President Bola Tinubu says he still holds a Nigerian passport, hence the need to make the country a better place for all.

Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the palace of Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, in Ogun state.

The president reiterated his commitment to bringing positive change to the country.

He said with the prayers and support of all, Nigeria will be great.

“What I ask for is prayers that will help the country and be determined to help the country, to steer the ship of the nation, build a positive team for the country and deliver on all promises we made,” he said.

“The hope is recharged, it is here. That hope will never fade. I am here still making that pledge of the campaign promise.

“Let’s be united, purposeful, no distractions. We will arrive at a positive destination for this country.

“It is only in our hands to make history and I promise that by the grace of God Almighty, we shall reap the fruits of our labour.

“Nigeria will see positive changes as we move along.”

He implored Nigerians to bear with him and go through recent policy changes which he described as “baby steps of pain”.

“Just go through these baby steps of pain. Me too, I’m taking baby steps as the president. Not marching in a hurry. Being ready to listen, maintain an open door policy. Let the freedom flow, let confidence return to Nigeria,” Tinubu said.

“This country is the only country we have. I’ve been a refugee. I know what it means to be a refugee in another country and my green-back passport is what I still have now. I know what it is.

“So, please, we need your prayers, support, interventions to get our people’s change of mind so that the economy, prosperity of this country being opened up will affect everyone of you positively.”

Shortly after Tinubu was declared president-elect, there were allegations that he is of dual nationality.

The allegations generated mixed reactions on social media and litigations in the courts. 

[TheCable]

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Nigeria conducted an election for the position of President, which was widely regarded as the most fiercely contested in the country since 1999. On March 01, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner and President-elect. On May 29, the Chief Justice of Nigeria swore him in as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and 16th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While the reaction of the international community was mixed, the two major opposition parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), took their dissatisfaction to the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja in petitions challenging the announced outcome of the presidential election.

Their core argument revolves around the President’s alleged failure to secure “not less than 25 per cent of the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of the States of the Federation, AND the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,” as mandated by the constitution (capitals added). They contend that this constitutional requirement was not met in the elections.

The challenge to the  February 25, 2023 presidential election results has revived a well-known constitutional dilemma around the intended meaning of the phrase “and FCT” in the aforementioned constitutional clause as distinct from “including FCT” or “plus FCT.” While there may be disagreement on the precise interpretation, it seems generally agreed that the intention was not to exclude the FCT from the constitutional requirement.

If indeed the framers of the constitution intended “and FCT” to mean “plus FCT” or “FCT specifically,” the opposition would be justified in challenging INEC’s declaration of an APC victory. If the interpretation leans towards “including FCT,” then INEC’s result would fulfill the specific constitutional requirement, especially considering that the 1999 Constitution also acknowledges that the FCT can be treated as a state.

If the former, then this raises the fundamental question of why the framers of the 1999 Constitution would grant such a special right or privileged status to citizens of Abuja and the FCT that voters in other administrative units in the country do not enjoy.

To unravel the “and FCT” conundrum, it is important to examine what the founding fathers of the 1999 Constitution, all military personnel, had in mind when they decided earlier, in 1976, to build a new capital city on virgin land and set it up as a special federal capital territory. This article analyzes the historical context and the public policy considerations that drove the establishment of Abuja as a FCT, in order to inform the ongoing national debate and decision-making concerning the 2023 presidential election petition process.

The Founding Fathers of the FCT/Abuja

Among the various reasons identified for the decision to construct Abuja, two factors stand out prominently. Firstly, there was the notion of “national pride.” As Africa’s most populous country and one of the wealthiest due to its abundant natural resources (further bolstered by the oil boom and petrodollars of the 1970s), Nigeria was seen by both its citizens and the international community as the “black giant” of Africa and potentially a global leader.

