*2023: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Reacts As Atiku Picks Okowa As Running Mate*
The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as the running mate of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
It was earlier reported that Atiku announced Okowa as his running mate at the National Secretariat of the opposition party in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Atiku revealed that he chose Okowa because he has the qualities to be the President and has an appreciation of the deep rot in which the country has been put into.
Atiku added that he chose Okowa because he is dedicated, trustworthy, and reliable and would support him wholeheartedly to steer the country to greater heights.
In a statement released by the group’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze claimed that the PDP and Atiku would lose the 2023 general elections for choosing Okowa as his running mate.
The group stated that Okowa’s choice will decline PDP’s fortunes in Delta and Southern Nigeria, adding that his emergence has ruined the opposition party’s chances in 2023.
Ohanaeze alleged that Okowa, who sabotaged the Southern Governors’ agenda will never be trusted for the votes of Ndigbo.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has described the nomination of Delta State Governor as the PDP running mate to Atiku Abubakar as a chaotic selection for a party not ready to win the 2023 elections.
“Ifeanyi Okowa is a minus for Atiku, as his choice will decline PDP’s fortunes in Delta and Southern Nigeria, a man who misled the Southern Governors’ agenda will never be trusted for the votes of Ndigbo. Igbos will never vote Atiku and Okowa”.
“Southeast knows the political directions to go in 2023, but certainly not the PDP.”
“Ndigbo will decide the political direction to go but not the PDP, for shunning the southeast, Atiku will face the consequences of his actions,” the statement read in part.
*Petrol Price May Increase To N180/Litre In Lagos, Ibadan, Other S/W Areas*
Residents living in the South-West parts of the country might witness an increase in fuel prices after the South West zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said on Wednesday that it may direct its members in the zone to increase the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (P.M.S), as well as the A.G.O popularly known as Diesel.
This decision is predicated on the non-readiness of the appropriate federal government’s regulatory agency to address the continuous non-supply of the products to its members.
Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, IPMAN’s Zonal Chairman, made the announcement while speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
He claimed that his members had been unable to obtain supplies of the products from any of the six government-owned depots for the past six months, forcing them to purchase from private depot owners who had continued to take advantage of the situation.
The federal government’s depots in Mosimi, Sagamu, Ogun State, as well as those in Ibadan, Lagos, Ore, Ondo State, and Ilorin, Kwara State capital, had all refused to load any of the Independent Marketers, according to Tajudeen.
Read also: BUSINESS ROUNDUP: Petrol price jumps by 8.73%; CBN fines 10 banks N7.02trn for weak deposit; Other stories
According to him, this development has forced his members to begin buying from private depot owners since January 2022.
The IPMAN Zonal Chairman went on to say that because the products were not available at government depots, these private depot owners opted to raise the loading price to between N157 and N158, “minus the transportation cost to our various destinations.
“So, by the time we add the cost of transportation to the purchasing amount, we will be arriving at a sum above N165, which is the government approved pump dispensing price.
“But sad enough, the regulatory agency appeared incapacitated to control and compel these private depot owners to sell at government’s approved price for us.
“As at today, the purchasing price of diesel has increased by 400%. Again, I want members of the general public to know that cost of transporting the product ranges between N6 to N8 and N10 depending on where the products are being transported to from the Lagos private depot where we make purchases.
“I wish to equally intimate you that making purchases from these private depot owners is not the ultimate end, we also have some overhead costs to bear like running an electricity generator to power our filling stations; paying the staff salaries, as well as servicing the bank loans among other costs.
“So, by the time we have to add the cost of transportation with the purchasing amount, this situation clearly implied that we as independent marketers will be left with no other option than to dispense the products for nothing lesser than N175 to N180 for customers in the Lagos to Ibadan axis, while those within the Ogbomoso and Ilorin axis may have to buy at a dispensing pump price of N200 per litre.
“Now, we want to let members of the general public to be aware that the fault is not coming from our end, rather, it is the failure of the regulatory agency to direct the government’s depots to sell the products for us at their depots and at the government’s approved price.”
*Atiku Announces Okowa As Running Mate, Reveals Reasons For Choice*
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has officially announced Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.
Atiku officially unveiled Okowa as his running mate at the party’s National Secretariat after the Delta governor was screened and cleared by a Screening Committee on Thursday.
Okowa had earlier arrived at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja to attend the vice-presidential screening exercise scheduled by the National Working Committee (NWC).
