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Inter Milan put one foot into the Champions League semi-finals with a comfortable 2-0 win at Benfica on Tuesday, with Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku netting in Lisbon.

The Italians, three time winners, took a commanding quarter-final first leg lead at the Estadio da Luz, inflicting Benfica’s first defeat in the competition.


After an even first half, Barella headed home from Alessandro Bastoni’s cross and substitute Romelu Lukaku netted the second from the penalty spot late on.

Roger Schmidt’s Benfica, aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1990, were not able to put a glove on the visitors.

Despite Inter’s poor form, they conjured a patient, professional display when they needed it most.Having scored two goals in their previous five games across all competitions, they managed the same tally in Lisbon with clinical finishing.

Neither side was able to create clear chances in a tight opening period.The closest Benfica came was Andre Onana blocking a Rafa Silva drive after Federico Dimarco accidentally headed the ball into his path in the box.

Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi hammered over from 30 yards at the other end.The Italians had the opportunity to hit the hosts on the break after half an hour, but Lautaro Martinez played a poor pass which was blocked, with 37-year-old target man Edin Dzeko alone in space.


Alex Grimaldo smashed an effort wide from distance, with Benfica frustrated and unable to get striker Goncalo Ramos involved.With Inter pressing high up the pitch, the Eagles struggled to Inter Milan broke the deadlock early in the second half when Barella headed Bastoni’s looping cross back across goal and into the bottom corner.

Schmidt sent on David Neres for midfielder Florentino in search of the equaliser, but Inter doubled their lead with eight minutes remaining.Joao Mario, one of Benfica’s best players this season, handled Denzel Dumfries’s cross, gifting his former side a penalty.

Lukaku drilled it beyond the reach of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, answering some criticism of his recent form.


Coach Simone Inzaghi had selected Dzeko ahead of Lukaku after the Belgian had missed gilt-edged chances in recent weeks, but he did not miss in a high-pressure moment.Benfica might have pulled a goal back deep in stoppage time but Onana made a fine save to deny Ramos, who seemed poised to score.

The victory gives Inter a fine chance of setting up an all-Italian semi-final against Serie A leaders Napoli or city rivals AC Milan.

Inter host Benfica on Wednesday April 19 at the San Siro in the second leg.

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Israel Adesanya has mocked Alex Pereira’s son after knocking out his long-time rival at UFC 287 on Saturday night.

The middleweight had fought Pereira three times previously; twice in the kickboxing ring and once in the octagon, with the Brazilian winning each of their meetings, twice by knockout.


After their second fight, when his son was younger, he had performed a joking gesture towards Adesanya as he got up from the canvas after being attended to by medics.

And over six years later, the fighter recalled the gesture and refused to let it go in his post-fight celebration.

Adesanya pointed out Pereira’s son and recreated the gesture, flopping to the ground and playing dead like the Brazilian’s son had done following their 2017 bout.

“I’m petty bro,” Adesanya admitted during an emotional press conference, admitting that the gesture had played on his mind. “I remember the first time he knocked me out in Brazil his son came into the ring and started to get next to me. I’m like ‘you fing little ahole, I’ll whoop your a* if your dad won’t do it for you.

“I looked for his kid and I pointed at him and I saw him. I was like ‘hey, hey hey,’ just to remind him. I saw him [Pereira] backstage and we’re cool. He’s a great champion, he’s a warrior and his story – I mean that. I’m the antagonist in his story, he’s a f***ing beast coming from where he’s come from and the adversity he’s faced in his life to get to where he is.”

Adesanya had arguably lost very few rounds against Pereira during their three fights, with their first going to a very controversial judges’ decision. He had been dominating both of their fights in kickboxing and MMA that ended in knockouts, and despite taking three losses was a bookies’ favourite heading into Saturday night.

The Super Falcons will seek victory over World Cup co-hosts New Zealand in Turkey on Tuesday to prove that their recent wins over Costa Rica and Haiti were no flukes, according to team captain Onome Ebi.

Goals by Esther Okoronkwo and Asisat Oshoala steered the nine-time African champions past Haiti in Antalya on Thursday, for a second consecutive win on the road. This came after the 1-0 defeat of Costa Rica at the Revelation Cup Tournament in Mexico, the goal also coming off the boot of Esther Okoronkwo.

“We have to maintain the form that we have attained over the past two matches,” Ebi said moments after the team’s last training session at the Emir Sports Complex on Sunday. “It is important for us to keep up the momentum, to keep winning and know that we can always overwhelm our opponents. The spirit is back and we are determined to sustain it.”

Tuesday’s clash against New Zealand will take place at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, as from 4pm Turkish time (2pm Nigeria time).

Ebi, who has played in five FIFA World Cup finals (USA 2003, China 2007, Germany 2011, Canada 2015 and France 2019) will be making her sixth appearance at football’s top table for women when the Falcons take on co-hosts Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland in Melbourne and Brisbane this summer.visit naijabet for bosted match odds and more updates

“We suffered a poor patch for some months but we are happy to start winning again. The hard job is to sustain the winning streak and we’re ready to do that hard work.”

World Cup legend, Lionel Messi has been presented with a statue at the CONMEBOL museum which is standing next to statues of late football legends Diego Maradona and Pele.

Since winning the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he has been hailed wherever he sets foot with one of the recent being the Argentine Football Association renaming the training center after him.

The South American museum bestowed Messi with his own statue to celebrate the record he has set and how much of a phenomenon player he is.

Messi remarked on the waxwork: “I had never dreamed or thought about this. My dream was to enjoy what I liked when I was little, to be a professional soccer player, and to do what I always loved in this life.

“I had a very long road, many decisions, and defeats, but I always looked ahead and wanted to go for a triumph, for a victory.

“I think that is the most important thing, to fight for your dreams, that everything is possible and to enjoy the game, which is the most beautiful thing there is,” he added.

The multiple-time Ballon d’Or winner posted a picture of him with his statue on his official Instagram account, appreciating the CONMEBOL museum in the caption.

Zlatan Ibrahimović became the oldest player ever to appear in Euro qualifier match, aged 41

“I want to continue playing football, of course if I feel good this is my priority. I feel very good at Milan, if they want me to keep me I’m happy. I’m available”, he said.


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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has received his official Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, election results confirming him as the duly elected Executive Governor of the state after winning the 2023 Governorship election.


His election result was presented to him by Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Head of Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, Election Task Force for the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections.

He was accompanied by Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser on Media to President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Lagos State Government House, Marina, Lagos State.

Recall that the state Returning Officer, Mrs Adenike Oladiji while declaring the results said Sanwo-Olu, polled a total of 762,134, votes to defeat his closest rival, Labour Party, LP Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Dr. Olajide Adediran of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

LP. polled 312, 329 votes while PDP. 62, 449 votes.

Ahead of today’s meeting with the National Assembly members-elect slated at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has elected to form a government of national unity, Vanguard can competently reveal.


Coming after the presidential election, which outcome is perceived in some quarters as controversial, the moves were ultimately initiated to calm frayed nerves around the country and reunite the people.

It was learnt that already, the President-elect is disposed to the zoning of the Senate presidency of the incoming 10th National Assembly to the South East to assuage the feelings of real or perceived disparity among the people.

A reliable source who craved anonymity told Vanguard that Tinubu has vowed to leave no stone unturned at ensuring that all parts of the country are embraced in his new government, regardless of their political inclinations in the last elections.
The source, a long-standing associate of Tinubu, further revealed that Tinubu’s cabinet will be devoid of lopsidedness or ethnic discrimination.

He added that it was one of the agenda to be discussed at the meeting with members-elect of the National Assembly.

He said Tinubu had already informed some of his proteges among the elected senators to start shopping for anyone from the South-East as the next Senate President.

‘Tinubu shopping for Senate President from S-East’

It would be recalled that despite the Labour Party’s “Obidient” wave in the South-East, the zone produced six senators from the ruling APC.

The source said Tinubu’s preference for a South-East Senate President might be made known at today’s closed-door meeting of the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; APC senators and members of the House of Representatives-elect at State House in Abuja.

“For the balance of power, our President-elect understands that to have a rancour-free administration, every region must be carried along and the South East is very paramount to him.

“He has confided in us his commitment to support the emergence of a Senate President from the South East for the sake of equity, fairness and justice, thus maintaining the balance of power and a sense of inclusion.

“In 2015, the South East was told to blame itself for not voting for APC, which could have given them the Senate Presidency.

“In 2019, they said the South East had no ranking senator but in 2023, there’s no excuse because the South East, despite the massive votes they gave to the Labour Party still voted for six APC senators, some of whom are ranking lawmakers.

“Tinubu has fully committed a Senate President of South East extraction. I can confirm because he believes it is the right thing to do and the move will also calm frayed nerves in the South-East.

He also wants to prevent unnecessary spending, bad blood lobbying which might culminate in hijack of the National Assembly, as it happened in 2015,” the source disclosed.

According to the source, the President elect’s preferential candidate may be the Chief Whip and returning senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, who he said was a close ally of Tinubu.

Reps’ Speakership

Another issue the meeting is also expected to discuss is the zoning of the speakership of the 10th House.

According to the source, many ranking members of the House have already shown interest.

He stressed that there was a need to provide an acceptable zoning direction that would be sensitive to the religious affinity of the incoming administration, especially as Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shetima, are of the Islamic faith.

Vanguard gathered that at the moment, five lawmakers are jostling for the position of the speaker without recourse to either religious sentiment or geopolitical zones.

Amongst the lot are Aliyu Betara representing Biu/Kwaya Federal Constituency of Borno State; Aminu Sani Jaji, former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and intelligence in the 8th Assembly, who has been re-elected to represent Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency of Zamfara State.

Also included is the current Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase from Plateau State; the current spokesman of the House, Ben Kalu and the Majority Leader of the 9th House, Ado Doguwa, who is currently undergoing trial for murder.

Gbaja tipped as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff

It was also learned weekend that the current speaker of the 9th House, Femi Gbajabiamila, a protege of the President-elect, representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State, is most likely to relinquish his seat in the next assembly for the position of Chief of Staff (CoS) to Tinubu.

Gbajabiamila was initially considered alongside the Minister of Works and Housing and former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, who may be assigned another portfolio in Tinubu’s government.

El-Rufai/ Ganduje as SGF

Similarly, Vanguard gathered that Kaduna State governor, Governor Nasir el-Rufai, is being considered for the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.


