Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have declared that the party remains a formidable force in Nigeria. Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, made the assertion at the end of a meeting on Saturday in Jos.....Read Full Article>>

Mohammed said the party will overcome all its challenges, adding that the ‘minor setbacks’ would soon be over. He called on lovers of the PDP and Nigerians in general not to lose hope in the party.

“The Forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, the founding fathers, elders and members of our great party about the seeming divisions within its rank and file.

“The Forum, however, wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion within the party.

“This is a party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform to provide democratic governance to all; it is still the party to beat,” he said.

The chairman also called on the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to convey a meeting of the National Executive Council, NEC, as part of measures to address internal wranglings.

He commended members of the National Assembly elected under the platform of the party for their contributions toward the growth of democracy.

Mohammed, however, called on the leadership of the National Assembly to critically interrogate all bills to ensure fairness, equity, national balance and even development.

The governor, who noted with deep concern the current economic crisis in the country, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review his administration’s macro-economic and fiscal policies to address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.

While commending Governor Caleb Mutfwang for hosting his colleagues in Plateau, Mohammed, equally commiserated with the government and people of the state over the recent fire outbreak at a wood market.

The Federal Government has debunked reports that it has begun sacking workers with degrees from unaccredited universities in Benin Republic and Togo.....Read Full Article>>

These rumours surfaced following comments from former Senator Shehu Sani, who claimed that many individuals who graduated from these institutions and are now employed have been affected by the alleged sackings.

Sani wrote on X, “Thousands of guys who graduated from the Benin Republic universities, got jobs and married with kids are the ones hardest hit with this mass sacking by the FG.

“I appeal to the government to reconsider the sacking by creating an opening for them to make up with a Nigerian degree through the open university system.”

However, a representative from the Federal Civil Service Commission confirmed that no such mass sacking are taking place.

The Commission clarified that it had not received any formal recommendations for such actions and assured that any future decisions would be based on official processes.

He said, “At our end, there is no disengagement for now. They have to push it to us, or maybe when they get to us, there’s another round of sitting to look at it.

“At times, they can invite those people involved. You know the procedures. So if they recommend that from where it’s coming from, we will consider it.

“The Commission holds the power to employ, transfer, dismiss, discipline, and promote. If you ask me if we are dismissing now, I will say no.

“We have not dismissed anybody, and this is based on what I know at this moment. Disengagement is not something hidden.”

Earlier this year, a government investigation revealed that over 22,000 Nigerians had obtained fake degrees from unrecognised universities in Benin and Togo.

The report revealed that many of these individuals bypassed mandatory one year NYSC scheme, making it hard to identify them.

Head of the panel, Prof. Jubril Aminu, while commenting on the outcome of the investigation said:

“Sadly, these people have used the fake certificates to apply and secure job opportunities in government and private organisations with the mindset that they schooled abroad, while people who studied day and night are out there looking for job opportunities.

“Even within the countries, Benin and Togo, these universities are not accredited to offer degree programs. I don’t know how Nigerians chose to go to unaccredited institutions abroad to ‘study’. Our investigations also indicated that many of the people never even attended the school physically.”

No fewer than 331 senior civil servants have been promoted in the federal civil service, Sunday PUNCH gathered. The 331 new directors were among the 697 candidates who sat the oral interview on Monday, November 4, 2024.....Read Full Article>>

In May 2024, the Federal Civil Service Commission put out a notice for the year 2024 promotion/evaluation process for senior civil servants on Grade Levels 14, 15 and 16. Sunday PUNCH reports that the written examination (local leg) took place between August 12 and August 17, 2024.

On October 11, 2024, the Civil Service Commission invited those who were shortlisted after the written test for an oral interview, while an additional list was released on October 21, 2024.

The list of those who passed the final promotion was unveiled in a final memo signed by the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof Tunji Olaopa.

“Sequel to the conduct of the Year 2024 Directorate Level Promotion/Evaluation Exercise, the Federal Civil Service Commission has approved the promotion of the following Officers in the Federal Civil Service from Salary Grade Levels 14 to 15, 15 to 16 and 16 to 17 respectively, with effect from January 1, 2024,” Olaopa said in the memo.

In the list sighted by our correspondent, it was revealed that only 331 of the 697 who were shortlisted for the oral interview were promoted.

A well- known chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Cletus Obun, has called on President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider his strategy regarding political appointments, emphasizing that neglecting loyal party members could have significant consequences.....Read Full Article>>

During an interview on Politics Today, a program broadcasted on Channels Television, Cletus Obun voiced his disapproval of Tinubu’ s handling of appointments, labeling it as a perilous misstep that may distance committed party supporters.

Cletus Obun expressed concerns that individuals who dedicated their efforts to securing Tinubu’ s victory in the 2023 election are feeling marginalized.