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Atiku revealed that he chose Okowa because he has the qualities to be the President and has an appreciation of the deep rot in which the country has been put into.
The PDP Presidential candidate added that he chose Okowa because he is dedicated, trustworthy, and reliable and would support him wholeheartedly to steer the country to greater heights.
Atiku also said he is hopeful that Okowa would help him and the party regain power in the 2023 presidential election and eject the APC from Aso Rock.
Atiku added that the Delta governor is someone who is not afraid to speak his mind and give honest advice, adding that he is happy to pick Okowa after much consultation.
He said: “It is a difficult decision that I am called to take. But, as someone hoping to lead a complex country such as ours, tough and difficult decisions would remain a part of my everyday life.
“Let me, therefore, start this momentous journey with a crucial decision about who, among the eminently qualified shortlist, would be my Running Mate.
“Accordingly, let me state that the person I have chosen as my Running Mate possesses all those identified qualities. He personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country but also the future that our young people yearn for and deserve.
“He is a serving State Governor who has demonstrated, in his State and through his conduct, that governance is about service to the people.
I know that he will not only add excitement to our already energized ticket and campaign but will also help to bring focus, discipline and stability to our government, come 2023.
“I am pleased, therefore, to announce here my choice of Running Mate who will help to lead us to victory next year not only in the Presidential election but also in the governorship and legislative elections. And he will be by my side as I work hard every day to provide our people with security, revive our economy, improve education and unite our country.
“He has both Legislative and Executive experience. Please join me in welcoming to the ticket the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
“You know him to be a fighter; you know him to care about winning; you know him to care about good governance, and you know him to care about our people. Now, my dear friends, let’s do the disciplined hard work necessary to win this election. Let’s go.”
*Police Rescues Abducted Wife Of APC Chairman In Niger*
Police operatives in Niger have rescued Habiba Baffa, the abducted wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Magama Local Government area of the state, Usman Baffa.
The politician’s wife was abducted from her home in the Tunga area of Minna on Sunday.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdu Umar, confirmed the development to journalists on Thursday.
He said: ”The attention of men of the command was drawn on Wednesday, at about 1400hrs, by the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, a woman named Habiba Baffa, was found in Kano motor park.
“The woman was rescued and brought to the command. During profiling, it was discovered that she was abducted by four unknown gunmen to an unknown destination only to find herself in Borno.
“The husband was contacted through the help of the victim where he came from Niger to reunite with his wife.”
*2023: I May Be The Next Senate President – Candidate Who Refused To Step Down For Lawan*
Bashir Machina, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Yobe North Senatorial District, on Wednesday said he might be the next Senate President come 2023.
This is coming at the time Machina insisted he won’t step down for Senate President, Ahmad Lawan who was defeated in the party’s presidential primary.
Lawan having lost the APC presidential ticket hoped to pick up the ticket of Yobe North Senatorial District which he has represented for 15 years, but Machina failed to step down for him.
Machina in an interview with Leadership stated that he is going to the Senate to improve upon Lawan’s performance.
He said, “We were lucky that our senator became the Senate President. By becoming the Senate President there’s nothing… Any Senator can be the Senate President. I may likely be the next Senate President. Who knows? I was in the National Assembly long before Ahmad.”
Speaking on the call to withdraw for Lawan he said, “Surely, I am not going back. I wrote a letter to the party to say I am staying in the race. There is nowhere in the party guidelines that says the ticket should at any time be given to someone that didn’t participate in the primary.
“The voluntary withdrawal form was attached to the nomination form which was about 16 pages. Form 15 is a withdrawal form, so I simply left it. I didn’t fill it because I felt I was not going to withdraw from the contest. And there is no place in the form that says he must fill all the forms.”
He added that if Lawan was serious about his place in the Senate he would not have contested for the presidency.
*2023: Why We Approved Okowa As Atiku’s Running Mate – PDP Screening Committee Spills*
The Vice Presidential Candidate Screening Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has shed more light on how Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa emerged as the party’s Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 election.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, the Chairman of the committee, Chief Tom Ikimi explained that Okowa checked all the boxes for the individual that should be the Vice Presidential candidate for the party.
Recall the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar earlier on Thursday, officially announced Okowa as his running mate after the Delta State Governor was screened by the party’s committee.
Speaking on their choice, Ikimi told reporters shortly after the announcement that Okowa is a seasoned politician and administrator who was found to be capable and level-headed by the committee.