The choice of el-Rufai is, however, being weighed with that of Kano State governor, Umar Ganduje.

All the issues, Vanguard gathered, yesterday are expected to be tabled and discussed at the meeting, with the aim of securing the commitment of everyone to form a common front before the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June.

Tinubu’s support groups root for Betara as speaker

Meanwhile, the Network of Tinubu Support Groups in Nigeria has urged the leadership of APC to back the member representing Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State, Muktar Aliyu Betara, for the position of speaker in the 10th National Assembly.

At a briefing yesterday in Abuja, the group said Betara remained the most competent returnee lawmaker with an unblemished track record of excellence, integrity, and diligence.


President of the group, Dr Moses Ikani, noted that Betara had excelled in all tasks in the National Assembly since 2007 and had a well-crafted agenda to address the plethora of challenges confronting the House of Representatives.

He said: “As things stand now, Nigeria needs a crop of new leaders, especially at the legislative arm of government which section 80-84 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 vest the power and control of public funds as representatives of the people.

“The legislature is a key democratic institution for political representation. So, to fix Nigeria, we will have to tweak some of its working parts by separating the gold diggers and power thirsty from those who truly want to serve at this level of leadership, and to accomplish this is to do away with mediocrity and clannish interest.

“Every true Nation must have a sense of purpose that subsumes all sub-national interest. We are yet to identify or define what our national raison detre is. Until it is more beneficial to be Nigeria than to be Ibo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, etc we will continue to suffer nepotism and misallocation of national resources.

“However, amid this seeming hopelessness in our polity, we found a highly resourceful parliamentarian in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly who is familiar with the challenges inherent in leadership at the Nigerian legislative arm of government. He is Muktar Aliyu Betara, the member representing Biu/Bayo/Shwa and Kwaya Kusar Federal constituency in Borno State.


“By our assessment, he did quite well, extremely well, taking into account the challenges— the enormity of challenges faced by the 9th National Assembly shortly after the inauguration in 2019 when he was unanimously elected as Chairman, of the House standing committee on appropriation.

“Muktar Betara is one individual whose capacity to complement the actions and policies of the executive as speaker of the House of Representatives would expeditiously guarantee the much-needed turnaround of Nigeria.

“A detribalised and cosmopolitan person, Muktar Betara is experienced as a team player whose contribution to nation-building has been applauded within and outside this country.

“Batera is a performer with well-crafted agenda to address the plethora of challenges restraining the House of Representatives from performing optimally as a major institution of democratic governance. ‘’He has been rated as one of the most successful members of the 9th Assembly in terms of parliamentary activities, and this success story resonated with his immediate federal constituency where his effective representation at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly is felt directly.

“He has proven that his foray into politics is solely service to humanity, hence his towering popularity among members of the National Assembly.”


Zone Reps’ speakership to north central, support Wase, APC told

Cham Faliya Sharon, a social commentator and ally of the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Idris Wase also yesterday appealed to APC to zone the speakership of the incoming 10th House to North Central geopolitical zone.

He also urged the party to specifically give the position to Wase, who he said had been a loyal party man.

Sharon, who made the call in a statement he issued yesterday, said: “For any honest observer, as well as any good student of Nigeria’s developmental history, the party’s triumph at the polls is well-earned because the party’s achievements in office, especially in the provision of infrastructure and growth of local productivity, are unprecedented.

“These achievements are the result of the progressive collaboration and support were given the Executive branch by the leadership and members of the National Assembly who are major of the APC.


“With the party set to commence another journey of leading the country into another phase of development, and considering also that certain key national leadership offices will be zoned to respective geopolitical zones, it becomes imperative to call on the national leadership of the APC to, as a matter of principle and honour, zone the position of the office of the speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th Assembly to the North Central geopolitical zone.

“If it does that, it should also kindly throw its weight behind Ahmed Idris Wase, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, to become the next speaker.

“Zoning the office of the speaker to the North Central region and supporting Ahmed Idris Wase to occupy the office should be considered an exercise of recognition and reward for loyalty and sacrifice.

“Since the 2015 general elections to date, a significant section of the North Central region has maintained an unalloyed support for the APC, and it will be just and noble to appreciate this support and loyalty by ceding this important national office to them so that the party can expand and maintain its hold in the region.”

Sharon said that supporting Wase to emerge as the speaker would be a reward to dedication and loyalty.


“As a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State, Ahmed Idris Wase has consistently shown that he is a perfect example of what loyalty and respect for the APC ought to be.

“Always toeing the party’s line on all matters, and having demonstrated his panache for excellent congressional leadership by the way he adroitly deputized the speakership of the current House of Representatives under the leadership of Femi Gbajabiamila, it is, therefore, easy to fathom that he can resolutely lead the next House to help the party achieve more wins for the Nigerian people.

“His loyalty and subscription to party supremacy came to the fore in 2019 during the contest for the speakership of the House when, in spite of having secured overwhelming support from the majority of members to elect him as a speaker, toed the party’s line by stepping down for Femi Gbajabiamila after the party decided that the position has been ceded to the Southwest.

“He marshalled the caucus to honour the party’s decision in the interest of peace, unity and progress of the party, and since then, he has remained committed to whatever will promote the party’s progress and stability. This is an act of nobility and sacrifice worth remembering and equally worth rewarding by the party.

“The All Progressives Congress, APC, should not miss the opportunity of harnessing this bundle of talents and faithful servant of progressive politics to implement its legislative agenda. Nigeria needs him in such capacity as speaker of the House of Representatives, beginning from June 2023,” he said.

From all indications, Nigerians are approaching the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections earlier scheduled to take place today, with mixed feelings.


The election has been postponed to March 18th and, many aren’t sure of what to expect having had their hopes raised and then dashed by the electoral umpire- Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the February 25th election.

INEC has so far been widely condemned for its inability to conduct free, fair and credible Presidential and National Assembly election. It lost the trust of the people due to widespread infractions that took place during the election in addition to its failed promise to transmit results electronically from polling units. For these reasons many concluded it was best if the INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu steps down for someone else to preside over the forthcoming election; his promise of an improvement in the gubernatorial election notwithstanding.

One of the many grouses against Yakubu is that, more than a week after the February 25th election, uploading of results on INEC portal was yet to be completed even after he hastily declared APC candidate president-elect.

On that note, former Nigerian diplomat, Ambassador Joe Keshi, also thought Yakubu didn’t have the temerity to oversee the March 18th election when he has not concluded that of February 25th.

“I don’t think he should be talking about the next election; if he has any honour, he should resign and let some other fellow complete the process.

“There’s a particular line in President Obasanjo’s letter, ‘Mahmood, this is an opportunity for you to redeem your reputation’; for me, it was a heavily loaded statement. He was told from day one to slow down, check some of these things. But no, he continued with full speed, announced the results and days later he admitted that a number of things went wrong. I don’t see why you want to rush to any election again.”

Rather than rushing through another election and making same mistakes, Amb. Keshi advised that since the presidential election has ended, it’s better to “calm down, get all the systems in place, change staff or remove those who committed some infractions, then, you can organise the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly election. So that at least everyone can be satisfied that one went well as a credible election.”

Amb Keshi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV early in the week, insisted that Mahmood could have waited for a while before declaring a winner, adding that he would have first apologised to Nigerians and explained what was happening.


”He would have tarried a while and investigate what was happening; that would have given credibility to the process.”

Speaking about the length of time it took to announce the results, he said, “I’m aware of the fact that the leaders of the world who were here as observers, were urging him to slow down; they were actually trying to pressurise him to investigate some of the allegations in order to give credibility to the process. He rushed through the process and now he’s telling us that a lot of things went wrong; it doesn’t make sense.

“Now we are about to hand over the election to the Supreme Court. What is so sad is that even those celebrating are saying, go to court; you begin to wonder what do they have? Now they are promising us that they are going to fix it, they should have fixed it before announcing the results.”

Keshi, who served as ambassador to many countries of the world including the United States, further commended the PDP and LP for going to court to seek redress. But to some elders who are urging the two aggrieved parties to move on for peace to reign, he said, “It’s nice to remember that those who are not prepared for peaceful change are not working for peace because there are enough people who are aggrieved about the outcome of the election. This is a question of justice, fairness. Everybody should be committed to peace but stop telling people to accept defeat, go home and rest. So, let those who are aggrieved go to court.”

Those celebrating, asking aggrieved parties to go court according to him, “put pressures on the judiciary because right now, I’m not too sure how many people will tell you that they have confidence in the Supreme Court.

“So, for those shouting go to court, what is in that court that they have prepared that they are asking everybody to go to? Someone wrote recently that if somebody is caught stealing and he says go to the police; know that his brother is a member of the police. Let’s calm down and be careful with the narratives we are pushing. Elections have been decided by INEC and INEC itself has admitted that things didn’t go well; logistics, officials and everything went wrong but that they’ll fix it. This was what INEC should have done earlier rather than rushing the process.”
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The former diplomat however regretted that, the election which every Nigerian thought would be a game changer, will end up with the Supreme Court deciding who will be Nigeria’s next president. INEC Chairman he insisted, chose to rush things; gave out certificate of return negating even the law of 25% threshold in FCT. Now in the eyes of the international community, our election is flawed. The international press have also been making the most of their spaces to ridicule Nigeria. “That’s the reality and that’s why it’s so painful. He should have tarried a while and do the right thing. Do you know the number of observers and world leaders that came to this country? They came to this country not just to observe the election but to help give credibility to the Nigerian state at the end. “Regrettably, we failed everybody. You need to be at some of these meetings to hear what they were saying. They were openly expressing here in Hilton their disappointment with the whole process. It’s not whether some people lost, or some people won, at the end of the day it is Nigeria’s image and Nigeria as a country that lost. So, if the Supreme Court decides otherwise, good, that’s the law of the land but it will go down in history that this election, was flawed. Everybody is saying the same thing. Nobody from the international community has said anything different.”

While maintaining that “Once the process was flawed, you cannot say that the election was not flawed”, he said “As everybody is saying go to court, I hope the Supreme Court will do the right thing.”

He appealed to the judges of the Supreme Court for their own sake, for goodness sake, to allow camera into the court room for the first time so that Nigerians can follow the case itself. This is so that at the end, Nigerians will probably be satisfied that they followed the trial and listened to all the evidence.