The military, as the founding fathers of Abuja in the mid-1970s, believed that Nigeria was destined for greatness. They aspired to build an ultramodern city that would rival Western capitals and serve as a source of national pride and symbol of modernity for black people worldwide. A new capital city in Abuja deliberately located inland and distinct from the congested and traffic-heavy urban landscape of Lagos, the military believed, would establish a modern and prestigious metropolis, simultaneously banishing the conspicuous remnants of British colonial influence in Nigeria. This reinforced the notion of a new, independent Nigeria that had firmly arrived as a legitimate member of the “Newer World.”

The second significant motivation behind the military’s choice of Abuja was the concept of an administrative framework known as the FCT. Beyond the evident fact that the FCT does not possess the typical characteristics of a Nigerian state, lacking an elected Governor but instead having an appointed Minister of the FCT, there is a less known yet crucial aspect of “national unity and ethnic neutrality”.

As I wrote years ago, “It is common knowledge that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country …and that the country has been riffed by ethnic rivalry from its inception. Lagos, obviously, is a Yoruba land and with such a lop-sided ethnic mix (Yoruba, 72.2% Igbo,15.4% Edo, 3.17% and Hausa, 2.05% in 1963), it was felt that the city, as capital, is inimical to the spirit of national unity, as it could never be a place where all Nigerians could lay claim to every available right, privilege and resource on an equal footing. This could only be achieved in a sort of no-man’s land where no one ethnic group predominated.”

The just concluded May 2023 gubernatorial elections in Lagos confirmed this fundamental truth about the Nigerian polity. In the weeks and months leading up to that election, the prevailing discourse revolved around the question of who are the “real owners” or “indigenes” of Lagos and which individuals or groups possessed a more legitimate right to influence and shape the city-state’s future political trajectory.

The strategic location of Abuja—an attempt to make it equi-polity-distant for all

Thus, the founding fathers of Abuja in the 1970s and 1980s embarked on a social re-engineering endeavour with the goal of achieving three objectives related to national unity and cohesion. Firstly, they aimed to strategically locate Abuja at the geographical heartland of the country. By doing so, they hoped that both government and development would be brought closer to the governed., . This approach aimed to ensure that citizens from all parts of the country had relatively equal access to the capital city in terms of physical distance.

Additionally, it is worth noting that one of the underlying motivations for the establishment of Abuja was a desire to address the concerns of the northern elite for conducting the nation’s affairs from a capital that was not located so far away in the perceived hostile southern region.

The question of who owns Abuja and making it a place for all, on equal footing?

Secondly, another key objective pursued by the military proponents of Abuja was to establish a territory that would provide equal rights and opportunities to all Nigerians, devoid of any specific regional or ethnic affiliations. To achieve this strategic objective, the military regime made a series of ‘deliberate and courageous decisions’ regarding the FCT.

They carefully selected a central area in Nigeria that had relatively low population density and limited development. This selection was crucial in creating a neutral ground where every Nigerian would be treated equally and have the same rights. In response to this, the military government claimed full ownership of the entire FCT area, granting the federal government complete control over the land. Unlike in any of the other 36 states of Nigeria, the federal government possesses 100 per cent monopoly control over the land in the FCT.

Thirdly, and significantly, the military decided to compensate and physically relocate all indigenous populations from within the FCT. Approximately 600 villages predominantly inhabited by farmers and potters belonging to the Gbagyi or Gwari ethnic groups, had to be swiftly resettled between 1976 and 1991. Where relocation of the indigenes proved costly, the military government simply decided to excise those parts from the FCT, as can be observed by examining the map of the FCT (Figure 2), where one can notice a distinct “V” shape at the top. This cutout represents the removal of the present-day Suleja town and its sizable indigenous population from the FCT.

Situating FCT/Abuja within the political and democratic framework of the new Nigeria

During the civilian administration of Shehu Shagari (1979-1983), significant construction work began in Abuja. However, the bold and visionary decisions to build Abuja, along with meticulous planning and the allocation of substantial resources for its groundbreaking and full-scale implementation, were made under Generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo (1975-1979). It can be argued that Abuja represents one of the most remarkable and ambitious endeavours in political and social re-engineering for nation-building undertaken by the Nigerian military. Subsequent military rulers – Muhammadu Buhari (1983-1985), Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993), Sani Abacha (1993-1998), Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999), and Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) – demonstrated increased commitment in terms of political support and financial resources allocated to the project.

