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Tag: Nigerian politicians

  • Former Ondo Military Governor, Babakayode Opaleye Is Dead

    Major-General Ekundayo Babakayode Opaleye (rtd), a distinguished military figure and former governor of old Ondo State has died. 

    The retired General breathed his last in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, succumbing to a heart attack early on Saturday morning.

    General Opaleye (rtd) notably served as the military governor of old Ondo State, presiding over the region from August 1986 to December 1987. 

    His tenure fell within the regime of Military President General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. 

    He succeeded Admiral Mike Akhigbe and subsequently handed over the reins to Commodore Olabode George.

    Beyond his military contributions, General Opaleye (rtd) held the esteemed title of Balogun Erunmu of Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun State, up until his demise on this fateful Saturday, November 18, 2023. 

    Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun is mourning the death of the late Ondo governor.

    He emphasized that the memory of late Maj. Gen. Opaleye’s patriotism as a military officer and commitment as an administrator would endure. 

    He highlighted that Opaleye’s significant contribution during his tenure as the military governor, his devoted service to the people of old Ondo State, and his unexpected passing constitute a profound loss for the entire nation.

  • Nigerian Politicians, Elite Responsible For Continued Insecurity- Buratai

    Former Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai (retired), has accused politicians and the political elite for the prolonged insecurity that has plagued the nation since 2009.

    Speaking in an address at the 2023 National Public Service Lecture and the 65th anniversary of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Buaratai criticized those who called for his removal during his tenure, asserting that such demands were influenced by personal biases rather than a fair assessment of his performance.

    Buratai went on to express his belief that the Ninth National Assembly’s calls for the dismissal of the Service Chiefs were an attempt to undermine democracy by involving the military in political matters.

    He emphasized the need for objective discussions on national security issues, focusing on pertinent aspects rather than personal prejudices.

    Furthermore, Buratai urged political figures, public servants, and civil servants to uphold the highest ethical standards by combatting the corruption that has plagued the nation’s political landscape for decades.

    He highlighted the prevalence of public fund misappropriation, bribery, and embezzlement, which divert resources from essential services and lead to public disillusionment.

    In addition, he called upon politicians to be more transparent and accountable, as the absence of accountability has eroded public trust and hindered the country’s development.

    He emphasized the importance of politicians delivering on their promises made during election campaigns to restore public confidence.

  • BBC Report Claims Tinubu’s Certificate Is Authentic

    BBC Report Claims Tinubu’s Certificate Is Authentic

    In a report released by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Wednesday, it has been revealed that there is no proof that President Bola Tinubu forged his academic record at Chicago State University (CSU).

    This revelation comes in the midst of controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic credentials.

    Recently, Chicago State University had released and deposited Tinubu’s certificate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as requested by a US court in the context of the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.

    While President Tinubu and his aides have consistently maintained the authenticity of his CSU certificate, Atiku’s camp had alleged that the certificate was falsified. However, the BBC’s Global Disinformation Team’s investigation has not found any conclusive evidence of forgery.

    The BBC report stated that they contacted CSU for clarification, and the university expressed confidence in the veracity and integrity of their records concerning Tinubu’s attendance and graduation.

    The report further highlights that there are three different versions of CSU certificates associated with Tinubu, including the original 1979 certificate, a second diploma submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and another replacement diploma from the early 2000s, which was never collected by Tinubu.

    Contrary to some allegations on social media, the BBC found that the phrase “with honours” does appear on Mr. Tinubu’s diploma from the early 2000s, which CSU authenticated during their investigation.

    CSU’s registrar, Caleb Westberg, affirmed that changes in the diploma template over the years might explain differences in appearance. He also attested to the authenticity of Tinubu’s diploma during his deposition.

    The BBC report concluded that CSU’s documents and Mr. Westberg’s statements confirm that President Tinubu graduated from CSU with honours, dispelling some of the doubts raised regarding his academic credentials.

