President Muhammadu Buhari says some people hide under the canopy of religion to advance their economic and political agenda, and continuous education is needed so that the larger populace would not be hoodwinked.
The President spoke at Nouakchott, Mauritania, Tuesday, while meeting with Rashad Hussain, United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
Recounting his private meeting at the White House with former President Donald Trump, the Nigerian leader recalls Trump asking him: “why are you killing Christians in Nigeria,” and how he proceeded to tell him that the issue in the country was not religious, but rather criminal, and a usage of religion by some elements to further their economic, and sometimes, political interests.
“It’s a problem Nigeria has been struggling with for a long time, and it is completely unnecessary,” President Buhari said. “Some people use religion as sentiment, but with adequate education, people are seeing through it now. Majority of the people just want to practice their religion without problem, but some people cash in on religious misunderstanding for their own ends.
“When people are educated, they are able to discern when others want to use religion for certain ends. They do it mostly for material reasons.
“Also, when some people are incompetent, they bring in all sorts of excuses, including religion.”
Ambassador Hussain said the United States of America is interested in partnering with Nigeria in the areas of formal and non-formal education, towards religious harmony.
“There’s so much we can do together to promote peace, promote communal harmony. We love what you are doing, and we would be glad to assist as appropriate,” he said.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
January 17, 2023
January 16, 2023
Press Statement
You’re a Convict, PDP Dismisses Tinubu
…Insists Tinubu Not Atiku Should Withdraw from Presidential Race
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismisses as irresponsible the attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its incoherent Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to divert public attention from the issues affecting Nigerians, Tinubu’s atrocious record and the vexatious misrule of the APC by demanding that the PDP Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar should withdraw from the Presidential race on account of simulated allegations by the APC.
It is indeed ironic that an embattled Tinubu, who is beleaguered by uncountable cases of fraudulent activities, including perjury, forgery, treasury looting, corruption and narcotic-related conviction can attempt to impugn on the unimpeachable integrity of the PDP Presidential Candidate.
For clarity and for the interest of Nigerians, it is on record that Atiku Abubakar is one of the most investigated public officials in this country. It is also on record that in all the investigations undertaken over him and his affairs, Atiku Abubakar was never found culpable in any of the allegations.
In contrast however, the APC Presidential Candidate has litany of confirmed legal impediments on very grave issues including those that boarders on international crime, namely; trafficking in narcotic and taking proceeds of narcotic.
In the recent case revealed in the United States of America, it is on record that the APC Presidential Candidate forfeited the sum of $460,000 which was confirmed and found to be proceed of trafficking in narcotic; an international crime for which Nigeria, being a signatory to International Convention on trafficking in narcotic is obliged to enforce.
The effect of the conviction and forfeiture of the sum of $460,000 by Asiwaju Tinubu confirms that he is ineligible and not qualified to contest for the Office of the President of Nigeria as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
For clarity, Section 137 (1) (d) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that:(1) “A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if… (d) He is under a sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offence, imposed on him by ANY COURT or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal”.
Having been convicted, sentenced and fined for narcotic trafficking in a criminal suit filed pursuant to the United States Criminal Code, Asiwaju Tinubu cannot by virtue of Section 137 (1)(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) seek office as President of Nigeria.
The APC Presidential Candidate has not come out to deny the conviction and forfeiture or show evidence of any attempt by him to challenge or appeal the judgment, apparently believing that it will slide with time. Asiwaju Tinubu ought to know that time does not run against the State in a criminal matter!
He should therefore withdraw from the Presidential race having been found ineligible and not qualified to run or to contest for the Office of the President of Nigeria under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
PRESIDENT BUHARI HAILS RENOWNED ARTS JOURNALIST, ACTOR, JAHMAN ANIKULAPO AT 60
President Muhammadu Buhari warmly shares the joy of celebrations with renowned culture and arts advocate, Jahman Anikulapo, who turned 60, brimming with youthful energy and readiness to keep shaping the music and film industry with new ideas.
President Buhari lauds the culture activist for his sustained advocacy and celebration of the traditional, iconic, and unique identity of Nigeria and Africa in writing, film, drama and discussions, intentionally documenting history, promoting culture tourism and inspiring generations.
The President affirms that Anikulapo’s tutelage under some of the best dramatic and literary critics in the world, with many living and teaching in Nigeria, shows in his dedication to creativity, especially in the narrative styles.
As the journalist, director, actor, and critic uses his creative talent to keep the spotlight on arts and culture as integral aspects of development, President Buhari believes his zeal and knowledge will continue to be relevant in a dynamic world, where values and virtues will shape the future of leadership.
The President congratulates family members, friends and colleagues of Anikulapo on the joyous occasion of turning 60.
President Buhari prays for the well-being of the former Guardian newspaper Editor, who leads institutions like Culture Advocates Caucus.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 18, 2023
Press Release
2023 Election: Onegla PDP Campaign, Bold Statement Of Victory – Obuah
The Director-General of the Rivers State 2023 PDP Election Campaign Council which kicked off its electioneering campaigns on Monday, January 16, 2023 at Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Bro Felix Obuah has simply described the rally as not only a political statement, but also a statement of victory.
Overwhelmed by the surging crowd of PDP supporters and beneficiaries of Governor Wike administration from even the remotest parts of the Local Government Area to express their joy and support for the ruling PDP, Bro Obuah, also known as and referred to, as ‘Go-Round’ by his numerous fans based on his life of charity and philanthropy said the next dispensation will witness greater ‘Go-Rounds’, in Onelga as PDP is poised to consolidate on the gains of the Wike-led government.
The immediate past State PDP Chairman, Bro Obuah was happy to note that the venue (Pavilion) of the event which is named after him was filled to capacity by visible and credible carriers of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) who are desirous to reward Governor Wike and by extension, the PDP with their votes for quality leadership, good governance and infrastructural revolution in parts of the state including Onelga Communities.
“All the people you see here are not rented crowd, they are all PDP members and they all have their PVCs. They came out because of the good things Governor Wike has done in Rivers State, particularly Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. We solidly believe in the leadership of His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, we will go anywhere he directs us to go in this election,” Bro Obuah declared.
Pastor Jerry Needam
Secretary
Directorate of Publicity & Communication
Rivers State PDP Campaign Council.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CAMPAIGNS, RT. HON. FUNKEKEME SOLOMON, AT THE DELTA PDP CAMPAIGN SECRETARIAT, ANWAI ROAD, ASABA, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18TH, 2023.
PROTOCOL
Gentlemen of the Press,
It is my pleasure once again to welcome you all to this Press Conference, the first in the Year 2023, and to wish you all a Happy New Year. This Press Conference is called to intimate you about the positive developments that the Peoples Democratic Party’s Campaign Committee has had so far.
- As you are already aware, the party about two months ago successfully visited all the 270 Wards in this State in our endeavour to reach the grassroots with our message of Rescue, Reset and Rebuild Nigeria as well as advancing Delta. And I dare to say that the messages were well-delivered to our teeming supporters who now look up earnestly to vote for the PDP and all its candidates from the Presidential, Senate, House of Representatives; to the Governorship and House of Assembly candidates.