He added that he possesses all the right qualifications which will guarantee that the party does not run into any legal trouble in the future.
“Okowa has served in many capacities in the public service of Delta State as well as local government council of that state.
“He also served as an honourable commissioner at one time in that state and in fact, he served as the senator representing one of the senatorial districts of the state.
“The business of this committee was to ensure that he has the right qualifications because we are not interested in going to court after the election as people will be challenging those who are qualified or those not qualified.
“The committee found out that he is fully qualified. He is healthy, cool headed and willing to embrace all others who got tested over this position with him so that we have peace and stability in the party,” Ikimi said.
*Yobe Deputy Governor’s Children Die In Borno Suto Crash*
The Yobe State Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, last Saturday lost his two children in an auto crash along the Maiduguri-Kano Road in Borno State.
The victims were simply identified as Khadija, 16, and his seven-year-old son, Mai Mala Buni Jnr.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Mai Suleh, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
He added that Khadija who was fondly called Siyama was buried at the Damagum cemetery in Fune Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.
The statement read: “The funeral prayer for the late Khadija (Siyama) the daughter of the state Deputy Governor, His Excellency Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), was held today at the Palace of Mai Fune in Damagum, led by the chief Iman Yobe mosque and Islamic Center Damaturu, Ustas Hudu Mohammad Yusuf, after which the body was laid to rest at Damagum cemetery.
“Late Siyama and other members of her family were involved in a motor accident on Saturday, June 11, 2022, in which her seven-year-old younger brother, Mai Mala Buni Junior, died on the spot, while she was rushed to Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano, for treatment on the injuries she sustained during the accident. As fate would have it she died today, Thursday, and has been buried according to Islamic injunctions.
“Aged 16, late Siyama Idi Barde is survived by her parents, brothers and sisters.”
*How Yahaya Bello, APC Kogi Chairman Worked Against Me – Senator Smart Adeyemi*
Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC-Kogi West) has accused the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and the State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of working against his return to the National Assembly.
Senator Adeyemi had failed to grab the APC senatorial ticket after losing to Sunday Karimi.
Speaking to newsmen on the outcome of the APC senatorial primary, Senator Adeyemi described the election as day-light robbery and an extremely manipulated exercise.
He disclosed that the state’s APC chairman, Abdullahi Bello, had asked him not to contest but instead work for Yahaya Bello’s presidential ambition.
The lawmaker disclosed that Yahaya Bello asked Abdullahi Bello to call for a closed door meeting to pressure him into withdrawing his senatorial ambition.
Adeyemi, who stated that he refused to back down, alleged that delegates were coerced to vote against their choices.
He said: “Normally, we give some supports to delegates to augment their expenses, transport, feeding and accommodations. But don’t ask me how much.
“Delegates from a particular local government, which is predominantly inhabited by Muslims, were not allowed to vote for me because the returning officer, who is from that local government and equally a Muslim asked, them to support Sunday Karimi, who is from a neighbouring federal constituency to mine.
“This local government is called Koton Karfe. A week after the election, five of them came to Abuja and they are all Muslims. They said to me that in Islam, it is haram (prohibited) to take what does not belong to you.
“So, senator, the money you gave for feeding, accommodation and transport to support us, we have returned all your money because we were not allowed to vote for you. But you are our candidate. They bust into tears, that they had been denied. But please, take our photographs for record purposes and future.
“This is your money. I look at them and said you have endeared Islam to my heart even though I’m a Christian. You returned the money? Please go with the money. I have blessed this money for you. They started crying and I assured them that next year, the five of you, I will send you to Makkah. If your faith in Islam is like this, then you have made me to respect Islam the more.”
“I have sponsored not less than 400 Muslims to Makkah. But for five Muslims to return the money I gave to them back to me and said it is haram, I was moved emotionally.
“I never new we still have Nigerians like these people. They returned money and said they were denied to vote for me. I took their pictures,” Daily Trust quoted him as saying.
*Osinachi: Court Announces New Date For Peter Nwachukwu’s Trial*
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again adjourned the trial of the late gospel singer Osinachi’s husband, Peter Nwachukwu.
The court was supposed to rule on the case today but the Judge in charge of the case, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme was absent and hence a new date was announced for the trial.
Reporters had arrived at the court this morning to witness the trial but were informed by the court registry that the court would not be sitting again today.
The trial according to the report has now been adjourned till Monday, June 20 and Tuesday, June 21.
Recall that the federal government slammed a 23-count charge against the late gospel singer’s husband, which borders on domestic violence and homicide. Recall that Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu had died in April 2022 allegedly as a result of prolonged assault by her husband who had pleaded not guilty to all the allegations that were contained in the charge the Federal Government preferred against him.
Osinachi Nwachukwu’s death sparked outrage after her family maintained that she suffered marital abuse at the hands of her abusive husband.
The late singer, is expected to be buried in her father’s compound on June 25, Abia state.
*Father Mbaka Renews ‘Fight’ With Peter Obi, Says Ex-Anambra Gov Not Fit To Be President*
Father Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu (AMEN), has again attacked the person of Peter Obi a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 election.
He described Obi, as a stingy man and that he cannot be Nigeria’s President.
Mbaka, who dropped the bombshell during a prayer service at the Adoration Ground on Wednesday which was attended by thousands of worshippers, said Obi is a “man without a generous spirit, and a gum-holder who would not be accepted a Nigerian leader.”
The clergyman had fallen out with Obi a few years ago during a Bazaar thanksgiving service of his Ministry in Enugu, where he had asked Obi to donate towards a project in the church.
Mbaka had asked Obi to tell the congregation the project he’ll take up for the ministry, but Obi had said he’ll discuss that with Mbaka and that the congregation would see his donation.
Mbaka later told Obi, who was a running mate to Atiku Abubakar at the time, that “God hates stinginess” and if Obi did not make his donation public, himself and Atiku would lose the 2019 election.
Following the news, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) released a statement frowning at Mbaka’s action and urging all priests to stay away from partisan politics as stated in the church’s Canon Law.
Mbaka later apologized to Obi for his utterances, saying: “I didn’t intend any of this…. I never meant to insult him or bring his political career down. My intention is simply to support the work of God.
“If my actions exhibited misdemeanour or any unhealthy attitude that provoked himself and those who love him that brought about this verbal attack, I’m asking whoever was or is, or will be hurt, to please, please and please, to forgive me”.
The clergyman later stated that his apology was offered under duress from the body of Bishops who demanded that he offer it.
But in his latest attack on Obi, Mbaka said, “It is better to have a president who is a gifted old man than a young man with ‘gum’ hands”.
According to the controversial Catholic priest, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku had shown he was ready to run for office because he and Peter Obi are no longer in the running.
“Peter Obi has a mouthful, he has nowhere to go unless he kneels down on the Adoration altar.” Mbaka said, adding that the Labour Party flagbearer had insulted the Holy Spirit after he (Mbaka) helped Obi to become governor in Anambra and he never returned to thank God.
“Who doesn’t spend his money eating what you want to support? Do you want people to starve? If he becomes president, he will close our ministry.
“If Igbo people are looking for a representative in Nigeria, they are not the kind of person Peter Obi is. Whoever refuses to donate to the church should not be the president” Mbaka said.
*2023: Your 43 Million Supporters Are Imaginary, Nigerians Won’t Vote For You Again – PDP Replies APC*
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop hallucinating about winning the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.
This position was stated on Wednesday by the PDP National Publicity Seretary, Debo Ologunagba in response to an earlier claim by the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu that the ruling party currently has a 43 million membership base and hence it cannot lose the elections.
As earlier reported, Adamu made the assertion during an interaction with the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska in his office in Abuja.
However, Ologunagba in his response said Nigerians are wiser and won’t vote for the APC in 2023. He added that the people of the country are tired of the suffering and punishment brought upon them by the incumbent administration and are ready to vote for a better alternative.
The PDP spokesman told the APC Chairman that the votes and supports he claims his party enjoys are simply imaginary and a product of hallucination.
“Who are the 43 million Nigerians the APC is banking on? Are they the ones that are hungry, whose lives have been cut short or whose children have been kidnapped? Abdullahi Adamu is hallucinating. That’s how I can describe it.
“(The) APC is a party that came in as an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle). They came into governance with lies, fraud and deceit. They have forgotten that Nigerians are wiser now. The truth is that every SPV is for a purpose but this one is liquidating. The lies of 2015 will not help them anymore.
“Are they talking about imaginary 43 million Nigerians who can’t travel by road or rail and whose children cannot go to school because of the ASUU strike?” he queried.
The PDP spokesman added that since the APC’s advent to power in 2015, the party and its government has brought nothing but evil and pain to Nigerians.
He added that their stay in power ends in 2023.
“Nigerians are wiser now. We knew that we made a mistake in going to them. All they brought us was chaos and they will face the waterloo in 2023.
