Dons EzeTINUBU SQUANDERED GOODWILL WITH SHAMBOLIC PERFORMANCE – AL-MUSTAPHA
TINUBU SQUANDERED GOODWILL WITH SHAMBOLIC PERFORMANCE – AL MUSTAPHA A former Chief Security Officer to the late military head of state, Sani Abacha, and ex-presidential candidate of Action Alliance (AA), Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said President Bola Tinubu squandered his goodwill with his shambolic performance since assuming office. The retired military officer-turned-politician said he would have done things differently had he won the 2023 presidential election. He insisted that if the Tinubu-led administration had managed the economy as outlined in its blueprint, the country would have witnessed remarkable improvements. His words: “Politics aside, it would have been extremely different because I’m not praise-singing our political party and our team. We were the only political party and the candidate that talked about the youths as a source of investment. “We were the only ones that spelt out clearly protecting and dignifying women. We were the only ones that talked deeply about securing Nigeria in phases and stages. We were the only ones that talked about also recovering from the losses, from remittances of what people stole and then in support of Naira and then looking at naira from international trade and international dirty politics. “We were the only ones that talked about dirty budget politics in Nigeria. We talked about dirty domestic oil politics. We talked about and planned for international dirty oil politics. “These are some of the problems bedevilling the system today. If these were managed as contained in our plans, definitely this wouldn’t be the situation of Nigeria today.”
FG BLOCKS ACCOUNTS OF #ENDOFBADGOVERNANCE SPONSORS, PLACES THEM ON WATCHLIST
FG BLOCKS ACCOUNTS OF #ENDBAD GOVERNANCE SPONSORS, PLACES THEM ON WATCHLIST Authorities of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) have placed sponsors of nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest on its watchlist. Comptroller-General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, who disclosed this at Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, said these persons who are in the diaspora would be arrested immediately they step their legs on Nigerian soil. She spoke shortly after a strategic meeting convened by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa. The Defence Chief and other heads of intelligence agencies as well as other heads of para-military agencies were in a closed-door with a view to implementing the crackdown order given by President Bola Tinubu. Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Nandap said, “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to appropriate authority.” The Immigration boss said the Service has in response to the protest deployed more officers to borders both land and airports to ensure effective manning of those entry and exit points. According to her, the Service has also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country. On his part, the Director-General Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, said the agency had uncovered some sponsors but declined giving further information. The secret police boss, who was represented at the meeting by the DSS’ spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said some bank accounts had already been blocked. Afunanya said some of the persons operating such accounts are staying abroad, adding that they were being monitored.
HUNGER PROTESTERS STORM WIKE’S HOUSE IN PORT HARCOURT
HUNGER PROTESTERS STORM WIKE’S HOUSE IN PORT HARCOURT The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have reached former Governor Nyesom Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt. Wike, the Federal Capital Territory minister, had vehemently kicked against the protest in the Nigerian capital. While the protests seem to have died down in the FCT, the street processions are gradually picking up in Wike’s home state. The demonstrators had gathered at the former governor’s mansion in the state capital as the protests enter Day 6. In response, the Nigerian Police Force has deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of all parties involved. The protesters had earlier stormed the Government House on the first day of the protests where they publicly embarrassed Governor Sim Fubara who tried to give them money for ‘pWatch the video below:
SOUTH-WEST RESIDENTS MUST PROTEST, SUNDAY IGBOHO, AN OPPORTUNIST WORKING FOR TINUBU, IGNORE HIM, – YORUBA GROUP