Asked if he is skeptical that the Courts will not do justice in the presidential election matters, he said, “No, I’m not skeptical. The average Nigerian on the streets is skeptical, not Joe Keshi. For me, I’m hoping that the Supreme Court will do the right thing and for their own sake, considering what everybody is saying about the court today, let them open up and allow cameras into the court room. It will remove whatever doubts Nigerians have. Supreme Court is the last hope for all of us. Since 1999, every election has been decided on technicalities; so, our hope is that they will decide on the facts and the law in this case.”


One of the low points of the February 25th election was security personnel’s alleged involvement in electoral fraud. In some instances, they watched while thugs unleashed violence against voters. To that, Ambassador Keshi said “The tragedy of the Nigerian police is that it does not understand what they’re expected to do. They are actually becoming part and parcel of people committing crime. “Instead of disputing what the police or DSS did or failed to do, we should be thinking of the solution.” He suggested that government should deprive everybody of police protection. He gave an instance with governors who were going around on election day committing one crime or the other, while members of the Nigerian police attached to them cleared way for them. They watched people snatch ballot boxes, people threatening to kill, hid in rooms thumb printing, etc. “They watched all that not even knowing that they were accessory or witnesses to crime.”

“Every institution of state continues to screw up the Nigerian people and it’s unfortunate because sometimes, you don’t know which institution to trust. We are hoping that Supreme Court will redeem everybody’s image. There are so many big men going about with police escort committing crime; reduce them. Let’s stop commercialising the police in this country; the police was set up to fight crime and for the protection of the people,” He stated.

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has advised officials of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to desist from maligning his character in the media or risk being sued for libel.


Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi who was reacting to calls by the PDP on Prof. Yakubu to step down for his handling of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, said the PDP should go to court and present the bagful of evidence it claims to have rather than subjecting the process to a media trial.

He said; “The latest call by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, just like it did previously for the resignation of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is misplaced.
Interestingly, the PDP did not provide any convincing evidence to back up all the spurious allegations it listed as Prof. Yakubu’s ‘infractions’.

“To be sure, the PDP failed to provide any evidence to substantiate the allegations of Yakubu’s ‘brazen violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines, and criminal manipulation and alteration of election results’.


“The PDP also did not give the evidence to prove its claims that Prof. Yakubu ‘sabotaged the uploading and transmission of results from polling units.’

“Besides, the ‘several evidences’ that the PDP claimed ‘abound in the six geo-political zones of the country where winning figures scored by the PDP were switched in favour of the APC’ were also not laid bare.

“To be sure, the Commission does not rig elections. Rather, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS has, since its introduction, among other innovations, ensured the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that only properly registered voters are allowed to vote on Election Day.

“It is common knowledge that the PDP has rejected the outcome of the presidential election and has vowed to challenge it in court.

“The path of honour for the party, therefore, is to pursue its case in court, armed with all the evidences at its disposal and wait for the court’s decision.


“But going about canvassing the same issues the party intends to plead in court on the pages of newspapers and calling for the resignation of the INEC Chairman is like putting the cart before the horse.

“More importantly, the PDP is hereby reminded that making libelous allegations against the person of the INEC Chairman is actionable. The party should henceforth desist from the practice”.

AN election observer group, Coalition of Civil Societies for Good Governance, yesterday, warned that the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, scheduled for Saturday, may not hold, except the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, vacated the order of the election petition tribunal restricting the commission from tempering with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines.


The Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Labour Party had approached the Election Petition Tribunal to seek an order restraining INEC from tempering with the BVAS machines pending the inspection of the machines and other documents used for the presidential election.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the Coordinator of the coalition, Olufemi Lawson said unless INEC vacates the order before the tribunal, it will be difficult for the commission to reconfigure the BVAS machines for the polls scheduled for Saturday.
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He said: “The present situation is such that needs serious attention from both the commission and other stakeholders, particularly, politicians. If INEC did not vacate the order of the tribunal granted PDP and Labour Party, it would not be able to reconfigure BVAS machines for Saturday Governorship and Houses of Assembly election. It is either INEC postpone the poll, proceed without BVAS or seek legal option to vacate the order.”

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been officially declared the President-elect and presented his certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Tinubu polled 8,794,726 to defeat his rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 6,984, 520 and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, who scored 6,101,533 votes, while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, polled 1,496,687 votes.

His emergence and the entire 2023 presidential election results have been contested by the major opposition parties; the PDP and LP.

Notwithstanding the protests, one can’t ignore the key factors that shaped Tinubu’s victory in last Saturday’s 2023 presidential election.

South-West votes

Except for Lagos, where Tinubu could not display dominance, results from his stronghold (South-West) puts him about one million votes ahead of the pack as he swept Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states.

In building on the South-West votes, Tinubu also put up a good fight with Atiku in amassing enough support from the North-East and North-West to maintain the lead.

Despite the strong showing of the Labour party’s presidential candidate across most of the southern part of the country, Tinubu eventually amassed over eight million votes – as predicted by analysts – to prevent the election from heading to a run-off.

APC governors


Tinubu leveraged the North to win the election with the APC northern governors, as they maintained their ground that it is the turn of the South to produce the President right from the party primaries till the last day of the election.

The progressive governors of the Northern region all queued behind Tinubu, ensuring that he emerged victorious at the primaries and, consequently, presidential election.

The northern APC governors and leaders in their resolution said: “After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in the office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the southern states of Nigeria
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“It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in any way affected by the decisions taken by another political party.

“We affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united, and more progressive country.”



25 percent votes in 30 states

Apart from winning the majority votes, the constitutional requirement, Tinubu also met the second requirement of 25 percent of the votes in 25 states (two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states and Abuja).

Tinubu also won the simple majority requirement needed to be declared the winner of the presidential elections after gaining more than 25 percent of the votes in 12 states.

The states won by the Jagaban Borgu are: Niger, Benue, Kogi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Oyo, Rivers, Ogun, Ondo, Kwara, Ekiti, and Borno.

The 25% law provision explained


Section 134 of the constitution stipulates the requirements a candidate must meet to be declared the winner of a presidential election.

The section states that: “(1) A candidate for an election to the office of the President shall be deemed to have been duly elected, where, there being only two candidates for the election

“(a) he has the majority of votes cast at the election; and

“(b) he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

While interpretation of this law requirement could mean that the winner of presidential election must score 25 per cent of the votes in Abuja, majority of lawyers have also interpreted that the law suggests that Abuja is treated as the 37th state of Nigeria and thus 25 per cent in 25 states suffices.


Against this background, however, Tinubu, based on the INEC results, recorded a minimum of 25 per cent in 30 states – but his counterparts; Atiku had a minimum of 25 per cent in 21 states while Obi scored a minimum of 25 per cent in 17 states.

Good outing in battle for Northern votes

Although Muslims votes were split among Tinubu, Atiku and Kwankwaso, the regional factor played key role in voting pattern more than religion did.

People in each state of the North-East voted – on the basis of personality – for their candidate of choice.

Against all the odds, Tinubu won Jigawa and Borno states controlled by APC governors.


The final vote figures in this region gave Tinubu an enabling edge above is counterparts in winning the Saturday’s presidential election.

Altthough a measurable votes in the Northern region went primarily to Labour Party as well as the other parties, with the Social Democratic Party, SDP, showing a strong appearance in some locations in the region, Tinubu also put up a good fight against his opponents in the North.

Tinubu gallantly won in Niger, Benue, Kogi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kwara and Borno to claim his mandate.

G5 fallout and Makinde, Wike’s delivery

The fallout among the G5 governors, the leadership of the PDP, including the party’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, favoured Tinubu in no small measure with the factor of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers.


The G5 led by Wike, including Samuel Ortom (Benue); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) were at war over the demand that Iyorchia Ayu steps down as PDP national chairman as a precondition for them to support Atiku’s presidential ambition.

While the G5 rift lingered, Tinubu, and his running mate, Kashim Shettima capitalised on the vacuum, and visited Wike and Makinde at the Rivers and Oyo states Government House, respectively.

Tinubu and his party supporters had earlier campaigned in Oyo and Port Harcourt before visiting Wike to seek his support ahead of the presidential election.

Consequently, the visits materialized as Wike and Makinde, two key PDP governors, overwhelmingly delivered their states for the APC presidential candidate.

The APC candidate polled a total of 231,591 votes to win in Rivers state, while the Labour Party candidate, polled 175,071 votes and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 8,8468 votes as declared by the state collation officer for the presidential election in Rivers, Prof Charles Teddy Adias.


Tinubu’s victory in Rivers State, obviously, further boosted the votes he had already garnered in the South-East to cushion the effect of Obi’s dominance in the region.

He also won Oyo with 449, 884 to beat Atiku Abubakar of the PDP who polled 182, 977, just as he won in Rivers state with 231,591 from the 23 local government areas of the state.

Even as controversies surround the outcome of the election, while Atiku and Obi head to court, Tinubu’s political sagacity and ability to strategise can never be overemphasised.

Six states of the federation; Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto have dragged the federal government before the Supreme Court over the conduct, collation and announcement of the February 25, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The States want the apex court to declare that the pronouncement of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the winner of the February 25 presidential election and president-elect based on that election be voided by the court.


They are seeking “A declaration that the entire results of the Presidential Election conducted on the 25th of February, 2023 announced by the Chairman of INEC at the National Collation Centre, Abuja, in flagrant violation of the provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70;

“and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the Presidential Election, were invalid, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.

“A declaration that the fundamentally flawed electoral process through the non-uploading of the results of each of the 176,974 Polling Units nationwide, in respect of the presidential election and National Assembly Elections held on Saturday, 25th February 2023 was not in accordance with the provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148;

“of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the presidential election

In addition, they are seeking “A declaration that the failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission to electronically transmit or transfer Polling Unit Results in Form EC8A using BVAS by uploading Scanned Copy of the said Unit Result to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after the counting and announcement of the Polling Units results on 25th of February, 2023 in collusion, violates the provision of Sections 25;

47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the presidential election.”

They are also seeking an order from the apex court “directing a holistic review of all results so far announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria through INEC which were carried out other than through the manner prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials.

“And for such further Orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”


The plaintiffs also brought an application praying to the apex court for an order directing a departure from the rules of the apex court in the interest of justice by directing for an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit.

