COVER
Kogi, Bayelsa Guber Polls: The Die is Cast
… Tension in Bayelsa as Court Bars APC Candidate
… IGP Withdraws Govs, Deps Security Details
… Be Non-Partisan, Buhari tells Security, INEC
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja, Mike Tayese, Yenagoa and Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
Nigeria’s political landscape will tomorrow witness another governorship election where the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will once again test their popularity in two states- Kogi and Bayelsa.
As political activities heightened, security, commercial and social activities took a new dimension in the two states where elections will hold.
In Kogi, the incumbent governor, Yahya Bello, will slug it out, wirh 23 others in the race to unseat him.
The incumbent Governor, Yahaya Bello, if re-elected tomorrow, would commence his second tenure from January 27, 2020, just as, if a new governor emerges, would take-over the mantle of state apparatus for the next four years.
Candidates of the various political parties for the race are equally ready to slug it out, having concluded their rigorous campaigns to woo electorate to vote for them twenty-four hours to election.
The electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had also disclosed, during series of stakeholders meetings, that the commission was fully prepared for the smooth conduct of the election as all arrangements and required logistics had been put in place to carry out its constitutional duties.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, while speaking at one of the fora in Lokoja, assured indigenes of the state of safety environment that would enable them come out to vote for the candidates of their choice, without “molestation or intimidation”.
“Enough security personnel have been mobilized on ground to ensure hitch free election. The electorate should not entertain any fear in turning up in their large numbers to exercise their franchise as police will not leave any stone unturned to protect their lives”, he added.
Similarly, candidates of all political parties for the election and other relevant gladiators in the game were made to sign peace accord and undertaking with INEC, Police and other non-governmental organizations to maintain law and order before, during and after the election.
However, the INEC and Police have consistently warned politicians and their supporters against the violation of electoral laws as defaulters would be sanctioned.
INEC and Police enumerated possible electoral offences that could lead to the disruption of the election to include; cases of thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, intimidation of voters, presence of fake police bribery of voters/inducement and arbitrary shooting of guns to create fears and scare voters away amongst others.
Going by political activities in Kogi state since 2003, investigation by Our Correspondent reveals that of all the political parties jostling to rule the state in the current dispensation, the game will actually be between the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the Candidate of the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engineer Musa Wada.
Apart from ethic chauvinism which is very pronounced in the state, Political observers are of the view that other factors will come to play in the final build up to the governorship election in Kogi State, such as political antecedent, performances and opinion formed as result of people’s experience.
DAILY ASSET gathered that the forthcoming governorship battle is dominantly between two major ethnic groups, the Ebiras and Igalas with Okuns and other minorities playing determinant role of who wins the battle.
Governor Yahaya Bello
Yahaya Bello was brought to power by divine intervention after the sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu, who was coasting home to victory in 2015 governorship election, but his death put an end to the era.
Bello, young and energetic, who had been in charge of governance in the past four years, is believed to be a political tactician based on his antecedents since 2016.
Strength
It is expected that Bello would rely the power of incumbency to retain the seat in the battle analysts described as between the centripetal and centrifugal forces.
He is said to have the financial muscle to prosecute the political ambition as the Ebiras are seemingly ready to support their own by going out en-masse to vote for Bello.
Again, analysts say Bello would also be relying on the two senators, seven House of Representatives members, twenty-five members of the state House of Assembly, Commissioners and all political appointees from various districts to work for his victory and that of the APC.
Weaknesses
Political pundits are of the opinion that what could have been an added advantage to the APC administration may work against the party during the governorship election.
A social critics and analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity, argued that if Bello administration had succeeded in weeding out the ghost workers and consistently paying salary to civil servants as at when due, there wouldn’t be any cause for alarm.
The untold hardship experiencing by people of the state, foisted on them and their immediately family, is undoubtedly, waiting for election period like this to rear its head.
“Until recently the workers and pensioners had passed through harrowing experience in the state. The fear now, is that if Bello comes back, life would be more difficult for them.
“Expectedly, an average Kogites believed that the state under Bello should have moved from what it used to be to where the state ought be and state is still infrastructural deficient despite the huge resources accrued to this state.
“‘Quote me what happened in the States where governors have not made salary payment first line charge will repeat itself in Kogi State during the forthcoming governorship election. Many children dropped out of school as result of non payment of salaries. Workers could no longer pay their bills, house rent, medical bill and the rest”, he added.
