By Emmanuel Mogbede

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has tasked Nigerians to shun all kinds of protests ahead of the 2023 general election.

The Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria recently announced plans to redesign the country’s currency. The citizens were asked to surrender all old notes in their possession particularly the higher N1,000, N500 and N200 denominations.

“Unfortunately the ongoing naira swap became a booby trap particularly as it has been accompanied by a protracted fuel scarcity.

‘’The timing of the exercise has led us to suspect a grand provocation ploy as Nigerians who surrendered their old naira notes were later denied access to both the old and the new. This ugly development led to widespread hunger and general suffering.

“The tendency is for the atmosphere to become explosive and already there have been pockets of demonstrations in one or two places particularly in the South West,’’ Akintola said.

He added: ‘’However, there is a strong suspicion that naira swap and the attendant artificial scarcity are booby traps aimed at goading Nigerians to anger. They expect the youth to troop to the streets.

“We must not fall for it. This is the grand plan of some selfish political shenanigans and capitalist comprador bourgeoisie whose ambition is to hold the masses in their vice grip till kingdom come. Greedy bank officials have leveraged on the situation by hoarding the new naira notes and turning it into an opportunity for self-aggrandisement. It is the height of sadism.

“The aim of these wicked political charlatans is to manipulate the crisis once demonstrations begin. They plan to hijack the demonstrations, turn it into a viciously violent exercise and attack certain public figures as well as public properties. 

“It is at this point that they plan to announce an indefinite postponement of the general elections and introduce an interim government. A military coup may also be on the table if the plan for an interim government fails to work.

“We therefore appeal to Nigerians to eschew public protest in all its ramifications. Election is just sixteen days away. If we are patient, we will be able to peacefully elect leaders of our choice.

‘’On the other hand, we may play into the hands of agents provocateur and end up with an interim government or a military coup d’etat. But election is just a stone’s throw away. Therefore, let us be peaceful and endure until Feb. 25.

“On a last note, we advise the army to keep off. Involvement in politics is antithetical to professionalism in the military.

”Nigeria has more than enough security challenges to keep the army busy and any attempt to delve into politics will be like chewing more than the military can swallow. It will only compound the country’s problems”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Mr Leo Nkah, former president, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ebonyi Chapter, says the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu deserves to return to the Senate based on his quality representation.

He described Kalu as a lawmaker with a wealth of experience needed to befittingly represent Abia North Senatorial District.

“A former student activist, an erstwhile member House of Representatives, an eight-year governor of a state, an accomplished business man and now a sitting senator.

“His people stand to gain more in federal infrastructure based on the fact that like wine, representation at the parliament gets better with years as no door can be shut at a personality like Kalu,’’ Nkah said.

According to him, Kalu is needed by people at the grassroots who earnestly yearn for true representation based on his track records and friendly disposition to the cause of returning local governments to their true destinies.

“Orji Kalu has also been known to speak for the cause of Ndigbo in the past in spite of the persecution it had attracted to him.

“So, it will be a minus for Ndigbo to lose such a voice in the Senate,’’ he said.

Providing a list of bills and motions sponsored by Kalu since he was elected a senator, Nkah said that the 51 bills and 28 motions were geared towards improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Some of them include: Citizens Welfare Bill 2022, Bill to Amend the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and a Bill to Provide for Increased Funding of Basic Education in Nigeria Bill 2022.

Others were: A Bill to Provide for the Establishment of Federal College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu and the Federal Polytechnic Abiriba, Abia State Establishment Bill 2022.

Kalu, 62, assumed office as the Senator representing Abia North on June 11, 2019. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ruth Oketunde

Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a Pan-African social enterprise, says it plans to deploy digital toolkits and engage fact checkers, to ensure that only accurate information are disseminated before, during and after the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

Mr Sani Suleiman, Program Assistant, PIN, said this at a media parley organised to address digital rights violations in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that the plan was to ensure that information provided on the social media by individuals and politicians were verified and corrected where necessary.

“We have developed AYETA which is an online toolkit for digital security. It was designed to provide users with tools and resources they need to protect their online privacy and security.

“This is particularly important in the run-up to the coming elections where access to information and the ability to communicate freely online is essential for a transparent election process,” he said.

Speaking, Mr Adeboye Adegoke, Senior Manager, Strategy, PIN, said that for the country to have a seamless electoral process, digital rights of the citizens must be respected.

“This meeting is a pan-african meeting and we hold it in every African country, holding an election.

“But what we know is that across Africa, it is very common for internet to be shut down, but we are calling on the government not to fall for that temptation.

“So let the platform of communication be left open so that people have access to alternative news and people can trust in the credibility of the election,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, PIN, said that there was need to preserve digital rights during the election, as the internet had become an indispensable tool for political discourse.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Inuwa

By Stephen Adeleye

Sen. Bola Tinubu, the Presidential Candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has promised to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Complex Ltd. and to dredge River Niger, if elected president.