Besides, plaintiffs also filed another application seeking an order for abridging time for parties to file and serve responses for and against the suit. No date has been fixed for the hearing.

The plaintiffs in the originating summons marked: SC/CV/354/2023, are specifically asking for an order of the apex court, “directing a holistic review of all results so far announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which were carried out other than through the manner prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials.

The suit filed by the Attorneys General of Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto States has the Attorney General of the Federation as sole respondent and was brought pursuant to Sections 6 (6) (a), 14 (2) (b), 153 (1) (F) and 232 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended); 2. Sections 25 (1), (2) and 3; Sections 60 And 66 Of The Electoral Act, 2022.

They predicated their case on the grounds that, “The collation of the national election results from the 36 States of the Federation, and that of the Federal Capital Territory, for the said 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections have not been carried out in compliance with the mandatory provisions of relevant sections of the Electoral Act, 2022; the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022, made pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023.”

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, rejected the outcome of last Saturday’s presidential poll and vowed to challenge it in court.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had on Wednesday returned Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner and president-elect.
While Obi said he won the election and would explore all legal and peaceful means to prove it in court, Atiku concurred, saying “the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections of last Saturday were grossly flawed in every material particular and as such, must be challenged.”

The duo spoke in their first press conferences after the elections.

In a quick response, Tinubu, who had earlier in his victory speech extended a hand of fellowship to his challengers at the poll, said he would meet them in court to defend his mandate.

They spoke as the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, attacked Obi for faulting the outcome of the election that returned Tinubu as the winner; and the Chief Spokesperson of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Festus Keyamo, asked the LP candidate to desist from engaging in “crass grandstanding.”

Also, the APC PCC advised Atiku to stop being delusional over his presidential ambition.

We won this election, we’ll prove it in court – Peter Obi


Obi, who spoke at a briefing in Abuja, enjoined his supporters, especially party members, not to despair because he and his running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, had taken up the challenge posed by President Muhammadu Buhari and President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to mount a legal challenge if they were convinced the electoral process was faulty.

He said: “We are not yet in court, they asked me to go to court, and I’m going to court. Let me reiterate and assure my good people of Nigeria that we will follow all available legal and peaceful procedures to reclaim our mandate.”

He noted that his respect for his two other opponents had not waned and that as such if any of them called him he would answer.

Obi, however, insisted that on the issue of last Saturday’s presidential elections, he remained committed and determined not to let down Nigerians who invested their time and votes in his candidature.

Describing his opponents, Atiku Abubakar and Ahmed Tinubu of the PDP and the APC respectively, as his fathers, he said: I respect them but on this issue (elections), I’m challenging the process. I have no problem making calls, if they call me I will go.”


Obi paid glowing tributes to Nigerians who trooped out on February 25, 2023, en-masse to participate in what was promised and expected to be a free, fair and transparent presidential and National Assembly elections.

While noting that the decision to challenge the process was hinged on the fact that it was flawed in many respects, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, said further: “Let me also appreciate and thank all Nigerians that participated in our last election, especially those who believed and tirelessly worked for a new Nigeria and voted for us.

“My profound thanks go to the youths, ‘Obidients’ and support groups for your commitment and resilience for a better Nigeria. You truly showed that you can take back your country!

“We continue to pray for the repose of the souls of all Nigerians killed during the campaigns and for those that were violently attacked, we pray for their quick recovery.

“We reiterate our total condemnation of such attacks and continue to demand that security agencies stop further attacks and bring perpetrators to book.


“The commitment and resilience of Nigerians, even in the face of unwarranted and barbaric attacks, is a testimony that a new Nigeria is, indeed, possible.

“The Lady, Jennifer Efidi, who was stabbed but insisted on exercising her right to vote and, indeed, all Nigerians who voted during the election are the shining stars leading us to a new Nigeria.

“The election has been conducted and results announced as programmed. It is a clear deviation from the electoral rules and guidelines as we were promised and did not meet the minimum criteria of a free, transparent, credible and fair election devoid of voter intimidation and suppression, and late commencement of voting in some specific states.

“This will probably go down as one of the most controversial elections ever conducted in Nigeria. The good and hardworking people of Nigeria have again been robbed by the institutions and leaders whom we trusted.

“However, let me humbly and most respectfully appeal to all Nigerians to remain peaceful, law-abiding and conduct themselves in a most responsible manner. Please, be assured that for Datti and I, and, indeed, for all of us, this is not the end, but the beginning of the journey to birth a New Nigeria.


“Datti Baba-Ahmed and I remain absolutely undaunted and deeply committed to this project of a new Nigeria that will be built on honesty, transparency, fairness, justice and equity. ‘’All of these start with the process, the process through which people are elected to office is as important (if not more important) than what they do thereafter with the office and authority.

“If we seek to be called Your Excellency, then the process through which we are elected should also be excellent or sufficiently credible to generate the required confidence and moral authority to govern and lead.

“As you all know, the destruction of a society can be a gradual or sudden process through acts such as deliberate refusal to obey the rule of law and via the suppression of the will of the people.

“I urge you all to continue with your campaigns and troops out on Saturday, March 11, 2023, to vote massively again for Labour Party (Mama, Papa and Pikin) in the governorship and State Assembly elections. Please do not despair at a time we can still achieve massive victories in the forthcoming elections on March 11, 2023.”

Atiku, PDP challenge Tinubu’s victory


Speaking in like manner at another press conference, Atiku rejected the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the poll and described the process leading up to the declaration of Tinubu as winner and President-elect by the INEC as flawed.

He explained that he was addressing Nigerians with a heart full of sadness because what transpired under the current INEC leadership fell short of the minimum standard of elections anywhere in the world.

Atiku went down memory lane to trace Nigeria’s democratic journey from the battle to end military dictatorships to the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

He words: “I have in the last three decades devoted my life to the battle to birth and deepen democracy in our country.

“It was a battle that started during the military era. It was a struggle that nearly cost me my life and that of my son, Adamu, in Kaduna. I survived the assassination only by the mercies and grace of God.


“Following that attack, I was forced into exile. But that attack claimed the precious lives of some police officers.

“That was not all: my businesses were nearly crippled and my signature business was eventually appropriated by the maximum ruler of that era.

“My commitment to enthroning democracy ensured that I joined forces with other compatriots. As a leader of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, we fought and won the 1993 presidential election, which was acclaimed as the fairest and freest election in our history.

“Sadly, Chief MKO Abiola, who embodied that hope for the birth of a new Nigeria, paid the ultimate price

“Our fight to enthrone democracy continued. Indeed, the motivating factor for the birth of the Peoples Democratic Party was to force the exit of the military from the government and their permanent return to the military barracks.


“Following the exit of the military and the advent of democratic rule in 1999, I did not rest on my oars. I deployed the same level of commitment to advance and deepen our democracy.

“I did this because our democracy was bought at a huge price of human lives. My mentor and true Nigerian hero, who this venue for which we are gathered this evening is named for, was one of those who paid the ultimate price in that battle. So, also was Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief MKO Abiola and his dear wife, Mrs Kudirat Abiola.

“It was also for this reason that I sacrificed my political aspiration and fought against the actualisation of Third Term. Whether during the military or civilian era, I have, no matter how inconvenient, pitched my tent with the people against dictators. During the military regime, it nearly cost me my life and the near decimation of my businesses.

“In the civilian administration, it had serious adverse implications on my political life. But I have remained undaunted because I was, and still convinced, that the only reason why I am in politics is to work in tandem with other compatriots in the advancement of the wellbeing of the people.”

In addition, he said: “The 2023 presidential election presented our nation and its people the greatest opportunity for a reset. We had everything going for us: a legal framework in the 2022 Electoral Act and the BVAS technology. The enthusiasm of Nigerians to turn out in large numbers was an added bonus.


“However, the dreams and aspirations of Nigerians who braced all the challenges to go and cast their votes on Saturday, February 25, 2023, were shattered by the conduct of the INEC, which failed to live up to expectations.

“The weekend election was neither free nor fair. Preliminary assessments indicate that it is the worst conducted elections since the return to democratic rule.

“The manipulation and fraud that attended this election were unprecedented in the history of our nation. I can still not understand why the electoral umpire was in such a hurry to conclude the collation and announcement of the result, given the number of complaints of irregularities of bypassing of the BVAS, failure of uploading to the IReV, and unprecedented cancellations and disenfranchisement of millions of voters in breach of the Electoral Act and the commission’s own guidelines. It was indeed a rape of democracy.

Polls grossly flawed

“Having consulted with leaders of our party and Nigerians from different walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections of last Saturday were grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.


“This has been attested to by both local and international observers. I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised.

“For President Buhari, it is not too late to make amends for the good of our country and the future generations and indeed to assure his legacy.

“This battle to right the wrongs of Saturday is not about me. It is a continuation of my battles to deepen democracy and for a better life for our people. It is about the future of Nigerian youths.

“I know that Nigerians, especially the youth, are traumatised by the developments, but I want to urge them to conduct themselves peacefully.

“As I have done over the years, I assure you that I will commit the rest of my life to ensure that true democracy, which affirms the supremacy of your votes and your will, will take firm footing and guarantee a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.


“This is more so as Nigeria represents the hope of Africa and the Black World.

“It is my hope that the judiciary will redeem itself this time around and rise to society’s expectation as the last hope. In the end, who wins is not as important as the credibility of our elections and electoral processes.

“I call on all men and women of goodwill to join hands with us in the vanguard to defend our constitution from the brigandage of anti-democratic forces.

“Finally I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute. You have the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom to choose your leaders. We will not sit idly by and watch your rights taken from you.”

We’ll meet in court— Tinubu

Former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and partisan politics.

Fayose made this announcement while speaking in an interview on ARISE TV on Wednesday.
He said, “I say it here from today, I step aside because I must be talking like a leader in this country.”

“I had issued on my Twitter handle even in the month of January or December, I warned the PDP about this problem. if not resolved will consume this party, I told them there is Danger ahead. Watch it.

“I was invited by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to a hotel in Lagos. I told him four things, that there were four demands they made of you. One, you are seventy-six as of last year. The G-5 said, you are already a candidate, you can’t abort a child that has been given birth to.

“But let us go back and tell the Southerners that you will spend four years so that it would not look like it will be eight to eight years back to back for the North because Buhari is leaving and he is representing the North irrespective of the party.

