₦airaland Forum

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Julius Abure, has declared that no vacuum exists in the leadership of the party; hence, any declaration to the contrary by any person or group was a nullity.

Abure said this while speaking to party faithful at the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party at the party’s National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Monday.

He said, “There is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The Supreme Court judgement did not say the tenure of the current NWC under my leadership has expired.

“The so-called National Caretaker Committee is an illegal body unknown to any law guiding the Labour Party.

“What happened in Umuahia, Abia State, was not a NEC meeting; as such, the so-called caretaker committee is an illegal entity.

“The purported caretaker committee is just a meddlesome interloper whose sole purpose is to destroy our party.”

Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi, in reaction to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration on Rivers crisis, has said that the National Assembly was duly consulted by the President.

According to a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Rotimi said that the leadership of the National Assembly including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele, and the House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere met with the President and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, ahead of the broadcast.

He said: “In response to multiple inquiries, I can confirm that the National Assembly was duly consulted by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in reaching this decision.

“The leadership of the National Assembly including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and the House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, met with the President and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, ahead of the broadcast.

“Also in attendance were key security officials, including the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Adeola Ajayi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed.

“During this meeting, they were fully briefed on Mr. President’s intentions, and all present unanimously expressed their support.

“Furthermore, Mr. President’s formal letter, informing the House of Representatives of his decision and seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, has been transmitted and will be read during plenary tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and further legislative action debated and decided.”

Nigeria has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) to position itself as a major player in the global halal market, which is valued at $7.7 trillion.

The agreement, signed at the Makkah Halal Forum in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, will promote investment, technical collaboration, and market access across key sectors such as food production, pharmaceuticals, finance, and livestock.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented at the event by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, described the deal as a transformative step for Nigeria’s economy.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “this collaboration is an important step in our ambition to not only tap into the lucrative halal market but to establish Nigeria as a leading global player.

“We are committed to leveraging this collaboration to create jobs, attract foreign investment, and diversify our economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The agreement was executed with HPDC, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Fahad Alnuhait, in the presence of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi; Chairman of the Makkah Halal Forum’s Organizing Committee, His Excellency Mr. Fawaz bin Talal Al-Harbi, and Chairman of Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Mr. Abdullah bin Saleh Kamel.

Also speaking, Special Assistant to the President on Export Promotion, Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, said the partnership builds on Nigeria’s growing Islamic finance sector, which has seen success through Sukuk bonds for infrastructure financing and the establishment of Islamic banks like Jaiz Bank, Taj Bank, and Lotus Bank.

Sheriff explained that the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) will support the initiative through capacity building, regulatory framework development, and financing opportunities.

“This agreement aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda by creating new jobs, attracting foreign direct investment, and diversifying our economy.

“The halal economy extends beyond Muslim consumers. Non-Muslim majority countries like Brazil, Australia, and Thailand are already leveraging the sector for substantial export growth,” he said.

The Nigerian delegation also included the Chairman of Dar Al Halal Group, Alhaji Muhammadu Ladan Dikko; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bank of Industry, Dr. Mansur Muhtar; Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole who was represented by Ambassador Nura Rimi; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Ambassador Mahmoud Lele, and R’representative of the Standard Organization of Nigeria, Hajiya Amina.

Others are the Chairman, Nigeria-Saudi Chamber of Commerce, Engr. Ibrahim Usman; Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, represented by Nur Muftau Baba Ahmed; CEO of Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Aneyi, represented by Mustapha Aminu; Deputy President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, and Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Mr. Olasupo Olusi, represented by Mrs. Jelilat Ismaila-Ayinde.

VP Shettima had during the Halal Economy Stakeholders Engagement Programme held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in September last year emphasized the economic potential of the sector, noting that “increasing Nigeria’s halal exports to OIC markets from 2% to 6% could boost the country’s GDP by $540 million, while strategic import substitution could add nearly $1 billion by 2027.

South West National Anthem ….

Igba gbo wa ni pe ..., Bi ase bi eru ni ase bi Omo (our believe as Yoruba is; the slave is given birth to the same way as the child of the slave owner) in a simple words, this simply means no discrimination, humanity first because we are created… pic.twitter.com/u10jinMa06

— Oloyè Adeniyi Ismail Oluwatosin (@mradeniyi09) October 5, 2024

As the Zonal Coordinator for the south-west region, I organized the 2024 South West Assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This event brought together leaders and members from all states in the South-West allowing us to look at how our party is doing and plan ways to become a more united and inclusive organization.