SOUTH-WEST RESIDENTS MUST PROTEST, SUNDAY IGBOHO, AN OPPORTUNIST WORKING FOR TINUBU, IGNORE HIM – YORUBA UNION The Yoruba Union, known as Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá, has disassociated itself from the self-acclaimed Yoruba agitator, Chief Sunday Igboho, over his purported statement against the August 1 peaceful protest. The group said Igboho was an opportunist who rose on the back of the Yoruba Nation’s agitation for self-defence against Fulani herdsmen invasion in the South West. In a statement released on Tuesday, the convener, Olusola Oluwaseyi Badero, expressed that the Yoruba Union was highly disappointed by the purported statement made by Igboho, who claims to be an activist but has supported the oppressors against the wishes of the Yoruba people. Badero said that Sunday Igboho’s stance with the oppressors, who are perpetrating evil against the Yoruba people, shows that he does not uphold the ethics and teachings of true Yoruba tradition. “Let me remind Chief Igboho that when he was incarcerated in the Benin Republic, the Yoruba Union, through Maiyegun Diary Politico, raised over N20 million for a court case to secure his release. However, we are surprised to see him supporting a government that exiled and jailed him. “A leopard cannot change its spots. Igboho is known as a political opportunist who has aligned with oppressive politicians for self-aggrandisement while the Yoruba people are languishing in abject poverty.” “Our people cannot go to farms because of insecurity, and our wives and daughters have been raped by Fulani herdsmen. Kidnapping, on the other hand, has been commercialized by criminals invading our ancestral land. Yet, Igboho still aligns with those who inflict poverty and pain on our people.” Badero said the protesters are sons and daughters of Yoruba whose dignity has been taken away from them. They are the poor ones who were once earning from hand to mouth but have now become street beggars. “Sunday Igboho has no right as an individual to stop protests in Yoruba land. Only a person devoid of honour would publicly use their left hand to point towards their father’s house. As Yoruba people, we are born with pride and dignity. We are not born as slaves but as heroes fighting for the freedom of our people.” “We appeal to the concerned Yoruba people who have been disappointed by Sunday Igboho’s behaviour towards the planned August protests to exercise patience. This situation clearly illustrates how Igboho might compromise the Yoruba Nation’s struggle for the highest bidders.” “We call on our people in the South West to ignore Sunday Igboho and come out en masse from August 1st to 10th to peacefully demonstrate and demand your needs. As Yoruba people, no one can intimidate us on our land, and no recruited thug who overnight claims to be an activist can stop the protest.” “We have mobilised our lawyers throughout the South West region to monitor our people. If anything happens to the Yoruba people, President Tinubu, along with all the South West governors and Sunday Igboho, will be held responsible. Sunday Igboho and his sponsors are planning anarchy in Yoruba land, and we will not remain passive and allow such things to happen,” he said. Badero added that the Yoruba Union is aware that some politicians in the South West have recruited thugs and cultists to hijack the peaceful protest and attack the protesters, but that wouldn’t stop people from the region from protesting.
APC SCAMMED US, PROMISED US RICE, TINUBU’S PROTESTERS STRANDED AFTER RALLY
APC SCAMMED US, PROMISED US RICE – TINUBU’S PROTESTERS STRANDED AFTER RALLY Over 400 Nigerian women have been thrown into lamentation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in a quest to thwart the planned nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. SaharaReportere gathered that some influential women leaders in APC sent a circular to several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Abuja, asking them to mobilise 50 women each to the Eagle’s Square, Abuja to be given 50kg bag of rice each as palliative. However, after over 400 women were mobilised from various NGOs to Abuja, rather than bags of rice as promised them, they were given banners with “Say No To Protest” with different states, took pictures of them to claim they are against the planned nationwide protest against hardship, thereafter, they were left with neither rice nor transport fair as promised. The circular sent to the NGOs on Friday and forwarded to SaharaReportere by a member of African Youth Union Commission, Esther Adelana, read, “URGENT: Good day distinguished young active citizens, please if you are in Abuja and can make your way to Eagle Square tomorrow Saturday 9am for palliative distribution by one of our partner accompanied with transport logistics. We need fifty young women.” Lamenting the disappointment the women experienced in the hands of the APC leaders, Adelana said, “Believe this leadership at your own risk. “Few days ago, some influential women leaders in APC sent a message to NGOs, to send 50 delegates each to Eagle square to get 50 kg of rice and some palliative for women. “This message circulated fast in the NGO community. Almost all NGOs in Abuja got the above circular. We mobilised women to Eagle Square with the hope that they would get something as promised. “We even sent students from the University of Abuja, only for them to get there and banners imprinted with “SAY NO TO PROTEST” were placed in their hands. “They were told to take pictures with the banners. The women thought it was an empowerment program but the influential women from APC took pictures with them and left. “The poor women didn’t get anything – not a cup of rice or even transportation to go back to their various destinations. “They were used by APC to project their propaganda and were dumped afterwards. The women came back cursing and wailing in their various groups. “The women came back wailing and cursing that APC women leaders deceived them. They were even threatened with DSS.“I’m disappointed that Leadership News is projecting lies without verifying the information.”
