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AU to establish African Central Bank by 2045

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AU to establish African Central Bank by 2045

The plan to establish the African Central Bank (ACB) by the African Union will likely come to fruition by 2045.

Ms Naglaa Nozahie representing the Association of African Central Banks (AACB), said this while presenting the progress report on the convergence of criteria for the ACB to the African Union on Thursday.

The briefing was part of proceedings at the third session of the Specialised Technical Committee of the African Union (AU) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, holding in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The meeting, which was organised in collaboration with the African Capacity Building Foundation, had as its theme: “Public Policies for Productive Transformation in Africa’’.

Nozahie, who is also a Special Advisor to the Governor, Central Bank of Egypt, said the purpose of ACB was “to build a common monetary policy and single African currency as a way to accelerate economic integration on the continent’’.

She said the AACB held several meetings from 2002 to 2017 and came up with the proposed macroeconomic criteria that must be met by each member state before the African Central Bank could be established.

She said inflation must be three per cent or less by 2038, overall budget deficit must also be less than or equal to three per cent by 2033.

Similarly, she said the ratio of central bank financing to the government must be zero by 2038 and that each country must have foreign reserves to cover at least six months of importation by 2038.

“In addition, the ratio of public debt to GDP must be less than 65 per cent while the ratio of total tax revenue to GDP must be more than 20 per cent.

“The ratio of government capital investment to tax revenue must be greater than 30 per cent,’’ she said.

Nozahie said experts, who worked on the convergence criteria, also agreed that member countries must maintain the stability of the nominal exchange rate at plus or minus 10 per cent.

She further said that analysis of member countries’ performance showed that only 18 countries, out of 52, currently met all the primary criteria for macroeconomic convergence.

It would be recalled that the AU Assembly in January 2005, which held in Abuja, outlined decisions for the establishment of some African financial institutions to improve intra-African trade.

Part of the decisions was that the African Central Bank should be located in Nigeria, the African Investment Bank in Libya, and the African Monetary Fund in Cameroon.

When it is fully implemented, the ACB will be the sole issuer of the African Single Currency and would become the banker of the African Government and Africa’s private and public banking institutions.

The ACB will regulate and supervise the African banking industry and will set the official interest and exchange rates, in conjunction with the African Government’s administration.

SING FOUNDATION: MILITARY EXCESSES IN AKWA IBOM STATE STAND CONDEMNED: THE LAND OF PROMISE IS NOT A WAR ZONE

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SING FOUNDATION: MILITARY EXCESSES IN AKWA IBOM STATE STAND CONDEMNED: THE LAND OF PROMISE IS NOT A WAR ZONE

Elections are a civil matter the world over and are meant to be conducted in manner that reflect the wishes of all citizens, devoid of fear and intimidation on order to vote in leaders who will be accountable to the people. The Nigerian military, in this very election cycle, has hit a new low even by its characteristically poor standards in engaging with civilians and non-military institutions.
The military ought to exist to protect the territorial integrity of the country from external and internal threats and aggression, but has habitually turned on Nigerian citizens on very flimsy grounds, unleashing violence and dehumanization at scale. The current election season, however leaves Nigerians with a chilling ominous feeling of fear and hopelessness about the future of Nigeria.
It is rather troubling that the military has chosen to make this particular elections in Akwa Ibom state a personal venture in which it has a vested interest from the way and manner it has conducted itself. Even when it maintained a deafening silence over the burning of INEC offices in the state, it has surprisingly turned on innocent civilians spreading the fear and general apathy that has pervaded the air in the last 48hours.
The peace loving people of Akwa Ibom state are by this medium urged not be allow their spirits to be dampened, but to continue to be peaceful and go about their lawful business having successfully cast their votes. We call on the military high command to call its men and officers deployed in Akwa Ibom state to order and withdraw them immediately as there is no war or threat of war in the state.
Even as we are compiling a comprehensive report on the atrocities of the military personnel in Akwa Ibom state, we call on the international community and friends of Nigeria to pay more than usual attention to Nigeria and Akwa Ibom in particular with a view to ensuring justice is done to all who have put Akwa Ibomites in harm’s way.