- Shortly after, the Campaign Committee again embarked on the Local Government campaigns traversing the Local Government Areas. So far, a total of 23 Local Government Areas of the State have been reached with the message of hope for Nigeria and Delta State. The remaining two Local Government Areas will be covered in due course before long.
- We give praise, glory, and thanks to God Almighty whose guidance and protection remained with us all through the onerous, almost daily travels of crisscrossing the Local Government Areas. We also thank you, Gentlemen of the Press, for partnering with us through your various reportage and creating awareness of our campaign events in your various media organs of radio, television, newspaper, and the online genres of news dissemination. We greatly appreciate your partnership on your call to duty. It will interest you to know that the joy displayed by party faithful, members, and supporters on each of our campaign visits was not just overwhelming but palpable; it was an atmosphere of peace and warm reception all the way with a massive turnout of people at the campaign grounds.
- The Vice-Presidential Candidate of our party and Governor of Delta State, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, our leader, was with us all through the Local Government Area campaigns, during which the people showed love for the PDP and expressed great enthusiasm and strong assurance and conviction to vote for all the candidates of the PDP. The people indeed showed great interest and were excited in the fact that a Deltan, Governor Okowa, emerging as Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be to the advantage of Delta State, and they assured that Deltans will not allow this opportunity to slip past. Thus, they expressed determination to ensure that every vote counts for the PDP. Party chieftains in each Local Government displayed uncommon loyalty and support for the PDP and went the extra mile to net in decampees from other political parties to the PDP. Their devotion and dedication to the cause of the PDP clearly confirmed the PDP position that Delta is synonymous with PDP.
- As we salute PDP faithful and supporters in Delta State, it is important to call their attention to the key issues raised by our leader, Governor, and Vice-Presidential candidate, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, especially as Nigeria contends with unabating insecurity, rising hunger, and poverty, an economy plagued with huge debts, prostrate education, acutely exemplified by long closure of tertiary institutions, the abysmal state of Federal roads across the country, and the scuttling of the structure of unity of this nation. Never has Nigeria been so disunited and fractured. The APC-led Federal Government has done more to divide Nigerians than unite us in addition to the biting poverty. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 133 million Nigerians are poverty-stricken.
- Like the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate said, “APC has plunged Nigeria and its citizens into severe hardship from which the country needs to be rescued, reset, and rebuilt from the ashes of the APC misrule. And for that to happen, we of the Delta campaign Council join him in strongly calling on all Nigerians, nay all Deltans to Vote Atiku Abubakar for President and Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for Governor of Delta State. Indeed, Atiku Abubakar truly illustrates the model example of the President that Nigeria needs now; he is detribalized, cosmopolitan, a unifying figure, a successful businessman, and a pan-Nigerian. As former Vice-President, his management of the economy was exceptionally good, far better than what is currently experienced under this crushing APC-led Federal Government and Nigerians stand to gain from his wealth of experience. Of course, as his running mate, our leader, Governor Okowa also possesses the requisite knowledge and experience to help him with the task of building the Nigeria of our dreams.
- The Delta PDP Campaign Committee has said times without numbers why the APC-led Federal Government MUST go. APC has deceived Nigerians enough with its maladministration of the country in all areas. Therefore, Nigerians have rejected as unthoughtful the decision to field “Alhaji” Bola Tinubu, whose physical ability and mental state of mind is in question; the one on whose neck hangs the yoke of unanswered questions about his age, parentage, State of origin and the well-known baggage of his drug baron status remains an insult to the intelligence and sensibilities of Nigerians. Bola Tinubu on account of this lacks all indices of a fit and proper person to be voted as President of Nigeria. To vote in such a man is to turn Nigeria into an illicit drug headquarters of the world. God forbid. His candidacy is indefensible, by any standard.
- This is why Nigerians should embrace and vote for PDP’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar who is in a better stead to rescue and restore Nigeria from the suffocating grip of the APC. Let me conclude this by repeating the question raised by Atiku to Nigerians – “Can APC recover Nigeria from itself?” Of course, the answer is NO, because Voting for the APC in the next election is a vote for a continuation of the current state of gloom, and Nigerians cannot afford to make that mistake. it is important to re-emphasize the following truths:
(a). PDP built this country from 1999 to 2015 when APC deceptively took over power.
(b). APC destroyed Nigeria from 2015 to 2023 and therefore has no moral basis to ask for another tenure from Nigerians.
(c). Only the PDP can rescue this country and reset it on the path of abundance, stability, and prosperity.
- We urge all Deltans to also vote massively for our Governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Francis Oborevwori – a grassroots politician, who dwells with the people and knows where the shoe is pinching them. His M.O.R.E Agenda has a comprehensive and well-articulated package for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security for Delta State.
This is our charge to Deltans and Nigerians in general, Vote for PDP candidates all-the-way
- It is also important for us to inform the generality of Deltans and persons living in Delta State that Tuesday, January 24, 2023 has been declared PDP Day. It is the day the National Campaign entourage of the PDP led by the Presidential Candidate and the National Chairman, as well as the National campaign leaders of the party will hit Delta State, and it will hold inside the Main Bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Nnebisi Road, Asaba. The time is 9 a.m. Already, mobilization effort has gone ahead in all the nooks and crannies of the State to get faithful members and supporters of the party to massively be in attendance at the rally that promises to be the Mother of all rallies.
- I enjoin you, Gentlemen of the Press, to help to bring the awareness of the January 24, 2023 PDP Day through your various mediums to everyone in the State.
- May I also use this opportunity to cordially and respectfully invite you all, my colleagues to the rally and give it the widest publicity before, during, and after the event.
- Thank you all for your attention.
Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon,
Director of Campaigns,
Delta PDP Campaign Council.
18th January, 2023
Campaign Venue: Prof. Utomi lied – DTSG
Delta Government has chided Labour Party chieftain, Professor Pat Utomi, over his false and misleading claims that the government denied the party venue for its presidential campaign in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, at a news conference on Tuesday in Asaba said Utomi, a Professor of many years, should not resort to telling lies and blackmail to curry sympathy for his party.
He said that there was no record that Labour Party wrote to the state government for a venue for campaign and was denied, and challenged it to present the letter and the response from the State, denying them the use of a venue.
Aniagwu said,”the Labour Party creates an impression that it is being oppressed across the length and breadth of this country in order to attract sympathy.
“The Labour Party did not write to us as a government that it was going to have a rally in Delta. Somebody as highly placed as Prof. Pat Utomi went to town to allege that they have been prevented from campaigning in Delta.
“I challenge them to show any application letter sent to the Secretary to the State Government and let them also show the reply from the SSG.
“Somebody representing Prof. Utomi called me on Sunday morning ahead of their rally on Monday morning and I asked what were the issues?
“He said he would be glad if I could give them the Arcade for their campaign. And, I said, you are having a campaign on Monday and you are making phone call to demand for a venue on Sunday?”
The commissioner, who was flanked by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said that the state government granted permission to the party for the rally and waived payment for the venue to demonstrate its democratic credentials.
“We asked the Labour Party not to pay for the venue that we would take the responsibility for even the cleaning of the place after the event.
