The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed as incompetent, the case the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, filed to nullify President Bola Tinubu’s election.
The court held that issues the APM raised in its petition contained pre-election matters that could only be determined by the Federal High Court.
Chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, who read the ruling, upheld preliminary objections that all the Respondents raised to challenge the competence of the petition.
Justice Haruna noted that since the petition centered on the qualification or otherwise of President Tinubu to contest the presidential election that held on February 25, the APM, ought to have gone to court within 14 days after Tinubu was nominated by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He held that since the cause of action bordered on a pre-election matter, the APM, lacked the locus standi to challenge Tinubu’s nomination.
More so, Justice Tsammani held that the Supreme Court had earlier decided that a political party does not have the right to challenge a nomination that was made by another political party.
He held that section 131 and 237 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, made provisions for the qualification or disqualification of candidates in an election.
The court noted that the main grouse of the APM was on the alleged invalid nomination of Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima.
“It is clear that the claim of qualification it non qualification of the the 3rd Respondent (Tinubu) centered on alleged invalid nomination of the 4th Respondent (Shettima).
“It is a pre-election matter,” Justice Tsammani held.
He further held that section 84(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, stipulated that political parties should not impose qualification criteria on a candidate, except as provided for in the constitution.
According to the court, sections 65, 66, 106, 107, 131, 137, 185 and 187 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, settled the issue of qualification and nomination of a candidate for an election.
It held that where an election has already been conducted and result declared, the qualification of a candidate could no longer be challenged on the basis of sections 131 and 137 of the Constitution.
The court held that since the APM failed to challenge President Tinubu’s nomination within the constitutionally allowed period, its case, therefore, had become statute barred.
It held that where the constitution has qualified a candidate for an election, no other law can disqualify such candidate except the constitution itself.
The court held that the issue of double nomination as canvassed by the APM, was not a legally cognizable ground for disqualification.
Besides, the court held that it found no reason why Mr. Ibrahim Masari was cited as the 5th Respondent in the petition since he would not in any way be affected by the outcome of the case.
Consequently, it struck out his name from the petition.
The APM had in its petition marked: CA/PEPC/04/2023, argued that the withdrawal of Mr. Masari who was initially nominated as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the APC, invalidated Tinubu’s candidacy in view of Section 131(c) and 142 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The party argued that there was a gap of about three weeks between the period that Masari, who was listed as the 5th Respondent in the petition, expressed intention to withdraw, the actual withdrawal of his purported nomination, and the time Tinubu purportedly replaced him with Senator Kashim Shettima.
It further argued that Tinubu’s candidature had elapsed as at the time he nominated Shettima as Masari’s replacement.
According to the petitioner, as at the time Tinubu announced Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate, “he was no longer in a position, constitutionally, to nominate a running mate since he had ceased to be a presidential candidate of the 2nd Respondent having regards to the provisions of section 142 of the 1999 Constitution”.
The APM contended that Masari’s initial nomination activated the joint ticket principle enshrined in the Constitution, stressing that his subsequent withdrawal invalidated the said joint ticket.
It, therefore, prayed the court to declare that Shettima was not qualified to contest as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the APC as at February 25 when the election was conducted by INEC having violated the provisions the of Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“An order nullifying and voiding all the votes scored by Tinubu in the presidential election in view of his non-qualification as a candidate of the APC”.
As well as an order to set aside the Certificate of Return that was issued to the President by INEC, reliefs that were rejected by the court on Wednesday.
[Vanguard]
The Bishop of Anglican Communion Diocese of Makurdi, Rt. Rev. Dr. N. N. Inyom on Tuesday, cried to the Economic and Financial Crimes how workers they employ to work in the Church end up defrauding the Church.
The Bishop laid this complaint when he led a delegation to visit the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Commission.
He said, “One of my greatest frustrations in ministry, as a minister of God, is that those whom we employ to assist us in overseeing resources end up defrauding the Church and carting away huge sums of money meant for development of the Church.”
According to him, the church itself is grappling with the menace of corruption within its fold, and it’s this light that he expressed the Anglican Communion’s willingness to collaborate with the Commission in fighting corruption in the church.
Inyom said, “That Anglicans hold utmost respect for the pivotal role the Commission has been playing in safeguarding the financial integrity of our nation, which is not in doubt, your dedication to upholding the rule of law and combating economic and financial offences is truly commendable and has a positive impact on our society.
“We are here to interact with you, seeking ways of collaboration in terms of trying to understand the working of the Commission better and how it can relate with the Church especially in terms of handling issues of sharp practices that result in malpractices and misappropriation.”
