Politics
Niger coup: Lamido urges Tinubu to confer with former Nigerian leaders
*** Says, the President lacks knowledge on international diplomacy
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Mr Sule Lamido has admonished president Bola Tinubu to tap from the wisdom and connection of Nigeria’s former President’s and heads of State in dealing with the crisis in Niger Republic.
Lamido, who was Nigeria’s minister of Foreign Affairs during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, said the coup in the Niger has given President Tinubu away as someone who does not possess the needed knowledge and understanding in international diplomacy.
Lamido, who stated these while reacting to the stand adopted by ECOWAS Authority Heads of State and Government on the coup d’etat in Niger Republic explained that being an emperor who deployed total dominance of the most populous and prosperous State of Lagos does not confer on him any wisdom in diplomacy.
According to him, since the military intervention in Niger Republic, President Tinubu has found himself walking on a very tightrope and in a state of dilemma on how best to handle the situation in that country.
He further indicated that since the Senate, which is empowered by the Constitution to authorize the President with approval for war, has withheld its endorsement, the best available option left for President Tinubu is to embark on damage control by harvesting from the connection, wisdom and experience of Nigeria’s former Presidents and Heads of State.
In the words of Lamido; “These leaders are highly respected and trusted not only in our sub-region but globally. There is indeed no love lost between President Tinubu and some of them, but certainly, on any issue that affects Nigeria no matter how remote, those leaders will always be there for Nigeria”.
From a post on his verified
Facebook account, the former Governor of Jigawa State said he had expected President Tinubu right from the beginning to look into the chemistry of the cocktail called ECOWAS before taking a weighty decision on any issue that affects the region and its consequences on the country.
In the post titled; “Nigeria/Niger face off”, Lamido said had Tinubu done so, he would have found out what is the history of one of the oldest members of the region, President Alassane Quattara of Ivory Coast, adding that there was a time when Quattara’s nationality was in dispute as it argued that his ancestral country was Mali.
“President Lauren Ghabbo disqualified him from running as president even though he was once Prime Minister of Ivory Coast! But today he is the President of Ivory Coast.
“By a twist of fate, there is today a military junta in Mali (his ancestral home) running the country and we have not heard President Quattara asking for a war to be launched on Mali in the name of democracy. The saying blood is thicker than water readily comes to mind.
“Back to Nigeria and the faceoff with Niger, there is total unanimity in Nigeria that we should not go to war with Niger Republic for so many reasons given by all and sundry, especially the seven States contiguous to the Niger Republic!
“Time is not on the side of both countries. What we had in the last one thousand years has been lost in a matter of a few weeks. But we have a bond and love for each other to build on,” he said.
Politics
Peter Obi in solidarity with Ondo LP candidate, stands firm on democracy
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has once again pledged his commitment to democracy in Nigeria, despite ongoing challenges with the electoral process.
Obi traveled to Ondo State on Monday to campaign alongside LP’s governorship candidate, Hon. Sola Ebiseni, describing him as a capable leader with the necessary competence to effectively govern the state.
Obi highlighted Ebiseni’s work as the Secretary of Afenifere, where he has consistently advocated for fairness, equity, and justice.
Obi urged the people of Ondo to reject transactional politics, which he believes has contributed to misgovernance and poor leadership.
He stressed the importance of choosing leaders who are focused on long-term solutions for the state and the nation.
He concluded with a message of hope: “A new Nigeria is POssible!”
Politics
Kogi State PDP applauds Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s milestone in office
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has celebrated the achievements of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as she marks her one-year anniversary in office. The party praised her dedication to transformative leadership and her efforts to uplift the lives of her constituents.
In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Tijani Umoru, the PDP highlighted Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s commitment to good governance and the delivery of democratic dividends.
“Senator Natasha exemplifies the values of the PDP through her dedication to the welfare and development of her people,” said Tijani. “In just one year, her work has shown how effective representation can positively impact the lives of her constituents.”
Tijani described her as a “distinguished leader” who has brought meaningful changes to the Kogi Senatorial Zone. He noted that her service has reaffirmed the PDP’s role as a driver of progress and prosperity in Kogi State, adding that her leadership promises a new era of development for the entire state.
The party also expressed its confidence that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s efforts will continue to foster hope and progress across communities, reinforcing the party’s vision for a brighter future.
The PDP concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to democratic values and good governance, as well as its belief in a prosperous future for Kogi State under its leadership.
Politics
Atiku Abubakar outlines what he would have done for Nigeria’s Economic Reforms
***Calls for Strategic Planning and Empathy
Former Vice President of Nigeria and 2023 Presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Atiku Abubakar has shared his vision for a reformed Nigerian economy, detailing what he would have done differently to address the country’s current economic challenges.
Responding to public interest in his approach, Abubakar outlined a detailed strategy focused on economic stability, institutional reforms, and social protection for vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking through his chief spokesperson Mr. Paul Ibe, the former vice President emphasized the need for better planning and strategic reform implementation.
“Rather than focusing on me, Nigerians should be asking what President Tinubu can do now to alleviate the pain caused by his economic policies,” he stated. However, he expressed hope that some of his ideas might inspire solutions for Nigeria’s economic struggles.
Reeling out his strategy that included Comprehensive Economic Planning and Sequencing of Reforms, Abubakar underscored the importance of a well-coordinated reform strategy.
He argued that implementing major fiscal changes, such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments, all at once was too abrupt for Nigeria’s economic environment. “We would have sequenced our reforms to achieve fiscal and monetary alignment and avoid overwhelming the economy,” he explained.
He also dwelled on the need for transparent communication and public engagement highlighting the need for open communication with the public, stressing that public trust is essential for successful reforms. “Transparent communication with the public is essential to build public trust, which is important to ensure that citizens understand what the government is doing,” he said.
“One of Abubakar’s priorities would have been to establish robust social protection programs to shield low-income Nigerians from the impact of economic reforms. “Our reforms would have a human face,” he stated, outlining plans for a social safety net that would provide financial support and economic opportunities for the most vulnerable.
On specific Measures to Boost Economic Development Abubakar proposed the creation of $10b Economic Stimulus Fund to support small businesses across Nigeria.
The fund, he said, would empower MSMEs and support youth employment through targeted skills-to-job programs.
Abubakar’s plan included creation of an Infrastructure Development Unit directly under the presidency to coordinate infrastructure projects across the country.
“The IDU would work with ministries to oversee a $25 billion Infrastructure Development Fund to speed up projects in transportation, energy, and communication.
“To address Nigeria’s currency challenges, Abubakar advocated for a managed-floating exchange rate, rather than a fully flexible rate.
He argued that such an approach would help maintain currency stability while avoiding the pitfalls of a fixed rate system.
Abubakar reiterated his stance on subsidy removal, arguing for a gradual, phased approach that would allow the economy to adjust. He proposed reinvesting the funds saved into healthcare, education, and rural infrastructure, while increasing domestic refining capacity to reduce dependency on fuel imports.
In conclusion, Abubakar expressed hope that President Tinubu’s administration would consider some of these ideas to address the nation’s economic issues, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve leadership that prioritizes their well-being. “I believe that our sacrificial investments today will form the foundation for tomorrow’s development strides,” he said, affirming his commitment to a vision of “a New Nigeria.”
Culled from Everyday.ng
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