“In spite of doing that, Prof. Pat Utomi, wanting to tell a lie, went to the media stations and the social media and alleged that we have prevented them from using public venue.
“So, the idea of Prof. Utomi lying to Nigerians is not what we need as a country at this point in time. Every political party should be free to campaign wherever they want to campaign, provided that they are not infringing on the rights of other persons.
“And, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Atiku Abubakar believe that every party should be free to campaign whereever they want. You can see that, that is what we are doing in Delta.
“The closest campaign offices to the Government House those of the opposition parties and we never made any law or took any step to stop them from using those infrastructure,” he said.
According to him, in a democracy, people should be free to exercise their rights as long as they are not infringing on the rights of other Nigerians.
“So, we needed to make this clarifications because it is very bad for Prof. Pat Utomi to lie about the issue, thinking that we would fall into that trap.
“I challenge him to show us any letter of application for venue and let him also deny that it was not on Sunday morning that they spoke to me that they needed to campaign in Delta.
“In fact, they even need to write a letter to commend us. If we prevented them, how did they now have access to use the Arcade?
“Prof. Utomi should know that our desire to rebuild Nigeria should not be on the basis of lies and blackmail. Our desire to rebuild Nigeria must be based on truth. If they claim that they have character, then it should start with telling truth to Nigerians,” Aniagwu added.
He explained that the state government allowed everybody to campaign because PDP in Delta was strongly on ground in the state and could not be threatened.
“The reason we allow everyone to come here and campaign is that we are very much on ground. We are on ground because one, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has performed.
“Two, he has been in touch with the people. Three, we are on ground because even long before now, PDP has been an indigene of Delta and it’s not in a hurry to leave this state.
“So, even if they want to come back tomorrow to campaign in front of Government House, let them come. Every other party will have a chance to campaign in Delta once the venue is available,” he stated.
On his part, the Chief Press Secretary, Ifeajika said that Prof. Utomi was alien to the politics of the state as he neither visited home nor knew his polling unit and Ward.
He said that APC, the main opposition party in the state, flagged off campaign at Warri Township Stadium few weeks ago.
“If the State Government is not allowing other parties access to venues, how come APC, the main opposition in this State used our stadium in Warri without hindrance and without restrictions.
“Since after that flag off, their candidates have been going round Delta campaigning unrestrained in our schools and everywhere, and Utomi was somewhere telling lies.
“The truth is that Utomi is an alien to Delta politics and for him to be lying shows that doesn’t come home and doesn’t know what is happening in Delta.
“Everyone in Delta and Nigeria know the type of man Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is. His personage is infectious; everybody knows that his other name is humility, and he is very tolerant.
“Democracy is large in Delta, everybody is allowed a space. So, it was obvious that Utomi meant to lie to Nigerians, and it’s quite unfortunate. He should be told to come home and see what is happening at home, and see how democracy thrives here.
“Utomi should stop lying, he is too big to lie. But if he continues to live in Lagos, he should leave politics because he is not a politician.
“In his Ibusa community, he does not know his Polling Unit, let alone his Ward or members of his party there. He is so alien to his people and Delta that when he came to run for governorship under APC in 2019, he couldn’t trace his unit and ward and didn’t even know the delegates.
“The worst was that he, as aspirant, didn’t know the time and venue of his party’s primary election. He was in the vicinity but couldn’t locate the place, and didn’t participate. That’s the type of politician Prof. Utomi is.
“He should leave politics for politicians and remain the television analyst he is in Lagos. He should also shun blackmail and lie. It doesn’t tell well of him, ” Ifeajika said.
He advised Utomi to join the teeming Deltans and Nigerians, who are supporting Governor Okowa because of his acknowledged stellar performance and pedigree, saying “Utomi knows Okowa’s rating and worth and has no reason to vilify him and his administration.
“Governor Okowa deserves respect from Utomi.”
2023: Oborevwori will further my administration’s performance, says Okowa
The Governor of Delta and Vice Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured people of the state that the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, would take his administration’s performance further, if elected.
He said that Oborevwori had learnt a lot as the longest serving Speaker of the State House of Assembly and would continue with ongoing projects and programmes of his administration.
Okowa gave the assurance on Tuesday at Obiaruku during the party’s campaigns at Ukwuani and Ethiope East Local Government Areas.
According to him, I have known Oborevwori for many years now and he has been Speaker of the House of Assembly for six years and as the longest serving speaker, he has understudied our programmes and policies.
“He has learnt a lot and has assured that he would be fair to all parts of Delta and ensure that no ongoing project is abandoned in any part of the state.
“Aside ongoing projects, he will also ensure continuation of our youths and women empowerment programmes,” he said.
The vice-presidential candidate said that ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had spoilt the country in all economic indices, but assured that the PDP Atiku-Okowa manifesto would unite the country to fight insecurity “because there is strength in unity”.
He said that a PDP administration would be willing to assist states to set up their own police systems to compliment the federal police and other security agencies in fighting insecurity across the country.
“They have killed our economy such that they have borrowed over N100 trillion but we will recover and rebuild our country because we did it before in 1999.
“All our federal roads in the state are impassable; twice I wanted to intervene for the Sapele-Agbor road and they stopped us because it’s a federal road.
“But thank God that I am going to Abuja and we will ensure that all federal roads are attended to.
“The APC also destroyed our education sector with the eight-month ASUU strike that kept our children at home for so long. But throughout the period of strike, all our universities in Delta were in session.
“They were in session because we have taken care of all they needed for the educational advancement of the state.
“So, for Delta to continue on the path of progress and development, let’s vote for all candidates of the PDP,” he said.
Immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, urged the people to vote all PDP candidates to enable Governor Okowa to become the Vice-President of the country.
He said a vote for the party would ensure proper allocation of oil resources produced from the state.
On his part, the governorship candidate, Chief Oborevwori, commended Okowa for the many projects in the area, including a Technical College at Obiaruku, ongoing construction of 27 kilometres of roads with over 70 per cent completed.
He added that no fewer than 400 indigenes of the area had benefited from the state’s empowerment programmes.
He promised that his administration would construct the Amai and Arhagba-Orogun roads, emphasizing that he would be equitable to all parts of Delta and would not abandon any ongoing project across the state.
Chairman of the party, Chief Kingsley Esiso, commended the leaders and party faithful for the massive turnout for the rally.
He said that APC had virtually destroyed the country and urged the people to chase them out of Aso Rock.
Director-General of the State Campaign Council, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, said that PDP was in Ukwuani to renew its mandate with the people to continue with its development of the state.
“We have come here to renew our mandate because you don’t change a winning team. PDP has been winning here since 1999 and the party has led well developing the state over time.
“As Deltans, the 2023 election is an opportunity for us to rise up irrespective of our party differences to vote for Atiku-Okowa ticket to enable our illustrious son become the next Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The campaign rallies witnessed massive defections from the APC and Labour Party, with former LP Delta North Senatorial candidate, Ebuwa Kelvin and Chief Alex Imarah among the defectors.
Rising poverty in Niger Delta must be eradicated – Ayu
National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, on Wednesday deplored the poor living condition in Niger Delta, saying that in spite of the region’s huge contributions to the nation’s economy, poverty rate in the area had continued to rise.