SING FOUNDATION CONDEMNS THE NEW TREND OF MILITARIZATION OF ELECTIONS AND THE  ATTENDANT LOSS OF LIVES AND PROPERTY IN NIGERIA

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The SING Foundation wishes to express the gravest concerns over reports of violence being
meted on certain political figures in the Niger Delta by security agencies. It will be recalled that
we had called attention of the entire world to the ominous trends we had seen in the region and
the dangers it portends for the continued corporate existence of Nigeria as a united entity.
Our observers in the field, during the presidential elections of 23rd February, 2019, brought to
our notice the unusually high presence of military personnel in the Niger Delta and the palpable
fear this generated among the people. Our observers also reported that some military personnel
provided cover for thugs and mercenaries to foment violence, hijack election materials and
prevent voters from exercising their franchise in many parts of Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom
states. The media in the last few days has been flooded with images of the people of Abonnema,
in Akuku Toru Local Government area of Rivers state fleeing for fear of attacks by soldiers.
The SING Foundation can also confirm the invasion of the homes of some notable politicians in
in Omuma, Gokana, Ikwerre and other Local Government Areas in Rivers State on the night of
Thursday 7
th March 2019, just less than 48hours to the Gubernatorial and State Assemblies
elections by Men of the Nigerian Army. The News of the invasion and the manner with which
the operations were carried out is already causing fears among the people living in those
communities on their safety during the elections on Saturday.
It is worrying that the security agencies have chosen to act in a brazen manner to unleash violence
against the very citizens whose taxes keep them running. While we do not in any shape or form
discountenance the importance of security and law enforcement in a society, we are worried that
the rules of engagement do not point towards a desire to deliver justice in a professional, open
and transparent manner that is above board.
We condemn this new normal in its entirety and call for immediate withdrawal of military
personnel from security functions that are purely policing ones. We condemn the silence of the
Federal Government over the avoidable loss of lives in these elections and their failure to
reassure the survivors of their safety or even to provide relief for those who have suffered losses.
The Federal Government has shown itself to be unbothered about the sanctity of citizens
exercising their rights as enshrined by the constitution they swore to defend.
Democracies are sustained by popular participation and the poor number of voters that come
out to participate ought to be a source of concern to a nation that is confronted with a number
of security challenges such as kidnapping, insurgency, terrorism and banditry among others that
have left our country with a lot of ungoverned spaces. We call on the politicians to be on notice
that no attempt to prevent the people from exercising their freedoms overtime can become the
norm and there are historical references to support this position.
We are concerned that institutions of state, which ought to display an unequivocal neutrality,
have come to bear the semblance of instruments in the hands of government officials. This is also a call to the international community who cannot afford to stand aloof at a time such as this,
but must begin to explore diplomatic and international legal options to deploy against those who
seek to unleash violence against the hospitable and peace loving people of Nigeria, especially in
the oil rich Niger Delta.
Idris-Etanami Usman
Executive Director
The SING Foundation

Women’s Day: ACCI Vice President for Women Development advocates innovation for success

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Women’s Day: ACCI Vice President for Women Development advocates innovation for success

The Vice President in charge of Women Development at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mrs. Jummai Oluyede, has called for all women to rise above the challenges of doing business and other stumbling blocks faced by them in pursuit of professional careers.

Mrs. Oluyede in her Women’s day message also asked  them to be relentless and not give up, in spite of the fact that women have not received due recognition for the great contributions they have made to the economic development of Nigeria.

She further noted that women must look beyond the challenges of the Nigerian business landscape and summon courage from within as well as from other women to draw the strength needed to create an ecosystem around them, that will foster and grow revolutionary ideas.

