Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- November 6, 2024
- 92 views
TRUMP DEFEATS HARRIS IN US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
TRUMP DEFEATS HARRIS IN US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Donald Trump has declared self victory over Kamala Harris in the US presidential election, as he is poised to make a historic comeback as the first former president to return to the White House in over 130 years. Addressing his enthusiastic supporters in Florida, Trump promised a “new golden age for America”. According to CBS projections, Trump has taken a commanding lead in the seven crucial battleground states, which will ultimately decide the election’s outcome. These states include Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, with Wisconsin leaning towards Trump and Michigan also in his favor. Additionally, Trump has secured conservative strongholds from Florida to Idaho, while Harris has won liberal states from New York to California, as expected. Trump’s party is projected to gain majority control of the Senate, further solidifying his position ¹. Meanwhile it is important to note that the results are not yet final, and the race remains tight in Arizona. Harris was expected to address a crowd at Howard University but did not appear as scheduled.
ABIA LG POLLS COMPOUND LP CRISIS
ABIA LG POLLS COMPOUND LP CRISIS The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party, LP, worsened, weekend, with the party failing to clinch at least one local government area in the recently conducted Abia State local government elections.The outcome of the polls is seen as an indication that the leadership crisis plaguing the LP at the national level has taken a turn for the worse.The party has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with notable figures such as its former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti dumping Julius Abure’s leadership.The crisis stemmed from allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds against the Abure-led leadership.Otti and Obi had joined others to nominate ex-minister of finance, Mrs Nenadi Usman, as caretaker chairman of the party.They convened a stakeholders’ meeting where the ex-minister was appointed head of a 29-member caretaker committee to preside over the affairs of the party.However, Abure has held on tightly to the party, following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Tuesday, October 7, 2024, which returned him as the national chairman.Though DAILY POST learnt there are secret moves to resolve the crisis, a fresh twist was introduced to the intractable crisis following the outcome of the Local Governments election in Abia state – only state under the control of Labour Party.The election was sequel to the July 11 landmark judgement by the Supreme Court which triggered a flurry of activities in the country’s third tier of government.According to the results announced by the Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. George Chima, and reported by DAILY POST, the Zenith Labour Party emerged victorious in 15 out of the 17 Local Government Areas in the State, while the Young Progressive Party claimed victory in the remaining two LGAs.Findings suggested that the crisis in the Labour Party made Otti to direct his supporters to contest the election on another platform.Speaking about the matter, Abia State Chairman of the Labour Party, loyal to Abure, Prince G.O. Ndubueze described the election as a sham.Ndubueze claimed they were reliably informed that the election results were written in favour of Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, and Young Peoples Party, YPP.He said: “The election was written on Wednesday. And we organized a world press conference, where we told the world that the election had been rigged.“As we were told, that’s how it happened – 15 Local Government Areas were written for Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, and 2 Local Government Areas for YPP. Exactly as we were told, that is what we witnessed after the election.“The local government election cannot determine the fate of the Labour Party because the election was falsified. It can’t state the true position of the people.“You can’t use this scam to determine what will happen in future elections. We don’t have any issue, only that the Governor advised or directed members of the Labour Party to go to ZLP to contest the election.”However, YPP State Chairman, Nelcin Uluocha disagreed with his counterpart inthe Labour Party that the result was written in the party’s favour.Uluocha insisted that his party winning two Local Government Areas was as a result of hard work, stressing that everyone goes in for election to win.Uluocha’s words: “It’s as a result of hard work. After all, anybody that’s going in for election is prepared to win. The feeling is not different from the effort we put in.“Those are speculations. You forgot that you went into the last general election, where the Governor himself was on the ballot, we won Osisioma Local Government by landslide and lost Ugwunagbo Local Government with only nine votes.“So, we consolidated on what we had already built and came out victorious this time without excuses.“And we are believing to take more local…
- Foreign Affairs
- November 6, 2024
- 97 views
GOVT OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA SUSPENDS OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN SEX SCANDAL