He said that the situation in the zone was bizarre, given the volume of wealth it bore, and therefore called for cconcerted efforts by all stakeholders to address the challenge.
Ayu spoke while inaugurating the multi-billion naira Ogheye Floating Market; Odokun Secondary School; 3-km pedestrian road linking Oboghoro to Ogheye-Dimigun and a pedestrian bridge crossing Jorojoro creek to Ogheye-Dimigun, all in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He said that the people of Niger Delta deserved a better deal for their sacrifices and contributions to the nation’s economic mainstay.
He, however, lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his outstanding development efforts in the state, especially in the construction of the modern market which would contribute immensely to the growth of commerce in the area.
The PDP Chairman said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had set the country backward for over 50 years, and urged Nigerians to support his party’s mission to rescue and rebuild the nation.
He said, “thank you Deltans for the support you have given to us in our journey so far to recover and rebuild Nigeria.
“I am happy to come back to the State for the second time as National Chairman of our great party to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who by the grace of God will become our next Vice-President in a few months.
“I first took note of Okowa’s works as Governor when he built the best State Secretariat in the country and I remember telling him that the nation was taking note of his contributions to the development of his people.
“Some political parties will come to campaign to the people, make all manner of promises to deceive the people into voting for them but when they come into office they don’t fulfill their promises and that’s criminal.
“But the PDP which i was a founding member was formed to work for the people and we are particularly proud of our governors who are hoisting the party’s flag high.
“I am happy that there is continuity in governance here in Delta and the three governors so far, have not disappointed Deltans,” he said.
Ayu said Okowa’s outstanding works and contributions to the party earned him the Vice-Presidential ticket and described him as a brilliant and articulate man who, had continued to offer greater services to the party and the country.
“Okowa is an articulate and brilliant statesman and we the leadership of the party decided that Delta State has to be rewarded for its contribution to the growth and development of the party.
“The poverty in the Niger Delta must be tackled and it must not be left for the state governments alone. Concerted efforts must be made by all stakeholders, including the Federal Government and oil companies, to the development of the region.
“You are the second son of the Niger Delta that would be fortunate enough to ascend to such a high office from the region and it is our hope that you pay special attention to the needs of the people of the Niger Delta when you become the Vice President of the country.
“I was here last year to inaugurate a road named after my friend, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, and the multi-billion naira storm water drainage projects in Asaba.
“I also inspected the Model Technical College in Asaba that was built almost like a university which you replicated in other parts of the state and I believe the people of Delta will not forget you,” he told Okowa.
In his remarks, Governor Okowa paid tribute to his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who conceived and started the construction of the market which was later abandoned due to financial constraints and non-performance by the contractor.
“I was part of the initiative when I visited Warri North for the inauguration of projects at Oboghoro and Utonlila communitie and I visited the market project and assured that we would take steps to re-award the contract.
“We got a local contractor, an indigine of the community to take up the job and we thank God that in two years, he was able to deliver and it is important to state that our people have the capacity to do great things,” he said.
Okowa urged the party hierarchy to support the development of the region, pointing out that “it costs so much to execute projects in the Niger Delta”.
“When we take over government of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, I am sure that we will get to understand that the people of the Niger Delta truly have a very difficult terrain.
“If it costs a billion to build a project in some other states, it could cost up to N5 billion to execute such projects here,” he said.
In his remarks, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, commended the governor for ensuring the completion of the age-long market, adding that its completion would improve the growth of commerce in the area.
He said that the area was known for abundance of oil and gas but regretted that the people had not benefited from the proceeds from the exploitation of the resources.
The Warri monarch further said that building the market was commendable as commerce remained the best way to reposition Delta beyond oil and gas.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Projects, Mr Solomon Golley, had said that the Ogheye Floating Market was built at the mouth of the Benin River, by the Atlantic Ocean, on top of 6,000m2 reinforced concrete platform supported by over 160nos. of 450mm diameter piles .
He said the market comprised a landing jetty, 96 open shops, 80 lock-up shops, security tower, gate house, canteen, administrative building, banking hall, fish processing unit, warehouse building, toilet facilities and a protective fence on the platform.
Okowa earned PDP’s Vice-Presidential ticket – Ayu
National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, on Wednesday said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta earned the party’s Vice-Presidential ticket for the forthcoming general elections as he inaugurated the multi-billion naira Ogheye Floating Market in the state.
He said that the market, like the State Secretariat in Asaba, also built by Okowa, were great wonders that had stood out in the country and beyond.
Ayu described the governor as “a brilliant and articulate statesman” who had continued to offer greater services to his people.
“Okowa is an articulate and brilliant statesman and the leaders of our party, the PDP, decided that Delta State has to be rewarded for its contribution to the growth and development of the party and Nigeria,” he said.
Ayu added that Okowa’s socio-economic development of Delta was outstanding, and said that it was that he would bring the “culture” to national stage when PDP would take over governance in the country.
Other projects inaugurated by the PDP Chairman were Odokun Secondary School; 3-km pedestrian road linking Oboghoro to Ogheye-Dimigun and a pedestrian bridge crossing Jorojoro creek to Ogheye-Dimigun, all in Warri North Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the projects, including the floating market would contribute immensely to the growth of commerce in the coastal communities in the state.
The PDP Chairman called on the Federal Government to give more support to governments of Niger Delta states, saying that the people of the region deserved a better deal for their sacrifices and contributions to nation’s economic mainstay.
He remarked that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had set the country backward for over 50 years, and urged Nigerians to support his party’s mission to rescue and rebuild the nation.
He said, “thank you Deltans for the support you have given to us in our journey so far to recover and rebuild Nigeria.
“I am happy to come back to the State for the second time as National Chairman of our great party to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who by the grace of God will become our next Vice-President in a few months.
“I first took note of Okowa’s works as Governor when he built the best State Secretariat in the country and I remember telling him that the nation was taking note of his contributions to the development of his people.
“Some political parties will come to campaign to the people, make all manner of promises to deceive the people into voting for them but when they come into office they don’t fulfill their promises and that’s criminal.
“But the PDP which I was a founding member was formed to work for the people and we are particularly proud of our governors who are hoisting the party’s flag high.
“I am happy that there is continuity in governance here in Delta and the three governors so far, have not disappointed Deltans,” he said.
Ayu said Okowa’s outstanding works and contributions to the party earned him the Vice-Presidential ticket and described him as a brilliant and articulate man who, had continued to offer greater services to the party and the country.
“Okowa is an articulate and brilliant statesman and we the leadership of the party decided that Delta State has to be rewarded for its contribution to the growth and development of the party.
“The poverty in the Niger Delta must be tackled and it must not be left for the state governments alone. Concerted efforts must be made by all stakeholders, including the Federal Government and oil companies, to the development of the region.
“You are the second son of the Niger Delta that would be fortunate enough to ascend to such a high office from the region and it is our hope that you pay special attention to the needs of the people of the Niger Delta when you become the Vice President of the country.
“I was here last year to inaugurate a road named after my friend, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, and the multi-billion naira storm water drainage projects in Asaba.
