Crime Facts

2023 Presidency: I’m Yet To Make Decision To Contest – Kwankwaso

A former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says he is yet to make a decision to contest the presidential election in 2023. Kwankwaso, in an interview with DW Hausa on Wednesday, said consultations were in progress with appropriate people. He said: “In this kind of situation we are not rushing to make decisions. “So, we are critically watching and consulting the right people to advise us and whatever I decide will be communicated to our people. “We have huge support that is enough to contest for anything. “We have people everywhere not only in Nigeria. Some people think that we only have people in Kano or in the north, but the truth is we have people in Asia, America and Europe,” Kwankwaso said. On the rumours circulating that he would dump his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwankwaso said there was nothing like that. “The issue of my decamping to APC has been raised severally at different times.” “This is not the first time. Many people are saying it and this is worth celebrating in politics that you become the talk of the news all the time. “It is a symbol of integrity and that people are always with us. “For now, I’m not aware of this and I’m not in any discussion with anybody about decamping to APC. So, that is it for now.” He said politics is all about patience and hard work, and that it was normal with the system to experience good and bad situations.

Run Tinubu! Run Osinbajo!

By Frederick Nwabufo Why do we seek angels in the realm of humans? There are no messiahs, angels or a Doctor Strange to magic our problems away. We are all humans – fatally flawed but blessed species. Politics is not a game of piety and leadership is beyond moral sanctimony. We have to get down to brass tacks and deal with the real issues of leadership as regards the personalities we throw up for elective office. The real issues of leadership as it concerns Nigeria are the capacity to bring about positive change in the system; initiate structural growth and development; build citizens’ confidence through transparency in governance; foster unity by inclusion and sensitivity to diversity; showing empathy; knowing the right things to say on the right occasions; understanding the economy; having the gravitas to take tough decisions; personal sacrifice and a sufficiency of character and patriotism. As I have always said, Nigeria needs a unifier and healer as president in 2023. It also needs a sanitiser, a vacuumer; one who is not afraid to dare the undared. It needs a dauntless leader who is not afraid to be unpopular reforming the country. The good news is we do not have people of such constitution in short supply here. They abound. No single government can fix all of Nigeria’s problems. We have to be realistic and measure our expectations. What we need is successive corrective leadership. One government addresses some fundamental challenges, and the next comes to build on the successes of the other as well as solve some prevailing problems. Governance should be a progressive continuum. The Buhari administration like all other administrations before it has its failings, but it will be thoughtless to say the government has done nothing for the country. Clearly, there are some accomplishments in the area of infrastructure. The government did not abandon the projects of the previous administration; rather it completed them and initiated more developmental projects. Today, Nigerians can travel from Lagos to Ibadan by rail within a few minutes; they can now travel through the once tortuous Enugu-Onitsha Expressway; the second Niger Bridge is nearing completion – as well as many other infrastructural projects. Are Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo defective leadership specimens? Well, their antecedents say otherwise. At the risk of lending myself to hagiography, Tinubu as Lagos governor showed his mettle. He worked out a roadmap for the state; had a diverse cabinet; in fact, he is reputed to be one of the few governors who appointed non-natives, including Igbo citizens, in their cabinet at the time. Against a federal government allocation blockade, he governed Lagos with internally-generated revenues and was able to steer the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to dominance in the south-west and then midwifing a merger with the Congress for Progressive Change and the All Nigeria Peoples Party for the parturition of the All Progressives Congress. We cannot ignore Tinubu. For what it is worth he has shown an uncanny ability to build consensus and mobilise consciences towards a cause. Osinbajo is a fine gentlemen; a refined politician. He is brilliant, temperate, expansive, renascent and disciplined. He is an example of what the avant-garde Nigerian politician should be. Against all odds, he has remained loyal to his boss – a rare quality in these parts. Osinbajo appears to have the right words for every occasion, and he has a copious understanding of the issues of governance. People with the capacity for governance are not in short supply here. But if we are seeking some flawless individuals or celestial beings to turn Nigeria around we will only be chasing a will-o-the-wisp. Again, we have to be realistic and measure our expectations. In the phylum of Nigerians with proven capacity for governance, we have Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, who has been rumoured to be interested in running for presidential office in 2023; Akinwumi Adesina, Buba Marwa, and many other distinguished Nigerians. Fayemi is perhaps one politician whose integrity and character has remained unsullied over the years. Adesina, president of the African Development of Bank (AfDB), was first elected as the Bank’s president in 2015 and re-elected in 2020. He is an astounding economist. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree (first class) in agricultural economics from the University of Ife in 1981. He went on to earn a PhD in agricultural economics from Purdue University in the US. He has won many awards, and received global recognition and appointments. He also has sterling records on integrity and leadership. He came into the reckoning of most Nigerians when he was appointed as the minister of agriculture in 2011 by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He was named Forbes ‘African Man of the Year’ for his reforms in the agricultural sector. But in practical terms, Tinubu, Osinbajo and Fayemi are in a better political stead for the top job. They should run. All should run. Run Tinubu! Run Osinbajo! By Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a writer and journalist. Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo

Ohanaeze blasts IPOB for banning Nigerian anthem in public schools

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, berated the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for banning the Nigerian anthem in all public schools in the South East. It said if implemented, it might cause the Federal Government to rescind it plans to release detained IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as requested by respected prominent Igbo leaders. In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, by Secretary General of Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, it noted that IPOB’s tendencies could derail the quest for the Igbo presidency in 2023. Noting that the ban on the use of cow for ceremonies was acceptable, it said rather than ban the Nigerian anthem in public schools, IPOB should join the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to promotion Igbo language, cultural heritage and values in South East schools, so that the younger generation would remain committed and imbibe to the cultural values and heritage of Ndigbo. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has cautioned against the dangers associated with the vocalization of Biafra anthems in all public schools in the southeast as it will attract the attention of Federal Government to rescind on the request of Igbo leaders to release Kanu. “The Federal Government might unleash its bitterness on the South East, because of its destructive routes to the campaign for the Igbo Presidency in 2023 and dimensional lunacy capable of fertilising the basis for possible military raids on all public schools in the South East with the ongoing Operation Golden Dawn. “We are obliged to tell IPOB and others the truth at all times to prevent projects that will endanger the lives of Igbo people by internal and external organisations, reciting of Biafra anthem in public schools is now prohibited. Ndigbo should flout such despicable orders of absurdity, as it will be the rationale for future deployment of military Tucson fighter jets to southeastern Nigeria. Rather than the enforcement of vocalisations of Biafra anthems in public schools, IPOB should join Ohanaeze to promote Igbo language and cultural heritage,” the statement reads. The group stressed that it was in support of the ban on the use of Fulani cows in Igbo land for ceremonies or during festival seasons, adding: “The recent insecurity challenges in South East was created by herdsmen masquerading as cattlemen to perpetrate the onslaught on our communities.”

DHQ warns politicians against use of military uniforms at political events

The Defence Headquarters has frowned at the habit of wearing military uniforms and accoutrements for electioneering campaign posters by some politicians. The DHQ said campaign posters of some governors dressed in military camouflage uniforms are displayed in noticeable areas in their respective states. “This is manifestly illegal and an abuse of the privilege of allowing civilians wear military uniforms during military training exercises,” DHQ said. The DHQ’s stance was contained in a statement signed by Acting Director Defence Information, Air Commodore Wap Maigida. It read in part, “It is necessary to restate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as a professional institution, remains apolitical and, as such, would not want to be dragged into any form of political bias. “Accordingly, it is important to advise politicians and others to desist from the use of military uniforms and accoutrements for political events and other engagements henceforth. Please note, anyone found culpable in this regard would be liable to prosecution.”

Chinese Loans: Anybody That Will Help Nigeria’s Infrastructure Is Welcome – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday defended his government’s decision to source loans from China, saying anyone willing to help Nigeria’s infrastructure is welcome. According to data from the Debt Management Office, Nigeria has borrowed $2.02 billion as loans from China from 2015 and the country’s debt portfolio from China has risen to $3.40bn as of March 31, 2021. Speaking during an exclusive interview on Channels Television, President Buhari stated that whenever there was a need to secure more foreign loans, his administration would do so. The Commander-in-Chief equally erased fears in some quarters that Africa’s most populous nation might be plunged into a debt trap. “We take that (loans) where it is necessary. I told you now of something, what it is used to be between Lagos and Ibadan alone not to talk of the rest of the country,” he said. “But we got the Chinese to help us in the rail and the roads, how can we turn that down? If we had turned that down, maybe between Lagos to Ibadan, you will have to walk. “So the Chinese are welcome, anybody that is prepared to come and help us and our infrastructure to do the roads, the rail and power will be welcomed.” Away from the Chinese loans, Buhari also spoke on a wide range of national issues including his decision not to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Buhari had declined assent to the bill, citing the inclusion of the direct primaries mode of elections. According to the President, he will sign the bill if the National Assembly makes the needed adjustment. “All I said (is that) there should be options,” he said. “We must not insist that it has to be direct; it should be consensus and indirect.” Asked if he would sign if the lawmakers effect the change in that direction, he affirmed, “Yes, I will” I will sign. He added, “There should be options, you can’t dictate to people and say you are doing democracy. Give them other options so they can make a choice.”