“They told his excellency to make his official announcement, not that he should hand it over to any member of the G-5. That you are going to spend four years and at that time you will be 80 years, all the people surrounding him disagree, that they can’t say such, when he becomes President he will say it, who does that?”

The vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Wednesday, vowed to reclaim the party’s mandate, noting that he and the LP candidate, Peter Obi, won the election.

He made this known in a statement he signed on Wednesday, hours after the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, winner of the presidential election.

He noted that since election results were unable to be transmitted electronically, there was no election.

His words: “It’s our position that the results of the purported election did not meet the minimum standard of elections-Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party Vice Presidential Candidate

“Irrespective of the low level of confidence that we have in the system, we appeal to Nigerians to move out and vote for the Labour Party in the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections.

“The Electoral Act 2022 provides that election result shall be electronically transmitted, this was not done it means the election did not hold.”

“We ask Nigerians to continue to exercise their civic duties like they did in the last exercise.

“We won this election, they refused to upload the results on IREV, the Nigerian people are winners, Nigerians are waiting for Peter Obi and I to get the power.

“We won the election as Labour Party, we are going to claim our mandate as Labour Party, we are going to rescue Nigeria as Labour Party.“

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state and his Yobe counterpart, Mai Mala Buni, have congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on his victory, describing him as a ‘Master strategist’.

Ganduje, who congratulated the President-elect in a statement issued by his media aide, Abba Anwar, applauded the APC candidate’s hard political struggle.


Recall that after a keenly-contested race, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Saturday, February 25 presidential election.

He polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who scored 6,984,520.
Ganduje, stated, “Tinubu is a master strategist, a builder of man and space, an acknowledged brilliant political leader, a leader with national spread, an enduring and ensuring promoter of sustainable democracy and development and a skillful mover.


“Tinubu’s decades-long fight for the restoration of democracy in the country is well understood by Nigerians. Hence we see the wisdom and valid reason for entrusting our future to him.”

The governor assured that Tinubu would evolve strategies in facing problems plaguing the nation, commending the APC leadership and membership for standing firm to this point.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s genuine investment in human, national development, and national integration played some critical roles in endearing him to all sections of the country.

“Tinubu’s victory will not only benefit our motherland Nigeria, but it will also at the same time be a morale booster for Africa, as a continent, and for the practice of global democracy.”

Similarly, Yobe State governor, Buni, has described Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima as the best team for Nigeria at this material time.


The governor, according to a statement by his media aide, Mamman Mohammed on Wednesday, said Nigerians “have spoken with great hope for a better Nigeria through the Tinubu/Shettima Presidency”.

“Tinubu is a true Nigerian, who in his private and public life, accommodates Nigerians from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds,” the governor said.

“His experience in transforming Lagos state would no doubt be used for the transformation of a larger Nigeria.”

Buni prayed to God to guide the incoming Asiwaju/Kashim administration for a more united, prosperous, and better country.

He called on Nigerians including other candidates, who contested along with him to support the President-elect to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria.

King West, the son of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, MC Oluomo, has reacted to the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the wee hours of Wednesday morning declared the former Governor of Lagos State as the winner of the election after polling the highest number of votes ahead of his counterparts from other political parties.


The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar came second behind Tinubu while Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, emerged third in the race.

In a post on his Instagram stories, MC Oluomo’s son boasted they own Lagos and Nigeria, adding that Lagos APC gubernatorial candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be reelected for a second term.

According to him, nothing will stop Sanwo-Olu’s victory in Lagos irrespective of how the opposition parties will fight.

He said: “Na we get Lagos, Na we get Nigeria, free announcement for those at the back. Sanwoolu is going to be elected for second term if you like go and pack everyone in your village to come and vote.

“There’s no promo during the governorship elections. For those of you that attended Tunde Ednut school of politics, you can choose to remain ignorant to the fact that politics is not for the faint hearted. Obi is a boy, I am even smarter than him.”

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ABUJA — After weeks of preparation, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cleared 87,209,007 voters out of the 93.5 million it registered to vote in tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly election and the March 11 governorship and state Assembly polls.

The 87.2 million voters were the number of people who collected their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, as of February 5 when the deadline to collect the cards ended.

The electoral umpire insisted yesterday that no one would be allowed to vote without PVC.Indeed, there were hope and anxiety among Nigerians as candidates and political parties rounded off campaigns across the country, yesterday.

While some votrers expressed hopes that the elections would offer the coutry an opportunity to launch on thr ight path of development, others feared that the process could turn violent, especially considering the violence and verbal exchanges among the presidential candidates and some key stakeholders that had trailed the campaigns which ended yesterday.

According to the data released, yesterday, the number of uncollected PVCs stood at 6,259,229. Nigeria has a registered voting population of 93,469,008.

The Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council PCC had on Wednesday demanded a breakdown of Nigerians who have collected their PVCs, saying the data was necessary for its election planning.

At a news conference Wednesday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed that the commission would upload the PVC data collection disaggregation on polling unit basis to its website by Friday.Aside journalists from domestic and foreign media, some of those present at the briefing were former President of Malawi, Joyce Banda; leaders of the International Republican Institute, IRI, and National Democratic Institute, NDI;

Chairmen of the electoral commissions of the Republic of Benin, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Tanzania and Niger Republic as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps.

State by state figures
A state by state breakdown of PVCs collected showed that Lagos has the highest figure of 6,214,970, followed by Kano with 5,594,193; Kaduna, 4,164,473; Katsina, 3,459,945; and, Rivers, 3,285,785.

Ekiti which has the lowest number of registered voters also has the lowest number of PVCs collected – 958, 052.A summation of PVCs collected on the basis of geopolitical zones showed that the North-West has 21,445,000; South-West, 15,536,213; North-Central, 14,603,621; South-South, 13,284,920; North-East, 11,937,769; and, South-East, 10,401,484.

In his address, Yakubu said the Commission has meticulously prepared and implemented its Election Project Plan, learning from recent elections.

“This election is a huge logistical deployment. We have painstakingly procured, organized and delivered all the materials to the States for deployment. We commenced the delivery of non-sensitive materials over two months ago and they have been batched down to Registration Area/Ward and Pulling Unit levels.

“Sensitive materials have been delivered to the States and are presently being delivered to our Local Government Area offices. As such, these materials are only between one and two levels away from the Polling Units. We have achieved this by learning from our recent difficult experience with logistics. We have completed arrangements with the transport unions for the final leg of the movement of personnel and materials to the Polling Units. They have assured us of their readiness to provide all the vehicular needs of the Commission for the election”, he said.

Yakubu added that the commission had also completed all the testing of its technologies to be deployed for the election, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS and the INEC Results Viewing Portal IReV.


“On 4th February 2023, we tested the BVAS in a mock accreditation exercise and uploaded the results to IReV. We are satisfied with the performance of the BVAS, which has been confirmed by several groups that observed the exercise. Lessons learnt from the exercise have helped us in the training of 10,600 Registration Area Technical Support Staff RATECHS. They will provide the necessary support to ensure that the deployment of the BVAS is without hitches.

No PVC, no voting
“Let me reiterate that the procedure for voting as provided in the Electoral Act 2022 clearly makes the use of the BVAS mandatory. So, also, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards PVCs. The ‘No PVC, No Voting’ rule subsists.

“In the last few months, we made 13,676,907 PVCs available for collection for new voters and applicants for transfer and replacement of lost/damaged cards. While we are pleased that the rate of collection is higher than in previous years, there are still, unfortunately, many cards that were not collected.

Vote-buying, a major threat

“Vote-buying remains a major threat to our democracy. We have worked closely with enforcement agencies to ensure that this is eliminated from our electoral process. We are convinced that our joint operations before and on Election Day will vastly reduce the prospect of voter inducement, which is not only illegal but immoral.

“The ban on the use of mobile phones and photographic devices at the voting cubicles is still in place. Some voters have used these devices in previous elections to snap their marked ballot papers for vote transaction. However, citizens are permitted to come to the Polling Units with these devices, as long as they do not take them to the voting cubicles. Our arrangement of placing the ballot box near the voting cubicle and away from party agents remains.

We’ve recovered from attacks on INEC facilities

“In the build-up to the general election, several of our facilities were attacked by unknown assailants in various parts of the country. I am pleased that we have fully recovered from those attacks, and we have been further assured that our facilities, staff, voters, observers, and citizens will be safe during the election.

“As a result of recent developments in the economy, we have also had to consult with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, on the fuel situation. As you all know, we require Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, to power vehicles and boast for land and marine transportation as well as our generators during the election.


“We are pleased that the NNPC Limited assured us that it will ensure availability of the products for the polls. Likewise, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has assured us that it will provide us with the small amount of cash we require from our budget to cash payment to some critical service providers for the election. I must reiterate that the bulk of payment for works goods and services are still paid for by electronic transfer.

“I want to assure Nigerians that we are adequately prepared for this election. We remain fully committed to a free, fair and credible process. I want to once again declare that our allegiance is only to Nigerians. Our commitment is to ensure that in this election we put everything in place for free choice, fair contest and credible outcome”, he added.

What we want in Nigeria’s polls—Biden, UK, Japan, others

Meanwhile, President of the United States of America, USA, Mr. Joe Biden, yesterday, insisted that the US is not supporting any candidate participating in Saturday’s Presidential election.

This came as the United States, Australia, Japan, Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom ha issued a joint statement, welcoming the signing of peace accord by the candidates and committing to the peaceful conduct of the polls.


Biden, in a statement, urged the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge just as he tasked Nigerians to eschew violence during the election.

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He said: I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria, signed by the political parties and candidates running in Nigeria’s presidential election on February 25.

“By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and to support a peaceful transition of power.

“Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future — freely and fairly.

“While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.


“On Election Day, I encourage all Nigerians — no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity —to exercise this fundamental freedom and make their voices heard, including young voters, many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time.

“The United States stands with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future.

“I appreciate President Buhari’s firm commitment that the will of the people will be respected. And in the coming days, I encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as their ballots are tallied, and urge the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge.”

Our desire for Nigeria
Also, in a statement, the UK, US, Japan, and three other nations’ missions in Nigeria said that they believe that it is vital for Nigeria’s stability and democratic consolidation that the process is conducted and concluded safely, fairly and credibly.


