More than 3,000 asylum seekers could be detained and deported from the United Kingdom every month to enforce Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s flagship asylum bill, leaked documents have revealed.
As Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced a backlash from Conservative MPs over record levels of net migration, briefing papers have revealed the government has drawn up plans to remove 3,163 asylum seekers every month from January 2024.
According to the Guardian UK, the documents, which focus on the implementation of the illegal migration bill, also make clear ministers could face crippling legal action without a substantial increase in legal aid fees for lawyers who advise refugees.
It is the first detailed glimpse of the scale of the task facing Whitehall if it is to implement Braverman’s bill, which is currently before the Lords. The Home Office has until now refused to release the impact assessment of the bill.
The disclosure came as net migration and the backlog of asylum claims reached record highs.
Sunak was compelled to concede that numbers should fall after figures from the Office for National Statistics showed overall migration into the UK for 2022 was 606,000, which represents a 24% increase on the previous high of 488,000 in 2021.
More than 100,000 people seeking asylum have waited longer than six months for an initial decision on their case, the latest figures showed, while more than three-quarters of all small-boat asylum applications since 2018 are still awaiting a decision.
The leaked documents, marked “urgent”, were prepared this week for Alex Chalk, the lord chancellor, the junior justice minister Lord Bellamy and the Ministry of Justice permanent secretary, Antonia Romeo.
The aim was to ensure there were enough lawyers on hand to provide advice at immigration detention centres if the bill passes into law.
Under the bill, those who arrive in the UK without permission will not be able to stay to claim asylum but will instead be detained and removed, either to their home nation or a third country such as Rwanda.
The documents, prepared using data from the Home Office, say the department should prepare for 1,600 people to be held under the bill in detention centres from September, rising to 3,163 every month from January.
One document said, “Steers are required as soon as possible to engage legal aid provider and – if you agree it is necessary – start implementing fee increases in time for September 2023 when we are expecting to provide access to legal aid to 1,600 individuals (scenario B) and scale to 3,163 individuals a month (scenario C) from January 2024.”
Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the documents show that the government, contrary to its claims, is preparing for mass deportations.
He added, “While the government has been rigorously sticking to the line that its new bill would ‘act as a deterrent’, this information shows that it is well aware that vulnerable people will keep arriving in the UK in search of protection.
“It is appalling that it is preparing to lock up and kick out thousands of men, women and children, most of whom would be found to be refugees if their claim was heard on UK soil.”
In the documents, civil servants recommend increasing legal aid fees by at least 15% in order for the government to be able to attract solicitors to represent thousands of asylum seekers. But the document also puts forward a possible increase of 200%, which is not recommended.
Chalk is warned by civil servants that a judicial review could be launched if he fails to provide legal advice to detainees.
The briefing said: “You (lord chancellor) will have a statutory duty to secure that legal aid is available to this cohort … Not addressing capacity issues could mean that there are not sufficient legal aid providers to carry out this work. This could be challenged by way of judicial review.”
According to one document, current hourly rates for immigration solicitors are between £53 and £74. Civil servants held a meeting with specialist firms in the sector who “were clear that unless legal aid rates are substantially increased they would not be able to justify allocation of IMB work in any volume over privately paid casework,” the document said.
Assuming that ministers approved of an increase in fees, the document recommended a 15% increase to up to £86 an hour, which would result in an increase in expenditure on fees from £53m to £61m a year.
The Guardian UK
The apex court in Nigeria, Supreme Court has on Friday slammed two million naira fine against the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for poke nosing into the affairs of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Court also affirmed the eligibility of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to contest the presidential election that held on February 25, 2023.
It noted that PDP’s appeal lacked merit and warned counsel to advice their client against filling this kind of suit.