According to her, this type of tenacity must be intentional and will require a forward thinking approach, that disrupt “business as usual”, and remove barriers which prevent women from achieving success in their businesses and careers.

Any forward thinking approach, must balance on the 21st century principles, which are skills focused around critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation (the “four Cs”), undergirded by technology. These are very important and critical ingredients necessary for challenging the norm, breaking barriers, building transformational businesses and achieving social transformative gains for Nigeria.

Women cannot afford to lag in these areas and it was for this purpose that the WINDEP platform was established.

For those not familiar with WINDEP; WINDEP is the acronym for Women Industries, Development, Entrepreneurship Program.  The platform was created and launched in December 2018.

WINDEP’s primary role is to explore innovative means of developing women (both entrepreneurs and career women) in all industries in Nigeria, to enable them attain all the indices of being successful and who can contribute to the positive development of Nigeria and Africa.

The WINDEP platform captures the essence of the statement “think equal, build smart and innovate for change”, which is the United Nation’s (UN), theme for International Women’s day 2019.

Mrs. Oluyede reiterated that this type of deliberate focus and direction is what will eventually help us “EMPOWER THE WOMAN AND BUILD THE NATION!”.

Whilst she recognizes that this is an ambitious objective, Mrs. Oluyede believes it is not impossible to achieve.

100 inter-faith clerics predict peace, prosperity in Buhari’s second term

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100 inter-faith clerics predict peace, prosperity in Buhari’s second term

There will be abundance, surplus and serenity across Nigeria in President Muhammadu Buhari’s second-term, according to 100 Inter-faith Clerics.

These 100 clerics had earlier predicted Buhari’s re-election at the February 23 polls after holding a 40-day prayer and fast last year.

As forecasted, the incumbent emerged victorious, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In its usual trend of accurate and unbiased prophecies, the religious leaders have predicted enormous gains in the next four years.

The 100 clerics who are members of the National Inter- Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace made the declaration at the grand-finale of the 3- Days Thanksgiving and Salat Al- Shukur held in Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the Islamic clerics, Sheik Ibrahim Bulama expressed that the co-inhibition of both religions is a testament of president Buhari’s impeccable personality.

“ We prayed and fasted for 40 days seeking the face of God for divine direction for Nigeria in our quest for greatness. We identified with President Muhammadu Buhari with a firm conviction that he would take Nigeria to the promised land. We also backed up our belief with prayers and supplements to Allah the most merciful and beneficent.

“ And he heard our prayers and supplication by granting unto us our heart desires by the resounding victory recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari at the elections. Consequently, I say we have all done nobly.

“ I want you all gathered her that there would indeed be a reward for the sacrifices in making supplications on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari for his success at the polls.

“ In our actions, we have exhibited a resolve that Nigeria under Muhammadu Buhari is on the path to glory. In our prayer sessions, Allah indeed made us understand the uniqueness of the personality of Muhammadu Buhari in terms of his uprightness and sincerity of heart and purpose.

“ We have so far exhibited that resolve to identify with an upright man whose integrity is unquestionable. Those who submit themselves completely to Allah and do good have grasped the Firmest Handhold. The result of all affairs is with Allah. (Surah Luqman: 22)

“ Muhammadu Buhari has submitted himself entirely to Allah, and this much has been exhibited in his words and actions since 2015. We are grateful to Allah for the rare gift of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria in whom we are pleased.

“ My brethren, the uniqueness of this occasion is the fact that we have displayed a love towards one God and one nation in the interest of peace and tranquillity. And the anointing on President Muhammadu Buhari has reinforced our belief that we are on the right track on the journey towards greatness in this country.

Speaking on behalf of the Christian clerics, Arch Bishop (Dr) Julius Ediwe, added that anyone opposed to the president is challenging God’s authority.

This is because Mr Buhari is the anointed choice for Nigeria as revealed during the 40-day prayer and fast.

