https://nationaldailyng.com/why-tinubus-2023-presidential-ambition-could-lead-to-massive-defection-in-apc/




It is no longer news that Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos, and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially informed President Buhari about his intentions to succeed him in 2023. Since then, he has continued to visit many of the country’s top politicians, to notify them about his intentions, and to also solicit their support.

Presently, Bola Tinubu is arguably the favourite to secure the APC ticket for the 2023 presidential election. However, not without any form of opposition by other aspirants under the party. With this, it can be argued that despite seeming to be the favourite to clinch the APC nomination, there are chances that things may not go as expected, as other aspirants are equally putting in a lot of work to ensure that they emerge.

What this means is that the APC 2023 presidential ticket, will be keenly contested between the party’s National Leader, and other interested candidates. However, there are chances that the 2023 presidential ambitions of the former Governor of Lagos, could lead to massive defection of the party members ahead of the 2023 general elections.

In my view, this could happen irrespective of who emerges as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. The reason for this is that, should Bola Tinubu emerge as the party’s flag-bearer for the election, many of those who are not in support of his 2023 ambitions, could dump the party.

At the same time, if he is unable to secure the party’s nomination for the 2023 presidential election, there are chances that he and his supporters, could cut ties with the APC, and seek greener pastures elsewhere. Recall that Tinubu had been a strong pillar of the party since it was formed.

It can be argued that Bola Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition, could see the APC hit by massive defection of its members after the primaries. This is due to the likelihood that the outcome of the party’s primaries, may not go down well with all the aspirants vying for the party’s 2023 presidential ticket, including the APC National Leader, if he fails to emerge as the party’s flag-bearer for the 2023 presidential election.

https://nationaldailyng.com/era-of-godfatherism-over-in-nigeria-says-shaibu/

Philip Shaibu, the Edo State Deputy Governor, says the era of godfatherism is over in Nigeria, adding that it is now time for good leadership and progressives leadership to be enthroned in the country.

Shaibu who disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the installation of the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, as the Odumha of Auchi at the Otaru of Auchi Palace, said it is high time men that have intellect like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo be voted to lead the country.

Shaibu described Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as the best candidate for the position.

READ ALSO: Obaseki ripping off LGs fund in Edo, NULGE cries out

Vice President who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion is yet to decide on joining the 2023 presidential race amid calls by Nigerians urging him to rescue the nation

The Deputy Governor insisted that the era of Godfatherism was over in the country, pledging his total support for Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

He said, “Your Excellency, just know that you have all of us in Edo, you have us, anything that you want to do, you have us and you have God. And by the Grace of God, we will have our own as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023.

“By the special grace of God, we will mobilise ourselves so that we can take our destiny in our hands. The EndSARS was a clarion call to all of us not just in Edo but the entire nation.

“The era of godfathers is over in this country, it is now the era of good leadership and progressive leadership. Men that have intellect, men that will turn our state into an industrial state so that those who are unemployed will be gainfully employed.

https://nationaldailyng.com/plateau-peace-agency-journalists-brainstorm-on-insecurity/



By Kingsley Chukwuka

The Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA),  on Friday engaged Media practitioners to brainstorm on ways to curtail the increasing rate of insecurity in the State.

The PPBA established by an act of legislation in February 2016, had a primary mandate of preventing violent conflicts and consolidating on the peace currently being enjoyed on the hitherto conflict ridden State.

Although with great success achieved since it's establishment, the Agency constantly seek ways to improve on it's mandate.

However, bringing Journalists on a round table dialogue to access the Agency's operation and to welcome suggestions for improvement, the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Joseph Lengmang said engaging the Media has continued to help the Agency to look inwards at its objective and function of conflict prevention and peace building in the State.

The forum tagged "Monthly Media engagement to take a cursory assessment of the statutory mandate of PPBA from the perspective of the Media vis-a-vis it's function of conflict prevention and peace building in the State", Lengmang said the issue of insecurity involves everyone and cannot be left in the hands of government alone.

According to him: "This forum provides opportunity for journalists to assess, advice and proffer options for preventing breach of peace and rid the State free from criminals and criminal elements", Lengmang said.

However, making their contributions, journalists were able to formulate strategic approach in improving conflict reporting, thereby agreeing that kidnapping, gangsterism, cultism, terrorism, banditry are all crime against humanity, and should be reported as terrorism.

Journalists also agreed that the method of crime irrespective of the nomenclature, has also graduated from the farmer/herder conflict.

Our correspondent reports that the "Monthly Media Engagement" is sponsored by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and will be holding under the "peace core" of the farmer herder conflict of the PPBA module.

https://nationaldailyng.com/gang-which-specializes-in-killing-young-girls-for-ritual-nabbed-in-osun/


The Osun State police command has arrested two ritualists in a hotel in Osun state with female body parts.

National Daily gathered that the hotel management had raised an alarm to the police stating that a girl screamed twice and after that, no noise was heard again from the room.

According to the management when the guys were about to leave, they were asked to be escorted back to the room to see if everything was fine and why the girl they came with wasn't leaving with them.

The ritualist said everything was fine and the girl was resting in the room that she was going to be out. But the hotel management insisted, even though they tried to escape, the hotel management were smart enough to have locked the premises and pinned them down.

That was when they were able to gain access in the room and saw a pool of blood with some body parts removed from the lifeless female body which they tried escaping with in a bag, the spokesman said.

READ ALSO: Ritualists reveal how they lured girls with money

During some further investigation by the police, it was found that the names of the apprehended criminals are Ayodeji Saheed and Tunde Obadimeji who both confessed saying it was not the first time they are committing such and that they have killed more than 70 girls.

They specialized in getting female parts and one Abefe Sadiq paid them for each part. #600:000:00 Six hundred thousand naira.

They went further saying that "girls of these days are easily lured with those things" All they need to do is to get or rent a fancy car with cash they would spend on the girls, and that is all these girls fall for. Then they are being taken to a hotel room where they are told that they would be having fun overnight but instead they are being slaughtered.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police said that efforts are being made to arrest Abefe Sadiq, the one who contracted them to commit the heinous crime.

The CP also went further saying that information should be passed round to all female friends, sisters and colleagues that they should all be careful not to fall for guys like this, there are some out there who are meant to destroy lives he said.

https://nationaldailyng.com/how-fraudster-defrauded-gtbank-customer-of-n2-95m/


A customer with GTbank, Bankole Clement has narrated how his account with the tier one bank was hacked and N2.95 million carted away within 24 hours.