“The instant appeal was unnecessary and counsel should do better to advice their client against filing this sort of suit in future,” Justice Adamu Jauro, said.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by three individuals seeking to stop the inauguration of President-elect, Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima over age falsification and citizenship status in the document Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on Friday, held that the suit by the trio of Praise Ilemona Isaiah, Pastor Paul Isaac Audu and Anongu Moses, who identified themselves as Concerned Citizens, was frivolous and an abuse of the court process.
In the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/C5/657/2023, the plaintiffs alleged that Tinubu, who was declared the winner of the presidential election held on February 25, lied on oath in the Form EC9 he submitted to INEC, in aid of his qualifications to contest the election.
They also told the court that Tinubu falsely declared that he was not a citizen of any other country despite that he was in possession of a Guinean passport.
The trio further alleged that whereas the President-elect claimed that he was born in 1957, it was discovered that 1952 was his actual date of birth, arguing that Tinubu’s action was in gross violation of Section 117 of the Criminal Code Act as well as Section 156 of the Penal Code Act.
To usurp Tinubu, they prayed to the court to ban Tinubu from vying for any elective position for the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to file the suit, adding that the court could not exercise jurisdiction to hear it because it relates to a presidential election.
He maintained that under section 285 (14) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, only an aspirant could challenge the qualification or nomination of a candidate in an election.
He held that since the election has already been conducted, only the Court of Appeal has the jurisdiction to entertain cases arising from the presidential election.
While accusing the plaintiffs of wasting judicial time of the court by filing the suit which he described as an abuse of court process, Justice Omotosho held that the legal action was in bad faith as it was aimed to expose the judiciary to ridicule.
He also held that the suit, which sought to stop the inauguration that is a few days away, was capable of destabilising the democracy in the country.
Omotosho then awarded a cost of N10 million in Tinubu’s favour, N5 million in favour of the APC and another N1 million to be personally paid by counsel for the plaintiffs, to each of the respondents.
He further threatened to refer the lawyers that helped the plaintiffs to file the suit to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for instituting an action “capable of dragging the judiciary to the mud.”
[Punch]
Less than one month after leaving office, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) constituted by its Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, to observe the general election in Sierra Leone on June 24, 2023.
According to a release issued on Friday by Osinbajo’s media aide, Laolu Akande, the
Commonwealth Scribe constituted the observer group made up of a team of distinguished experts upon the invitation from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone for next month’s polls in the West African nation.
As the COG Chairman, Osinbajo will be the leader and spokesperson of the Group of distinguished experts drawn from around the world, interfacing between the Group and the media, and the authorities of the host country, and also representing the Group at all official functions.
The Vice President will also preside over meetings of the Group.
In a public statement issued on Thursday, The Commonwealth Scribe expressed gratitude “to His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for accepting my invitation, to undertake this important area of our work in deepening democracy across our Commonwealth – despite his busy schedule and overseeing a seamless transition of his government.
“As a senior statesman from the region, H.E. Osinbajo understands in depth, the challenges across West Africa and I am confident he will lead a brilliant team.”
Responding, Osinbajo welcomed “the opportunity to lead the election observers in Sierra Leone on June 24, this year.
“I’m highly honoured by the unique opportunity to continue to bring my expertise and experience in contributing to deepening democracy especially in Africa and the Commonwealth by extension.”
According to the Commonwealth Secretariat, Osinbajo will be joined by recognised dignitaries from various fields including politicians, legal, media, gender and election administration professionals from across the Commonwealth to carry out the task next month.
The Commonwealth also stated that “the mandate of the Osinbajo-led Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone “will be to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the election has been conducted in a credible manner. The Group will then report on the conduct of the elections in accordance with the standards to which Sierra Leone has committed itself, including its own laws.
“In line with Commonwealth methodology, the Group will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for credible and inclusive elections, including a fair election environment; whether public media has been impartial; the transparency of the entire process; and whether voters are free to express their will.”
“The Group, upon completion of its assignment, will submit its recommendations in a report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will subsequently share it with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Electoral Commission, political parties and all Commonwealth governments.”