He further urged the Commission to intensify public enlightenment on the menace of economic and financial crimes to discourage would-be offenders.
Former sporting director at Paris Saint-Germain, Leonardo, has admitted that Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé lacked support and recognition to create a winning environment during their time together in France.
The star-studded attacking trio won league titles at PSG the past two seasons, but failed to bring Champions League success to the club.
“People, they need to feel comfortable. These players need a state of good spirits, they need to feel support, they need to be recognised.
“And the ones who have do that are the club, us, and the coaches,” Leonardo told Brazilian publication Ge.
Mbappé is into the final year of his current contract at PSG, while Messi left the Ligue 1 champions this summer to join Inter Miami CF as a free agent. Neymar moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in a €90million transfer.
[DailyPost]
Global oil Brent crude rose to $89.3 a barrel for the first time in 10 months while US West Texas intermediate crude rose to $85.45 a barrel.
Expectations of tightening oil supplies have grown over Russia after it agreed to cut exports by 300 thousand barrels per day in September following a five hundred thousand barrels per day cut in the month of August.
Also, Saudi Arabia is expected to roll over a voluntary one million barrels per day cut into October this year.
[[Channels TV]
Bolanle Ninalowo, the Nollywood actor, has reacted to a viral video wherein he admitted to cheating on Bunmi, his estranged wife.
Last Friday, Ninalowo announced the end of his marriage with Bunmi.
The 43-year-old said he and Bunmi decided to “go our separate ways and headed for an irreconcilable marriage dissolution”.
He added that the pair, however, agreed to jointly take care of their children.
Shortly after Ninalowo’s announcement, a clip of the actor’s old interview resurfaced online.
In the video, Ninalowo opened up on his past marital struggles and how he overcame them.
He said at the early stage of their marriage, he did not provide the needed emotional support for Bunmi.
The movie star said he engaged in infidelity because he felt he was still young.
But reacting to the video on Monday, Ninalowo slammed “bloggers who are after clout”.
Ninalowo added that the video was filmed six years ago “before I restored the marriage that has now finally ended”.
“A conqueror does not speak! I owe no one no explanation for my life decisions!! Bloggers are simply hypocrites in thirst for clout!!” he wrote.
“Any interviews circulating of me are old from 6yrs ago which was before I restored the marriage that has now finally ended! Na me dey jubilate, na una dey worry. God wey help me go help una ooo…”
Ninalowo and Bunmi have two children — a boy and a girl.
[TheCable]
A suspected cyber fraudster, Precious Mayor, has been arrested by the officers of the Lagos State Police Command for alleged hostage-taking at Igbogbo in the Ikorodu area of the state.
Naija News gathered that the suspected fraudster was arrested alongside three other accomplices, identified as Prince Afam, Israel Simon, and Emmanuela Mayor.
The victims were said to have travelled from Imo State to receive instruction in cyber fraud from Precious Mayor in Lagos.
However, when they failed to meet their targets just a few days into their apprenticeship, Mayor reportedly confined them to a room and subjected them to physical harm.
The Lagos State Police Command arrested the suspect on Tuesday, August 26, along with three other individuals identified as his accomplices: Prince Afam, Israel Simon, and Emmanuela Mayor, who is Simon’s wife.
Confirming the incident in a chat with The Punch, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the arrested suspects have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
He said, “The victims were tortured and deprived of their freedom. The arrested suspects have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department.”
It is a foretaste
Of what has come to last:
Friends and family
Vanished and gone –
We will remain strong.
I am with your ghost again,
Still unable to dance or play
In the rain;
We were not to leave each other in pain.
This grief is compounded
By a lack of compassion,
We still harvest crocodile tears,
From some of our forebears.
Adiaha-Adiaha died and went to join you,
Increasing our number on your side,
But extending our misery on this side.
We watch and we pray,
Hoping that your last two kids will stay.
Children can no more go back to school,
Safety is no more guaranteed,
Neighbours now kill fellow neighbours;
Some of our friends and good buddies
Have turned up as dead bodies.
We remain a part
Of the chosen remnants
Of believers and tenants:
Will continue your unfinished work –
And will never bow down to Baal.
Orok Otu Duke
Duke Town
Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, has raised concerns over the role of the judiciary in determining election winners in Nigeria.
This is as he advised the judiciary against taking away the right of the people to determine poll winners.
He raised the concern at a press briefing held in his office in Ikoyi on Monday following the announcement by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja that it would deliver its judgment on Wednesday.