Considering the foregoing historical context of the capital relocation, it is reasonable to assume that the military, while formulating the Nigerian Constitution of 1999, deemed it appropriate to uphold the same principles and institutionalize in the political fabric of the country the “broad official aims for the new capital,” including among others:

“To provide for a physical symbol of national unity, and of Nigeria as a symbol of Pan Africa unity; and To provide a physical expression of the ideal constitutional democratic government.”

They had envisioned FCT/Abuja as a place where ethnic considerations would not dictate political power and where the genuine essence of Nigerian polity could emerge unhindered.

Conclusion – FCT/Abuja as electorate- barometer of the nation’s true pulse and spirit

It is hoped that this article has provided some insight into history on the FCT/Abuja that many Nigerians may not know, along with how this relates to the constitutional issue about the 25% threshold of voters in the FCT/Abuja. To understand this debate, one must decode the reasons behind its establishment and the great lengths to which successive Nigerian military rulers (1975-2007) went to create a special identity for the territory and enshrine it in the 1999 Constitution.

It is this article’s thesis that the outcome of the February 2023 presidential election in FCT/Abuja validates the foresight of the Generals who envisioned and implemented the FCT project as a deliberately designed “neutral microcosm” of Nigeria, where ethnicity did not trump all else—a kind of legitimising “litmus test” of the ability of an aspiring candidate for the highest office in the land to appeal to and garner threshold support from diverse segments of the population.

Until such a time that Nigerian political leaders can harness our rich multi-ethnic and cultural heritage into the positive force for change that it is, an emphasis on obtaining at least 25% of the votes in FCT/Abuja as a constitutional requirement may serve as a necessary barometer for both measuring and safeguarding the nation’s true political pulse in ideals of national unity and democracy.

As the only “ethnically neutral zone” of the country, with above average income, voter education and awareness, and security atmosphere relatively free from voter intimidation and vote suppression, it logically follows that the legitimacy of any individual aspiring to lead a diverse and significant country like Nigeria should be questioned, if they fail to garner at least 25% of the electoral votes from this special territory. The voice of people in the FCT must not be taken lightly (i.e., not among the 24 ‘states’ mandated by the constitution), or without factoring in its historical context and raison d’etre. For both the generals and civilians alike, FCT symbolizes true unity, representing a shared national identity about the progressive Nigeria everyone wants.

•Morah received a PhD from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, in 1990 with a dissertation on the establishment of Nigeria’s FCT.

The tension which has enveloped the universe for over a century, has been exacerbated by the multinational war in Ukraine, so any candle light for peace gives a ray of hope. That was what the United States, US, and China offered the world when their officials on June 19, 2023 ended a two-day meeting in Beijing with the announcement of the drilling of a communication channel, and planned bilateral agreements.

However, the next day, President Joe Biden, ‘the leader of the free world’ deliberately shot a missile at the peace move, and 24 hours later, China responded in similar measure. With that, the peace candle just lit by the two largest armies and economies in the world, was blown out. Predictably, Russian President Vladimir Putin lampooned Biden, and surprisingly New Zealand, a trusted ally of the US, also lashed out against Biden.

This month’s talks were the first high level meeting between the two countries in the last five years. They seemed doomed from inception as the previously scheduled one in February failed to hold. The US had accused China of sending a surveillance air balloon over Alaska with China responding that the Americans were merely being hysterical.

The US, for the June talks, had picked its 71st Secretary of State, 61-year-old Anthony John Blinken to lead its delegation to China. He had served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Deputy Secretary of State in the Obama administration.

In the two days, the US delegation met President Xi Jinping, Director of the China Communist Party Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi, and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

US-China tension had risen significantly on August 2, 2022 when Nancy Pelosi, as the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, led five other American legislators on a pointedly provocative visit to Taiwan, China’s breakaway territory.

Pelosi had told the world that: “The visit should be seen as an unequivocal statement that America stands with Taiwan, our democratic partner, as it defends itself and its freedom.” Taiwanese fighter jets had escorted her and China had responded by launching military exercises around Taiwan, and cancelled eight official military programmes with the US.

But at the Beijing talks, the US assured China that “there has been no change to the US one China policy, based on the Taiwan Relations Act”.

Blinken’s Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said both countries “had candid, substantive, and constructive discussions” and emphasised the importance of maintaining open channels to reduce the risk of conflict.

They agreed to establish joint Work Groups, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and increase the number of direct flights.

The US statement said both countries agreed to work together “on shared transnational challenges, such as climate change, global macroeconomic stability, food security, public health, and counter-narcotics”. In agreeing to follow-on senior engagements in Washington, the Americans invited Foreign Minister Qin to Washington to continue the discussions.

In analysing the outcome, it is difficult to guess what President Biden objected to, but he clearly was not happy with the outcome of Blinken’s trip; perhaps events were happening too fast for him. Whatever his reasons, he went all out the next day to shoot down the peace process.

Biden, at a fundraiser in California, made fun of China for allegedly passing through “real economic difficulties”. He presented no facts to back up his claims. Then he launched the verbal missile on China: “The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didn’t know it was there. No, I’m serious. That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn’t know what happened.”

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, next day, described Biden’s attacks as “extremely absurd and irresponsible”.

The day after China’s response, Biden doubled down. At a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said his verbal attacks against China are “just not something I’m going to change very much”.

Apparently aware that his comments had wrecked the peace talks, the American President added: “I expect to be meeting with President Xi sometime in the future, near-term. And I don’t think it’s had any real consequence.”

Poor Blinken who saw his best diplomatic efforts wrecked within minutes by his boss, had no choice but to concur. On June 25 he told the media: “The President speaks clearly, he speaks candidly. I’ve worked with him for more than 20 years and he speaks for all of us.”

However, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, unlike Blinken, had no inhibitions. He told Biden that Xi is no dictator: “No, and the form of government that China has is a matter for the Chinese people.” He added: “ If they (the Chinese) wanted to change their system of government, then that would be a matter for them.” Hipkins comments came a week before his on-going visit to China in which both countries are discussing exports, education and tourism.

In 2022, Biden had described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a murderous dictator, a pure thug who is waging an immoral war against the people of Ukraine.” Last week, Russia pointed out that there is a disconnect between the outcome of the Blinken visit to Beijing and Biden labelling Xi a dictator. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said while Blinken’s visit had “various conciliatory statements”, Biden’s follow-up comments are “incomprehensible”. Moscow said: “These are very contradictory manifestations of US foreign policy, which speak of a large element of unpredictability.” The Russian Presidency added: “However, that’s their business. We have our own bad relations with the United States of America and our very good relations with the Peoples Republic of China.”

Ironically, the US that has consistently labelled Putin as a dictator that brooks no opposition, now says the attempted revolt by the Russian mercenary Wagner group, shows Putin is weak. Blinken said: “We’ve seen more cracks emerge in the Russian façade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go, and when they get there.”

Given what may well be an apparition revolt by the Wagner Group, the US has apparently reviewed its claims that Putin is a dictator while maintaining Xi is one. Perhaps the real dictator is Biden who with a hawkish foreign policy built on a war culture and industry, is wrecking peace moves and pushing non-diplomatic solutions in a conflict-weary world.

Doubtlessly, Presidents Xi, Biden and Putin are big men in our small world, but the world is big enough for all countries to fly without bumping into themselves. We need courage to insist on this and tell the big man that we prefer a world at peace than one perpetually on war footing.

