2023 Presidency: IGP clears Tinubu of criminal records
…Says allegations against him already adjudicated upon by Supreme Court in 2002
…As Tinubu presents Action Plan to business community, private sector leaders
…Promises to make Nigeria leader, not bystander, in fourth industrial revolution
…Tinubu will bring-in his business acumen to help organised private sector – Sanwo-Olu
…I am confident his administration will benefit Nigerians – Abiodun
…He is not going to learn on the job – Adamu
…As Shettima knocks Atiku, Obi
By Moses Adeniyi
Clearing allegations calling for his prosecution and challenging his qualification to contest the 2023 General Elections, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Alkali Usman, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the presidential candidate of the All Progresdives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has no pending criminal matter with the Police and do not deserve arrest.
According to the IGP, Tinubu had no pending petition and was not a suspect to the Nigeria Police, and hence, could not be subjected to trial.
The clarification was part of the contents of an affidavit filed at the court by his counsel, Mr Wisdom Madaki, trailing some legal actions laying claims to criminal records against the APC candidate.
Madaki filed the affidavit in response to a suit instituted by a civil rights group, the Center for Reform and Public Advocacy, seeking an order of mandamus to compel the police to arrest and prosecute Tinubu for perjury and certificate forgery.
However, the IGP maintained before the court that the Police could not prosecute Tinubu without any offence specifically known to have been committed.
The Police explained that the two petitions it had against Tinubu were on allegations that had been adjudicated upon by the Supreme Court in 2002 in a suit filed by the late human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi.
The affidavit averred that since the alleged perjury and certificate forgery had been resolved by the Apex court, there was no need for the Police to reopen the matter.
The IGP arguing that the Police did not need any court order to make arrests and prosecute since it derived its powers from the constitution and statutes, prayed the court to dismiss the suit brought against him and the Nigeria Police Force for want of merit and jurisdiction.
He also told the court that the plaintiff would not be prejudiced if the suit was dismissed.
Counsel to the group, Mr Eme Ekpu, however, told Justice Inyang Ekwo that the counter affidavit of the Police had just been served on him, praying the court to give him some time to peruse it and reply to it formally.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo granted the request and fixed Jan. 19, 2023 for hearing of the suit.
Recall that the Incorporated Trustees of the Center for Reform and Public Advocacy had dragged the IGP to court.
The suit was predicated on the alleged refusal of the Police to prosecute the presidential candidate of the APC over allegations bothering on forgery.
The suit dated and filed on July 4 on behalf of the group in Abuja by Mr Mike Nwankwo has the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police as 1st and 2nd respondents.
The group said that the legal action against the Police was necessitated by the IGP’s refusal to take action on its petitions against Tinubu.
The petition they said was over an offence it claimed Tinubu committed and was indicted by the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1999.
The applicant maintained that by Sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 4 of the Nigerian Police Act, 2020, the Police have the statutory responsibility to uphold it.
The applicant said this responsibility was to prevent, detect and investigate criminal allegations whether brought to its notice by individuals, persons, corporate bodies or institutions.
The applicant in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2022, is asking the court for an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to comply with Sections 31 and 32 of the Police Act and Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
This, according to the applicant, is with regards to the alleged crime of forgery committed by the APC presidential candidate.
….Tinubu presents Action Plan to business community, private sector leaders
Meanwhile, Tinubu on Tuesday met with the Business Community and the Organised Private Sector (OPS), declaring to them his action plan, while stressing that if elected in the 2023 poll, his administration will fight against insecurity by redefining counterinsurgency doctrine and practice to further secure country.
Tinubu who reiterated his plans to achieve a double figure Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during a Town-hall meeting with the Business Community in Lagos, said having achieved similar economic success as Lagos State Governor, he has the capacity to repeat the same in the country as president.
Tinubu declaring his plan to the business leaders said, “Lagos is an appropriate venue for this meeting. You may have heard that I was once Governor of this dynamic economic force. However, may I remind you that when I first entered office, Lagos was a different story.
“My team and I developed a blueprint, a master plan, for Lagos. I can say that plan has been largely successful. We turned this state into a safer, more prosperous place where people can go about any legitimate vocation or venture regardless of their ethnicity, religion, region or prior social station.
“We did more than open Lagos for business. We opened the door for all Nigeria to join and experience the decent things progressive democratic governance can bring. We were not perfect but we did a lot.
“In doing so, we worked hand in hand with the business community as partners sharing the same goals of prosperity and renewed hope.
“Well, as you might have heard at some point recently, I now stand before you, seeking a bigger yet similar job.”
He, therefore, called on the Lagos Business Community to join hands with him, stating that a viable economy requires collaboration between the political and business communities.
“Nigeria stands at the threshold between indifference and greatness, prosperity and poverty, the future and the past.
“The door is ajar. Together, let us open it so that we may cross over to the better side and secure for this beloved nation its finer destiny.
“The productive and beneficial things we seek do not lie in the sole domain of one sector. They reside in the cooperation between government and the private sector.
“I see no conflict between the business community and government. Yet, with equal conviction, I believe the private sector and government should constantly be at war.
“But they wage this battle not as enemies. They must stand as inseparable allies combating the mutual enemies of scarcity, underdevelopment, joblessness and the fear these bad things breed.
“The pragmatic problem solving and teamwork that improved Lagos, I want to bring to this nation.
“I ask your help as the task ahead is doable but also difficult,” Tinubu stated.
He stressed that the nation needed to move from dependence on exporting its raw materials to nations who sell the finished products to the country at exorbitant prices to one that refines its raw materials for upward export itself.
Applauding the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for its patriotism and commitment, Tinubu enumerated his administration plans to build on its achievements.
These, he said include; reviving dead industries, promote agriculture, provide power, produce and use made in Nigeria goods, build infrastructure and most importantly improve the country’s security.
“From its very inception, our political economy has been imbalanced and in need of major reform. Our political economy is much too dependent on the export of raw material or unfinished goods and the import of increasingly expensive finished products.
“Over the course of the time, gains from natural resource exports will prove largely insufficient to meet the rising costs of imports let alone support even the most basic demands of modern democratic governance.
“The time is now to cure this lapse. And time is of the essence for it does not wait for man or nation.
“We commend the work of prior administrations, especially the present government. This government has performed with patriotism and commitment during trying times.
“We simply must go farther and faster. My experiences in both the private sector and elective office afford me a special appreciation of the economic potency that close collaboration between government and the business community can bring,” he said.
Sharing some of the ideas that provide some insight into his “vision for a more prosperous and secure nation where hope is renewed and despair rebuffed,” he said he would build on regular dialogue, reviving Industry, foster GDP growth, promote Agriculture, build on power, and enhance security.
“All Nigerians must be invested in our better future. We must maintain the channels and spirit of respectful and productive dialogue. At times what I say may help you. Other times, what you say may enlighten me. We must always talk and confer with the best of intentions. Just as this open door policy is with me before the election, I shall continue to honor it after the election.
“We must target double digit GDP to begin to reduce the poverty rate and I am determined to accomplish that.
“We shall bring the nation’s industrial policy to life. Key to this is our aim to create major and minor industrial hubs in each geopolitical zone.
“We shall not be satisfied by bolstering traditional sectors. We will foster productive excellence in new areas such as light manufacturing and the Nollywood entertainment sector. Through active participation in the digital economy, we shall make Nigeria a leader, instead of a bystander, in the fourth industrial revolution.
“We shall continue to press reforms in the sector that will increase productivity, improve farm incomes while lowering food prices and bringing enough food to the tables of ordinary people.
“I am determined to give you the affordable and reliable power you need to drive your businesses in a way that lifts the entire economy.
“We seek a consumer credit revolution, working in concert with the banking industry lead by the CBN. Credit at affordable rates enables the purchase of more cars and the construction of more homes. The standard of living shall rise and the strength of the business sector shall increase in similar measure.
