Opinion
Now That The Cashtivists And Dissociaters Have Failed. Will Mr. President Listen?
Along with many well-meaning citizens we warned that talking down on the Gen Z Organizers of the ongoing protests across Nigeria will do Government no good. We warned that spending our collective wealth on Cashtivists who promised to frustrate the protests will boomerang. We warned that paid dissociaters were only scamming the government as one cannot dissociate from a protocol one knows nothing about. We warned that threats and words of nullification by Government Spokespersons, and Operators of State will escalate tension and further anger the already angry young People. Now that the Cashtivists and Dissociaters have failed, will Mr. President listen to those who truly care about Nigeria, and those who want him to succeed.
Will Mr. President fire the sycophants who got him the present slap? Will Mr. President engage more with the People? Will Mr. President understand that Power truly belong to the People? Will Mr. President embark on the immediate Reform of Government Policies and Programmatic? Will Mr. President and his Party the All Progressive Congress APC remove (or support the Impeachment) of the Jester cum Senate President who has shown a consistency for gibberish, tommyrot and sick mockery, nay he jokes with and about serious issues of State and he is manifestly unfit for the office of the 3rd citizen. Nigeria at this moment cannot afford another another week of a Clown as Senate President.
Will Mr. President slow down on the jet-speed pace with which he has set out to outdo Buhari’s tendency for nepotism? Will Mr. President be more inclusive in his appointments? Will Mr. President cut down the size of his Cabinet, and cut down the cost of governance? Will Mr. President cut down on Profligacy, waste and wanderlust? Will Mr. President declare a State of Emergency on Insecurity; on Agriculture; on Education; on Job Creation; and on Infrastructural Development? Will Mr. President eschew the predilection of his government for Foreign Made Goods and Vehicles, and patronize Nigerian manufacturers and made in Nigeria goods? It will help the Naira against the Dollar.
Will Mr. President learn from the Leadership Secrets of Abraham Lincoln ditto his appointment of his worst critic Stanton as his War/Personal Secretary, and stop seeing his fierce critics as enemies? Will Mr. President sack all Appointees who wield ethnic baiting and divisive demagoguery as instruments of State policy? Will Mr. President put square pegs in square holes and repudiate nepotism, clanishness and kparakpoism? Will Mr. President begin the process of a holistic restructuring of the Country such that the presently dysfunctional entity called Nigeria would become productive, progressive and prosperous? Will Mr. President fight corruption and against his personal convenience hasten to purge the Oil Sector of its Olympic corruption? Will Mr. President address the nation and appeal to the soul and conscience of the Gen Z and indeed the Nigerian hoi polloi?
Will Mr. President undertake a forensic of the Fuel Subsidy protocol, and ensure that the huge scam that it has become is nipped in the bud? Will Mr. President address issues that bother on Electricity Tariff, and ensure that the energy sector is genuinely liberalized for efficiency? Will Mr. President say to the Bretton Woods Institutions ditto the IMF and the World Bank that government MUST subsidize goods and services that will ultimately help for growth and progress? America does that for Agriculture, and Energy. Will Mr. President pursue home grown policies and programs that will encourage hard work and creativity? And will Mr. President begin a holistic overhaul of our education curriculum? Will Mr. President quickly address the nation and deescalate on words of threat and nullification that has heightened the tension in the Land? And finally, will Mr. President assume in words, deeds and actions the status of the Father of the Nation without fanning regional, and or religious embers? I pray that Mr. President listens and turns a new leaf.
Over my head I see a New Nigeria in the horizon.
I’m CHUKWUDUMEBI.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.