Narrating his ordeal, Clement said he woke up on the 31st of December, 2021 to receive debit alerts for transactions he never carried out.

“By afternoon, N2.95 million had been deducted from his Guaranteed Trust Bank (GTB) account. I’d been hearing stories of people getting debit alerts for transactions they did not carry out, but I never thought it could happen to me, being a very careful person.”

“At that moment, I could neither think straight nor immediately fashion what my next line of action should be,” he said.

“Suddenly, I found myself on the bathroom floor, and in a pool of water. I also heard people shouting my name from a distance not too far from where I was lying. When I eventually looked around, I saw that people were praising God on my behalf. I had indeed fainted as a result of the development.”

READ ALSO: N2.4bn debt: Supreme Court reverses decision on GTBank’s appeal

Bankole would later visit the GTB branch closest to where he lived in Agbowo, Ibadan, Oyo State, in the company of his wife.

A female customer care officer, who checked Bankole’s account, discovered he only had a little over N9,000 as balance. He was then given a dispute form to fill with a promise that the incident would be investigated and that a resolution would be communicated to him as soon as possible.

However, Bankole has not got any favourable feedback from GTB.

“Looking at the debit alerts I had received, the funds were moved to a Sporty Bet account, and when I contacted Sporty Bet, I was told my Bank (GTB) would have to be very proactive in helping me recover the money. Later in the day, I got a call from Sporty Bet informing me that a part of the money had been moved to Sparkle Microfinance Bank,” he said.

“I have never at any point in my life placed a bet, because I have always been content with the little I have. How my account details became public knowledge, such that fraudsters were able to have access to my funds, is what I demand to know. This goes to show that customers’ savings are no longer safe with these banks.

“These are funds I have been saving up to process my postgraduate admission in the United Kingdom. I need GTB to help recover my money,” said Bankole.

https://nationaldailyng.com/el-rufai-decries-killing-of-387-persons-in-2-lgas-in-2-years-by-gunmen/

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has decried that over 387 people have been killed in Zangon Kataf and Kauru Local Government Areas (LGAs), Kaduna State, by gunmen in the last two years. The governor lamented the unhealthy perennial attacks and counter-attacks which have been worsening the security situation of the two local governments which also resulted in over 100 people being injured, in addition to displacing of residents. The state government

Much of the violence were traced to the rivalries between the Fulani, denoted at settlers, and Atyap indigenes, identified as the natives and owners of the land. The violent confrontations have persisted overtime, causing serious destruction and uncertainty of life.

The governor called for peace and understanding among the people.

https://nationaldailyng.com/miyetti-denies-endorsing-tinubu-for-president/

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has said it has not endorsed any presidential aspirant for the 2023 General Elections.

The National Secretary of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the convener of a meeting of MACBAN members at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, Abuja, Ya’u Haruna had on Sunday said the group would adopt Tinubu as its candidate.

Ya’u Haruna, a one-time chairman of MACBAN in Jigawa state, said Tinubu remains the leading candidate.

“He was the one that intervened in our matter while he was governor of Lagos, and we had a crisis in Benue. Tinubu came all the way, got us on a round table and reconciled us, so, someone who could do this at that time, we believe can do more when he is at the helm of affairs.

READ ALSO: MACBAN exposes dangerous Fulani herdsmen stirring violence

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Ngelzarma said the association respects the aspirations of all presidential aspirants, and said it is not yet time to single out an individual for support.

He said “the attention of the MACBAN National Headquarters has been drawn to stories in the media claiming that we have endorsed the presidential aspiration of Sen. Ahmed Tinubu.

“We want to make it clear that the association has not endorsed any candidate.

“Those who endorsed Tinubu are doing so as individuals, as MACBAN should not in any way be dragged into the politics of endorsement at this stage,” Ngelzarma said.

READ ALSO: CAN to MACBAN: expose criminal herdsmen to save Buhari’s image

The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Monday, Jan. 10, formally informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his presidential ambition in 2023.

Tinubu, who spoke after a closed-door meeting with Buhari at the State House, Abuja, said though he made his intention known to the president, he would continue to consult with Nigerians.

He dismissed the assertion that”a kingmaker cannot become a king”, saying he would like to take over from President Buhari in 2023 to continue with the good works of the ruling APC.

https://nationaldailyng.com/buhari-visits-zamfara-thursday-in-solidarity-with-victims-of-bandits-violence/

President Muhammadu Buhari will be visiting Zamfara State on Thursday in solidarity with victims of bandits’ violent attacks and invasion of rural communities.

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State disclosed at a public event towards the preparation for the one day working visit that President Buhari will be in the state to Commiserate with the government, people and victims of banditry and kidnapping, as an expression of the immeasurable love President Buhari for Zamfara State.

Governor Matawalle appealed to residents of Zamfara State to come out in mass to welcome President Buhari to the state. The governor assured of adequate security in the state during the visit of the president.

Bandits have turned Zamfara State to war theater, invading communities, destroying property, killing and kidnapping people. in most areas, Bandits elevated their violent activities to the point of collecting levy from farmers before permitting them access to their farms.

https://nationaldailyng.com/police-arrest-lagos-nurtw-leaders-kunle-poly-sego-over-idumota-crisis/

The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad has arrested two factional leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Abdulazeez Lawal, aka Kunle Poly, and Adekunle Mustapha, aka Sego, over a clash in the Idumota area of the state.

The RRS confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Monday.

The post read, “The Lagos Rapid Response Squad, led by its Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, this evening (Monday), arrested the two principal suspects in the constant clashes in Idumota and its environs, which has intermittently crippled commercial activities in the area.

“The arrest was effected today at a meeting where the two NURTW members, along with some other stakeholders, converged.

“The latest clash, which occurred last Thursday, reportedly led to the death of a victim, while commercial activities were paralysed in the area for some time until a joint team of police officers were deployed in the area to restore peace.

“Kunle Poly and Sego are presently being transferred to Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State.”

https://nationaldailyng.com/inec-holds-capacity-building-workshop-for-state-officials/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held capacity building for officers of the commission from 17 states of the federation on Monday into Tuesday, January 24-25.

The INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education (IVEC), Festus Okoye, in his keynote address at a Capacity Building Workshop for Heads of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) and Public Affairs Officers of the Commission from 17 States of Nigeria at Villa Toscana Hotel, Asaba, Delta State, emphasised that knowledge is central to democracy and communication is at the heart of their work as election managers. He stated: “it is imperative and fundamental that we continually and continuously build the capacity of our front line staff to understand issues in the electoral process and communicate effectively.”