Musa Wada
Mr. Musa Wada, is an engineer, is a new entrant into the murky water of Kogi politics. His emergence as PDP flag bearer still remain a big surprise to many political big wigs in the party, including his brother, Captain Wada who is also a contestant and his father-in -law and former governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, whose first son lost narrowly to Musa Wada. He will rely on the experience of the duo to navigate the path to Lugard House during the election.
Strength
Presumably, after a thorough reconciliation may have been done and all other aspirants may have given their node for his candidature, Wada junior will enjoy the entire people of Igala land of the Eastern flank of the state who will be willing to work for his victory at the poll, having emerged from the PDP.
Observers of political events argued that Wada is good material and have financial ‘war chest’ to prosecute his gubernatorial ambition .
In a telephone conversation with Our Correspondent, Mr. Mohammed Ameh Ocheni, stated that the opportunity has come to the people of Igala to fight and reclaimtheir lost glory, adding that having lost seat of power last four years, the people have been relegated to back ground.
He added that with population of about 54 per cent and having highest number of registered voters in the state and good sensitization, Wada may spring another surprise in the election.
“The political permutation is now that Musa Wada has picked his running mate from Okun axis, the Yoruba speaking area of Western Senatorial district will garner a substantial votes from the west, Ocheni said.
Weakness
However, some people are of the views that Musa Wada has not acquired the enough political experience . They claimed that Kogi state is in a mess that requires experience hands.
The question agitating the mind of Kogites now is who wins the gubernatorial election, Yahaya Bello or Musa Wada? The electorate will definitely decide on tomorrow.
Fear of Violence Grips Bayelsa Electorate
At least 45 candidates drawn from different political parties, are set to slug it out tomorrow for the governorship election of Bayelsaa state where the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are accusing each other of stock piling arms for the D-day.
This is even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expressed worries and described Bayelsa as one of the most volatile and prone to electoral violence states.
The scenario further gave credence as the main opposition party in the state (APC) suffered a deadly blow from the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, which bared its governorship candidate, David Lyon from contesting tomorrow’s election.
The judgement, delivered by Justice Jane Inyang, declared that “APC has no candidate for the election” and voided the direct primaries that produced Lyon.
A former Minister of State for Agriculture, Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri, who was one of the aspirants during the primaries, had dragged the party to court over alleged irregularities during the direct primaries conducted by the party on the 4th of September 2019.
But, in their swift reaction, the recent court judgments that first disqualified its governorship running mate, Degi Eremienyo and later nullified the governorship primary election conducted on September 4 this year will not deter the party from contesting the Saturday election.
Addressing the media, the alternate Director General of David Lyon/Degi campaign organization, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, call on the people to maintain peace, saying it had appealed the judgment while filing for stay of execution of the judgments.
“That is the assurance we are giving to Bayelsans. Come and vote,” he said while likening what the party is experiencing to the travails of the children of Israel when leaving Egypt for Canaan.
Birisibe, therefore, enjoined the media to help inform the state and people that APC was ready for the governorship election as the processes at the various courts were ongoing expressing hope that the judgments would be vacated at the higher court.
In another development, it was a bloody clash between the supporters of the PDP and the APC on Wednesday during the last PDP rallies at Nembe Ogbolomabiri where several people were injured and about six dead including the driver of the state own radio station, Mr. Clement Onu.
However, PDP governorship candidate, Senator Douye Diri, noted with dismay the brutal killings of no fewer than eight members of the party by thugs of the APC during the rally in Nembe Ogbolomabiri .
Diri, in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa, described the killings as barbaric, demonic, undemocratic and prayed for repose of the souls of those that were murdered by the bullets of the blood thirsty APC supporters.
The remains of three of the dead are still at the mortuary, two were said to have had their stomachs ripped open and thrown into the river, while the body of identified as Onu was with the JTF.
He said there were unprovoked and gruesome attacks on party members, which resulted in the death of some members and recalled that similar event occurred in the area during the last National Assembly election.
“When we arrived at Nembe, we saw our billboards on the floor and that was the signal that all was not well. Nembe was our second port of call, our first port was Oluasiri, we got to the water front and kept most of our party members behind since Oluasiri was a riverine journey. And so we kept them behind with the hope that once we are through with Oluasiri, we will return to Nembe for our final rally.
“We arrived Oluasiri only to receive a distress call that our party members were under attack. Some had been gunned down, lives were lost, our vehicles vandalized and so we couldn’t hold our rally at Oluasiri, we had to return immediately to Nembe.
By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragic incident at the Children’s funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries.
Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement stressed the importance of determining whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful development, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.
The president, who expressed profound sadness over the tragic incident on Thursday, extended condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children.