The cleric, Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, was particularly critical of some naysayers in disguise as prophets who forecasted defeat for the incumbent.

“ Brothers and Sisters, let me make it clear here about statements coming from some supposed men of God describing the elections as rigged and not in the interest of the people. I am taken aback with such a statement, and in my capacity as the Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, I abhor such statement because God is not a man that he should lie,” he stated.

“ When it was revealed during the 40 days’ prayers and fasting that President Muhammadu Buhari would win the elections, where were they? Or are they insinuating that they have a monopoly of the Kingdom heritage?

“ My brothers and sisters, I stand before you as a servant of God to say that God is indeed on the throne and for those that think otherwise should have a rethink. I say this with all authority that President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed Gods choice for Nigeria because I prayed and heard him clearly when he stated that Buhari is the chosen one to take Nigeria to greatness.

“ I want to assume here today that one of the reasons for the display of anger because President Muhammadu Buhari won the elections might be as a result of the victory rally that was aired on the television stations across the country.

Both groups, however, enjoined other Nigerians to pray and support the president to lead the country to greatness.

Guber polls: South South hails Nigerian military over deployment of troops to protect voters

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Guber polls: South South hails Nigerian military over deployment of troops to protect voters

 

The South-South Coalition for Credible Leadership has described as a welcome the deployment of military troops to the region ahead of the Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections.

The coalition said the action would further boost the confidence of electorate during the polls.

Briefing newsmen on Thursday, Success Timothy, the Coordinator General of the group, said the deployment is necessary following the success of the troops in some south-southern states during the national assembly and presidential election on February 23.

According to him, the presence of troops during the elections proved to be the right decision in view of the fact that acts of politically motivated violence were limited to a few instances.

Success said the he pockets of violence witnessed in some parts of Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers state would have been more widespread but for the presence of troops.

According to him, “Interestingly, the Niger-Delta, where political leaders clamored most against military presence for the election, recorded more of the instances of violence and ballot snatching during the exercise. It is logical that soldiers should be withdrawn from areas that were largely peaceful during the polls of two weeks ago to allow for the deployment of higher number of troops to the places that recorded violence.

“Meanwhile, we observed that the personnel of the Nigerian Army were able to maintain peace and prevent political brigandage while adhering to acceptable rules of engagement. They fear of abuse and intimidation of the civilian population, which opponents of military deployment had used to back up their argument, turned out to unjustified as law abiding citizens had nothing to be apprehensive about. Only attackers that had intended to deprive other people of their right to life were gunned down in exchange of gunfire with troops in Rivers state.
“
The South- South Coalition for Credible Leadership therefore passes a vote of confidence on the Nigerian Army and its personnel. They have the capacity to support security operations in the regions towards ensuring that elections hold without citizens being afraid for their lives or worrying that their votes will not count because ballot box snatchers. Their presence in the entire Niger-Delta region will ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order by any group of persons.

“We passed this vote of confidence cognizant of the campaign of calumny being waged against the deployment of the military for the elections. It does not take long to decipher the intent of those opposed to troops being in the Niger-Delta during this period. These people comprise of opposition political parties that lost in the presidential and National Assembly elections because they were unable to use thugs to snatch and stuff ballot boxes just as they were unable to intimidate voters.

“The other sets of people opposed to seeing troops in the Niger-Delta are the militants and sabotage economic infrastructure in the region as well as those that have their sight set on kidnap for ransom. These are backed up by separatist elements, including those that belong to groups that the courts have outlawed. They are apparently scared that the presence of the military in the area will yield credible intelligence that can be used to dismantle their non-election related criminality.

“It is most unfortunate that the criminal intentions of the aforementioned groups are being hidden behind the façade of ‘the opposition’ and for marshalling weak arguments against the deployment of troops to secure the country during the elections. The fake news they are peddling is that the Army is the region to favour particular candidates. This must rank among the greatest lies told so far in 2019.

“We note the charge by the Chief if Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai, to troops and commanders to do better during their deployment for Saturday’s election. Such decisive and responsive leadership has contributed to the sterling performance that the Nigerian Army displayed during the previous elections. His acknowledgement of the few instances of violence and a commitment to correct these errors is laudable for this gives the assurance that there will be improved voters’ turn out once the electorate are reassured that they are safe.”

Group Condemns Ongoing Militarisation of Various Nigerian States ahead of next Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections.

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Group Condemns Ongoing Militarisation of Various Nigerian States ahead of next Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections.

Being the text of a world Press Conference addressed by the coalition of civil society groups and election observers, on the ongoing militarisation of Nigeria’s general elections.

We welcome you to this crucial press conference, necessitated by our growing concerns, over the ongoing militarisation of various Nigerian States, ahead of next Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections.

As democrats and stakeholders in the Nigeria’s democratic process, we strongly feel obliged to draw the attention of the media, the Nigerian people and the international community, to the attempt being orchestrated mainly to intimidate, harass and build unnecessary tensions around an election process, which ordinarily should be a civil exercise.

While it is an undeniable fact, that our security agencies particularly the Nigerian police have played crucial roles in ensuring a peaceful conduct of our elections, we are worried that same cannot be said about the conduct of the military which ordinarily have no statutory obligation, during elections. We must all remember that emocracy becomes a sham if elections are carried out in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and when security agents who are hitherto expected to be impartial and neutral, become openly partisan, demonstrating lack of integrity and acting blatantly as agents of political parties.

Recall that during the recently concluded Presidential elections, the media was awashed with reports of the ignoble conduct of the military in some parts of the country, mainly in the Niger delta region, where elections practically became war, leading to the death of over 30 people, including a personel of the Nigerian Army. The conduct of the military during that election and the heavy deployments of troops in states such as Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers raises serious question unto why such becomes necessary especially when the military have not only engage in partisan activities, but has also lack of capacities and knowledge of being impartial and competent to be involved in th conduct of a fair, free and credible election.

We have a duty to our country, to Nigerians and democracy, in ensuring that every elements that threatens our democratic growth are challenged and rejected as a matter of patriotism. We must not allow desperate politicians and their collaborators within the security agencies, to truncate this democracy. And when we find ourselves under such circumstance such as it is presently being witnessed, appropriate action must be taken not to allow our democracy to be derailed.

Let it be stated here again, that we reject in totality, the military siege on Delta, Akwa Ibom and other states in the Niger delta. It is not within the constitutional powers of the military to supritend over the conduct of elections. The military should immediately restrict itself to the mandate of providing support for the Nigerian police, as required by the relevant laws and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC. At no time has INEC demanded for military deployment in polling stations and collation centres, as the current military invasion clearly suggest. The sacrifices made by our people towards advancing democracy cannot be allowed to be desecrated by the desperation presently being witnessed.

We are calling on all ECOWAS, African Union and the United Nations to immediately prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari, to cease the ongoing hostilities against the people of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and other States, presently under military hostages ahead of Saturday’s elections.

We also call on our people to remain peaceful in their conducts as they prepare to exercise their constitutional franchise on Saturday. We urge them to be steadfast and not be intimidated by anybody particularly the security agents, as we continue to demand that the military siege on the Niger delta is immediately halted.

We ask Nigerians and lovers of democracy to remain vigilant and be ready to ensure that the votes of our people count, as we struggle to defend our democracy. The price of liberty and sustenance of our democracy is eternal vigilance and appropriate reaction to ward off iniquities.

Any attempt to derail this democracy will be too tragic for our nation to bear and we must all wake up to this reality.

We want the leadership of our security agencies, particularly the military to realise, that we are taking notes of all their actions and every deeds shall be accounted for. We shall not hesitate to further petition the International Criminal Court if there is any violation of the people’s rights, and we will begin to demand for measures which includes but not limited to denial and withdrawal of visas from whoever is involved in any violence that may emanate from this military invasion.

