Senior Pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as the Latter Rain Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, yesterday, declared that he was not against the removal of the fuel subsidy but the corruption in the system.

While he noted that fuel subsidy removal and its harsh economic impact was taking a toll on Nigerians, Bakare urged President Bola Tinubu to kill corruption and not Nigerians.

The fiery televangelist also tasked Tinubu to “mount a genuine fight against corruption, rise above vendetta, foster reconciliation, and give every Nigerian a reason to believe in a united country.

The cleric, who spoke on State of the Nation broadcast, theme ‘’Vice, virtue and time: The three things that shall never stand still’’, held at the church auditorium, located on Kuditat Abiola way, Ikeja in Lagos, also faulted the proposed military intervention in the Niger Republic by ECOWAS.

Speaking on the harsh economy in the country, he said: “What is further clear concerning our domestic challenges is that by imposing hardship on Nigerians without going after those corrupt individuals, corporations and government officials, who have plundered Nigeria over the years in the name of subsidy, the president has picked the wrong fight.

‘’In his Monday, July 31, 2023, address to the nation, the president stated that the vast sum of money which ‘would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing and even national security…was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals.

“The president further stated that the subsidy removal policy was to stop the squandering of monies on smugglers and fraudsters.
“This compels us to ask the following salient questions: Who are these select groups of individuals into whose deep pockets our national treasury has been funnelled?
‘’Who are these smugglers and fraudsters that have been defrauding our nation in the name of subsidy?

“Who are these nameless characters that have fed fat at the expense of the poor? Or are they all sacred cows?

‘’Mr President, if you are truly on the side of the poor, if you are serious about the welfare of the people, if you truly want the poor to breathe, as you once said, then kill corruption, not Nigerians.

“Fellow citizens, the rallying cry by which the Save Nigeria Group, SNG, galvanised Nigerians in January 2012 at Gani Fawehinmi Pack, Ojota was ‘kill corruption, not Nigerians’

This was our cry when we made it evident that our fight was not against the removal of fuel subsidy but the corruption in the system. This was our fight when, amid the threats to my life and family, right there at Ojota and live on national and international television, I called out by name those individuals and corporate entities who had allegedly ravaged our nation.

“Mr President, given the complexity of the Nigerian economy, we are not thoroughly convinced that your palliatives will be sufficient to cushion the effect of your policies on the Nigerian citizen.

‘’What we do know, however, is that on May 29, 2023, you swore an oath to ‘be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“Mr President, while we admit that, as of today, our nation has transitioned from an administration that came to power on the supposed wings of integrity and anti-corruption to one that cannot be described as such, the fact remains that you are today the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with enormous powers to fight against corruption in its hydra-headed forms.

“Even if the allegations against you are valid, you can still have a road to Damascus experience and decide today to stand on the side of probity and bring to book the vested interests that have built their wealth on the ruins of our nation.

‘’You can decide today to take the burden of reforms off the Nigerian people and go after the corporations and individuals who have plundered our nation. You can decide today to stand with the poor and take the fight to the plunderers.

‘’Mr President, even though you have announced some palliatives, let me remind you that palliatives cannot address the root cause of the problem.

“Therefore, we demand that you address the root cause of the problem. Take the yoke off the neck of the poor, go after the looters, recover the loot, and retool it to the benefit of Nigerians. In simple terms, Mr President, kill corruption, not Nigerians.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has accused the courts in the country of being responsible for the present sufferings; hardships and underdevelopment the citizenry are passing through.

NLC also urged Nigerians to disregard the alleged state-sponsored rallies aimed at enslaving workers, stressing that the rallies are clear reminders of the Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha movement days that forced them to reminiscence the days of the bespectacled dictator that ran roughshod over the nation and trampled upon all known democratic and civil rights of the citizens and workers.

President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who stated this in his address at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Rain School of the congress in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, told workers to be battle-ready and brace for another round of struggle for the emancipation of the people and the workers.

He said that the earlier nationwide action organized by labour over the removal of fuel subsidy was allegedly sabotaged by an abnormal injunction procured and served on NLC in “unholy circumstances” from the Courts by the Government.

“Whether this antics of manipulating the Courts to sabotage our collective resolve will work this time is going to be left in the hands of Nigerians and the seriousness with which they see the imminent peril which our lives are being subjected to. That is why we want Nigerian workers and Nigerian people to blame all our present sufferings, hardships and underdevelopment on the Courts,” he said.

He said, “It is said that after the rain comes shine! Today, it is shining brighter and brighter! At the end of every journey is a time of reckoning and a time to say goodbyes! Time to evaluate what has been done and what has been accomplished! We have all spent a fruitful week learning new skills and getting empowered for the battle ahead; the struggles for a more humane and inclusive globe where workers will no longer be seen as appendages but as critical players towards greater wealth creation and development.

“Comrades! That is why it is indeed with great pleasure and honour that I stand with you on this auspicious occasion that marks the end of this year’s Rain School. The hard work has been done and we believe, the harvests and its various outcomes would soon be demonstrated in new deeper and more robust engagements with the social partners especially as we grapple with the increasing threat of neo-liberalism and its offshoots such as the incipient and burgeoning anti-poor; pro-capital policies of the government of Nigeria.

“It is important that we quickly draw your attention to the insensitive and utterly unacceptable hike in the prices of Petroleum products by the government of Nigeria in the midst of the suffering occasioned by the earlier hike of same product price to N537/litre on the 29th day of May 2023. Nigerians were yet to grapple with the shock of that inauguration day price increase when just few days ago, we were shocked with the announcement of a fresh price hike to N617/litre by the agents of the federal government. To us comrades, this is most unconscionable and a further attempt at emasculating an already suffering and bent Nigerians who are currently groaning under the yoke of an unbending malevolent group presently occupying the corridors of power.


“We have pointed this out so as to prepare all of our minds on the battle that awaits all of us as we leave this place. The skills we have acquired here must be used to strategically respond to this nascent wickedness if we must remain relevant as the people cry out and ask; where is Labour and where is the NLC? A cry is out there in the streets comrades and we must respond creatively and timely to those calls. It is in the nature and robustness of our response that the testimony of what we have acquired these past days will be borne. It is truly going to be a demonstration of our resilience which is anchored on how we are able to meet with the desires and expectations of those who look up to us for the articulation and defense of their rights and privileges.

“It is on this note that we call on all Nigerians to get ready to join hands with us as we begin preparation to build a coalition of all Nigerian people; from the North to the South and from the East to the West. A Coalition of the suffering, oppressed and deprived where everyone will be a leader and everyone will be a follower. Hunger and poverty transcend ethnic and religious boundaries and it is our collective and indeed civic duty to save ourselves and our nation from the clutches of these mindless policies.

“Nigerians must disregard the state sponsored rallies aimed at further enslaving us. These rallies are clear reminders of the Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha movement days and truly forces us to reminiscence the days of the bespectacled dictator who ran roughshod over our nation and trampled upon all known democratic and civil rights of the citizens and workers.

“As we brace for another round of struggle for the emancipation of our people and ourselves, we call on all of us who have attended this year’s programme to take charge and provide leadership in their various constituencies so that together, we can generate the critical mass needed to compel this government to listen to the wishes of Nigerian people.

“Comrades! Our earlier nationwide action was sabotaged by an abnormal injunction procured and served on us in unholy circumstances from the Courts by the Government.”


Continuing, he said, “As we gird our loins with the lessons from our various discourses here and as we eagerly prepare for our various destinations in and out of Nigeria, we urge you not to remain forever as students. The success of this week can only be measured by what you are able to do with it and how you are able to impact lives and your different unions. Nietsche reminds us that the worst thing we can do to our teachers is to remain students forever!

“We therefore urge you to impart on others the lessons learnt here. Apply them and use it to change whatever platform or society that we come across. Be worthy ambassadors of this school and let the light that has been lit in you here shine brightly wherever you go and in whatever you do”.

001Lagos:
Tinubu is scared that everyone around him will betray him 😂😂

Ahead of this week’s meeting of the National Caucus and National Executive Committee, NEC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, strong indications emerged that the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore are under pressure to resign.


According to Vanguard, it was learned that some leaders of the party had been going about with a list of alleged “sins” committed by Adamu against President Bola Tinubu weeks before the latter declared his interest to vie for the presidency last year.

An APC official, who is privy to the internal workings of the party, disclosed that the NEC meeting, slated for Tuesday, is likely to approve a timetable for a midterm elective convention to fill party vacancies.

The party leader said: “Consequently, there are some forces within the party who are likely to meet with Adamu on Sunday night or early Monday to pressure him into resigning rather than been shown the exit door.

“As you know, many of the new state governors have not made all their appointments. Even at that, some party officials have been appointed into government.

“At the national level, it is very likely that some national officers or members of the National Working Committee NWC would be appointed into government. Once that is done, there will be vacancies which would be filled through the convention. The convention could also provide a window to get Adamu out.”