The statement reads: “We encourage all actors to intervene proactively to calm any tensions and avoid any violence in the periods before, during and after the elections. We call on all officials at federal and local levels in Nigeria to respect the human and democratic rights of its citizens. We strongly condemn any actions that undermine the peaceful and transparent conduct of the electoral process.

“We call on parties to respect electoral laws and institutions and take a firm stand against violence and hate speech by their supporters. We ask the security services in Nigeria to do their utmost to protect that process and prevent and deter attacks against INEC facilities, materials and personnel.

“We call on all officials, including the law enforcement authorities, to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the exercise of public freedoms – including the freedom of opinion and expression, the freedom of peaceful assembly and the freedom of association – all of which are essential in democratic societies, in particular in the context of elections. Law enforcement authorities should remain visibly neutral and respond in a proportionate manner to any election-related incidents.

“We further urge all presidential candidates and political parties to live up to their commitments under the second Peace Accord to accept the results of the election as announced by INEC and to pursue any challenge of the results through the appropriate legal channels.

“Finally, we the Diplomatic Missions of the United States, Australia, Japan, Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom in Nigeria would like to congratulate Nigeria on its 24 years of democratic progress since 1999, during which it has been a symbol to others of the value of exercising democratic rights for the betterment of society. We hope that this year’s elections further build Nigeria’s democratic tradition.”


FG shuts land borders
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, yesterday, ordered the closure of all land borders.

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Mr Isah Jere, in a statement, said the borders would be shut from Saturday to Sunday.The statement reads: “The Federal Government has directed the closure of all land borders effective from 00:00 hours on Saturday February 25 to 00:00 hours Sunday, February, 26, 2023.

“Accordingly, all Command Comptrollers, especially those in the Border States, are to ensure strict enforcement of this directive.”

Banks to close early
Meanwhile, banks have sent notice of early closure to their respective customers ahead of the polls.

Some banks, who sent messages to their customers, said: “Kindly be informed that our branches nationwide will close to customers earlier than usual on Friday, February 24, 2023 by 1pm. Please be assured that you can still bank with us through our alternative channels.”

Domestic airlines suspend outbound flight operations

Also, domestic airlines have suspended flights operation on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

FEW days to the presidential election, slated February 25, the North-East Chairmen of the Labour Party, LP, say as a result of alleged undemocratic internal activities of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party is bound to fail during the poll.

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This, however, they said was coming on the heels of Obi’s failure to recognise the important role of the 36 state chapters leadership but would rather choose to work with cronies and support groups.

The Chairman, LP, Gombe State and Coordinating Chairman for 36 states of the Federation, Alhaji Sani Abdulsalam, spoke on behalf of others, such as: Chairman Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammad Bukar; and the National Vice Chairman, North East, Alhaji Mohammed Alkaji, during a press briefing, in Abuja.

He hinted that monies expected to be channeled to polling unit agents through State Chairmen or National Officers, have not been done, stressing the fundamental need of polling unit agents for winning elections.

While bemoaning paucity of LP’s polling unit agent, among other things, he accused Mr. Obi of insensitivity, and high handedness.

He said: “I speak on behalf of 36 state Chairmen of our party in my capacity as the Coordinating Chairman. We have never been respected by the party leadership and also our presidential candidate has no respect for our party executives at state levels because Mr Peter Obi deliberately mismanaged our good will with the imposition of his members and other support group that decamped with him in May 2022 to our party.

“Of note today Wednesday the 22nd day of February 2023 was the meeting we had with the National Chairman Bar Julius Abure in the party head office where discussion was held about the logistics support for state chapters and National officers towards effective Mobilization of our members for the presidential and National Assembly election on Saturday 25th February 2023.

“To our surprise , the National Chairman Bar Julius Abure said the Presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi has no confidence in all the 36 state chapters leadership but would rather choose to work with their cronies and support group that came with him.

“The greatest shock from the National Chairman Bar Julius Abure was that money for agents will not be sent to any State Chairman or National officers except those three NWC members including a woman and that all state Chairmen’s and 19 other members already picked by Mr Peter Obi himself will be given monies meant for party agents and alert will be received by 10pm tonight Wednesday the 22nd day of February 2023.


“As at tonight , no alert has been received by any State Chairmen and information reaching us confirmed that money were paid based on ethnic and religious consideration because only persons of a particular ethnic group currently run the campaign of Mr. Peter Obi in cohort with the National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, which has polluted the Party.

“Nigerians should be aware that Mr. Peter Obi is an epitome of lies and a bundle of deceit. In fact, he has come to destroy our beloved party.

“As members of the Labour Party National Executive and National Working Committee (NWC), it is our considered opinion and informed conclusion that Peter Obi cannot win this election since all party executives have been sidelined. He is not ready and is grossly ill-prepared for the Presidential race.”

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday, said since President Muhammadu Buhari announced his latest directive on the new Naira policy, he has met with the leadership of about 15 commercial banks.


The CBN stated this when he visited presidential villa hours after the nationwide televised broadcast where he announced that only the old N200 note will remain a legal tender until April 10, 2023.

He said the meeting with the bank executives earlier on Thursday was to ensure ample supply of the old N200 notes to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

[b] I [/b]have found it necessary to address you today, on the state of the nation and to render account on the efforts of our administration to sustain and strengthen our economy, enhance the fight against corruption and sustain our gains in the fight against terrorism and insecurity which has, undoubtedly, been impacted by several internal and external factors.
Particularly, I am addressing you, as your democratically elected President, to identify with you and express my sympathy, over the difficulties being experienced as we continue the implementation of new monetary policies, aimed at boosting our economy and tightening of the loopholes associated with money laundering.
Let me re-assure Nigerians, that strengthening our economy, enhancing security and blockage of leakages associated with illicit financial flows remain top priority of our administration. And I shall remain committed to my oath of protecting and advancing the interest of Nigerians and the nation, at all times.
In the last quarter of 2022, I authorised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to redesign the N200, N500, and N1000 Nigerian banknotes.

For a smooth transition, I similarly approved that the redesigned banknotes should circulate concurrently with the old bank notes, till 31 January 2023, before the old notes, cease to be legal tender.
In appreciation of the systemic and human difficulties encountered during implementation and in response to the appeal of all citizens, an extension of ten days was authorized till 10th February, 2023 for the completion of the process. All these activities are being carried out within the ambit of the Constitution, the relevant law under the CBN Act 2007 and in line with global best practices.
Fellow citizens, while I seek your understanding and patience during this transient phase of implementation, I feel obliged to avail you a few critical points underpinning the policy decision. These include:

a. The need to restore the statutory ability of the CBN to keep a firm control over money in circulation. In 2015 when this administration commenced its first term, Currency-in-Circulation was only N1.4trillion.

b. The proportion of currency outside banks grew from 78%in 2015 to 85% in 2022. As of October 2022, therefore, currency in circulation had risen to N3.23 trillion; out of which only N500 billion was within the Banking System while N2.7 trillion remained permanently outside the system; thereby distorting the financial policy and efficient management of inflation;

c. The huge volume of Bank Notes outside the banking system has proven to be practically unavailable for economic activities and by implication, retard the attainment of potential economic growth;

d. Economic growth projections make it imperative for government to aim at expanding financial inclusion in the country by reducing the number of the unbanked population; and

e. Given the prevailing security situation across the country, which keeps improving, it also becomes compelling for government to deepen its continuing support for security agencies to successfully combat banditry and ransom-taking in Nigeria

Notwithstanding the initial setbacks experienced, the evaluation and feedback mechanism set up has revealed that gains have emerged from the policy initiative.
I have been reliably informed that since the commencement of this program, about N2.1 trillion out of the banknotes previously held outside the banking system, had been successfully retrieved.
This represents about 80% of such funds. In the short to medium and long terms, therefore, it is expected that there would be:
a. A strengthening of our macro economic parameters;

b. Reduction of broad money supply leading to a deceleration of the velocity of money in the economy which should result in less pressures on domestic prices;

c. Lowering of Inflation as a result of the accompanying decline in money supply that will slow the pace of inflation;

d. Collapse of Illegal Economic Activities which would help to stem corruption and acquisition of money through illegal ways;


e. Exchange Rate stability;

f. Availability of Easy Loans and lowering of interest rates; and

g. Greater visibility and transparency of our financial actions translating to efficient enforcement of our anti- money laundering legislations.

I am not unaware of the obstacles placed on the path of innocent Nigerians by unscrupulous officials in the banking industry, entrusted with the process of implementation of the new monetary policy. I am deeply pained and sincerely sympathise with you all, over these unintended outcomes.
To stem this tide, I have directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that our citizens are adequately educated on the policy; enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through availability of appropriate amount of currency; and ability to make deposits.
I have similarly directed that the CBN should intensify collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, so as to ensure that any institution or person(s) found to have impeded or sabotaged the implementation should be made to bear the full weight of the law.
During the extended phase of the deadline for currency swap, I listened to invaluable pieces of advice from well meaning citizens and institutions across the nation.
I similarly consulted widely with representatives of the State Governors as well as the Council of State. Above all, as an administration that respects the rule of law, I have also noted that the subject matter is before the courts of our land and some pronouncements have been made.
To further ease the supply pressures particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023 to April 10 2023 when the old N200 notes ceases to be legal tender.
In line with Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, all existing old N1000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at the CBN and designated points.
Considering the health of our economy and the legacy we must bequeath to the next administration and future generations of Nigerians, I admonish every citizen to strive harder to make their deposits by taking advantage of the platforms and windows being provided by the CBN.
Let me assure Nigerians that our administration will continue to assess the implementation with a view to ensuring that Nigerians are not unnecessarily burdened. In this regard, the CBN shall ensure that new notes become more available and accessible to our citizens through the banks.
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I wish to once more appeal for your understanding till we overcome this difficult transient phase within the shortest possible time.
Fellow citizens, on the 25th of February, 2023 the nation would be electing a new President and National Assembly members. I am aware that this new monetary policy has also contributed immensely to the minimization of the influence of money in politics.
This is a positive departure from the past and represents a bold legacy step by this administration, towards laying a strong foundation for free and fair elections.
I urge every citizen therefore, to go out to vote for their candidates of choice without fear, because security shall be provided and your vote shall count.
I however admonish you to eschew violence and avoid actions capable of disrupting the electoral processes. I wish us all a successful General Elections.
Thank you for listening. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ABUJA–The decision of the Federal Government to phase out the N200, N500 and N1000 old Naira notes as valid legal tenders, has created a wide rift among various states of the federation.

Though only three northern states- Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara- initially instituted an action to challenge the new monetary policy that was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, however, when the matter came up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, seven other states applied and were joined as co-plaintiffs in the suit.

The states the apex court allowed to come into the case to challenge FG’s decision, were; Lagos, Cross River, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Sokoto states.

Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, Katsina, also persuaded the court to allow it to file legal processes to nullify the new monetary policy.

On the other hand, Edo and Bayelsa state threw their weight behind FG and the CBN.


The two states, through their various Attorneys-General, secured nod of the apex court to join the case as co-respondents in the suit that originally had only the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, as the sole respondent.

However, both Rivers and Kano state told the court that their own case was different, insisting that they raised recondite issues of law that were not part of what the original plaintiffs submitted for determination.

Specifically, the two states, maintained that aside from the issue of the old banknotes, they have a grouse with the N5million and N100, 000 cash withdrawal limits the CBN okayed for corporate entities and individuals, respectively.

Owing to the fresh twist in the case, a seven-man panel of Justices of the court, ordered Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara states to amend their initial Originating Summons to reflect the new states it joined as interested parties in the matter.

The panel headed by Justice Inyang Okoro equally directed the plaintiffs to ensure that they file and serve all the respondents with the relevant processes, before Friday, even as it adjourned further proceedings in the matter till next week Wednesday.


The apex court said it would consolidate all the cases, stressing that all the states would abide by its decision on the matter.

Meanwhile, before the matter was adjourned, counsel for the three northern states that initiated the litigation, Mr. AbdulHakeem Mustapha, SAN, drew attention of the apex court to the fact that its ex-parte order that restrained FG from implementing the February 10 deadline for the use of the old banknotes, was flouted.

Mustapha, SAN, told the court that contrary to the order, CBN, had since invalidated the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

He, therefore, pleaded the apex court to reinstate the interim order, saying he had also filed a process to reflect FG’s disobedience to the court order.

Reacting on behalf of FG, a former AGF, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the apex court that Mustapha’s claim was within the realm of “mere rumour”.


He maintained that FG was yet to see the process the plaintiffs filed.

Though the apex court said it was not willing to issue another ex-parte order, it, however warned that parties that having submitted the matter for adjudication, they are not expected to take any action that could affect the subject matter of the litigation.

“Once you submit yourself to the court, you have to wait”, head of the panel, Justice Inyang Okoro warned.

“We are all in this country and we can see what is happening. We have seen people destroying ATMs. We pray that there will not be a break down of law and order’, he added.

Speaking to newsmen immediately the court proceedings ended, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and his Kaduna counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said they were confident that the apex court would arrive at a conclusion that would benefit Nigerians.


“Desperate action deserves desperate measure. We are not against the policy, infact it is the way to go. But its implementation is what we are against”, governor Bello stated.

It will be recalled that the Supreme Court had on February 8, restrained FG from invalidating the use of the old banknotes notes as legal tenders, pending the hearing and determination of the suit by the three northern states.

Though FG, through the AGF, Malami, SAN, said it would obey the ruling of the apex court, however, the CBN, which contended that it was not a party to the suit, declined to extend its February 10 deadline for use of the old banknotes.

Both commercial banks and business owners have continued to reject the old banknotes, while citizens find it difficult to access the re-designed Naira notes.

FG had also filed a preliminary objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to meddle in the matter.

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Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, yesterday, told the Diplomatic Corps that an extension of the February 10 deadline for the circulation of the redesigned N200, N500 and N1, 000 notes was unnecessary.


He spoke at the meeting on the redesigned Naira policy held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Emefiele spoke on a day governors of Kano and Ogun states, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Dapo Abiodun, respectively, threatened to shut down banks in their states, if they continued to reject the old naira notes.

However, the CBN governor noted the challenges posed by the policy but assured that it would be brief since his team was working assiduously to address the issues it had thrown up, including the availability of the new notes.

He blamed the scarcity of the new notes on the activities of some unscrupulous bankers and members of the society, who were trying to sabotage the policy, warning that such people would be sanctioned along with Point of Sales, POS, operators imposing heavy charges on customers.

The CBN governor said: “PoS agents who are supposed to help are getting involved in these activities.

‘’We have EFCC, ICPC working with our monitoring team to arrest any PoS agent that charges any fee because we have made it clear that whatever is their fee, which is not meant to be more than N200 for any amount you exchange that we, CBN, will pay as part of our effort to lessen the burden of this problem.”

Some POS operators charge as much as 20 to 30 per cent of the amount customers withdraw in new notes.

He noted that some powerful public figures are trying to exaggerate the inconveniences arising from the policy but said there is no justification to create undue panic in the society.


According to the CBN boss, the “tension and elevated agitation are by our leaders who should be calming frayed nerves of the citizens.

‘’We believe the large proportion of these agitations are staged, they are sponsored propaganda or an exaggeration of the reality.”

FG to take position after Supreme Court ruling

The Federal Government yesterday stated that it will take decision on the legality of the old currency notes of N200, N500 and N1000 after the determination of the suit filed by some state governments at the nation’s apex court.

Three states, Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara had dragged the Federal Government to the Supreme Court asking that the February 10 deadline by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, should be extended.

The court had fixed February 15 (today) to determine the suit.
Some Nigerians have accused the Federal Government and the CBN of contempt of court and are insensitive to the hardship many Nigerians are passing through as a result of the scarcity of cash.

But the Federal Government last night said that decision will only be taken after the determination of the suit in the Supreme Court.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “We wish to state that it is not true that the Federal Government or the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN have taken a preemptive action on the legality of currency as a legal tender in view of the pendency of the case before the Supreme Court.

“The position of the government and the CBN will be made known upon the determination of the suit coming up tomorrow, Garba Shehu said.”


Panic mop-up of Naira notes
On the queues at ATMs, he said: “We have also noticed panic mop-up of notes. The CBN has also noticed that some of our leaders are buying the notes and storing them for whatever purposes.

‘’We have also noticed that some Nigerians are capitalising on the time of transition to charging exorbitant fees. These selfish actions for personal monetary gains are causes of hardship for Nigerians and come at the expense of lives and livelihoods.

“The situation has substantially calmed down since the commencement of Over-The-Counter, OTC, payment to complement ATM disbursement and the use of super agents. There is, therefore, no need to consider any shift from the deadline of February 10.

“There are pockets of pressure in some areas. CBN has also noticed long queues at some bank ATMs and banking halls. While some of these withdrawal requests are genuine, some are simply reprehensible activities of miscreants who do not have intentions of making a withdrawal but seeking quick earnings just to queue up and sell their space for money but the CBN is working hard to shift resources to those areas in order to ease the tension.


“We will continue to issue and circulate new notes but once we get to our optimal level or slightly above, we will seek to put in place a policy that people must not keep money in their homes, they must return it back.”

Benefits of policy so far
The apex bank boss reiterated the benefits of the naira redesign, arguing that it had helped in reducing inflation and a moderating in exchange rates.

Emefiele appealed to the Diplomatic Corps and Nigerians to support the policy which, according to him, has become necessary in the monetary authority’s efforts towards curbing high inflation in the country.

He also said that the positive effects of the policy are already being felt in the economy, with inflation already trending downwards, stressing that it will go a long way in addressing challenges in the foreign exchange market.


“The policy will accelerate the cashless policy of the monetary authorities which has been in the works for many years, spanning different administrations,’’ he said, noting that the current inflation rate is being significantly driven by insecurity which had made it difficult for crop farmers to optimise their potentials, as well as, election spending, and the effects of the global market environment.

Banks, and business owners stop accepting old notes
It was gathered yesterday that banks and business owners in Abuja have stopped accepting the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes.

Those who attempted to deposit old notes in their banks were told to take such notes to the CBN themselves.

Business owners and filling stations also stopped accepting the old notes. But Emefiele noted that the nation’s economy is expected to grow at the rate of 3.6 per cent for 2023 and that both monetary and fiscal authorities will synergise to have the best outcomes for the nation.


472 CSOs hail Emefiele for standing firm
Meanwhile, no fewer than 472 civil society organisations, CSOs, in the country have hailed Emefiele for standing firm on the full implementation of the new naira policy deadline, tasking him not to shirk his responsibility of enthroning a sound economic policy for the country.

The groups, under the aegis of the Civil Society Central Coordinating Council, at a briefing in Abuja yesterday, claimed that Nigerians had started seeing the gains of the new naira policy of the Federal Government.

The group had, last week, passed a vote of confidence on the new naira policy and on both President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN governor.

National Coordinator of the group, Obed Okwukwe, who read the prepared text, said the hitches of unavailability of cash for small businesses are not unconnected to sabotage.


G-10 Govs mopping new notes
Noting that money moves in cycles, he said the scarcity of cash being witnessed by Nigerians was because state governors are mopping up the money and stopping it from circulating.

He said: “Since the implementation of the new Naira policy, Nigerians and indeed the system have started seeing the gains. Except for the hitches of the unavailability of cash particularly for small businesses, which is caused by sabotage from those who do not want the policy so they can continue with their illicit trade, other major indicators show that the impact of the policy on our economy is quite positive.

“Also on security, the impact is being felt as kidnappers now know that there is no cash to pay for ransom. In our electoral process, it is now obvious to Nigerians that it is only the vote buyers that are complaining.

“This policy is facing a syndicated attack from a group of governors who we have termed the G-10 Governors.


“These governors have vowed that this policy will not see the light of the day. They are willing to go the extra mile, including making our country ungovernable and undermining constitutional governance and bringing the entire country to a halt, all for their own reasons.”

The prepared text read in part: “The CBN had announced that it deployed N300 billion in cash as the first tranche of cash it disbursed. We all can agree that the money was hijacked and did not trickle down to the people and the people who took hold of it from the commercial banks have not brought it out to circulate.

“They are withholding the money,, using various means including deploying agents who use multiple ATM cards to withdraw the money, colluding with their bank agents to continue to trap the moneys in the banks and buying off cash from business places that ordinarily make huge cash transactions like petrol stations, supermarkets and department stores.

“This has made some of these businesses insist on only cash payment as the profit they make from the sales of the Naira covers for the loss of business from those who do not have the cash to pay.

