Latest Political News In Nigeria For Today, Friday 20th May 2022 has been published below..
Welcome to the round-up of the latest political news in Nigeria, political gist, highlights of political events, and happenings in Nigeria for today Friday, 20th May 2022.
We’re not ready to resume academic activities – ASUU tells LAUTECH management
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso chapter, has said that its members are not ready to resume work.
Our correspondent learnt that the university management had yesterday urged the lecturers to resume academic activities.
The institution said that lecturers and students are expected to resume academic activities next week.
The lecturers of the university on the platform of ASUU have however said that its members are still on strike, hence they will not resume as stated by the university management.
ASUU Chairman, Professor Biodun Olaniran and Secretary, Professor Toyin Abegunrin in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Friday, insisted that academic staff at the university are fully on strike.
The duo added that this is in line with the directives of the national body of the union.
The union said that the lecturers will not return to class until directed by the national body of the union.
It explained further that parents, guardians, students and the general public are to note that its members are not in a position to conduct any academic activities.
“We urge the parents, guardians, students and general public to note that our members are not in a position to conduct any academic activities.
“Our Union is in receipt of the Memo from the University Registrar calling for the resumption of academic activities for the First Semester of the 2021/2022 Academic Session on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities LAUTECH branch wishes to dissociate itself from the said memo.
“This is against the principles of our Union and we wish to inform the general public that our branch is actively participating and also in full support of the ongoing national struggle,” the statement read.
Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu’s US lawyer begs Facebook to ban Buhari govt, gives reasons
Bruce Fein, a United States lawyer of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has urged Facebook to ban the Nigerian Government.
Fein said Facebook should consider placing a ban on the Nigerian Government for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated against IPOB and the people of the southeast.
His appeal was in response to the call by Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, asking Facebook to ban IPOB from using the social media platform.
Mohammed had said Facebook was not doing enough to bar IPOB from inciting violence using the platform.
However, Fein accused the Nigerian Government of proscribing IPOB and denying the group the right to defend itself.
Fein’s comment was contained in a letter he addressed to Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook.
The letter reads partly: “I am aware of the Nigerian Government’s high decibel clamour for Facebook to ban IPOB and its members from the social media platform for allegedly inciting violence. The clamour is predicated on the Nigerian Government’s proscription of IPOB as a terrorist organization in September 2017. The whole story is more revealing.
“The proscription flouted due process. IPOB was denied notice and an opportunity to respond. The proscription was the fact-free ipse dixit of Nigerian President Muhammdu Buhari.
“Accordingly, I am respectfully requesting that Facebook rebuke the Fulani-controlled Government of Nigeria for seeking censorship of IPOB’s free speech.
“Facebook should also consider banning the Government of Nigeria as a criminal enterprise featuring genocide and crimes against humanity against Biafrans and other ethnic or political groups. The incriminating evidence is voluminous and will be supplied on request.”
Nigeria must invest heavily in education, security – Senate President, Lawan
Presidential aspirant and current Senate President in the National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Lawan has emphasised the need for Nigeria to invest heavily in education and security.
He spoke in Calabar on Friday when he met with APC ahead of next week’s delegates’ meeting in Abuja.
He stressed that education and security are not the foundation of the development of every country but are imperatives necessary for greatness.
Lawan said it was time for the country to diversify its economy.
“Nigeria needs to invest more in education and security. This is because there is an urgent need for diversification, and not to depend on oil only.
“If you look at a country like Singapore, they had almost nothing but they invested in their youths through education and that turned their fortunes around.”
The Senate President also spoke on a knowledge-based economy which he said can only be built on education because it opens many doors of opportunities.
“The sons of the poor and rich people should be able to go to school in Nigeria. This will make our economy better. If we have trained people and intellectual individuals then we will grow beyond imagination.”
Emphasising security, he said the government will need to unleash total federal might against criminality, especially banditry and insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria.
He said APC has been able to recover the 16 local government areas captured by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno and Yobe States.
“The insecurity issue in the country deserves total attention.
“Federal government should unleash all the federal might to quell insurgency, banditry and even the militancy in the Niger Delta.
“In the 9th Assembly, we have given utmost attention to all military and security requests, signifying the importance we attach to security.”
2023 Elections: Why I Settled With Matawalle – Yari Opens Up
Former Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari has disclosed that he reconciled with his successor, Bello Matawalle in the interest of the state.
Yari noted that the recent reconciliation of APC warring factions in the state was not for personal gain but in the interest of peace and tranquillity.
