Connect with us

News

Osinbajo Discusses Rising Coups In Africa

Published

on

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with his Tanzanian Counterpart Philip Mpangno

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his Tanzanian counterpart, Philip Mpango, on Sunday, in Arusha, Tanzania, held bilateral talks.

The two spoke on issues ranging from climate change and technology to deterring unconstitutional changes of government in Africa.

Osinbajo is in Tanzania to speak at inaugural session of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights for the year 2022 scheduled for Feb. 28.

They also discussed issues of interest to both Nigeria and Tanzania, including infrastructure development, trade and investment, technology, climate change and democracy.

According to Osinbajo, ECOWAS has experienced in just under a year, four coups d’etat including attempts.

He said that it was disturbing because such things ought to have been put behind the region.

“It is something that we think has to do with more cooperation. AU has been very forthcoming (in condemnation) in saying that we cannot tolerate unconstitutional seizures of power.

Gunmen Attack Final Year Student At Birnin-Gwari,Kills 7

“But sanctioning these coupists without any proper “teeth” has not been particularly effective.

“There might be a need for us to reach out to some of the regional bodies, development financial institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and the EU.

”The EU has been quite responsive but we think that we can do a lot more just in terms of cooperation, so there is an effective deterrent if everyone agrees that undemocratic change of government is unacceptable.”

On climate change and the attendant goal of net-zero emissions, Osinbajo said the major challenge was that the wealthier countries were abandoning fossil fuels and gas and some of them were already defunding gas projects.

He said it was important  to keep focus on the transition to net-zero emissions, but also important for the world to know that Africa had two challenges – Climate Change and development.

Advert

“We in Africa will run into trouble because gas projects are important even for the transition.

“It is important for us to come together to oppose any situation where the wealthier countries insist that on account of going towards net-zero emissions in 2050, we should then abandon gas which is one of the major sources of energy for industry and clean cooking.

”We think that the wealthier countries are asking us to do what they didn’t do – use renewable energy for industry.

“While we are interested in ensuring that we meet net-zero emissions target, we are also interested in ensuring that we develop.”

On the place of technology in economic growth, Osinbajo said that growth would be technology-led, adding that from 2016, six Nigerian companies had become UNICORNS – companies worth over a billion dollars.

“All these companies started in 2016, including Flutterwave which was recently valued at over 3billion dollars.

“Technology is very important to us and we have investments in broadband infrastructure across the country and consider it to be fundamental to our economic growth.

“Even with what we have done, it is incredible how many new businesses in technology have come up, startups springing up every day.

”It is an exciting time for us, especially for those investing in technology startups across all sectors – education, health, and FinTech.

“There is also financial inclusion because there were many parts of the country that banks didn’t bother to go to, but with technology, we are able to reach all of those places,” he said.

On his part, Mpango commended West African leaders for their efforts to halt the menace of coups d’etat in the sub-region and also agreed that Africa can achieve more working in unison.

He said that climate change was an example of one area leaders on the continent needed to work together to address.

“The apparent wish by developed countries to abandon fossil fuel is worrisome because we are still struggling to provide the basics.

”Our forests are disappearing because our people are still forced to use firewood for cooking, if we abandon gas energy, where do we go to?”

The Tanzanian vice president thanked Osinbajo for accepting the invitation of the African Court to be the guest speaker at the formal opening of the Court’s 2022 Judicial Year.

Both leaders also agreed that the relationship between their countries had been notable over the years, adding however, that there was room for more improvement.

The two leaders agreed that arrangements for the Joint Commission between both countries should proceed.

Mpango recalled Nigeria’s role in the fight to end apartheid in Southern Africa.

“Nigeria never abandoned her brothers and sisters in South Africa.

He added that both countries have been working together and supporting each other internationally since 1962 including at the United Nations and in Africa. (NAN)

News

Wike Kick-Starts Campaign for 2027 Election, Urges Rivers Electorates to Vote Tinubu

Published

on

 

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday urged the electorate in Rivers to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027 to sustain the progress being recorded in the state.

Mr Wike made the appeal during his “thank you” visit to Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.

