₦airaland Forum

An elder statesman and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku has asked Nigerians to only consider and vote for leaders they could trust to revamp the country’s political structure and security management amongst other concerns

He gave the charge yesterday, during his lecture series tagged: Chief Emeka Anyaoku 11th lecture edition on good governance, held at the Initiative for Information and Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD) Library and Resource Centre, Jericho, Ibadan.

Anyaoku tasked tasked politicians to also refrain from abuse of persons but focus on issues and manifestos as 2023 general elections would be a watershed.

Blaming military incursion into the country’s polity as a consequence for the many challenges confronting the nation, he urged Nigerians to consider the nation’s diversity as a blessing and work to strengthen its cohesion as other countries of diverse nationalities were making significant progress across the globe.

He warned that the deterioration of the worsening insecurity and other social-political crises under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is pushing the country ‘to the brink of national disaster.”


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Anyaoku decried the country’s degeneration into international irrelevance and sliding into the ranks of poverty-stricken nations.

The octogenarian added that the level of deterioration had robbed Nigeria of the desired respect and the much-needed sense of belonging by its citizens.

He said: “I will urge my compatriot to study the manifesto that they will produce careful and vote for those they believe will carry out their promises.

Speaking on our present governance system because the system is crucial for the revolution and production of the country.”

“I am old enough to say that Nigeria in the early years of our independence, Nigeria before the entry of the military to our government, Nigeria has remained as it was then before the military system came. Nigeria would have been a different country right now.”

“Nigeria was slightly ahead of Malaysia in development. Nigeria was as far as South Korea in development but look at those countries where they are today and where Nigeria is today. Nigeria is more than one generation behind.”

“Why has that come to be? I believe it has come to be because of the system of governance that we have, we have a system of government which does not suit the multi-diverse countries like ours, we were then in multi-mobile four federations but against the 36 plus the federal capital that we now have.”

“In my view, the present system will not lead us anywhere, where achieving the country of our dream. We need a pure federating system which will be more variable than what we have now. Because what we have now may be easier for us not to have a true federation a country of our diversity.”

“And so I will say that the am speaking over 30 years with the governance of the fifty-four member countries, each country chooses a system that will best serve their interest.”

“The country that I would like to look at in terms of its system is not The United States of America, because it is centrally an immigrant population country, Nigeria, on the other hand, is a country of unit that have existed for centuries of their own with their own culture and manner of behaviour.”

“We need a system like India’s has done. India is a diverse country although when you see them abroad you think they are urban homogeneous, they are very diverse I have travelled around and I can tell you that diversity of India is successful because the state of India is largely autonomous in terms of that important aspect of dealing with security.”

“Because in dealing with Security, security is crucial in development. You don’t have security, you will be able to attack foreign investors and hardly any countries these days without development being able to attract foreign investors,” he said.

In his submission, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State reiterated his commitment to always support and stay true to the course of good governance in Nigeria.

The governor said fidelity, accountability, integrity, transparency, and honesty have always been the foundation of successes recorded so far in his administration, saying that the people of the state have always been consulted before any policy or decision was taken for their sake.

Also in a lecture, a university don, Professor Ayo Olukotun, advocated that for Nigeria to witness true federalism and to get over her myriads of challenges, there was the need to decentralise the administrative system and governance in the country.

He noted that true federalism could not come into existence as long as there is overspending, and duplication of offices and personnel, which the don stated have become a governmental pastime.

Speaking on a lecture themed: “Nigeria’s Elusive Search for Good Governance,” Olutokun, the Director, Oba Sikiru Adetona Institute of Governance Studies, Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, noted that rationality must be brought to bare on public sector finances, encompassing the husbanding the country’s resources to achieve maximum results.

“Our security institutions are in need of re-formulation so that they become more result-oriented, capable and savvy. For too long, they have yielded ground to bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and the like.”

Bemoaning the spate of insecurity which has brought the country on its knees, Prof. Olukotun pointed out that insecurity has pervaded the entire country and casts a shadow over the peaceful elections in the country in 2023.

“In spite of a new offensive by security institutions, the coast is not yet clear and much remains to be done. This cannot happen in the absence of decentralisation in the shape of state police.”

“The formulation of militias in several states around the country, such as Amotekun, Benue State Volunteer Force, Ebubeagu, point to the failure of an over-policing system,” urging that there was the need to take necessary constitutional steps to redesign the architecture of national security.

