Author: oduduwanews

Protesters under the umbrella of North-South Patriotic Coalition (ANSPAC) Thursday stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the decision by some power brokers within the party to drag former President Goodluck Jonathan into the presidential race was a recipe for disaster for the party.

The group warned that those who are masterminding the project do not have the interest of the party at heart and certainly do not love Nigeria.

It, therefore, questioned the rationale behind bringing back someone APC projected to the whole world as a failure and rejected by the overwhelming numbers of Nigerians.

The group, in a letter titled, “The Destructive Potentials of a Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Candidacy for the APC”, addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was submitted by its Chairman, Mr. Toyin Rahim to the party, insisted that Jonathan’s project will not fly.

The group pointed out that one of the most telling negative implications of such an action was that the APC does not have anyone of electoral value who could win an election for it, except it smuggles in a former president that the party defeated seven years ago for his glaring incompetence.

The group noted that the rumour has been around for some time now that the former President was being wooed by some power players within the APC to join the party and fly its presidential ticket for the 2023 election.

It noted that what began as a mere rumour seems to be gathering momentum so close to the presidential primary of the party.

The group emphasised that it would also be an indictment against President Muhammadu Buhari for making Nigerians believe that APC lied to them when it said Jonathan performed woefully and that Buhari would do better.

The group, therefore, demanded an immediate categorical statement from the party’s leadership that such a project to import and impose Jonathan as APC’s presidential candidate was not being contemplated.

It said this demand represented an overwhelming majority of opinions in the party across the board nationwide.

The group stated, “This Jonathan project cannot fly simply because it cannot help our party and we want to do our best to ensure that our Party does not fall victim to ill-advised action that can push the party out of power.

“It is certain that any attempt to give Jonathan a free presidential ticket of the APC will see the mass exodus of critical stakeholders from the Party and make the party lose power.”

“Are we now saying we lied to Nigerians and that we have now discovered that Jonathan was much better and that he should return to continue his good works that nobody can see?

“One thing our party leaders must know is that if for any tragic reason the mistake is made to impose Jonathan on APC and the goodwill of our party and that of Mr. President make him win and he becomes president again, the likelihood of him switching loyalty to PDP is high.”

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, Segun Oni, has declared his readiness to rescue workers of the state civil service from wanton poverty and neglect if elected governor.

The SDP candidate, who stated this in a statement issued by EBBB’s spokesman, Idowu Adelusi, in Ado Ekiti yesterday said Fayemi’s hurried announcement of some packages for workers and retirees two days to the May Day celebration won’t avert rejection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, at the poll.

Oni said: “Governor Fayemi, who again missed this year’s celebration to avoid being embarrassed by the workers who are disenchanted by the unfulfilled promises to them, announced the package to dissuade the workers who had made up their minds to go with the leading opposition candidate, Asiwaju Oni.

Oni, who spoke through a group named ‘Ekiti Build Back Better (EBBB)’, said the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s alleged refusal to pay promotion, salary and pension arrears as well as over a decade pending gratuity, were responsible for high level poverty among workers and retirees.

“We had earlier predicted that the governor, who will complete his second term in October, would not show up for the programme. He was, however, represented by his deputy.

“The workers, who were poised for a showdown with the government, had planned to embarrass Fayemi, notwithstanding the last-minute carrots dangled to placate them, as they saw the development as rather too late and an effort in futility to convince them to support and vote for his anointed APC candidate.”

Oni posited that he would rescue workers from poverty by giving financial backing to the 2017 and 2018 promotions, pay one year leave bonus out of the four years owed and pay all unpaid salaries.

According to him, “The 2021 May Day celebration was cancelled at the last minute, when it became obvious that the labour leaders couldn’t convince the workers to back down on their plan to embarrass the governor.

“The workers were angry over the unfulfilled promises of Fayemi to them since he assumed office in October 2018, querying the sense in filing out in a parade to salute the government.

“Sensing that the situation had remained the same, the workers had asked their leaders, who tried to persuade them to come to the Pavilion, some salient questions like: ‘What are we to celebrate?

“Is it poverty, hunger, unfulfilled promises, unpaid salaries, unpaid four-year leave bonuses, promotion without financial backing or are you, our leaders, saying we should parade to salute this government for denying us our benefits? If we do that, we are bunch of morons.”

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Asefon Sunday had on Thursday while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily threatened that his the union is prepared to mobilize against any political activity in Abuja and other States. He also affirmed that should Federal Government and ASUU fail to end the lingering strike, the student body will not hesitate to hit the streets to protest the strike.

According to Mr Asefon, the government appears not to be interested in ending the strike as focus shifts to elections in 2023. He referenced the protests in Benin-city embarked by some university students.

“We are talking about education, we are talking about life,” he said. “Our life is no longer being discussed by the leaders, these leaders that we elected; but rather, their focus now is about election. This election that we are talking about is because of their parochial and selfish interest.

“We are battle ready, the highest they can do is to shoot us,” he said. “If they shoot, they will ask their police to shoot us, if we die, the generation coming will know we died because of fighting for them. They would also know that they shot us because they are preparing for election. But we need to take action” Mr Asefon noted that the government should stop playing politics with the ASUU issue.

“If you have an opportunity to meet the ASUU and federal government, federal government will tell you they inherited the problem from PDP, the ASUU will tell you this negotiation has been on since when Jonathan was there but what we believe as students is that government is continuous; they should be able to fine tune and find a solution to this matter,” he said.

“We should not be at the receiving end every time and as such, they should stop using us to play politics.”

Just barely few weeks after resignation from PDP in Oyo State, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sen. Kola Balogun has sealed a deal to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This was just as indication emerged that the ticket of the APC has been conceded to Balogun, younger brother of Oba Lekan Balogun, Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Balogun had defeated late former governor Abiola Ajimobi and others in the 2019 election, paving way for the defeat of the APC in the governorship election.

Only last week, Muraina Ajibola, a third-term reps member and one of PDP’s four lawmakers in the green chambers, defected to the APC. With the latest development, APC now has all 3 senators and 11 out of 14 reps.

The recent comment from The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on the political aspiration of Professor Yemi Osinbajo (PYO) is generating serious ripple, furore and widespread condemnation in the nation. This controversy stems from the fact that such an unguarded comment is capable of polarising the nation along religious prejudices.

Recently, the head of politics and governance of the RCCG, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan said; ” Vice President Osinbajo can change the narrative of governance if elected.” By all parameters of reasoning, this is a comment that could not be detached from political camping on the basis of religion. It is an abberation to the constitutional provisions of electioneering campaign. Hence, the need for a scholastic scrutiny on its’ implications.

The remark by the RCCG is no difference from the allegation of Islamization of Nigeria levied against President Mohammadu Buhari (PMB).The RCCG may be harping on illusion if the church thinks she can win presidency through warped sentiment. Such an action might affect the chances of PYO because the northern Muslims might feel threatened. At the snap of fingers by their leaders, almost the entire north might cast their vote against any “Christian candidate” taken cognisance of their numerical advantage.

Religion has taken a controversial position in Nigerian politics. Due to its heterogeneous nature and freedom of religion, the nation is vest with religious diversities: Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion.These religions are intertwined with political activities in the country. However, political office holders and religious leaders are misusing religion as a tool to get to power. Suffice to say that some religious leaders are mishandling it to get personal gain from those who hold public offices. By implication, religion has been used negatively in Nigeria and its impulse is affecting political development in our nation.

Reacting to the comment, Reno Omokri, a fierce and detrabilised public opinion analyst had posited that; “it is very dangerous for the RCCG to politically promote Osinbajo. Churches are meant to promote Christ. If churches and mosques start promoting candidates, then they are no longer religious organisations and should start paying tax!‬”.

Given the critical role that political parties play in constitutionalism, democratization and development, the proper design and functioning of political parties is crucial as democracy and constitutionalism is deepened in Nigeria.

The Nigerian constitution presupposes that an individual has freedom to practise religion of his or her choice without government interference. This is where secularism comes into play.

Secularism is a legal position in the supreme law of Nigeria, stating that religious belief should not influence any governmental decisions. In other words, secularism is a documented position in a constitution relating to political belief in the separation of religion and state. While people are allowed to practise whatever they believe in as their religion, the government must not allow that to influence public policy.

Secularism is the principle based in secular humanism that seeks to conduct human affairs based on secular and naturalistic considerations. It is most commonly defined as the separation of religion from civic affairs and the state and may be broadened to a similar position concerning the need to remove or minimize the role of religion in any public sphere.The term “secularism” has a broad range of meanings and in the most schematic, may encapsulate any stance that promotes the secular in any given context. It may connote atheism, naturalism, non-sectarianism, neutrality on topics of religion, or the complete removal of religious symbols from public institutions.

As a philosophy, secularism seeks to interpret life based on principles derived solely from the material world without recourse to religion. It shifts the focus from religion towards temporal and material concerns. Therefore, the statement of the pastor is anti-constitution.

Another dissection is the issue of diverse interests within the church. It is illogical for the church to have prioritised PYO over other brethren in their fold. For instance, Senator Remi Tinubu is of the RCCG. Such a campaign could create division. Senator Mrs Tinubu who is a notable pastor in the church might feel alienated because the RCCG pastor’s comment is a direct ‘sermon’ against her husband. She, like PYO, has allies who are sympathetic to her aspirations as first lady. And when such partisan remarks dwells deeply in the church, it might lead to serious crisis capable of pulling down the terbanacle.

The directive from the vineyard has opened serious questions. Thus, has God delegated to religious leaders, the authority to wage war in order to achieve religious aims? Do clerics have the authority to suppress heretics? What authority does the state retain when its’ principles conflict with God’s? Is the authority of the natural law ultimately grounded in divine law? These and other questions animated much of the discussion among medieval and modern philosophers alike.

With the emergence of liberal democracy in the modern world, the types of questions that philosophers asked about the interrelation between religion and political authority began to shift in large measure. In the first place, divine authorization accounts of political authority had lost the day to consent-based approaches. Political authority in a liberal democracy is grounded in the consent of the people to be ruled rather than in God’s act of authorization.

Let me conclude by adding that when politics rides in the same cart with religion, whirlwind follows. It would amount to injustice on one’s conscience if an opinion such as the one in contention is adhered to because such opinion is not worth a brass of farthing.

Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist and public opinion analyst on ODUDUWA NEWS.

The Lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola State Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller has been in gripped in dillema of whether to limit his ambition to Oyo North Senatorial District or to join the race for presidency. The Lawmaker in a statement he made available yesterday via his Official Twitter handle did not specify conclusively on where his ambition tilts towards.

According to his statement obtained by ODUDUWA NEWS, the Lawmaker said he would make known his final position on his ambition today Thursday 5th by 3pm

Highlight of his fulll statement as stated below:

THE DIE IS CAST

In recent times, I have had several support groups clamouring that I make bold political moves. I sincerely thank them for their trust and concern. While there are calls for me to run for the senate others say I should throw my hat into the presidency ring.

As a leader, I understand that I must make tough decisions and make tough sacrifices to enhance the lives of people around me.

I am not oblivious to the fact that persons of interest are donating to further this cause, however, the reality of our political system where delegates decide on the fate of millions makes the yearnings of the youth even more difficult.

I appreciate everyone for their time and sacrifice. This is not about me but the next generation – I have always been committed to building a new generation of leaders.

As young and credible people, it’s about time we make strong demands from our party. We must bring our negotiation strength and skills to the table even as political party primaries fast approach.

To this end, a meeting by the coalition of Progressives Young Nigerians shall be taking place at Ikeja Airport Hotel, on Thursday 5th of May, by 3 pm. Young people seeking elective positions in the country are invited.

Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Deputy Governor of Oyo state has recently declared that his political aspirations and Ambition will be left in God’s hands

Olaniyan, who made the pronouncement after the Eid Celebration at his Ibadan residence while addressing Journalists.

He said, “the fact that he was not with Governor Seyi Makinde, when the governor went to obtain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form does not mean that Makinde would drop him as running mate in the 2023 governorship election, adding that there is no rift between him and Makinde”.

He continued, “I am a member of People’s Democratic party and where I am going exactly in 2023?. I know that 90 per cent of you people that are here will have the same question and that is why some of you are here.

But, on that question, you will be disappointed with the answer. Where are we going in 2023? The answer is very simple, Idina siratalmastakim. (God is our guidance)”.

Telecommunication companies are proposing a 40 per cent increase in the cost of calls, SMS, and data to the Nigerian Communications Commission as a result of the rising cost of running a business in the nation.

Based on their proposal, the price floor of calls will increase from N6.4 to N8.95 while the price cap of SMS will increase from N4 to N5.61.

This was revealed in a letter titled, ‘Impact of the Economic and Security Issues on the Telecommunications Sector,’ which was sighted by our correspondent.

The letter was written by the telecommunications companies under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria to the NCC.

In the letter, the telecom companies said there had been a 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business in the nation.

According to them, the telecommunication industry has been financially impacted following the nation’s economic recession in 2020 and the effect of the ongoing Ukraine/Russia crisis.

They said this had resulted in an increase in energy costs, increasing their operating expenses by 35 per cent.

They added that the introduction of the recent excise duty of five per cent on telecom services had further increased the burden of multiple taxes and levies on the industry.

The letter read in part, “As the commission may be aware, the power sector under the supervision of its Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission of the power sector in November 2020 undertook a review of electricity tariffs to cater for the economic headwinds reported above.

“In view of the foregoing, ALTON considers it expedient for the telecommunications sector to undergo periodic cost adjustments through the commission’s intervention in order to minimise the impact of the challenging economic issues faced by our members. Details are hereunder:

“Upward review of the price determination for voice and data and SMS. Given the state of the economy and the circa 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business, we wish to request for an interim administrative review of the mobile (voice) termination rate for voice; administrative data floor price, and cost of SMS as reflected in extant instruments.

“With respect to voice an SMS cost, ALTON respectfully requests the commission to consider a mark-up approach to address the upward price adjustment desirable for the industry. We have enclosed herein and marked as ‘Annexure 1’our proposal in that regard.

“For data services, we wish to request that the commission implements the recommendations in the August 2020 KPMG report on the determination of cost-based pricing for wholesale and retail broadband service in Nigeria. Excerpts from the report, are attached and marked ‘Annexure 2’ to provide a further illustration.

“In implementing the said recommendations, however, we recommend that the 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business be factored in to arrive at a cost price per GB in view of the current economic situation.”

The umbrella body for telecom companies added that to further help telcos during this economic crisis, the commission should explore and provide other means of penalising operators rather than punitive monetary sanctions; extend the payment timeline of relevant regulatory levies and fees; prevail on the Federal Government to sign the executive order declaring telecoms infrastructure as a critical national infrastructure to mitigate cost spent replacing damaged and stolen infrastructures, among other things.

In the annexure one section of the letter, the body requested an upward adjustment of the MTR by 40 per cent.

It said, “For large operators, new interim MTR of N5.46 from N3.90 reflecting 40 per cent increase in the cost of business.

“For small operators, new interim MTR of N6.58 from N4.70 reflecting 40 per cent increase in the cost of business.”

Source: Punch

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has formally declared his intention to contest for president in 2023 on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja.

Fayemi promised to ensure youth empowerment when he becomes the president.

He also pledged to “retool the Armed Forces and security agencies”.

He also promised decentralisation for the government to be brought closer to the people.

The Ekiti State Governor assured other aspirants that “I will adhere to the highest standards of decorum and decency.”