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President Tinubu compassionate, concerned about current hardship -Aide

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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has said that President Bola Tinubu was compassionate and concerned about current hardship Nigerians were facing.

The media aide disclosed this during an interact session with heads of broadcast stations and commentators on Tuesday in Kano.

Abdulaziz explained that the President was aware of the hardship Nigerians were facing due to the various policy decisions of the administration.

He noted that the government was working on reducing the burden to make life easier for Nigerians.

“The president is already taking measures to address the challenges brought about by the reforms introduced by the administration in all sectors of the economy,” he added.

According to him, to cushion the effect of the removal of subsidy on states, the Federal Government (FG) announced N5 billion as palliative measures for each state of the federation as well as trucks of grains.

He said that already all the states received N2 billion from the Federal Government.

Abdulaziz revealed that funds were also released to acquire units of CNG-fuelled buses.

The media aide further said that the President also approved students loan to make education more affordable for students of tertiary institutions.

“Mr President has approved the removal of all restrictions on the student loan to make it available to any student or household that may desire it.

“For civil servants, the Federal Government has commenced the payment of N35,000 wage award that would last for six months until a new national minimum wage is announced.

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“Also , in an effort to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, the FG will soon commence the payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month for three months,” he explained.

Abdulaziz, who restated FG’s commitment to protecting lives and property of Nigerians, said that the president accorded high priority to defence and internal security.

He assured the media personalities that the President would always uphold media freedom and respect divergent views

The President’s aise urged the media to support and promote good government policies and programmes.

Abdulaziz said that the media by the virtue of its role and functions was a genuine avenue to keep the government alive to its responsibilities.

In a remark, the chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano Council, Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim, urged journalists to seek self development, sharpen their skills and create a legacy for themselves.

He also called on them to be committed and creative in what ever they do as the profession was now performance driven.

Ibrahim further enjoined journalists to fight the spread of fake news, promote good government policies and also hold government responsible to the people.

The chairman said that Abdulaziz had no doubt contributed immensely to the development of journalism and his achievements in the industry could not be over emphasised.

He then commended him for coming home, inspite of his tight schedule, to organise the interactive session.(NAN

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Politics

SDP condemns Kogi govt’s ban on rallies

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The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has condemned the ban on political rallies and convoys imposed by the state government.

State Chairman of SDP, Mr Ahmed Attah, issued the condemnation in a statement signed by the SDP Press Secretary, Isaiah Ijele, on Tuesday in Lokoja.

The party described the ban as an attack on democratic principles and a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices.

Attah urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to learn from the past and avoid repeating old, harmful practices that have hindered the state’s progress.

“The party views this action as an attempt to suppress the freedom of association and movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Attah insisted that the state is not at war and urged the government to focus on development instead of engaging in political manoeuver.

He warned that Kogi must not return to the dark days of repression, particularly against the opposition. (NAN)

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How mega opposition coalition can defeat Tinubu in 2027 election —Ex-presidential candidate

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The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.

Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,

“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.

“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.

“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.

“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.

“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.

He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.

Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.

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He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested

Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.

He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.

NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.

Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)

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APC grants Governor Otu automatic ticket for 2027 election

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Monday granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 general election.

Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.

Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.

He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.

“The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.

He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”

He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.

“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.

He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.

Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Tinubu’s decision.

He applauded the President for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis. (NAN)

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