Okoye congratulated the Director Voter Education and Publicity Victor Aluko and his team for putting together the program. He also thanked the European Center for Electoral Support (ECES) for supporting the program, indicating expectation of more additional support towards the 2023 general election.

Okoye emphasized that the year 2022 will be busy and challenging for the Commission.

“It will present complex realities and showcase the complexities of our democracy and electoral process.

“In the year 2022, the Commission will release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general election. “The Commission will give the statutory notice signifying the date of election and the place for the submission of nominations. The Timetable and Schedule of Activities will contain the period for the commencement of campaigns and rallies in public by Political Parties and the last day of campaigns by Political Parties. It will contain the period for party primaries and submission of names of nominated candidates and resolution of issues and challenges arising from party primaries.

“It will contain the period for the submission of personal particulars of candidates, withdrawal, and the replacement of candidates and publication of the final list of candidates.

“It will contain the period for the submission of the names of Poll Agents. It will set out the period for the publication of official register of voters and the Notice of Poll and election date,” he highlighted.

The INEC National Commissioner also stated that at the operational and administrative level, the Commission will monitor the Congresses, Conventions, Meetings and Primaries of the Political Parties.

According to Okoye: “The Commission must track campaign spending and finances of Political Parties.

“The Commission will procure sensitive and non-sensitive materials and deploy them as at and when due.

“The Commission must identity, harvest and recruit ad-hoc staff and various categories of collation and returning officers.

“The Commission must identify, prepare and equip Registration Area Centers, Collation Centers and other Centers for various and variegated activities.

“The Commission will hire vehicles, boats, and motorcycles and engage human carriers for the movement of personnel, materials and reverse logistics.

“The Commission must train and assist in the deployment of security personnel on election duty.

“The Commission must also defend pre and post-election litigation and petitions<” he listed.




Okoye maintained that 2022 is loaded with activities, saying that all Heads of Departments and Public Affairs Officers must be abreast of these activities. He said that elections take place at the base level and it is important to build the capacity of our communication experts to undertake the arduous challenges that comes with election management and organization.

Okoye also said that the Commission has reduced pernicious human interference in the electoral process and deepened democracy through greater use of technology.

He listed that “the Commission introduced the Candidates Nomination Portal through which Political Parties upload the List and Personal Particulars of their Nominated Candidates.

“The Commission introduced and deployed a Portal for the Accreditation of Observers and the Media.

“The Commission deployed a Portal for the accreditation of Polling Agents (Party Agents).

“The Commission developed and deployed the INEC Voter Enrollment Device currently being used for the enrolment of qualified applications desirous of registering as voters. Coterminous to this, the Commission deployed a pre-registration portal for eligible Nigerians to start their voter registration exercise before proceeding for biometric capture.

“The Commission retired the Smart Card Reader and introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for purposes of Voter Accreditation.

“The Commission introduced and deployed the (Irev) through which it uploads Polling Unit Results to a Central Portal for public viewing in real time.”




He stated that as communicators, officials must devise and deploy creative and innovative approaches of communicating issues and challenges in the electoral process.

According to Okoye: “You must be dynamic and imaginative against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic that has completely altered lifestyles and ways of doing things. More Nigerians now patronize the social media. We must find the right balance between the traditional and new media.”




He farther stated: “We must wean ourselves of dogmatism and orthodoxy and extricate ourselves from the trap of “we have done it before and there is nothing new to learn or do”. He said that the society has changed, the old ways of communicating issues and developments have given way to new approaches, adding that       door to door means of communication is receding and no longer feasible.

Okoye stated that the demography of Nigeria has changed and a lot of young Nigerians are using the social media.
The implication is that printing posters, handbills and banners are no longer fashionable.

“As a Commission, we must compete and dominate the social media on issues around the electoral process.

“We must understand the language of young people and their interests.

“It is a fight of ideas and a fight for the minds of young Nigerians who constitute the bulk of the voting population. We must use info graphs, short messaging, and other creative and innovative approaches to capture their imagination,” he said.

Okoye further desalted: “We cannot in truth and in fact communicate what we do not know or understand. We must read and have a basic understanding of the constitutive constitutional and legal instrument underpinning the work of the Commission.

“We must understand the powers and the duties of the Commission as set out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended); the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended) the Rules, Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals of the Commission made pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the Constitution and the various laws.

“We must therefore read and be very versatile. A Head of Department or Public Affairs Officer that is ignorant of the basic duties and functions of the Commission is a danger to the electoral process.

“The Nigerian people expect us to be upfront with information. The Nigerian people expect us to clearly, simply and comprehensively communicate changes and innovations in the electoral process.

“We can only do this when we understand these processes and procedures and communicate them effectively. If we fail to communicate and communicate simply and effectively, rumour mongers and the rumour mill will take over and define the narrative and present us with a fait accompli. It is better to be upfront with information rather than being reactive or defensive.”

Okoye maintained that 2022 is the year of preparation for bye-elections, off cycle elections and the 2023 general election, saying most of the important events in the electoral calendar will take place this year.

According to him: “Political Parties, Aspirants, Candidates and their Supporters will position to gain advantage. Some of them will attribute their problems and challenges to the Commission. They will praise the Commission when they win and denigrate the Commission when they lose. Some of them will analyze every action of the Commission and our press releases and comments may be tendered in court and become objects of litigation.




“Some of the critical stakeholders may misunderstand some of our actions, processes and procedures and read different meaning into well intentioned processes and procedures. It is our responsibility to provide clarity and dispel negative notions and insinuations with potentially damaging impact on the electoral process.

“Some persons may go to the extent of planting negative stories about the Commission and in the process attempt to drag the Commission into a mud fight. Some people may by acts of commission or omission portray the Commission in bad light. It is our responsibility to remain firm, focused, courageous and engaging. The Commission is a public trust and must be open and transparent. We must on no account personalize the issues. We must respond to those that deserve our response and allow the Nigerian people to take a position on others.”




He said that the Commission regulates the organization and activities of political parties but in the heat of campaigns, rallies and nomination processes, attempts will be made to turn the table. “We must continually and continuously remind political parties and their candidates and supporters that the Commission is the regulator of political parties and the table must on no account be turned,” he added.




