Author Archives: daudupress

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If I am to call the 2023 election at this hour, based on the configuration of traditional Nigerian politics, I will call it for Waziri Atiku Abubakar, yet this is one election that I am hesitant to call now because from my perspective, it’s a  tight race and thus far everything remains fluid.

The Peter Obi surge is real, not relenting and cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand. If there will be element of surprises, it will be PO winning  25% votes across the required states, as well as  the popular votes. Given the organic population of his followership this may be difficult but not an impossible task.

Another shocker that may be experiences will be Bola Ahmed Tinubu in-spite  of the word war in APC emerging a clear winner in the election that he is projected to loss. I don’t know any Nigerian that is not angry with APCs destruction of the country. Everyone I know wants the party out of power .

It’s extremely difficult to forgive President Buhari’s incompetence and the people who packaged and foisted him on the country. No amount of detergent will wash them clean and free from the deaths, pains, agony and frustration witnessed under the dispensation. You can imagine as I am seeing APCs policies being challenged in court by APC led governors. APC appointed Supreme Court ruling against the APC led Federal government who remain defiant to the rule of law. When you remove the law , the end result is anarchy and that’s what Nigeria has become under a confused , clueless and incompetent leadership.

As a citizen, I am yet to comprehend why APC in this last minute of a make or mar  election year decide to implement some controversial policies capable of setting the country on fire. Here,  I mean the new monetary policy that is being badly managed to the frustration of all; an election to be conducted with BVAS despite glaring challenges. 

The reasons given by the Osun State  Governorship  Election Tribunal for the nullification of Governor Adeleke’s victory, even though I have my personal disagreement  with that judgement shows BVAS can be manipulated. This is one election that promises to be marred by violence, intimidation and harassment. For some people , this election is war and that’s a wrong mindset. Election which is a ritual of democracy ought to be a celebration of freedom and choice.

The government insistent to conduct census is yet another major controversial issue. You don’t need a prophet to predict that any census figure manufactured by this government with all the trust deficit between it and the citizens will be vehemently challenged and outrightly rejected.

APCs excess baggage  and word war does not mean that Tinubu as a strategist cannot beat the odds. He has shown himself to be an old fox that can outfox his foes, or that the youths behind Obi’s campaign will end up being all furry and no actions. The youths will surely be a factor in this election but I doubt seriously if the final landing fall will translate into victory for Obi. This to me is not his time.

So far, and by my own calculation, 2023 is Atiku,s election to win.  The odds and political configuration favors him, though it’s not yet uhuru because  an hour in politics means a lot; an hour can change all the equation hence it’s not surprising that all the three major frontline candidates are on last minute drive to gain voters’ attention, either to sway undecided voters or to consolidate on their traditional support base.

Atiku is my preference to win this election.  The Atiku that I know, will not be a reluctant president. Anyone that has followed his political trajectory will come to the conclusion that he is driven by determination and patriotism.

His political career started with the Late Shehu Yar’adua in PDM. He was projected to run as Vice President to MKO Abiola who inherited the PDM structure that made up the then SDP. At the last minute, and to the disappointment of many , MKO zeroed in on Babagana Kingibe as  his vice-presidential candidate. Despite the betrayal , Atiku still remained loyal to the party and supported the MKO / Kingibe ticket. He didn’t go conducting himself like Governor Wike because he felt shortchanged . He rather left everything in the hands of God whom alone anoint kings. That June 12 ,1993 election believed to have been won by MKO Abiola was eventually annulled by the military . First to ditch MKO was his Vice who teamed up with his Kanuri kinsman. MKO died in questionable circumstances while Military custody.

Again in 1999 when the military decided to transition to democracy, Atiku who became the leader of the PDM  in absence of Yar’adua was to run against Obasanjo and Alex Ekwueme in PDP but was persuaded to step down and he did. He contested for the governorship election of his native Adamawa state which he won with Boni Haruna a Christian as is Deputy. He was handpicked from this position by Obasanjo to deputise him. Putting the country first , he accepted to serve as a vice president – a position that divested him of all executive powers.  As a vice president, he discharged his duties creditably well and saw to the economic transformation of the country from a debtor nation to  a prosperous debt free economy.

Atiku only known public disagreement was on the issue of third term which would have seen the then president Obasanjo subvert the constitution to allow him to become a life president of Nigeria.  Atiku summoned the courage and  marshaled the anti- third term governors and legislators to oppose the ill- fated third term agenda.  If not for his rare courage, Nigeria would have ended up a laughing stock like Cameroun and Equatorial Guinea.  In truth, we owe the current democracy where we still have the power to vote , chose and elect our leaders to courageous men like Atiku , Bola Tinubu,  Orji Kau, James Ibori , Nwagbara , Ben Obi and many others who stood against the evil plot to turn Nigeria into a Banana Republic.

The Atiku is a detribalized Nigerian . He has friends from across the country. He does not discriminate on the basis of religion . He is at home with  Nigerians irrespective of  the differences in  tribe , tongue and creed. His personal ambition does not transcend his love for country. He is experienced and commands respect. While I do not canonize him as a saint or saviour as no one in politics is , I have no doubt in my mind that he will make a better president. He has spoken on tough and controversial issues which his opponents has avoided. I respect him because I know where he stands on tough issues of nation building.

Election is not a beauty contest or character contest but about who is better positioned and organized to win an election and deliver on good governance. For these reasons, AA and his supporters must not go to sleep. A successful last-minute push remain crucial to his final coronation.

As part of that final push , Atiku Abubakar is scheduled to hold a virtual readiness one on one virtual meeting with all PDP candidates from the 774 L.G.A’s in Nigeria with their support base. This is novel. 

The proposed event which is the first of its kind will showcase  PDP’s grass roots support across all local government areas and serve as a last-minute preparedness drill to access readiness for the election as having boots and foots on ground is a prerequisite to winning any major election.

The proposed  pre-election assurance drive among other things will allow  the PDP flag bearer  and his running mate , Governor Ifeanyi Okowa the opportunity to connect and interact directly at personal level with other PDP flag bearers , supporters at the grassroots from across the country

While it is sympathetic to Princess  Chichi OJEI who is now struggling to refute statements in the public space concerning the alignment of the APM NEC with PDP, it is rather an issue of “pot calling the kettle black.”

Princess Chichi OJEI entered one chance when she deliberately decided to align with the sacked Interim national chairman of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) and his cohorts for the same purpose of financial gains which she is now accusing him of.

The statement which was signed by
Mrs. Oladipo Ponmile,
National Women Leader, APM, further said, it is not enough to draw the attention of the public, particularly women, that a female candidate emerges to contest the election, the process of emergence must also be interrogated.

“While it is also not enough that there should be female gender inclusion in the political space, it should also be a matter of credible women participation in electioneering processes.

“It is not just enough that women should participate in politics. Such women ought to be those with the capacity, competence, and capability to participate in politics in order to engender responsible and accountable leadership.

“Having clarified these issues, let me quickly add that Princess Chichi OJEI was only short-changed by her cohorts; probably in a game of the smartest.

“Princess Chichi OJEI claims to be the presidential candidate of the revered Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) whose motto is Integrity, Sacrifice, and Service. She is yet to be visible, even in a few days before the Presidential Election; it is yet to be known by the general public what programmes she has to tackle the challenges bedeviling the country. She was not careful to understand the platform on which she was coming out to run for the presidency of Nigeria, neither was she concerned to interrogate the process that brought her out as the presidential candidate. It was all in a quick swap from being the Vice President to Yusuf Mamman Dantalle to becoming the Presidential candidate.

“Madam presidential candidate, Princess Chichi OJEI, the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) is a credible political party of respected men and women with capacity, capability, and competence. It is a party that respects orderliness, coordination, transparency, accountability, rule of law,  fairness, and equity in all her dealings. There is no gainsaying that Nigeria needs to enlarge her political space to accommodate more women, but I dare to say that the women clamouring for open spaces for women’s participation will thoroughly sieve the crops to present their “Best of the Best” to contest an exhausted position like the presidency.

“Your outburst should be guided by the fact that you were short-changed by your team-player political merchants rather than making it look as if a woman has been robbed, to sharply whip sentiments from the public. You may rather advise yourself to think through the process of your emergence and the purpose.

“It is my humble opinion that if you really want to remain relevant, you should retrace your steps and research more about APM and align with the foundation, so as to have meaning for your political journey. You have hopped around enough to realize that you have been chasing shadows by belonging to the folk of Yusuf Mamman Dantalle.

“You may now see how this show of shame is playing out and leaving you trying hard to disabuse the minds of your paymasters that you did not align with the PDP, contrarily to the declaration of your so-called national chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle. What a Pity.

“Anyway, we can now resort to the contemporary parlance of: “As e de pain them, e go de sweet us.”

NATIONAL BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE CHALLENGES OF THE CURRENCY SWAP AND STATE OF THE NATION, ON 16th FEBRUARY, 2023

My Dear Compatriots,

​I have found it necessary to address you today, on the state of the nation and to render account on the efforts of our administration to sustain and strengthen our economy, enhance the fight against corruption and sustain our gains in the fight against terrorism and insecurity which has, undoubtedly, been impacted by several internal and external factors.

2.​Particularly, I am addressing you, as your democratically elected President, to identify with you and express my sympathy, over the difficulties being experienced as we continue the implementation of new monetary policies, aimed at boosting our economy and tightening of the loopholes associated with money laundering.

3.​Let me re-assure Nigerians, that strengthening our economy, enhancing security and blockage of leakages associated with illicit financial flows remain top priority of our administration. And I shall remain committed to my oath of protecting and advancing the interest of Nigerians and the nation, at all times.

4.​In the last quarter of 2022, I authorised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to redesign the N200, N500, and N1000 Nigerian banknotes.

5.​For a smooth transition, I similarly approved that the redesigned banknotes should circulate concurrently with the old bank notes, till 31 January 2023, before the old notes, cease to be legal tender.

6.​In appreciation of the systemic and human difficulties encountered during implementation and in response to the appeal of all citizens, an extension of ten days was authorized till 10th February, 2023 for the completion of the process. All these activities are being carried out within the ambit of the Constitution, the relevant law under the CBN Act 2007 and in line with global best practices.

7.​Fellow citizens, while I seek your understanding and patience during this transient phase of implementation, I feel obliged to avail you a few critical points underpinning the policy decision. These include:

a. The need to restore the statutory ability of the CBN to keep a firm control over money in circulation. In 2015 when this administration commenced its first term, Currency-in-Circulation was only N1.4trillion.
b. The proportion of currency outside banks grew from 78%in 2015 to 85% in 2022. As of October 2022, therefore, currency in circulation had risen to N3.23 trillion; out of which only N500 billion was within the Banking System while N2.7 trillion remained permanently outside the system; thereby distorting the financial policy and efficient management of inflation;
c. The huge volume of Bank Notes outside the banking system has proven to be practically unavailable for economic activities and by implication, retard the attainment of potential economic growth;
d. Economic growth projections make it imperative for government to aim at expanding financial inclusion in the country by reducing the number of the unbanked population; and

e. Given the prevailing security situation across the country, which keeps improving, it also becomes compelling for government to deepen its continuing support for security agencies to successfully combat banditry and ransom-taking in Nigeria

8.​Notwithstanding the initial setbacks experienced, the evaluation and feedback mechanism set up has revealed that gains have emerged from the policy initiative.

9.​I have been reliably informed that since the commencement of this program, about N2.1 trillion out of the banknotes previously held outside the banking system, had been successfully retrieved.

10.​This represents about 80% of such funds. In the short to medium and long terms, therefore, it is expected that there would be:

a. A strengthening of our macro economic parameters;
b. Reduction of broad money supply leading to a deceleration of the velocity of money in the economy which should result in less pressures on domestic prices;
c. Lowering of Inflation as a result of the accompanying decline in money supply that will slow the pace of inflation;
d. Collapse of Illegal Economic Activities which would help to stem corruption and acquisition of money through illegal ways;
e. Exchange Rate stability;
f. Availability of Easy Loans and lowering of interest rates; and
g. Greater visibility and transparency of our financial actions translating to efficient enforcement of our anti- money laundering legislations.
11.​I am not unaware of the obstacles placed on the path of innocent Nigerians by unscrupulous officials in the banking industry, entrusted with the process of implementation of the new monetary policy. I am deeply pained and sincerely sympathise with you all, over these unintended outcomes.

12.​To stem this tide, I have directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that our citizens are adequately educated on the policy; enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through availability of appropriate amount of currency; and ability to make deposits.

13.​I have similarly directed that the CBN should intensify collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, so as to ensure that any institution or person(s) found to have impeded or sabotaged the implementation should be made to bear the full weight of the law.

14.​During the extended phase of the deadline for currency swap, I listened to invaluable pieces of advice from well meaning citizens and institutions across the nation.

15.​I similarly consulted widely with representatives of the State Governors as well as the Council of State. Above all, as an administration that respects the rule of law, I have also noted that the subject matter is before the courts of our land and some pronouncements have been made.

16. ​To further ease the supply pressures particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023 to April 10 2023 when the old N200 notes ceases to be legal tender.

17.​In line with Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, all existing old N1000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at the CBN and designated points.

18.​Considering the health of our economy and the legacy we must bequeath to the next administration and future generations of Nigerians, I admonish every citizen to strive harder to make their deposits by taking advantage of the platforms and windows being provided by the CBN.

19.​Let me assure Nigerians that our administration will continue to assess the implementation with a view to ensuring that Nigerians are not unnecessarily burdened. In this regard, the CBN shall ensure that new notes become more available and accessible to our citizens through the banks.

20.​I wish to once more appeal for your understanding till we overcome this difficult transient phase within the shortest possible time.

21.​Fellow citizens, on the 25th of February, 2023 the nation would be electing a new President and National Assembly members. I am aware that this new monetary policy has also contributed immensely to the minimization of the influence of money in politics.

22.​This is a positive departure from the past and represents a bold legacy step by this administration, towards laying a strong foundation for free and fair elections.

23.​I urge every citizen therefore, to go out to vote for their candidates of choice without fear, because security shall be provided and your vote shall count.

24.​I however admonish you to eschew violence and avoid actions capable of disrupting the electoral processes. I wish us all a successful General Elections.

Thank you for listening. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.