“The long-deferred restructuring agenda must now come on board despite the fact that sadly, the constitutional review exercise just undertakes hardly mentioned or allowed for it. This is the agenda that the next president must take very seriously.”

“It is pretty difficult, if not contradictory to speak about good governance under successive military governments which inaugurated their rulership by suspending the constitution and enthroning

Speaking on having free, fair and credible elections in the country, the university don observed that it has become imperative for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to maintain a high level of electoral integrity and sanctity of the elections conducted.

“Far too often, elections are decided by the courts and not by the people. The increasingly litigious character of our elections, accompanied by huge civil strifes, is a pointer that we are yet to get to our acts right in this direction. Good governance begins with the right of the people to choose how they are governed and by who.”

Prof. Olukotun equally called on the judicial arm of government to undergo further reforms and be granted its hallowed place in the country’s emerging democracy for the enthronement of the rule of law and privileged human rights.

Speaking on the need to re-awaken grassroots governance, the don posited that attention must be shifted to localities in the country which have too often been ostensibly ignored or neglected.


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“Local governance is virtually at a dead end and is one of the reasons why banditry and terrorism have turned out communities into their headquarters.”

“It is also why insurgent governance featuring the capture of our communities, not through force alone but through services rendered by terrorists; flourishes in their settings, considering that the power of government is not felt at the local level. The world over, local governance is considered extremely important to good governance,” Olukotun said.

Earlier in her address of welcome, Onwnneme Amarachi from the Youth Affairs International Foundation described Nigeria as a country desperately in need of visionary and responsible leaders who will rescue the country and deliver good governance in every spheres of its system.

She added that it was no doubt that the government at the federal level has failed lots of youths and they could no longer accept the despairing and anti-youth policies of the Federal Government.

The 11th Chief Emeka Anyaoku lecture series was organised by Youth Affairs International Foundation in collaboration with state’s Ministry of Youths and Sports.

Anayaoku, who is the Grand Commander of the Victorian Order (GCVO) of the United King, CFR, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Adazie Ndichie of Obosi, is a first-class global statesman and diplomatic expert.

Spokesperson of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan, has criticized the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying he cannot be trusted with power as the President of Nigeria.

Ologbondiyan made this assertion at an interactive session with stakeholders in Kaduna.

The Atiku campaign spokesperson claimed that Tinubu has overtly selfish motives.

Ologbondiyan stated that Tinubu has a demonstrated history of persistent self-centered assertions, haughty claims, annexation and brazen entitlement messaging.

According to Ologbondiyan, it is clear that the APC presidential candidate is being driven by the lust to appropriate the nation as his personal estate and not for the national interest.

He said, “Nigerians watched with utter dismay as Tinubu, as usual, avoided questions and discussions on critical and imperative national issues, which confirms that he is in the Presidential race for reasons other than the wellbeing of Nigerians.


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“The APC Presidential Candidate has not been forthcoming on issues of transparency, accountability and answerability in government, devolution of power, state police, federal character and other key issues that will enhance democratic tenets for the benefit of Nigerians; a development that further confirms a selfish intention against the inclusive interest of our nation.

“Perhaps this explains why the APC Presidential Candidate has not composed a campaign organization; a foretaste of exclusionist agenda. Even his proposed economic policies were generalised without addressing the specific problems of galloping inflation and its attendant unbearable rising costs, unemployment, high interest rates and the abysmally low purchasing power of Nigerians.

“Nigerians must therefore resist such tendencies as any government built on what the APC Presidential Candidate ostensibly represents will amount to creating a fiefdom for a self-conceited ruler over our nation,” Ologbondiyan asserted in a statement on Tuesday.

He further stated, “Never in our national history have Nigerians seen a politician with this level of self-entitlement.

“It is laughable that since he became the APC Presidential Candidate, Tinubu has sought for endorsement under every guise forgetting that 2023 election is a referendum against the mass failures of the APC in governance,” he said.

All the Titled Men from Ibagwa-Ani in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, representing the people and stakeholders of the community, have declared the resolve of the community to support and vote for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and all other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

The Titled Men, led by the traditional ruler of Ibagwa-Ani Ancient Kingdom, HRH Igwe David Eneja, represented by the Edeoga of the community, Eze Gilbert Ugwuoke, and accompanied by the stakeholders, including the Member representing Nsukka West Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Emma Ugwuerua, the former Transition Committee Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Hon. Onyema Idoko, among others, appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for the positive developments his administration has impacted on the community.