The statement read, “In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event.
“President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly. He emphasises that it is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful incident, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.
“The President urges the Oyo State Government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring.”
The president wants a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues.
He called on event organizers to prioritize the safety of all attendees, especially children, just as he stressed the importance of integrating professional security, protocol, and logistics at events to ensure the utmost safety of all participants.
According to the president, “Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives.”
So far, police have confirmed that 35 children died while six others were critically injured.
According to a statement by the Oyo State Police Command through the spokesman, Adewale Osifeso, yesterday, the organisers of the event, including the main sponsor, Naomi Silekunola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and her media partner, Agidigbo FM, the principal of the school, and five others, have been arrested in connection with the tragedy.
The police stated that the event was organised by the Wings Foundation and media partners Agidigbo FM, without proper permission or safety measures in place.
The police said they have commenced an investigation into the incident and have promised to bring those responsible to justice.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has revoked the land title of former President Muhammadu Buhari for nonpayment of statutory fees.
A public notice issued yesterday by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) showed that titles for 762 plots of land in the Maitama district of Abuja were revoked over failure to pay charges for Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen was also affected.FCTA also threatened to withdraw the Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) of 614 other individuals and companies if they fail to pay outstanding bills for their plots within two weeks.
The FCTA notice read, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn.”
According to the administration, this action was taken under Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the minister to revoke Right of Occupancy for non-compliance with payment obligations or breach of other allocation terms.
The Cs-of-O of the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation owned by former President Muhammadu Buhari; former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; his wife, Regina; and Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna were revoked.
Also affected are: former and serving lawmakers: the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; former House of Representatives member, Nnenna Ukeje; Andy Uba and Smart Adeyemi, both former senators.
Wike, who assumed office in August 2023 has consistently emphasised his commitment to enforce order in Abuja’s land administration.
It was however a tough task for men of the Department of Development Control who were on mission to pull down unapproved structures.
Soldiers allegedly following the orders of an Army General on Wednesday evening attacked Development Control officials who were in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja to remove illegal structures in the area.
The officials were to remove the fence of a building on Plot 416 said to belong to one Major General.
An official of the department narrated their ordeal: “During this operation, there was an incident that happened at Plot 416 Sabon Lugbe that belongs a Major General.
“When the assignment was going on, the Major General got information…He sent two soldiers from his house to ascertain the situation.
“On getting to the scene, the soldiers who drove a vehicle wit covered number plate blocked the way out of the house to prevent the enforcement team from coming out of the premises, threatening that somebody must die today.
“Private Jamilu [second name unknown] went straight to the caterpillar operator, cocked his rifle and pointed straight to him to come down or risk being shot immediately.
“He politely came down but was grabbed by the two soldiers who squeezed his neck with his clothes, beat him mercilessly and tore his shirt.
“Private Jamilu pulled his rifle and fired the four tyres of the caterpillar flat. He then called the Major General to come along with more soldiers for reinforcement, and he came with them in numbers.
“He ordered his men to take Sector Sodangi and his site officer to his house, beat them even right from outside alongside six enforcement officials who were also taken hostage for hours.
“Three Hilux vehicles were taken to the Major General’s house while the remaining vehicles that they could not lay hands on had their tyres flattened with gun shots.
“On receiving the information, the DPO Trademore came to the scene but the Major General refused to take compliments nor listen to her. She left and said she would come back.”
Director of the department, Mukhtar Galadima did not respond to our reporter’s enquiries. Also, the Director of Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye couldn’t be reached.
This is not the first time officials of the department have suffered attack. It has been a hazard they confront frequently in the course of their work.
By Ubong Ukpong & Eze OkeChukwu, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday presented his administration’s ambitious N47.90 trillion budget estimates for 2025, assuring the people of the administration’s readiness to continue stimulating the economy through targeted fiscal stimulus packages, public expenditures, and non-inflationary spending.
While presenting the budget titled, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” to a joint session of the National Assembly, the president reiterated his unwavering commitment to rebuilding Nigeria and ensuring a prosperous future for the nation.
A breakdown of the proposed 2025 budget allocations showed the following: Defence and Security, N4.
91 trillion; Infrastructure, N4.06 trillion; Health, N2.48 trillion; and Education, N3.52 trillion.He said, “As we embark on implementing the 2025 budget, our steps are deliberate, our decisions resolute, and our priorities are clear.
“This budget reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy while addressing critical sectors essential for growth and development.”
On national security, Tinubu assured the public that his administration had “significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitary, and Police Force to secure the nation, protect our borders, and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory.”
