CUSTOMIZE your home with our 3D #EPOXY installation,designs in your #bedroom, #sittingroom, #toilet, #bar, #hotels, #schools, #office,
#whatsapp08051549545
Last longer than your normal tiles with more than 40yrs guarantee
Thursday, March 7, 2019
CUSTOMIZE YOUR HOME WITH 3D FLOOR
CUSTOMIZE your home with our 3D #EPOXY installation,designs in your #bedroom, #sittingroom, #toilet, #bar, #hotels, #schools, #office,
#whatsapp08051549545
Last longer than your normal tiles with more than 40yrs guarantee
Monday, December 24, 2018
ATIKU WIFE TAKES CAMPAIGN TO IGBO LAND
Jennifer Atiku, one of the wives of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku, turned to her hometown of Onitsha to campaign for her husband – Jennifer urged the residents of the town to vote for her husband when he paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Onitsha – She added that a PDP government would guarantee the desired economic and social development of the country – The traditional ruler commended Jennifer for the visit saying it will be good if their in-law, Atiku, becomes the president of Nigeria
Ms Jennifer Atiku, wife of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged residents of Onitsha to vote massively for the party in the 2019 general elections. Jennifer, who hails from Onitsha, made the plea when she paid a courtesy visit to Igwe Alfred Achebe, the traditional ruler of Onitsha on Tuesday, December 18.
“I am here to inform you, my own people, that your in-law, who is my husband, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is contesting the presidential election in 2019, so that you support us to win the election.
“I am your daughter and your in-law is my husband. You asked me to marry him and here I am today to seek your support for his presidential ambition. “Please, do not let us down,” Jennifer, who was accompanied by Ms Margret Obi, wife of Peter Obi, the vice presidential candidate of the party, pleaded.
While saying that her visit was to buttress the saying that “charity begins at home,” Jennifer expressed optimism that a PDP government would guarantee the desired economic and social development of the country. In his response, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, commended Ms Jennifer for finding time to visit the palace and Onitsha to canvass for votes for Atiku and PDP.
“It will be good if our in-law becomes the president of Nigeria. You are a good daughter and your husband, our in-law is also a good man. “Since you deemed it fit to seek my blessing from the throne and support of your people for your husband, Atiku, who is our in-law, what you are praying for will be fulfilled by the grace of God,” the monarch said. In a remark, the PDP candidate for Onitsha South 11 constituency, Jude Omennajiego, assured that the party would guarantee the people of the area dividends of democracy if elected into office.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
MURDERED ON ALLEGE N3.97B FRAUD
Counsel to Badeh, Mr Akin Olujimi (SAN), told the court that failure of the court’s registry staff to avail him with records of proceedings involving 22 witnesses made it impossible for the defence to file a no case submission. “Based on our application on Oct. 23, to make a no case submission, your lordship granted the defence and the prosecution permission to file and exchange written addresses on the no case submission. “I must report that we had some difficulties in getting recording of proceedings of the trial from the court registry. “The last proceeding that we got from the registry in respect to this matter was that of Oct. 27, 2016. “That proceeding ended with PW seven and all together, we have called 22 witnesses in this matter that means there is a deficit in the production of proceedings with regard to 15 witnesses,” he said. According to Olujimi, we consider this a great handicap and so we have decided to go ahead and call evidence in response to the case made by the prosecution. “In this regard, the defence would no longer file a no case submission, rather, proceed to defend their case.’’ The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), however, told the court that there was no record to show that the defence had applied for the record of proceedings from the court nor filed a no case submission. According to Jacobs, to say that non availability of records is the reason for not filing the no case submission is a rather lame excuse. Jacobs prayed the court to call on the defence to open its case. The trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang, in his ruling disagreed with the defence that the failure of the registry to make records of proceedings of the case available was responsible for them abandoning the no case submission application. He said that it was not the fault of the registry since the defence made no application for the records to be released to them. The judge, however, adjourned the matter till Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 for Badeh to open his defence. Badeh was arraigned on a 14-count charge, bordering on fraud, to which he entered a “not guilty” plea to all counts. The former defence chief is standing trial for allegedly abusing his office by diverting N3.97 billion. The diverted money is said to have been meant for arms purchase in the face of worsening destructions by Boko Haram terrorists. Meanwhile the judge, also adjourned the case of former PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh, till Jan. 16 for continuation. (NAN
MARUWA DRIVER RETURNS N1.1M TO OWNER N GETS N200 REWARD
Let’s celebrate this honest Keke Rider Mr. Usman. A businessman from the East forgot N1,150,000 in his Keke & he went extra miles to track him doen & return the money to him in Jalingo, Taraba ST.
After returning the money, the owner gave him N200 for recharge card.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
FMR. CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF MURDERED
He was said to have been ambushed by gunmen at Gitata village, along the Keffi-Badeh Road.Badeh was a retired four star flag officer of the Nigerian Air Force who served as the 18th Chief of Air Staff (Oct 4, 2012- January 16,2014) and the 15th Chief of Defence Staff of the armed forces of Nigeria (January 16, 2014 – July 13,2015).
His body yet to be recovered
In February 2016, Badeh was accused of financial misappropriation by the EFCC. He denied involvement in any misconduct.
Monday, December 17, 2018
Buhari has asked NBS to change statistics on unemployment rate —Presidency
Buhari has asked NBS to change statistics on unemployment rate —Presidency
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Statistician-General of the National Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Yemi Kale, to change the high unemployment statistics and reflect the rising rate of employment in the agriculture sector.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said this on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television.
Shehu said during a recent meeting with the Federal Executive Council, Kale admitted that the NBS was only focusing on the creation of white collar jobs and not the agriculture sector and the informal sector.
He said the President subsequently told him to go and admit his error to members of the public and make appropriate changes.
When asked why job losses were being recorded, Shehu said, “There was a departure last week. The NBS chief had addressed the federal cabinet and he made the admission himself that they had concentrated analysis over time on white collar jobs and they had not taken cognisance of job creation in areas of agriculture.
“Rice Producers Association of Nigeria made the open claim and nobody has challenged them up until the time that we speak, that they had created 12 million new jobs.
“When he finished addressing the federal cabinet last week, the government asked the DG of the NBS, go out there and tell the Nigerian public, you are just saying to us now that Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi and Ebonyi are recording the lowest unemployment rates in the country on account of agriculture.
“So, the point is that the data collected which has formed judgement on the data that have been passed and misleading and I think there is now a convergence. The data has been unfair to the administration, it had ignored job creation in the areas of agriculture but that is now being integrated and Nigerians will be impressed.”
However, a spokesman for the Abubakar Atiku Campaign Organisation, Mr. Phrank Shuaibu, who was on the programme, lambasted Shehu, accusing the Presidency of attempting to alter job statistics on the eve of elections.
He said it seemed the Presidency was trying to cow the NBS like it did to the West African Examination Council when the registrar personally handed over a certificate to Buhari at the Villa.
Shuaibu said, “The National Bureau of Statics came for EFC meeting and according to the President’s spokesman, the man admitted that he miscalculated. That is an agency funded by government, not an agency sponsored by any international organisation.“He has forgotten that this is not 1984. 2015 is not 1984. The world has gone digital but because they are operating an analogue system of government, they don’t know that even a 10-year-old can use the internet to find out statistics.
“When the NBS came out with the figures about loss of jobs and how it was affecting the economy, nobody came out to defend the government. But just as the certificate issue was managed, they have pushed the DG to the villa and obviously dictated to him what he should say.
“You cannot say that a government that is in power, the DG of NBS reeled out statistics, you did nothing to him, many months after and because elections are here, on the eve of elections, he is summoned to FEC and is asked to generate new figures. That is a fallacious tale and an affront on the sensibilities of Nigerians and they should apologise to us.”
Incidentally, the NBS has failed to release the statistics on unemployment for over a year, citing lack of funds as the reason.
However, the opposition has always insisted that the Presidency had ordered the agency not to release the figures until after elections.
17 KILLED IN FRESH KADUNA ATTACK
Although the police authorities are yet to confirm the incident, the Chairman of the Local Government, Mr Peter Averik told our reporter that the gunmen invaded the community on Sunday evening and opened fire on residents who were attending a wedding ceremony.
However, the chairman could not ascertain the number of casualties, but eyewitnesses who spoke with our correspondent said women and children were among the 14 people killed in the attack.
The eyewitnesses explained that nine persons died on the spot, while five died today at the Kafanchan General Hospital, where those who sustained injuries are still receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, the council chairman says a combined team of security operatives have been deployed to the affected community and environs to maintain law and order.
DIAMOND BANK MERGES WITH ACCESS BANK
The Board of Diamond Bank PLC has announced plans to merge its operations with Access Bank.
The bank disclosed this in a statement on Monday by the company’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, Uzoma Uja.
According to Diamond Bank, the decision follows a strategic review leading to a competitive process, as the preferred bidder with respect to a potential merger of the two banks (“the merger”) that will create Nigeria and Africa’s largest retail bank by customers
“The Board of Diamond Bank believes that the merger is in the best interest of all stakeholders including, employees, customers, depositors and shareholders”.
Statement Regarding Scheme To Merge With Access Bank
The Board of Diamond Bank Plc (“Diamond Bank”) today announces that following a strategic review leading to a competitive process, the Board has selected Access Bank Plc (“Access Bank”) as the preferred bidder with respect to a potential merger of the two banks (“the merger”) that will create Nigeria and Africa’s largest retail bank by customers.The Board of Diamond Bank believes that the merger is in the best interest of all stakeholders including, employees, customers, depositors and shareholders and has agreed to recommend the offer to Diamond Bank’s shareholders. Completion of the merger is subject to certain shareholder and regulatory approvals.
The proposed merger would involve Access Bank acquiring the entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank in exchange for a combination of cash and shares in Access Bank via a Scheme of Merger. Based on the agreement reached by the Boards of the two financial institutions, Diamond Bank shareholders will receive a consideration of N3.13 per share, comprising of N1.00 per share in cash and the allotment of two (2) New Access Bank ordinary shares for every seven (7) Diamond Bank ordinary shares held as at the Implementation Date. The offer represents a premium of 260% to the closing market price of N0.87 per share of Diamond Bank on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (“NSE”) as of December 13, 2018, the date of the final binding offer.
Immediately following completion of the merger, Diamond Bank would be absorbed into Access Bank and it will cease to exist under Nigerian law. The current listing of Diamond Bank’s shares on the NSE and the listing of Diamond Bank’s global depositary receipts on the London Stock Exchange will be cancelled, upon the merger becoming effective.
Diamond Bank expects the transaction to be completed in the first half of 2019.
We will keep the market updated with any new development.
Yours faithfully, For: DIAMOND BANK PLC
Uzoma Uja Company Secretary/Legal Adviser
PMB SHLD RESIGN OVER COLLAPSED ECONOMY:ATIKU
Speaking on Sunday through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the president’s recent assessment of the nation’s economy, in which he stated that it had gone out of control, was enough evidence that he had failed.
He said, “The result, of course, is this late hour confession of failure on the eve of our general elections, in the hope that millions of Nigerians, whom he has condemned to poverty and hardship will give him a clap for failing abysmally
“I dare say that President Buhari has miscalculated badly on this matter because Nigerians are simply fed up with him.”
The PDP candidate also described the president’s assessment indicating Nigeria’s economy had collapsed under his watch as not only a self-indicting ploy to attract the sympathy of Nigerians, but also a disguise to get a soft landing from the people.
But reacting, the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the PDP needs another strategic session in Dubai to find a new direction for the party, ahead of the polls in 2019.
Earlier in November, top leaders of the opposition party spent some days in Dubai, strategizing for the 2019 elections, the ruling party, however, says that that convention was fruitless.
APC spokesperson, Lanre Issa-Onilu in a statement said, instead of focusing on its own campaign, the PDP is worried if the ruling party has commenced its own or not.
Lanre said it was “amazing” that the opposition party cannot present any alternative governance agenda before the elections get underway.
He said, “It is very amazing that two months into the election, PDP is still not presenting any alternative governance agenda before the people of this country.
“Sadly, the main opposition party appears at a loss as to how to face Nigerians knowing they would have to explain why they so badly mismanaged this country at a period of surplus.”
Sunday, December 16, 2018
APC URGES P. BUHARI NOT TO HONOUR DEBATE
The party made the appeal yesterday in a post by its leader, Ade Omole, on the party’s verified Twitter handle.
Recall that the Nigeria Election Debate Group, NEDG, had fixed January 19, 2019 for a debate among five selected presidential candidates including President Buhari.
However, the APC UK branch said the President should consider a townhall session with the people rather than a debate in view of the outcome of last night’s debate among vice-presidential candidates.
The tweet reads: “Dear President Muhammadu Buhari, we appeal to you NOT to attend the presidential debate in view of the lecturing witnessed tonight (Friday).
“Please, consider a townhall session. Despite the antics, Prof. Osinbajo tutored the opposition candidates on nation-building. Thank you.”
ATIKU TO MEET WITH YOUTH IN LAGOS
Venue: Welcome Centre Hotel Murtala Mohammed Airport Way Opposite Ajao Estate Lagos.
The program will be live on AIT, you can also follow it through official PDP social media media channels for live streaming of the event.
What a youth friendly leader..
Click here to register: https://bit.ly/2PHdZsv
#BetterNigeria
#BetterWithAtiku
Let's get Nigeria working again !
Atiku/Obi2019!!
AUSTRALIA MOVES CAPITAL TO JERUSALEM
“Australia now recognizes West Jerusalem, being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a speech, The New York Times reports.
“It is the right of every country to determine its national capital,” he added.
Unlike the earlier US recognition of Jerusalem, Morrison announced that Australia’s will not include moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.
“We look forward to moving our embassy to West Jerusalem when practical, in support of and after final status determination,” he said, linking such a move to the peace process.
Morrison added, however, “The international community must move beyond ritual denunciations of Israel to urge a return to negotiations of a two state solution.”
Recent conspiracy theories that the then-rumored recognition was a move by Morrison to appease an alleged Jewish or Zionist lobby appeared to be hinted at by Bill Shorten of Australia’s opposition Labor party, who said the move was a “reckless and foolish action … confusing [Morrison’s] own political interest with our national interests.”
In a statement issued by the PLO, Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat echoed these sentiments, saying, “From the beginning, we’ve perceived the Australian government’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as one wherein petty domestic politics steer irresponsible policies that contradict world peace and security
LIVE VIDEO LAGOS-ABUJA PLANE ALMOST CRASH TODAY
Saturday, December 15, 2018
PMB:TIME TO ERADICATE TERRORISM
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday declared that time has come to completely wipe off Boko Haram terrorists from the entire Lake Chad basin area.
He made the declaration during an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The President believes that development will only occur in the sub-region when there is peace and stability in the area.
He said, “The time has come for the evil of Boko Haram to be brought to a definitive end. I am sure that this summit will take the right decisions in this regard.”
“This is a fight to the finish. We must, and we will by the grace of God wipe out terrorism from our sub-region.
“We must take cognisance of the fact, the sustainable growth and development of the sub-region are depending on the quick attainment of peace and stability in the area,” he added.
President Buhari also challenged the leaders in the sub-region to strengthen their support towards efforts aimed at ridding the area of terrorist activities.
He said, “Our military’s strategy must be complemented by the mobilisation and deployment of adequate resources to ensure the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and rebuilding of civil authority.”
President Buhari and other leaders of the sub-regional group agreed to and signed an eight-point communique at the end of the meeting.
Leaders present were the Prime Minister of Cameroon, Philemon Yang; Chadian President, Idris Deby; and President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force, Major General Chikezie Ude, also attended the meeting.
Today’s meeting held two weeks after the President travelled to N’Djamena, the Chadian capital for consultations with the leaders of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
The one-day meeting had also reviewed the security situation and intensified the efforts to end the insurgency in the region.
NO POLLING UNIT WANTED IN IDP:PDP LAMENTS
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu told Saturday Vanguard that the allegation by the PDP amounts to some form of hate speech against the Commission.
His words: “I find it distasteful that Mr Kola Ologbondiyan can deliberately embark on peddling complete falsehood about the Independent National Electoral Commission in this manner, with the sole intent of discrediting all the good efforts being put in place to ensure credible 2019 General Elections.