“I also inspected the Model Technical College in Asaba that was built almost like a university which you replicated in other parts of the state and I believe the people of Delta will not forget you,” he told Okowa.
In his remarks, Governor Okowa paid tribute to his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who conceived and started the construction of the market which was later abandoned due to financial constraints and non-performance by the contractor.
“I was part of the initiative when I visited Warri North for the inauguration of projects at Oboghoro and Utonlila communitie and I visited the market project and assured that we would take steps to re-award the contract.
“We got a local contractor, an indigine of the community to take up the job and we thank God that in two years, he was able to deliver and it is important to state that our people have the capacity to do great things,” he said.
Okowa urged the party hierarchy to support the development of the region, pointing out that “it costs so much to execute projects in the Niger Delta”.
“When we take over government of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, I am sure that we will get to understand that the people of the Niger Delta truly have a very difficult terrain.
“If it costs a billion to build a project in some other states, it could cost up to N5 billion to execute such projects here,” he said.
In his remarks, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, commended the governor for ensuring the completion of the age-long market, adding that its completion would improve the growth of commerce in the area.
He said that the area was known for abundance of oil and gas but regretted that the people had not benefited from the proceeds from the exploitation of the resources.
The Warri monarch further said that building the market was commendable as commerce remained the best way to reposition Delta beyond oil and gas.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Projects, Mr Solomon Golley, had said that the Ogheye Floating Market was built at the mouth of the Benin River, by the Atlantic Ocean, on top of 6,000m2 reinforced concrete platform supported by over 160nos. of 450mm diameter piles .
He said the market comprised a landing jetty, 96 open shops, 80 lock-up shops, security tower, gate house, canteen, administrative building, banking hall, fish processing unit, warehouse building, toilet facilities and a protective fence on the platform.
Nigeria Decides: Why APC is afraid of BVAS – Aniagwu
The Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council, Charles Aniagwu says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were scared of INEC’s decision to deploy Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the device would expose the party to ridicule following their abysmal performance since 2015.
Speaking on Focus Nigeria on AIT, yesterday, Aniagwu said the APC fought very hard to ensure that the law backing deployment of technology in electoral process was not passed in the National Assembly.
According to him, “the PDP is very much disposed to the use of BVAS and can never be part of those planning to bring down the INEC Chairman because we believe that he is doing his best to improve on our electoral process”.
“The APC candidate and their members were not comfortable with the use of BVAS and you will recall when the National Assembly was debating on the Electronic Transfer of Result, the Deputy President of the Senate who is governorship candidate of the APC in Delta, Ovie Omo-Agege and many others vehemently opposed that particular innovation and that is to tell you that the APC are not too comfortable with the BVAS.
“BVAS is going to be a game changer and as a party we are very confident that we will win through normal voting and we are hopeful that the votes of Nigerians will count.
“The INEC Chairman and his team have done so well, they may have their pitfalls as human beings but one can rate them far above average on the reforms they have brought to bear on our electoral system.
“And to a large extent I want to believe that they have been quite neutral in the electoral process we are having at the moment,” he said.
While reacting to the alarm raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the 2023 general elections might be postponed as a result of the insecurity challenges across the country, Aniagwu said “INEC is raising those issues with a view to getting the authorities to strengthen the security agencies and I’m very happy that the president yesterday did give an assurance that we need to have confidence in our security agencies.
“The president also assured he would see through a very credible electoral process and so far, from his comments and actions, I want to believe that he is very much committed to that process.
“You saw what happened in Osun, it’s adjudged to be a very credible electoral process. That could be one of the credits that you could ascribe to the president. No matter the many other pitfalls we have seen in this administration, in terms of improvements in the electoral process, Muhammadu Buhari could be adjudged to have done quite well in his desire to leave behind a credible electoral process.
“And so if INEC is raising that issue, it is not misplaced because there are a lot of security threats in a number of places. You’ve seen some of the INEC offices burnt down in some places in the Southeast and then a few other attempts in the Southwest.
“We do hope that the security agencies will beef up security around these institutions and police all the length and breadth of this country for the purpose of getting Nigerians to have the confidence to turn out on election day and for INEC to also have the confidence to deploy both sensitive and non sensitive materials on election day. So it’s not out of place that INEC raised the alarm.”
On why President Buhari was not disposed to campaigning for APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, Aniagwu who is also Commissioner for information in Delta, said the president had no confidence in the ability of Tinubu to turn things around for the country.
“What Buhari saw during the primaries of the APC, the governors failed to see it and it was quite clear the president wasn’t comfortable handing over to Tinubu given his level of integrity.
“Buhari may not have done so well for the nation given where we are now, but there are certain things you can’t take away from him.
“He is a man reputed not to be a thief and he is a man reputed to be a great patriot but for the fact that his administration did not perform up to expectations is largely because of his ability which he has also acknowledged that he did his best which obviously was not good enough.
“So when you saw him in Adamawa asking the electorate to vote candidates with integrity and he failed to mention the name of the party’ presidential candidate, it clearly shows that the man does not wish that Tinubu wins the Presidency.
“Buhari is not campaigning for Tinubu because he knows that he doesn’t have what it takes to turn things around for this country,” he added.
Aniagwu further said that Atiku Abubakar’s visit to London was in line with the party’s quest to build a global economy that will have the buy-in of the international community.
APC synonymous with infrastructure deficit – Okowa
Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday said ruling.All Progressives Congress (APC) was synonymous with infrastructure deficit and inept governance.
He said that the Federal Government, in its lackluster administration, orchestrated collapse of its roads in the state through deliberate neglect and abandonment.
Okowa stated this in Sapele at PDP’s campaign in Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas and noted that the poor attention of the Federal Government to Delta had continued in spite of the state having a son as Deputy President of the Senate.
According to him, all our roads – from Benin to Warri, Sapele to Agbor, everywhere, are all impassable yet we have a son as Deputy President of the Senate. He couldn’t lobby the government to reconstruct roads in the state, yet he wants to be governor.
He, however, urged the people of the state not to despair, saying “with God’s will and your support, I will become the next Vice-President of the country and we will attend to all the roads for the benefit of our people.”
On the governorship election in the state, Okowa commended the people for the massive turnout for the rallies and urged them to translate it to votes for all candidates of the party.
He said that God had approved Sheriff Oborevwori as his successor, pointing out that “God made it possible for him to be Speaker of the State House of Assembly and he has remained the longest serving speaker in the state.
“Obviously he has been in a school and God has made it possible for him to become our governorship candidate.
“On behalf of our great party faithful, I want to congratulate the people of Okpe on this great achievement because what God has done no man can change.
“We haven’t come here to campaign because we have been equitable and just by supporting your son to become gubernatorial candidate of the party.
“Only four states score above one million votes and they are all from the North but we must join them by crossing the one million-votes mark.
“Sheriff is not greedy and he has good people management skills and he will not disappoint Deltans. He has promised to complete our ongoing projects and execute more projects for the benefit of the people.”
The governor charged the people to continue to live in peace and remain united as “the more united we are the greater strength and voice that we will have in Nigeria”.
State Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro buttressed the importance of voting all party candidates and urged the people to campaign vigorously across the state.
Immediate Past Governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan lamented that despite the abundance of gas and two power plants in the area the people were still grappling with inadequate power supply.
He however urged the people to vote all candidates of the PDP expressing optimism that Governor Okowa would work towards correcting the present narrative when he becomes the Vice-President of the country.
For the Governorship candidate of the party, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, flanked by his wife Tobore and Deputy Governorship candidate Chief Monday Onyeme, said it was a homecoming for him because Sapele and Okpe local government areas belong to one Kingdom, Okpe.
“So coming here to campaign is not necessary but we thank you for allowing their son to have the gubernatorial ticket and for the massive road infrastructure and entrepreneurship programmes for our people.
“Some of the challenges being faced by the people are on the exclusive list and therefore urged the people to vote Atiku-Okowa ticket to ensure that Okowa addresses the issues affecting the people,”
Oborevwori said he had learnt to be very humble under Okowa assuring that he would deploy his MORE Agenda for the equitable development of the state.
State Chairman of the party, Chief Kingsley Esiso lauded Governor Okowa for the massive infrastructural development in the area.
He said that the coming election was a battle of “no retreat no surrender” adding that the APC had so damaged the economy that over 133 million Nigerians have been plunged into acute hunger and poverty.
He said the party was on a mission to rescue and reset Nigeria and called on the people to join hands with the party to sack APC from Aso Rock.
Director-General of the State PDP Campaign Council, Chief Funkekeme Solomon said the state was growing from strength to strength under the PDP and urged the people to vote massively for all candidates of the party.
He urged Deltans to put aside party differences and support the Delta interest by voting for the PDP to enable Governor Okowa become the first Vice-President from the state.
At Orerokpe, former Minister of Information, Professor Sam Oyovbaire and former Military Administrator of Abia State, Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena urged the people of Okpe to support their son and vote all candidates of the PDP.
At the well attended rallies, hundreds of former members of the APC defected to the PDP citing incompetence and the good works of the PDP in the state.
Wife of the Governor Dame Edith Okowa, Speaker Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Edward Ubosi; his Edo state counterpart Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun and former Speaker Cross River State House of Assembly and Pioneer Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Speakers’ Forum, Rt. Hon. John Lebo attended the rally.
Vice-Presidential Ticket: Okowa thanks PDP, Atiku
Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday expressed gratitude to the leadership of the party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for selecting him as presidential running mate.
He said that the ticket was a demonstration of the confidence the party and Atiku Abubakar had in his capabilities, adding that it was an ennobling responsibility.
Okowa stated this while addressing a mammoth crowd of PDP supporters at the party’s campaign in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas on Friday.
He thanked the people for their support over the years, and urged them and all Deltans to join in commending the party for the choice by voting massively for all its candidates in the forthcoming general elections as they had always done.
At the carnival-like rally, the governor reiterated his call on Deltans to deliver no fewer than one million votes to the party in the elections.
According to him, since the old Bendel State till now, nobody from Delta has emerged Vice-President. So, we are thankful and asking for your support because I know that you will back me and my party to achieve the task of recovering Nigeria.
“By the special grace of God, you have always supported me throughout my political career and I have seen Ika people come out in great numbers in the past, but I have never seen this kind of crowd in our campaigns here.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the leadership of PDP and our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for finding me worthy to be the Vice-Presidential candidate of our great party.
“I have challenged our people in Delta that as a state we must cross the one million votes mark and as people of Ika nation, I challenge us to deliver minimum of 180,000 votes for the party.
“I urge you all to justify my selection by ensuring that all our votes in Ika nation will go to PDP and God will bless you as you continue to work hard for us to deliver in all the elections,” he stated.
On the governorship election in the state, Okowa said that the choice of Sheriff Oborevwori as candidate was divine, and urged Ika people and Deltans to support him.
On his part, the candidate, Oborevwori, commended the people of Ika for their massive support, and assured that his administration’s MORE Agenda would develop all parts of the state equitably.
Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso, said that Ika people were fortunate to have produced a governor and now vice-presidential candidate of the party and urged them to vote 100 per cent for the PDP to justify the party’s choice of Okowa as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.
Director-General of the State’s Campaign Council, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, said that PDP built the country from 1999 to 2015, but regretted that APC had destroyed the country since it took over in 2015.
He, however, assured the people that PDP would restore the glory of the country and reset it for greater height, and appealed to them to vote for the party.
At Boji-Boji Owa, eight House of Assembly candidates of other political parties in the state, led by Mr Andrew Akawe of Accord Party, renounced their candidatures in favour of the candidacy of Mrs Marilyn Okowa-Daramola of the PDP.
The rally was attended by wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa; Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Kingsley Otuaro; Deputy Governorship Candidate, Chief Monday Onyeme: Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu
among others.
2023: Nigerians must not submit to Tinubu’s slavery – Atiku
The Atiku Campaign Organisation has cautioned Nigerians to be wary of the antics of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, and not submit to his overlordship as he is currently doing in Lagos.
Spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Charles Aniagwu, gave the advice at a news conference on Tuesday in Asaba and warned that Nigerians would be subjecting themselves to internal slavery if they allowed Tinubu to become Nigerian president.
He said that Tinubu who already captured Lagos was looking for avenue to extend his control on the other 35 states and FCT and urged Nigerians to avoid repeating the mistake Lagosians made by allowing him control everything that happens in the entire state.
According to him, “as a campaign council we are urging Nigerians not to make the mistake of submitting themselves to internal slavery by the APC whose Presidential candidate had since captured Lagos and what he is looking for is to expand his territorial control beyond Lagos to control the entire country in form of slavery.
“For those of you who may not know, a number of the major projects and programmes in Lagos are controlled by this same individual.
“When you get to Lagos and ask them about BRT you will discover that it is handled by this man’s family. The signages in Lagos which is a very big business is handled by his son, the collection of taxes in Lagos which is the biggest in terms of tax collection is handled by a company that is said to belong to this same man.
“Needn’t I mention other sources of revenue that Lagos should have benefited from and you also know how he handpicks those who will govern Lagos to the extent that Ambode, a man that was doing well was taken out because he disagreed with them on how to share the funds of the people of Lagos.”
He said for such a person to aspire to govern our country, it will be very detrimental to all of us.
“If we don’t want to submit ourselves to slavery, Nigerians must stop Tinubu from crossing Lagos into the other 35 states and the FCT because that will amount to internal slavery for all of us where he alone will determine the next President, and who gets what and not forces of democratic governance.
“As part of that unbridled quest to expand his grip and capture the states, they have cooked up stories because they have seen that Nigerians are convinced that Atiku Abubakar is a man that has what it takes to recover this country and place it on the path of growth and development.
“They have gone to wake up a blackmailer and they call him a whistle blower. Am sure that as journalists you know who a whistle blower is and who a blackmailer is.
“Michael Achimugu was not a staff of Atiku Abubakar, he was a staff of one of the support groups with the daughter, he was not employed to work for Atiku Abubakar.
“If all he does is to record his boss and his friend and you call that whistle blowing, all of you know that is not whistle blowing but blackmail and anybody who is a blackmailer cannot be taken seriously and we are not perturbed because it was not done with the intention to help our country.