Lionel Messi tests negative for COVID-19

Lionel Messi has tested negative for Covid-19 and is now back in France and will resume training “in the coming days”, Paris Saint-Germain announced on Wednesday. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner tested positive for the virus while in his native Argentina last week but flew back to Paris on Wednesday. He missed PSG’s 4-0 French Cup win against Vannes on Monday. The club did not say if Messi would be available for their first Ligue 1 match since the winter break, at Lyon on Sunday. “The test carried out by Leo Messi was negative for Covid-19. He has arrived in Paris and he will resume with the group in the coming days,” PSG said in a statement. Messi has endured a difficult start to life in the French capital since an emotional exit from Barcelona last summer. He has scored only one goal in 11 league appearances for PSG, although he has netted five times in the Champions League. The French capital giants also said that full-back Layvin Kurzawa had tested positive for Covid on Wednesday and was in self-isolation. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defender Juan Bernat, back-up keeper Sergio Rico, midfielder Danilo Pereira and teenager Nathan Bitumazala have all also returned positive Covid test results in the past week. AFP

2023: Why I Won’t Disclose My Preferred Successor’s Identity – Buhari

Like many of the major political office holders in the country completing their term, it is believed that the President also has a candidate whom he prefers to succeed him. However, President Muhammadu Buhari is not willing to reveal the identity of his anointed candidate for the safety of such a person. While responding to a question about who his preferred candidate was during an exclusive interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, he said “It is (a) secret.” “No, I wouldn’t say because he may be eliminated if I mention. I better keep it,” the President stated with a smile. President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during an exclusive interview on Channels Television on January 5, 2021. When asked if he was interested in who eventually succeeds him, he responded, “No. Let him come, whoever it is. “All important things, I’ll make sure that they are on record. Nobody should ask me to come and give any evidence in any court, otherwise whoever it is, he will be in trouble because all important things are on record. “I think my legacy is that I try to make sure that we conduct ourselves with integrity. That means we stopped all the stealing as much as the system can allow; we stopped misappropriation and for Nigerians that is very important.” President Buhari stated his readiness to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, if the National Assembly would include the options of consensus candidate and indirect primary to the mode of selecting a candidate for an election, as against the initial direct mode as the only option to conduct primaries by political parties. “There should be options, you can’t dictate to people and say you are doing democracy. Give them other options so they can make a choice,” he said.

Cultists Kill 1 In Anambra

Gunmen numbering five on Wednesday afternoon killed a young man at the popular Aroma junction in Awka, Anambra State capital. Daily Trust gathered that the gunmen intercepted the young man whose identity had yet to be ascertained under Aroma flyover and shot him in the head and chest till he was dead. An eye witness said she saw the gunmen pursuing the victim but thought they were his brothers who wanted to arrest him, maybe for running away from the family. Another witness who simply identified himself as IG said the killing might not be unconnected with a cult war going on in Awka. The police spokesman in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident said it was a cult related issue.

2023: Nigeria needs a unifier like Atiku as president, says Dokpesi

Raymond Dokpesi, former chairman of Daar Communications, says Nigeria’s next president should be someone that will unify the country. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain spoke at the party stakeholders’ meeting in Adamawa. Dokpesi said Nigeria “has never been this disunited”, adding that the country needs someone like Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, to lead the nation out of “its present quagmire”. “Now that 2023 is approaching again. Now that the economy of the country has totally collapsed, and our children cannot find employment,” he said. “It is very glaring that we need somebody who is a unifier, who is very sound, who has business acumen, who himself has investment and wealth of experience and wherewithal to be able to properly lead the country out of its present quagmire like Atiku.” “The country has never been disunited as we have it today, both on religious and ethnic lines. Our economy is in shambles. We have not borrowed as much money externally and locally as we have experienced in the last six or seven years of the APC-led federal government. “What we have under the Buhari administration is a Nigeria that is flowing with the blood of our children. The banditry and insecurity that is available is one which is unprecedented.” In October, Dokpesi had said no candidate from the south will be able to win the 2023 presidential election. This is despite the call by southern governors that all political parties zone their presidential ticket to the south.