Okoye further said: “as Heads of Department and Public Affairs Officers, you must assist your Resident Electoral Commissioners to engage the media. You must also engage the media. Running away from the media will not make them go away. Engage the media within the ambit of your own ability and expertise. You must not be an orator. You must not be charismatic. Your business is communication and you must communicate in knowledge and humility.”

Okoye pointed out that when the new electoral legal framework is passed and assented to by the President, INEC may have additional engagement with the Heads of Departments and Public Affairs Officers and clearly and comprehensively explain the issues in the new Act.

According to him: “There are clear and differential timelines in the Bill. There are new provisions and new innovations that change the dynamics of the electoral process. There may be new ways of determining over voting in the electoral process. The method of accreditation will change using the BVAS.

“You will be called upon to explain the architecture of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC). With the shift of accreditation technology from Smart Card Reader (SCR) to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) the new technology, the BVAS extracts voter data in four ways:




By typing in the Voter Identification Number (VIN)
By typing in the last name of the voter
By reading the Barcode on the PVC
By reading the QR code on the register of voters.




“You will be called upon to explain Issues around Campaigns and Rallies. As some of you are aware, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is empowered by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (1999) (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended) to regulate the activities of registered Political Parties. The Commission issues Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals to give effect to the intendment of the law and the Constitution. Section 99 of the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended) prescribes and circumscribes the period of campaigning in public by political parties. Based on the existing law, campaigns in public shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that date. “However, section 99 of the Act recognizes that Political Parties are not the only operators in the electoral process. Therefore, section 100 of the Act provides that a candidate and his party shall campaign in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be determined by the Commission.

“You may be called upon to explain issues relating to finances of political parties, limitation on election expenses; election expenditure by political parties and disclosure of sources of income by political parties.




“You may be called upon to explain the concept of validity of party primaries and other related issues. You must therefore be prepared and arm yourself with the requite information.”

Okoye also said that they must see improved permanence by the Heads of Voter Education and Publicity and the Public Affairs Officers.

‘We want to see better and robust engagement with the media. We want to see well written press statements that represent the clear intentions of the Commission and convey same in simple language.  We want to see clear engagement in the social media. Policies of the Commission and innovations must be cascaded to the grassroots using the best and most effective means of communication,” he said.

https://nationaldailyng.com/presidency-2023-sanwo-olu-funds-tinubus-campaign-with-n2-5bn-monthly-transfer-to-alpha-beta/

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has been alleged to be funding the 2023 presidential campaign of the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with purported monthly transfer of N2.5 billion to Alpha Beta LLC. The Lagos governor was said to have allegedly increased the monthly share of the state generated revenue to Tinubu through Alpha Beta LLC from N800 million to N2.5 billion. Two former governors of the state, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwumi Ambode, were said to be allegedly making a monthly transfer of N800 million to Alpha Beta LLC believed to be controlled by Tinubu.

A report by The Gazette, an online publication, alleged that “State officials and financial records…detailed how Mr. Sanwo-Olu started paying N2.5 billion to Alpha Beta, the controversial tax processor for Lagos State government, about a year after he assumed office in an arrangement officials said was aimed at warehousing funds for Mr. Tinubu’s campaign.”

It was alleged that Tinubu still maintains firm control of Lagos State government after over 20 years of governing the state, and extended the grip of the state to the  Sanwo-Olu administration, in piling up funds for the presidential bid.

It was insinuated that Nigerians had suspected that Tinubu’s presidential ambition would be financed by “the politician’s vessel of ill-gotten cash and unredeemed favours.”

Alpha Beta was revealed to be “incorporated in 2002 to handle computation, tracking and reconciliation of internally-generated revenue in Lagos.” The incorporation of Alpha Beta was done when Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State. The Lagos State House of Assembly was also alleged to have approved 10% monthly commission of accrued revenue of the state government to Alpha Beta.

It was purported that after the completion of Tinubu’s two terms in 2007, the former governor’s link with Alpha Beta began to manifest.

It was noted that attempts by former Governor Fashola to oppose or halt the “arbitrary and exorbitant monthly payment to Alpha Beta in 2010,” triggered  political confrontation from the party leader towards the 2011 general elections.

It was alleged that financial records revealed that transfers to Alpha Beta from the state government treasury since 2013 has been about N800 million per month. Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode succeeded Governor Fashola in 2015. Ambode also sustained the N800 million monthly transfer to Alpha Beta in his one term of four years.

In about one year Governor Sanwo-Olu succeeded Ambode – 2019 – the governor was alleged to have in mid-2020, raised the monthly share of Alpha Beta from the Lagos State revenue from N800 million to N2.5 billion. This was alleged to be part of pro-active preparations for the life ambition of former Governor Tinubu to become Nigerian president on the platform of the ruling APC.

Official documents and officials of the state government were said to have revealed that “Alpha Beta received N2,345, 816, 266.122 and N2, 378, 277, 356. 55 into its UBA account number 1021477046 from Lagos government account on July 2, 2020, and July 24.

“Similar amounts were paid into the firm’s bank accounts monthly throughout last year.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu was said to allegedly be paying an excess of N1.7 billion in the monthly N2.5 billion transfer to Alpha Beta from the previous N800 million allocation in the taxes and other statutory deductions transactions.

It was alleged that the increase of the transfer to Alpha Beta was decided after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. An official of the state government was alleged to have revealed that Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu resolved that “it was more strategic to start stockpiling cash early enough due to the uncertainties of the global health catastrophe.”

Official was alleged to have declared that “they have turned Lagos State and Alpha Beta into sister subsidiaries of Tinubu Group of Companies.”

The state official was cited to have argued that Alpha Beta has about 71 personnel, and “does not have the capacity to legitimately earn billions every month and should not be receiving funds well above its 10 per cent commission from total tax receipts per month.”

The official had also argued that Sanwo-Olu has no legal justification to unilaterally increase Alpha Beta’s payment, noting that the governor did it for self-protection, “not expecting any backlash from Lagosians or the law enforcement.”

While Tinubu was said to be avoiding questions about his interest in Alpha Beta, it was alleged that “behind the scenes, funds transferred to the firm from Lagos government accounts have been directly traced to his family members, business interests and political cronies.”

Suspicious financial transaction between Alpha Beta and Ocean Trust, purported to be ‘an onshore Shell venture which Mr. Tinubu has been using to empty funds into Lagos-based media group TVC and other businesses he had publicly admitted owning,’ was revealed in November 2020.