Finally, we urge Nigerians desist from any form of electoral violence, and support the Nigerian police in ensuring the sanctity of our elections on Saturday. We encourage the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to keep treading the path of professionalism, and uphold the rule of law.

This democracy is precious to us and we shall not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to derail it, on the altar of the ambition of a very few.

Long live Democracy,

Long Live Nigeria.

Signed:

Those questioning Buhari’s victory are challenging God’s authority — Bishop Ediwe

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Those questioning Buhari’s victory are challenging God’s authority — Bishop Ediwe

President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the presidential election is divine, hence those opposed to it are challenging “God’s authority” according to foremost Christian preacher Arch Bishop (Dr) Julius Ediwe.

Dr Julius spoke at the second day of the ongoing Inter-Faith Clerics for the celebration of President Buhari’s victory held at the Unity Fountain, Abuja.

Despite massive propaganda by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Atiku Abubakar, Mr Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was re-elected in fascinating fashion.

Bishop Ediwe isn’t surprised by the president’s overwhelming triumph, especially after it was revealed when some Christian and Islamic clerics met in a 40-day prayer and fast prior to the polls.

The cleric, Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, was particularly critical of some naysayers in disguise as prophets who forecasted defeat for the incumbent.

He, however, urged these critics not to oppose God’s choice and instead pray for the president.

“ I won’t say I am surprised at the composition of the audience here. I would instead say I am moved to tears so much that I asked myself, could this be happening in Nigeria? Could a gathering a people from different faiths praying for a common goal happen here in Nigeria?

“ God is indeed faithful to his word and his people. When it was declared here some months ago that the Lord revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari would emerge victorious at the polls, many doubted us and called us all sort of names. But we preserved.

“ I, therefore, ask today been the 2nd day of the Thanksgiving and Salat Al-Shakur service that are we not sharing in the kingdom of light? In the same vein, in Surah Al-Baqara, 153, it is stated that “O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.”

“ What does this tell us? It merely tells us on the oneness of God, and that was why we have been able to assemble here together and united in one voice, spirit, body and soul.

“ Brothers and Sisters, let me make it clear here about statements coming from some supposed men of God describing the elections as rigged and not in the interest of the people. I am taken aback with such a statement, and in my capacity as the Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, I abhor such statement because God is not a man that he should lie.

“ When it was revealed during the 40 days’ prayers and fasting that President Muhammadu Buhari would win the elections, where were they? Or are they insinuating that they have a monopoly of the Kingdom heritage?

“ My brothers and sisters, I stand before you as a servant of God to say that God is indeed on the throne and for those that think otherwise should have a rethink. I say this with all authority that President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed Gods choice for Nigeria because I prayed and heard him clearly when he stated that Buhari is the chosen one to take Nigeria to greatness.

“ I want to assume here today that one of the reasons for the display of anger because President Muhammadu Buhari won the elections might be as a result of the victory rally that was aired on the television stations across the country.

“ They are also angry for lack of knowledge of the Buhari phenomenon. They also need to understand that just like God singled out Job as a man of integrity, he also singled out President Muhammadu Buhari as a man of integrity. And God always identifies with the pure in spirit.

“ Is it not funny on how some men of God prophesied that President Muhammadu Buhari was going to lose the elections? December 2018, an Anglican church prophet, Udoka Okechukwu, prophesied that Atiku Abubakar of the PDP would defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election.

“ On February 12, 2019, few days to the presidential election, the general overseer of Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries Int’l (EBOMI), Prophet El-Buba, said President Buhari would lose the election.

“ The presiding Bishop of Divine Seed of God Chapel Ministries, Ibadan, Prophet Wale Olagunju, in October 2019, claimed that Buhari would lose to Atiku Abubakar.

“ My brothers and sisters, we can find the answers to the false prophesies in the book of Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

“ Let me once again thank you all for your constant prayers towards the success of President Muhammadu Buhari at the elections. And I am not sure anyone of us here regardless of our ethnicity or religion would ever doubt the oneness of God.”

Atiku: Timi Frank mocks EFCC over intimidation, harassment of PDP members

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Atiku: Timi Frank mocks EFCC over intimidation, harassment of PDP members

…..calls for caution

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has called out the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to justify its ongoing intimidation and harassment of persons loyal to the Presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the agency has not only lost its core mandate but positioned by Gen Muhammadu Buhari’s government to fight only opposition members.

Reacting in a statement on Tueaday in Abuja to the latest arrest of Barr. Taminu Turaki, who is the deputy director general of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Frank said no amount of blackmails, intimidation or harassment will get the opposition leaders from reclaiming the mandate Nigerians have freely given to them through court of law.

According to him, virtually every known names supporting the presidential ambition of the former Vice President have been threatened in one way or the other by various institutions of government under Gen Buhari in the name of fighting corruption.

Frank specifically mentioned the main target for the harassment to includes; the presidential candidate himaelf, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, PDP’s Nation Chairman Uche Secondus and former governor of Ekiti Ayo Fayose, among a long list prepared to be silent “so that PDP strong voices can forget about reclaiming their victory in court.”

The political activist described as not golden the silence by the National Peace Committee being led by the former Head of state, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, “who ought to have called Buhari to order but chosen to be silent in the face of oppression against opposition members.

“I like to make it clear that the opposition PDP as it is today in Nigeria is stronger than APC in terms of membership and capacity to fight back if the Buhari and APC’s government pushes the party to the wall,” Frank stated.

While mocking the EFCC for abandoning its core mandate for the fight against opposition, Frank asked “the agency to tell the world the owner of two bullion vans seen at the Lagos residence of APC National Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with raw cash on the eve of election and the plane stashed with cash?

“Under APC, a reputable institution like EFCC created by PDP-led administration has turned to a mockery. Corruption fight is only a fight against the opposition members. They forget easily that their days are numbered.”

While calling on international community to note the development in Nigeria and not to keep quiet at this period, the former APC spokesman said “any attempt of intimidation against Atiku and his family members or any PDP leaders will lead to serious issue,” adding that “when the opposition party is pushed to the wall there will be reaction capable of consuming the APC government.”

He called on international community to note that the fight against corruption in Nigeria is a scam designed against only the opposition members by the Buhari’s administration.

Signed:
Comrade Timi Frank
Ex-APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary
Abuja.

Enemies of Nigeria behind ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest to please political losers

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Enemies of Nigeria behind ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest to please political losers

Following the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last presidential and national assembly elections, some persons have concluded plans to stage a protest under the theme Occupy Nigeria.

According to Coalition for Defence Democracy in Nigeria, the paid miscreants have been mobilized by some politicians who are not pleased with the outcome of the polls to shutdown the nation.

Addressing newsmen on Sunday, Okpokwu Ogenyi, who spoke on behalf of the BoT, claimed that the planned protest is being championed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

His text below.

Gentlemen of the press, since the announcement of the results for the presidential election held on Saturday February 23, 2019, those that lost in the election have been reacting to their losses. Some of these reactions have been by way of intellectual engagement in which the candidates and their supporters express their improved understanding of how democracy and political dynamics operate in the Nigerian context.

The more sincere ones among them have admitted the near impossibility of unseating a performing president through the ballot hence the overwhelming win of President Muhammadu Buhari who won on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

Some losers have, however, been sore in defeat. They denounced the result with the worst choice of words possible. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar are in the forefront of this collection of aggrieved losers.

What must be given to them however is that they have been creative enough to limit their bellicosity to inciting utterances and body language, which they possibly expect their supporters to decode and descend on the streets with violent protests.