Tinubu gave the assurance at the APC Kogi mega rally on Wednesday at Confluence Stadium Lokoja.

”I assure you that hope is here, Ajaokuta steel will be resuscitated and running, the dredging of River Niger will be done and agriculture will be our means of livelihood and prosperity.

”The North-Central zone has potential of great mineral resources, industrialisation, fabrication and industrial development,” Tinubu said.

The APC presidential candidate assured the people of a flourishing quality education, industrialisation and progress.

Tinubu commended the APC supporters in Kogi for mobilising themselves and managing to get to the stadium for the mega rally.

”Let me assure you that this your sacrifice will not go in vain. I thank you all,” he said.

Tinubu, however, urged the people to consolidate their support for the party to come out on Feb. 25 to cast their votes for APC candidates at all levels.

Earlier, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, said that the state had done it for APC in 2019 and would do it again from the top to bottom.

The governor assured the people that Tinubu would check insecurity in the country.

Bello maintained that the mega rally was a form of referendum for APC, saying, ”Kogi is no go area for other parties”.

NAN reports that governors at the rally included that of Jigawa Gov. Mohammed Badaru — Jigawa, Gov. Abubakar Bello — Niger and Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrasak — Kwara, among other members of APC Presidential Campaign Committe
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Angela Okisor/Kayode Olaitan

Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele 

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the nation’s judiciary to stand up in defence of democracy ahead of the Feb 25 and March 11 elections.

Bamidele made the call in Abuja, on Wednesday during a one-day special hearing on “The extent of implementation of the Electoral Act, 2022 ahead of the conduct of the 2023 general election”.

The session was organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with support from the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Bamidele, also the Chairman, Southern Senators Forum, while tasking other stakeholders on the same vain said that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the elections are conducted as scheduled.

He said: “The nation is at crossroads; and all stakeholders must stand up in defence of our democracy.

“Two stakeholders stand out. The INEC to stand on its feet and do its best and the judiciary.

“This is because when the political class has come to hold the nation to ransom as it appears now, it is the judiciary that has to stand up and save the nation from the jugular of the political class.”

Bamidele also suggested that the National Assembly needs to rework the electoral act to ensure that grey areas are addressed.

“There is the need for us to go back to the drawing board and rework the electoral act as it is.

“However, in the meantime, we have a law that if it is sincerely implemented by all stakeholders, by all parties concerned, it should lead us somewhere.

“But that is not to say it is yet Uhuru. In some of the provisions in the law; we mean well to the extent that we disenfranchise ourselves in an attempt to get things right.

“I’m not aware that any member of the National Assembly was able to vote as a delegate in their own political party primaries”

On the lingering crisis over the scarcity of naira, Bamidele charged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to live up to expectations of Nigerians and stop acting like a threat to democracy.

He also raised concerns about the hardship which Nigerians are currently undergoing in accessing their money through the banks.

“The CBN told us at the beginning of the policy that the targets were the so-called moneybags who stashed away billions in their closets. We thought those are the people they want to get at.

“We have now seen that it is the ordinary man on the streets. They are sleeping in the banking halls because they cannot have access to the little money they have. We must understand the political economy of an electoral process.

“People are thinking of the money politicians would spend on vote buying, they don’t know that political parties would also mobilise people to all the polling units as agents, just like the INEC would mobilise personnel.

“Today, the CBN is assuring Nigerians that it would provide money for INEC if they need more money.

“Are we saying that INEC must rely on the intervention of the CBN for it to perform?

“If the police run into logistics problems, would they also run to CBN for selective intervention?

“We are fighting Boko Haram, if the military authorities could not access funds from their banks, they will also need to approach the CBN for selective intervention?

“These are issues and as a stakeholder, the CBN is the most outstanding threat to these elections holding as scheduled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Secretary to INEC, Mrs May Agbamuche, spoke on behalf of Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

She said that the commission had no intention whatsoever to postpone the elections.

According to her, INEC has already carried out 12 steps out of 14 listed to conduct the elections.

She said the commission would conduct free, fair, credible and transparent elections.
.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Abdul Hassan/ Bashir Rabe Mani

A group, ‘Compatriots’ has parleyed with some presidential candidates in Nigeria calling for the conduct of free, fair and credible general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential candidates included those of the PRP, LP, SDP, PDP and APC, among others.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting by the group on Wednesday in Abuja said it was part of its contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

The communique was signed by the group’s Chairman and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Obong Victor-Attah.

The communique said: ”INEC’s integrity and competence should be protected by all the stakeholders and Nigerians.