Tinubu was reported in November 2020 to have opened a campaign office in Abuja for the 2023 presidential contest. The campaign headquarters was said to be situated on a land mass of 2,700 square metres  in the heart of Maitama. While Tinubu denied the report, his loyalists later accepted it, explaining that the office was opened by Tinubu’s associates. State officials alleged that Governor Sanwo-Olu purportedly Offered  financial support for the acquisition of the property.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was alleged to be disbursing state funds to finance Tinubu’s presidential campaign to justify his sponsorship by Tinubu to replace Ambode. Tinubu was said to have stopped Ambode from second term because he opposed the transfer of state funds to him.

The APC national leader, Tinubu, was said to have declined confirming or denying the use of Alpha Beta to raise funds from the Lagos State government to finance his presidential campaign. He refuted having control over Governor Sanwo-Olu or the Lagos State resources.

Tinubu was cited to have responded to enquiries thus: “I am not His Excellency Jide Sanwo-Olu.

“I have no control over how state resources are allocated.”

The Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, was said to have dismissed the report as a rumour.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile, was cited to have said: “I don’t know where you got your figures. “But the revenue of the consultant is dependent on the revenue generated by the state.

“The governor has not tampered with the rate of Alpha Beta.

“It is a fallacious claim that the governor has increased revenues accruable to Alpha Beta. The governor is a financial expert and he understands the nitty-gritty of finance and will not tamper with such arrangements.”

The Chairman of Alpha Beta, Tunde Badejo, was said to be silent on the report.

Some other political actors in Lagos State, including Bode George, have been questioning Tinubu’s source of wealth, as well as his perceived perpetual control of Lagos State government and resources.

Source: The Gazette

https://nationaldailyng.com/why-fulani-group-endorsed-tinubu-for-president/

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has received the backing of a Fulani group with regards to his presidential ambition in 2023.

The group, Fulani Political Forum endorsed him and promised to work for him. The Leader of the forum, Alhaji Ya'u Haruna made this known at a meeting well attended by other leaders and members of the group in Abuja. This is another boost to Tinubu's presidential ambition. Some people may want to know the group decided to back Tinubu.

Why did the Fulani group endorse Tinubu?

A saying has it that politics is a game of interest. This saying still holds water in this case. The first main reason the group endorsed Tinubu is because the members said that he had waded into matters affecting them in the past to ensure that they are fine. They specifically pointed out that he intervened in the farmers/herders clashes in some states such as Benue and others to help settle the issue. At the end, they were all fine and carried on with their businesses.

In the same vein, another wise saying has it that one good turn deserves another. Since Tinubu was kind to them in the past even as a non-political office holder, the group believes that Tinubu will do much more for them if he emerges the President of Nigeria. The members of the group are banking on Tinubu to promote and protect their welfare if he becomes the President. This is why they defied ethnic and other considerations to back Tinubu on this issue.

Well, it is obvious that the group is simply backing Tinubu to promote and protect their collective interest. This is part of what politics is all about. After all, it is better to seek to promote one's interest or a group's interest/welfare instead of pushing unnecessary agenda such as ethnicity, religion, tribe and other things that only add up to divide the country at a time when national unity is very much needed.

https://nationaldailyng.com/more-trouble-as-ex-con-35-seeks-revenge-on-71-yr-old-sleeping-with-his-wife-in-owerri/

Onyekachi Alozie learnt a tad too late that his wife Oluchi was sleeping with a 71-year-old for money to take care of him and their three kids while he served three years in Owerri prison.

He could have taken, maybe, taken another route in seeking justice. He rather resorted to what he knew best—crime—to avenge instead of seeking justice from the state that jailed him.

Naturally, things would be different when he came home from prison last year. Nobody would hire an electrician slammed in jail for robbery and kidnapping. Nothing could even appeal to him by way of honest occupation, considering the crowd he ran with: the friends he made in prison back then, now free, including Maxwell Chimezie, a nurse who also ran a restaurant and medicine store, and an illegal orphanage before.

With so much time to kill now, Alozie mostly hanged out with other him, other ex-cons and felons.

But he was idling at home November 11 when his wife got on the phone with Chief Precious Okorie. Alozie ears tingled as he heard ‘hotel’ in their conversation. It was the strangest of all the words in the phone chat. And his instinct kicked in right away.

He knew Okorie as the grey-headed do-gooder whom Oluchi said had been giving her N5,000 and N10,000 . Such a nice papa wouldn’t muck around with the wife of a tramp of an electrician 36 years younger.

But it went beyond that

“I started having an affair with late Okorie in a hotel. We dated for about three years,” Oluchi said after her arrest by the Imo police Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

She didn’t tell Alozie about the string attached to the do-gooding relationship, and how she had slept with Okorie for three of the six years of their marriage.




The slip of tongue teed off the ex-con. Robbers, kidnappers have honors. Somebody else sleeping with Alozie’s wife had to get a mortal come-uppance.

He shared his heartache with Maxwell later that day. Maxwell was called the boss for things like this. He had the experience, facilities, the business savvy, and the men. They both buttoned things up in Maxwell’s restaurant. And Alozie made his request clear: kidnap first, and the ransom would be N20 million. Vengeance later.

Oluchi had no idea what was cooking.

“The next day, my husband insisted that I should call Chief Okorie around 3.00 pm and threatened that if I didn’t call him, he would kill me,” she said.

“I had to call Chief Okorie, and told him to meet me at the hotel, that I would join him soon.”

Okorie then teetered into his Camry, headed for their rutting nest.

Maxwell rode in his own car to intercept Okorie. They snatched the 71-year-old lover from his car, and dumped him in Maxwell’s.

Boss headed for the forest, where they held their victims.

“He said I should carry Okorie’s car, and meet them at Irate and we drove to a hotel in Owerri where he sold the car for N 1 million,” Alozie said in his confession.

Boss gave him N290,000.

“I was going to give him more,” Maxwell said.

It was hard to know if greed or counting your chicks before they are hatched motivated the zero-sum formula Maxwell applied here.

The other largesse didn’t jell as expected. Okorie’s family haggled the ransom from N20 million to N1.5 million.

Alozie got nothing from it either.

“It was the second time that they were demanding another ransom they promised to give me a share," he said. And the call as to the fate of Okorie had to be made as time flew by.

More glitches, too. The Okories refused to send more money. It was during a paint job on the car at the mechanic’s that the Anti-kidnapping Squad also busted Maxwell.