He said his government would continue to equip the security forces with the modern tools and technology necessary to safeguard the country.
“The officers, men, and women of our Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police Force are the shields and protectors of our nation.
“Our administration will continue to empower them to defeat insurgency, banditry, and all threats to our sovereignty,” the president noted.
On infrastructure development, the president explained, “When we launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, it was with the conviction that infrastructure remains the backbone of every thriving economy.
“We are accelerating investments in energy, transport, and public works. By leveraging private capital, we hope to complete key projects that drive growth and create jobs.”
Tinubu shared his administration’s commitment to improving human capital development, revealing that the government had disbursed N34 billion to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“In the 2025 Budget, we have allocated N826.90 billion for infrastructure development in the educational sector, including allocations for the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and nine new higher educational institutions,” he said.
For healthcare, Tinubu emphasized the importance of Universal Health Coverage initiatives and announced an allocation of N402 billion for infrastructure investments in the health sector, with an additional N282.65 billion for the Basic Health Care Fund.
He added that his administration would continue its efforts to reduce medical import dependency and ensure quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
On corruption, Tinubu asserted, “Our nation faces existential threats from corruption and insecurity and suffers from many past poor choices. These challenges are surmountable when we work collaboratively to overcome them.
“We must rewrite the narrative of this nation together, with every leader, institution, and citizen playing their part.”
He urged Nigerians to look towards a brighter future and to support greater investment in the private sector, saying, “The time for lamentation is over. This is a time to act.”
He stressed that the 2025 budget proposal lays the foundation for peace, prosperity, and hope, emphasizing that his administration’s journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which began 18 months ago, is well underway.
He said that Nigeria’s economy is responding positively to the fiscal stimulus measures, with growth projected at 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the same period of 2023.
He shared the 2025 budget’s revenue targets, with a proposed N34.82 trillion in revenue and N47.90 trillion in government expenditure, including N15.81 trillion for debt servicing.
The president projected inflation would decline from 34.6 percent to 15 percent, with an improved exchange rate of N1,500 per US dollar and crude oil production pegged at 2.06 million barrels per day, stating that, “This is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.”
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio in his opening remarks said, “Your Excellency, we commend you on your groundbreaking tax reform initiative.
“The four tax reform bills—the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024; and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024, represent a monumental shift in our fiscal landscape.
“It is disheartening that those who have not taken time to understand these bills are the loudest critics.
“I urge all Nigerians, especially those in public office, to engage with these vital reforms thoughtfully.
“This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.
“We will not kill any reform that you have forwarded to us for consideration Mr President but rather engage Nigerians to see the merits in them.”
In his vote of thanks, the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas said the government needs to reflect on the fiscal realities of Nigeria’s economy, especially the budget-population ratio of the country, when Nigeria is compared with other countries in Africa.
The Speaker noted that the Tinubu administration has taken bold and decisive steps to reform the economy in the past 18 months, stressing that removing fuel subsidies, unifying foreign exchange rates, and introducing innovative economic policies have laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth and development.
Abbas said while these reforms have demanded short-term sacrifices, they are acts of courage and patriotism.
He cited examples from China’s market reforms, India’s liberalisation, and South Korea’s industrialisation which, he stated, affirm the enduring benefits of such bold action. “These lessons inspire confidence that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms will foster economic growth, reduce poverty, and ensure long-term prosperity,” he stated.
The Speaker stated that the Tinubu administration’s reforms have “disrupted the status quo, sparking resistance from vested interests,” noting that, “Yet these courageous measures underscore your resolve to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.”
The Speaker noted that the proposed 2025 budget of N49.7 trillion— a 35 percent increase over 2024— is “ambitious and commendable.”
He said the projections of 4.6 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, a crude oil price of $75 per barrel, an exchange rate of N1,400 to the dollar, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day are bold but achievable.”
He added, “However, Nigeria’s fiscal realities warrant critical reflection. Despite being Africa’s most populous nation with over 220 million people, our 2024 national budget of $36.7 billion remains modest compared to countries like South Africa, with a budget of $160 billion for its 60 million citizens; Egypt, with $110 billion for 110 million people; Algeria, with $60 billion for 45 million people; and Morocco, allocating $50 billion for its 37 million residents.
The Speaker assured the president, “This is not merely your budget; it is a national project requiring collaboration across all arms of government,” adding that the parliament will work to ensure its timely passage, provide legislative support for critical reforms, and conduct robust oversight to guarantee transparency and efficiency in its execution.
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