President Bola Tinubu yesterday urged Nigerians to bear with the discomfort arising from his reforms, saying that it is temporary.

He said ‘Renewed Hope’, which emphasizes his campaign promises, will be faithfully implemented and bring relieve to the masses.

President Tinubu reiterated his determination to turn the country around during his thank you visit to Ogun State.

At the palaces of the Awujale Oba Sikiru Adetona, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, he admonished Nigerians to demonstrate the virtue of good citizenship by cooperating with his reform-driven administration.

Eminent Nigerians including business mogul Dr. Mike Adeniyi Adenuga, Chairman of Globacom Nigeria Limited, former Ogun States Governor Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and former Deputy Governor Adegbenga Kaka, were among dignitaries that received him at Ijebu-Ode.

The President, who flew in chopper from Lagos, was accompanied by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

President Tinubu also defended his victory, recalling that during the February 25 poll, he triumphed over the ineffective cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The President, who recalled that he had been a refugee in the past, said Nigerians should be proud of their citizenship.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, the President, who promised to fulfill his promises, appealed for prayers from the residents of Ogun State to ensure progress and stability in the country.

He said: “I have redeemed my pledge that I will come back with victory and the crown.

“The hope is recharged; the hope is here. That hope will never fail. That hope will recharge your lives in a positive manner.

“By the grace of Almighty God, we shall reap the fruits of our labour, Nigeria will see positive change, just endure these baby steps of pain.

“This country is the only one we have. I have been a refugee and I know what it means to be a refugee and my green passport is what I still have now.”

At Awujale’s palace, President Tinubu said he was optimistic about victory in the last election, despite the ineffective cashless policy implemented by the CBN.

Reflecting on the challenges in the build-up to the poll, the President recounted his concerns about the confiscation of funds and the failure of the cashless policy, and how he had previously sought wisdom and guidance from Oba Adetona during his visit to the palace.

The President said he had invoked the spirits of freedom and determination, symbolised by ”Baba Emilokan”, to overcome the obstacles.

Tinubu said: “Our monies were confiscated. The cashless policy didn’t work. It was terrible then. I realised that I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom, which we are noted for.

“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba Emilokan. That’s Baba. Being blunt, being decisive, that’s him, he will tell you. The second spirit is that money or no money, we will do the election and we will win.”

President Tinubu, who maintained that these spirits had been the driving force behind his service, thanked Oba Adetona, other monarchs, elected officials, particularly his ‘personal friend’, Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East, for their loyalty and commitment during those crucial times.

Turning to Oba Adetona, Tinubu described his visit to Ijebu-Ode as a homecoming.

“The way you have taken me, the way you have responded to me, all I can say is thank you. May you live long and may you witness a prosperous Nigeria.”

The president also acknowledged the presence of Globacom Chairman, Chief Mike Adenuga, hailing his contributions to the economy.

In Abeokuta, President Tinubu thanked Oba Gbadebo, describing him as a great leader.

In separate remarks at Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun thanked the President for the visit, describing him as a man of uncommon grace and a living testimony of resilience.

Noting that Tinubu is a visionary, the governor said his pronouncement in the first few weeks in office have defined that he was prepared and qualified for office.

Oba Adetona and Oba Gbadebo, in separate remarks in their palaces, commended President Tinubu for his leadership, acknowledging him as an instrument of God chosen to rectify past shortcomings.

They offered prayers for the President’s guidance and good health, urging Nigerians to support his administration.

Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Akaraigbo of Remoland, who commended the President for hitting the ground running, said that the people needed urgent palliatives to mitigate the effects of the current challenges.

He lauded the wise decisions so far taken by the administration, reminding the President of his promise to bring development to Remo.

Oba Ajayi added: “I remember when you came to the palace and all we said is our dream is for you to go and win the primaries, and that once you win the primaries, I’m sure that God will take us there. I’m glad that God took us there.

“I want to remind you of what you said when you came to Remo. You said with the proximity of Shagamu to Lagos, you were surprised at the level of development in Remo. This is the time Mr President to walk that talk.”

