US 46th President, Joe Biden, has explained that it is in the best interest of his party and his country for him to withdraw from the November 4 presidential election.
He noted that he will focus solely on fulfilling his duties as president for the remainder of his term.
TVN reports that Biden announced his withdrawal from the race for a second term in the coming election on Sunday.
He said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. While I have intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
His decision to step down as the Democratic Party candidate to run against former President Donald Trump comes amid heightened calls by Democrats, including former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
Full speech:
Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years.
Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. While I have intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do―when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.
Joe Biden explains reason for withdrawal from US presidential election [FULL TEXT]
Joe Biden explains reason for withdrawal from US presidential election [FULL TEXT]
![Joe Biden explains reason for withdrawal from US presidential election [FULL TEXT]](https://tvn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joe-Biden-768x431.jpeg "Joe Biden explains reason for withdrawal from US presidential election [FULL TEXT]")
President Biden withdraws from presidential race, endorses Kamala Harris
In a surprising announcement on Saturday, President Joe Biden declared his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, citing the best interests of his party and the nation. Biden, who had previously expressed intentions to seek reelection, emphasized that stepping down would allow him to focus entirely on his duties as President for the remainder of his term.
“It has been my intention to seek reelection, but I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden stated in his official statement.
Biden acknowledged the challenges ahead and expressed his commitment to his presidential responsibilities, stating, “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Read also: Shaibu vows to restore dignity to deputy govs’ office amid impeachment
Reflecting on his tenure, Biden highlighted his initial decision in 2020 to select Kamala Harris as his Vice President, describing it as the best decision he had made. He went on to announce his full support and endorsement of Harris as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden affirmed.
“Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Biden’s withdrawal marks a significant turn in the political landscape leading up to the next presidential election, as the Democratic Party now prepares to rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their candidate. His decision to step aside underscores his commitment to ensuring a unified front against incumbent President Trump and the Republican Party in the upcoming electoral contest.
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Biden endorses Kamala Harris for President
President Joe Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris as his preferred presidential nominee for his party.
Biden announced on his official X page on Sunday, shortly after he withdrew from the United States November presidential election.
He had said it was in the best interest of his party and the country to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term.
“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats—it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” he added.
Biden endorses Kamala Harris for President
BREAKING: Biden withdraws from US presidential election
President Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the United States November presidential election.
Details to follow…
BREAKING: Biden withdraws from US presidential election
Shaibu vows to restore dignity to deputy govs’ office amid impeachment
Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, asserted on Sunday that his ongoing fight against impeachment aims to restore the dignity of the deputy governor’s office, which he believes has been consistently undermined since the advent of democracy in 1999.
Shaibu made these remarks following a thanksgiving service held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin, the state capital, where he emphasized that his legal victory symbolizes a triumph for democracy itself.
“It is disheartening that some governors continue to treat their deputies with disdain, despite both being elected on the same ticket,” Shaibu lamented, stressing the need for legislative measures to protect the office of the deputy governor across Nigeria.
“My reinstatement by the court is a testament to divine intervention,” Shaibu declared, urging government action to investigate the recent killing of a police inspector during an incident involving the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, at Benin Airport.
“My fight for reinstatement is not just for myself but for all deputy governors in the country,” Shaibu asserted. “I am determined to ensure that the sanctity and respect due to the office of the deputy governor are upheld in accordance with the constitution of Nigeria. What other deputy governors may shy away from challenging, I will confront head-on to ensure governors begin to accord due respect to this office.”
Read also: Reps threaten sanctions against oil firms over $60bn cash calls probe
Reflecting on his legal victory, Shaibu remarked passionately, “I challenged God to demonstrate His power in my life amidst those who oppose democracy and seek to use me as a scapegoat. I demanded swift justice, and by divine grace, the judgment arrived sooner than anticipated, reaffirming that democracy prevails.”
Shaibu also called upon the youth of Edo State to exercise their voting rights wisely in the upcoming election, urging them to reject “anti-democratic forces” at the ballot box.
“This election is pivotal for rooting out anti-democratic elements,” he emphasized. “Let us use our votes to effect change peacefully. I have consistently advocated against violence, even amidst the intimidation and harassment I have faced over the past year.”
Shaibu vowed to continue championing democracy and ensuring that the rights and dignity of every elected official, including deputy governors, are upheld without compromise.
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Outrage as Nigerian lawmaker gifts daughter SUV for graduating from secondary school
A member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi has come under heavy criticism for gifting his daughter, Aisha, a new Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, after her graduation from secondary school.
Reports had earlier emerged online stating that the lawmaker gifted his daughter who graduated from the Lead British International School, Abuja, the luxurious car.
It was also reported that Aisha’s gift followed her excellent performance in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations.
Sharing photos from the graduation ceremony on Instagram on Saturday, Gagdi wrote, “Today, I attended my amazing daughter’s graduation ceremony. Watching you, my dear daughter, walk across that stage fills my heart with immense pride and love.