As things got murkier, Alozie told Oluchi, who kept asking about the missing Okorie, to take their children, and run to Mbaitoli, her village.

For all the consequences that could follow the N2.5 million crime, Alozie got just N290,000 for his reward—in a deal he brought to Maxwell.  This, a double loss, could be annoying. Okorie slept with his wife; Maxwell finagled him out of millions of naira in ransom and theft.

But Alozie denied being intent on killing the old man.

“I didn’t know how they killed him,” he told the police. “It was some of our gang members who did the job.”

Maxwell, however, countered him.

Alozie wanted revenge on Okorie sleeping with his wife, he told the police.

“We later beat the deceased to death and we burnt his body,” he said.

Alozie is now striving to distance himself from the killing of his wife sharer Okorie. He can't tell how sweet revenge tastes now because he's got a lot on his plate. Another victim has identified him as part of the Maxwell gang that abducted and robbed him recently

https://nationaldailyng.com/mother-of-2-raises-fund-dec-16-goes-missing-dec-19-turns-up-dead-at-ijegun-herbalists-jan/

Whatever made Mercy Henry called frantically on Dec 16, raising funds from friends, and after raking in N30,000, switched off her phone, whereabouts unknown until the police dug out her dismembered body at Ijegun, Lagos?

The police are trying to piece things together.

So far, some suspects have been arrested: Mayowa and two others.

And they are no strangers to the mother of two.

Mayowa, the lead suspect, was her doctor. Not the type that works under the Hippocratic Oath.

Mayowa claims he’s a trado-medical healer, and a midwife hat assisted Mercy when she had one of her two daughters four years ago.

It took an intervention of a friend of Mercy’s who sent the N30, 000 to her account during the fundrising.

According to Mercy’s relatives, Ayo, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers, told them Mercy’s phone became unreachable after the transfer was successful.

The police then followed the money—to First Bank where Mercy had an account.

The trail led to Mayowa’s account. And her phone history also revealed a series of back and forth between Mercy and her herbalist on the fund-raising day. Yet Mayowa had earlier said he last saw her four years ago.

According to LIB, the herbal doctor later caved in after the police Criminal Investigation Department worked him thoroughly. He confessed to killing Mercy.

His motive is not clear yet.

But the manner of the murder kicks up more stink.

Mercy was cut into chunks, bagged, and buried in Mayowa’s compound at Ijegun.

https://nationaldailyng.com/why-ill-not-return-to-pdp-obasanjo-opens-up/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up on why he would never return to the Peoples Democratic Party again.

The ex-president, who renounced his membership of the party in 2015, stated this when he received the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; and other stakeholders who paid him a visit on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

According to sources, the visit was targeted at returning the former president to the opposition party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

But Obasanjo told the visiting chieftains of his former party that he could not return to the party because he has decided to retire fully from partisan politics.

Obasanjo, while addressing the stakeholders, said he had vowed to remain as a statesman. He, however, said PDP would always be part of his life.

READ ALSO: How Abacha prevented me from becoming a lawyer – Obasanjo

He said, “I’m no longer in partisan politics and there is nothing that can bring back. Anybody who wants my advice, I will always be there in the best interest of Nigeria.

“Whatever I do in my own life…because I became president on the platform of PDP, PDP will continue to be part of my life.

“Since the day I tore my PDP card, that was the day I ceased to be a member of PDP. That day I vowed not to be a member of any political party. I will continue to be a statesman.

Obasanjo who was elected President under the PDP platform in 1999 and 2003 tore up his membership card of the party in public ahead of 2015 general elections.

https://nationaldailyng.com/akume-promises-autonomy-of-party-organs-internal-democracy-discipline-in-apc/


One of the candidates for the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), former Governor George Akume of Benue State, current Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, in mobilizing support for his election at the APC national convention in February, has promised to encourage the autonomy of the various organs of the party to perform their functions towards promoting internal democracy and party discipline.

The Chairman, Contact Committee of Akume’s campaign group, Simon Shango, at a media briefing in Abuja, asserted that “Akume will respect the powers and responsibilities of all organs and officers of the APC, which is necessary to entrench internal democracy and Party discipline.” He stated that as the APC National Chairman, “Akume will be committed to upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Constitution of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress.”

Chairman of the Contact Committee emphasised that all the Party organs, officers and stakeholders need to work in harmony to consolidate the APC position as the dominant and ruling party in Nigeria. he declared: “Senator George Akume’s vision is an APC which will be a model in political Party administration in Nigeria and beyond.”

 

Simon Shango, at the media briefing at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for setting the timetable and date for the APC national convention. The Committee also thanked the party for zoning the national chairman to the north central geopolitical zone.

The committee decried that the members have noticed that lately, George Akume has been subjected to all manners of sponsored press attacks. They expressed the belief that the main reason for such hostilities is because George Akume is the candidate to beat in the contest for the APC National Chairman at the party’s national convention in February 2022. The committee stated that in relative terms and by all accounts, including the views of many APC stakeholders and generality of Nigerians, Akume is clearly the best man for the job.

“Consequently, such press attacks are not surprising, and would not dampen but augment the support of key stakeholders and Nigerians in general,” Simon Shango declared.

The committee disclosed that records show Akume has done a lot for the APC from the time of the merger, adding that he consistently sets his mind towards service to the good people of Nigeria. “Thus, we call on our teeming supporters across the country to remain calm, “as nothing good comes easy”.

“If elected APC National Chairman, Senator George Akume will be committed to upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Constitution of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress,” Simon Shango declared.

https://nationaldailyng.com/missing-boy-found-dead-in-jigawa/

The body of a missing 3-year boy, identified as Aminu Bukar, who went missing on Jan14 in Guri Local Government area of Jigawa has been discovered by the police in the state.

The Police Public Relations (PPRO) in the state, ASP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed this in a statement he issued on Friday.

READ ALSO: Policeman arrested for assaulting lady who turned down his advances

Shiisu said the father of the deceased, Alhaji Bukar, had earlier reported to the police that his child went missing at about 4:00 pm in Dolen Zugu Village on the same date.

He said on the receipt of the report, a team of policemen swung into action and later discovered Aminu’s corpse at Tudun Mai Jambo bush, about one kilometers from the village.

The PPRO said Aminu was rushed to the hospital and certified dead by a medical doctor.

He said a police investigation concluded that there was no foul play in the boy’s death.

Shiisu added that the corpse was later released to the relatives for burial.

https://nationaldailyng.com/aregbesola-orders-shoot-at-sight-at-attackers-of-correctional-centres/

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during inspection of Correctional Centres in Oyo State, issued directives to officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service to shoot art sight anyone attempting to attack prison facility in the country.

Aregbesola talking to senior officers at the Agodi Custodial Centre of the NCoS during an official inspection tour of the facility, ordered that the officers must make it impossible for any attack to penetrate the facility, insisting that “such an attempt must remain an attempt.” He cautioned that any attempt to attack correctional centres in Nigeria must henceforth be resisted with brutal force.

Aregbesola also inspected the newly built maximum facility at Olomi-Olojuoro area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Minister declared: “The most important thing is the security impregnability of this facility.

“This is a red zone, dangerous zone. “Whoever attempt to breach the facility is already dead. He must not live to tell the story.

“Any effort to breach our facility is not acceptable. Don’t shoot to injure but shoot to kill for any reason.

“This is a total embodiment of the state to guarantee the security of the people.”

Aregbesola assured: “We will do our best on your welfare to ensure effective service.

“You must have the capacity to repel viciously any attempt to attack or invade this facility and an attempt must remain an attempt.”
the Interior Minister further directed the demolition of shops and business centres within the prison facility.

https://nationaldailyng.com/gunmen-abduct-another-prominent-traditional-ruler/

Barely three weeks after a paramount ruler of Gindiri town in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Charles Mato Dakat was abducted, another traditional ruler has also been abducted in the state.

Gunmen kidnapped Gyang Balak, the Da Gwom Rwei of Vwang district in Jos-south LGA of Plateau state. Balak was reportedly abducted while driving home on Sunday night.

He was said to have been kidnapped a few metres before the main gate of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru in Jos.

READ ALSO: Gunmen abduct traditional ruler in Imo state

Ishaku Takwa, media officer of operation safe haven (OPSH), confirmed the abduction.

Takwa said the chief was kidnapped on his way to Vom area of the state. He said troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have launched a manhunt for the criminals.

“Troops of OPSH conjunction with other security agencies are on trail of the kidnappers,” he said.

“God’s willing, the security agencies will soon close-up on the criminals.”

The incident comes a few weeks after the abduction of Charles Mato, the Sum Pyem of Gindiri in Mangu LGA of the state.

Mato was abducted from his residence in Gindiri.

His abductors had demanded N500 million ransom for his release after making contact with his family.

https://nationaldailyng.com/gunmen-abduct-another-prominent-traditional-ruler/

Barely three weeks after a paramount ruler of Gindiri town in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Charles Mato Dakat was abducted, another traditional ruler has also been abducted in the state.

Gunmen kidnapped Gyang Balak, the Da Gwom Rwei of Vwang district in Jos-south LGA of Plateau state. Balak was reportedly abducted while driving home on Sunday night.

He was said to have been kidnapped a few metres before the main gate of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru in Jos.

READ ALSO: Gunmen abduct traditional ruler in Imo state

Ishaku Takwa, media officer of operation safe haven (OPSH), confirmed the abduction.

Takwa said the chief was kidnapped on his way to Vom area of the state. He said troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have launched a manhunt for the criminals.

“Troops of OPSH conjunction with other security agencies are on trail of the kidnappers,” he said.

“God’s willing, the security agencies will soon close-up on the criminals.”

The incident comes a few weeks after the abduction of Charles Mato, the Sum Pyem of Gindiri in Mangu LGA of the state.

Mato was abducted from his residence in Gindiri.

His abductors had demanded N500 million ransom for his release after making contact with his family.

https://nationaldailyng.com/nigeria-needs-peacemakers-not-spoilers-presidency/

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, receiving a merit award from the Ambassadors of Voice for Change, a group of Nollywood actors and entertainers, led by Ahmed Bala, in Abuja on Friday, emphasised the need for national unity, saying Nigeria needs peacemakers who will entrench nationalism and patriotism in the polity, and not spoilers.

Adesina said that the Buhari administration would continue to support Nigerians working assiduously to promote peace, harmony and development.

He invoked the words of renowned novelist, Chinua Achebe, in his book ”Arrow of God”, to warn on the consequences of internal conflict and underscore the need for Nigerians to see themselves as one:

”When brothers fight to death a stranger inherits their father’s estate.”

Commending the group on their vision to promote unity in Nigeria, Adesina said the sheer volume of talents and exceptional Nigerians on their network, including those in the entertainment, media, sports, fashion, and arts industry, makes them a formidable voice for positive change in the country.

”The Media office of the President will always support you and I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.

”What you are doing for the country makes our work easier. When you hold town hall meetings in different parts of the country, advocating for unity, peace and change, it is easier for me to do the job and I am very glad to identify with this group, which is nationalistic and patriotic,” Adesina said.

The spokesman of the group, Ben Kure, noted that Adesina, a two-time president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has distinguished himself as an excellent journalist, writer, media executive and spokesperson of the President, writing his ‘‘name in gold’’ in the media profession and discharge of his duties.

”He has been adjudged the best spokesman by journalists in Nigeria and one of the reasons adduced to this feat is his humility and accessibility, he deeply cares about the welfare of journalists in Nigeria,” he said.

Referring to a recent piece authored by Adesina in his weekly article, Kure thanked the president’s spokesperson for making Nigerians understand President Buhari as a good man and one who remembers and rewards the labours of the living and the dead.

”Thank you for quoting the Scripture: ‘Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead,’ Kure said, noting that Buhari has demonstrated, through his appointments of Margery Okadigbo, Constance Harry Marshall, Justice Adesola Oguntade and Justice Sylvanus Nsofor of blessed memory, that he is a detribalised Nigerian, passionate about the country.

The representatives of the group that came with Bala, the leader, to the State House to present the award are Kure, Gentle Jack, Saheed Balogun, Ibu, Shina Peters and Onyekweli Harry B.

https://nationaldailyng.com/anyim-gives-reason-why-presidency-should-be-zoned-to-southeast/

Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim has given reasons why the country’s presidency should be zoned to the Southeast in 2023.

In a chat with Arise TV on Monday, Anyim said the failure of political parties to zone the presidency to the south-east in 2023 “will be a burden on the conscience of the nation”.

“There is also an agreement about the zoning principle regarding rotation between the north and the south” in the PDP constitution.

He said the south-east must produce the president in 2023 for “every section of the country to have a sense of belonging”.

