Arewa Times

The Trade Group under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources – All River Basin Development Authority (FMWR/RBDAs) has given the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu two weeks ultimatum to either sack the Managing Director of Lower Niger River Development Authority (LNRBDA) Ilorin, Dr. Saheed Adeniyi Aremu or they will embark on nationwide strike.

This is contained in a Communique at the end of their trade union meeting duly signed by the Forum Chairman, Engr. Mudi Olayinka Raji and the Secretary, Engr. Nwabueze Ibeneme and made available to Newsmen on Tuesday.

The Communique reads ” The forum is disheartened by the inhuman treatment of staff by the Dr. Aremu. The maltreatment is eclipse by the unwillingness of the Minister to take necessary action over the several misdemeanorous and various acts of corruption allegations against Engr Aremu.

” The forum wishes to notify the Minister that all RBDAs will embark on nationwide protests if Dr. Aremu remains Office beyond 27th of December, 2023

” The forum is concerned about the ongoing trend of gross mismanagement of RBDAs mandate as some RBDAs use of the budget for policy implementation. This has resulted in the Government spending money inefficiently and non optimally.

The Communique appealed to the ministry to ensure that the RBDAs adhere strictly to the statutory mandate of the Authority by tailoring their budget towards the objective of their establishment especially Federal Government policies in the areas of irrigation Agriculture and foods security.

The forum further stressed that some of their members at the branches level have embraced an inappropriate means of reporting issues to the some organs of the Authority thereby bypassing the executives. It thereby seek that status quo should be maintained by abiding by the rules and regulations in carrying out activities.

A civil society group, the Action Alliance of Virginia Pavilion, has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to disqualify presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election over alleged involvement in narcotics and money laundering.

The group in the letter titled “Demand for You to Uphold The Oath of Your Office By Delisting The Name of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu As The Presidential Candidate of The All Progressives Congress in the 2023 General Election”, sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday December 13, stated that Tinubu by virtue of his forfeiture of the sum of $460, 000 to the United States government in 1993 is not fit to hold public office.

In the letter dated November 14 and signed by the group’s lawyer, Mr Kalu Kalu, the group argued that Section 137(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution forbids anyone under a fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud from vying for the office of president in Nigeria.

The group also drew the attention of the INEC boss to letters earlier served on the NDLEA and Attorney General of the Federation, over the issue.

“As evident in recent media reports you are already aware of the contents of the Court proceedings referenced in annexure “L1”. However, for ease of reference we hereto attach the said proceedings and is marked annexure “B”

“Arising from the proceedings in annexure “B” we demand that you uphold your oath of office which enjoins you to perform your duties in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. We, therefore, invite your esteemed attention to Section 137(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution which provides thus:

“A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if he is… under a fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal.. . “

“Arising from the above provision we state clearly that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is disqualified from contesting the presidential election in 2023 in accordance with the above provision”.

In supporting their allegations, the group referenced part of the Court judgement which read thus:
“It is hereby ordered that the funds in the amount of $460, 000 in account 263226700 held by First Heritage Bank in the name of Bola Tinubu represent proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were involved in financial transactions in violation of and therefore these funds are forfeited to the United States…

“It is further ordered that First Heritage Bank shall issue a cheque in the amount of$460, 000 payable to Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and these funds shall be disposed of according to law”.

The group described as “improper” the unwillingness of the commission to investigate Tinubu, over the issue, just as it threatened legal action.

“Indeed, your Press Release revealed a clear intention to aid a drug baron and money launderer to escape the sanctions of the law.

“Accordingly, we are by this letter making a demand that you issue a proper statement on the matter to the effect that you will, in accordance with the Constitution, delist Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a Presidential Candidate in view of the express decision in annexure “B” which imposed a forfeiture on the account of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his involvement in Narcotics Trafficking and Money Laundering.

“TAKE NOTICE that unless you heed the demand herein made within seven (7) days from receipt of this letter, we shall without further notice to you take appropriate legal action to compel you to keep faith with the Constitution which is supreme to which you swore to uphold.

“We do hope wise Counsel will prevail..