Aniagwu, who is Commissioner for Information in Delta, said the campaign council was concerned about the challenges bedevilling the nation and how to solve them and not engage in mundane issues.
“As a campaign council we know what the issues are that our youths are loosing their jobs and more than 133million Nigerians are now suffering from what they call multi-dimensional poverty, our economy is not in the best of shape while our unity is terribly challenged.
“There also the need for our children to have the best of education to curb the ‘Jappa’ syndrome and of course to progress the country from a consumption atmosphere to a much more productive environment.
“Any attempt to raise issues that doesn’t add up so that they can have their way to enslave the rest of us, we are asking Nigerians to be weary of him and ask Lagosians what they are going through in his hands.
“Our forefathers fought the slave masters and colonial masters and chased them away to where they came from so we cannot afford to enthrone internal slave masters who will decide how the country would be governed.
“Our desire is to get our economy working again, unite Nigerians against divisive tendencies, fix infrastructure, address insecurity which has stiffled productivity and weakened our fabrics as a nation.
“In doing so we will amend the constitution give way for state police and other matters. The APC has not given the country any hope in the past let alone renewing it so we cannot afford to allow them enslave the rest of the country,” he said.
Okowa celebrates Ex-Commonwealth Scribe, Anyaoku at 90
Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as he clocks 90 years.
Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, said Nigeria benefited immensely from Anyaoku’s unblemished services to Nigeria, Africa and the Commonwealth having served for 34 years in the diplomatic community before being elected as Secretary-General in 1989.
He described the nonagenerian as a diplomat extraordinaire, epitome of selflessness and statesmanship, and prayed that God would raise more leaders in Anyaoku’s mould in Nigeria’s political and socio-economic firmament.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I felicitate with you, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on your 90th birth anniversary.
“As a great patriot and elder statesman, you have made significant contributions to the growth and stability of our nation, Africa and the Commonwealth of nations through your selfless service to humanity.
“As Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, you displayed an uncommon wisdom and irrepressible courage in your service and was very instrumental to the role of the Commonwealth in the liberation of Southern African states from racist colonialism and conflicts.
“You contributed actively to the Trans-African struggle for liberation which culminated in South Africa, Zimbabwe and other states in the Southern region of Africa becoming free and independent states.
“As you celebrate your 90th birth anniversary, I join your family, friends, well-wishers and Ndigbos worldwide to thank Almighty God for your life and to pray that He continues to bless you with robust health, greater wisdom, guidance, protection and enduring provisions,” Okowa stated.
Atiku’s economic blueprint will address rising food prices – Aniagwu
Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu says the economic blueprint of the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar would address rising food inflation in the country.
He said that Atiku was the only presidential candidate that is into agricultural production and would stimulate certain processes which will include soft loans, access to land, fertilisers farm implements as well as agro processing to improve the agricultural value chain.
Speaking on the PDP’s Economic Blueprint on AIT’s “Kakaaki” on Wednesday, Aniagwu said that Atiku was already practicalising production and processing as farmer and was desirous to implement strategies aimed at improving the agricultural value chain with a view to bringing down the very disturbing food price inflation in the country.
“As a successful farmer, Atiku owns Adama Farms and they are into the production of beverages and other products in the food value chain, he already knows that for the private sector to have a role you need to be able to stimulate certain processes including access to soft loans, ensure access to land are made easier.
“Specifically, Atiku is very clear that to stimulate growth in the agricultural sector, you need make access to farm inputs such as fertilisers, tractors and other needed facilities including seedlings much more easier for farmers to access.
“In doing so, it is not only production but improve the food value chain by ensuring that the man who produces must also have access to processing.
“When you produce without processing the goods would rot away and because the farmer is scared of losing his money he may sell at prices far below what its supposed to be.
“Atiku is looking beyond giving them access to farm inputs, after production, he is also interested in the other value chain which is how to dispose what you has been produced.
He will also make veterinary services available for aquaculture and animal farming, irrigation to for all year round farming as well as animal husbandry, ranching and access to funds.
“So with all of these incentives, the farmer would upscale from subsistence level to commercial level where beyond feeding themselves and those around them, they can also earn a living and also acquire other things that makes life better,” he said.
On power sector reforms, Aniagwu said Atiku would ensure that states with capacity to generate power would be given opportunity to do so just like Delta has done.
“The idea of leaving power generation in the hands of the federal government is not good enough for a developing country like Nigeria.
Although there seems to be some form of quasi-liberalisation of the power sector but it has not been backed by relevant laws such that you take away both generation, transmission, distribution and then make it possible for individuals to be able to generate power if they have the capacity.
“He is going to make it possible for individuals to be able generate captive power like what we are doing in Delta, where almost every government facility is powered by our Independent Power Plant.
“What that does is that you are able to have a reasonable amount of power supply which today Nigerians agree is the bane of our development and once he is able to address the issue of power challenge through this decentralisation of power generation, distribution and transmission of power, then we would have been able to address the many challenges facing Nigerians particularly the Micro and Medium Scale Industries we have in this country.
He said aside interventions in the power sector, “Atiku has also proposed a $10billion dollar intervention fund for MSMEs for them to also become players in our economic space as the case in China.
“All of these packages he will unfold with his running mate Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for the purpose of helping our country’s economy recover which today is in a very comatose situation,” he added.
ASIWAJU FRAMEWORK FOR POWER AND ENERGY REFORM, BEING THE SUBJECT OF THE 2ND EDITION SYMPOSIUM TAGGED DISSECTING THE ASIWAJU MANIFESTO, ON THE 18TH JANUARY 2023 AT THE SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA CENTRE, CBD ABUJA
I have challenged people to ask themselves if they can remember anything the main opposition committed to, when they were elected in 1999 and for the 16 years they allowed Nigeria to drift without any clear policy direction or articulation.
Other than slogans like “Transformation Agenda” whose details were undisclosed, during a period of prolific earnings from very elevated international crude oil prices, to a “Seven Point Agenda,” which later became a “Five Point Agenda” I am yet to receive a response.
Unless it remains hidden under their unreliable umbrella, it must be taken that we surrendered 16 years of our lives to a party from 1999 to 2015, that made no credible promises and no recognisable commitment.
To those who may wonder why I choose to start my intervention this way, it is my answer to those who erroneously assert that politics in Nigeria is not about issues. They are wrong.
APC came into office by identifying the major issues confronting Nigeria before the 2015 general elections and the National survey conducted showed that the issues at the top of mind of voters were security, corruption and the economy.
The APC made clear commitments about how to deal with those issues and got elected.
As far as the economy is concerned, one of its necessary drivers is infrastructure to which the APC has vigorously committed herself.
The results are manifesting with thousands of kilometres of roads and bridges, expanded airport runways and terminal buildings in 5 international airports, a new seaport in Lekki, the Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano Gas Pipeline, train seven of the NLNG, investment in the Dangote Refinery to support private sector initiative for local production of petroleum products as well as the upgrade of four (4) existing refineries.