This development is the reason that the Coalition for Defence Democracy in Nigeria, CDDN, is not aligned with those that have been asking Atiku to call and congratulate President Buhari. There is no basis for that because it will amount to creating a situation where the loser in an election must validate the victor’s win.

It is enough that the home nations of the international observers once misled by the PDP have sent their congratulatory messages to Nigeria and President Buhari. While Nigeria does not rely on their endorsement to validate its electoral processes, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, the African Union, scores of African countries and other friends of Nigeria have congratulated President Buhari, which they would not have done had the election failed to meet the minimum threshold for acceptability.

The PDP is being backed by several ethnic jingoist organizations that present as socio-cultural organizations, religious bigots as well as pro-corruption groups and individuals.

Like their client, these people have limited themselves to threats and incitement without actually backing their threat of violence and destabilization with actions. This restraint on the part of PDP and its supporting organizations has now been found to be a Trojan as they have outsourced their violent protests through a consultancy to “Occupy Nigeria”.

“Occupy Nigeria”, a misappropriation of the slogan under which Nigerians resisted PDP misrule in 2012, is now being used by these protest consultants to threaten the peace of the country. The group that now goes by the name has threatened to shut down Abuja on Monday and what we have found out is that they plan to spread the protest to other cities if the Abuja legs proves successful.

CDNN finds this attempt at using the result of the election to cause mayhem when the international community, including countries that were initially apprehensive of the conduct of the election, has accepted the outcome.

We observed that Occupy Nigeria is now expressing disappointment in the endorsement of the polls by the international community when its clients where euphoric at the time these same foreign countries were harassing the Nigerian government on the basis of lies told against the administration of President.

It has not been able to been able to present any compelling evidence to support why it is rejecting an election adjudged to be free, fair and credible by all stakeholders except the PDP and its lackey groups.

We further observed that the demands that Occupy Nigeria is hinging its protests on bear uncanny similarities to the demands that Atiku and PDP allegedly presented to the National Peace Committee, which they have all denied anyway because they have seen that these requests are criminal in nature and intent.

The protests planned by Occupy Nigeria are therefore provocative, irresponsible and an attempt to create conditions that will degrade security in the country while providing excuses for those earlier mobilized by Atiku to attempt a forceful takeover of the government.

They represent a stubborn progression of Atiku and the PDP with their original plot to force their way into government even when they know they have been rejected by Nigerians.

CDNN is therefore warning Occupy Nigeria to behave within acceptable parameters defined by Nigerian laws as any attempt to provoke crisis would be met with disproportionate citizens’ response. Other measures include laying bare the relationship that exists between it and PDP as well as Atiku.

If they persist on trying to destabilize the country we will expose to Nigerians the specific associates of Atiku that contacted them, phone calls and SMS logs, and details of financial transactions of the payment made to procure Occupy Nigeria’s services.

Occupy Nigeria must take note that nobody has the monopoly of mischief and violence. It is receiving money to hold its protests but there are millions of Nigerians that will counter those violent outings on the streets out of patriotism and their love and appreciation for the leadership he is providing to the country.

Any attempt to destabilize the peace of the nation will therefore be decisively rejected by Nigerians. Occupy Nigeria will fail worse that Boko Haram and other defunct terrorist groups that had attempted to destroy Nigeria.

The practice in Nigeria is for anyone aggrieved by the outcome of elections should approach the Election Tribunals up to the Supreme Court to seek redress. If Occupy Nigeria is eager to be of use to the PDP they should then encourage Atiku to go to court and fight his case there especially now that the Judiciary is being purged of corrupt judges.

Instead of holding questionable protests, Nigerians should task the organizers of this charade to come forward with workable initiatives to help President Buhari deliver on his promises to Nigerians. Part of the progress we should make as a nation is for the youths not to be misled by agents of destabilization that are bent on triggering copy-cat revolution in a country where it is least needed.

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