Tinubu: I'm Going To Win 2023 Election, No One Can Stop Me

 54 days to the 2023 election, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said he has been engaging people directly and indirectly, thus insinuations about him boycotting interviews are inaccurate.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that speaking to
Freedom Radio while on lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, Tinubu said: “I just finished talking to people through town-hall meetings and speaking directly to people. Those saying that I am boycotting interviews are losers, and they will lose.

“I have moved around, spoken on different platforms, and stood for hours to address different audiences. Before, they said I could not walk; they said I could not stand. They were shamed.

“Since the campaign started, I have marshalled more original ideas than anyone else.
“I have demonstrated knowledge, experience and a great capacity to be on top of issues in the country. And this job is about ideas and issues regarding the leadership of our country.

“I have all it takes to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I am asking the people of the country to have confidence and respect for that.

“Look at my background and my previous assignments. I want to serve the country and serve the country very well.

“By the engagements we are having, it is clear that we are going to win this election.

“As the elections draw closer, the signs are clear, and that is why our opponents are jittery.”

Fuel Subsidy Favours The Rich More Than The Poor – Tinubu

 In this interview with Kano-based Freedom Radio monitored by our correspondent, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu speaks on his stance on fuel subsidy removal, his health status and other issues around his campaign. Excerpt:

Your Excellency, I understand you are in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, I am here in Saudi Arabia. It is a personal trip. It is a trip for spiritual rebirth. I like coming to perform the Umrah every now and then. It is an opportunity to connect with Almighty Allah. We need his guidance. Nigeria is in need of prayers and that is why we are here praying for our country, self and the society.

How is the campaign going so far?

So far, so good. We are reaching each and every Nigerian. We decided that rallies are not always enough. We need to engage all Nigerians from all parts of the country and across all sectors of our socio-economic life. We have engaged businessmen, farmers, miners, industrialists, entertainers, labour leaders, and so on.

By the engagements we are having it is clear that we are going to win this election. As the elections are coming closer the signs are clear and that is why our opponents are jittery. They have now resorted to peddling fake news and quoting some of my statements out of context just to score cheap points.

Like what, Your Excellency?

Recently I was asked about fuel subsidy removal, and I said I will ensure we end the wastage and re-channel the money to the people who truly need it. This is one position that almost all the candidates are united about. We all agreed that the subsidy regime is abused and it favours the rich more than the poor. It has to go.

I couldn’t have opposed people expressing their own position on this. I believe in consultation and guaranteed by democratic values and norms. I respect opinion of people and I would not be party to stifling dissenting views or any legitimate protest. I am a veteran of protests myself. So why should I say people should not embark on well-intentioned protest? There is no excuse for that and there is no abuse of power intended.

Some people say you are escaping from engaging directly with Nigerians, especially through media interviews…

(Cuts in) What do you mean? Are we not having interview now? I just finished talking to people through town-hall meetings and speaking directly to people. Those saying that are losers and they will lose.

There are still insinuations about your health and fitness. Are you really fit for the rigours of the Presidency?

Ah! I told you where I am now. I just finished performing the the umrah. I did the seven rounds of tawaf, I did the seven trips between safa and Marwa. Can a sick person do that? That is stale news, my brother. People who are making those insinuations have nothing else to say but lies and rubbish.

I have moved round, spoke at different platforms and stood for hours to address different audiences. Before they said I could not walk, they said I could not stand, they are shamed. Since the campaign started I have marshalled more original ideas than anyone else. I have demonstrated knowledge, experience and great capacity to be on top of issues in the country.

And this job is about ideas and issues regarding leadership of our country. I have all it takes to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I am asking people of the country to have confidence and respect for that, look at my background and my previous assignments. I want to serve the country and serve the country very well.

30 Killed As ISWAP Terrorists Again Clash With Rival Boko Haram Jihadists

 The rival groups have been attacking communities in the Northeast region since both camps fell apart over leadership issues.

In what appeared to be a continuation of their sustained inter-rivalry clash, the fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) attacked a convoy of Boko Haram, during which about 30 of them were killed.

A counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this in a series of tweets on Monday.

The rival groups have been attacking communities in the Northeast region since both camps fell apart over leadership issues.

The groups have also since been having clashes, and Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram, was reportedly killed during one of such clashes in 2021.

According to Makama, the recent inter-rivalry clash occurred in Chillaria axis in Abadam, a border community with Niger.

He said the clash which lasted about 13 hours led to the death of 30 fighters on both sides of the terror groups in the Lake Chad region. It reportedly started around 4 pm on Friday, December 30 and ended around 5 am on Saturday, December 31, 2022.

According to him, Boko Haram fighters headed by Abu Umaimah or Bakoura Doro and four other commanders led other fighters to the ISWAP camps at Tumbum Allura and Kangar in the North East of Abadam in Borno state.

Makama quoted a military source as saying, “We have been hearing sounds of heavy gunshots since yesterday (Friday) in the Kangar axis of the state.

“There have been sounds of heavy gun shootings as early as 5am and it continued nonstop.”

It further disclosed, “After a successful dislodgement of the ISWAP terrorists, Doro, the Commander of Boko Haram, later withdrew his militants and headed towards his base in Lele Karya, a border hideout with Niger.”

Four captives, however, escaped from ISWAP prison during the 13-hour clash between the terror groups.

The captives were abducted by ISWAP along Maiduguri-Gajiram Road on August 3, 2022.

Those freed include medical personnel working with one of the humanitarian agencies.

Defection Of Ahmed Mahmoud Threatens APC In Jigawa

 Crisis of confidence, coupled with intra party squabbles, has forced two-term Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Ahmed Mahmoud, to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mahmud, who, until his resignation from APC, was a serving National Commissioner, representing Jigawa State at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Mahmoud tendered his resignation letter to the APC Chairman, Galangamawa ward, of his hometown, Gumel, on Saturday over lack of commitment and confidence of party (APC) members towards success of the party in the coming general elections.

In the letter, which was made available to The Guardian, Mahmoud said: “With sense of respect and regard as Chairman, I write to notify you of my resignation from All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I’m constrained to take this decision due to obvious intra party conflicts, disunity and lack of commitment, as well as confidence of party supporters towards success of the party in the coming general elections.

NNPC, Operatives Destroy Barge With Stolen Crude, Filling Station In Delta

 The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, a private security contractor, and government security agencies have destroyed a barge loaded with crude oil in Delta State.

The team also demolished a filling station in Warri for storing stolen crude oil on Saturday.

According to a statement from NNPC, it said the barge was destroyed on Saturday but was arrested on 22nd December 2022 along with some suspects.

“The barge, named MT Brighton 1, which was loaded with stolen crude, was apprehended in one of the creeks running into the Ramos River in the Agge Community, a border village between Delta and Bayelsa states,” it noted.

Also, the security intervention team on Saturday demolished a filling station named Blessed Corporate Oil & Gas Services Ltd in Opete, Warri, Delta State.

NNPC said the station was demolished “For being in the custody of a truck laden with stolen crude and discharging the illegal contents into its underground storage tanks.”

The onslaught against oil thieves intensified in the last quarter of 2022 with the destruction of various vessels and the discovery of illegal crude oil pipeline connection points.

Prior to the exercise, crude oil production dropped to about 1.1 million barrels per day due to oil thieves and the shutting of some vulnerable pipelines. However, it began to improve in December and reached 1.5m bpd, according to NNPC Ltd.

Wike Mocks Atiku Over Obasanjo’s Endorsement Of Obi

 Governor Nyesom Wike has mocked Atiku Abubakar over former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Labour Party’s Peter Obi. 

Atiku was vice president during the Obasanjo administration between 1999-2007. But on Sunday, the former Nigerian president recommended Obi for the country’s number one seat next year, a move the Rivers State Governor said means “there is something fundamentally wrong”.

“I was praying that Obasanjo should not say anything. When I saw the letter last night, I was touched. If your principal cannot recommend you, then there is something fundamentally wrong,” Wike said on Monday at the flag-off of the construction of Akpabu-Odido Road in Emohua and Ahoada West local government areas.

FG Opens East-West Lane On Second Niger Bridge

The Federal Road Safety Corps has said that the second phase of the use of the second Niger Bridge would commence on January 2, 2023.

The Federal Government had on December 15, 2022, opened the second Niger Bridge for temporary use.

It was announced that motorists travelling from the West to the East would be allowed to use the bridge from December 15, 2022, while motorists returning from the East to the West would be allowed from January 2, 2023.

However, the Sector Commander FRSC, Delta State, Mr Udeme Eshiet, urged road users to adhere to the directive.

Eshiet said, “We thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for endorsing the temporary opening of the Second Niger Bridge since December 15, 2022, that will last till January 15, 2023.

“We want to remind you about the notice that the second phase on the use of the bridge is commencing from January 2, 2023.

“The use of the Second Niger Bridge as directed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, will be from the East to the West making use of the Obosi interchange.”

He noted that the opening of the bridge has made the journey of Nigerians seamless, reminding the road users to continue to be obedient to all road traffic managers.