Nigerians Shun Supreme Court Order, Reject Old Naira Notes

 Many business operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have started rejecting the old Naira notes in spite of Supreme Court order temporarily halting the ban on their use.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that following the redesigning of N200, N500 and N1000 notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Jan. 31 was announced as deadline for use of the old notes.

The Jan. 31 deadline was, however, met with outrage from Nigerians, forcing the apex bank to extend the deadline to Feb. 10 after which the notes would seize to be legal tender.

Meanwhile, Governors of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara approached the Supreme Court on Feb. 3, requesting that the extention should be beyond Feb. 10 as announced by the CBN.

Following the suit, a seven-member panel of the apex court, led by John Okoro gave the order suspending the Feb. 10 deadline till Feb. 15, when the suit would be determined.

NAN Correspondent, who went round some parts of the FCT on Sunday to monitor use of the old notes, discovered they were being rejected in public places like fuelling stations, market places and parks.

Mr Ndubuisi Ugwu, a commercial driver, seen announcing to passengers to board with new Naira notes, said he started rejecting the old notes because fuelling stations had began rejecting them.

He said, “I went to fuel my car at the station with the old notes and it was rejected.

“That is why I am insisting on passengers boarding with new notes.”

On the Supreme Court Order, Ugwu said he was aware of it but insisted that since people had started rejecting the money he had no choice.

Mrs Amina Shuaibu, a tomatoes seller at Karu Market, said she stopped collecting old notes since Feb. 11, following the Feb. 10 deadline given by the CBN.

According to her, she heard that the old notes have seized to be legal tender.

“Although, I heard that the court gave order that we should continue using the old notes but people are rejecting it in the market, that is why I am also rejecting it.

“I also heard that banks have equally stopped accepting the old notes but I do not know how true that is.

“There is so much confusion about the whole thing, so the best thing to do is not to collect it at all.”

Governor Buni Escapes Thug Attack At APC Rally In Yobe

 The Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, has escaped a thuggery attack, IGBERETV reports.

He escaped the attack at the zonal rally of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC at Gashua the headquarters of Bade local government area.

It was gathered that Bunie was whisked away with the help of his security aides after the attack.

APC supporters, who converged on the playground, in their thousands, chanted, “Ba ma son Mai Mala Buni,” which translates in English as, “we do not want Mai Mala Buni.”

Meanwhile, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, who had earlier spoken in Hausa language thanked his Supporters for standing behind him while representing them at the National Assembly.

The uproar started when the Yobe governor was about to hand over APC flags to candidates of the party in the state for the 2023 general elections, and suddenly the thugs started hurling sand, stones, and objects at him. As a result of the pandemonium, the governor and his supporters scampered for safety as they found their way back to Damaturu the state capital.

Tinubu Rally: Adeleke Under Fire For Withdrawing Market Women’s Vehicles

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is under fire for withdrawing the official vehicles of market women that attended the presidential rally of the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Osogbo.

The Nation reports that the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign rally was held at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo on February 2, 2023.

The market women including their leaders attended the rally.

All the official vehicles of the women across the 30 local government council areas of Osun State and the Area Office were subsequently withdrawn by the government.

It was gathered that the state government officials in the company of police operatives and some civilians forcefully retrieved the vehicles from the women.

The Iyaloja General, Chief Awawu Asindemade, confirmed the development to our correspondent.

She disclosed that the official vehicles withdrawn by the Adeleke administration were given to the women by the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Asindemade said: “We are not a bastard, we attended the rally of Tinubu in Osun State; it is our choice and we have the right to it. We back Tinubu’s presidency, it is our turn. We have lost the chance for 60 years running now; he will emerge by God’s grace.

“The present government of Osun met us in the state; we worked with his elder brother (Isiaka Adeleke) who was the governor. They did not collect the official vehicles of other unions but they collected ours.

“We work with the government of the day; I attended the swearing-in programme of Adeleke and several programmes of the new government.

“Before they got to power, they created several factions of their market women that they are now recognising. He will not be the first to be the governor and not the last, history will always be there.”

The leadership of APC, Osun State through its Acting-Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal described the withdrawal of the vehicles as insensitive, inconsiderate and vindictive.

Meanwhile, the caretaker chairman of PDP, Dr. Adekunle Akindele, in a statement, said that they should not be dragged into the “market women union tussle”, saying, “It is a bid to seek sympathy.
 