He cited the unprecedented attention Tinubu is giving to Rivers ranging from development projects, appointments, and human capital development.

Advert

The minister, who said that the Rivers people ‘never had it this good’, urged the people to continue their support for Tinubu to sustain the gains.

He noted that although the due attention given to Rivers was attracting envy from every quarters, supporting the reelection of Tinubu would take Rivera to greater heights.

He explained that the visit was to thank the people for the continued support, urging them to replicate the gesture in 2027.

Earlier, Peter Abe, member representing Degema LGA in the State Assembly, thanked Wike for providing the needed leadership in the state.

Mr Abe said that all communities in the state were witness to what the minister did in 2023, which was beneficial to all people in the state.

He thanked Wike for steering the state to progress, assuring him of the readiness of the people to follow his directives in 2027.

The Chairman of council, Michael Williams, assured the minister of continued support, adding that all the community structures in the LGA would support the reelection of Tinubu.

Williams noted that Wike initiative to support the election of Tinubu in the state in 2023 has brought progress in the state, stressing that supporting his reelection bid would sustain the progress.

Continue Reading

News

2027: Ex-DSS DG, Lawal Daura to Contest Katsina Governorship

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Former State Security Service Director-General, Lawal Daura, has announced his plans to run for the 2027 governorship election in Katsina State. He criticized the current administration’s performance and highlighted ongoing security issues as key reasons for his decision to enter the race.

During an interview with DCL Hausa on Tuesday, Mr. Daura stated that he has finished consulting about his political aspirations and will soon reveal the political party under which he plans to run.

Advert

He said, “I have been making consultations on the platform to use to contest, and the consultations have been concluded. Very soon, I will make the platform known.

“Why do people serve for one or two terms? If they get it right, fine. But if the reverse is the case, then there is no point in seeking re-election. It is obvious the current governor is not capable.

“It is like putting a load on somebody and adjusting it. If he complains that the load is too heavy, you have to take it down to avoid destroying fragile items. For the current administration, we can say thank you for your efforts, but you should take a break because you can’t continue.

“I never saw myself coming out to contest. I admire politics, but I only participated from the background.”

Continue Reading

News

Court reverses dissolution of NNPP executives

Published

on

 

Kano high court has invalidated the dissolution of state, local and ward executive Council of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, amounting the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) null and void.

In an exparte order granted by Justice Nasiru Saminu on Tuesday, the equally restrained the National Working Committee of NNPP from taking any further step regarding the leadership structure of the party in Kano until the hearing and determination of motion on notice filed by the plaintiff.

In a suit No. K/06/2026 instituted by one Abdullahi Zubairu Imam and five others (plaintiffs) on behalf of the executive Committee of NNPP at 44 local government areas of the state was filed against the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) as defendant, challenging their dissolution.

In the interim injunction, Justice Saminu also directed all parties to maintain Status-Quo-Ante as at 30th December, 2025, prior to the purported dissolution directive issued by the NWC of the party.

Advert

“After hearing on the matter filed by K.K. Njidda Esq with S.A. Muhammad Esq counsels to the Applicants the court hereby order an interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent either by himself, his agents, privies cohort, ad-hoc Committees, National Working Committee or any other persons acting on its Instruction howsoever described from appointing Caretaker Committees for the State, Local Government and Ward levels Executives of Kano State or taking any further step In respect of the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed before this court.

“An order of interim injunction mandating the Defendant/Respondent maintain STATUS QUO ANTE as at 30 December, 2025 prior to the purported dissolution of the Kano State, Local Government and Ward levels executives pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“AN ORDER of this Honorable Court granting the Plaintiffs/Applicants to issue and serve the process in this suit on the Defendant at its National Secretariat situate at 11 Mahatma Gandhi Street, Area 11, Garki Abuja, Nigeria which is the outside the jurisdiction of this court”. A copy of the order as signed by Abba Sa’ad, registrar read.

Recall that the NWC of the NNPP declared the dissolution of the executive Council of the party across the party structure in Kano following the suspension of Hon. Hashim Dungurawa as Chairman of the party in the state. Dungurawa has been replaced by Abdullahi Abiya in acting capacity.

Continue Reading

Trending