They said that the positive changes the governor brought to their community are enormous, disclosing that his administration made it possible for them to have modern healthcare and educational facilities such as the fully equipped health centres at Ibagwa-Ani and Ejuona Ibagwa-Ani.

The people added that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration built Ejuona Union Primary School and went further to renovate Community Primary School, Ibagwa-Ani and Ibagwa-Ani Central School, transforming them into modern schools.

They expressed gratitude to the governor for the Ibagwa-Ani central borehole his administration sank for the community among other numerous developmental projects as well as empowerment of their people.


The Titled Men known as ‘Oha Ibagwa’ stressed their solidarity and support for Gov. Ugwuanyi’s senatorial bid, that of the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, his running mate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, the PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Engr. Vita Abba, and all other candidates of the party for the 2023 elections, maintaining that they will vote massively for them as they have no other party in the community other than the PDP.


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The people, therefore, presented “Ofo” to Gov. Ugwuanyi as a symbol of their solidarity, support and endorsement of his bid to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly come 2023.

Speaking on their behalf, Chief Basil Obeta Asogwa, listing the governor’s achievements in Ibagwa-Ani, said: “Your government made it possible for our people to have health centres that are well equipped. Ibagwa-Ani Community Secondary School was affected by windstorm that destroyed the roof of the exam hall, but your government renovated that school for the community.

“Our school had no SS3 hall but your government built a hall for the SS3 students. The health centres are two in numbers. Community Primary School I and 2, and Central School 1 and 2, your government renovated these schools and they are now modern primary schools, among others. All these are what your government did for us that made us to come to say thank you.”

Corroborating Asogwa’s remarks, the Member representing Nsukka West Constituency, Hon. Dr. Ugwuerua, and Engr. Isaac Ugwuaku, reassured Gov. Ugwuanyi that Ibagwa-Ani will deliver the PDP 100 percent at the polls, pointing out that the community has explicit confidence in the governor’s ability to represent Enugu North Senatorial District effectively in the National Assembly in 2023.

Describing the Titled Men as the deciders of Ibagwa people’s fate, Hon. Dr. Ugwuerua stated: “These (Titled Men) are the government. If you come to Ibagwa, they are the government and as it is in our community, whatever they decide, nobody has the power to question it. That is why we said that it is not necessary we come with all Ibagwa people since these are the deciders of Ibagwa people’s fate.

“Their mission is to reassure you of our total support. You know the position of our community as it relates to total support to our great party right from 1999.

“Even though there had been oppositions but during elections we deliver 100 percent and 2023 will not be an exception. The same thing will be repeated in 2023.

“So they (Titled Men) have come to reassure you; they have come to show you solidarity; they have come to tell you that if not that campaign is a routine activity, they would have told you not to come for campaign again. Everything concerning 2023, be rest assured that Ibagwa-Ani and indeed the entire Ovogovo will deliver PDP 100 percent.”

According to Engr. Ugwuaku, “Your Excellency, we are telling you thank you. If it is about our votes, we have all concluded that all Ibagwa people will not vote for anybody except Ugwuanyi and your candidates in the PDP including Barr. Peter Mbah and our in-law, Chief Engr. Vita Abba.”

The PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Engr. Abba, was at the event.

The Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said the job of presiding over the world’s most populous black nation was not one for a selfish entitlement power seeker, but for a visionary with the requisite skills set and patriotic passion for people.
A spokesperson of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan, said this in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Specifically, he said, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a candidate with “an entitlement mentality” cannot and should not be trusted with power because in his desperation to occupy the office of President, he has overtly exposed his selfish motives.

Ologbondiyan noted that from “Tinubu’s persistent self-centered assertions, haughty claims, annexation and brazen entitlement messaging, which he further displayed during his interaction with stakeholders in Kaduna on Monday, it is clear that the APC presidential candidate, is being driven by the lust to appropriate the nation as his personal estate and not for the national interest.”

He explained that Nigerians watched with utter dismay as Tinubu, as usual, avoided questions and discussions on critical and imperative national issues, which confirms that he is in the presidential race for reasons other than the wellbeing of Nigerians.

According to him, “The APC presidential candidate has not been forthcoming on issues of transparency, accountability and answerability in government, devolution of power, state police, federal character and other key issues that will enhance democratic tenets for the benefit of Nigerians.


