Politics
President Tinubu on The Right Path To Accelerate Development -Arewa Professionals UK President, Yunana Shibkau
President Tinubu on The Right Path To Accelerated Development
-Arewa Professionals UK President, Yunana Shibkau
Engr. Yunana Shibkau is the pioneer National Vice Chairman, of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and is currently, the President of Arewa Professionals in the United Kingdom. He speaks in this interview about President Tinubu’s administrative style and expectations. Excerpts…
What is your assessment of President Tinubu’s administration so far, does it herald hope for Nigerians?
Of course, Mr. President means well to Nigerians. Do not forget that President cannot say “Let there be food” for example and there will be food, a gestation period is required. He proclaimed a state of emergency on food security after noticing the high cost of food items; there are numerous factors to consider when it comes to food security, and transportation and preservation are crucial. Farmers would soon have access to funding for planting, and the narrative would have altered in less than seven months. The government has provided grains as a temporary fix. I want to appeal to Nigerians, that supporting government policies and decisions is one part of keeping it on the path of prosperity and development, while keeping track of government activities, being vigilant about them and highlighting loopholes in policies are also needed in a democracy. The President would never take any irrational decision for the happiness and prosperity of the masses. It is envisaged that Mr. President’s ambitious initiatives to reform the economy and the political system that would follow would elicit politicised responses. Let us think about the removal of subsidies for petroleum products (PMS). Aside from Mr. President, who promised Nigerians during the campaign that he would end the subsidy, Obi and Atiku also made the same pledge. Unfortunately, they disagree after the removal; how could anyone trust such political figures? Mr. President has stayed less than 100 days in office, I implore Nigerians to give him the benefit of the doubt and keep holding out hope that, after a year, his initiatives would begin to bear fruit.
President Tinubu has commissioned an economic team who are to advise on fiscal policies for the country, what are your expectations?
Even though I left the country for the United Kingdom many years ago, I can declare with confidence that I have been one of Mr. President’s close friends from the northern part of Nigeria since 1999 until the present. I know he has set up the fiscal policy and tax reforms committee. When you take a look at the mandate given to the committee, it shows clearly that President Tinubu is ahead of the economic crisis. lam a member of the lnstitute of Engineering and Technology (IET) UK and royal lnstitute of lnternational affairs of Chatham house United Kingdom many potential investors interested in Nigeria’s economy are of concern about multiple taxation and collection which give room for underpayment and leakages. The committee’s main objective is the
advancement of viable and cost-effective solutions to issues such as the multiplicity of revenue collection agencies, the high cost of revenue administration, the excessive burden of compliance on ordinary taxpayers, the lack of effective coordination between fiscal and other economic policies within and across levels of government and poor accountability in the utilisation of tax revenue. This is set to improve the country’s revenue profile while hoping to make the business environment more conducive and internationally competitive and the foreign investors would rest assured that the process is of the best standard. Mr. President would set up Economic Management Team (EMT) made up of members from fiscal and monetary sectors made up of Ministries of Finance, National Planning, a Special Adviser on Revenue mobilisation, the Central Bank Governor and his deputies and other experts in micro and macro economies regardless their portfolios. I remember, Ribadu as EFCC Chairman was a member of the Obasanjo economic management team, they must jointly take decisions and by so doing monitor each other. Lack of monitoring of the immediate CBN Governor, Emefiele brought the Nation to these present monetary policiesrelated matters crisis we are witnessing. With the set of these financial and economic experts of Wale Edun, the former Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Adelabu, Special Adviser on Revenue mobilisation and others, these are tested professionals, there would turn around of our economy that would manifest soon.
Nigerians are groaning under the crunch of skyrocketing foreign exchanges alongside the removal of subsidies. Do you expect a more vibrant economy going forward?
On the foreign exchange issue, the acting CBN Governor said yesterday that the bank would intervene. I think we have saboteurs within, to my understanding, it seems there is a huge amount of dollars in circulation. Why should the banks pay customers in dollars instead of the naira equivalent, since the rate is the same? I send money home through banks and the receivers collect dollars, the banks refuse to buy or exchange in naira. The same bank officials direct the receivers to black market buyers to exchange for naira. I strongly believe the economy would pick up soon. How could a country where more than 80 per cent of revenue is used to service debts, mind you we are not paying the principal amount borrowed yet and the same country is importing refined petroleum products and paying in dollars, if the President did not take that bold decision of subsidy removal, the country could have been in a more serious mess. Emefiele as the Chief Monetary Officer of the Federation disappointed Nigerians. I read recently, that between 2021 and 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria under Emefiele spend N2.66bn to mint coins, for God’s sake, are we still spending coins in Nigeria, you should know more than me.
On the size of the cabinet, what can you say?
The size is not the issue in as much as they are relevant but I have an issue with the number of MDAs and its duplication. For example, what is the duty of the National Orientation agency that operates offices across the 36 states and in 774 LGs? I think such an agency should be merged with Human Rights Commission. National Emergency Management Agency and National Commission for Refugees should be merged and many others.
What is your response to those that are calling for a coup?
I want to admonish the military against heeding calls for them to seize control because it would be bad for the country. If the coup threat is real, the military and DSS should use their intelligence to detain and warn individuals who are asking for a change of government illegally. It has recently been done in Sierra Leone. A few coup plotters were detained. If capturing the formal institutions of state power is what all politicians are interested in, democracy would always fail. People’s attitudes will shift organically once democracy is seen as a set of principles including everyone’s shared effort.
*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*
As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.
Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.
Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.
“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”
Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.
“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.
He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.
He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.
Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic
ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.
Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”
The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.
“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.
“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”
The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.
“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”
Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.
He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Source: Daily Independent
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