Why are these important you might ask? Our opponents reluctantly acknowledge these giant strides but are unable to connect them to the economic opportunities they offer now to workers, construction companies and suppliers who operate in this economy; and they are unable to see what this means for Nigeria’s economy in the future.
On one hand they talk about stimulating the economy by “production, ” but their home economics model does not address how anyone can expect to produce without roads, ports and bridges or gas.
They are unable to relate cost push inflation to travel time, the cost of haulage or delays at the port or indeed to how continued importation of petroleum products that they could not reverse in 16 years impacts the cost of living.
I doubt whether they appreciate that the port that they privatised has not produced the desired results and it is APC government that has rebuilt the Apapa to Oworonshoki road that evacuates the largest and busiest port in Nigeria, and it is the same government that is building the Lagos – Ibadan Highway that facilitates distribution of goods and services. Yet, they want to privatize more.
The importance of this part of my intervention is to demonstrate without a shadow of doubt that infrastructure is the foundation for building any economy following which are policies that herald reforms.
The Buhari-led APC government has spent their time in office building this critical hardware of infrastructure and many parts of power sector infrastructure are already being put in place.
The agreement with Siemens, under the Presidential Power Initiative, seeks to remedy the shortcomings of the privatisation they undertook in 2013 especially the distribution sector where some of those who acquired the DisCos do not have the necessary financial means to finance the investment required to guarantee power to homes and businesses.
These are massive numbers of Distribution transformers and related assets.
The Buhari Power Initiative seeks to deliver in 3 phases:
- Critical and ‘quick win’ interventions to increase the system’s end-to-end operational capacity (currently 5GW) to 7GW;
- Distribution Network bottlenecks to enable full use of existing generation and distribution capacities, bringing the system’s operational capacity to 11GW;
- Total operational grid capacity of 25 GW in the long term, with commensurate upgrades and expansion of the national generation, transmission and distribution systems.
- The building and upgrading of 100 sub-stations critical to distribution.
- The purchase of 11 mobile substations to provide relief when local substations need repair or maintenance.
- The purchase and installation of 2,906 Distribution Transformers.
In the same vein, many of the power plants constructed under the NIPP do not have sufficient gas supply or transmission lines.
I visited 23 out of the 28 generation plants in existence at a time. From Geregu to Omotosho to Papalanto and the Enron Power Station, gas supply was being rationed amongst turbines, so that all the existing capacity could rarely be deployed. This is partly what the Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano Pipeline Project seeks to address.
In other places, it was the transmission capacity that was struggling. This is what the Presidential Power Initiative is responding to by seeking to provide:
- The installation of Distribution and Transmission lines covering 11,650 Kilometers.
The Buhari government has also put in place a policy for mini grids, supported by NERC Regulation No. MERC/-R-/110/17 of 2017 that allows individuals and corporations to generate and distribute off grid, embedded power of 100kw without approval and up to 1Mw with approval.
This again puts a lie to the argument the grid needs to be decentralized. It has been decentralized and people need to take full benefit of the policy. The government in office has led with initiatives of embedded power in markets like Ariaria, Sabon Gari and Sura in Aba, Kano and Lagos.
There have been initiatives in university campuses, 9 (NINE) in total, with 7 (SEVEN) completed, with Phase 2 for an additional 7 Universities in procurement.
These are only part of 67 off-Grid power projects already implemented by the APC Government under the supervision of the Rural Electrification Agency.
You might then ask, why are there still power outages? My response is that there is still work to be done. The deployment of mini grids has not yet taken widespread application and this is where the private sector needs to be made more aware of the policy and the regulator needs to be more proactive. I will come to this shortly.
The Siemens Presidential Power Plan to address distribution and transmission and the gas projects are works in progress that have started and are at various stages of implementation and completion.
This brings me therefore to why we are here. The Asiwaju Framework for Power and Energy Reform.
This is well articulated in the APC tradition of identifying issues and proposing solutions; on pages 30 to 32 of Asiwaju’s Action Plan for a Better Nigeria titled Renewed Hope 2023.
First, he recognises at page 30 of the plan that the problems cannot be solved overnight.
He offers to eliminate the losses between generation and distribution by addressing the transmission problems which the current Presidential Power Initiative has started.
He connects with the problem of end users relating to provision of meters and offers support for domestic manufacturing on page 31.
This is more than a paper policy. It speaks to many things including Asiwaju’s known commitment for standing with people in need. It tells those who are victims of estimated billing that they are not invisible. It is a message that Asiwaju sees them and offers a solution.
It also demonstrates APC’s progressive credentials as a party committed to the improvement of the human condition.
The contrasting position is the policy on metering left by the main opposition before 2015, called CAPMI, an acronym for Credit Advanced Payment Metering Implementation which required consumers to advance the cost of their meters to DisCos.
The Buhari government inherited this policy from the previous administration and also inherited complaints from the hundreds and thousands of advance payments for meters that were not supplied. In effect, instead of advance payment for meters, it was becoming like an advance fee fraud that fits the definition in the famous Section 419 of the criminal code with payments made for meters not supplied.
The anti-corruption stance of the Buhari government could not share the same place with such a scheme and promptly dissociated itself from it as a government policy, leaving it to the discretion of the consumer whether to trust their supplier with advance payment.
In its place, the government through the Regulator started a new policy – the MAP, an acronym for Meter Asset Provider, as a new business that focuses on meter provision and expands the value chain of the power sector beyond GenCos, TCN and DisCos.
Asiwaju’s plan will therefore support meter asset providers.
On page 31, there is a renewable energy plan in the Asiwaju Framework, and this is the driver for rapid deployment of mini grids that I spoke about earlier, especially solar energy which he formally addresses as a point of focus.
Apart from the employment and entrepreneurship benefits for suppliers, installers and manufacturers, this brings Nigeria into the centre of global energy discussion and opens up a new market for carbon credits which is estimated at $261 Billion global, $50 Billion for Africa and $ 2.64 annually for Nigeria.
The low hanging fruits are the number of generator power plants that we can replace with solar and the renewables.
The plan on p.32 commits to a “Nigeria First Power Policy” which is very important. It simply means our power development will not subordinate our energy needs to global energy policies that do not take into consideration the energy inequality between developed and developing nations.
Rural dwellers are visible to Asiwaju as his plan clearly identifies them and their needs on p.32.
He offers incentives and change of policies that encumber investment for power in rural areas and seeks to mobilise local capacities in our universities and polytechnics to lead the research that unlocks delivery of power to rural areas (***).
Of course, I had earlier said that I will come back to speak about the Regulator. (The Role of NERC/Ministry/Manpower).
This is clearly identified in Asiwaju’s plan on p.32 under “Power Sector Governance and Reforms” where he offers “Reform of the Regulatory Structure…,” and “…improved efficiency, accountability for project management, design, procurement, construction and remittances.” (Cost of procurement and Tariff).
This clearly is the difference between us and the main or fringe opposition. We have the capacity to identify the problem, offer a solution and mobilize resources to confront them.
The heavy lifting and hardware has been done under the Buhari government. Asiwaju is bringing the reform and connections that drive the process to manifest results.
Thank you for listening.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing
Wednesday 18th January 2023
