News
CUPP asks Tinubu to convene a National Confab over Economic Hardship
The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to as a matter of priority convene a national conference where the nation’s critical stakeholders would gather to brainstorm on finding lasting solutions to the myraids of challenges bedevilling the country.
This is comming following the crises of insecurity and high cost of living in the country for which the government of day is looking overwhelmed
The Coalition made the call last Tuesday when some of its leaders paid a courtesy call on one of its patrons, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, National Chairman of African Democratic Party, (ADC), at the party’s National secretariat in Abuja.
The team which was led by CUPP National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, consisted of Dr. Tanko Yunusa, Spokesperson Obi-datti Media, Barr Chukwudi Ezeobika, Chairman Media Committee, CUPP spokesperson Comrade Mark Adebayo, and others.
The group stated that it was time for the opposition united to speak up for the benefit of humanity, Nigerians, the country and safety and protection of the hard earned democracy.
Speaking on the necessity of the national conference, Chief Nwosu stated that is time to call for national conversation bringing all the political parties and other critical stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, on a roundtable so that they can all come up with a solution.
Chief Nwosu noted that the state of the nation today compared to 2014 when the last Confab was held can be described as more tragic and deadly.
He said: “The conversation should take multi-dimensional composition as we are going to talk about issue of national food security, political configuration and security in the country.
“The president is one who has been part of the struggle when we were fighting for the military to go, and this is the first time we are having one of the people who championed the effort to get the military out become the president but unfortunately this is the time that democracy has taken the biggest nosedive.
He said the removal of Fuel subsidy was rash, done with arrogance without weighing the implications.
“We looked around, we found that people around the president, people in the Villa, in the national assembly and corridors of power are not using public resources for the good of the public rather they’ve decided to convert public resources to their private pocket. This is what is killing the policy; we can still get it right if can do the right thing.
“Three years ago, Nigeria was described as the poverty capital of the world, but today the extent to which we have dived is threatening and this is just because of the carelessness of people who have taken over government but I believe that now that we outside government have started discussion and conversation on the process of rebuilding the country, we wish also that while we are doing this that people in government headed by the President will follow suit.
“There’s need for a national conversation that will bring all stakeholders on the table. That is part of the problem we are facing because once some people get elected, they see governance as business. And with that mentality we can’t go too far.”
In his submission, the National Secretary of CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh, decried the extent of poverty and insecurity in the land, while saying that those who have been elected have not acted in the best interest of Nigeria but rather have acted based on selfish reasons and at the end have pushed our people into abject and multidimensional poverty.
Chief Ameh said: “When you juxtapose the resources Nigeria has, Nigerians have no reason to be in this kind of situation. Nigeria has no reason for the common man not to have one meal a day, Nigeria has no reason not to have one of the highest record of out-of -school children in Africa.
“It is painful and disappointing to our founding fathers who fought for this democracy to come about, those who lost their lives . Unfortunately this democracy is being trampled upon by selfish leaders, leaders who are concerned about their pockets only, who are still using money meant for the citizens to buy exotic cars.
“Because of this multi-faceted criminality in our governance systems, we have now found ourselves in a situation where poverty and destruction of lives and property is the order of the day.
“The primary purpose of government is welfare and protection of the lives and propertyof the people. If we don’t stop this ownership and it’s my turn mentality in our electioneering process and allow the right people to win elections, we will continue to have this kind of problems.”
Also speaking, Dr. Yunusa Tanko submitted that democracy in Nigeria at the moment is in danger, stressing that there is a threat of annihilation, intimidation, and conspiracy against democracy, while stating that “as a collective, we stand firm in the defence of our democracy.
The Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has issued a press statement condemning the circulation of false social media posts attributed to Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed. The fabricated posts, which have gone viral, are described as part of a deliberate smear campaign aimed at damaging the Senator’s reputation.
The movement clarified that Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed does not operate any social media accounts, making all attributed posts entirely baseless. During a recent press conference, the Senator unequivocally dissociated himself from these claims and urged the public to disregard them.
“This is a targeted attempt to tarnish the Senator’s image and credibility,” Dr. Tanko stated.
The Obidient Movement has called on its supporters and the public to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the issue. They urged people to ignore, counter, and report the false posts whenever they appear.
The statement concluded with an appeal for continued support and collaboration in combating misinformation, reinforcing the movement’s commitment to truth and integrity.
The Senate has granted approval for a $2.09 billion (N1.767 trillion) loan requested by President Bola Tinubu to address the N9.7 trillion deficit in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget. The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary, just 48 hours after the request was submitted to the National Assembly.
President Tinubu, in letters to both chambers of the legislature earlier this week, highlighted the importance of the loan for financing key projects and programs critical to national development.
Following the request, the Senate assigned its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Senator Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North), to review the proposal. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Wammako described the loan as vital for implementing the Debt Management Strategy, reducing borrowing costs, extending debt maturity, and bolstering Nigeria’s external reserves.
The committee recommended raising the loan through Eurobonds or similar international financing instruments, subject to market conditions. It also suggested that any excess funds from exchange rate adjustments be directed toward capital projects in 2024 to support infrastructure and economic growth.
The Senate approved the loan unanimously, with no objections raised during deliberations. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the Wammako-led committee for its swift and thorough handling of the proposal.
This loan approval is part of the government’s broader strategy to bridge fiscal gaps while focusing on developmental priorities and economic stability.
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, has been arrested and detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on charges of inciting public crimes with terrorist intent.
The alleged offence reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021. Finnish authorities apprehended Ekpa on Monday, November 19, marking another chapter in his history of legal confrontations.
A source confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, noting, “He was arrested three days ago. But this is not the first time. He will likely be questioned and released soon.” Ekpa was previously detained in 2023 on suspicion of fundraising fraud but was released the same evening.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also requested the detention of four additional suspects in connection with terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his leadership of a Nigerian separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities allege that he used social media platforms to coordinate actions that resulted in violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the NBI stated that the investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to crimes with terrorist intent.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has continued to engage the Finnish government through the European Union (EU) to extradite Ekpa. In August, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters emphasized the dual approach of diplomatic engagement and sustained military operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, reiterated the government’s resolve, saying, “The FG would respond appropriately to the Finnish Government through the EU. On the part of the military, troops would sustain operations against IPOB/ESN.”
Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local government, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. Finnish authorities continue to investigate his activities, emphasizing the potential connection between his leadership role in the separatist movement and violent actions in Nigeria.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News10 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro8 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News10 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu