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Senator Gemade blasts Obasanjo over call for cancellation of Nigeria’s “valid elections”

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2023

NewsDirect

…Urges Buhari, INEC chairman to ignore him

The former Minister of Works of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and elder statesman, Chief (Senator) Barnabas Gemade has described the call for the cancellation of the validly conducted Nigeria’s 2023 general elections by the former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as assault on Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law.

Chief Gemade also called on all leaders of this country and lovers of democracy to rise against this imprudent intervention.

He made the disclosure in a press statement against the former president’s call for cancellation of presidential election results.

Senator Gemade urged President Buhari and INEC chairman, Yakubu to ignore the ex – president insignificant views.

The text of the press statement reads:
“Gentlemen of the press, I warmly welcome you to this important press conference. This is a sad moment in the annals of our country’s democracy. The people who moved against the wish of our people and annulled a free and fair election in the past are at work again.

Gentlemen of the press, I invited you here because of an assault on our democracy and rule of law. All leaders of this country and lovers of democracy must rise against this imprudent intervention. Indeed, we must all rise up in defence of democracy.

After 24 years of unbroken democracy, this is not the kind of thing we want to encounter. We cannot afford to allow the gains we have recorded to be frittered away by a few misguided people who neither worked for democracy nor believed in its principles. Unfortunately, this set of people reaped from democracy; they reaped from our sweat, from our labour for democracy. They reaped bountifully from where they did not sow.

The call on Monday by former president Olusegun Obasanjo for the cancellation of a validly conducted election is a call for insurrection. It’s an attempt to incite our people to take arms against the state. It’s an assault on our collective psyche. We must not allow Obasanjo to have his way. We must condemn him and his satanic and unpatriotic call. I strongly condemn his statement and I call on all well-meaning Nigerians and our security agencies to call him to order. Security agents must pay special attention to this man and his antics.

For the likes of me, I find it difficult to understand why Obasanjo thinks he approximates the entire country. Why does he think he can decide for the country, or for the Nigerian people who have voted for a presidential candidate of their choice. Does Obasanjo understand what a transparent and credible election mean? Is he even qualified to talk about credibility in an election? Someone who corrupted our electoral system and through his protege, Prof Maurice Iwu, organised perhaps the most fraudulent election ever witnessed in this country. This was after he failed in his bid to get an unconstitutional third term in office.

This former president wants to set standards for other leaders to follow. The truth is he has no standard or quality in his ways. What you find in his ways are indecency, dishonesty, deception, double face, treachery and wickedness. No one can give what he does not have. Obasanjo has been a thorn in the flesh of many presidents who came after him ostensibly for their refusal to hero worship him.

Why does Obasanjo want to abort the baby that has already been born? Why does he want to visit violence on the country? Why does he want to plunge the country into anarchy? Because the fact is a winner has emerged from Saturday February 25 free and fair election.

I urge President Buhari and INEC Chairman Prof. Yakubu to ignore him.

The INEC chairman should announce the remaining results of the election and bring the process to a close. With this wicked and evil call, Obasanjo has added an inch to his opprobrium. He must be put where he belongs: in the dustbin of history”, Gemade said.

News

I have one less school fees to pay – Gov. Makinde remarks as his daughter graduates from Yale (See Pictures)

Published

46 mins ago

May 21, 2024

NewsDirect

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr.Seyi Makinde has expressed relief on the graduation of his daughter from Yale University.

Makinde on his instragram is quoted to have expressed relief that he has one less school fees to pay.

The Governor prayed that his daughter will have the best in this new chapter of her life noting that her hardworking and diligence has paid off.

Well wishers who attended the graduation include the First Lady of Oyo State, Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde, Governor of Kwara state, Abdulrazaq AbdulRahman, Hon. Adedeji Olajide representing Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency, amongst others.

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1,681 vulnerable Lagos residents get N1bn financial assistance

Published

6 hours ago

May 21, 2024

NewsDirect

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement has provided financial assistance worth N1 billion to 1,681 vulnerable residents, aimed at alleviating economic hardship.

According to Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, this financial support is a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens.

Speaking on Monday during the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark the second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Afolabi also announced that the Governor plans to revive the school feeding programme for primary school pupils before the end of the year.

He said the move is expected to benefit thousands of pupils across the state, providing them with a nutritious meal during school hours.

According to him, “Sanwo-Olu Listens’ financial assistance to struggling Lagosians is a social welfare programme designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable citizens in Lagos State has been sustained for five consecutive years.

“It is a fact that Lagos is not immune from the ever-increasing poverty rate in Nigeria, hence the government of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, cognisance of this unpalatable trend has therefore taken necessary steps in providing support to help reduce poverty.

“During the period under review, 1,681 vulnerable residents of Lagos State were assisted in one way or the other.”

He added that 1,074 individuals are still awaiting this benefit, which will be addressed within the next two weeks.

“So far, we have spent N1 billion on financial assistance since the program began. Once we complete the distribution to the remaining beneficiaries, we will provide the total sum expended.”

Regarding the school feeding program for primary school pupils, the Commissioner stated, “Once we finalise all the details, we will provide an update. There are many steps involved, including determining the number of pupils.”

“By the end of the year, we will disclose the total amount spent on the school feeding program.”

He also mentioned that to ensure proper engagement and feedback, the state government launched the Lagos Citizens Gate App in April 2023.

News

1.2 million students to benefit from loan fund in initial phase — Official

Published

6 hours ago

May 21, 2024

NewsDirect

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that up to 1.2 million students in federal tertiary institutions will be eligible for student loans in the program’s initial phase.

This was revealed on Monday by the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, ahead of the formal launch of the application portal on Friday.

According to Sawyerr, students from federal institutions that have completed uploading their data will be able to apply for the loan in this first phase, which begins on May 24.

The application process has been streamlined to ensure ease of access for all qualified students in these institutions.

The NELFUND program is a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at providing financial support to needy students. The loan will cover obligatory fees and stipends, enabling students to pursue their academic goals without worrying about the financial burden.

He also added that the Fund will pay 100 percent of institutional fees directly to the institutions of learning account while also providing stipends to the students monthly based on when school is in session.

He stressed the importance of some of the key features of the student loan including, No physical contact between the loan applicant and NELFUND, a user-friendly Loan Application portal, comprehensive support where applicants can access online support to assist and flexible repayment plans.

According to him, “We encourage all students in federal institutions to take advantage of this opportunity to secure the required financial assistance for their education. Applicants must submit their applications as early as possible to ensure timely processing.”