”It is necessary, however, to insist on the utilisation of capacities that represent independent audit of its systems and processes from now until the elections.

”Candidates and their supporters should recognise that all Nigerians look forward to these elections as being the one that will produce a leadership that will make a difference between further decline and sustainable greatness.

”A decent contest, a credible election and a peaceful transition to great leadership from all three arms of government.

”Nigerians expect a decent contest, a credible election and a peaceful transition to great leadership from all three arms of government.”

The group also urged that losers should accept defeat or seek redress in the courts, adding that at all costs, the elections must be held.

”And we must avoid throwing the country into crises over the elections,” the communique further appealed.

The Compatriots also urged that all Nigerians who have registered should be availed of opportunities to vote.

The communique continued: ”This includes allowing those who are legally registered to collect their PVCs and improving the security environment so that it does not disenfranchise voterson election days.

”The judiciary has a vital role in improving the quality of our democratic process, and these elections will provide it with an opportunity to exercise its responsibility with the highest level of integrity and impartiality.

”Government should take steps to relieve the citizens of the severe difficulties under which they live at the moment.

”This will greatly improve the atmosphere under which the elections will be held.”

The group further noted that students in tertiary institutions represent a critical segment in the entrenchment of our democracy, urging, ”the government should give them opportunities to vote in the elections.

”Politicians should recognise that the elections are about the citizen’s right to freely exercise choices and not just about the ambitions of the contestants.

”Nigerians are worried about negative campaigns which include damaging rhetoric and
actions which strip contestants, one of whom we expect to be elected President soon, of dignity and respect.

”More Nigerians should be given opportunities to see contestants discuss issues and contest ideas and strategies in the most mature manner as was witnessed at this meeting.

”For the new government to enjoy legitimacy and general support from the citizens, among other things, there must be an emphasis on ensuring credible elections,” the communique said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Campaign

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The  All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, has announced the suspension of its campaign activities ahead of the forthcoming elections due to fuel scarcity and cash crunch occasioned by the Naira redesign.

The Lagos state Chairman of the party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, made the announcement in a statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Seye Oladejo, on Tuesday.

Ojelabi said the decision was reached due to the scarcity of fuel and pain caused by the Naira redesign.

The chairman said that the party empathised with the general public, especially the downtrodden who were at the receiving end.

According to him, it will be insensitive to forge ahead with the various rallies with the situation of things.

Ojelabi said that members of APC were not immune against the development, adding that he had been inundated with several complaints.

“I joined my voice with those of other well-meaning Nigerians to call for the review of the Naira redesign policy to give it a human face and ameliorate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

The chairman appealed that petroleum products should be made available in order not to jeopardise the preparation for the elections and reduce the negative economic impact.

He enjoined all Lagos residents to remain law abiding as all issues would be resolved in due course.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Oct. 26, 2022, announced the introduction of redesigned N200, N500 and N1,000 notes into the financial system.

The scarcity of the new notes and fuel scarcity has continued to disrupt business activities across Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Naomi Sharang

The Coordinator, Benue Voters in Diaspora (BVD), Mr Bright Ogaji says the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, would emerge victorious at the Feb. 25 Presidential election in spite of stiff opposition.

To this end, he said that the people of Benue would deliver over one million votes for the party ‘s presidential candidate.

He made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ogaji, who was an aspirant for the Benue South Senatorial District primaries of the party, said that contrary to opinions from some quarters, Atiku would poll over one million votes from Benue.

He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had confirmed total registered voters in Benue to be 2.7 million.

According to Ogaji, the turnout at Atiku’s rally in Makurdi and the level of mobilisation by various PDP stakeholders both home and in the diaspora, is a testament that the PDP’s candidate would sweep Benue at the poll.

He said: “I have seen the level of love and acceptability from the people. With what I saw at the rally, Atiku is the man to beat and nothing would stop Benue people from giving him over a million votes.

“I know it’s very difficult to believe owing to what people have been saying and hearing about Benue, but the power lies with the voters.

“You can see from the massive turnout today and I kid you not, we the registered voters in the diaspora are also mobilising our people at home to give their support to Atiku Abubakar. He is the best for now.

“Some of our members who registered in Lagos, Abuja and other areas of residence before leaving Nigeria, have already transferred their voting power to Benue.

“For some of us, we registered right here in Benue and our PVCs are in thousands. We shall speak with one voice, come Feb.25 and return Atiku as our next President.

“Benue has always been delivering for PDP and this time around, it’s going to be massive, unprecedented,” Ogaji said.

Ogaji, a US-based philanthropist and former Chairman, Oju Local Government Council, added that, “unlike in 2019, when PDP’s Atiku polled 355, 355 against the APC’s 347,668; the people of Benue would give the PDP’s candidate a landslide votes, over one million votes is guaranteed for him”.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza