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As Nigerians await Governor Nyesom Wike's decision from the Rivers State-led G5 governors on the choice of a presidential candidate, former Senator Shehu Sani suggested whom they should support.
Sani suggested that the governors of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, should back the "devil" they know.
The Wike-led group is against PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over the pattern of zoning in the party.
The group, which has refused to campaign for Atiku, said the North cannot present the presidential standard-bearer or the national president.
The G-5 group, made up of governors from Benue, Oyo, Enugu, Abia and Rivers State, demanded the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman.
Wike, who was aggrieved after losing to Atiku, said the G-5 wants the position of the party's national chairman to be zoned to the southern part of the country.
However, Sani wrote in a tweet: "G-5 Governors should stand behind the 'devil' they know and not...
“The nation has been blessed with presidential candidates with democratic credentials and a record of tolerance of political criticism, political opposition, and political dissent. We don't need an autocrat allergic and hostile to different opinion."
Credit: https://dailypost.ng/2022/12/28/2023-presidency-shehu-sani-tells-wike-led-g5-govs-candidate-to-endorse/
After weeks of anticipation, the new designs for N200, N500 and N1000 notes were unveiled in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Central Bank of Nigeria announced in October that the redesigning was necessary to counter the hoarding of the notes.
“Evidently, currency in circulation has more than doubled since 2015; rising from N1.
46 trillion in December 2015 to N3.
23 trillion in September 2022.
This is a worrisome trend that cannot be allowed to continue,” CBN governor Godwin Emefiele said on October 26.
A couple of weeks later, Amina Abdulmalik, Deputy Director of, Currency Operations Department, CBN, said the redesigning was also needed to reduce counterfeiting, noting that “Nigerians have set up factories and are just chunning out bank notes because those bank notes don’t come back into the banking system.
”
However, the new designs launched on Wednesday have been met with widespread condemnation on social media, with one Twitter slamming Emefile for being “out of ideas”.
Others commented that the CBN only “bleached” the old designs.
If it’s Naira colour,the CBN should have just engage Snapchat.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) November 23, 2022
What if The CBN and CBN Governor is passing a message about #Naira pic.
twitter.
com/H4YftDUsc9
— Elijah Bello (@ungeeking) November 23, 2022
Emefiele don rub Caro white for our Naira 🤣😂😹 pic.
twitter.
com/YuZEXQsNHR
— Giilo👑 (@gani_jonathan) November 23, 2022
Emefiele is out of ideas.
I am embarrassed … https://t.
co/WvBSXNGe9J
— Dr. Saliba 🦇 ( Cerebral Assassin ) (@fimiletoks) November 23, 2022
This must be a Joke 😂😂😂😂 Emefiele Wetin be this?
Shey you dye our money na?
pic.
twitter.
com/cdxtWUPzF7
— Chlorpheniramine #OBIdients 🇳🇬 (@VictorIsrael_) November 23, 2022
Mr. Cui Jianchun, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Nigeria, says that Nigeria needs a strong party to guide its development, just like the Communist Party of China (CCP).
Cui made this known in Abuja on Wednesday at a panel discussion on "The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC): Outcomes and Importance for Nigeria and Africa."
The Nigerian News Agency reports that the roundtable was organized by China Studies in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Abuja.
Cui said China has been able to achieve its development breakthroughs and lift its more than 1.4 billion people out of poverty under the CPC's effective people's policy.
He said Nigeria could learn from China's philosophy and let the strong parties lead the country and ensure they implement their campaign manifestos for the good of the people and the development of the country.
“I have talked with the party leaders, we believe that the two major parties and the 18 parties can benefit from the 20th CPC National Congress. I have the opportunity to share the ideas.
“We really believe that the CPC can do a lot for party building in Nigeria because I believe that the party is not just about power, but about people.
“It is about development, it is about how to lead the nation to achieve the good vision.
“We will continue to share information next week. We think we need a strong party in Nigeria, we need a party to lead the nation.
“The Chinese philosophy is that the party is not just for the platform, the campaign manifesto, but more importantly, how we can implement the party manifesto.
"The Chinese lessons, the Chinese experience can be shared with the Nigerian side," Cui said.
Mr. Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Center for China Studies, said that Africa and Nigeria, to be specific, had greatly benefited from the Communist Party-led government in Africa.
Onunaiju said the completion of the Lekki deep-water port, which would make Nigeria a maritime hub in West Africa, was an initiative of China-Africa cooperation, especially since Nigeria engaged in the Belt and Loop Initiative. Route designed in 2013.
However, he said it was important for Nigeria to follow the example of the Chinese Communist Party and apply it to the Nigerian context, where political parties should focus on solving problems rather than partying.
“The most important thing for us, of course, we will always do it our way, we will put it in our own context.
“But I think that the general thing is that the congresses of the parties should be focused on solving problems. It shouldn't be jamborees.
“The party congress in China draws up a road map, it is not about the candidates wanting to be this, that they want to be that.
“These are the lessons of the Chinese Communist Party congress. Every time it is held, it is a sober organization, it is the most important political festival in China. It develops a new paradigm, new critical roadmaps on the way forward.
“You have to define the party congresses, what has been delivered, how our people are committed, are the most excluded people, are the most involved people, in what way can people be more involved.
“How can we assess how far we have come, what are the policy options we have implemented in the past, how has it impacted people?
“If you read the party general secretary, he catalogs everything that has been achieved, also outlines the challenges ahead, and then defines a roadmap.
“The platforms of the parties should be more adapted to the results, to the practical tangibles, these are the lessons from China, which also has many things in common with us, a developing country, from the third world to the first world.
“Forty-five years ago Nigeria was richer than China, today it is a different story. So we can do more so that our party congress is not just a party, our political party more than music.
“Let it be a defining framework to launch into the new phase of development,” Onunaiju said.
Also speaking, a former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, said Nigeria needed to learn a lot from China, especially regular political party meetings to discuss successes, challenges and the way forward.
Sani also suggested that the Chinese government should create opportunities for Nigerian political leaders to participate in the CPC National Congress to learn from them and apply it to the Nigerian context.
reports that the 20th CPC National Congress was held from October 16 to 22 in Beijing, China.
edited
Source Credit: NAN
The Director of ‘Sardauna’, a drama play, Prof. Ahmed Yerima has urged politicians to always emulate the good virtues of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
Yerima made the call on Monday night while speaking with newsmen shortly after the play was staged in Abuja.
The play, ‘Sardauna’, which was written and directed by Yerima, is produced by Duke of Shomolu Productions, a Lagos-based theatrical shows producing outfit.
The play depicts the life and times of the late Premier of the Northern Region.
He said the late Sardauna stood for rebuilding trust and fostering unity.
He made sacrifices for the progress and development of the country.
“His works are important to the country especially now that we are going towards the 2023 electio.
“Sardauna becomes very important and very relevant because most of the Gamji philosophy which we discussed in the play are those theories you will find and even the north continues to think about.
”Also, while a lot has been written about him, nothing much has been written about his wife, Hajiya Afusatu.
I needed the situation that will give it a new touch, a new life that will interest the people.
“They know him as a politician but what did he do?
What I did was to go into Islamic junction and say what happened to you?
How do you prepare for the other world?
That was how the story came,” he said.
He said that there were recordings aired by the BBC that misrepresented the late Sardauna.
”If we were to judge him, how do we judge him?
And I think that history becomes very important because for me history equally provides a lot of material.
“The family were also helpful.
What we first did we sent them the script and they read it and made one or two corrections and now said okay go ahead,” Yerima said.
Also speaking, Mr Joseph Edgar, the Producer of the play and the Executive Chairman, Duke of Shomolu Productions said that the play was used as a strong vehicle to demonstrate the contributions of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello to the national unity and development.
“You can see what is happening in the country where people are beginning to ask for competence.
“This is our own contribution to tell historical story of great iconic Nigerian who fought for Nigeria’s unity, using theatre as a strong vehicle,” Edgar said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, the Director-General, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, described the late Sir Ahmadu Bello as an embodiment of all
virtues.
“It is difficult in one moment to say everything about the Sardauna because Sardauna is an embodiment of all the good virtues that you can think of.
“During the first republic when he lived his life, he sowed a seed of good governance which up till now we are not be able to replicate,” he said.
Also, Alhaji Husein Agaie, the President, Northern Youths Council of Nigeria, described late Sardauna as an ”Iroko” tree that is useful to the society.
“Sir Ahmadu Bello left a great legacy which should be an inspiration for Northern Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole.
“Many people are beneficiaries of late Sir Ahmadu Bello in terms of education, diplomatic relationship and westernisation between Nigeria and British government.
also speaking, Sen. Shehu Sani said the late Sardauna of Sokoto lived an exemplary life.
”He lived a life of dignity, honour, integrity and selfless service to humanity.
“What has been done today it is something that is commendable.
“I believe that every Nigerian who is lucky to watch this drama will be able to know the sketch and depth of the gravity of what happened just after the independence of Nigeria.
“The political class of today have a lot to learn with what has happened in the past.
“When history is replaying, it teaches us lessons and when we use such lessons, it prevents us from repeating those mistakes,” Sani said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has advised Nigerians to actively participate in the electioneering process to ensure good governance and democratic sustainability in the country.
Okowa gave the advice while declaring open a two-day in Asaba on Thursday organised by the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council.
The workshop has as its theme, “Good Governance and Democratic Sustainability vis-a-vis Electoral Process”.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said that it was imperative for Nigerians to participate in the political process to enthrone credible leadership in the country at all times.
According to him, you as citizens need to participate in politics because when you don’t vote, you have inadvertently voted for those who are coming to do the wrong thing.
“Once you are 18 years and above, you need to register and have your voter’s card and come out to cast your vote on election days.
“Once you have done that, you have ended up helping in the sustainability of democracy in the country,” Okowa said.
He appealed to seminar participants to take the message home to members of their families.
“The people get the leadership they deserve. Meaning that if you don’t vote you would have ended up voting for the wrong people”, the governor said.
He commended the Guest Speaker, Sen. Shehu Sani, for his outspokenness and contributions to the growth and sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.
He described him as a “firebrand leader and a man who speaks truth to power”.
Okowa applauded newsmen in the state for their support and commitment to the dissemination of information on his administration’s programmes and policies to the people.
“As a government, we are pleased with members of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel and other journalists in the state because they have supported us in the last seven years, propagating our programmes and policies to the people.
“I speak authoritatively because I have had cause to relate with you all and you believed in honesty and had continued to tell the story just the way they are,’’ he said,
The guest speaker said Nigeria’s democracy was not a gift given by the military but a product of struggle and sacrifice.
He said Nigeria was effectively under full time military rule from 1983 to 1999 and commended the role played by Prof. Wole Soyinka, Late Gani Fawehinmi, Col. Abubakar Umar, Late Beko Ransome-Kuti, amongst others.
“Nigeria’s democracy is a product of the sacrifice of many who fought for it and so we have a duty to protect and preserve it.
“We cannot continue to do what we used to do when our population was small and now that we are over 200 million people,’’ Sani said.
He said the only way to achieve peace in the country is by ensuring equity, justice, fairness and treating every Nigerian as a stakeholder in the country.
“Only justice, equity and fairness can keep the country one,” Sani said.
Earlier, the Chairman, Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Dominic Adewole, said the theme of the workshop was carefully chosen as part of deliberate effort to broaden the discourse on the fast approaching 2023 general elections in the country.
He added that the success of next year’s election would largely depend on the observance of the provisions of the new Electoral Act by the umpire, INEC and political stakeholders.
“With the political atmosphere at a fever pitch as the nation matches toward yet another dispensation in the democratic process, this topic couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time.
“It is with this in mind that this seminar has been put together to sensitise stakeholders on their roles in the new law as we approach 2023,” Adewole said.
Other guests include the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika; State NUJ Council Chairman, Mr Michael Ikeogwu; the State Commissioner of Police, Delta Command, CP Mohammed Ari represented.
(NAN)
Senator Shehu Sani has promised to make it impossible for terrorists to operate in Kaduna state, if he is elected governor in 2023.
Sani cast the vote in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking to reporters after buying the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the party's gubernatorial bid.
The former All Progressives (APC) member of Congress, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, said the state needed a leader who would nip in the bud the insecurity challenges it faces.
“I tend to propose a program that addresses the issues of health, education and also youth development. My basic interest in running for this position is how I can improve the standard of living of my people and contribute to the development of Nigeria.
“As far as we all know, Kaduna has become a hub for terrorists and bandits. We need a leader who will nip banditry in the bud.
“We need a leader who will introduce and implement programs and policies that make it impossible for these terrorists to turn our state into their own hub.
“I am here for serious business, we cannot keep crossing our arms and our people are being killed every day and the government remains defenseless.
“I don't think we can't address this problem.
“I believe that if you have a program of action that will work with the people of the state and the security architecture, that will bring people together to fight and confront the common enemy, we will put an end to this terrorism.
“I am here because I think I have something to offer. I'm not the typical career politician you know, I'm an activist.
"I think I'm in this to mobilize our people to lead the fight to protect our people to protect our country," he said.
Sani promised that, if elected, he would provide the necessary equipment and services that will help security agencies wage the battle.
Sani, who denounced the level of division in Kaduna state that made it impossible to address insecurity, said that under his rule he would unite the state to fight their common enemies.
He said that as a multi-ethnic state, only fairness, equity and fairness would unite the state.
Sani said he would not run a state where one party would be favored and the other neglected.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Wednesday tendered 25,000 dollars, two Samsung phones and two audio recordings in a Federal High Court Abuja as evidence in the ongoing trial of Sen. Shehu Sani.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Ekele Iheanacho, tendered the exhibits through the 10th prosecution witness, Mr Bako Aliyu at the continued hearing of the matter.
Iheanacho also tendered two newspaper publications, an extra judicial statement made by the ex-senator and a letter from the Chief Judge of Nigeria as well as the petition written by the complainant in evidence.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, however, observed that the petition had already been tendered in court as an exhibit.
Justice Inyang, having marked and admitted the exhibits in evidence, ordered that the cash and the phones be returned and kept in the custody of the EFCC.
“Upon consensus of counsel, I make an order returning the 25,000 and the handsets to the prosecution for safe keeping.
“The exhibits shall be made available to the court when so ordered,” the judge said.
Sani is being prosecuted on two-count charge bordering on name dropping, influence-peddling and obtaining the sum of 25,000 dollars from the Chairman of ASD Motors Mr Sani Dauda under false pretence.
Edited By: Sadiya Hamza
Source: NAN
Residents of Danhonu II, a community in New Millennium City, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, have appealed to the Federal and State government to switch-on their community electricity which has been connected.
Mr Akoh Salifu, Chairman of Danhonu II Landlord Association, who spoke to newsmen on Monday, noted that the Gbagyi community has been in darkness since inception over 100 years ago despite its closeness to Kaduna City.
He said that the community electrification project started in December 2016 with the installation of concrete poles, was scheduled to be completed by January 14, 2017.
Salifu however said that the project had dragged on for over three years, and was eventually completed in June 2020 following the intervention of two federal agencies.
“The contractors came to start work in December 2016 promising to finish the project within two weeks.
“We were told it was a constituency project by Senator Shehu Sani under Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
“They installed high tension poles from Sabon Jero where they intended to connect the electricity to Danhonu II and some low tension poles to distribute within the community.
“They even picked a spot where the transformer would be installed but left without rolling on the wire or installing the transformer.
“Then another contractor, Niger Delta Power Holdings came to build a power substation in Millennium City and decided to connect Danhonu II to the substation after installing another transformer.
“Later the initial contractors came back to install their transformer, rolled on the wire and completed their work, but after four months, they are yet to switch on the light”, he lamented.
Another leader of the community and a veteran journalist, Alhaji Tijjani Tajudeen, said their appeal is for the Federal and Kaduna state governments to switch on the light to take the community out of darkness.
“Many members of the community including children have never lived with electricity, contractors came to erect poles, laid wire and installed transformers but for over four months, we have been waiting for the light to be switched on.
“We appeal to governments to come to our aid and light up our community.
“All the surrounding communities are enjoying electricity; Danbushiya, Sabon Gida, Keke, Kadaure, Sabon Jero, Doka Maijama, Danhonu I, even Ungwa Ma’aji who were connected in 2019, while we wallow in darkness”, he said.
Edited By: Maharazu Ahmed
Source: NAN
Sen. Shehu Sani has lauded the contributions of a Jamaican-Nigerian journalist, Lindsay Barrett, to the unity of Nigeria and Africa as he turns 79.
Sani, made this known in a birthday message to the septuagenarian in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said it was desire for Africa’s greatness that made Barrett, a journalist, poet, novelist and playwright with international recognition, to come to Nigeria in 1966, became a citizen in 1980s and remained in Nigeria.
Sani, a former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, noted that besides becoming a Nigerian citizen, most of Barrett’s literary works centered on African unity, showing his belief in Africa’s greatness.
Sani, disclosed that he paid Barrett a visit recently in his Abuja home, appreciating him for dedicating his life to preaching love and unity among Nigerians and Africa at large.
“My visit to him was to appreciate his professionalism in journalism and his believe and faith in Nigeria.
“A man who came to Nigeria in 1966, naturalised and remained in Nigeria since then must be seen, considered and accepted as a true Nigerian.
“He has seen through our turbulent times. Has seen the best and the most challenging moments in our history.
“Barrett is an example of pan Africanism. He is an example of a believer in African unity and brotherliness.’’
According to Sani, he could have chosen to go to America or Europe but here was a man who came to Nigeria for a literary event just years after our independence and has remained faithful to Nigeria.
“Barrett deserves to be celebrated and appreciated by the Federal Government and he deserves all the support that he needs at this challenging moment of his life with his health,’’ he said.
The former lawmaker, wished Barrett long life and good health on his 79th birthday, while stating that, “all that needs to be done should be done to assist him and his family.’’
Meanwhile, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, Barrett thanked God for witnessing his 79th birthday.
He expressed hope in the greatness of Nigeria, saying some of the challenges bedeviling the country were stepping stones to its greatness.
The Septuagenarian, urged Nigerians to continue to keep faith, noting that once Nigeria got it right, other African countries would get it right.
He said one of the ways to achieving that was to continue to protect the sacredness of democracy.
He said, “I will like to tell Nigerians that they should be careful with this thing called democracy.
“Democracy is a very fragile gift. It is a gift because it is supposed to give people representation but the way we are treating it is very dangerous.
“If we do not take democracy seriously as a gift and we begin to treat it as something that we can play with, we might run into a very serious roadblock in future.
“We should be careful. We must take the idea of representation as sacred.’’
On the role of the media in the country’s democratic process, Barrett noted that it had contributed meaningfully to the attainment of sustainable democracy.
He, however, warned that the social media should not be allowed to denigrate the important role of the traditional media in nation building.
He warned that, while the social media was expected to play complementary role, it was gradually rendering the traditional media redundant.
“The social media has rendered the traditional media almost redundant and we should beware of what will come out of that.
“The traditional media has a role to play in democracy and that is the important thing that we should remember.
“We should always consider that the regulatory strictures the traditional media offers should be valuable and we should be careful because social media seems to be free for all,’’ he said.
Barrett urged journalists to always cater to their health in spite of the demands of the job.
He advised that, “given my experience, please take good care of your health in your youth because in your old age you may regret it.’’
NAN reports that Barrett, a Jamaican-born poet and journalist was born on Sept. 15, 1941, came to Nigeria in 1966 and became a Nigerian citizen in the mid-80s.
He was once an editor for the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, a freelancer for BBC World Service and his articles feature on some Nigerian national newspapers.
Some of his works as a poet and novelist were concerned with issues of black identity, dispossession and survival of the descendants of black Africans.
Notable among his several works was his debut novel, “Song for Mumu’’ and the books, “The State of Black Desire’’ and “A Memory of Rivers’’.
Barrett also lectured in the University of Ibadan and had received several accolades and awards around the world.
Edited By: Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza
Source: NAN
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna State chapter, on Monday, lifted the suspension on Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi and six other top members of the party.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued in Kaduna by Felix Hyat, the party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman.
“The suspension imposed on Sen. Hunkuyi, Dr. Matoh Dogara and Hon. Ibrahim Lazuru is hereby lifted.
“Alh. Imam Lawal and Col. Dauda Albehu Torah (rtd.) are advised to go and regularise their membership of the party in their respective wards.
“And Dr. John Danfulani, Ubale Salmanduna who were expelled can register freshly in their respective wards.
“The party calls on those concerned to embrace this goodwill offered and join hands for the unity, progress and growth of the party in our state and the country in general,” Hyat said.
According to him, the State High Court, Kaduna, had discharged an Order it had issued in favour of R-APC, restraining the PDP at National, State and Local Government levels from continuing with its remaining Congresses in the State.
He said the order had also restrained the officials of the party in the state from performing any party function.
“On the 27/07/2020, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP met with some key members of the party from the state where it was resolved among other things that:
“All court cases instituted against the party be withdrawn within 48 hours, following which disciplinary measures imposed against those concerned will be lifted.
“As of today, no single court case has been withdrawn.
“However, arising from the discharge of the restraining order today by the state High Court, Kaduna, the leadership of the party has resolved to lift the suspension.
“We urge the affected members to embrace peace and unite for the growth of the party,” Hyat said.
The PDP on May 17, suspended Sen Hunkuyi and six other members of the party for alleged anti-party activities.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Sen Hunkuyi and Sen Shehu Sani had left the All Progressives Congress (APC) following unresolved differences with Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai in the build-up to the 2019 general elections.
Hunkuyi joined the PDP and contested the governorship primaries and lost the party’s ticket to a former House of Representatives member, Isah Ashiru.
Sen. Shehu Sani who joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) contested for senate seat under the party, but lost to Uba Sani of the APC.
Edited By: Chioma Ugboma/Maharazu Ahmed (NAN)