  • Atiku’s insistence on FCT 25% votes illogical, absurd – INEC, Tinubu 

    *25% votes mandatory, Atiku insists 

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have described the 25 percent of votes in the country’s capital insistence as absurd and illogical.

    At the resumed sitting of the presidential tribunal for the adoption of final addresses by different parties, the Respondents urged the court to dismiss Peter Obi and Atiku Atiku’s petitions as completely lacking in merit.

    The Petitioner Atiku Abubakar had urged the court to hold that he scored the majority of lawful votes cast in the February 25 polls while declaring that Tinubu’s alleged academic, court, and diplomatic records were enough to disqualify him from running for office.

    Responding, INEC maintained that the petitioners failed completely to discharge the burden placed on them by law against President Bola Tinubu’s victory.

    INEC’s lead counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud SAN, argued that the arguments of the petitioner’s case are non-compliance with the Electoral Act, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, and the use of technology in the election.

    On the 25% votes of the FCT, INEC insisted that the claim is illogical and absurd, adding that it will create a situation where FCT voters would be given special status above other Nigerians living in other states.

    Further in his adumbration, Mahmoud submitted that in evidence shows that accreditation and authentication of voters was effective and that the technical glitches cited by Atiku happened for about 4 hours but were resolved.

    Concluding, INEC added that the technical glitches did not affect the outcome of the presidential election.

    “Pieces of evidence adduced by the Petitioners showed that the BVAS actually did the work of capturing the image of the results band transmission to the INEC IREV.

    “They have failed woefully to establish that there was human interference in the technical glitches that happened on Election Day.”

    “The petitioners constructed certain things in their minds to which they failed to prove,” Mahmoud.

    President Tinubu on his part asked the court to dismiss Atiku’s petition for lacking in merit.

    Adopting his final addresses, Tinubu, through his counsel Wole Olanipekun SAN, insisted that uploading of polling unit results to INEC Results Viewing Portal, IReV, places no obligation on INEC regarding collation of results but was just for public view.

    Specifically, Tinubu submitted that there was no line in the Atiku’s’ final address stating how many votes Atiku Abubakar actually scored, adding that documents PDP tendered were dumped on the court and it is not the duty of the court to do an investigation of those documents.

    Therefore, he urged the court to dismiss Atiku’s petition and uphold Tinubu’s victory.

    “Your Lordships are not Father Christmas” to give parties whatever they want.

    Olanipekun also argued that it will lead to “absurdity” to interpret the 1999 Constitution without looking at all the sections talking about FCT.

    “FCT is the 37 state in Nigeria for the purpose of the presidential election,” Olanipekun said.

    Meantime, Justice Haruna Tsammani, reserved judgement for a later date that will be communicated to the parties.

  • Give Tinubu benefit of doubt, Uwaleke appeals to Nigerians

    Professor of Finance and the Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Uche Uwaleke, has called on Nigerians to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the benefit of the doubt.

    The President had in a nationwide broadcast on Monday in Abuja, reeled out a number of measures meant to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

    In his inauguration speech, the President said fuel subsidy was gone forever. According to him, his administration would rather channel the savings from the subsidy removal into other critical sectors of the economy.

    In his broadcast, the President said his administration has proposed the sum of N75 billion to fund enterprises at 9% interest per annum; N125 billion to energize MSME; release 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains; 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer,  seedlings, and other inputs to farmers; and N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize.

    Also, the federal government will also make available N50 billion each to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava, N100 billion to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses and review the minimum wage.

    Uwaleke said: “The President’s address to the nation is quite soothing.

    “He spoke in clear terms and I think Nigerians should allow him the benefit of the doubt.”

    The first Professor of the Capital Market in Nigeria was however concerned that President Tinubu failed to tell Nigerians how the executive will also make sacrifices.

    “But it was short on how the three arms of government will share in the pains of the governed, especially with respect to affecting a significant cut in the cost of running government,” he asked.