MASSIVE DEPLOYMENT OF HEAVILY ARMED SOLDIERS, POLICE, OTHERS AS PROTEST SET TO KICK OFF
MASSIVE DEPLOYMENTS OF HEAVILY-ARMED SOLDIERS, POLICE, OTHERS AS PROTEST SET TO KICK OFF The military and police have started a nationwide deployment of personnel ahead of the August 1 #EndBadGovernance protest organized by youths and civil society groups. Security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are on high alert in anticipation of the rally aimed at highlighting economic hardships faced by citizens. The protest organizers have dismissed appeals from the Presidency and police to cancel the demonstrations. They are demanding improvements in the cost of living and a reversal of some government policies, especially the removal of the petrol subsidy. This policy change, along with ongoing security issues in farming regions, has increased transportation costs and food prices. Despite most states distancing themselves from the protest, there is a noticeable increase in security personnel in various states and Abuja. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed the deployment of troops, stating it is a routine measure for counter-terrorism operations. Reports indicate heightened surveillance patrols by various security agencies in Abuja. In Niger State, youths protested on Monday, a week after Governor Mohammed Bago announced they would not join the nationwide protest. The protesters blocked the Abuja-Kaduna Road but were dispersed by soldiers. The NSCDC plans to deploy 30,000 personnel nationwide to protect public infrastructure during the protests. Commandant-General Ahmed Audi emphasized the importance of maintaining peaceful demonstrations and warned against property destruction. In Lagos, the police have stationed officers at strategic locations, describing it as a routine exercise. However, there is an increased security presence in areas like Meiran, Ikorodu, Ikeja, and Agege. The Department of State Security Service (DSS) detained the National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, Jabir Yaro, and four others in Kaduna, raising concerns about the government’s response to the protests. In Enugu State, soldiers are stationed at strategic points, including the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. The Imo command has deployed operatives for a “15-day show of force and confidence-building patrol” across the state. The NSCDC in Anambra State has deployed 1,190 officers and men ahead of the protest. The Akwa Ibom State Police command has also strengthened security in Uyo metropolis. In Delta State, police have deployed personnel to prevent any breakdown of law and order, and the Kano State Police Command has asked protest groups to provide details of their routes and assembly points. The Nigerian Correctional Service has increased security at its facilities to prevent attacks similar to those during the #EndSARS protests in 2020. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed senior officers to protect protesters and emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations. The Nigerian Bar Association also called for dialogue to address the economic situation.The United Action Front of Civil Society urged citizens to hold the government accountable for any unintended outcomes of the protests and called for proactive measures to address citizens’ demands. These include reversing fuel prices, reducing government spending, and replacing the current constitution through a democratic process.
YORUBA GROUP BACKS AUGUST 1 PROTEST
YORUBA GROUP BACKS AUGUST 1 PROTEST The Yoruba Revolutionary Movement has declared its support for the upcoming national protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024. This was stated during a briefing by its National Coordinator, Wale Balogun, on Friday. The group dismissed allegations that the protests were targeted against Yoruba interests, calling it “mischievous state-sponsored propaganda.” Balogun, while condemning the use of the Oro festivity as a political weapon to intimidate voices of dissent, urged Yoruba people and Lagos residents to defy and resist the illegal curfew imposed by the ‘political Oro.’ The group also called on security forces to handle protesters with decorum, stating that protesters are not waging war against the Nigerian state but demanding an end to hunger, starvation, and deprivation. Balogun said, “We dissociate ourselves and people from the compromised civil society organisations who have pitched their tent with our oppressors and are now using money to rent a crowd and misguided opportunists to march in support of predators.”
WE STAND WITH DANGOTE, NORTHERN ELDERS TELL FG TO STOP ATTACKING HIM
WE STAND WITH DANGOTE – NORTHERN ELDERS TELL FG TO STOP ATTACKING HIM The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has warned government officials and other Nigerians against attacking the Dangote Refinery and its Chairman, Aliko Dangote, to desist from such actions. The northern elders issued the warning in a statement signed by Convener Professor Ango Abdullahi. The forum condemned the attempts to demarket the refinery, which NEF said is capable of saving the country from continued importation of refined petroleum products. The statement said, “The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is watching with sustained interest the unfolding drama being orchestrated by some powerful vested interests to frustrate the good example set by the nation’s leading investor and foremost African entrepreneur, Alh. Aliko Dangote, who has defied all formidable odds to build a privately-owned world-class, ultramodern petroleum refinery in Nigeria. “Dangote refinery, which is reputed to be the biggest single-train refinery in the world, is a technological marvel that showcases the most advanced innovation in the trade field and is also a symbol of our national pride. “This remarkable business feat, which ordinarily should instantly earn him national encomiums and accolades, has paradoxically ignited the malicious fury of enemies of our dear country, who are strategically located in the oil and gas sector of the economy. “Nigeria became the object of global ridicule, as we are the only OPEC member nation without refining capability and heavily dependent on mass importation of oil and other derivatives,” the statement said The forum noted that Nigerians, who bear the brunt of escalating fuel prices and shortages, will no longer allow a few individuals to hold the economy hostage. They commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobri, for his timely action to address the situation.The forum stated its determination to stand with Aliko Dangote in defense of the refinery.