The Vice President, on behalf of the Nigerian government, has been at the forefront of championing democratic governments especially in the West African sub-region, under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
On several occasions, Osinbajo had represented President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria at different sessions of the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
Sierra Leone Election: Osinbajo to Lead Commonwealth Observer Group
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Less than one month after leaving office, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) constituted by its Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, to observe the general election in Sierra Leone on June 24, 2023.
According to a release issued on Friday by Osinbajo’s media aide, Laolu Akande, the
Commonwealth Scribe constituted the observer group made up of a team of distinguished experts upon the invitation from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone for next month’s polls in the West African nation.
As the COG Chairman, Osinbajo will be the leader and spokesperson of the Group of distinguished experts drawn from around the world, interfacing between the Group and the media, and the authorities of the host country, and also representing the Group at all official functions.
The Vice President will also preside over meetings of the Group.
In a public statement issued on Thursday, The Commonwealth Scribe expressed gratitude “to His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for accepting my invitation, to undertake this important area of our work in deepening democracy across our Commonwealth – despite his busy schedule and overseeing a seamless transition of his government.
“As a senior statesman from the region, H.E. Osinbajo understands in depth, the challenges across West Africa and I am confident he will lead a brilliant team.”
Responding, Osinbajo welcomed “the opportunity to lead the election observers in Sierra Leone on June 24, this year.
“I’m highly honoured by the unique opportunity to continue to bring my expertise and experience in contributing to deepening democracy especially in Africa and the Commonwealth by extension.”
According to the Commonwealth Secretariat, Osinbajo will be joined by recognised dignitaries from various fields including politicians, legal, media, gender and election administration professionals from across the Commonwealth to carry out the task next month.
The Commonwealth also stated that “the mandate of the Osinbajo-led Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone “will be to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the election has been conducted in a credible manner. The Group will then report on the conduct of the elections in accordance with the standards to which Sierra Leone has committed itself, including its own laws.
“In line with Commonwealth methodology, the Group will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for credible and inclusive elections, including a fair election environment; whether public media has been impartial; the transparency of the entire process; and whether voters are free to express their will.”
“The Group, upon completion of its assignment, will submit its recommendations in a report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will subsequently share it with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Electoral Commission, political parties and all Commonwealth governments.”
The Vice President, on behalf of the Nigerian government, has been at the forefront of championing democratic governments especially in the West African sub-region, under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
On several occasions, Osinbajo had represented President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria at different sessions of the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
[ThisDay]
A Federal High Court in Abuja has imposed a fine of N17 million on three litigants and their lawyer for filing a frivolous suit seeking to stop the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Justice James Omotoso imposed the fine on Praise Ilemona, Pastor Paul Issac Audu and Dr Anongu Moses who jointly instituted the suit praying for an order to halt the Monday, May 29, swearing-in of Tinubu as new President.
The three litigants are to jointly pay the President elect a sum of N10 million and another N5 million to the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were part of the seven defendants in the suit.
Justice Omotoso also ordered that an interest of 10 percentage be placed on the judgment debt per year until when finally liquidated.
Their lawyer who filed the suit, described as vexatious by the court, was ordered to pay N1 million to each of Tinubu and the APC.
The Federal High Court decision came barely 24 hours after the Court of Appeal in Abuja slammed N40 million fine on a former Presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru who also sought to stop Tinubu’s inauguration on the ground that he won the 2019 presidential election and should be inaugurated instead of Tinubu.
The three plaintiffs had in their dismissed suit sought to stop the May 29 inauguration on the alleged ground that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu supplied false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about his age and citizenship status.
Justice Omotosho, in a ruling on Friday, held that the suit by Praise Ilemona Isaiah, Pastor Paul Isaac Audu and Anongu Moses was frivolous and abuse of court process.
The Judge held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to file the suit, adding that the court could not exercise jurisdiction to hear it because it relates to a presidential election.