GOVT OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA SUSPENDS OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN SEX SCANDAL Equatorial Guinea has suspended all officials who had sexual relations in the offices of ministries. Announcing the decision on Monday via social media, Teodoro Nguema, Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president, said the government would take “severe measures” against such acts. “Today, we will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries,” the statement reads. “The Government will take severe measures against these acts, since it constitutes a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law. “This action is a decisive step in our policy of zero tolerance towards behaviors that undermine the integrity of the public service. “Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration, and we will not allow irresponsible behavior to compromise public trust. “Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the State.” In a follow up post on Tuesday, the vice-president said the government would soon install surveillance cameras in all government offices. “We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour,” he said. “We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures.” BACKGROUND The Central African nation has been embroiled in a sex scandal since officials searched the home and office of Baltasar Ebang Engonga as part of an investigation into alleged fraud. Engonga is director general of the country’s Anti-graft National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF). Investigators reportedly uncovered about 400 explicit videos purportedly featuring the ANIF boss and multiple women. Among the discoveries were sex tapes of Engonga seemingly having romps with his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the president of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the director general of police, and about 20 wives of ministers, among others. The now viral videos were filmed in his office, hotels, and toilets — allegedly with the consent of participants. –
RELEASED #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTERS RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL TREATMENT
RELEASED #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTERS RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL TREATMENT One hundred and fourteen #EndBadGovernance protesters, including minors and adults acquitted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, have arrived at the Presidential Villa. The protesters, initially arraigned by the Police Force, were released following a court ruling by Justice Obiora Egwatu. The case was dismissed at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi. Vice President Kashim Shettima, represnting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to officially receive the released protesters. They will then be handed over to their respective Governors, specifically Uba Sani of Kaduna and Abba Yusuf of Kano. Ministers present at the State HouseAuditorium in Abuja for the reception include: Tunji Alausa (Minister of Education); Nentawe Yilwatda (Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Balarabe Lawal (Minister of Environment and Tanko Sununu (Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction). Also, Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai, is also in attendance. Other dignitaries present are Deputy Senate President Jubrin Barau and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi.
COURT STRIKES OUT CASE AGAINST 119 #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTERS
COURT STRIKES OUT CASE AGAINST 119 #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTERS A Federal high court in Abuja has struck out the suit against 119 protesters charged over the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest. Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, struck out the case following an application by M.D Abubakar, counsel to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF). Abubakar had applied to take over and discontinue the suit. At the court session on Tuesday, Abubakar prayed the court to allow the AGF take over the charge.
PDP ACCUSES TINUBU GOVT OF WRECKING BUSINESSES, UNLEASHING POVERTY, SUFFERING ON NIGERIANS
PDP ACCUSES TINUBU GOVT OF WRECKING BUSINESSES, UNLEASHING POVERTY, SUFFERING ON NIGERIANS The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government as destructive. The party’s stance was made known through its acting state Publicity Secretary, Michael Ogunsina. Ogunsina was reacting to the comments by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who condemned Governor Seyi Makind for his attack on President Bola Tinubu. “Instead of prioritising the needs of the Oyo people who elected him to tackle their local issues, he has chosen to divert his attention and squander the state’s resources in pursuit of unhinged 2027 ambition,” Morka said. In reaction, Ogunsina said Makinde’s remark about the country’s situation mirrors nothing but the truth. Part of the statement read: “We believe that the APC statement was very unnecessary, wrongly directed and wrongly themed. If the APC and its Federal Government are doing well and the people are happy with them, why would they see Makinde’s statement as an attack on their government? “Instead of boasting of positive achievements, we note that the only offering the APC has for the people in that abusive press statement is the promise of what it called ‘looming prosperity.’ That is a shame! “We urge Nigerians to demand from the APC what it meant by ‘looming prosperity’ after almost two years in power wrecking businesses, unleashing poverty and inflicting unprecedented suffering on the people of Nigeria through its wrong policies. “Instead of abusing Gov Makinde, we implore the APC to reappraise itself and think deeply about why it decided to impoverish the people and wreck our country contrary to its 2023 promise of prosperity for all. “It should, in fact, thank our governor for waking it up to the reality that all future elections will be a referendum on the APC for its wickedness and maladministration.”
TENSION IN KANO AS GOVERNOR, KWANKWASO PATH WAYS
TENSION IN KANO AS GOVERNOR PATH WAYS WITH KWANKWASO The growing political tension within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has reached a boiling point over the deepening rift between Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor and party godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Tensions have escalated following Kwankwaso’s control over critical party and local government decisions without input from the governor. This includes appointing local government chairmen and influencing the party’s political machinery, which has fueled growing resentment within the governor’s camp. “Abba (Gov Yusuf) does not want to denigrate Kwankwaso, but he truly wants to be independent. Ninety per cent of the commissioners were imposed by Kwankwaso, and Abba is still working with them. This shows he still respects him. “For a long time, Abba wanted to drop some commissioners who are either incompetent or disloyal to him, but out of respect for Kwankwaso, he reluctantly accommodates them for peace to reign,” an insider close to the governor told Daily Nigerian. Except for the governor’s appearance at Kwankwaso’s birthday celebrations on October 21, where the godfather used the opportunity to corner the governor at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport lounge, the duo has not met or spoken in recent months. Insiders said the governor shunned meetings convened by Kwankwaso at his Miller Road and Maitama residences in Kano and Abuja respectively, without giving any excuse. “He (Governor Yusuf) earlier agreed to attend the Miller Road meeting at night but he kept Kwankwaso waiting through midnight and refused to come,” an insider revealed.
TINUBU’S COSMETICS CABINET RESHUFFLE AND RUNNING COST RUSE
The much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle of President Bola Tinubu occurred recently with five ministers sacked. Ten others were either reassigned to other ministries or demoted, while seven new ministers-designate were appointed. Two ministries were scrapped. The administration viewed the changes as “far-reaching actions to reinvigorate its capacity for optimal performance” to deliver on its promises to Nigeria. But we differ as these changes were, at best, cosmetic. Seismic action is needed in proportion to the manifestly grotesque situation that Nigeria is in. Unmistakably, the country is like a nation at war with the prevailing strangulating socio-economic challenges, with inflation at 40 per cent and spiralling out of control, a devalued naira, mass hunger, a litre of petrol selling above N1,300 in some states and high-level of insecurity pervading the nation. Truly, the reshuffle was a marked departure from Muhammadu Buhari’s inflexibility, which saw most of his ministers literally left to sleep for almost eight years. Tinubu may have matched his words with action, having charged members of his cabinet to perform or get fired, during their November 2023 retreat. “If you are performing, nothing to fear, if you miss the objective, we review; if there is no performance, you leave us…,” the president had said then. To make the assessment somewhat easier, a Results Delivery Unit was set up, which the presidential Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Usman, heads to monitor the performance of ministers and MDAs of the federal government. The ministers fired were Tahir Mamman (Education), Uju-Ken Ohaneye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), alongside ministers of state, Abdullahi Gwarzo (Housing and Urban Development) and Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development). The ministries of Sports and Niger Delta were scrapped and the Ministry of Tourism was merged with that of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy. While the responsibilities of the sports ministry were ceded to the new National Sports Commission, the Niger Delta ministry transmogrified into the Ministry of Regional Development to supervise the commissions created for the country’s six geo-political blocs. An element in the overhaul is the presidential directive that limits the number of vehicles in a minister’s convoy to just three and five security details. Before, the paraphernalia around ministers were caravan-like. But these cost reduction measures, while laudable, only scratch the surface. Looking at the priority areas of the administration, as outlined during last year’s cabinet retreat: food security, job creation, ending poverty, access to capital, fairness and rule of law, and the anti-corruption stance, which should foster development and catapult Nigeria from being a “potential to pragmatic” economic development hub, in relation to the performance of the government and the cabinet tweak, the signs of national redemption are not here yet. Are the sacked ministers the only deadwoods in this government? We do not think so. There are still ministers who cannot point to what they have achieved within the context of turning around the Nigeria situation from its present malaise. This means that politics may have weighed heavier, rather than the positive notches in the scorecards of many ministers who survived the purge. It is a ruse for the regime to think of economic development with the kind of erratic power supply and perennial system collapse, confusion and dishonesty in the management of the petroleum downstream sector that the country is mired in. The net effect has been big corporations folding up and leaving Nigeria, just as small and middle scale enterprises are becoming totally dysfunctional. Join the Premium Times WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.Open in WhatsAppCorruption remains the reason why the four public refineries are not working, despite the cumulative sum of $25 billion spent on their turnaround by successive regimes. In the case of the Port Harcourt refinery, it has…
- Foreign Affairs
- November 4, 2024
- 64 views
US ELECTION: TRUMP LEADS HARRIS IN PENNSYLVANIA