“We must continue with the expansion of infrastructure commenced by the current government from our roads and ports that will path the way to more commerce, to improvement in irrigation and water management/catchment systems to stem the humanitarian and economic tragedy visited on us by seasonal flooding.
“I have saved the single most important point for last. May I conclude with my thoughts on security
“We shall continue the fight against insecurity by redefining our counterinsurgency doctrine and practice. Our response to terror, kidnapping and violent criminality will be defined by the following elements.
“We shall enlist more people in the armed forces, security services and the police.
“Our forces will be given better tactical communications, mobility as well as improved aerial and ground surveillance capacity.
“Through these and other measures, we shall better identify, monitor, track, and defeat these evil groups where they are. They shall have no respite until they surrender or are utterly defeated,” he said.
The session was attended by dignitaries including: Governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Simon Lalong, who is also the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku Bagudu, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, Abubakar Badaru, Dapo Abiodun, Adegboyega Oyetola, Nasir El-Rufai, and Abdullahi Ganduje, of Lagos, Plateau, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Jigawa, Ogun, Osun, Kaduna and Kano States respectively, as well as other party leaders and chieftains.
The business community was duly represented with business leaders including President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, former Chief Executive of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive of Access Bank and other business leaders representing sectoral groups such as agriculture, Oil and Gas, Trade, Manufacturing, creative Sector among others.
Tinubu will bring-in his business acumen to help organised private sector – Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his remark, said Tinubu pioneered several first hand business initiatives when he was Governor of Lagos in 1999, stating he would bring beneficial advantage to the business community through critical engagement.
Some of the key initiatives he mentioned include: Ehingbeti Summit, the LEAP agenda among others.
“During his time, he always had several interactive sessions with the private sector. He is a man that is business driven. Tinubu is a man that can help our businesses in Lagos and Nigeria. He will be able to bring his business acumen to help the private sector,” Sanwo-Olu said.
…I am confident his administration will benefit Nigerians – Abiodun
On his part, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said the fortune of Nigeria will change for good, if Tinubu emerges the President next year.
“This is an open and transparent display of a team that has capacity, experience and knowledge, and will hit the ground running. It is a typical example of what an inclusive governance will be.
“A government that will not be afraid to take issues head on and interact with people. I am highly impressed with how our presidential hopeful delivered his blueprint and I am confident that his administration will benefit Nigerians,” he said.
On his part, Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong said, “Tinubu’s achievements when he was Governor stand him tall among other contestants. Since he left government in 1999, he has remained relevant.”
He further said Tinubu ‘is the best man for the job’, adding APC, does not find it difficult to market him to the business community.
“Tinubu is passionate about bringing prosperity to Nigerians and is eager to put youths to work as well as provide a conducive environment for the private sector to operate,” he said.
….He is not going to learn on the job – Adamu
APC National chairman, Adamu, who was represented by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, said Tinubu has the capacity and knowledge of the economy to lead the country.
“He is not going to learn on the job. I am confident he can lead us to a great future,” he said.
Shettima knocks Atiku, Obi
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, lambasted the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate Peter Obi for allegedly running their campaigns on deceit.
Shettima urged Nigerians to compare and contrast the track record, leadership skill, capacity, capability and ability of APC presidential candidate, Tinubu with the duo and make decisions that will give the country renewed hope.
According to him, the 2023 election will put an end to the career of a political tourist; referring to Atiku’s political career, saying he would be retiring back to Dubai in 2023.
Shettima, urged Nigerians not to trust the former Vice President (Atiku), suggesting that the PDP candidate is not qualified to manage the affairs of the country, having failed to put his political house in order.
“By next year, we are going to permanently retire the political tourist back to Dubai,’ Shettima said.
Referring to Obi, Shettima said that governance goes beyond buying and selling of bottled water, adding that the quoting of wrong statistics and claims of having two pairs of shoes and wristwatches does not make one a good leader.
He called on the LP candidate to show his scorecard in Anambra State as a former governor of the state.