“They even have a presidential candidate who announced openly on national television that he brought the pain that the APC government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari represents on Nigerians. In a saner environment, that presidential candidate should be apologising to Nigerians,” he stated.
*Tinubu Quietly Submits Presidential Forms To INEC*
The Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has quietly submitted his presidential forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reports has it that Tinubu quietly submitted his presidential forms in order to beat the June 17 deadline set by the electoral agency for presidential candidates to submit the names of their deputies to the commission.
A source told ThisDay on Wednesday night in Abuja that Tinubu and the APC submitted the forms in order not to risk disqualification from the 2023 Presidential election.
This development comes after INEC had announced June 17 as the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for president, vice-president, Senate and House of Representatives.
Speaking during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja last week Thursday, INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had said the deadline will not be extended for any political party.
He emphasized that the portal for the submission of the list of candidates for national elections will automatically shut down at 6.00pm on Friday 17th June 2022.
Yakubu said with this innovation, there is no need for physical contact between INEC and political parties over the submission of candidates for the 2023 elections.
He had said: “For emphasis, the Commission wishes to remind Political Parties that only the names of candidates that emerged from democratic primaries as provided by Sec. 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 shall be submitted to the Commission. Similarly, the list of all Presidential and Governorship candidates must be accompanied by the names of their running mates (i.e. Vice Presidential and Deputy Governorship candidates) without which the nomination is invalid.
“All nominations must be uploaded to the portal on/or before the deadlines. The portal will automatically shut down at 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 17th June 2022 for national elections and 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 15th July 2022 for State elections. With this innovation, the Commission has eliminated the physical interface between party officials and INEC staff for the purpose of submitting the list of candidates for the 2023 General Election.”
*HURIWA Accuses Buhari, APC, Of Agenda To Islamize Nigeria With Muslim-Muslim Ticket*
Civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are planning to Islamize the country by plotting to impose a Muslim-Muslim ticket for their presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
The group also warned Nigerians that the APC is conniving with Buhari in the plot to overwhelm Nigeria and make the country an Islamic country.
HURIWA which raised the alarm in a communique it released after its meeting on Wednesday in Owerri, said the agenda was being orchestrated by top APC members who are of the northern stock and see Nigeria as their property.
The communique signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, noted that such an agenda runs contrary to the principles and spirit of section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution.
Part of the communique reads:
“Once more, we in the organised vivil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), are warning the political parties not to contemplate positioning or presenting a Muslim-Muslim ticket for their presidential candidates in the coming 2023 election because that will confirm the much feared plots which are nevertheless no longer subterranean but open ended, by President Muhammadu Buhari’s pro-Islamic government to push for the full Islamization of Nigeria because the plot is to continue to have Muslims dominate all strategic and key positions in Nigeria like the President, Vice President, Senate President, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“All these are aimed at repeating President Muhammadu Buhari’s nepotistic and pro-Islamic appointments of only Muslims to head all the internal security institutions as against the spirit of Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution which stipulates observance of federal character principle in all appointments including elective positions.
“We are uniquely worried by the organised and well choreographed, well oiled, well funded and properly engineered campaigns by Islamic fundamentalists such as Governor Nassir El-Rufai and others using some Christians like Orji Uzor Kalu and Femi Fani-Kayode to canvass the infantile opinion that either it does not matter that candidates for office of President, Vice President or Governor and deputy Governor should comply with the simply Constitutional demand of federal character principles in appointments and elective positions so there is inclusivity and so there is proper national cohesion, national unity and a sense of pride and sense of belonging which the Muslim-Muslim ticket wants to eliminate and introduce Taliban type of extreme fundamentalist Muslim administration.
“Such an agenda will provide support for jihadists like armed Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists to continue to bomb Christian churches and drive away or kill off Christianity in Nigeria.
“This is the main thrust of the campaign In a brazen and dangerous fashion that there is nothing wrong with the Muslim-Muslim ticket by the APC.
“HURIWA is aware that the plot is to foist an Islamic state because what will happen is that Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is a hard-core Moslem extremist but masquerading as a moderate because his wife is a so-called deacon in Redeemed Church will be persuaded to pick up another Islamist like El-Rufai, Kashim Shettima or just one of those Islamic extremist as VP so when it is time for election to be conducted by a closet Islamist in the person of INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, the electoral process will be manipulated in favour of the APC as part of their agenda.”