The Plateau State Government yesterday said it had approached United Bank for Africa (UBA), not Jaiz Bank, for a N15 billion loan.

It explained that the loan would be used to settle the state’s N11.5 billion salary backlog allegedly accumulated by the previous administration.

The government added that the balance would be used to procure fertilizer for farmers for the current farming season.

It said the decision followed the Mutfwang administration’s desire to fulfil its campaign promises to civil servants and farmers.

The government in a statement issued in Jos by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Duties, Nuhu Abok, urged the public to disregard social media reports claiming that the state government was already processing such a loan from Jaiz Bank.

“The loan being processed is to be used to settle the N11.5 billion salary backlog as accumulated by the previous administration and the rest will be used for procurement of fertilizer for farmers,” Abok said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said he regretted contesting against President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary.

Akpabio stated that he and other presidential aspirants would not have contested the APC presidential ticket if they had known about his plan to move the country forward sooner.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State noted that Lagos had been a development model for states in Nigeria, adding that the man that did the framework can also do it for Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday at a reception in Tinubu’s honour by the Lagos state government, the Senate President said the president’s few decisions catalyzed the country’s growth.

The former Minister of Niger Delta reiterated his promise to work with the executive arm of the government to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy.

He said: “With what the president has done in Lagos, we are assured that Nigeria is in safe hands.

“We didn’t know this was the plan you had for the country; we wouldn’t have contested with you at the party primaries.

“These few decisions you have taken have served as a catalyst for the country’s development.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted that the technical glitch which affected the upload of the 2023 presidential election result on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) should not be used to judge the entire election.

This is as the electoral body denied wasting taxpayers’ money due to the inability to upload results real-time.

INEC spokesman, Festus Okoye made the submission on Thursday night during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today where he spoke on the glitches experienced during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly polls.

He explained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was successfully used for voter accreditation, and result upload for the polls in the other elections apart from the presidential.

“We are only talking about result upload for the presidential election only. It is not true or correct to insinuate even remotely that taxpayers’ money was wasted, and the machine did not work,” Okoye said.

Speaking further, Okoye said Nigerians should not judge INEC’s performance in the 2023 polls simply based on the challenge experienced in the upload of the presidential election results to its viewing portal.

“It is not fair to judge the entire performance of the commission on the basis of a glitch in the result upload for the presidential election,” he said.

He added that political parties contesting the outcome of the election should not only rely on electronically uploaded results as they all had agents at the various polling units who supervised the process.

“Almost all the political parties nominated and got accredited at least over 170,000 polling agents. What that means is that they had primary evidence of the results from the polling units.

“It is those results from the polling units, together with the BVAS as a machine itself that goes to the collation centre. So, it is not true for a political party to rely only on result upload in order to get the evidence with which it wants to prosecute its case in court,” he added.

Be ready to work with me to fix the economy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told governors in Lagos yesterday.

He promised to operate an open-door policy.

The President was busy as a bee on the 30th day of his administration.

He started with whistle-stop visits to two leading traditional rulers in Ogun State – the Awujale of Ijebuland Octogenarian Oba Sikiru Adetona in Ijebu Ode and the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo in Abeokuta – to say thank you.

On his return to Lagos, he attended a grand reception organised by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Government House in Marina.

Governors across party lines, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, and the leadership of the National Assembly, among others, attended the event.

Another major highlight of the reception was the joint presentation of a gift to the President, who is the first Lagos State Governor of the fourth republic, by his three successors Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and Sanwo-Olu.

It was the first time Ambode was seen with Tinubu since he left office in 2015.

He said: “I promise to work with the governors through an open door policy that will return Nigeria from the bricks to a resilient economy. Be ready you governors.

“I know what I’m going to do from Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and so on, and I want us to be partners so that we can rescue our country and make it whole again.”

President Tinubu also thanked party members for keeping faith in him during the long and tortuous journey to the presidency.