The tribunal, in a statement on Monday, announced it would on Wednesday deliver judgment on the petitions challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
But speaking at the briefing, George questioned why the judiciary had been making pronouncements to determine election winners rather than order INEC to to re-conduct the elections to aid the emergence of real winners.
He said, “Our country has been doing, very little positively and very much negatively. In the last few days, I have been thinking as a former military officer and as a civilian since I have served five presidents.
“Our electoral process is shambolic, nonsensical and makes the country nosediving. It is the manipulation of the system.
“A glitch on the day of the election is unforgivable but the INEC chairman told us they were ready but with what happened, generations to come will never forgive him.
“The most contentious issue in Nigeria today is the judiciary, it is one of the pillars of government. Is it right for the judiciary to tell us who won or lost the election? What we understand by democracy is Government of the people by the people and for the people but in our own case it shouldn’t be Government of the judiciary by the judiciary and for the judiciary. Is that democratic?
“It is the will of the people that should prevail. If you discover any wrong, ask them to go back and conduct a fresh election even if it takes a hundred times. The job of the judiciary is not to tell us who lost or who won.”
[Punch]
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, will today begin a two-day warning strike after shunning a meeting with the Federal Government over increasing hardship and suffering across the country caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
This came as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, yesterday warned that the strike will worsen the plights of ordinary Nigerians and urged NLC to shelve the action.
The NLC had on Friday, given notice of a two-day warning strike to protest the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment experienced around the country, threatening a total and indefinite shutdown of the economy within 14 working days or 21 days after the warning strike, if government did not take steps to address the hardship experienced across the country.
While briefing on Friday after its NEC’s meeting, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said: “NEC in session of NLC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and the impoverishment experienced around the country.”
Why NLC shunned meeting with FG
Though sources in the NLC leadership told Vanguard that the strike will go ahead, despite yesterday’s scheduled meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, it was gathered that a media briefing by the minister allegedly castigating labour leaders, ahead of the meeting, forced NLC leaders to shun the meeting that would have been held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Secretariat.
The minister was said to have threatened the NLC leaders at his briefing, foreclosing any chance that NLC would honour the meeting.
One of the visibly angry NLC leaders told Vanguard that the minister’s alleged outburst a few hours before the scheduled meeting put the final nail to NLC’s resolve to proceed with the strike as resolved by members of its National Executive Council, NEC, last Friday.
His words: “We were scheduled to meet the Minister of Labour and Employment later today (yesterday), precisely by 3 pm but a few hours to the meeting, the minister called a media briefing where he castigated us and threatened us among other uncomplimentary words.
“Not that the meeting would have stopped the strike, but we intended to attend the meeting in the spirit of social dialogue. But as you are aware, the Minister of Labour, before the scheduled meeting, held a media briefing castigating and threatening us.
‘’You do not expect us to attend a meeting when we had been warned of a possible arrest.
In fact, we thank the minister for putting us on notice of their plan. So, the right thing to do is to keep away from such meetings and avoid any possible arrest.
“What the minister had done was nothing short of industrial dictatorship and naked blackmail. The Federal Government had already taken decision on the proposed meeting, the minister was kind enough to hold a briefing ahead of the meeting to disclose part of the government’s decision.
‘’Well, like I said earlier, the strike goes ahead as planned. After Wednesday, we will determine what next steps to follow. The NEC’s communiqué was loud enough. We cannot continue as if we are living in a different country from our political leaders and their cronies.
‘’You cannot continue to beat us and say we should not cry. Everywhere you go in every part of the country; people are complaining of hardship and suffering without concrete efforts by government to lessen our pains. Instead, the government is unleashing more policies to send us to untimely death.”
Minister waits for NLC delegation
Expectedly, the Federal Government said it waited for the NLC to attend a negotiation meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Employment headquarters, but the Congress refused to attend.
Labour and Employment Minister, Lalong disclosed this at the meeting attended by the delegation of the Trade Union Congress, TUC of Nigeria.
The minister also said that the ministry was yet to receive any formal communication from the NLC on the proposed two-day warning strike.
He said the strike notice came when he was receiving briefing from the various departments in the ministry, adding that he had to suspend the briefings to convene the meeting with the NLC because of the urgency of the issue at hand.
His words: “In the last two or three days, while we were receiving our briefing from the ministry to set the ball rolling, we were confronted few days ago with the strike notice.
“Because of the urgency of that strike notice, we quickly summoned a meeting today (yesterday) and we conveyed a notice of this meeting to the NLC and I must apologize too that your own meeting came this morning and all of you attended because in the course of some of the issues that were raise,d we needed to sort them out and we believe that it was within our capacity to see if we can sort out some of these problems, even today.