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“This development further confirms a selfish intention against the inclusive interest of our nation.”

“This,” the PDP PCC spokesperson added, “Perhaps explains why the APC presidential candidate has not composed a campaign organization; a foretaste of exclusionist agenda.

“Even his proposed economic policies were generalised without addressing the specific problems of galloping inflation and its attendant unbearable rising costs, unemployment, high interest rates and the abysmally low purchasing power of Nigerians.

“Nigerians must, therefore, resist such tendencies as any government built on what the APC presidential candidate ostensibly represents will amount to creating a fiefdom for a self-conceited ruler over our nation.

“Never in our national history have Nigerians seen a politician with this level of self-entitlement.”

He further said, “It is laughable that since he became the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu has sought for endorsement under every guise forgetting that 2023 election is a referendum against the mass failures of the APC in governance.

“Nigerians must note that it will be a disaster for our country, Nigeria, if we allow a presidential candidate that will ‘alphabetize’ our revenue generating agencies such as Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Plc among others to take over the reign òf governance.”

Coins thrown at Pep Guardiola in Liverpool loss as Reds condemn Man City chants
Pep Guardiola targeted with coins in the aftermath of Phil Foden's disallowed goal; Erling Haaland penalised for a foul on Fabinho in the build-up; Mohamed Salah scores winner in a fiery Premier League clash on Super Sunday

Pep Guardiola has confirmed coins were thrown towards him from the crowd during Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool on Sunday, while the Reds condemned "vile chants" from the away end.

The instances occurred during the second half of a fiery Premier League contest at Anfield, soon after City had a Phil Foden goal controversially disallowed.

The strike would have given City the lead but they eventually went on to lose 1-0 to a Mohamed Salah goal.

Opposite number Jurgen Klopp had not been aware of the matter but apologised on behalf of the home club.

He said: "Oh, horrible. I am sorry. I apologise for that. I had no idea about it. It never should happen, never."

In a statement released by the club, Liverpool said: "We are aware of an incident involving objects being thrown into the technical area at today's game. This is totally unacceptable behaviour and not the standards of behaviour we expect at Anfield. This incident will be fully investigated using CCTV and those found guilty will be punished, including a lifetime ban from Anfield Stadium and a possible football banning order."

Liverpool also released another statement, condemning 'vile chants' from the away end. Merseyside Police later confirmed that offensive graffiti had been sprayed in the away section.

It read: "We are deeply disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies from the away section during today's game at Anfield. The concourse in the away section was also vandalised with graffiti of a similar nature.

"We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters.

"We are working with the relevant authorities and we will also work with Manchester City in order to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether."

A statement read: "We can confirm we are working closely with LFC and MCFC to understand what has taken place during the match at Anfield today, Sunday 16 October.

"We have been made aware that offensive behaviour had taken place during the Liverpool v Manchester City game, and that offensive graffiti was sprayed in the away section.

"Such behaviour will not be tolerated, and we are working with both clubs to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing offensive behaviour."

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had said he knows the challenges of Nigeria and has gathered enough experience to address the challenges.

He reiterated that building economic prosperity in Nigeria will be a mirage without unity and national security.

The Wazirin Adamawa assured that if elected president, he will develop Nigeria, build a dynamic economy for prosperity, restore Nigeria’s unity and strengthen the security apparatus.

He spoke at an interactive session organized by the Arewa Joint Committee made up of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), Jamiyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Arewa House (Center for Historical Development and Research) and Arewa Research and Documentation Project (ARDP) in Kaduna on Saturday.

According to him, Northern Nigeria’s current social and economic challenges call for sobber reflection, adding that “as a country, we must build consensus with a prosperity restoration with strong commitment and initiatives..”

” I am committed to articulate and implement transformation and development agenda of a united, secure and prosperous country,” he said.

He said Nigeria’s unity has never been threatened like now with an increasing number of Nigerian citizens openly challenging their allegiance to Nigeria’s corporate existence through violent agitations and misguided demand for ethno-regional autonomy because of widespread feelings of marginalization and neglect.


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“Nigeria has never been overwhelmed by insecurity in all parts of the country. Sadly we have reached a point where the functions of the state have been usurped by separatists, bandits insurgents, and terrorists.”

“Despite her vast resources, Nigeria has remained one of the poorest and most unequal countries in the world. Our economy is fragile and vulnerable. Jobs losses, eroding incomes, and lack of citizen’s access to basic amenities have pushed more than 90 million people below the poverty line.”