He added: “I’m very grateful. I thank my Vice President. You shall receive the joy of giving, the joy of perseverance, joy of resilience and endurance. You will see the reward for this country; it’s going to prosper and be prosperous.

“I say thank you to all of you and I appreciate tonight. I will continue to appreciate more when we work together to dissect the possible economic prosperity of our nation in favour of our children.

“I’m also glad to see former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Thank you, Akin. God bless you all.”

Speaking on behalf of NGF, AbdulRazaq, pledged that state chief executives, regardless of party affiliations, were ready to cooperate and work with the President to ensure the country becomes better and safer for all citizens.

He said: “NGF is excited that both the President and Vice President are alumni of the Governors’ Forum. We are committed to work with a federalist who worked to get things done in a truly federal system. We reiterate our support for a renewed hope agenda regardless of our parties.”

The APC governors at the reception were led by Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) Chairman Hope Uzodimma (Imo).

Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri represented the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Abia State Governor Alex Otti represented the Labour Party (LP).

Other governors were Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarrawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio reaffirmed the National Assembly’s resolve to work harmoniously with the President, telling him: “The National Assembly belongs to you, and all Nigerians.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu told Tinubu: “Lagos is proud of you”. He also expressed confidence in the president’s ability to offer good leadership.

He said: “I’m sure you will all agree that since he took his oath of office as the president of the largest black nation, we have seen uncommon pronouncement, uncommon audacity of change, a renewed hope that he promised us.

“I’m also proud of him to say that this is a tenure that begins with a promise of change and, within a short time, we are beginning to see that change.

“Mr President, your ascension to the seat was greeted with great war and expectations. We believed in you as a leader, a builder of men, talents, and a custodian of the best ideas of governance.

“I’m happy to say that indeed you are our Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You’ve catalysed a series of economic interventions, and policy changes, and you have sown the seed of future prosperity.

“Your administration has rekindled the attitude of resilience and integrity among fellow Nigerians.

“We are confident that under your leadership, Nigeria will reach unprecedented heights.

“We stand in solidarity with you in bringing your great vision for Nigeria to life, and we will join hands with the president to rebuild Nigeria.”

Former Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola also reiterated the need to support the president to succeed.

“Nigeria’s presidency is not a one-man job. He should be supported to succeed.

“Six of his policies in Lagos, as governor, have stood the test of time and have been adopted in other states and so I urge the governors to support policies that will be introduced by the president.”

Other dignitaries at the event include First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, former Kano State Abdullahi Ganduje and former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro.

The others are the APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

Business leaders were led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Rasak Okoya. Royal fathers of Awori extraction were also present at the reception.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma will today meet with his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the demolition of some plazas at the Alaba International Market in Ojo.

Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressives Governors’ Forum, an umbrella body of governors elected on the All Progressives Congress(APC) platform, was delegated by political and private sector leaders from the Southeast to carry out the task.

The leaders took the decision during their meeting at the Ikoyi, Lagos residence of billionaire businessman and chairman, Chikason Group., Chika Okafor.

At the meeting, they called for a diplomatic solution to the demolitions at the international market.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mba; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu; former President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Sam Ohuabunwa, Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Drainage, Joe Igbokwe and Representative of the Igbo Intelligentsia Forum, Chris Maduka were among those at the parley.

He said: “The Igbo have courage. Our work is to unite the people for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. The Igbo have to be innovative. I will meet with Lagos Governor tomorrow (today) to find the ways out of the issues at hand.”

Also, Mba said the Igbo have to promote private-sector-led enterprises. He added that the Southeast governors were already discussing a common market for the region.

One of the speakers, Chief Ben Obi, said the Igbo should begin to build bridges and contribute more to a stable government.

He said: “We are not enemies of the government in power. The elections are over, and now is the time to work together and support the government in power. There is also a need to canvass for Igbo rights as good citizens of Nigeria”.