“The story about the possibility of so called Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) located in Chad and Niger republic voting in the 2019 general elections was as a result of a misrepresentation of facts by a newspaper in its story on the Validation Conference in respect of the Framework for Voting for Internally Displaced Persons, held on12th December in Abuja, for which the Commission had to promptly issue a rebuttal.
“Everybody knows that displaced persons living in foreign countries cannot be regarded as IDPs but refugees and there is no provision in our laws for any Nigerian living outside Nigeria to vote during the 2019 general elections.
“But Kola Ologbondiyan has continued to insist that the Commission is planning to establish 30,000 polling units and give the so-called IDPs in foreign countries the opportunity to vote in the general elections.
Friday, December 14, 2018
ANOTHER ONE:OBJ WARNS BUHARI
Former president,Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has stood again to his toes to the present presidency,warning that the govt might have won or rig the election in Osun and Ekity state, but that they will not stand to watch this present election be rigged.
He went further to note that the present admisninstration may had threatened and forcefully take over power downgrading former P. GEJ and Nigerians as a whole, but that this present Nigeria and it's elder state men will not fold their hands be taken for granted, and that it is rather better that the country split than to watch the country be taken as a mess.
NO OIL OR DRUGS ELARGE YOUR PENIS:U.S DOC. WARNs
There aren’t any oils on the market that will make your penis larger. However, penis enlargement is possible through other measures.
There’s some evidence to suggest that vacuum pumps (sometimes just called penis pumps) and penile traction devices (or stretchers) can be effective.
But no research supports the idea that oils or other supplements will enlarge your penis. They’re much more likely to result in unwanted side effects or injury.
Read on to learn which oils you should avoid, which oils could improve your sexual function in other ways, and more..
What ingredients should I watch out for?
Dietary and herbal supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that manufacturers are largely free to say whatever they want about their ingredients and supposed benefits.
In addition to being ineffective, these products may also be harmful. Many of the ingredients found in over-the-counter “natural male enhancement” supplements can cause unpleasant side effects and lead to potential complications.
You shouldn’t use any product containing:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA is a steroid that naturally occurs in your body. But using DHEA supplements can increase your risk of cancer, lower good cholesterol levels, and affect your mental health.
Pregnanolone. This is another naturally occurring compound. But there’s no research to support pregnanolone for use in penis enlargement. It may also negatively affect your mental health.
Catuaba bark extract. This ingredient has shown some promise as an antidepressant, but no research indicates that it has any effect on your penis.
Hawthorn berry. This ingredient has some use as a treatment for heart disease, but it’s not proven to help with penis enlargement. Taking too much can cause dizziness, nausea, and dangerous interactions with cardiovascular medications.
Some ingredients can improve your sexual health — they just won’t make your penis bigger.
SDP SACKS DONALD DUKE OUT-JERRY GANNA
The party had declared a former Governor of Cross River, Mr. Donald Duke, the winner of the election and its flag bearer for the 2019 presidential election.
The party said that Duke polled 812 votes, while Gana had 611.
However, Gana went to court seeking to be declared the winner in line with the zoning and rotation formula of the party’s constitution.