The ruling by Justice Omotosho is coming about 40 minutes after the Supreme Court dismissed another suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to void the candidacy of Tinubu and the Vice-president elect, Kashim Shettima.
[DailyPost]
Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu has confessed that he was inexperienced in the education sector before President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him in 2015.
Adamu, who is the longest serving minister revealed this at a valedictory session with officials and heads of parastatals of the Ministry on Thursday.
He thanked Buhari for trusting him with such a responsibility that he was not prepared for. He said: “I didn’t know anything about education except superficially.
When Buhari decided to make me Minister of Education, there is somebody here sitting and looking at me; he was the first person I called.
He said ‘what do you want to achieve?’ I said I want to achieve good things. And these are my ideas as a learner. After that meeting, professors of education were called and I told them what I wanted to achieve and let them put it in writing for me and they (the professors) did.
[NationalDaily]
A plane belonging to Nigeria Air, the proposed national carrier, has landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, disclosed this in a tweet on Friday.
The minister had, on Wednesday, said the federal government would take delivery of the aircraft today, ahead of the commencement of operations.
“We are here. To Almighty God be all the glory. It has been a very long, tedious, daunting, and difficult path. We thank everyone for the support. This, by the will of God, will be for us and generations to come. Ya Allah make it beneficial for our country and humanity,” Sirika tweeted on Friday.
We are here. To Almighty God be all the glory. It has been a very long, tedious, daunting and difficult path. We thank everyone for the support. This, by the will of God, will be for us and generations to come. Ya Allah make it beneficial for our country and humanity pic.twitter.com/an4LbgmSf5
— Hadi Abubakar Sirika (@hadisirika) May 26, 2023
Earlier on Friday, the federal government had said it was set to officially unveil the proposed national airline.
The event, according to an invitation to TheCable, is billed to hold today, by 4 pm, at the Nigerian Air Operations Centre in the Abuja airport.
“The federal ministry of aviation cordially requests your presence at the official unveiling of Nigeria Air on Friday, 26th May 2023, at 4 pm,” the document reads.
Meanwhile, domestic aviation firms, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), have condemned Sirika’s move to float the proposed national airline before May 29, 2023.
The airlines, in a statement on Friday, signed by Obiora Okonkwo, spokesperson of AON, described the move as contemptuous and shadowy, saying a federal high court had halted moves by the minister to float the airline until the determination of the substantive suit brought by the union.
The association also claimed that Nigeria Air had not yet completed the process of acquiring an airline operating certificate (AOC) — a critical licence for operations.
[TheCable]
Justina Dauda, a graduate of Taraba State University, has expressed gratitude to God for preserving her chastity.
After successfully finishing her one-year mandatory NYSC programme as a virgin, the 20-year-old proudly posted her achievement on social media.
In a Facebook, Dauda celebrated her innocence while also praying for her alma mater to produce more virtuous corpers.
She wrote: “Diary of the virgin corper 2023. I came, I saw and I’m coming back home intact. Those who mocked me gave me the strength to come back home intact. The 20-year-old corper is here to say thank you Lord.
“Dedicating this special day to Taraba State University Department of Political Science and International Relations class of 2021. I pray for more virgin corpers from Taraba state University.”
[Nation]
THE presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said the ruling of the Supreme Court on the suit filed by the party was not a setback in his quest for justice.
The former Vice President disclosed this in a statement shared on his Twitter handle on Friday, May 26.
The PDP candidate noted that the legal team was primed to robustly prove that the February 25 presidential election was fraudulent and did not comply with the constitutional requirements and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ICIR had earlier reported that the Apex court dismissed a suit filed by the PDP for the disqualification of President-elect Bola Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima over alleged double nomination.
The Supreme Court Justice, Adamu Jauro, who delivered the judgment, said the PDP acted as an intrusive interloper and a busybody by filing the suit.
The court further described the PDP’s action as misleading and “sad.”
It further awarded a sum of N2 million against the party, noting that the suit lacked merit.
Reacting to the dismissal. Atiku tweeted, “The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the case of the #OfficialPDPNig is not a setback to my quest for justice.
“Our legal team are primed to robustly prove that the election of February 25 was fraudulent, did not comply with the constitutional requirements and the electoral guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, #inecnigeria, and that the announced winner was not even qualified to contest the poll.
“The battle for democracy and the enthronement of a new order to spur growth and development in Nigeria is one to which I have committed my all and for which I am not ready to walk away at this point when our nation is at crossroads.
“We know that sooner than later, our esteemed Justices will make the pronouncement that will serve as a befitting requiem for mandate bandits.
“I urge my supporters to exercise patience and conduct themselves peaceably as we diligently conduct our litigation at the Presidential Election Tribunal Court.”
The suit
The PDP, had on July 28, 2022, filed a suit asking for the disqualification of Tinubu and Shettima from contesting the 2023 presidential election on the grounds that Shettima’s nomination as Tinubu’s running mate amounted to double nomination, in breach of the provisions of Sections 29(1), 33, 35 and 84{1)}(2)} of the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended.
The party argued that Shettima’s nomination to contest the position of vice president and Borno Central senatorial seat breached the law.
Subsequently, an Abuja Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal dismissed the suit.
The party asked the Supreme Court to reverse the Court of Appeal judgment, which held that the party failed to establish its locus standi, noting that Shettima’s disqualification for double nomination could halt the swearing-in of Tinubu as President since they ran a combined ticket.
On May 22, The ICIR reported that the Supreme Court fixed May 26 to deliver judgment in the suit.
At the apex court, the party’s lawyer Joe Agim told argued that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier admitted Shettima’s double nomination at the Court of Appeal.
“There’s a punishment for double nomination,” Agim said.
The PDP requested that the Supreme Court exercise its authority and assume jurisdiction over the case to overturn the lower courts’ earlier rulings and reassess the parties’ arguments.
The PDP claimed that Shettima’s nominations for vice president and Senator are against the terms of the Electoral Act.
The party also explained that Shettima’s Senate nomination had not been withdrawn from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when he was nominated as Tinubu’s running mate, arguing that running for two posts at once was unlawful.
[ICIR]
Former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Mukhtar Shagari, has advised the President-elect, Bola Tinubu to be careful of sycophants and praise singers.
Shagari also urged the former Governor of Lagos State to surround himself with the right people who will advise him on areas of the economy that needs to be addressed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the former Minister of Water Resources said Tinubu can succeed if he has the right team to work with.
He said, “Very easily if he has the right team. If you are talented and you are the captain of a football team, if you are the only person that is talented and good, you don’t have strikers, you can hardly win any competition.
“But if you have the right people, in fact, it is the right team and strikers that will help you score the goals. So, if Bola Ahmed Tinubu does what he did in Lagos at the national level, that is expanding what he did to achieve success in Lagos, then bring in the right calibre of people.
“Bring in people who know what they are doing, people who have integrity because the brightest person can fail if he doesn’t have the integrity. So, if he has the right team and the right people, I believe that he can still do what he did in Lagos in Nigeria.”
The former minister also urged Tinubu to make security a top priority and address the dwindling economy.
He added, “First of all, he (Tinubu) must be very careful of sycophants, people who will tell him stories, people who will tell him things they believe he will want to hear.
“Another one is that he must take the issue of security seriously, people are still being killed, people are still being kidnapped and after that, he must look at the economy. I know he will be able to bring people who will help him build the economy.”
More...
his has been a week of reflection, introspection, and rumination. It’s the last full week of a journey that started eight years ago. And like Yoruba people say, if you can ponder, then you will wonder, and be filled with thanksgiving to God.