It was an opportunity for party members to share their concerns about our performance and effectiveness. Getting constructive feedback is important for our growth, and the discussions we had today were vital.

I believe we can build a party that truly meets the needs and hopes of our constituents.

I am committed to creating an environment where inclusivity and transparency are priorities, making sure everyone feels valued and empowered to help us succeed together.

Badgers14:
NDDC,
South South development commission

South East development commission

North West development commission

North North development commission


Its obvious the federal system of government isnnot serving Nigeria well.


Why not just switch to regional system of government

The development follows an accusation by Shaibu, on Friday, that his principal, Godwin Obaseki, denied him entry into the state.

Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legacy coalition members in his company, have defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He defected during the APC Edo State’s inauguration of the National Working Committee of the Edo governorship election meeting held on Saturday.

The meeting had in attendance the former governor of Kano State and National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, including the governors of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Cross River Bassey Otu.

The Edo State APC State Chairman, Jarett Tenebe, and the Governorship Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Adams Oshiomole were also at the meeting.

Shaibu, who declared his intention to defect to the APC, was received into the party by the National Organising Secretary.

The development followed an accusation by Shaibu, on Friday, that his principal, Godwin Obaseki, denied him entry into the state.

The 54-year-old stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today two days after Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his reinstatement as deputy governor.

“Yesterday, I got intel that the governor has told his men that they must not allow me into town. I am a free-born of Edo State, nobody can stop me from entering Edo State,” he said.

“The constitution does not allow anybody to bar me from entering Edo State, not even when I am a deputy governor. Even if I am an ordinary citizen, I should have a right. I should have freedom.”


Shaibu recalled when he declared his intention to run for the governorship ticket under the PDP in November 2023, alleging Obaseki said he would destroy him.

Describing himself as a devout Catholic, the deputy governor said it is only God that can destroy man.

He vowed to continue fighting all through the electioneering period until the September 21 governorship election in the state.

The deputy governor also accused the governor of orchestrating Thursday’s attack in Benin City, alleging that Obaseki was keeping true to his earlier promise to destroy him.

“I didn’t know he (Obaseki) would arm them (gunmen) that much. I remember the governor saying during this crisis when I declared to contest for the governor that if I continued, he would destroy me.

“With what happened yesterday, it was obvious that it was an orchestrated attempt to actualise that statement that he was going to destroy me,” he said.

He also mourned the police inspector who was killed when his convoy and that of the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was attacked in Benin City by suspected gunmen.

On his return to Benin City on Thursday, Obaseki and Okpebholo escaped death on Thursday when their convoy was attacked in Benin City by suspected gunmen.

Unfortunately, Okon who was attached to Okpebholo, died during the shootout between security operatives and the gunmen.

Obaseki Owing Me
During the show, Shaibu said he would work hard to preserve the institution of the office of the deputy governor.

He accused Obaseki of destroying his office, saying he had not been paid for the past year.

Shaibu added, “One of my main cardinal goals is to strengthen institutions. I am seeing the institution of the office of the deputy governor being destroyed by the governor for personal gain.

“That is why I am fighting to bring back the sanity of the office of the deputy governor not for my personal self. The governor has not paid me for the past year and I know he is not going to pay me for the remaining four months.”

It is a triumphant homecoming for me, as I officially return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party where I am accepted, valued, and welcomed with open arms. The party, which holds a special place in my heart, and where I have shared countless memories.

I am grateful to be back among the Progressives' fold and community that have always supported me, and to reunite with my political family.

#Ofonee

— HPS

wwwihy:
The SC actually delivered judgement on the substance of the matter that Shetima was rightfully nominated

Johnnie Carson says Bola Tinubu has three things that his opponents did not have going to the presidential election

An American diplomat and a foreign observer in the 2023 general elections, Johnnie Carson, says three factors were responsible for the victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Mr Carson, an Executive Officer of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), spoke in Washington DC when the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, paid an official visit to the institute to engage on the concluded elections.

The diplomat said he co-led National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI), International Election Observation Mission to Nigeria during the elections.

According to him, Mr Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, undoubtedly won the polls and will be sworn-in come May 29, except something happens dramatically with the court.

“Do you know why he won, he got the money, he had the best national organisation that worked for him and the ground game,’’ he said.

Mr Carson emphasised that for a candidate to win an election in Nigeria, like a lot of democracy in the globe, the three things, including substantial and significant financial resources were needed.