PDP USING RUSSIAN TO HACK INEC DATA BASE:APC CRIES
The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has accused Nigeria’s main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP of crying wolf over the withholding of presidential assent to the amended Electoral Act, alleging that the document was laced with landmines. The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization, PPCO, alos yesterday claimed it has uncovered plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and President Muhammadu Buhari to manipulate the 2019 electoral process using illegally created polling units in neighbouring Chad and Niger Republics. PDP chairman, Uche Secondus and APC chairman Adams Oshiomhole Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena in an interview with journalists in Abuja said the PDP had enlisted the services of some hackers from Russia with a view to compromising the servers of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in next February’s general elections. Nabena also wondered why the PDP was now ill at ease with the same law that it had used in conducting past elections in the country were it not up to something sinister. According to him, the current disposition of the PDP is a fallout of the various plans it hatched during their recent meeting in Dubai with their presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. “The Act we are using now was created by the PDP. They created a law and they are now afraid to use it. That does not sound right. What the PDP are doing, they are playing out what they designed in Dubai. They started with the labour strike on minimum wage in order to cause problems in the country but it did not work; they brought ASUU strike, it did not work and then they tried to instigate fuel scarcity which also did not work. These were all part of their grand design in Dubai and so the last bid is the Electoral Act. Look at the way they are going about it, saying if the president does not sign it, they will file on to the streets in demonstration. Look at them, at their age. But we are waiting for them. “Normally if you vote, the Electoral Officer is supposed to count the votes and announce them before transmitting to the collation centre. But now you are telling us that they do not need to announce the votes, that they should just transmit. That is all part of their Dubai plan, trying to bring in Russian agents to hack the system. That is their joker. To hack into the system and manipulate Tue figures before transmitting them. Saraki and all of them went to Russia and perfected the plan with the hackers. So, we all know what they are trying to do…trying to bring in stolen money into the system, but vote buying and money politics won’t work this time around”, he declared. The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization, PPCO, alos yesterday claimed it has uncovered plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and President Muhammadu Buhari to manipulate the 2019 electoral process using illegally created polling units in neighbouring Chad and Niger Republics. The council described the alleged plot as a violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), vowing to resist any attempt to manipulate the process in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. In a statement signed Thursday by the Director, Media and Publicity of the campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP warned the establishment not to forget that no provision is made for Diaspora voting in the nation’s existing laws. The statement read in part: “President Buhari, INEC and all Nigerians know that there are no provisions for Diaspora voting under our system. By the extant laws guiding elections in Nigeria, it is very clear who is eligible to vote, as well as the centres statutorily designated for elections. There is no provision for any special arrangement whatsoever. “It is therefore reprehensible that President Buhari, in his desperation to rig the elections, is now trying to hide under the guise of making special provision for Internally.
COMOTION FALLS AS V. P DEBATE LEAK
Rethink Nigeria group has today by a press statement questioned the integrity of the forth coming Vice Presidential Debate to hold tomorrow alleging that the organizers have being compromised to the extent of leaking the questions before hand to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo.
Read full statement below;
We are constrained to use this medium to draw the attention of the General public to the skewed nature of the forthcoming Vice Presidential and Presidential debates scheduled for Friday 14th December 2018 and Saturday 19th January 2019 respectively.
The debate is being organised by The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).
While we join the rest of the league of democratic Nations to acknowledge the role of debates between candidates for the opportunity it creates for what political scientists call “agenda setting” and robust engagement on issues, it is also important that the debate creates a level playing ground for all parties involved.
Regrettably, the composition and the structure of the debate fundamentally lacks the conditions and characteristics that make for a fair and competitive debate.
Firstly, we have reliably gathered that the questions have been pre-leaked to the Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
In addition to this, the moderators and organisers of the debate are too close to the ruling All Progressives Congress for comfort.
It will be recalled that in recent times, Channels TV (which coincidentally is owned by the Chairman of the Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Mr John Momoh) has come under heavy fire for its partisan reportage of political issues in the Country. Of particular importance is the recent op-ed published in the Punch Newspaper of December 2, 2018 titled “TheNTA-nisation of Channels TV” in which the writer, Onoshe Nwabuikwu clearly portrays the bias of the station even to the extent of doctoring videos of the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.
Consequently, we want to urge the vice-presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and other political parties to exempt themselves from the Debate as it is poised to be a charade and a repudiation of everything a debate should be.
We also want to recommend that should the candidates participate regardless that the process has been so blatantly rigged, they must extract a commitment that President Muhammadu Buhari must participate.
We demand that the debate should be postponed in other to give room for the membership of the panel to be recomposed and reconstituted to reflect a panel nominated by a broader section of Nigerians as we are not prepared to accept a choreographed debate.
It is important to make this position public in order to prevent a scenario where Nigerians are deceived by pre-determined answers given by Vice President Osinbajo at the debate which have no reflection on the reality of the governance of the country over the last 3 years or will not be a reflection of the reality of governance going into the future.
Sunny Okoro
Publicity Secretary
Rethink Nigeria
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)