A pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) group on the aegis of Progressive Minds Forum (PMF), on Friday, called for the resignation, suspension or sack of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, over alleged compromised judgements that recently emanated from the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The group lamented that the award of Senatorial tickets to Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Senator Godswill Akpabio by the apex court was a great embarrassment to Nigeria because they did not partake in the primary election of the All Progressives Congress won by the original holders of the tickets.

The Forum also insisted that Supreme Court’s ruling to extend the use of old Naira notes was not done in the interest of Nigerians but to please and aid certain political forces from the South-west who have been clamouring for the extension because the CJN is from the South-west.

In a statement signed by the Forum’s national coordinator, Barrister Preye Johnson, said that the comportment of the CJN since assumption of office does not befit a man who occupies such an exalted position and saddled with the responsibility of determining the destiny of litigants that come before the Supreme Court.

The statement said: “The Supreme Court is the last hope of the common man, but under Justice Ariwoola, justice is now for the highest bidder.

“The whole world would want to know how failed presidential aspirants like Akpabio and Lawan were awarded Senatorial tickets by the Supreme Court when they never participated in the primary election for those positions in their Senatorial Districts.

“This is a man who recently attended a state dinner in Port Harcourt and apparently after much champagne that are common in such high level political gatherings, made political statements that were unbecoming of his position as the number one jurist in the country.

“Besides only the CJN and Supreme Court Justices can tell if the recent ruling unbanning the use of old Naira notes was done in the overall interest of Nigerians or to enable the APC access enough cash to buy votes in the forthcoming elections.

“Even the Minister or Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has kicked against the judgement and filed an appeal against it.

“The position of the AGF shows that the ruling lacks merit as it was apparently motivated by partisan motives and tribal sentiments which may likely plunge Nigeria into crisis if not immediately curbed.

“Needless to say that such highly compromised and spurious judgements now emanating from the apex court, under Justice Ariwoola, represent a huge embarrassment to Nigeria both at home and abroad.

“They have also cast a pall of doubt over judgements on disputes that may emanate from the forthcoming general elections.

“Therefore, the need for Justice Ariwoola to either resign his position or be sacked in order to checkmate the gross danger the Supreme Court now poses to democracy and rule of law in Nigeria.

“It is clear that the Supreme Court under Justice Ariwoola’s watch lacks integrity therefore he has no basis to continue as CJN especially in view of the forthcoming general election.

The CJN must be seen to be above board and also must be blind to all parties in the dispensation of justice in order to display extreme neutrality for justice and fairness. However, this is not what we are seeing presently.

“Since the Apex Court has proved its unwillingness to save democracy, Buhari must rise up to the task of saving democracy by ordering the suspension and investigation of the CJN and the other Supreme Court Justices involved in the above referenced cases.”

The APC members also called on the international community to place visa ban on the CJN and the Justices involved in the cases for working to undermine democracy in Nigeria.

They insisted that the judgements have set bad precedent and gravely breached the provisions of Section 115(D) of the Electoral Act 2022, especially in the case of Lawan and Akpabio.

“The whole world is still waiting to know how the Supreme Court came about its ruling making Ahmad Lawan and Godwill Akpabio candidates when it is clear they were both presidential aspirants under the APC.

“The Electoral Act 2022 is very clear that an aspirant cannot contest for two different positions in one election cycle.

“Section 115 (D) of the Act stipulates that ‘a person who signs a nomination paper or result form as a candidate in more than one constituency at the same election commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum term of imprisonment for two years.’

“We appeal to international community to help save democracy in Nigeria by ensuring that the CJN and all justices involved in the recent ruling on Lawan and Akpabio are placed on visa ban,” he said.

The presidential ambition of Mr Peter Obi further gets a huge boost as Afenifere National Youths Council (ANYC) with coalition of 147 youths social political groups across the entire Yoruba land are finally set to officially declare their unalloyed support for his (Obi’s) presidential candidature as the presidential flag bearer of Labour Party

This was disclosed to newsmen in Abuja, by the National President of the group and the leader of the coalition, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, stressing that “the official public endorsement for Mr Peter Obi as president has been slated for 10 am on Tuesday 14th February, 2023 at Gallant Center located at No 1 A, Jumaat Olukoya Street, Off NNPC Filling Station, Ogudu, Ojota, Lagos State.”

According to Ojajuni, both the presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and his Vice President candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed are expected to grace the epoch occasion.

He explained further that all the leaders of the 147 groups have met on several occasions and carried out detail analysis of the major president candidates before concluding to throw their weight behind Peter Obi of the Labour Party for this 2023 presidential election. However, he concluded that detail of their analysis will be made public during the great endorsement.