“Because we raised our own point in our press conference earlier today that we just came on board, receiving our briefing to set the ball rolling but suddenly we are confronted with strike notice so we suspended the briefing to carry on with this headlong because some of the issues are issues that we are already getting briefing from our department.
“So we thought that by commencing this briefing we will have a headway in solving some of the problems . So just yesterday we also got information that the TUC also met but when we got the information, we said if that’s the case we will combine the TUC and the NLC so that we see all the issues and if possible treat those issues holistically.
“So that’s the purpose for this emergency meeting which we convened and I fixed the time for 3 pm so we kept on waiting for the NLC from three o’clock till this time we have not received any information about their attending the meeting but I am happy that the TUC is here.
“So, the purpose of this meeting like I said is to quickly address those issues that were raised and see the possibility of averting this strike action that is scheduled to be embarked upon by tomorrow.
“Although, I am sure up to today, we have not received any communication of any strike from the NLC.”
Strike will worsen plight of Nigerians, says Lalong
Earlier, the Federal Government had appealed to NLC to call off the planned strike, saying it would worsen the plights of Nigerians
Briefing journalists, Lalong pleaded with NLC leadership to allow all stakeholders to work towards amicable resolution of the contending issues on ground.
The Labour Minister said: “ I would like to reiterate my appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend their planned 2-day warning strike, and subsequent future actions, and to allow us to work together to amicably resolve these issues rather than embark on actions that would further worsen the conditions of the citizens of Nigeria.”
Acknowledging workers constraints, Lalong said the President stated several times that he is not unaware that the implementations of the vital but difficult policies come along with a measure of hardship for all of us citizens of this country.
According to him, “While some of these policies are being planned and fine-tuned, others are being rolled out as palliative measures to bring temporary relief to Nigerians. In the long run, the government of President Tinubu will put in place measures that will empower the people as well as create jobs and prosperity.
“As we continue in this direction, therefore, we must ensure that there is a robust line of communication with Nigerians and in particular the organised labour to forestall a breakdown of industrial peace which would no doubt reverse some of the gains already made.
“In this context, it has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to suspend its intended 2-days warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.
“Consequently, I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding. We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of the policies of government.”
On Police, NURTW conflict
Commenting on the brewing conflict between the Nigeria Police and the leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, he said the matter would be looked into without delay because with the subsisting laws of the Federation and international conventions that Nigeria is party to, I do not believe that this conflict is insurmountable.
His words: “Without prejudice to the fact that the Nigeria Police as a frontline internal security agency has its role to play in civil and criminal matters, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has its role to play in resolving industrial relations matters.
“Therefore, we shall engage both parties in dialogue to find the way forward on this problem. I believe that the NURTW which plays a very critical role in the economy will always work with not only the police but all other security agencies. This misunderstanding must therefore be dealt with immediately.”
“On the claims of violation of workers’ rights by some employers with regards to membership of unions in the Aviation sector, I am yet to receive a Trade Dispute Form properly submitted to my office on this matter as required by the Trade Disputes Act CAP 18, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
I wish to reiterate here that no one is above the law and as such, we shall do everything possible to ensure that all concerned act according to the dictates of existing legislation.”
On industrial crisis between Organised Labour with Imo and Abia State Governments, the minister said he had been informed that the NLC and these state governments had entered into collective agreements induced by industrial actions carried out by the leadership of the NLC in the states earlier in the year.
“I would also appeal for calm on this matter, to allow us follow the laid-down procedures of dispute resolution rather than confrontation, which has not yielded the desired results yet. We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect different results,” he said.
Baptist Convention warns NLC against hijack by hoodlums
Reacting to the planned warning strike, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, Reverend Israel Akanji, advised leaders of NLC not to allow hoodlums hijack its planned industrial action.
Speaking at the headquarters of the NBC in Ibadan, Oyo State, ahead of a special youth programme titled, “Arise Congress” fixed for the first week of September, Akanji said in as much as he was not against strike, care must be taken by the NLC leadership to prevent hoodlums from infiltrating their ranks.
“Strike can actually force government to adjust and do a proper thing. But what we always say is that if we are not careful, the strike will be hijacked by other people. It is because of the secondary effect of strike that we always say, as much as possible, that it should not take place.”
“Definitely, strike is not a condemnable thing in itself as long as it doesn’t lead to violence and destruction of life and property.