“The public education system is ill-equipped and has consistently underperformed keeping millions of our children out of school and producing graduates with skills and competencies which are not aligned to the needs of our communication and our industries.”

“Incessant Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities( ASUU) and other unions of educational institutions has undoubtedly affected the quality of our workforce with far-reaching consequences on the economy.”

“Nigeria has continued to affect a faulty, complex Federal structure with a high degree of centralization at the center. The Federal government has succeeded in accumulating many responsibilities which belong to the other weaker levels of government, the Federal government appreciates along with these responsibilities, huge resources to the detriment of the states and local governments”.

“I know the challenges of Nigeria and I have gathered enough experience to address the challenges.”

He, therefore, appealed to be given the opportunity to bring his wealth of experience to bare and provide good governance for Nigeria.

The Federal Government, on Thursday, gave an indication that it will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal judgement that quashed the terrorism charge it preferred against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Reacting to the judgement, FG, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, contended that Kanu was merely discharged by the appellate court and not acquitted.

Malami, SAN, while insisting that issues that predated Kanu’s rendition from Kenya, are yet to be determined by the court, said the government would exploit the appropriate legal options and also communicate same to the public.

A statement the AGF made available to newsmen through his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, read: “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu.

“For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.

“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.

“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition.

“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.

“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues”.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has become disoriented by the PDP’s Abubakar Atiku’s presidential campaign flag-off in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, on Monday.

The PDP said APC presidential candidate was dazed by the “popularity” of the PDP flag bearer, Atiku. The main opposition party made this assertion in a statement signed by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. The PDP also claimed that Tinubu is not eligible to contest elections.

His words, “Nigerians were again appalled and sickened by the lack of depth being exhibited by the presidential candidate of the tottering All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as reflected in his recent utterances against other political parties.

“While Asiwaju Tinubu has proven to Nigerians that he is incapable of serious presidential discourse, it is nevertheless disgraceful that the APC presidential candidate is displaying such vacuity in the public domain.

“For emphasis, the PDP is a serious political party campaigning on issues and we have refrained from commenting on the many personal, health, academic, ancestry and corruption issues challenging the APC presidential candidate.

“Apparently, dazed by the resounding presentation of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar at the hugely successful flag-off of our presidential campaign in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, on Monday, October 10, Asiwaju Tinubu has become disoriented.


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“If there is any party that can be described as a “termite party”, of course, it will not be the PDP which is fully “ARTICULATED” and soaring with its campaign but the doomed APC that is crawling, having become legally crippled and no longer a legitimate and valid vehicle to field candidates in the 2023 general elections.

“This explains why the APC cannot constitute a campaign council, let alone flagging off its campaign.

“Though the APC presidential candidate has demeaned himself before Nigerians, the PDP as a decorous Party will still refrain from commenting on the issues of his personal health.

“Since he procured the APC ticket, the APC presidential candidate has not made any meaningful comment or contribution to serious national issues, instead he has been engaging in illogical, incoherent and fatuous utterances.

“Our Party cautions Asiwaju Tinubu to advise himself, guard his utterances, face his many legitimacy and disqualification issues and stop making himself an object of public ridicule.

“What is expected of Asiwaju is to apologise to the nation for the woes and suffering brought upon Nigerians by the misrule of the APC, which he helped to install and for which Nigerians hold him personally responsible.

“The APC presidential candidate should come to terms with the fact that Nigerians have moved on with the PDP and Atiku Abubakar as their next President given Atiku Abubakar’s established focus, integrity, experience, capacity and readiness to lead the mission to Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria from the monumental failures and misery that the APC represents,” he said.

The APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) says it is delaying the take-off its Presidential Campaign for 2023 poll, to ensure that all necessary ingredients associated with such campaigns are captured.

Mr Festus Keyamo, the spokesperson for the Presidential Campaign Council said this when he spoke with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, after a meeting of the PCC, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), and the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF).

“Part of the structure of our campaign involves a presidential diary, our campaign is not like those who have done kick and start with their small vehicles.

“Our campaign is like manoeuvring a 50-tonne trailer into the highway and once we hit the road, we hit the road.

“So that is what we are doing, the president is the chairman of the campaign council, we are going to take his diary into consideration in picking and choosing the day.


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“But, we have virtually agreed that we are going to hit the streets very soon, we have agreed on the region we are going to begin from and on all other basic issues,” he said.

