also known as Obafemi Awolowo Way, in Life Camp, Abuja.

Wike said, “So I want all of you in prayer to continue to pray for Mr President so that at the end of the day, the lost hope of our people will be gotten back, that is why he said the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’

“This government is to bring back the hope that people have lost. I am sure people who are living here never believed that this road can be done again. The President said, ‘No, there is nothing that cannot be done.’”

The minister noted that all the ongoing projects in the nation’s capital were as a result of approvals given by President Tinubu.

He also asked all Nigerians to continue to support the current administration so as to deliver on its campaign promises.

“We thank God that Mr President in his infinite wisdom to make sure that work continues in the FCT, he gave us a latitude by increasing our threshold.

"Today you see that contracts of schools are going on, contracts of building more police stations to save our people are going on. It is because of the approval given to us by Mr President,” he stated.

The minister emphasised that the new road will create jobs, stabilize food prices, and uplift the local economy.

He appealed to Julius Berger Nigeria, the contractor, to aim for completion in 14 months, ahead of the original 18-month schedule, promising further contracts if they succeed.

The Arterial Road N5 project is part of a broader effort to enhance the FCT’s infrastructure, positioning Abuja as a more accessible and economically vibrant city.

A former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has written to the National Assembly, requesting an amendment to the Constitution to allow for a six-year single term for the President and state governors.

In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South.

It is noteworthy that during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, he advocated for a six-year single term for the presidential seat.

Following the 2023 general elections, Atiku has continued to support this tenure proposal.

He stated, “The office of the President shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation on a single term of six years, flowing between the North and South on the single term of six years respectively.”

Atiku urged the National Assembly to “amend Section 135(2) to read: ‘Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years.’”

Additionally, he proposed the “substitution of an aspirant” in Section 285(14)(a) with “a voter.”

The former Vice President also suggested that the minimum educational qualification for a person to run for election should be the Ordinary National Diploma instead of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. He proposed an amendment to Section 65(2)(a) to read: “He has been educated up to at least Ordinary National Diploma in any recognised academic institution.”

Furthermore, he recommended the insertion of a paragraph in Section 65(2)(a)(i) to read: “Evidence of certificates of all educational qualifications of a candidate shall be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission or an affidavit by the candidate in the event of loss of his/her educational certificates, qualifications obtained, and dates, stating the schools attended.”

Atiku also advocated for political parties to have more power in the candidate selection process. He proposed an “amendment to Section 65(2)(b) to read: ‘He is a member of a political party whose name is in the register to be made available by his political party to the Independent National Electoral Commission 30 days before the conduct of the political party’s primary and he is sponsored by that party.’'

President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his administration will uphold the judiciary’s independence and sanctity.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tinubu said his government would be mindful of the line demarcating the executive and the judiciary.

He said his administration would not interfere in the matters of the other organs of government.

The event held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

"The judiciary is an important pillar constituting the tripod that holds our constitutional democracy. Indeed, the Nigerian judiciary, at various times in history, has proven to be the moderating force ensuring everyone remains in check.

“Your role as the last hope of the common man serves to sustain our people’s confidence in democracy, knowing well that there is an important arbiter that can always give them redress if they are wronged.

"For this function, it is important that our judiciary remains truly independent. It is my administration’s total commitment to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.

“While we may have reasons to interface as complementing components of the same government, under my watch, the government will also be mindful of the clear line demarcating the two of us.

"We will never interfere or abuse the relationship between us as separate organs of government in our democracy. This is important for sustaining our constitutional democracy.”

He urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to continue upholding the principles of ethical leadership, fearlessness, and honesty which he said defined the CJN’s career.

Tinubu added: “The Nigerian judiciary needs a leader with these qualities at this time, and I have no doubt that you will set the pace for others to follow.

“This day has also cemented the judiciary as a self-evolving and progressive institution. I specifically congratulate the Nigerian women. Any girl child can dream big and have her dreams come true. It is worth celebrating.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun is the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history.

President Bola Tinubu will deliver a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, 1 October 2024, at 7 am.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a statement on Monday.

The statement is titled, ‘October 1st 2024 Independence Day: President Tinubu addresses the nation.’

Onanuga added that the broadcast is part of activities to mark the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

“Television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets are encouraged to connect to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast,” the statement added.

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has mocked supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Peoples Party (APP) ahead of the October 5 local government election.

After Wike’s loyalists took control of the PDP in Rivers following the congress that held last month, Fubara reportedly directed his loyalists to contest the forthcoming election under APP.

He boasted that when the time comes, he would teach APP and its members a big lesson in the state.

He said: “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating of APP. It is not about money. Money does not move. You can have all the money but if there is no capacity there is no capacity.

“All the things you see are people envious of our growth. We have defeated them severally and if opportunity comes again, we will defeat them

“We have not started politics, when the time comes, we will play politics. Our job is politics. Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what is called politics.”

Wike said it is not true that Ijaw people were fighting him but that few ungrateful people among the ethnic group is putting up such disposition.

Wike described the crisis period in Rivers as a time for some people to enrich themselves, adding that such persons see the state government as a big market.

But he said: “They are not fighting me. I am too big. If you don’t recognize someone bigger than you, know you are sick. I am far bigger and all of them put together they can’t withstand it”.

Earlier the Director, Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Boma Iyaye, who spoke on behalf of the group, apologized to Wike and told him to disregard the misbehaviour of an individual and continue to relate with the Ijaw people.

Iyaye appealed to Wike not to judge the Ijaws in Rivers through the behaviour of one person.

The FCT Minister was accompanied to the event by the Petroleum Minister, State, Heineken Lokpobiri; Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri; former governors and members of the G5, Samuel Ortom, Benue; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.