“Then, I will appeal to Federal Government to hasten the intervention it has in its plans because of the hardship people are going through. There is no nation that will grow without a measure of sacrifice. Short term pain will bring long term gain and every nation must endure some pains for things to be fixed properly.
“The government should hasten and do some things that will cushion the effects. I know President Tinubu that by virtue of what he did in Lagos as a governor, he has great plans but the plans are delayed and people are agitated.”
Rethink your stance on warning strike, 100 CSOs tell Labour
Also reacting, a coalition of 100 civil society groups called on NLC to call off its proposed strike.
The coalition, under the aegis of Project Nigeria, a statement by its President
Dr Kolawole Akinmosu, in Abuja, said it was in the best interest of the nation for organized labour to halt the planned industrial action.
While he conceded that labour’s grievances are legitimate, Akinmosu noted that President Tinubu had taken drastic steps to cushion the hardship of the fuel subsidy removal on the nation.
According to him, the appointment of Simon Lalong as Minister of Labour and Employment shows the President’s love for Nigerian workers.
Describing Lalong as labour-friendly, Akinmosu added that the former Plateau State governor understands the plight of the common man and will go to any length to meet the demands of labour.
Akinmosu, therefore, urged the NLC to rethink and instead embrace dialogue for the sake of the economy and the country’s survival.
“The Project Nigeria is a coalition of 100 pro-Nigerian civil society groups. We are non-partisan without religious or ethnic bias. Our interest is the nation.”
Judiciary workers to shut courts
Also, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, has ordered its members to shut down all courts in the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The association said the action was in line with the decision of the NLC, and TUC, to embark on a two-day warning strike over economic hardship that Nigerians are currently facing owing to the unplanned removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
JUSUN in a memo by its National Secretary, L. M. Adetola, directed all deputy president, zonal vice presidents, chairmen and secretary of all it’s branches and chapters, to ensure total lock down of all the courts as ordered “from Tuesday and Wednesday against the removal of subsidy without a palliative to cushion the effect or hardship resulting from the programme.
“To this end, you are advised to commence mobilization of your members in both the branches and chapters of our great union for the proposed action.”
[Vanguard]
President Olusegun Obasanjo, who twice led Nigeria — first as military head of state (1976-1979) and later as an elected civilian president (1999-2007) — can claim to have seen it all. Born on March 5, 1937, the 86-year-old retired general has been a constant in Nigeria’s history in and out of office, offering comments — even if controversially — on political and economic issues. In this interview with TheCable, he gives his opinions of a wide range of issues.
TheCable: Increasingly, we are witnessing an era of military coups in Africa again. What do you think is going on?
Obasanjo: In 2021, when Col Mamady Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha Condé of Guinea, I recall that I travelled to Conakry. I spent two nights there. The coup leader didn’t want to meet with me because he didn’t know what I would say. They said he was out of town, which was not true. But I met every other important government official. I met his No 2 and his speaker. I listened to them and concluded that we had a new phenomenon on our hands. I realised that they had the support of the youths and were not thinking of staying in power for four, five years. They are in for a generation.
When I noticed this, I went to Addis Ababa to meet the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. I told him that maybe he had not seen what I was seeing. That I saw this in Guinea Conakry. He said I was talking about Guinea Conakry, what about his own country, Chad? He said Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea Conakry, and Chad were thinking the same way and they were connected. I said that was a new phenomenon in Africa. I said I was the one who in 1999 advocated that if you are not a government backed by the constitution, you should be suspended from the African Union, and these chaps don’t even mind any suspension. I told him that all the instruments we had used in the past would not work and asked what he would do about it. He told me about his challenges, especially with his country. So we have a situation where we have a continent where we have to rethink democracy. The liberal democracy we are copying from settled societies in the West won’t work for us.
TheCable: What type of democracy would work for us?
Obasanjo: I don’t know. But we have seen that the liberal type of democracy as practised in the West will not work for us. We have to put our heads together.
TheCable: Some would say it is working in Nigeria, that it has survived 24 years…
Obasanjo: I won’t answer you (laughs).
TheCable: But what can work?
Obasanjo: You have to put your heads together to fashion it out. You can give it any name. But we have seen that this is not working. Out of the six countries that have experienced coups, three of them are directly from elections. Burkina Faso, Guinea Conakry, and Gabon that we have just had are directly from elections. The other three are indirect, if you like.
TheCable: Would you say ECOWAS could have handled the Niger coup differently?
Obasanjo: What I said about the Niger is now what we did with Gabon, not a threat of force. Tinubu said “we are watching”. In Niger, ECOWAS has beaten the drum, and they have seen that it didn’t work. The point is this: where in Africa have the people benefited from the dividends of democracy? Tell me.