He stated, ” It is a wrong strategy not to reward your own allies. It would surely boomerang. In a developing democracy such as this, it is a brazen affront to loyalty. ”

Drawing a comparison to the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, Obun criticized the reward system within the APC, suggesting a repetition of what he considered a deficient approach. ” APC had the worst reward system under Buhari, and today we’ re seeing the repeat. A man works like an elephant and eats like an ant. It’ s not correct, ” he explained.

Moreover, Obun raised apprehensions that Tinubu’ s advisers might be influencing him in a misguided direction by undermining the efforts of loyal supporters, cautioning that ignoring those who supported him could lead to political downfall. ”

Certain attempts are being made to mislead him into thinking those who worked for him in 2023 may not be useful in 2027. That is political suicide to even attempt, ” he warned.

Obun’ s statements reflect growing discontent within the APC regarding Tinubu’ s governance approach and commitment to party members.
In a short answer, Cletus Obun has advised President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his strategy on political appointments to avoid alienating loyal party members and potential political consequences.

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The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has described President Bola Tinubu, his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, and other past Nigerian leaders as products of an “accidental leadership cycle.”....Read Full Article>>

According to Kukah, many of these leaders assumed power without adequate preparation, particularly in a world where the demands of governance are constantly evolving.

Kukah made these remarks on Sunday while delivering a keynote address during the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s leadership history, Bishop Kukah highlighted a recurring pattern of unpreparedness among the country’s leaders.

“If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident,” he said. “President Tinubu, despite claiming to be prepared for the role, is clearly struggling. We are still trying to find our footing. He took over from Buhari, who had already disengaged from governance.

“Buhari succeeded Jonathan, a man who never envisioned himself as president but was thrust into leadership due to circumstances. Jonathan took over from Yar’Adua, who planned to return to teaching after his governorship.

“Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison to become president. Before that, Obasanjo replaced Abacha, who was poised to rule indefinitely until nature intervened. Abacha followed Shonekan, a business executive abruptly drafted to lead the country. The cycle is evident, and the missing link in all of this is knowledge and preparation.”

Kukah argued that while Nigeria has embraced democratic principles like “one man, one vote,” its democratic process has repeatedly failed to deliver competent leadership. He stressed that modern leadership requires a deep understanding of the evolving environment and challenges.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, emphasized the need to cultivate leadership qualities early in life. He attributed many of Nigeria’s challenges to failures in leadership and accountability.

Marwa also shed light on a disturbing trend within the drug trade, revealing the involvement of visually impaired individuals in trafficking illicit substances.

“Recently, the NDLEA uncovered a cartel involving visually impaired individuals,” Marwa disclosed. “We arrested a blind man transporting a large consignment of cannabis from Lagos to Kano. During interrogation, he claimed he didn’t know the package’s contents and provided the name of another blind individual in Lagos. This led us to another blind man, and eventually, we traced the ultimate handler, who was also blind.”

While Marwa refrained from sharing additional details about the cartel’s operations, he acknowledged the unique challenges posed by such cases.

Marwa also paid tribute to Senator Ndoma-Egba, Chairman of the Board of Advisory for Start-Rite School, for organizing the lecture in honor of his late wife, Amaka Ndoma-Egba.

“Amaka Ndoma-Egba was a visionary who established this school to prepare students for a dynamic and ever-changing world,” Marwa said.

Founded in 2008 with just seven pupils, Start-Rite School has grown into a leading institution in Abuja, now serving over 800 students across nursery, primary, and secondary levels.

The event emphasized the need for a renewed focus on leadership development and education to address Nigeria’s governance challenges and societal issues.

Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign, Doyin Okupe, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to succeed Muhammadu Buhari was driven by a strong passion to rescue and rebuild Nigeria.....Read Full Article>>

In an interview with Vanguard, when asked about claims that Tinubu’s “Emilokan” declaration contrasted with the perception of his unpreparedness, especially considering the worsening economy since May 29, 2023 when he assumed office, Okupe responded: “Unfortunately, he (Tinubu) has come into government at a very terrible and awful time.

“And when I met him, I told him, ‘Are you out of your mind? How would you want to succeed a Buhari (Muhammadu) administration, eight years of total abandonment, decadence and retrogression?’
“He (Tinubu) said he was driven by passion to help Nigeria.”

“Having been part and parcel of those who brought Buhari, you can’t blame somebody for bringing a leader. If the leader does not perform, it’s unfortunate. But if you are brave enough to say, yes, you know; whatever the leader has done wrong, ‘let us put our necks out and correct it’. And this is what this guy is doing,” he added.

Okupe defended the President against criticisms, arguing that the President shouldn’t be blamed for decades of systemic issues or the failures of the previous administration.

“How can you hold President Tinubu accountable for the ills of 30, 40 years? And for the two-terms of national abandonment of the last eight years, it’s unfair, it’s unrealistic,” he stated.

“And go and check it, being a reformer, you know, he didn’t ask me to say this, but I’m telling you from commonsense and my understanding of how government works, Bola Tinubu will need a minimum of two years for some of his policies to be properly established and to begin to produce results,” he noted.

Okupe
“I have gone to read history, I read about Lin Kuan Yew. Lin Kuan Yew had, you know, Singapore, and at that point in time, the other country next to it, Malaysia, before they pulled out. He had those 31 years to rule that country, to transform that nation from Third World to First World. He said, ‘I did certain things that were not okay’,” Okupe concluded.

Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has slammed Governor Monday Okpebholo over his decision to investigate his administration.....Read Full Article>>

Okpebholo on Sunday unveiled a 14-man panel to probe Obaseki in order to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership.

According to the governor, despite multiple requests for a comprehensive database of the assets and liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government only provided limited and insufficient information.

To fulfill his campaign promises of probity, accountability, and transparency, the committee which will be inaugurated on Tuesday, will scrutinize the immediate past administration.

Reacting to the development, Obaseki’s spokesperson, Crusoe Osagie, called the probe a distraction from Okpebholo’s lack of preparedness and failure to deliver results.

Crusoe dismissed it as an attempt to divert attention from Okpebholo’s inability to govern effectively.

He revealed that Obaseki’s tenure was marked by transparency as the state’s first asset register was created, which was handed over to the current government.

He argued that the ongoing probes are a political ploy, aimed at distracting the public from the new administration’s lack of direction.

Obaseki’s spokesperson also accused Okpebholo of being under the influence of political figures seeking revenge for past losses, rather than focusing on governance and addressing the needs of the people.

He urged Okpebholo to prioritize actual governance and stop wasting time and resources on futile investigations.

He reminded him that Edo citizens are not easily misled and will judge his leadership based on real impact, not empty political games.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has assured that President Bola Tinubu is determined to end insecurity in the Southeast and Nigeria. Badaru said a secure environment is crucial for business growth and peace, hence the need to end insecurity in the region.....Read Full Article>>

Addressing military officers during an operational visit to Enugu, the Minister urged the military personnel to intensify efforts to combat the region’s insecurity.

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Ministry’s spokesman, Henshaw Ogbuike. “There is a renewed determination to intensify our efforts against all forms of insecurity under President Tinubu’s leadership,” Badaru said.

Badaru added that Tinubu’s commitment to eradicating all forms of insecurity is restricted not only to a region but also nationwide.

The minister said in the last year, significant progress had been made to that effect.

In Imo, Badaru visited Hope Uzodimma, the state governor, and extended his gratitude for his support of the military operations.

“We are determined to end insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.

This is coming when a self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa was arrested and detained in Finland for terrorism-related charges.

Ekpa has been one of those sponsoring terrorism in the Southeast through the enforcement of sit-at-home and unknown gunmen activities.

The Labour Party (LP) has denied allegations of collaborating with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. The rebuttal follows a viral video in which Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer, accused the party of working with the president.....Read Full Article>>

In a statement issued on Friday, Obiora Ifoh, the national publicity secretary of the LP, dismissed the claims, emphasizing the party’s unwavering opposition stance. “As a matter of fact, the Labour Party is the most visible opposition party as of today, and our national chairman, Barrister Abure, is the leading voice in the opposition camp and has been most critical of the present government,” the statement read.

The LP highlighted its continued efforts to hold the government accountable post-2023 elections, stating, “After the 2023 general election, it continued to interrogate the system’s failure and has been very visible playing the role of the opposition, continuously critiquing the policies, proffering solutions, and advising the government.”

The party reiterated its commitment to credible governance, rejecting any claims of collusion with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “It is on record that the Labour Party has on several occasions spiritedly debunked the allegations that it has an unholy understanding with the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, to collaborate ahead of the 2027 general election,” the statement added.

Highlighting its plans to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, Ifoh noted, “Recently, the party, under the able leadership of Mr. Julius Abure, came up with a series of programmes, including the creation of the electoral reform committee. With it, we hope to enthrone credible, fair, and transparent processes, leading to the selection of leadership in the country, with the Labour Party being a major victim in the 2023 general election.”

The party expressed strong disapproval of Adeyanju’s remarks, describing them as harmful and baseless. “All these efforts to reposition the party for someone to be demarketing such a party in such an unguarded and callous manner is most ridiculous and unfortunate. We are, therefore, challenging Deji Adeyanju and any other person to come up with facts and proofs that either the party leadership or Mr. Abure intends to work for President Bola Tinubu or his party, the APC, in 2027.”

The LP labeled the viral comments as defamatory, warning of possible legal action. “Adeyanju’s assertion, which is presently trending globally, has caused the Labour Party enormous harm, and we are demanding that he refrain from causing the party further harm.”

Ifoh continued, “As a political party, we view Deji Adeyanju’s now-viral comments as criminal defamation, a clearly motivated ploy to ridicule our hard-earned reputation. We are therefore calling on Mr. Adeyanju, who ought to know the grave consequences of a defamatory act, to without delay provide facts and evidence to prove that the Labour Party has been ‘bought’ over by President Tinubu. He also has a choice to withdraw his ill assertions and apologise to the leadership and millions of members of the Labour Party for the great harm he has caused the party.”