The Social democratic party (SDP) has promised to strengthen Nigeria’s human rights institutions and ensure institutional support for human rights and educate citizens more on the fundamentals of human right.
The party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo said these during the Presidential Town Hall on Human Rights And The 2023 Elections which held on Saturday 10th December, in commemoration of the 2022 International Human Rights day.
The town hall was organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the United Nations Nigeria.
The commission invited presidential candidates to make presentations on how they intend to protect and fulfill the human rights of Nigerians should they be elected.
Prince Adebayo said his party will bring in a new crop of leadership that recognize human rights, and provide what the citizens need to uphold their dignity, which is what human rights demand.
He said, “Chapter 2 of the constitution says that there’s a level of dignity you must give to people and to give them that dignity, you must provide certain infrastructure in the society and the government is most equipped to make those changes”.
“That is why when you see the manifesto of the Social Democratic Party, why we are even called the social Democratic Party is that we believe that social investments in nutrition, in basic housing and habitats in education, in affordable health care in basic infrastructure will raise civilization to a point where there is less tension in the society”.
The SDP presidential candidate said human right like any other agenda in the society, and is a continuous engagement that requires full attention.
He further said human rights should be enshrined in Nigeria’s culture so that respecting human rights would become a part of life for everyone.
“We should look at human right as a culture. I’ve lived in many countries and in countries in which human rights are respected; it is not a government thing”.
“It is that generally that their society has gotten used to human rights, where you respect the rights of people generally”, Adebayo added.
The International Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10th December in commemoration of the adoption of universal declaration on human rights.
Other presidential candidates present to speak during the townhall included; Professor Christopher Imumolen of Accord party, Hamza Al-Mustapha of AA ; Omoyele Sowore of AAC; Yabagi Yusuf Sani Jakardan of ADP; and others.
Prince Adebayo was accompanied by other members of his entourage – Khadijat Bolanle Lamidi-Okunu,
Sen. Ugochukwu Uba, Mr Patrick Anethua, Pastor Ade Alabi and Chief Godwin Osigbeme.

APCO Media Team

The President and Convener of Asiwaju’s Redemption Movement, Chief Otumba Niyi Dada has disclosed that only God can determine the fitness of any Human being noting that the Presidential Candidate of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best for the 2023 general elections.

He made the disclosure during a courtesy called to the President of Favoured Farmers Community Empowerment Trust (FFACET), Ambassador Joseph Tanimu Yakubu on Wednesday.

He said ” We are working together with FFACET as members of Asiwaju movement towards the actualization of his presidency. We are here to Strategizes in mobilizing farmers in their millions to vote for him.

” It is a project we have started two years ago by contacting the traditional rulers in South West where we have done alot of empowerment to farmers to engage in farming.

According to him the footprints of Tinubu in Transforming Lagos State into a modern is the reasons why Nigerians should vote for him as the president.

He said ” Tinubu has laid the lagos modern foundation since 1999 and he has the capacity to identify manpower by putting the peg in the round hole who are Technocrat to drive the economy.

On the status of Tinubu’s health, he said “it’s only God that can determine who has good health. I can assure you that the worst American player turns out to be the best but I can assure you that as a teamplayer when you have the right persons around you they will deliver full capacity.

” Tinubu is a unifier who have worked with Nigerians cutting across all geographical zones across the country. So he is the best candidate to where the presidency shoe in 2023.

Earlier, the President of FFACET and National Vice President of Asiwaju’s Redemption Movement, Ambassador Yakubu said ” Tinubu’s historical records as the former Governor of Lagos speaks volume as the best candidate of the Presidential Election.

He stressed that as farmers they have benefited in the APC’s administration through keying into their Programmes like the Anchor Borrowers Programme, NIRSAL loans empowerment for farmers among others therefore he is calling on all farmers to support Tinubu.

Over 3,000 Christian and Muslim Clerics from all 36 States of Nigeria and FCT under the platform Of Nigeria Inter-Faith Alliance (NIFA) will be holding a rally to endorse Mr Peter Obi and Dr Ahmed Datti on December 13, 2022 in Jikwoyi Abuja in what is believed to be the mother of all endorsements so far.

The Nigeria Inter-Faith Alliance NIFA, that comprises both Christian and Islamic leaders all over Nigeria will receive the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi; his Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed with their entourage and some key leaders of Labour Party; live from 10am on Tuesday December 13, 2022 at World Harvest Pavilion by Ashaka Cement Bus Stop in Jikwoyi, Abuja for the endorsement rally, which will also serve to flag off religious communities massive mobilisation for Obi-Datti.

According to Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas who is the National Coordinator of the inter-faith group and the Visioneer as well as the Chief Host of the event, “even Nigerians from diaspora are going to grace the occasion in addition to highly respected Islamic Sheikhs across Nigeria like Sheikh Mahmoud Murtadam, Sheikh Alhassan Useni and Sheikh Mohammad Musa who are part of the co-hosts and are mobilising other Islamic clerics for the Inter-faith Alliance Rally”.

Also the Atlanta based Apostle David Solomon, who played host to Mr Peter Obi in Atlanta Georgia during his tour of United States of America, has arrived Nigeria leading other Nigerians in diaspora for the rally and he will be speaking during the endorsement rally. In an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja, Apostle David said, “this endorsement rally will be the mother of all endorsements so far and it will shake the political landscape in Nigeria.

“In the past, politicians have been throwing seed of division between Christians and Muslims so as to have their way, But it’s no longer tenable as we have come together as brothers and sisters, citizens of the same country to face our common slave masters, in a battle to rescue our dear country from their hostage. And it will be this 2023 that we, Nigerians will take back our country through Mr Peter Obi as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The US based Apostle concluded.