That was what Wednesday was dedicated to. Looking backwards, inwards, and forward, as the last Federal Executive Council meeting under President Muhammadu Buhari held. “This is the last that we shall dance together,” Wole Soyinka wrote in his work, Kongi’s Harvest.
Yes, dances do end, no matter how much you love to pirouette. You dance like butterfly and sting like a bee. It will end. You gyrate, whirl and spiral. Very good. It’s a delightful part of life. But then, there’s always the last dance. That’s what Luther Vandross sang about in Dance With My Father:
Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me then
Spin me around till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved
If I could get another chance
Another walk, another dance with him
I’d play a song that would never ever end
How I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again.
For Vandross and his father, the dance ended at a time. As it’s bound to be. Nothing lasts forever. Not the good. Not the bad. Not even life itself.
Reflections. That was what happened on Wednesday, as the Federal Executive Council meeting held for the last time under this administration. Such days had come for many governments in the past, and would also come in the future. It’s inexorable, as sure as night follows the day.
Each Minister, and Minister of State, was given time to speak on times and seasons under the Buhari administration. Some had been there since 2015, some others came in 2019, and yet others in 2021, after a minor cabinet rejig.
It was appreciation, eulogy and tributes to the President all the way. Not fawning praise singing, but factual appraisal of opportunity given to serve the country, and to make a difference.
Do you know that Ministers rarely spend four years in position, not to talk of eight years? But a lot did under Buhari, because he’s not a supercilious man, who just likes to sack for the kick he would get from it. Yes, some appointors love to play God over their appointees. They hire and fire at will, just because they have the powers. For some other leaders, it’s job for the boys. You serve for a year or two, and you are dropped, so that the largesse can go round. Not Buhari. Unless you fall short of the mark, you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar, or commit some other grave malfeasance, then you can be sure of a guaranteed time. You have been called to serve, and not to be ridiculed and humiliated out of office.
The Ministers went down the memory lane. And it’s been quite a journey, said the Minister of Justice/Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN. He’s the longest serving in that position in history of the country. Just a few months short of eight years.
His summation: “With all sense of responsibility, we’ve left the country better than we met it.”
Senator Hadi Sirika was at first Minister of State, Transportation, and later full Minister in charge of Aviation. He said the English language was insufficient for him to say thank you to the President for the honor done him, allowing him to serve.
And he spoke about the non-interfering, non-intrusive style of the principal. He recalled when he was going to close the runway of the Abuja airport for many weeks, a momentous decision. President Buhari just listened to him patiently, and said: “Go and plan very well.” The job got done.
Professor Ali Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, told the President: “You are the best. We’ve learnt a lot from you, and we will forever be grateful.”
He said he came from a poor and deprived background, and he could never have sat in the hallowed Council Chamber, if not for someone like President Buhari.
“It’s the last FEC meeting, but we will continue to meet with you through our prayers,” he submitted.
Mohammed Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, said he was picked out of the blues, a testimony typical of most of his colleagues. And he is today the longest serving Minister in his portfolio. He also said the English language was inadequate to express his appreciation. So he borrowed an Hausa word the President loves to use: Madalla, meaning ‘well done, thank you, excellent.’
Dr Ramatu Aliyu, Minister of State, FCT, wondered how a minority from Kogi State, a woman, could have entered the Federal Cabinet, if not for a President who believes in equitable distribution of power. She called Buhari ‘Father of Nigeria’s Infrastructure Renaissance.’ True.
Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said what she and her colleagues had gone through was “PMB School of Governance,” saying the President never called her once to see anybody, or give anybody anything.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, glorified God for the restored and renewed health of the President, after the severe health challenge of 2017, which saw him in and out of hospital for about eight months.
“Your sterling leadership qualities are admired all over Africa, and, indeed, the world,” he declared.