State Police: Nigerians Need It, Nigerians Don’t Need It

  BY IBE PASCAL AROGORN The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence. Understand, our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day. They’ve got a tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law. However, the Nigerian police have come under a lot of scrutiny recently because of poor performance. From issues that require policing escalating to points where full blown military intervention is needed, to plain incompetence on the parts of police officers and cases where it is quite clear that the people do not trust those who are meant to protect them. Where did it all go wrong? As of 1960, Nigeria had 12,000 policemen. By 1979, as a result of post-war expansion, there were 80,000. Most of them poorly trained. The 1979 Constitution gave the Federal Government controlled NPF the sole-jurisdiction over the country. However, that democratic experiment was short-lived and the various military governments thereafter saw the NPF as a potential threat to their power and as a result deliberately underfunded the force. In an interview with Channels Tv on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari rejected state police on grounds it is never an option for Nigeria right now. Calls for state policing have been made by several Governors as a way to solve insecurity across the country. Nigeria’s current policing system is controlled by the Federal Government. The President alluded to the propensity for Governors to abuse their powers as his argument against state police. “State police is not an option,” he said. “Find out the relationship between local government and the Governors. Are the third tier of government getting what they are supposed to get constitutionally? Are they getting it? Let the people in local government tell you the truth, the fight between local governments and the Governor.” Local solutionsCommenting on the security situation in the country, the President said traditional rulers must play a huge role in bringing peace to communities. He also advocated for more dialogue in solving the farmer-herder clashes recorded across the country. “The role of traditional rulers must not be undermined, because in their areas they know who is who, even by families, not to even talk of individuals,” he said. “So, we have to revert to that system for us to have effective security in the localities. “For example, there were two Governors that came to see me about problems – Oyo state and one other state – because the herders were in their forests but the animals were going into the neighbouring farms, and eating the crops; I said, as far as I know, the farmers and herders have been co-existing in Nigeria for generations. Let them go and ask the local leadership what has gone wrong, why the break in communication between the local leadership and the herders.” I partially agreed with Mr President on the rejection of state police not his opinion . STATE POLICE CAN BE A TOOL FOR GROSS ABUSE OF POWER As the name implies, state police can be used as a tool for intimidation/violation of rights by various govs of states. State govs having commanding power over state policing can use it as a weapon of playing “gruesome politics”. As seen on 26 December 2021, when policemen stormed a church to abduct one of the opposition in Imo state , Uchie Nwosu. With the police not establishing a single tangible reason for Nwosu’s arrest, Nigerians on various social media platforms have fingered the current Imo administration led by Hope Uzodimma in masterminding Nwosu’s abduction. Imagine when the state police eventually arrives . In other thoughts, I don’t put up blames to Nigerians who clamour for state police quickly. Owing to the high level of insecurity in Nigeria right now, one would call the emergence of state police even today. Another need, Nigerians saw the creating of state police as a balance in true federalism. At least if not for anything, let the state governors be in total of the security affairs of the state. As seen in the outrageous act by a CSP who disobeyed Babajide Sanwo-Olu when asked by the Lagos governor to withdraw the policemen attached to Magodo estate in Lagos. The CSP told Sanwo-Olu that he is acting on the orders from inspector General (IG) and Malami. He asked the Lagos governor to call him Abuja himself. Southwest govs and some Nigerians have seen this act by the police CSP as a total disrespect and which necessitate that creation of state police urgently . Like Presidentl Buhari said in his interview, Nigeria don’t need state police for now, Nigerians are divided at the moment. Some need it ,some don’t need it . But we must think of what should be meritorious to our dear country Nigeria at this point in time. Ibe Pascal Arogorn, is a journalist, writer and public affairs analyst . Writes from Asaba, Delta State Nigeria. 5/01/2022