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THE Presidency has assured that there is no truth to the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari was working towards an interim government or the truncation of democracy, insisting that elections would hold as scheduled.

  A statement by the President’s spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Friday, February 17 in Abuja, said Buhari would never be a party to the truncation of democracy that he had helped to keep alive, not only here at home and in West Africa, but also throughout the continent, stressing that the talk of interim government and truncation of democracy was way off the mark and those peddling it stand to gain nothing, “nothing at all, but the creation of panic and the incitement of the public against the federal government.”

  According to the statement: “Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda Chief of Adolf Hitler, said, ‘Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.’ This was in the 1930s, before the internet was birthed.

  “Let us clearly, specifically and emphatically state that there is absolutely no truth to the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is working towards an interim government or even worse, the truncation of democracy, democracy that he has helped to keep alive not only here at home, in West Africa, but throughout the continent.

  “The talk of interim government and truncation of democracy is way off the mark. Those who peddle it stand to gain nothing, nothing at all, but the creation of panic and the incitement of the public against the federal government.

  “It is another dangerous dimension by people who are afraid that they may lose their elections.

  “Everybody is aware that there is a lot of pressure on everyone, all of us, the party, its elected officials, its candidates and law enforcement agencies, following the way the currency swap has gone, but the way to go is not to panic.”

  The presidential spokesman acknowledged that the country was facing socio-economic challenges due to the ongoing currency swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), however, maintaining that the solution to the problem was not sending the citizens into confusion, as the President had since opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups across the country.

  “There is indeed a problem and nobody will pretend that it doesn’t exist.”

THE presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has promised that his administration would respect the rule of law if he is voted into power.
  Obi, who gave the assurance during a town hall meeting organised by the Imo State chapter of the party on Thursday, February 16 in Owerri, commended the organisers for their painstaking efforts at mobilising Nigerians to key into the party’s programmes.

  Obi further reaffirmed his commitment to a New Nigeria that would work for and accommodate everyone, irrespective of tribe, religion or other inclinations, assuring Nigerians that electing him as President would help to unite the country and bring an end to poverty, sufferings and insecurity.

  The LP candidate also said his emergence as President would open the way for the country’s economic emancipation by moving the country from consumption to production, adding: “My government will work closely with state governments to build uncommon synergy, with the aim of an all-inclusive governance for the overall good of all the citizens.

  “Nigeria is blessed, we have all it takes to be a great country, all we need is the right leadership that will harness our potential as a country, such as the oil and gas in Imo, for our collective benefit.

  “I will ensure respect for rule of law, secure and unite Nigeria and move the country from consumption to production.

  “Vote for Labour Party, vote for human beings: papa, mama, pikin.”

  He further said his government would support a legislation to guarantee a certain percentage of women and youths in governance as a way of pursuing affirmative action, in line with global best practices, by strengthening the not-too-young-to-run and other relevant extant laws.

From Chuks Collins, Awka

SUPPORTERS of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) have planned to embark on a historical 100-man match across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

  This final push for sensitisation and awakening of national consciousness ahead the February 25 presidential election is being organised by the Peter Obi Support Network (POSN), in conjunction with all supporters and friends of the ObiDatti International Movement.

  According to a statement by the national coordinator of POSN, the match is to stamp their feet on grounds for a New Nation built on equity, justice and service.

  The statement read: “Today, we make a new call to all Obidients to prepare to march in our grand rally this Saturday, February 18, 2023. The OBIDIENTS GOOD GOVERNANCE GLOBAL 100M MARCH is a statement of our renewed hope and undying love for Nigeria.

  “It is platform for expression of our determined hope to save Nigeria from the hands of political marauders whose time has come to an end. It is the stamps of our feet on the grounds of a new nation built on equity, justice and service.

  “We call on all Obidients to come out en masse and lend their voices to this song of our future and freedom. Information on locations and routes will be made available on Obidients platforms and on social media.

  “We will also make available phone numbers for efficient communication and guidance. For those in Abuja city centre, the march will begin from the Unity Fountain and close at the City Gate.

  “We call on all our brothers and sisters nationwide to make themselves available at the designated locations in their states as Yuseful Obidients. We are determined to see a New Nigeria rise these ashes. May God help us.”

SENATOR Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has faulted the notion in certain quarters that her husband is over-ambitious.

  Speaking at a pre-election strategic meeting with zonal, state and local government women leaders yesterday in Abuja, Oluremi insisted that her husband is eminently qualified to govern the country effectively.