READ ALSO: Ikpeazu visits Buhari, says southeast has right to produce President in 2023

“The issue of equity, fairness and justice is a fundamental issue. The federal character is entrenched in every facet of public service which is why it makes sense for the presidency to emerge from the south-east this time,” he said.

“In the PDP constitution, there is also an agreement about the zoning principle regarding rotation between the north and the south with the region micro zoning amongst themselves.

“The reason is because every section of the country must have a sense of belonging; not following it will be a burden on the conscience of the nation.”

Anyim had declared his interest to run for the office of the president in 2023, “even if it is not zoned” to the south-east.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain is backed by some of the party’s leaders in the south-east.

https://nationaldailyng.com/d-g-of-apc-governors-forum-resigns/

The Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, on Monday resigned from office. The D.G. submitted his letter of resignation to the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Governor Abubakar Bagudu, of Kebbi State on Monday after the APC governors had met in Abuja on Sunday on the controversial national convention of the party.

Lukman has been torn in the flesh of the APC governors and other party leaders because of the controversies over the suspicion that the national convention for the election of members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) may be postponed from the proposed February schedule. The PGF D.G. has been confronting the Chairman of the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mala Buni of Yobe State over perceived plans to postpone the national convention.

APC governors had, however, at a meeting at the Kebbi Governors Lodge in Abuja on Sunday, resolved that the convention will hold as scheduled.

https://nationaldailyng.com/arewa-youth-consultative-forum-advises-tinubu-to-retire-from-politics/

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has asked Presidential aspirant Bola Tinubu who is also the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, to retire from politics because he is not young, active, and agile enough to cope with the complexities and challenges of leading a great country like Nigeria.

The group made the call after Tinubu announced his meeting with President Buhari after which he addressed newsmen and revealed that he disclosed to the president his intention to run for Presidency in the 2023 elections. Tinubu stated that being President of Nigeria has been his long-term ambition.

In an interview with SaharaReporters, the AYCF National leader, Yerima Shettima, said Tinubu should be contented with the role of grooming young brilliant minds to take over the affairs of the country as Nigeria needed to be forward-looking, not to “recycle old hands.”

When asked about the position of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Northern Elders Forum’s spokesperson said it did not matter if the next President after President Muhammadu Buhari came from the North.

”Well, I’m not in a position to say exactly how old Tinubu is, because his age has been the subject of controversy for many years. However, going by the latest trends on the global democratic space, I doubt if he is still young and agile enough to cope with the challenge of modern governance.

With due respect to Asiwaju, I see no harm if he retires from politics because he was governor and a Senator many years ago. You see, I believe that Nigeria’s leadership should be about mentoring young ones to take over from the old brigade and not recycling the old hands.

Moreover, the Asiwaju is already an accomplished citizen and should be content with the position of a guardian to the young generation as we’ve seen him do since 2015.” he said.

https://nationaldailyng.com/buhari-lifts-twitter-ban/

The Federal Government has finally lifted the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria after approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It would be recalled that the federal government had in June 2021 suspended indefinitely the operations of the microblogging and social networking service in Nigeria.

The decision to lift the ban was announced by the Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement and Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE.

Kashifu, in a statement in Abuja, said the approval was given following a memo written to the President by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.

READ ALSO: FG may soon lift ban on Twitter as they meet set conditions

He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12am tonight, 13th January 2022.

“The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.

“In the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.”

https://nationaldailyng.com/defection-well-accept-ex-apc-chairman-in-pdp-says-plateau-pdp/

By Kingsley Chukwuka

The Chairman of the Plateau State People’s Democratic Party, Chris Hassan has said if the former Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Latep Daban defects to the PDP, the party will receive him with open arms.

Chris Hassan said the former APC Chairman was in the PDP before joining the APC and nothing stops him from returning back to his former home.

The PDP Chairman stated this Thursday in Jos, during an interaction with newsmen.

Although he said it is still a rumour that the former APC Chairman is defecting to the PDP, but added that the party is waiting to receive him.

His words: “I have heard rumours that Latep Daban wants to join the PDP. He is welcome. Was he not in the PDP before?. We formed this party with him and for whatever reason he left and went to the APC, but since he has seen a problem there, like the prodigal son, once he comes back we will accept him and his sins will be forgiven and will never be remembered again.

“He went there and saw that they are not the kind of people he will coexist with and he decided to come back. Should we stop him from returning home?.

“If you are the father of that prodigal son, will you stop him from coming back home?.

“Also, like others who wants to join him to return home, whatever sin they have committed will be forgiven and they will stand the chance like every other PDP member to contest for any position of their choice”, Hassan said.

It would be recalled that in June 2021, the National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), of the APC, headed by Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in a statement suspended Mr. Latep Daban, alleging anti-party activities.

The statement revealed that the chairman’s suspension was contained in a document endorsed by a good number of members of the state executive committee, which has Governor Simon Lalong as a member; hence cannot be ignored.

National Daily Newspaper

https://nationaldailyng.com/man-kills-grandchildren-hangs-himself/

A 60-year-old man, Uguru Ugbo, from Ohagewaka Izzi in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has reportedly killed his two grandchildren.

National Daily gathered that the suspect went on to commit suicide by hanging following the double murders.

Sources from the community gave the children’s names as Godspower and Saviour Ugbo, both below five years.

“It happened yesterday. He strangled them to death. Another grandchild, Chimdirim Ugbo, was also found unconscious and was rushed to the hospital,” one of the sources who pleaded anonymity said.

Confirming the incident, Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Loveth Odah, explained that the suspect allegedly hung himself on a rope at the back of his house after allegedly committing the crime.

Odah added: “The Commissioner of Police had ordered discreet investigations into the matter with the survivor as a person of interest to the police.”

https://nationaldailyng.com/plateau-polytechnic-students-rescued-by-troops/

Plateau State Polytechnic students have been rescued by troops. The students who were abducted while in school on Wednesday January 12 were rescued from an abandoned poultry farm.

The National Daily reported that the students were sitting outside their hostel when the gunmen attacked and kidnapped them.

Confirming that the students have been rescued, military information officer of Operation Safe Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa said troops deployed at Nding Sesut noticed an unusual movement of persons during patrols and immediately conducted cordon and search in the general area.

The military spokesman said this led to the rescue of the abducted students at an abandoned poultry farm.

The rescued students have since been reunited with their families while a manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the gunmen behind the kidnapping.