“I celebrate your achievements and the strength you’ve shown. Here’s to a future filled with endless possibilities and happiness”.
However, some Nigerians took to their social media handles to lambast the lawmaker for the SUV gift, citing the ravaging economic situation of the country.
Some X microblogging users, who also shared the photos, accused the lawmaker of neglecting his constituency.
Here are some of the reactions from X.
@hurabaibrahim wrote: “If @officialEFCC are seriously fighting corruption,the source of funds of this member should have been under investigation because even the known rich business men in Nigeria don’t behave in this way.”
Another X user, @RukayyaBauchi said, “Nigerian Politics is the most lucrative business in the whole world. Imagine a secondary school leaver driving an SUV of this nature? Oil money.”
Also reacting to the development, @johnway11145073 said, “He lost in his constituency. He was brought to the chamber by their court. Plateau people will shock him come 2027. We are watching.”
@kingsley1463388 wrote: “When she graduates from the University,he will buy a private Jet for her with our “PRAYERS” that’ re being sent to his mail box from our collective sweats.”
An X user with the handle, @OMOONABANJOX, said, “Graduates are unemployed, the economic hardship is at it highest, no money no food for the poor masses, the public officials are lavishing our resources on there family and put it to our face that we cannot do anything. God will judge.”
Outrage as Nigerian lawmaker gifts daughter SUV for graduating from secondary school
Reps threaten sanctions against oil firms over $60bn cash calls probe
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Finance and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) has issued a stern warning threatening punitive measures against oil companies that refuse to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the alleged $60 billion inflated cash calls under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s Joint Venture Agreements.
Co-chaired by James Faleke (Finance) and Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (Petroleum Resources), the joint committee, on Saturday, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the absence of chief executives from several key companies and agencies during recent hearings.
They also criticized the quality of presentations made by representatives who did attend, cautioning against the practice of sending proxies instead of top executives.
In response to the lack of cooperation, Co-Chairman Ado-Doguwa emphasized that the committee would not tolerate any attempts to undermine the constitutional authority of the parliament. In a statement released by the committee’s media team on Sunday, Ado-Doguwa stated: “For those who have not come because there were several companies and agencies that were invited and it’s like they were insensitive to the invitation of this important committee, this is unacceptable.”
Read also: Utomi blasts presidential aide, Onanuga, over mass protest allegations
He continued, “Myself and all members of the committee are of the view that we would be compelled going forward to invoke and also create any means possible to use the available instrumentalities of law to make sure that whoever is invited appears and if any of them decide not to appear, then, at the end, we will be compelled to use the instrumentalities of the law around us to compel appearance.”
The committee directed its clerk to meticulously review records to identify companies that failed to attend without valid reasons, reaffirming that appropriate actions would be taken against them.
The probe involves numerous prominent entities in Nigeria’s oil sector, including Total Exploration, Shell Petroleum, Agip, Chevron, Oando, Mobil, Pan Ocean, Eroton, Belema, First Exploration, New Cross Exploration, Seplat Petroleum, Amini International Petroleum, West Africa Exploration and Production Limited, Walter Smith Petroleum Limited, ND Western Limited, Sahara Energy Limited, First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited, Neconde Energy Limited, Elcrest Exploration and Production Limited, and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited.
The committee’s determination underscores its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public finances, particularly in sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic development.
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Edo Govt, Shaibu in verbal war over killing of police officer, invasion of Benin Airport
As reactions continue to trail the last Thursday’s violence at the Benin Airport which resulted in the death of a Police Inspector, the Edo State Government and the reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, are at each other’s throat over who masterminded the crisis.
TVN reports that while the State Government in its petition to the Inspector-General of Police accused Philip Shaibu of orchestrating the crisis along with some APC chieftains, Shaibu, however, accused the state government’s security agencies of killing the Police officer.
TVN recalls that on Thursday, July 18, 2024 suspected sponsored armed political thugs invaded the vicinity of the Benin Airport at the time Shaibu and the governorship candidate of APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, arrived from Abuja.
The invasion led to the killing of a Police Inspector, Akor Onuh, of MOPOL 45 Abuja, an orderly attached to the APC governorship candidate, while several other persons sustained various degrees of injury.
The Edo State Government’s petition signed by the State Solicitor General, Prof Faith Osadolor on behalf of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident by inviting Shaibu and his supporters.
He said if the accused are found culpable, they should be brought to book.
The petition was titled, ‘Request to Investigate a Case of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Murder, Malicious Damage to Property, Breach of Public Peace and Assault Occasioning Harm by Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu and his Cohorts’.
Reacting to the development, Shaibu described the petition as a mere statement that is devoid of legal substances.