  Acknowledging challenges placed before her husband by unidentified forces, the senator representing Lagos Central at the National Assembly expressed optimism that her husband would triumph at the presidential election on February 25, saying: “This is our time. The popular saying, what a man can do, a woman too can do better. This is the decade of women. This is the time for women to take control again. Take control of our homes, so that we can build our homes and nation.

  “My husband had not contested election since 2003. This year, it will be 20 years, so he did not just wake up and say it is my turn. You can serve other people for 20 years and make sure they excel. I don’t believe you can’t your own place.

  “The Bible says when you build, you should inhabit, when you sow, you should be the first partner. It depends on how long you have invested.

  “They told us we are buying people to come to rallies. God now said, what I am going to do, I can shut the heavens, so there is no money and you will see my glory. Are we not seeing God’s glory?

You all be patient. Be patient and go and vote. When you vote, shine your eyes and monitor until they count your votes.”

  The APC women leader, Dr. Betta Edu, assured that Tinubu would leave no stone unturned in implementing the 35 per cent Beijing affirmative action if voted into power.

  She charged the women coordinators to go and mobilise the 44.4 million women voters to cast their votes for Tinubu and all the candidates angling for various seats on the party’s platform.

AHEAD of the Bayelsa State governorship election later in the year, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon, has joined the race again.

  Lyon was declared winner of the last election and was preparing to be sworn in until the Supreme Court nullified his election on the eve of the ceremony over discrepancies in the name of his running mate and declared Senator Douye Diri winner.

  On Friday, February 17, hundreds of his supporters, led by Marlin Danier, stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja to pick the N50million expression of interest and nomination forms on his behalf.

  Danier, who was the state secretary of the APC, told journalists that Lyon remained the only person that can win the governorship election for the party in the state and called on the Senator Abdullahi Adamu- led National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure a level-playing ground for all aspirants for the position.

  He said: “Lyon is a young man that gallantly fought a very colossus governor and won him. Unfortunately, the arms of the law were twisted against him and he was denied the opportunity of being the governor of Bayelsa State to save that state.

  “Today, we are back here to get the form for him to go back and contest this election. Ordinarily, and under normal circumstances, he was supposed to be given the right of first refusal by the party; sales of forms are not supposed to be made open.

  “I am taking this message to the national executive and whoever is concerned, that if they want APC to produce the next governor of Bayelsa State, there is no doubt that it is picking Lyon as a candidate of the party 

  “Lyon has been tested, tried and trusted. As I talk to you, everyday, the PDP-led administration is inviting pastors and Imams from different quarters to go and pray that Lyon will not become the APC candidate. He is their nightmare; they are comfortable with every other person, but with him, they know they are off. That has been their prayer.

  “I can confidently and categorically tell the world that if Lyon is given the ticket today to represent the party, more than half of the membership of PDP will come back to the APC. If anybody thinks I’m lying, let them go and ask PDP members in Bayelsa, not even APC members, the PDP members will tell them that if Lyon comes back as the candidate of APC, all of them will come and work for him. That is the true position of things in Bayelsa today.

  “I want to plead with the national secretary; we need a level-playing ground, so that we will overcome the temptation of going to court. We want to win elections, and Lyon is the only candidate that can win the elections for us.”

  A former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Stella Dorgu, assured that Lyon would reclaim his mandate this time around, adding: “This will be the second time in four years that we made this trip to pick up the form. But most unfortunately, victory was snatched from us just at the nick of time. And part of the reason was that Lyon, being true to his name Lion, dared to dare the lion in its den. 

  “We are here to assure Bayelsans that we are ready this time. We’ve got our work cut out for us. We have put plans in place end everybody knows that Lyon is the best governor that Bayelsans can muster to do the job.

  “We will go from door-to-door, woman-to-woman, man-to-man, plain-to-plain, as we used to say back home. And we know that victory is ours, because it is a foregone conclusion that Lyon is the next governor of Bayelsa. He is the one we know that will bring the trajectory of development to where Bayelsans want it to be.”

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PD) candidate for Imo East senatorial district, Uche Onyeagocha, has called for the immediate arrest of the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over what he called “treasonable and inciting comments” on the redesign new naira notes and monetary policy.

  Onyeagocha, who is the immediate past secretary to the Imo State Government, said in a statement issued by his media aide, MacDonald Enwere, that it was only the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that was empowered by the law to regulate and control naira circulation.

  He stated: “Recently, El-rufai called on Nigerians to resist the directive of the federal government and continue to use the old naira currency as a legal tender, against the directive of the federal government. It is very unfortunate that a governor like El-rufai could incite the masses against the fiscal policy of the federal government. 