Keyamo said that the APC PCC wanted to carry the president along as the leader of the party.

He said that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate presented a draft copy of his manifesto to stakeholders at the meeting.

“Our candidate is not one that operates on his own, he tries to carry everybody along and today, he presented the draft copy of his manifesto to all the party’s stakeholders and it was accepted by nearly everyone,” he said.

Keyamo said that Tinubu would present the manifesto to Nigerians at a later date.

He said the meeting set up a small committee to reduce the highlights of the manifestoes as presented by Tinubu.

This, he said, was to make it more sellable and understandable in the most simple language to the electorate including market women and street traders.

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz is expected to be out until after the World Cup following the knee injury he sustained in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

However, the 25-year-old underwent a scan after the match, which has revealed no surgery will be necessary.

Diaz had offered a real threat throughout the first half at the Emirates and he assisted Darwin Nunez, who scored Liverpool's first equaliser.

He lasted just 42 minutes, though, before being substituted for Roberto Firmino, who went on to score the second equaliser, with Jurgen Klopp admitting the injury was "not good" after the full-time whistle.

It was the first of two injury blows for Liverpool, as Trent Alexander-Arnold was later taken off with an ankle injury sustained after he was caught by Gabriel Martinelli as the Arsenal forward delivered a cross from the left-hand side of the box.


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Atletico Madrid have re-signed Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona on a permanent deal.

The French footballer has signed a contract until 2026, having left the club in a £103m deal three years ago.

Griezmann rejoined Atletico on loan from Barca in August 2021 and his temporary deal was extended for this season in the summer.

The 31-year-old has scored 144 goals in 304 matches and contributed 59 assists over his two spells at the club to become their fourth-highest scorer.

Griezmann has scored three goals and produced two assists in 11 appearances this campaign after struggling to settle in Catalonia.


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The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has condemned the attack on his supporters in Nasarawa State that led to serious bodily harm to Joshua Alamu.

The attack took place on Saturday when supporters of Obi rallied in support of his presidential ambition.

One of Obi’s supporters, Jamilu Sufi posted a photo of a seriously injured Joshua, as he was receiving treatment and wrote: “Dear @PoliceNG, Our attention has been drawn on the attack to Mr. Joshua Alamu, at Nasarawa State during @NgLabour sensitization yesterday, we call on you to protect the life of our citizen and bring perpetrators to book.”


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The Labour Party’s presidential candidate decried the attack, saying the Nigerian civic and political space must remain open for the Nigerian people to exercise their constitutional rights of freedom of assembly.

He said physical attacks on individuals exercising such rights was utterly unacceptable.

He tweeted: “Once again, I wish to stress that Nigerian civic and political space must remain open for the Nigerian people to exercise their Constitutional rights of freedom of assembly. Physical attacks on individuals exercising such rights are utterly unacceptable.”

Once again, I wish to stress that Nigerian civic and political space must remain open for the Nigerian people to exercise their Constitutional rights of freedom of assembly. Physical attacks on individuals exercising such rights is utterly unacceptable. -PO https:///sV0jQMmda8

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) October 9, 2022

Diego Costa will return to Stamford Bridge but this time, on the opposite end. The striker who joined Wolverhampton during the last transfer window is yet to make a mark for his new team and could be doing that against his former team when he was last in the EPL.

In three years at Stamford Bridge, and at a club where strikers have historically struggled to make their mark, Costa managed to pick up two Premier League winners' medals and score 59 goals in 120 games, but also pick up a clear reputation: loved by Chelsea, hated by the rest.

The tables are turned and this time, it could be Chelsea hating him if he delivers a critical bite as the front man of the wolves squad.

Over the years, Chelsea have toiled in finding a reliable striker in the post-Didier Drogba days. Romelu Lukaku had two fair cracks at the whip and failed, while the likes of Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Torres and Timo Werner all struggled to live up to the hype that preceded their Stamford Bridge careers. Evn now Aubameyang struggles a bit but maybe with the new manager Graham Potter, things will change.

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The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has broken his silence over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of party funds.

Ayu said the allegations were unfounded because although as a human being he had his frailties, stealing or looting public funds was not one of them.

He spoke against the backdrop of allegations that housing allowances paid to members of the party’s National Working Committee were hush money to cover up malfeasance.

According to him, he took over the reins of the leadership of the party to restore its lost glory
and propel it back into office because the PDP was not designed to play Opposition politics but to win elections and provide purposeful leadership for the country.