Peter Obi Misses NEDG Debate As Campaign Blames Hitches

 Labour Party’s Peter Obi failed to show up at the presidential debate organised by Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) in Abuja on Sunday. His campaign said technical challenges with his aircraft caused his absence.

Campaign spokesman Diran Onifade released a statement to explain the situation.

“The Obi-Datti Campaign hereby states that our candidate, Mr Peter Obi, was unable to attend the debate programme following the advice of the technical crew of the aircraft he was travelling in.

“After an engagement in Akure, Ondo State, he meant to head for Abuja for the debate but was advised otherwise due to technical issues with the aircraft which made the Pilot decide to head for Lagos instead.

“It must be noted that in anticipation of Mr Obi’s arrival, senior members of the campaign and the party had gathered at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of the programme.

“They included the Director General of the Campaign, Balogun Akin Osuntokun, Campaign Manager, Ambassador Oseloka Obaze, as well as Labour Party functionaries, including Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman and Alhaji Audi Mohammed,” the statement read.

Rumoured Marriage: I Am Not Getting A New Wife, Remi Is Enough For Me - Tinubu

 PRESS RELEASE 

STOP THE FAKE NEWS: Asíwájú Tinubu is not taking a new wife

We have seen a fake news that has gone viral on social media purporting that the All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to take a new wife.

This is what it is: a fake and groundless news.

HE Asíwájú is enjoying his marriage to his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which is blessed with excellent children. He is not ready to take an additional wife, whether a Christian or a Muslim.

We know the intention of those behind those peddling a new Muslim wife is not only to cause discord within the extremely peaceful family of Asíwájú Tinubu but to also create disaffection within the Christian community.

Their intention has failed. It will not cut a dice anywhere.
We enjoin our people to completely disregard the unfounded news.

Asíwájú Tinubu is at present focused on his campaign to emerge the president of this country come February 25, 2023 in order to rekindle the hope of our people in a better, stronger, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. 

Senator Oluremi Tinubu is also busy traversing the length and breadth of the country canvassing support for her husband.
They will not be distracted by this baseless news.

Tinubu Media Office,
Tunde Rahman
February 12, 2023.

Pastor Uche Aigbe Brings AK 47 To House on the Rock Altar

 The presiding pastor of the Abuja chapter of the House on the Rock, Pastor Uche Aigbe, on Sunday caused a stir when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK 47 rifle.

The incident took place during the second service, which frequently has a high turnout of the congregation who comes from different parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

Brandishing the gun, the pastor picked his way to the altar as many members of his congregation exchanged glances trying to understand what was happening.

An unflinching Aigbe walked up to the lectern, aware of the tension his action had created, without looking at his worshippers.

But as he made attempt to open his Bible, the preacher looked up and said teasingly, “Some people are looking for my trouble. And I came here prepared.

“Today, there are some pastors with gift of divination who go about ripping people. This is why we should carry our ‘guns’ and defend ourselves. I will particularly be coming very soon for some of you sleeping in the church.”

His response threw the entire gathering into a fit of laughter as he continued preaching on “Guarding your hearts from false teachers” and “faith without work is dead.”

It was, however, not known if the gun he brandished was loaded or not.

Man Sentenced To Death In Pakistan, 'I Don't Follow Anyone Other Than Jesus'

 34-year-old Ashfaq Masih was sentenced to death by a court in Lahore for blasphemy.

Originally arrested in 2017, Masih engaged in a verbal confrontation with a customer at his motorbike repair shop who requested his bill be waived on the grounds that he was a religious devotee. Masih refused to waive the bill, stating he believed in Jesus Christ.

"When Ashfaq asked for payment he refused to pay the full amount, saying he was a poor sadhu (religious devotee) and that Ashfaq should honour him." 

"Jesus is the true prophet" Masih allegedly claimed, leading to the "guilty" verdict of insulting the prophet Mohammad.


The statement "I follow only Jesus" was constructed as "I refuse to follow Prophet Muhammad" and qualified as blasphemy. The Session Court agreed.

Over the course of five years, Masih's hearings have been repeatedly moved or cancelled. In 2019, due to his mother's passing, he was allowed to attend her funeral. In an image shared on twitter, Masih embraced his family while still in handcuffs.

Later in 2022, Masih, a husband and father, was sentenced to death by Judge Khalid Wazir.

Prayers for Ashfaq Masih, his family, and other persecuted Christians across the world are pivotal right now as he contends for an overturn in the verdict.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12).