Others, according to him, are a national working organisation and a grassroots acceptance.

He said while Mr Tinubu had all the three criteria in his kitty during the polls, the other major contenders did not have all.

Speaking specifically on the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Carson said, “on the part of Mr Peter Obi, he did not have the ground game and a national organisation.

“Obi is, however, very popular, particularly among the young, educated, urban and sophisticated,’’ he said.

Mr Carson said the presidential election was one of the most competitive polls in Nigeria and in Africa.

He, however, observed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needed to up its game.

“Nigeria deserves the very best electoral process.

“To me, the problem is not with Tinubu and the other candidates,’’ he said.

Mr Carson hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment in delivering a free and fair election for Nigeria.

He said the president “is a man of outstanding integrity’’ and he demonstrated the attribute in the past elections.

On his part, the minister said considering where INEC was coming from and where it were today, there were massive improvements in the conduct of the 2023 polls.

Conceding that there was room for improvements, the minister said the introduction of a new technology Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by INEC underpinned the credibility of the elections.

According to him, BVAS cut out fraudulent votes, ghost voters and multiple votes.

Mr Mohammed said the election was conducted against the backdrop of fuel shortage, mounting insecurity and poorly timed cash swap policy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister also had engagements with the Council on Foreign Relations, a well versed think-tank on African affairs and foreign relations chaired by a Nigerian, Ebenezer Obadare.

He was also at the Reuters News Agency; The Politico, an international political newspaper, and Zenger News, a channel that publishes its contents on Forbes.

During his respective interactions with the Think-tanks and international media, the minister “presented the facts of the just concluded polls as against skewed narratives of the opposition and naysayers”.

NAN reports that the interactions also delved into economy and foreign affairs.

At Reuters, the Agency’s recent investigation of alleged secret programmes of coerced abortion of women and girls freed from insurgents’ captivity were discussed.

Congratulations to the Governor Elect of Kaduna State @ubasanius ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/qzSNQzT8V6

— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) March 20, 2023

FLASH: Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu
wins Polling Unit (Unit 006, Ward E3, Eiyekole, Lagos Island)

GOVERNORSHIP:

APC - 121

PDP - 01

LP - 02

Accord - 02

ASSEMBLY:

APC - 120

PDP - 03

LP - 02

Accord - 01

#SanwoAgain

The Appeal Court on Monday, reserved judgement to decide on the case by Senator Ademola Adeleke challenging the decision of an election petition tribunal which nullified his victory in the Osun governorship election.

A three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Shuaibu fixed the date to decide on the matter after taking the argument and adopting the briefs of all parties in the suit.

During proceedings today, Counsel to Adeleke, Onyechi Ikpeazu, held that a member of the panel, who is also a chief magistrate, did not air her opinion during the Judgement delivery. Rather, she only appended her signature and the constitution mandates her to have aired her views about the suit.

Counsel to Mr Oyetola, Lateef Fagbemi however held that mere signing of the judgment, and not making any comment afterwards does not make the judgment invalid.

He noted that the case of over voting exceeded 6 polling units as claimed by the Appellant, adding that the anomaly was experienced in 744 polling units across the state.

An Over Voting debate

Senator Adeleke who is candidate of the People’s Democratic Party had won the said election held on 16 July, 2022, the result which was nullified on the grounds of over-voting.

Adeleke had in February, appealed the judgement of the Osun State Governorship Tribunal which nullified his election.

The tribunal ruled in favour of a former governor of the state Gboyega Oyetola. While delivering the judgement, two out of the three-member panel of the tribunal held that Oyetola proved that there was over-voting in some of the polling units.
But Adeleke swiftly rejected the ruling and described it as a “miscarriage of justice”. Weeks later, the governor filed an appeal before the Akure division of the Court of Appeal.

In the 31 grounds of appeal filed on Wednesday, Adeleke prayed the court for “an order setting aside the whole decision of the tribunal”.

The governor equally sought “an order striking out the petition for want of competence and jurisdiction or in the alternative, an order dismissing the petition on the merit”.

“The second respondent cannot ‘go lo lo lo lo’ and ‘buga won’ as the duly elected governor of Osun state,” the governor said.

Elsueno:
I am extremely happy today, one of my friend from undergrad told me he got this job , He even send me pics.....So thanks yns4real the creator of this thread, cause I got info here & passed it to my paddy.. God bless us all. Amen

thestreets:
I salute a true hero Yns4real. May your days be long and may prosperity never depart from your lineage.