Old Naira: Buhari, Emefiele Not Relevant After Presidential Election - Oshiomole

 Adams Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has kicked against President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision on the naira redesign policy.

Oshiomhole, who said Buhari is on his own following his recent comment on the naira redesign policy last Thursday, also insisted that Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank Governor, will expire after Saturday’s presidential election.

The former Edo State governor, who stated this at Jattu market in Auchi, Edo North, also urged Buhari to obey the Supreme Court verdict on the naira notes.

Speaking in pidgin, Oshiomhole said: “All this wahala wey Buhari put for currency change, my hand no dey inside. Our party don tell Buhari, wait if you wan change currency, you shouldn’t change am during election. Wetin you no change during your time, you wan make am spoil another pesin time, e no good.

“He has to obey the Supreme Court. Supreme Court judgement is superior to the pronouncement of the president. That’s the Nigerian law. I disassociate myself.”

He continued: “Nah them choose ham. If they say dey want to change it, make them give you the new ones. Now they want to remove the old ones, they no give you the new ones. On this matter, President Buhari is on his own. Your naira will remain valid according to the Supreme Court. Don’t throw away your naira, keep it.”

He added: “By the time you finish voting on Saturday, Emefiele, the Central Bank Governor, will expire. Your money will not expire. But the president will expire.”

DAILY POST reports that the 2023 presidential election will take place on Saturday.

2023 Election: INEC Gets Cash For Elections

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received cash from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for election logistics, Daily Trust reports.

A national Commissioner of INEC disclosed this to Daily Trust on Thursday night.

There had been apprehension over the inability of INEC to get cash from the CBN even though its budget is a first-line charge. This was a result of the cashless policy introduced by the CBN with the support of the federal government.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, during a visit to CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele said they needed cash rather than bank transfers to sort out many of their activities.

The commission had explained that even though it does most of its payments through online transfers, some specific services have to be paid for in cash.

He said some of the service providers, especially transporters, are required to be paid in cash and besides, experience has shown that emergency situations do arise on Election Day, which could demand the use of cash by the commission.

Many observers had condemned the delay in releasing the funds considering that there are many hard-to-reach areas in many of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), hence the need for early preparation, deployment of equipment and people that would officiate the election.

There was however a sigh of relief yesterday when some INEC officials confirmed that the monies have been released by the CBN.

RECs to take monies in CBN branches

The INEC national commissioner, who spoke in confidence, said branch controllers of the CBN have been instructed to disburse the funds to INEC offices in the states.

“The issue of the cash crunch has been resolved and our resident electoral commissioners have started collecting the money,” he said.

“Before they got the clearance to have access to the money, we earlier sent the requests to CBN based on the demands of each state. What the REC in each state requires is different depending on the topography of their states and it is based on this that the funds were approved.”

He said the commission had asked security operatives to work closely with INEC in order to ensure a hitch-free disbursement from the commission’s state headquarters to the LGAs.

Confirming the release of the funds, the Oyo State REC, Dr Adeniran Rahmon Tella, yesterday, told journalists at a news conference that the commission had secured CBN to offset the payment of ad-hoc staff.


EFCC, ICPC to monitor spending

But some credible sources told the Daily Trust yesterday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), among other anti-graft and security agencies, would monitor the utilisation of the election cash disbursement to INEC for this year’s general elections.

Top government officials within and outside the commission told Daily Trust that the monitoring was to ensure the success of the February 25 and March 11 elections.

Another official who confirmed that the anti-graft agencies would monitor the disbursement of the cash said that INEC was not disturbed by such a move, as it was informed that this was to curtail possible diversion of such funds for other purposes other than the elections.

The official also said that the disbursement should not be seen as being late as it was a strategy to prevent diversion, especially since there is a cash crunch in the country.

CBN usurping INEC’s independence – Falana

A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has criticised the moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to use anti-corruption agencies to monitor the disbursement of funds meant for INEC.

Speaking with Daily Trust yesterday, Falana called on INEC to rise and defend its independence as the constitution has given it the mandate to make guidelines on the conduct of elections.

“It is a litany of illegalities; the Central Bank has printed monies without appropriation by the National Assembly; they have spent billions without appropriation by the National Assembly either in their 2022 or 2023 budget.

“Having usurped the powers of INEC, the simple fact is that INEC is going to manage to shop for logistics for the election, that is totally illegal,” he said.

However, Professor Paul Ananaba (SAN) said it could not constitute a breach of INEC’s independence since the electoral commission is not required to seek approval of CBN or some oversight on their funds, but the monitoring.

“If the anti-corruption agencies are not monitoring the expenditure, it means they are not doing their work,” he said.

INEC encouraged by police assurance – Yakubu

Meanwhile INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu yesterday said that the assurance of safety by the Nigerian Police Force is so far encouraging for the smooth conduct of the polls.

The INEC chairman who spoke during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), held at INEC headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja, said security agencies will not only protect the commission’s staff and facilities, but the will extend to voters, election observers, journalists and others involved in the electoral process.

“The Nigerian police, which is the lead agency in election security, is already familiar with the delimitation details on the basis of which security personnel are deployed for elections. And since they as the lead agency are also coordinating with other security agencies, I take it that other security agencies are also aware of the delimitation details.

“The commission is encouraged by the assurances of security in all locations, while elections and electoral activities will be conducted. Importantly, the commission is aware that security agencies are going to protect not only our officials and facilities, but also accredited observers, journalists, service providers, and above all the voters themselves, Yakubu said.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, assured Nigerians of safe, free, fair and credible elections. Monguno, represented by Sanusi Galadima, a director in his office, noted that there have been rising protests as some Nigerians are exploiting the current situation in the country.