TheCable: Maybe Botswana…
Obasanjo: You don’t know the inside of Botswana. Ian Khama, the former president, cannot go to Botswana today. His father was the first president. I worked with him. As they were settling down, I thought they were making progress because the president after his father was the one who became minister of finance. When I was military head of state, he used to come and visit us, and we would render assistance to them, and he later became vice president and president. The next one was the same way. Ian Khama, who became the head of the army, moved the same way. The one that succeeded him now is chasing him from pillar to post. That is not liberal democracy.
TheCable: What of Ghana?
Obasanjo: (laughs)
TheCable: Even if not in terms of dividends of democracy but liberal democracy…
Obasanjo: Maybe Namibia is the closest to it.
TheCable: Coming back home now. There is a raging issue regarding Mambilla hydropower over the award of a $6 billion contract to Sunrise Power by your government in 2003. It is now a subject of arbitration. Sunrise is asking for $2.3 billion in compensation, alleging breach of contract. But the federal government is arguing that the contract was invalid…
Obasanjo: Did you say my government awarded the contract to Sunrise?
TheCable: Dr Olu Agunloye, your minister of power in 2003, wrote to Sunrise announcing the award of the contract…
Obasanjo: Who gave him the authorisation? When I was president, no minister had the power to approve more than N25 million without express presidential consent. It was impossible for Agunloye to commit my government to a $6 billion project without my permission and I did not give him any permission. If a commission of inquiry is set up today to investigate the matter, I am ready to testify. I do not even need to testify because all the records are there. I never approved it. When he presented his memo to the federal executive council (on May 21, 2003), I was surprised because he had previously discussed it with me and I had told him to jettison the idea, that I had other ideas on how the power sector would be restructured and funded. I told him as much at the council meeting and directed him to step down the memo.
I find it surprising that Agunloye is now claiming he acted on behalf of Nigeria. If I knew he issued such a letter to Sunrise, I would have sacked him as minister during my second term. He would not have spent a day longer in office. When I was in office, Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise Power, ran away from Nigeria. I would have jailed him if he was in the country because of the things I knew about him. After I left office, he returned and I saw him. I told him that he was lucky I was no longer president. Otherwise, I would have jailed him.
TheCable: You took a different route over the power sector, coming up with the power sector reform and building power plants such as Geregu, Papalanto, and Omotosho. But the problems of the power sector remain. What else can we do?
Obasanjo: You can only get the power sector right when you get all the fundamentals in the power sector right. In 2006, we ordered 42 turbines that should have been completed if not by 2007 then in 2008. My target was 10,000 megawatts of power by 2007. Up till today, I understand that five of the turbines have yet to be installed. I have been out of the office for 16 years. If after 18 years when those turbines had been ordered, five have still not been installed, what are you talking about?
TheCable: One major issue was that the turbines could not be transported to location because of issues with bridge and water depth in some places. The feeling was that you did not do a proper assessment before ordering the turbines.
Obasanjo: We did what we should do before I left office. I targeted 10,000 megawatts but today, we are still struggling with 4,000. Then you had President Goodluck Jonathan doing privatisation. If that privatisation was done the way we did privatisation, it would have been okay for the country. When you see these things and still ask me the questions you ask, I feel like punching you (laughs).
TheCable: Let’s discuss the refineries. They are still not working…
Obasanjo: They will not work as long as the government is keeping hold of them. When I was president, I invited Shell to a meeting. I told them I wanted to hand over the refineries for them for help us run. They bluntly told me they would not. I was shocked. I repeated the request and they stood their ground. When the meeting was over, I asked their big man (MD) to wait behind for a little chat. Then I asked him why they were so hesitant on not taking over the refineries. He said did I want to hear the truth? I said yes. He listed four reasons. One, he said Shell makes its money from upstream and that is where its interest lies. Two, he said they only do downstream or retail as a matter of service. Three, he said our refineries would be bad business for them, that globally, companies are going for bigger refineries because of the economics of refineries. Four, he said there is too much corruption in refineries.
I thanked him for his honesty. I knew we had a big problem in our hands. I had virtually given up hope on the refineries when God did a miracle. Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola approached me and said they would be interested in buying two of the four refineries. They said they would buy 51 percent stake in Port Harcourt and Kaduna. I was over the moon. I said, finally, this burden would be taken off the neck of the government. They offered $761 million and paid in two instalments. Unfortunately, Umaru (President Yar’Adua) cancelled the sale and returned the refineries to NNPC. Today, we are still where we were. Someone told me Tinubu said refineries would work by December. I told the person the refineries would not work. This is based on the information I received from Shell when I was president.