US ELECTION: TRUMP LEADS HARRIS IN PENNSYLVANIA Former President Donald Trump has closed the gap on Vice President Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, as the two candidates continue to battle it out for this year’s swing states. According to the latest New York Times-Siena College poll, conducted in partnership with the Philadelphia Inquirer between Oct. 24 and Nov. 2, Trump and Harris are tied at 48 percent apiece in the Keystone State. The poll, which surveyed 1,527 voters in Pennsylvania, has margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. The NYT-Siena College poll is top in FiveThirtyEight’s pollster rankings, which factor in historical accuracy and methodological transparency, and enjoys the lowest score in terms of bias and errors. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at a roundtable in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. The latest poll from The New York Times and Siena College, one of the most accurate pollsters according to 538,…Harris has enjoyed an edge in all NYT-Siena polls of Pennsylvania since entering the race in late-July, her lead stretching to a commanding four points in the pollster’s previous survey. The latest poll, which was conducted in the days following Trump’s McDonalds photo-op in Bucks County on October 21, could therefore spell trouble for the vice president in this year’s most crucial battleground. Newsweek has reached out to the Trump and Harris campaigns for their reaction to the latest polling. With the election just days away, Pennsylvania’s 19 Electoral College votes make it a must-win swing state for both candidates, which would significantly increase their chances of securing the necessary 270 to win the White House. Kamala Harris PennsylvaniaDemocratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally on October 30, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. With only days remaining before the election is over, both candidates are focusing their efforts on the…Other major polls indicate a similarly tight contest in the state, with the latest USA Today/Suffolk poll showing the pair neck and neck at 49 percent, while YouGov’s recent swing state survey showed Harris leading the former president 48 percent to 46. According to FiveThirtyEight’s own polling aggregate, Trump is leading Harris by 47.9 percent to 47.6, and has held onto an edge since Oct. 20. As a result, both candidates are devoting time to campaigning in Pennsylvania over the next two days. Trump will be holding rallies in Lititz, Reading and Pittsburgh, while Harris will be closing out her campaign with rallies in Allentown, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh on Monday. Their running mates will be covering the remaining areas, JD Vance appearing in Aston on Sunday afternoon, followed by a rally in Newton on Monday. Meanwhile, Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, will campaign in Wisconsin and Michigan on Monday before heading to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to mobilize voters in the election’s last hours. The other battlegrounds are edging toward Harris, according to the NYT-Siena poll, with the vice president grabbing narrow leads in Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Georgia, with Michigan tied and Trump maintaining his advantage in Arizona. “It has been decades since the polls have shown the nation facing a presidential race that is so close across so many states in both the Sun Belt and the Rust Belt,” The New York Times said of the latest results. “The tightly-contested landscape means the race remains highly uncertain as the campaign enters its final hours.”
YOUR UNTESTED AGENDA CAN’T SERVE AS BETTER ALTERNATIVE – PRESIDENCY REPLIES ATIKU
YOUR UNTESTED AGENDA CAN’T SERVE AS BETTER ALTERNATIVE – PRESIDENCY REPLIES The Presidency has knocked former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his attack on the economic reforms of the present administration, saying his alternative ideas were rejected by Nigerians at the polls. Atiku had attacked President Bola Tinubu for the prevailing hardship in the country, accusing him of “trial and error” economic polices. But reacting to the development, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said “Alhaji Atiku’s ideas, which lacked details, were rejected by Nigerians in the 2023 poll.” The Presidency also said “If he (Atiku) had won the election, we believe he would have plunged Nigeria into a worse situation or run a regime of cronyism.” Onanuga also said Atiku lost the election partly because he “vowed to sell the NNPC and other assets to his friends. Nigerians have not forgotten this, nor would they be comforted by Atiku’s antecedents when he ran the economy in the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government between 1999 and 2003. “As vice president, Atiku supervised a questionable privatisation programme. He and his boss demonstrated a lack of faith in our educational system, and both went to establish their universities while they allowed ours to flounder.” The presidential aide who described the present difficulties as temporary said, “Despite the futile attempt to hoodwink Nigerians again in his statement, it is gratifying that the former Vice President could not repudiate the economic reforms pursued by the Tinubu administration because they are the right things to do. “His advocacy for a gradualist approach only showed that he was not in tune with the enormity of problems inherited by President Tinubu. It is so easy to paint a flowery to-do list. It is expected of an election loser. ” President Tinubu met a country facing several grave challenges. Fuel subsidies were siphoning away enormous resources we could ill afford, and there was criminal arbitrage in the forex market. No leader worth his name will allow these two economic disorders to persist without moving to end them surgically. “While advocating for gradual reforms may sound appealing, Tinubu took measures that should have been taken decades ago by Alhaji Abubakar and his boss when they had the opportunity.”