Shaibu spoke at a ‘Special Thanksgiving service in appreciation of God’s protection, provision and grace’ over him and his household, on Sunday.
The reinstated deputy governor, who said he would not like to join issues with the State Government, accused the Edo State Security Network, ESSN, and the State Public Works Volunteers, PUWOV, of being responsible for the invasion of the airport, killing the Police officer and shooting of several other persons.
He opined that the State Government was struggling with words to exonerate itself of the crime.
Shaibu said, “I don’t want to join issues with useless statements. You can see that they are struggling hard to prove that they have no hands in what has happened.
“But they know what they have done and are trying to cover it up, but this one they cannot cover it. Particularly when they have killed a police officer. All of them must be picked, they orchestrated it, and the men of the vigilante and PUWOV did that, they killed a policeman and IG must invite them.
“They orchestrated it, the men of Vigilant, and PUWOV did that. The vigilante in Edo state killed the policeman and injured people.
“The IGP will definitely go into it. Don’t worry yourself about their useless petition. They are struggling to see how they can rope people in. They cannot rope anybody in. The vigilante killed a policeman.”
Shaibu called on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police to set up panel of inquiry not just to investigate the incident, but to also proscribe vigilantes and the PUWOV.
Edo Govt, Shaibu in verbal war over killing of police officer, invasion of Benin Airport
Nigerian Govt promises to complete ongoing nationwide road projects
The Federal Government has assured that none of the ongoing road projects, either those inherited from the previous administration or the ones newly awarded, would be abandoned.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, gave the assurance over the weekend in Abuja during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Solomon Ademola (APC Ogun West), where he provided an insight into the N6.2 trillion supplementary appropriation approval for the 2024 budget by the National Assembly as requested by President Bola Tinubu.
Bagudu, while trying to douse the agitation of members of the committee on the fate of other deplorable roads and uncompleted projects in their various constituencies, emphasized that the Federal Government has not abandoned any of the projects.
He categorically stated that the government is not giving priority attention to the innovative projects at the expense of other road projects, assuring that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, would continue to consider and give financial approval to other roads as funds are available.
Although he did not give a detailed statement of the supplementary approval, the minister gave a sectoral overview of both the N3.2 trillion Renewed Hope Infrastructure Projects and the N3 trillion increase in the recurrent component of the budget.
Bagudu noted that the Federal Government had not invested enough in infrastructural development due to several problems encountered recently which resulted in under-investment in several multi-dimension infrastructure.
He, however, commended the President for the political will to confront the infrastructure deficit by seeking the N3.2 trillion to fund the projects which include the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, the Sokoto-Badagry highway and the Trans-Sahara highway.
He assured that the projects, when completed, would increase economic activities and shore up the nation’s revenue base, adding that the projects would encourage massive transformation apart from strengthening economic realities.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, said the government has full capacity to finance the 2024 budget.
He, however, implored the minister to make available to the committee a detailed breakdown of the N6.2 trillion approval as soon as possible.
Nigerian Govt promises to complete ongoing nationwide road projects
Utomi blasts presidential aide, Onanuga, over mass protest allegations
Former presidential aspirant and political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has blasted Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following allegations that he (Utomi) was one of the organizers of the planned nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1st.
Onanuga had, in a statement posted on X on Saturday, alleged that Utomi as well as Peter Obi and his supporters were organizing the nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernment protests aimed at destabilizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“FS Yusuf, another rabid Obi supporter, and Professor Pat Utomi, a Labour Party chieftain and a guy on X who goes by the pseudonym Peter Obi’s First Son” are behind the planned protests,” Onanuga had alleged.
But while reacting to the allegations on his X handle on Sunday, Utomi said he was surprised that Onanuga would accuse him falsely as he had nothing to do with the planned protests.
“Esteem just collapsed before me. I used to think Bayo Onanuga was a journalist of some standing until I began to receive calls this morning about his accusing me of planning demonstrations for August,” Utomi wrote.
“First I have been resident in Washington DC and occupied by an intense Fellowship for months with additional work on a book project such that I did not even know demonstrations were being planned until I called a senior civil servant in Abuja who I sent a questionnaire on public policy reforms.
“I mentioned I would be in Ghana for events around the AU summit and he said if you will come into Nigeria careful that demonstrations in August do not make you run into flight disruptions.
“That is how I heard of protests being planned. This morning when I heard about Onanuga’s comment my inclination was to ignore it.
“But another caller suggested it could deliberate falsehood to rationalize a sinister plan. I would like Mr Onanuga to present any evidence to justify his comment.
“Let it be clear that I have nothing against protests. It is a legitimate instrument of democracy for raising the voice of citizens.
“I have participated in many in my time. From my undergraduate days at UNN to marching with concerned professionals following the June 12 election annulment.
“So if I were part of whatever is being planned for August, I would wear it as a badge of honor and not wait to be called out by Bayo Onanuga.”
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