As the 2023 general elections draws closer , Makarfi Ambassadors have asked electorate across Nigeria to vote the main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate ,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running into power to rescue Nigeria from shackles of insecurity; dwindling economy and mal-administration under the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Makarfi Ambassadors, who made the appeal in a press statement jointly signed by Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed, Coordinator on General-Matters and Engr. Bolade Aina,Coordinator on Planning/Strategy, described the forthcoming 2023 is nothing but a serious battle to rescue Nigeria in the hands of leaders without focus and vision.

According to the PDP support group , there is no better than now for all Nigerians,especially the Electorate to know that voting tested and experienced leaders.

It further said ,”Amongst all the current presidential candidates , only former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,has tested leadership at the highest echelon of power and thus,undoubtedly has the requisite capacity and experience to hit the ground running after being Sworn-In as President.”

While calling on Nigerians to be apart of history on the current ‘Rescue Nigeria mission campaign’ the Kaduna based group said, the present darkness and sufferings could only be history by voting for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Hon. Isa Ashiru as President and Kaduna Governor respectively under the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the umbrella that covers everyone .

It however,expressed optimism that with the ongoing massive support and mobilisation to vote for competent leaders, “Nigerians can change the change”and work for a positive Nigeria.

The group,which said enough of voter aparty during elections,stressed “WE ARE CALLING FOR POLITICAL EMANCIPATION COMES 2023 GENERAL ELECTION FROM TOP TO BOTTOM FOR ATIKU & ASHIRU KUDAN, PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR of Kaduna RESPECTIVELY.”

…Commends Kyari Led NNPCL Management

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has thrown its weight behind the clamour for removal of subsidy as the only remedy for recurring fuel Scarcity across the country.

According to the northern based political and socio-cultural organization, the best way for the National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)to make fuel available always is to removed subsidy completely.

The Secretary-General of ACF,Murtala Aliyu, who disclosed this in an interview said ,”For as long as we continue to import fuel, we have to subsidize it and doing so, will certainly make government resources to continue to be limited .

He vehemently kicked against the idea of borrowing money to pay for subsidy, adding that government has been shying away from the issue of subsidy and this is where the problem resides .

He further explained : “We all know that Petrol; diesel , kerosene and gas are all utilities . Like we buy firewoods, pay for water and pay for electricity, if we want to use it, we should pay for petrol too.It will definitely put cost on transportation, and other things but, that is the reality of the situation .

While noting that If subsidy is removed,there would be enough resources to provide for security of lives and property of the citizens; education, health care etc, he expressed strong support for open market for marketers to do the importation and sell freely.

” I am sure if this is done, the rate will crash because ,products will be are available . And certainly, issue of price hikes will be over. Let the market forces of demand and supply determine price of goods and services .” He stated .

Meanwhile ,he urged the Management of Engineer Mele Kyari led Management of National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to intensify efforts to ensure the recent fuel queues at filling stations across Nigeria disappear .

On the performance of NNPC under Mele Kyari ,the ACF Scribe said ,” If you’re talking about the performance of the NNPCL or the oil sector generally, I think since the Buhari administration came up, we have had less problem with fuel queues until recently .

He therefore urged the leadership of NNPCL to redeem the good image hitherto achieved in recent years as a company with improved performance and ensure that the issue of long queues in the filling stations are addressed immediately.

Fielding question on issue of oil discovery in the north, the ACF Scribe, said there is not exciting the news of about oil discovery in the north .

He explained: In the first place ,the issue of discovering oil should not a competition matter ,but something that the whole country should be happy with .

“I can tell you that if for any reason we discovered oil anywhere Within the country, we should all be happy because, it’s an additional resources that will help provide more jobs ,lead to sustainable growth and development .

“If there is oil in commercial quantity found inland ,it should not be used for export,but processed for internal consumption.

“We can have modular refineries all around to produce the crude oil discovered in Gombe and Bauchi states .And where there is gas, we should use it for generation of energy instead of looking at it from the export dimensions. And if it becomes abundant ,even our neighbours can now benefit.”

While stating that discovery of oil in the north is a positive thing, he advised, “It shouldn’t be about export or 13 per cent derivation,but about the fact that there is enough resources for the country,for the population to enjoy .

“We in the ACF are not expressing undue excitement about oil discovery in the north.”

“People look at things politically ,they think north needs to also measure up because the see you as not producing anything . If you at the Nigerian GDP ,Oil is responsible for less 10 per cent, Which means there is something else keeping the country together like Agriculture.

“Secondly , agriculture provides more employment than any other sector which means they engage the economy more the oil sector .

“I think not just oil any other resources that help could help the teeming masses to more comfortable and wealthier. ,I think government should embark on exploration of such resources.”

…Says They’re Politicians Who never see any good about Buhari

The National Coordinator of Tinubu Shettima Network (TSN), Eng. Kailani Muhammad has described as ‘Cheap blackmail’ the recent call by Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) on President Muhammadu Buhari led government to purge National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of corrupt management team, who are currently overseeing the company .

According to him, the major issues of fuel Scarcity and failure to meet up with OPEC quota advanced by CNPP are nothing, but clear attempt to call a dog a bad to hang it.

He asked : ” Is it NNPC staff that are stealing oil .it is a cartel and which the security agencies and politicians are involved and this has been happening since 1983 in this country?”

The group Coordinator,who applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up a 14-man Steering Committee to find lasting solutions to the problems surrounding the supply and distribution chain of petroleum products in the country, said, “I don’t think there is any corruption in the newly incorporated NNPCL, because since the repositioning , nobody or leader can deep hands in NNPC’s coffers to steal money, because there are laws guiding the company now unlike before ,when a president can just write and sipphon money .

Engineer Kailani Muhammad, who spoke in a reaction to a recent statement signed by CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu explained,” It beats our imagination that a group to condemn the current management has been doing a lot ,most especially the Group Managing Director. Eng. Mele Kyari, who works round-the-clock to ensure optimum operations are guaranteed with everything now done through the rule of law .

In the Press release personally signed and made available to journalists in Kaduna, Engineer Kailani who was the National Coordinator of Muhammadu Buhari Votes Guard before it metamorphosed into Tinubu Shettima Network posited,”These so called comrades of CNPP and their allies have no just reasons to accuse management of Mele Kyari led team of corruption .

According to him, it’s more disheartening that they don’t even have figures to back up their allegations of corruption against the management.

However he stated:”We expect members of CNPP to know that under previous government, NNPC was more of a cash cow for years than National oil company, until President Muhammadu Buhari’s government repositioned it.

“NNPC is now an independent company, which was established by CAMA and the Petroleum Industry Act that passed by NASS and signed by the President .

“As independent company now ,it needs to generate money for Nigeria for Proper investment and open up the system for business individuals willing to invest in the Oil sector to do so with ease .

“Today NNPCL can pay taxes and royalty to the government,which it has been doing . If the CNPP and its allies don’t have anything doing ,they should shut up and support this Government to ensure that dividends of democracy are delivered to the people.”

While claiming that CNPP is being sponsored by PDP to castigate and denigrate Buhari’s government, Kailani expressed strong believe they will fail.But called on the them to desist from negative insinuations and leave NNPCL alone.

He further stated ,” All those enemies,who think Nigeria is their heritage and have failed to leave the political scene for better tomorrow are doomed to fail .

“We know they want the government to fail because, they don’t believe in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government .

“There is nothing wrong, when a Leader does well ,such deserves commendation and where anything wrong is observed rather than unnecessary criticism, suggest ideas objectively.

I saw CNPP, the group of those enemies of these government , who don’t even want Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to with the election.

Is it NNPC staff that are stealing oil .it is a cartel and which the security agencies and politicians are involved and this has been happening since 1983 in this country .

On issue of meeting up with OPEC quota , Kailani spoke on measures adopted by Kyari’s led Management team to tackle oil theft cases.

He said, The government in his wisdom allowed the NNPCL to engage Tompolo ,when crude Oil production output dropped from 1.8 to 900 and later to even almost 100 barrel per day .

“After the engagement of Tompolo ,we are now producing optimally and maybe in the next few months ,we can meet up with our OPEC quota, because he done well to make sure that all the taps on the pipelines are no more and checkmating the thieves in the creeks. This is feat that we need to give kudos to the government and NNPC instead of criticising them .

” NNPCL has been intervening on issue of bad roads to ensure that our major roads are either rehabilitated or reconstructed. It’s doing this to make sure that it supplements government’s efforts,where the government is yet to do something for the benefits of Nigerians .

That NNPC has intervened on matters of roads; hospitals and even during COVID-19 is no doubt a good omen that should be commended, especially the president Muhammadu Buhari’s government , who has been doing tremendously well in the areas of infrastructure , security and repositioning the NNPCL.

By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna

In view of his patriotic zeal and philanthropic large heart, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar GCON has approved the appointment of Engineer Daniel E. Omoyibo as the Delta State Patron of the Atiku Care Foundation.

A statement signed by the Director Media and Publicity, Atiku Care Foundation, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday January 26, 2023, this was made known by the Foundation’s Director General, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, same day.

Following the approval, the Induction ceremony of Chief Dr Engineer Daniel E. Omoyibo as the Delta State Patron of the Atiku Care Foundation has been held on January 26.

It explained that Engineer Omotibo’s philanthropic legacies know no bounds, as it has touched several lives, near and far from him, even several he has never come in contact with.

“Engineer Daniel Omoyibo, Chief Executive Officer of Danmotech Ltd and Dantinajo Gold Resort Ltd is one man that is creatively passionate about providing jobs for both Isoko youth and adults in his home state Delta.

“His passionate drive in entrepreneurial legacies over the years has endeared the public, especially the less privileged to him,” the statement said.

According to the statement, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar congratulated him for the approval as the patron of the foundation, while urging him to keep up the good work of tuching the lives of the downtrodden.