Another source informed Vanguard that the move to oust Adamu would also see Omisore being eased out of the equation as some aggrieved members of the NWC have consistently accused him of running the party alone with Adamu.

The party official said the controversial audit report of the party would be part of the issues to use against Adamu.

He said: “Under our constitution, only the NEC of the party can appoint an external auditor to audit the accounts of the party but Adamu, after being forced to render financial accounts, decided to enlist his own auditor, bypassing NEC. He thereafter presented the report of his auditors to the NWC for ratification. The party has an auditor. Adamu should simply have allowed him to do his job and present his report to the NWC. After that, the NWC will go through the report of the National Auditor, deliberate on it and present to NEC, which has the powers to appoint an external auditor to go through our accounts. But this has not been the case.”

While he did not respond to messages seeking his confirmation of the report, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Felix Morka also went mute on the issue.

Vice President Kashim Shettima says peace is an important factor in achieving meaningful development in Nigeria.

Olusola Abiola, Director (Information), Office of the Vice President, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the vice president said this when he received a delegation from Hadeija Emirate Council in Jigawa.

The delegation was led by Alhaji Adamu Maje, Emir of Hadeija and Chairman, Jigawa Traditional Council.

Shettima said that Kano and Jigawa States had been largely peaceful.

The vice president commended the Hadeija Emirate Council for a strong support to the Tinubu/Shettima adminstration.

He also lauded the emirate for its developmental strides.

“As at the time we went to Hadeija, we were not in power and Maje was unequivocal in his support to us.

” It was a huge support and was anchored on the fact that our team was the best for the nation.

“When I traveled from Kano to Hadeija, it was one of my happiest moment.

” I saw development coming up; I saw universities springing up; I saw a rice mill by Aliko Dangote; I saw so many development efforts.”

On the incessant flooding being experienced in Jigawa , the vice president said that the Federal Government would soon address the challenge because of its negative impact on agriculture and food production.

He also spoke on measures aimed at boosting food production in the state.

“I want to convey to you the message from President Bola Tinubu that the challenges of the place will be adequately captured in the next budget.

“In the next programme, we want to cultivate a minimum of 100,000 hectares in the wheat belt, so nearly 50,000 hectares will be devoted to Jigawa as it is one of the few states which grow wheat in the belt comprising Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Yobe and to Borno.

“I think Jigawa is our food basket,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Maje congratulated President Tinubu and Shettima on their successful inauguration and promised continued support for the government.

The traditional ruler thanked the vice president for the appointment of one of Jigawa’s sons as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and prayed for God’s guidance and direction for the new administration.

Members of the 10th National Assembly from Hadeija and other prominent title holders of the council were part of the delegation.

Former Ghanaian President, John Mahama, has urged President Bola Tinubu to tackle corruption with asset declaration.

Mahama made this appeal in his keynote presentation, titled, “Asset Valuation As A Global Anti-Corruption Tool:- The Nigeria Experience” at the 53rd Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers held in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital on Thursday.

The former Ghanaian President identified asset declaration by the Public Officers as a tool to tackle the menace of corruption in the public sector.

According to him, corruption is a cankerworm that retards the progress of a nation.

He said corruption must be fought headlong whether it occurs in the public or private sector adding that corruption grows as a result of the failure of the instructions that are established to fight it.

Mahama stated, “Corruption is a global challenge that hinders economic development, diverts investments from infrastructure, institutions, and social services, and undermines efforts to achieve other country-specific development goals and targets.”

The former Ghanaian President explained that those who signed contracts documents that produce bad infrastructures have contributed to the destruction of the economy.

He urged all stakeholders in Nigeria and the African sub-region to rise and defeat corruption in all its ramifications.

He also urged Nigerians to support government efforts and ensure transparency in the fight against corruption in all sectors of the economy.

He also called for the use of the asset declaration mechanism to fight corruption.

Mahama said, “The international community has embarked on a global anti-corruption fight across several sectors, including real estate.

“Real estate asset and property valuation are a critical factor in asset investment decision-making and a vital tool for the global fight against corruption.

“Considering the enormity of the consequences of perversely attributed values to assets, asset valuation deservedly demands and requires increased attention from critical actors, such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

“Our fragile financial intermediation systems’ security and growth face significant risks from poorly done asset valuation.

“To remain relevant in pursuing economic and social progress and distributive justice and equity, you as professionals must rise to the occasion and create a more responsive regime to aid Africa’s renaissance and growth. You must work to build Africa as a centre of excellence in the asset valuation space.”