Naija News reports that Yari made this known on Thursday when he received members of the state Executive Council who paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in the Talata Mafara area of the state.
He commended Matawalle for his efforts in ensuring the success of the reconciliation drive and development of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
2023: IPOB Bans APC, PDP, Others From Holding Rally In Abia State, Gives Reason
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has banned any form of political rally in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital.
Particularly, the IPOB group cautioned an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikechi Emenike against holding a planned political rally on Friday (today).
IPOB in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful said the ban is not only applicable to Emenike and the APC but to all other political parties planning to hold a political rally in the area.
Explaining the reason behind the ban, Powerful said in the statement released that the politicians have failed to address or do anything about some persons kidnapped by bandits in Uturu but want to be having jamboree while the victims remain in captivity.
He added that they won’t allow politicians to keep mute and do nothing about the constant attacks against the people of the area while they prepare for 2023 and behave as if nothing is wrong.
Taraba Is Sliding Into Collapse – Sen. Bwacha
A former deputy senate minority leader, Emmanuel Bwacha on Friday alleged that Taraba State was sliding to collapse and needed to be rescued and made a home for all citizens.
Bwacha who is contesting for the governorship seat of Taraba on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this in a press conference in Jalingo.
He alleged that Taraba is no longer in the position to raise her head among the comity of states in Nigeria, noting that something was wrong and needs to be corrected.
According to Sen. Bwacha, he is out to rescue the state from her sliding situation by focusing on infrastructure and making it a home for all citizens.
2023: I’m Smart, Intelligent And Courageous – Tinubu Sells Himself To Kano APC Delegates
2023 presidential hopeful, Asiuwaju Bola Tinubu has advanced reasons why delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) should cast their votes for him at the party’s presidential primaries.
Addressing APC delegates in Kano State on Thursday night, Asiwaju Tinubu who is seeking the 2023 presidential ticket of the party told the delegates not to make a mistake by voting for another aspirant apart from him.
On why he deserves their votes and the APC ticket, the former Lagos State Governor described himself as smart, intelligent and courageous.
He promised to address the challenges of insecurity and also improve agricultural output by guaranteeing a ready market for farm products.
Fayose’s Attitude Is An Arrogant Display Of Deception’ – Ex-Deputy Gov. Olusola Fumes, Withdraws From Senatorial Race
Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Kolapo Olusola has withdrawn from the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Ekiti South Senatorial race.
In a letter to the PDP National Chairman personally signed, the former Deputy Governor claimed that he entered the campaign because of pressure from former State Governor Ayodele Fayose.
He claims that the Fayose, who pushed him into the campaign, has since decided to support another contender for the same position.
This was stated in a letter titled “Notification of Withdrawal from Senatorial Election.”
According to Kolapo Olusola, Fayose had sent emissaries to him, requesting that he run for the position, and he had no choice but to succumb to pressure from concerned stakeholders.
2023 Elections: Oshiomhole Meets APC Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu
2023: Why Buhari’s Successor Must Be ‘Mad’ – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria needs a leader who is ‘mad’ enough to see the country succeed.
Naija News reports that the former president stated this on Thursday when he received Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a former managing director of the now-defunct FSB International Bank and presidential aspirsnt, at his residence in Ogun state.
The former president said he has not apologies for been mad about Nigeria, as he has no other country he can call his own.
While describing Nigeria’s situation as agonising, he said no matter how bad the situation is, it can only be made better by Nigerians.
The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, met with his successor, Abdullahi Adamu, on Thursday.
Naija News reports that Oshiomhole met with Senator Adamu behind closed doors at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
At the end of the meeting, both APC leaders failed to grant interviews to journalists who waited patiently to hear the outcome of their meeting.
Also, the ruling party has not released any official statement regarding the purpose of the visit of the former APC chairman to his successor.
However, speculations were rife that the meeting may not be unconnected to the screening of senatorial aspirants under the party’s platform.
This comes days after the former APC national chairman withdrew from the 2023 presidential race to pursue his senatorial ambition.
Why Ministers, Other Appointees Always Defend Buhari – Femi Adesina
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Thursday revealed why some ministers and other appointees will always defend the president anywhere they find themselves.
Adesina claimed that the presidential aides and ministers would always respect their principal because of the President’s respect for the dignity of all his appointees.
The spokesman revealed this in an article titled, ‘Inside PMB’s meeting with ministers exiting the cabinet’, shared on his Facebook.
