NEWS
I Nearly Quit 2023 Presidential Race, Says Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu said he nearly guit the 2023 presidential race.
The President said this at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Presidential Villa on Saturday night,
President Tinubu thanked guests for their presence, prayers, and contributions to the nation’s development, and appreciated Nigerians for their outpouring of goodwill and prayers as he marked his 73rd birthday.
Reflecting on his political journey, President Tinubu recounted a moment of doubt during the 2023 election campaign when he contemplated withdrawing from the race after an encounter with a close relative.
“Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns, one of them came to my living room around 3:30 a.m. and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle.
“He told me, ‘The currency is gone because of you. People are jumping over bank counters because there is no cash. Our uncle, a wealthy man, doesn’t even have N10,000 in cash. What are you running for?
“I told him, ‘I am running for President, not for you and our uncle.’ I gave him the N50,000. As he walked out, he turned to me and said, ‘I don’t think you will make it.’ I replied, ‘I will make it,’” said Tinubu.
The President stated that his uncle later called to confirm receiving the money but admitted that he had only given the messenger N10,000, keeping the rest.
“I was amazed. At that moment, I almost dropped the idea of running for President. But thanks to Aminu Masari and all of you who encouraged me.
“When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back’,” he said.
President Tinubu noted that he assumed office during a time of economic uncertainty and had to make immediate, difficult decisions, including removing the fuel subsidy.
“On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal,” he said.
Noting that Nigeria had reached a point of no return on the issue, the President said: “The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time.
“That was the day I declared that the subsidy was gone. The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media. But I stood firm, knowing it was the right thing to do for our nation’s future.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the President’s sacrifices, stating that history will remember him as the leader who took on the nation’s most complex challenges.
“Thanks to his boldness, future presidents of Nigeria will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past administrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy.
“These were the thorny issues that many before him sidestepped. But Asiwaju did not sidestep history; he came to rewrite it.
“And in rewriting it, Asiwaju has taken the bullets that many before him simply lacked the courage to face.
“But that is the thing about true leadership: it is not for those who seek comfort. It is for those who understand that the path to national greatness is lined with difficult choices,” he said.
Sen. Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, praised the President’s ability to forgive and his relentless passion for national development.
Akpabio described the President as a leader who thinks outside the box and as the ‘most audacious president’ in the country’s history.
He said under Tinubu’s watch, governors were getting more allocation.
“If I were a governor under your administration, I would have been a ‘supernatural governor’ and not an uncommon governor,” he said.
Mr Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, described President Tinubu as a leader who has broken barriers and uplifted future Nigerian politicians.
He noted that the President had taken a backseat to raising leaders for decades.
“Today, he is at the forefront because Nigeria needs him. In 2019, despite not being from his region, he supported me in my most difficult political moment.
“Nigeria needs leaders who rise above tribal considerations, and he has demonstrated that,” he said.
Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State commended the President’s decisive leadership at a time when Nigeria needed stability.
“Only a leader with deep conviction and love for the country could have taken the bold and yet necessary decisions that averted national collapse and now restoring hope and confidence across the federation,” he said.
Dr. Bosun Tijjani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, shared his personal experience of being appointed by President Tinubu despite his past activism.
“Before my appointment, I had never met the President. But after my confirmation, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I am giving you an opportunity to serve,’” he said.
The minister recounted a recent meeting at the World Bank, where a senior official described Tinubu as the best reformist leader in Africa today.
Prof. Shaffideen Amuwo, a childhood friend of the President, reminisced about their early years and how divine providence led Tinubu to the presidency.
“Our relationship did not just start in Chicago; we played soccer together as children.
“While I chose the library, my brother chose politics because he loved to speak. Today, Allah has shown His greatness by guiding him to lead Nigeria.
“The city of Chicago, founded by a Black man, has educated the man who now leads the most populous Black nation on earth.
“I pray that Allah continues to hold his hand and guide him as he works to save our country,” he said. (NAN)
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has appointed the former Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Information, Chris Mbah as the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission.
Mbah who was serving as commissioner two in the Commission was appointed following the expiration of Robinson Odo’s tenure.
Receiving the handover documents from his predecessor Odo, the new chairman commended the governor for finding him worthy of the elevated position.
Appreciating his predecessor for diligent service, the former Ministry of Information Perm.
Secretary pledged to leave behind a technologically driven civil service system anchored on the tomorrow is the mantra of the governor.From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association (FACAN), Benue State chapter, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately intervene and investigate the fraudulent activities of one Pastor Peter China and one Andrew Nambe, who are operating as chairman and secretary of Benue State Forum of Commodity Heads (BSFCH), impersonating the leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria(AFAN) in the State.
The organisation warned that for the interest of the general public, EFCC must immediately act on the petition in order to rescue the vulnerable Benue farmers from this legal body and impersonators.
They alleged that Pastor Peters China has proven to be morally incapacitated by exhibiting falsehood as well as his consistent passion for greed, financial recklessness, use of unregistered Association office and disregard to constituted authority using false pretenses to operate illegalities and financial crime.
In a petition dated August 10, 2026, signed by approved Benue State Coordinator/Chairman, Federation of Agriculture Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Vitalis Ternongu and addressed to the EFCC Makurdi Zonal Director, the commodity group urged the Commission to carry out a prompt and impartial investigation into allegations of abuse of office, financial misconduct, and possible misappropriation of public funds by Pastor Peters China and Andrew Nambe to the tune of N150 million.
FACAN stated that its petition followed a discovery that the duo initiated membership registration drive using nonexistent legal commodity organisation and hides under All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) which they were not exco to write suspension letters and doing all manner of unlawful transactions that saw huge turnout of enthusiastic Benue farmers where thousands were registered into personal accounts of both.
FACAN stated further that Pastor China and Nambe allegedly operated an unregistered Benue State Commodity Head and went further to create parallel operations with Arc. Kabiru Ibrahim who had been removed long ago from the office, suggesting any affiliation to the Arc. Kabiru Ibrahim can be described as impersonation and criminal bridge according to the constitution of AFAN/ FACAN and Nigeria
“Rather than developing Commodity Associations, both being Chairman and Secretary of Soybeans Commodity, Peters China picked his bosom friend and ally, Mr. Andrew Nambe who both served AFAN impostors and allegedly defrauded innocent farmers and creates hugs financial crimes in the state to the tone of hundred and fifty million naira (N150,000,000.00)”
“China and Nambe have violated all financial management practices in line with constitutional provisions and have insistently breached financial due process despite several warnings. AFAN, which existed since 26years ago during President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, does not allow successive exco to open new accounts or collect money from personal accounts which they have violated according to financial law of the association in line with Nigeria constitution.
“Mr. Peters China and Andrew Nambe have consistently withdrawn illegally, opened a secret AFAN Account against the rule of law where monies withdrawn are done at will.
“Andrew Nambe, Secretary once withdrew money and claimed Four Hundred Thousand (N400,000) out of what he withdrew was stolen from his car without the car being damaged and alleged it was Sankara people within AFAN/FACAN who hated him that are responsible for the theft. Meanwhile, his car that was under mortgage suddenly came back when they had access to AFAN funds”, the petitioner alleged.
Chief Tarnongu therefore appealed to the anti-draft agency to invite China and Nambe to prove the illegality through the accounts statement using BVN links on personal accounts of his phone number: i) (8031309735) as OPay or Moni point. ii.) 0134347643 Union Bank.
The State coordinator further said they account for the sale of the federal government free fertilizers to the tone of 10,000.00 having collected over 7000 bags of NPK 20:10:10 meant for FACAN/AFAN.
“They should account for details of 13 trucks (600 bags of fertilizer each) total of 7800 bags from National Agricultural Development Funds (NADF) and desist from operating any account that is used for AFAN proceeds both personal or corporate
“Also EFCC should invite any financial institution that accepts to open a new account of AFAN knowing too well that any organization that exists for such a long time can only accept a letter of introduction for changes of signatories”, the organisation concluded.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Federal Government has inaugurated the newly constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal as part of efforts to strengthen regulation, promote professionalism and ensure greater integrity in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Tribunal in Abuja, describing the development as an important step towards building a more professional and responsible advertising industry.
“Let us build an advertising industry that commands creativity, earns trust, and upholds responsibility,” Idris said.
The Minister said the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act No. 23 of 2022 expanded the Council’s regulatory powers and provided for the establishment of the Tribunal to adjudicate offences under the Act and relevant advertising regulations and codes.
He urged the new panel, led by Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, to carry out its duties with integrity, independence and fairness.
“Every matter that comes before you should be considered on its merits, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. The Tribunal must be, and must be seen to be, a fair and impartial institution,” he said.
The Minister congratulated the Chairman and members of the Tribunal, assuring them of the Ministry’s continued support for ARCON and efforts to build a globally competitive advertising industry.
The Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, described the inauguration of the Advertising Offences Tribunal as a major step in strengthening regulation and compliance in the advertising industry.
“The Advertising Offences Tribunal is a big opportunity for the Nigerian advertising industry. It is the first of its kind in the world because Nigeria has taken a proactive step not only to legislate on advertising, but also to put structures and frameworks in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the Advertising Offences Tribunal, Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, pledged that the new panel would discharge its responsibilities with integrity, fairness and professionalism.
“It is a great honour to be called upon to serve our country, and we take this responsibility very seriously. You have asked us to work with integrity, and that is what we are going to do,” she said.
Members of the Tribunal are Musa Ahmed Attah, SAN; Merga Tyowanan Kachina Esq; Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, frpa; and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, rpa.
In attendance was the Permanent Secretary of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem Ukaire; the Director, Public Communication and National Orientation, Henshaw Ogubike; the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna, PhD; the Special Assistant (Admin) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dr Sunday Baba, among other dignitaries.
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