While another speaker, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, called for the restoration of normalcy between the Alaba Market Traders and the government of Lagos State, Maduka, said what was happening to the Igbo in Lagos was historical.

He suggested that it should be resolved diplomatically.

“Let us remind the Igbos that what is happening is historical, and symbolic. What we are seeking is a diplomatic solution,” Maduka said.

he Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday cautioned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) against further increase in petrol price.

Its National Vice-President Abubakar Maigadi warned that further increases would not favour the market especially now that the demand for the product has dropped.

He said: “We are waiting for the new consignment of petrol for July to come before we can know what NNPCL plans.

“But it is not good for there to be a change of price in July. This is just our advice. It will not augur well when they change the price. We are advising NNPCL not to change the price.”

But IPMAN’s National Operations Controller, Mike Osatuyi, described the current petrol prices as transitional.

Osatuyi said the prices may rise to N700 in some parts of the country beginning tomorrow.

He said: “The petrol being sold now is old stock- the ones on the high sea, tanks and filling stations- they are all stocks ordered before the subsidy removal.

“Right now, nobody has imported petrol. People who want to import have to go and source for Forex on their own. We are trying to access funds and place orders for the product. Delivery cannot be earlier than 28 days after an order.”

On why prices may hit N700 per litre, Osatuyi said: “With a current exchange rate standing at N770 to a dollar today, if you now configure that into the template of $70 a barrel of crude, what do you think that will translate to? A 45, 000-litre tanker of petrol now comes at N23 million.

“The current price of petrol we are buying is a ‘’transition price’. We are not even talking about the VAT (Value Added Tax) that has been gazetted on all petroleum products. So, once that is affected, then it has to be added to the litre price. I don’t want to create panic that’s why I left it at N700.

“Even the NNPCL price per litre will still increase because of the new forex rate at which the firm will import petrol.

“Remember that NNPCL is now operating as a company; it won’t enjoy crude oil swap deals again; it will buy forex at the same price as us. There is no more arbitrage in the sector. It is now how each marketer is able to drive his efficiency that will bring down his cost and the quality of service rendered.”

President Bola Tinubu explained yesterday that petrol subsidy was removed to stop the bleeding of Nigeria’s economy.

He added that it was expedient for the action to be taken to re-engineer the control and management of the nation’s resources.

He spoke at a reception for him at the State House in Marina, Lagos to celebrate Eid-el Kabir.

The President, at the reception hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said Nigeria could no longer be neighbouring countries’ Father Christmas while its economy bleeds.

His words: “We had no choice but to re-engineer the effectiveness of control and management of our resources to meet the obligation of our oath. I’m standing here, assuring you that I will not relent in working with available resources to cater for Nigerians.

“We can afford to be Father Christmas to the neighbouring countries, but we can’t just afford a petroleum subsidy and a sinking hole around the foreign exchange.

“Yes, I could have said I want a share of my benefits and participate in the habit, but God forbid. That is not why you elected me. You choose me to bring about necessary changes that will benefit not only you, but your grandchildren and our tomorrow.

“We have just started. We have to re-engineer the financial system of the country and see that economic planning and the budgetary process is transparent enough to cater for Nigerians.”

Edo PDP chair lauds bold decisions

Also yesterday, Chairman of local chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, commended the President for taken bold decisions to stop subsidy payment and unify naira exchange rates.

He noted that the policies of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC)-led administration would soon give Nigeria more than N2 trillion.

Aziegbemi, an economist, told reporters in Benin that the steps taken by the President were the best way to go for the country.

The PDP chieftain however said that many Nigerians were worried about the nature of palliatives being planned by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the policies.

He advised the President to shut the door of his government against people of questionable character, urging him to take a cue from the some PDP members who now throw mud at the party.

According to him, members of G-34 that formed the PDP in 1998 would be turning in their graves because of what some politicians do to the party.

He listed some of the founding members (now deceased) Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Dr. Alex Ekueme and Chief Tony Anenih, among others.