TheCable: When you were military head of state, you believed in state ownership. You were a changed man when you returned as president in 1999. What happened?
When I was military head of state, we ordered 19 new ships to be built for the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), which was owned by the federal government. We had about five at the time, and with 19, we were to have 24 ships. We took delivery of some before we left office. President Shehu Shagari took delivery of the remaining balance. When I returned after 20 years, the shipping line had been liquidated. Not one ship left. Let me tell you the story of one of the ships. They sold it for half a million dollars. Then, they started the Oron merchant navy school and needed a ship for training. They bought the ship they had sold for half a million dollars for $2 million and spent another $1.5 million to refit it so it could be seaworthy.
The ship went on the first voyage a week after I became president in 1999. One of the first things they brought to me was that the ship had been arrested for not being seaworthy and that I should bring $1 million to pay as fine for the ship that had been detained. I requested that they allow me time to look at the issues, and when I studied the issues, I told them to inform those who arrested the ship that I had gifted them the ship. The following day, the ship was released without Nigeria paying a dime. You can guess what happened there.
We left 32 aircraft for Nigerian Airways in 1979, but we had only one serviceable aircraft 20 years after I left office. When you look at that and what happened to Nigerian Airways, some directors formed an offshore company, and it was the company that they gave the maintenance and repairs to. The same company would then engage the people that would actually carry out the maintenance and repairs. The payment would be to the offshore company who, in turn, did not pay the contractors. When I returned in 1999, I took a stance that I didn’t owe Nigerians an airline. What I owed Nigerians was secure and safe traveling. So, when they talked about this Nigeria Air project, you would know it is nonsense. When I say certain things, people say Obasanjo has started again. It is because I know what I am talking about.
TheCable: Our economy is currently in a bad shape with a heavy debt burden. With your experience, how do you think we can come out of this?
Obasanjo: Tinubu said the other day that it was unacceptable that he would spend 90% of revenue to service debts. I wasn’t spending 90% when I went worldwide to get debt relief. Do you think that anybody would give you debt relief today? Buhari was spending money recklessly. I know Buhari didn’t understand economics. I put that in my book. But that he could also be so reckless, I didn’t know. Who would you go to today and ask for a favor? Tinubu says he has trimmed the number of people attending the United Nations General Assembly. Is that news? He will meet with Justin Trudeau, and he will meet with Emmanuel Macron. That will not solve any problem.
TheCable: You’ve pointed to a number of your policies reversed or abandoned by President Yar’Adua. Since he was never an insider in your government, why did you support him to be your successor?
Obasanjo: See, I set up a committee headed by Dr Olusegun Agagu, of blessed memory, to search for a successor. They considered many names and did an extensive assessment on all of them. They made their recommendation. Umaru was top on the list. Their biggest argument in his favour was that he had integrity and would not steal. The issues concerning his health were raised and I gave his medical reports to an expert for an opinion. Umaru’s name was redacted so that the expert would not know who it was and why I was seeking his opinion. After assessing the reports, he said the patient appeared to have done a kidney transplant and if that was the case, there was nothing to worry about and he would be as healthy as any other person. That was it. All insinuations that I knew he was going to die and that was why I supported him to be president were false. This is the true story I have told you.
[TheCable]
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An Upper Area Court in Kwara State has adjourned the hearing of a preliminary objection application filed by an Isese (traditional religion) practitioner and activist, Adegbola Abdulazeez, aka Tani Olorun.
Recall that the Police had arrested and detained three Isese adherents, Adegbola Abdulazeez, aka Tani Olorun; Madam Efunsetan Abebi Aniwura Olorisha, aka lya Osun; and Chief Ademola Olawoore, aka Baba Tede.
The three Isese adherents were remanded in a correctional facility in Ilorin, Kwara State, for allegedly insulting prominent Muslim clerics of the state.
They were arrested and remanded for allegedly planning to start a war in Ilorin city, the Kwara State capital, by “inviting other traditional and idol worshippers to assemble in Ilorin on the 20th of August, 2023.”
However, at Monday’s hearing, one of Tani Olorun’s lawyer, Demola Solesi, said the preliminary objection was to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.
He told SaharaReporters, “The business before the court was a preliminary objection to the jurisdiction of the court. We are not filing the bail application yet because it will amount to admitting that the court has jurisdiction over the case.”
According to the platform, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and some security agencies were seen hovering around the court in the morning to beef up security ahead of the hearing.
It was learned that no fewer than six police vehicles and armed personnel were stationed around the court.
The United Kingdom (UK) has updated its travel requirements for people wishing to enter the country.
The UK on Monday, September 4, announced that Nigerians and other citizens, except British and Irish nationals, wishing to enter the country must apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The new rule becomes effective from November 15, 2023, and applies to everyone, including children.
The new travel rule means that all visa applicants wishing to travel to the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) card before they enter or transit through the country,
The UK home office said persons who need the travel permit are those who were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa and not already legally resident in the UK.
Also listed are those on visits shorter than six months, business people, tourism, and those visiting family and friends.
Applicants are required to apply online before booking any travel to the UK. Once granted, it will be valid for multiple journeys over two years or until the passport one is applying with expires.
According to the UK Home Office, travellers with valid visas may not be allowed to board without a valid ETA, as the ETA is digitally linked to travellers’ passports.
A statement from the UK office reads: “The UK travel requirements are changing. Except for British and Irish citizens, everyone, including children who enter or transit through the UK, will soon require permission before they travel.
“This means that if you were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa and not already legally resident in the UK, you will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), your stay must be shorter than six months and could include tourism or visiting family and friends, transit, business, and short term study.
“You do not need to show a paper copy, but it may be helpful to prove the confirmation email for your own records while an ETA grants you permission to travel to the UK, it does not grant you entry. So, you would still need to go through passport control at the border to enter the UK. “Make sure you show the same passport you used to apply for your ETA and that your passport is valid for the whole of your stay.”
Prominent Nollywood actor, Bolanle Ninalowo, has issued a stern warning to false report peddlers, cautioning them against disseminating fake information about his personal life, particularly regarding his recent separation from his ex-wife, Bunmi.
He emphasized that he owes no one an explanation for his private choices and the dissolution of his marriage.
Last week, Ninalowo announced the end of his 16-year-old marriage with his wife, Bunmi, for the second time. He shared the disheartening news with his followers on Instagram, stating that they had decided to go their separate ways due to irreconcilable differences.
Since the announcement of their separation, there has been widespread speculation about the reasons behind their decision. Some insinuated infidelity, while others have suggested domestic violence as a potential cause.
“How Toyin Abraham snubbed me after begging me not to end it all in 2016” – Twyse
However, in a recent post on his Instagram story, Ninalowo asserted that a true conqueror remains silent and does not feel obligated to justify his life choices to anyone. He accused bloggers of hypocrisy, claiming they were only seeking attention.
Ninalowo wrote:
“A conqueror doesn’t speak! I owe no one no explanation for my life decisions!! Bloggers are simply hypocrites in thirst for clout!!
“Any interviews circulating of me are old from 6yrs ago which was before I restored the marriage that has now finally ended! Na me dey jubilate, na una dey worry. God wey help me go help una 000…”
See the post below:
On the other hand, Bunmi, the ex-wife of Bolanle Ninalowo, responded after her former spouse publicly announced the sudden separation of their marriage via Instagram.
The couple, who had previously reconciled after a history of separation, have left their admirers in shock with this unexpected announcement.
Bunmi’s reaction to her ex-husband’s announcement was notable as she swiftly deactivated her Instagram account, presumably to shield herself from the scrutiny and questions of worried users.
The Lagos house of assembly has constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged missing of the small intestine of Adebola Akin-Bright, a 12-year-old boy, hospitalised at the State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
According to NAN, Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house of assembly, inaugurated the committee during the plenary on Monday.
In a recent viral video, a woman who identified herself as Deborah Abiodun called on Nigerians and the Lagos governor to intervene in the health issue of her son.
In the video, Abiodun said the boy had earlier undergone surgery after he was diagnosed with a ruptured appendix at a private hospital at Ile Epo in Lagos.
She said her son suffered complications that resulted in intestinal obstruction after the surgery, adding that his intestine started leaking seven days after a second operation at the same facility.
Obasa said the committee is mandated to investigate the issue and report back to the house in the next two weeks.
He named Noheem Adams, majority leader, as the chairman, while members are Temitope Adewale, Steve Ogundipe, Surajudeen Tijani, and Lawal Musibau.
The speaker also commended Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, for visiting the 12-year-old.
Obasa said the governor’s action was a reflection that the Lagos government is responsive and caring.
“It shows the governor is caring for him to have visited mother and child at the hospital and the promise he made which gives hope. It is commendable,” he said.
“However, it is important to have a system in place to ensure a structure that curtails any challenge that affects institutions in the state, therefore, it is necessary that we get to the root of the problem.”