  “El-rufai should know that it is only the CBN that has the constitutional powers to determine and issue currency notes as legal tender.”

  “Onyeagocha notes that even though he has reservation on the naira redesign policy, but inciting the people against the federal government and its policy is an act capable of truncating the nation’s democracy.”

  “El-rufai’s action constitutes treason and he should be immediately arrested, alongside other governors that are joining him in making such inciting statements against the federal government. They should not be allowed to truncate the nation’s democratic process because of their political interests.”

VICE presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has urged Nigerians not to bungle the best opportunity offered by this year’s general elections to take back their country and usher in a New Nigeria.

  Speaking at a press conference on Friday, February 17 on the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, Datti said: “Next Saturday, Nigerians will be expected to make the most important decision in the history of the country, decision that will determine and shape the future of Nigeria. 

  “The past eight years have witnessed the most lamentable failures, in terms of promises made for change. The same people, though, now in different camps, have renewed the same promises made in 2015, which none has been fulfilled or delivered. 

  “Even the simplest one, the provision of bursaries or scholarships for students promised in 2015, repeated in 2019 and yet to be achieved, is being promised again, among others in 2023. We must not forget that Nigeria faces existential threats because of very poor leadership and irresponsible governance.

  “The good news is the arrival of Labour Party and its most admired, remarkable and inspirational leader, Peter Obi, who has changed the dynamics of Nigerian politics for good. He has mobilised Nigerians, giving them hope to believe that a New Nigeria, devoid of bad leadership, insecurity, corruption is possible. 

  “My dear Nigerians, you have the best opportunity to take back your country and usher in a New Nigeria. I urge you to troop out, vote Labour Party and protect your right to a New Nigeria. Let’s get it done. 

  “Also possible is a country propelled by good governance and production to significantly improve the general well-being of the vast majority of Nigerians and guarantee their security and prosperity. 

  “It is a message he has taken around the country and has been well received by millions of Nigerians, who have come to believe in him because of his good antecedents. 

  “Throughout this campaign, we have met some of the most amazing, enthusiastic and wonderful Nigerians, particularly youths, who, through their actions and commitments, have convinced me of need for an honest and dedicated leadership. 

  “These are Nigerians, the Obidients, who have shown courage and desire to take back their country. They care very little about religion or ethnicity, but a country that is inclusive, united and works for all. You only have to be at the rallies and town hall meetings to appreciate the outpouring of love, support and encouragement to Obi and my humble self. We thank every Nigerian most sincerely. 

  “Our supporters have invested energy and emotions because they can see our sincerity and commitment. This is what makes us different from the others. We have asked Nigerians to hold us responsible if we fail, as promised, to unite and prosper our dear nation, Nigeria.

  “We have asked them to hold us responsible if we fail to move Nigeria from consumption to a productive economy. We have asked them to hold us accountable if we fail to build a 21^st Century economy propelled by technology, and if we fail to transform the vast arable lands in Nigeria, especially in northern Nigeria, into the ‘New Oil.’ 

  “We will bear the full responsibility if we fail to build the required human capital and skill for the 21^st Century economy. Hold us responsible if we fail to cut waste in government or drastically fight corruption, which has permeated every segment and sector of our national life. We make these promises because of what we are offering Nigerians- leadership with character, competence, knowledge and compassion.

  “This is the stark difference between us and others and why we call on all Nigerians to troop out next Saturday and vote for Labour Party. A vote for Labour Party is a vote for a secure and progressive nation. It is a vote for unity and an appreciation that our diversity is a major strength which we must promote to our advantage.”

  Datti said though Obi would before the close of the campaigns, speak to the nation, but he has chosen to call on all Nigerians of goodwill, Nigerians who care about youths to come out en-mass and vote Labour Party. 

  He added: “Even if you are angry with the country and the leadership because of the sufferings you are going through, take your anger to the polls and vote out those, who, over the years, have impoverished you through bad governance.

  “Our message is very simple and unambiguous. Against the threats and challenges facing us, we offer Nigerians a leadership with character we know, with proven records of competence we can trust, knowledge and compassion you can feel, a capacity that has been tested and proven, a leadership you can hold accountable. 

  “Let me reiterate; we shall stop the killing and start the healing. We shall stop the stealing and start the keeping. We shall stop the slide and start the climb of our economy. Vote for Labour Party for a New Nigeria!

  “The 2023 elections, if held correctly, hold the promise of the long awaited secure, stable and prosperous Nigeria. I, therefore, sustain the call on INEC to be an impartial umpire and not frustrate the will of the people. 

  “I implore the security agencies, the Police, the military, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other uniformed officers, to conduct themselves with utmost responsibility and resist the temptation to subvert the will of the people.”

FG Begins Manhunt Of Simon Ekpa 

THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, on Thursday, February 16, said about 404,106 personnel from Police and other security agencies would be deployed for the conduct of the February 25 and March 11 elections in the country to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise. 

  Baba also said the Nigerian authorities were not taking lightly, the threat from Simon Ekpa, who claims to be a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and has vowed that there would not be elections in Southeast.

  The IGP said all necessary protocols would be respected, because he was inciting people from Finland, adding the Police would change the narrative by ensuring that people saw Ekpa’s declaration of curfew and asking them not to vote in the Southeast as acts of incitement meant to destabilise the country.

  Ekpa, who resides in Finland, allegedly being sponsored by some external forces outside the Southeast and few miscreants within the zone, are said to be responsible for the continuous lockdown of the economy through the so-called sit-at-home on Mondays and some other designated days.

  He also said out of the 404,106 security personnel, the Police would be providing 310,973, while the remaining would be provided by other security agencies. Specifically, Baba said besides the military and the Department of State Service (DSS), other security agencies would complement the efforts of the Police with of 93,133 personnel, bringing the total to 404, 106 personnel.

  “Nigeria police will deploy 310,973 personnel for the elections security operations. This will comprise the conventional policemen, the mobile policemen, the special counterterrorism unit, the Special Forces, intelligence response team and other sections of the Police. 

  “The manpower requirement for this exercise will be complemented by the military and other security agencies. In this regard, aside the military and the DSS, other security agencies will contribute a total of 93,495 personnel for the election security operations. These include the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense, which will deploy, through the Police, 51,000 personnel; the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 21,000; Nigerian Correctional Service, 11,336; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, 9,447 and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 350, totaling 404,106, to police the elections.

  “With this layout, a minimum of at least two personnel, drawn from the above agencies, will be jointly deployed to man each of the polling units across the country while the armed personnel will secure the public space, INEC facilities, vulnerable locations, border areas, as well as undertake armed escort duties for INEC personnel, materials and local and international observers.

  “We also expect the military to compliment this situation by providing armed protection to critical national assets, ensure that the enforcement of movements are curtailed through the blocking of exit points and entry points to various states, local governments and so forth,” he said.

  The Police boss said an intelligence unit had been put in place to track and apprehend those who might engage in vote-buying and others who might want to disrupt the exercise, adding: “As part of efforts to address the menace of votes selling and buying, a special intelligence unit of the Force has been constituted to clandestinely monitor the trend and work with EFCC, ICPC and INEC in identifying the network that may be involved in this illegality and apprehend them where possible. 

  “In addition, the unique technical intelligence assets of the Force are also being deployed towards identifying adverse elements that may be planning to disrupt the process. Through this initiate, such elements will be identified real time, geo-located, isolated, arrested and brought to justice.”

  Baba listed some threats against the conduct of the elections to include fuel scarcity and cash crunch, but assured that the situation with both would stabilise before the commencement of the exercise. 

  On the red zones, he said: “The Force has identified major crimes that could negatively impact on the peaceful democratic trajectory. We looked at offenses, like banditry and terrorism, which is majorly located in the northeast geo political zone, violent secessionist campaigns by elements of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which has been targeting the symbols of democratic governance, including INEC assets, Police stations and personnel, military and other agencies, as well as state government officials and traditional institutions, all in an effort to attain or disrupt the general election. 

  “We also have these growing misguided activities of the Oduduwa nation agitators, who from intelligent sources of late, are attempting to also attempting to destabilise the situation.

  “We have this issue of illegal small arms and light weapons trafficking, which are being used to bring a lot of problems. We have issues, including cyber crimes, cyber bullying, kidnapping and all sorts. 

  “So, generally, the situation, as it is against this background, the focus of the Force has been to upscale our operational activities to stabilise these situations to ensure that the election takes place. We have in place certain strategic operational and tactical measures to ensure a peaceful electioneering atmosphere in Nigeria.”

  On what the Police would do to address post-election challenges and preparation to ensure elections were held in Southeast and Northwest, the IGP said the Force was ready, with the use of minimum force, adding: “We are prepared to confront any situation that requires special intervention from simplest to violent ways of confronting rioters.”

  He absolved the Police of blame over low prosecution of electoral offenders, saying: “The Electoral Act, as amended, gives us latitude to investigate, but not to prosecute. We have done much, but prosecution is very low.”