He, however, said that presidential candidates must seek demonstration of peace.

“We will ensure a peaceful transition of power to the democratically elected candidate,”

Photos From The Mass Burial Of Madonna Students Burnt To Death In Road Accident

 The remains of eight students of Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, who died in an auto crash on their way to Taraba State from Port Harcourt, have been laid to rest, IGBERETV reports. 

The incident happened on Saturday, February 18, at the TTC/Special Science School junction, Abakaliki in Ebonyi State while the students were travelling home from school on account of the forthcoming general election. Seven other students reportedly survived the incident with varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Alex Ekwueme Teaching Hospital Hospital in Ebonyi State.

The mass burial was held on Tuesday morning, February 21, at the Magami Christian Cemetery in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

A Facebook user, Tony Matinjah identified one of the victims as his brother, Amamzala Donald Matinjah, a 300 level Optometry student.

After Visiting Kwara State, Peter Obi Lands In Ogbomosho, Oyo State

 

Davido To Gift N1M To Keke Driver Who Posted His Photos On His Keke

 Popular Nigerian singer Davido has proven once again he has a pure heart of gold after promising to gift a keke driver who’s a diehard fan N1m for plastering his photos all over his keke.

Davido made his decision known to blogger Tunde Ednut after Ednut shared a video of the young keke driver.

The gentleman who is a diehard fan of Davido has dozens of photos of OBO plastered all over his keke.

The photos appear to give him joy as he goes about his harsh daily business of driving people around.

After Tunde Ednut posted the video showing the love the young man has for Davido, he messaged the blogger to offer to gift him N1m.

“I just posted this video and Davido sent me a DM saying he wants to give the boy N 1,000,000” Tunde Ednut wrote.

Tunde called on his large following to help him find the keke driver to come for his blessing from OBO.

“Please, if you can find him, do send me a DM, I will be on the look out. Let this N1,000,000 not waste Oo!

“I heard he’s always around Ajah junction. Please let social media that they say is not strong show it’s strength today 🤣🤣 Abeg, help me find am.

“I don’t think this guy is on social media, but hey, my guy, if you are on social media, YOUR DAVIDO, YOUR MAN WANTS TO BLESS YOU WITH N1,000,000. Send me a DM. I will be on the look out.

“GOD BLESS DAVIDO!!! When I say “OBO”, you saaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

“Please drop that love ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ emoji for DAVIDO in the comment section.”

2023: Danjuma And Christian Elders Endorse Peter Obi

 The National Christian Elders Forum, being piloted by a former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma, and other elder statesmen, has endorsed the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi for the February 25 elections.

According to them, the reports that some regions were preparing to unleash violence during the elections should not be taken lightly.

While calling on the Federal Government not to spare efforts to prevent violence during the elections, the nationalists urged Nigerians to shun politics of religion and tribalism.

They called on Nigerians to vote candidates into offices based on capacity, ability, integrity, and good health because, “a sick country requires hearty leaders.

The Christian elders bared their minds in a statement titled, “Resolutions towards 2023 elections: Think new”, signed by its chairman Dr. Samuel Gani and Secretary, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, obtained by The PUNCH in Abuja on Tuesday.

Members of the NECF included Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South), Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. Kate Okpareke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd), Hon. Justice James Ogebe (retd), and Elder Moses Ihonde.

Others are Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (retd.), Elder Nat Okoro, Solomon Asemota (SAN), Elder Matthew Owojaiye, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, His Royal Majesty Oba Dokun Thompson, and Dr. Taiwo Idemudia.

The statement read, “In view of the need to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria and the culture of corruption, incompetency, lawlessness, and impunity, which assailed the country in the past 24 years is eradicated, NCEF encourages Nigerians to think new.

“Nigeria requires new leaders, new methods, new policies, and new political parties. In view of the above for equity, justice, inclusiveness, and unity to produce the preferred future for Nigerians.

“The National Christian Elders Forum is endorsing Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the Presidential candidate to be voted for. NCEF encourages all Nigerians of voting age to exercise their civic duty and ensure that they vote for capacity, competency, integrity, and good health. Nigerians, think new!”

They further disclosed Nigerians are beginning to attach premium importance to capacity and integrity rather than the primordial emotional choices which afforded unqualified and incompetent people access to leadership positions.

“NCEF commends the Federal Government for taking steps to curb vote-buying during the 2023 elections. While the policy of currency change has brought some inconvenience to the people, the long-term benefit should be appreciated. It is crucial that vote-buying must be prevented at all costs to prevent unqualified and incapable persons from bribing their way into power,” it added.

The NCEF reiterated the call to all Nigerians that the next elections should be about national integration, national reconciliation and national unity that would lead to social, economic, and physical infrastructural development for the benefit of all and sundry.

APC To INEC: We Demand To Know The total Number Of Eligible Voters

 Four days to the conduct of the general elections, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to make available to Nigerians the total number of Permanent Voters Cards collected by eligible voters.

Minister of Works and Housing who incidentally is the Director of the Election Planning and Monitoring Directorate of APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Babatunde Raji Fashola, made the demand at a media briefing on Tuesday.

Fashola said making public the total number of PVCs collected in states and local government available to Nigerians “is critical to reinforce the credibility of the process that they are preparing for.”

Checks revealed that the Commission Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, last January gave a figure of 93,469,008 as Nigerians who registered for PVCs voters for 2023 general elections.