Ayu spoke while welcoming the Forum of Elected Ex-Officio Members of the party who paid him a solidarity visit at the PDP National Headquarters, on Friday.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Communications), Simon Imobo-Tswam.


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Ayu also revealed that he has instructed the Finance Department to maintain and update the party’s income and expenditure account for presentation to the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at the first-year anniversary of the present NWC in December.

Ayu said although he has many faults as a human being, stealing was not one of them, adding that the present NWC is being guided by the principles of transparency and accountability.

The party chairman said, “The PDP was not founded to be in opposition. We founded the party to access power and develop the country. And my historic task is to return the party to power. I won’t be Chairman forever. For now, my preoccupation is to return the Party to power. I did not come to steal. My public service record is there.

“I have been a leader of the National Assembly. I have been a minister many times. As a person, I have many faults, but stealing is not one of them. I am conscious of my place in history, and the NWC that I lead is guided by the twin principles of transparency and accountability.

“You may be reading many things and expecting my reaction. If we don’t always talk, it is because we want to maintain and build cohesion in the party. We don’t want continuous altercations in the PDP Family. Our eyes are on the big picture i.e. winning the 2023 general elections.”

He further said,
“Therefore, let us not lose focus. Let us keep our eyes glued to the big picture. Everything else is secondary. We took office because there was a crisis in the party.

And we don’t want to keep moving from crisis to crisis. It’s not good for the party. We can’t be in perpetual crises, especially where the crisis is artificial.

He added: “The NWC met and discussed the issue of Housing Allowance. It was unanimously agreed that no bribe or any form of illegality took place. A statement has since been issued to that effect. The matter has now been laid to rest.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Yunana Iliya, said the members were at the party secretariat to express solidarity with the National Chairman and pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the Ayu-led NWC.

“We stand by the recent Vote of Confidence passed on you by the highest decision-making body of the party, the National Executive Committee (NEC), and we urge all party faithful to close ranks in PDP’s rescue work,” he added.

Former presidential aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has picked holes in the economic manifesto of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the coming 2023 election.

Pastor Omokri, on Friday said the plans by Peter Obi to remove import restrictions if elected Nigeria’s president will end up destroying local manufacturers.

Peter Obi, in his manifesto, said thus:

“We will remove import and forex restrictions and insist on a single forex market. The current system penalizes exporters who bring in forex by forcing them to sell at a rate that they are unable to source for forex when they need to purchase forex.”

Also in a series of tweets, Peter Obi said his top priorities on getting to office should he emerge Nigeria’s president are “production-centered growth for food security and export, security and uniting Nigeria and effective legal and institutional reforms (Rule of law and government effectiveness).”


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However, Pastor Omokri, who is a bestseller author, said Obi’s economic plans would rather favour importers to the detriment of local manufacturers.

He said thus: “Now, let us interrogate this policy on its merit.

“Peter Obi, who is the single largest individual importer in Nigeria, wants to remove “import restrictions.” Yet, this is the same man that wants to “move Nigeria from consumption to production”? Removing import restriction favours traders, like Obi, but destroys local manufacturing!

“Take Dangote Tomato Paste factory in Kano. If you remove import restrictions, as Obi proposes, his company, Next Cash and Carry, will be able to import cheaper tomato paste from Italy, which will force Dangote Tomato out of business and make thousands of Nigerians he employs unemployed.

“No developed nation grew to the point where they are by removing import restrictions, as Peter Obi proposes. Such policies only favour traders, like Obi, who only import and sell. A nation can’t grow like that. We must restrict imports so local manufacturers can grow!

“Obi’s plan to remove import restrictions will only favour traders, like him. But it will completely destroy the textile industry in Kaduna and Kano, and the manufacturing sector in Ikeja, Lagos, and Agbara, Ogun State. Nigeria must produce and not import what we can produce!

“If you remove import restrictions, people, like Peter Obi, whose only motives are quick money, will import champagne from France, whiskey from Scotland, and caviar from Russia. We will end up dissipating our foreign exchange on things Nigeria does not need, because traders want to make profit.

“Notice how I have analysed Peter Obi’s policy of removing import restrictions, so traders can import willy nilly and sell to Nigerians. Notice how I gave examples. Observe that my points are factual. Now, read the comments and see how Obidients fail to rebut my facts, but instead insult me. Then make up your mind.”