“We have uncovered a grand plot by 10 governors, who have resolved to make Nigeria ungovernable for President Muhammadu Buhari if he refuses to reverse the new Naira policy.


“It is amazing to note that the governors behind this plot were the same governors who, a couple of years ago, took advantage of every opportunity to praise President Buhari to high heavens.

“However, obviously because the second tenure is coming to an end, these governors now believe that the President is not deserving of their respect. That is quite hypocritical. It means all they were showing the President was sycophantic solidarity, hence we must, therefore, remind them at this point in time that President Buhari is and still remains the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria until May 29, 2023, and not one day before.

“Unfortunately, these governors have switched allegiance to a new godfather, not minding that he is yet to win the Presidential election. They are willing to dare constitutional governance and do anything including creating anarchy just to enthrone him and achieve their narrow political ambitions. Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State as you all know has announced that once their candidate wins, they would cancel the new Naira policy.

“Our intelligence shows that there will be intensified cash-scarcity drama across the geopolitical zones. People will pretend to collapse, people will go naked. There will be pre-arranged fights and many other things to press home their demands.

“Many people have been activated to make this happen. Groups have also been mobilized to daily report at various bank ATM locations to always stand around and help create the impression and make it look like there are crowds at the banks who are not being attended to.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that the presidential flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will deliver as the next President of Nigeria.


Buhari gave this assurance while addressing supporters at the Dan Anyiam stadium venue of the APC presidential rally in Imo state on Tuesday.

He said, “I am here for Asiwaju. We are grateful for our great party. Thank you very much. There is nothing more I can tell you thank to thank you.

“We are here today, we are very grateful for your timeout. We are very grateful for your support and I can assure you that Asiwaju is going to deliver as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you very much indeed!” he added.

Buhari and Tinubu alongside the progressives governors and other party chieftains had arrived at the Dan Anyiam stadium venue of the APC presidential rally in Imo state.

The President, who arrived at the stadium around 1: 25pm, was accompanied by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Buhari commissioned a 15km MCC and Urratta road before making his way to the venue.

The President moved straight to the podium to inspect the stand on which the APC presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Shettima Kashim would stand to address the supporters of the party.

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined fans and lovers of Nigerian music all over the world in celebrating new heights of recognition and appreciation as Afrobeat crooner, Tems, wins “‘Best Melodic Rap Performance” category at the Grammy Awards.


President Buhari according to the statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, extolled Tems, Temilade Openiyi, for showcasing her talent to the world, with dedication and hard work, which, again, has placed Nigeria in the spotlight for excellence.

The President lauded all Nigerian nominees for this year’s Grammy, including Burna Boy, for pursuing their passion with vigour and continously reinventing global entertainment, with creativity.

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state said the Central Bank of Nigeria deceived President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the intent of the CBN was to prevent the elections from holding.

Oshiomhole made this assertion while speaking in an interview on Sunday on Channels Television’s live programme, The Verdict.The former national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC described the naira redesign policy as senseless.

He said, “CBN’s naira redesign policy is senseless… CBN deceived Buhari and the intention behind it was to stop the elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari has indicted some banks’ Chief Executive Officers, and CEOs on the scarcity of the naira notes in circulation, accusing them of selfishness and inefficiency, saying that they have not done well in circulating the new notes.

The President also urged Nigerians to give him seven days to resolve the cash crunch that has become a problem across the country from the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria to change high-value Naira notes with new ones.

The President spoke to All Progressive Party governors who met him at the Presidential Villa to seek a review of government policy on the Naira, arguing that a review would ensure solutions to the cash crunch which they said was threatening the good records of the administration in transforming the economy.

President Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said the currency re-design will give a boost to the economy and provide long-term benefits while expressing doubts about the commitment of banks in particular to the success of the policy.

The statement quoted the President as saying, “Some banks are inefficient and only concerned about themselves. Even if a year is added, problems associated with selfishness and greed won’t go away.”


The President said he had noted reports about cash shortages and hardship on local businesses and ordinary people and gave assurances that the remaining seven of the 10-day extension will be used to crack down on whatever stood in the way of successful implementation.

“I will revert to the CBN and the Minting Company. There will be a decision one way or the other in the remaining seven days of the 10-day extension,” the President assured.

The Governors told the President that, while they agreed that his decision on the renewal of currency was good and they were fully in support, its execution had been botched and their constituents were becoming increasingly upset.

They told the President that, as leaders of the government and party in their different states, they were becoming anxious about a slump in the economy and the series of elections that are coming. They requested the President to use his powers to direct the concurrent use of the new and old notes till the end of the year.

The President said when he considered giving approval to the policy, he demanded an undertaking from the CBN that no new notes will be printed in a foreign country and they in turn gave him assurances that there was enough capacity, manpower and equipment to print the currency for local needs. He said he needed to go back to find out what was actually happening.

President Buhari told the Governors that, being closer to the people, he had heard their cries and will take an appropriate decision.

An unconfirmed report has it that some bank CEOs had taken a huge amount of the new naira notes from some politicians.

It was gathered that the APC Governors had expected to get a direct response from the President when they demanded that the old and new naira notes be made to circulate concurrently to ease the suffering of Nigerians. The President, we gathered, did not respond to that.

Briefing some journalists in the Hausa language, after the meeting, Governor Nasir el-Rufai, of Kaduna State, alleged that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, mopped up over N2 trillion of the old note but printed only N300 billion, which he said was not enough and has contributed to the hardship the masses are facing.

el-Rufai, flanked by his Kano State counterpart, Abdullahi Ganduje, said even if the CBN had wanted to implement the cashless policy, they should have printed at least half of what they mopped up, which is N1 trillion.


The governor said the APC governors had informed President Buhari that the masses were suffering and traders were losing their goods due to lack of patronage.

He said some tomato sellers travelled from the north to Lagos with their goods could not sell because of naira scarcity and their goods were wasted.

He said, “We the governors of the All Progressives Congress under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum have met with the President and informed him about the issue that is bothering us and the problems the people are going through because of the currency redesign policy.

“The President explained to us what they have told him and we have seen that the Central Bank Governor (CBN) and the Minting and Printing did not tell Mr President the truth about the things that are happening in the country.

“What’s the truth? First, we are told that they have mopped up over N2 trillion of the old notes and printed only N300 billion of the new notes. Why will you retrieve such an amount of money and then print only N300 billion? That is why there are problems, the money is not enough.


“If you also look at some state and local governments that don’t have banks and the problems they are facing from POS, then you will understand. People didn’t have money to buy things in the market, they can’t go shopping, tomato sellers took their products to Lagos and could not sell till the tomatoes spoiled.

“We have narrated all these issues to Mr President and he said he will meet with CBN, other stakeholders, and even the deposit money banks. He will see what they will tell him before he takes a decision. But he didn’t indicate to us that this issue has ended, and he did not tell us whether there will be another extension or not.

“He only told us that he will take further decisions when he is certain about what is going on. We have told him about things that are happening in our states and the trouble people are encountering.

“Our fear is that, if there is no solution to this, it may cause a crisis and affect the general elections and the election may not even hold completely. The President said he will look into it.”

Asked what precisely the APC governors wanted the president to do, he said, “what we the governors want is to give an extension on this policy so that everyone can exchange his money. Because of N300 billion, there is no how it will be equal to N2 trillion. N1 trillion should be printed not N300 billion. The money is not enough that is the problem.

“Our advice is that both the old and new notes should be used until the old notes are gradually phased out. They should print new notes that will be enough, for now, they are not enough for circulation. Those who say the printed new notes are enough are telling lies to the President.”

el-Rufai said the president did not tell them yes or no on the issue of new and old notes being in circulation, adding that the chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, and governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu, had gone back to meet the President privately with the hope to convince him.

However, the Kebbi state governor did not brief members of the State House Press Corps that had waited for him on the outcome of his meeting with the President.

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has said that a new Nigeria where true democracy will be in place is possible.Obi who made the declaration Friday during a town hall meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, said he was not in the presidential race because it was his turn but because “it is the turn of Nigerians to take back their country” from the few holding the country by the jugular.

He promised to reset the country and do things differently if voted into power at the February 25 presidential poll.

“We are going to build a new Nigeria. Yes, a new Nigeria is possible and that’s why I’m in the race.

I will build a new Nigeria where we shall all be proud of the green passport. I will build a new Nigeria where we shall move from consumption to production”, he said.

The former Anambra State Governor regretted that the two major political parties – the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC; and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had both, supervised the deterioration of Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to reject both parties at the forthcoming polls and vote in Labour Party for a better country.

According to him, “APC has given us insecurity and hunger, fuel scarcity and ASUU strike. No state in Nigeria is safe again. If given the opportunity, I will restructure the entire security architecture of Nigeria to provide security for all citizens.


“We have voted for the umbrella but we didn’t get any protection. We voted for the broom but it has swept us into poverty and hardship. All we got from APC and PDP are hunger and suffering.

“Now, it’s time to vote for the father, mother and children (LP logo). What we need now is the family so that we can recover from our fallen state.”

Obi promised not to discriminate against any part of Nigeria, vowing that under his watch, tribalism and injustice will no longer be a norm.

He predicted landslide victory for himself based on his competence and national appeal, saying he was under a mandate to give hope to Nigerian youths.

“I’m not going to win because I’m from South East but because I’m competent and ready to build a new Nigeria. I’m prepared to lead Nigeria out of poverty to greatness. I have done it before in Anambra, I will replicate the feat in the entire country if you give me a chance”, he said.

The Labour Party presidential hopeful promised to end incessant strikes by university staff, saying that under his watch Nigeria will be restructured to work for her citizens. Obi also promised to transform Aba and make it a renowned industrial hub in Africa.

He said, “I visited Aba in the morning and I saw that we have over 60,000 shoemakers in Aba. Industrial activities going on in Aba will be properly harnessed. Give me two years and Aba and Port Harcourt will join together. I’m not going to change the name but both towns will be so developed that they will become one City, and people won’t know the difference between them again.”

Obi also promised to tap into the vast arable land in the North to make Nigeria the highest food-exporting country in Africa. “The biggest asset in Nigeria is the uncultivated land in the North yet we can’t feed ourselves. The Netherlands has a smaller landmass with a lesser human population but it is an agricultural giant”, Obi noted adding with visionary and competent leadership in place, Nigeria did not need to be borrowing around.