PROTEST ORGANIZERS LIST 15 KEY DEMANDS – RETURN FUEL SUBSIDY, RELEASE NNAMDI KANU, DIASPORA VOTING…
PROTEST ORGANIZERS LIST 15 KEY DEMANDS – RETURN FUEL SUBSIDY, RELEASE NNAMDI KANU, DIASPORA VOTING …. Organizers of the planned nationwide protest, scheduled for August 1 to August 10, have unveiled their key demands from President Bola Tinubu’s government. The nation’s economic situation has propelled citizens, particularly the youths, to plan a mass protest nationwide. Despite efforts by the government to quell the move, the youths are insisting on embarking on the protest in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, who is one of the organizers of the movement, unveiled the demands on Wednesday. The looming protest titled, “Days of Rage”, “EndBadGovernance” is aimed at drawing the attention of the Federal Government to the economic situation of the country. Among other things, the intending protesters want the Federal Government to return the fuel subsidy, address issues in the power sector, release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, and allow for diaspora voting during general elections According to Sowore, Nigerians are asking the FG to “Scrap the 1999 constitution and replace it with a people-made Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria through a sovereign National Conference followed by a National Referendum. “Toss the Senate arm of the Nigerian legislative system. Keep the House of Representatives and make lawmaking a part-time endeavour. “Pay Nigerian workers a minimum wage of nothing less than N250,000 monthly. “Invest heavily in education and give Nigerian students grants not loans. Aggressively pursue free and compulsory education for children across Nigeria. “Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and demilitarize the South East. All ENDSARS and political detainees must also be released and compensated. “Rationalize public owned enterprises sold to government officials and cronies. “Reinstate a corruption-free subsidy regime to reduce hunger, starvation and multidimensional poverty. “Probe past and present Nigerian leaders, who have looted the treasury, recover their loot and deposit it in a special account to fund education, healthcare and infrastructure. They are also demanding the “Restructuring of Nigeria to accommodate Nigeria’s diversity, resources control, decentralization and regional development. “End banditry, terrorism and violent crimes. Reform security agencies to stop continuous human rights violations. “Establishment of a special energy immediately to drive massive corruption-free power sector development. “Immediate reconstitution of the electoral body, INEC to remove corrupt individuals and partisan hacks appointed to manipulate elections. “Massive investment in public works and industrialization will help employ Nigeria’s teaming youths. “Massive shake-ups in the Nigerian judiciary to remove cabals of corrupt generations of judges and judicial officers that continue denying citizens access to real justice.Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday appealed to Nigerians to shelve the planned protest, urging youths to keep faith and believe in the ability of his administration to transform Nigeria.
APC’S NINE YEARS IN POWER DESTROYED NIGERIA’S PROSPERITY – PETER OBI
APC’S NINÈ YEARS IN POWER DESTROYED NIGERIA’S PROSPERITY – PETER OBI Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has said that urgent actions need to be taken to salvage the nation from further economic collapse. He lamented that Nigeria’s economy has seen unprecedented retrogression on many fronts for the past 9 years. Obi lamented that instead, Nigerian leaders are more concerned with funding their selfish luxuries and individual lavishness instead of concerning themselves with challenges threatening the nation’s collective existence. In a post on his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor said political leaders are throwing blame at others who are only committed to solving the nation’s problems. He stressed that efforts should be concentrated on finding ways to recreate an inclusive and sustainable economy, pull millions of people out of poverty, and return nearly 20 million out-of-school children to schools. He said: “When Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, it maintained an average GDP growth of about 6.72% for 16 years from 1999-2014. The impressive growth trajectory, unfortunately, was not sustained by the then-new government, and our GDP growth collapsed to 2.79% in 2015 and then sank into a recession in 2016 with a negative growth of -1.58% and 0.82% in 2017. For the past 9 years, Nigeria’s economy has seen unprecedented retrogression on many fronts. “In 2014, just before the inception of a new administration a year later, Nigeria had the biggest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product of $568.5 billion and a GDP Per Capita of about $3,200. “Our economic indices pointed towards hope and prospects for the future growth of the economy. Nine years later, the giant of Africa has retrogressed to the 4th largest economy in Africa. “Reports showed our GDP in 2023 stood at $375 billion with a per capita of $1700. In 2024, our estimated GDP declined further to $253 billion with an estimated per capita of $1087. These trends and figures show how our nine-year journey since 2015 has resulted in a sharp decline in our national prosperity. Today, poverty is pervasive and on the increase. Unemployment is rising. Food inflation has skyrocketed to over 43%. Foreign and local investors are losing faith in the future growth of our economy and are leaving in large numbers. “Businesses are shutting down. Urgent actions need to be taken to salvage the nation from further economic collapse and move it from consumption to production! “However, instead of concerning ourselves with all these challenges threatening our collective existence and finding ways to recreate an inclusive and sustainable economy, pull millions of people out of poverty, and return our nearly 20 million out-of-school children to schools, our leaders are more concerned with funding their selfish luxuries and individual lavishness, while throwing blames at others who are only committed to solving the nation’s problems. “I have always believed that politics should be about service to the people and the betterment of society. In the face of all these challenges, we the leaders should commit to inclusive and sustainable growth to end the hardship, which has continued to burden our fellow Nigerians.“Only through that can we achieve a peaceful and secure society. A new Nigeria based on better economic and patriotic thinking is very POssible.”