All the Ministers spoke, but for want of space, let us adopt this highly applauded one from Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation:
“My intervention will commence on a note of gratitude to God by whose grace we are all alive and here to witness this glorious day. Next, is to thank you, Mr President, because our appointment as members of FEC is through your presidential benevolence. I am particularly grateful for being a member of this legacy team of your administration. You had earlier appointed me as MD, NIWA, and Minister of State for Health. A day like this is a day of thanksgiving, it is a day of reminiscences and it is a day of celebration of God’s faithfulness.
“Before proceeding further, please permit me to share a true life story on a lighter note. When I was Speaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1999, as the presiding officer, I could sit for 5 – 6 hours without getting up from my seat. I was much younger then, but I cannot do that now that I am 70. After one of such sessions one day, some of my colleagues in the chambers walked to my seat at the platform searching underneath my table and I asked what they were looking for. They told me they came to find out whether I had a urinary catheter connected to a container under my table to explain my ability to sit for such long hours without the urge to go and ease myself.
“Mr Chairman Sir, I wonder how you are able to do the same at over 80! It’s simply incredible and can only be explained by your Spartan discipline. This Spartan discipline is one of the qualities that define you as a leader. I have observed you from a privileged position as one of your foot soldiers in the capacity of Deputy Director General of your Presidential Campaign both in 2015 and 2019. You are a man of calm disposition under any circumstance.
“In 2015 while wooing delegates for the presidential primaries, l sat with you in the car traversing several States from Kano to Bauchi, Kebbi, Zamfara and finally to Sokoto. The journey from Zamfara to Sokoto was in the night and the convoy was moving at neck breaking speed, so much that my heart was virtually in my mouth and skipping beats! Here was l sitting next to a General. I was so scared. Lo and behold, Oga was calm all through the journey without uttering a word on the driver’s speed! We arrived in Sokoto at about 12.30am!
“Mr President is a man of compassion and great humility. We had just finished the Presidential nomination convention at Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos lasting from Wednesday night to early hours of Friday, about 2am. After delivering his acceptance speech, he left the podium and I thought Mr President had gone back to the hotel where we both came from. How wrong I was! He was sitting quietly in the car patiently waiting for me.
“When word came to me through Sarki Abba that Oga was waiting for me, I quickly rushed to join him in the car with a load of apology. He said “Distinguished Mamora, how could l have left you behind, when we rode in here together?” I felt greatly touched.
“Mr President has an uncommon sense of humor. At one of our virtual FEC meetings during COVID, following the presentation of a memo by the Aviation Minister, the Minister of Police Affairs was called to make his comment, having indicated to speak, but he was not available after repeated calls; Mr President then retorted, maybe he has gone for “Road block”!
“At another FEC meeting, while debating a memo on augmentation of the contract sum for the reconstruction of a particular road, the issue arose as to how Nigeria can maximise the use of local resources for road construction. Following an energetic submission by the Interior Minister, Mr President set up a Cabinet Committee to look into the matter. In his characteristic passion for what he believes in, the Interior Minister sought Mr President’s permission to be co-opted into the 3-member committee to which Mr President retorted, “Hon Minister of Interior, we do not need a passport for road construction!”
“Mr President, you have carefully put a great team together to assist you in the prosecution of your agenda for Nigeria, starting with Mr Vice President who has not only been truly Vice Presidential in words and deeds, but has combined professorial erudition with pastoral zeal. He heads the team of legal minds in FEC, whose contributions oftentimes illuminate and enrich debates at our meetings…
“Mr President and distinguished council members, I recall the comic relief always introduced to debate by the duo of Hon Minister of Works and Housing, and Hon Minister of Labour. Following the presentation of a memo on road construction and rehabilitation one day, by the Minister of Works and Housing, the Labour Minister said the Minister of Works has begged and lobbied him to sheath his sword and not attack his memo. He further said the Works Minister is an Ikate boy who migrated to Surulere. In his response, the Works Minister said the incessant strikes by the labour unions was caused by the Labour Minister who moved from Okija to Victoria Island in Lagos thereby giving the false impression that he has a lot of money. Hence Labour has been on strike with a view to benefiting from the Labour Minister’s wealth.
“The banters they throw at each other bring a lot of comic relief to the council chambers and they can be likened to “Tom and Jerry” of children’s comedy fame.
“Distinguished Council members, we have jointly served our country to the best of our abilities, hence we raise our hands in joyful adoration and shout “Thus far the Lord has helped us”! To God be the glory!
“Mr President, l join my colleagues and millions of your well wishers to congratulate you and Mr Vice President for the giant strides made under your eight-year presidency, your achievements, in the various sectors, already documented, will remain indelible in the annals of our nation’s history. You have finished well and strong. Yours has been a life of struggle but full of grace. Now is the time to take a bow and enjoy your well deserved rest.
Congratulations, Mr President and best wishes.”
Kizz Daniel and Tekno, in the popular song, Buga, said: “When I land I land softly on a sofa floor…” That is what is happening to President Buhari. Despite evil speaking, evil thoughts, false prophecies, lies, de-marketing from some quarters, the President is landing well, finishing strong. To Daura for a well deserved rest after serving the country for many decades. Awesome God.
And today is also our last dance on this platform, From the Inside, which has featured for many years, without failing for a single week. God be praised. And by His grace, we meet on another platform in the not too distant future.
So long. Au revoire.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
The national women leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Betta Edu, has President-elect Bola Tinubu will perform so well that Nigerians will beg him to run for a second term.
Tinubu is billed to be inaugurated as the substantive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023.
While speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Edu said Tinubu has planned what to achieve for Nigeria in the next 60 days in the office.
According to Edu, Tinubu is fully prepared to “hit the ground running” immediately after assuming office.
The APC national women leader said Tinubu will work on the “low points” of the outgoing administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Edu said, “I bet on anything, Nigerians would plead with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, four years down the line, for a second term.
“The first point we must understand is that Nigeria is a work in progress. If you listen to the speech of President Muhammadu Buhari today at the state banquet hall, he stated very clearly that he has fought a good fight.
“He said he is handing over Nigeria to someone who he believes will continue from where he stops and do better.”
She said, “If you know Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he is a deep thinker and doer. One who is very strong in terms of analysing and strategising.
“I can boldly tell you for free that the next 60 days have clearly been spelt out by Tinubu — what he hopes to do, what he hopes to achieve, at what point and where.
“He fully understands the task ahead of him. He is fully prepared. He wants to hit the ground running.”
Four members of the family of the Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc, Tony Elumelu have acquired 6,434,616 ordinary shares of United Bank for Africa Plc, a move that would increase his family’s ownership of the bank.
Currently, Elumelu’s indirect holdings in UBA stand at 2,275,272,404 units of shares, from 2,185,934,184 as of December 31, 2022, while his direct shares are 194,669,555 units of shares.
The new transaction announced by the Bili A. Odum, Group Company Secretary/Legal Counsel indicates that the shares were bought by, Ugochukwu Elumelu, Onyinye Elumelu, Onyekachukwu Elumelu, and Toby Onyemaechi Elumelu.
According to corporate and regulatory records, the deals were sealed on May 24, 2023, at the price of N8.70 per ordinary share bought.
Going by the corporate records, the deals were worth N55,981,159.2.
The details show that Onyinye Elumelu accumulated 2,070,366 shares on 24 May, 2023 at N8.70 per share and another 2,070,366 shares on the same day at the same amount.
The corporate disclosure identified Onyinye as a relative of the bank’s Chairman.
Another of his kinsman, Ugochukwu Elumelu purchased 2,048,061 shares at N8.70 per share, UBA disclosed.
Onyekachukwu Elumelu also bought 91,175 shares at NGN8.70 per share on May 24, 2023.
Toby Onyemaechi Elumelu purchased 77,324 shares at N8.70 per share and in the same day bought additional 77,324 shares.
Recall that in 2021, Awele Vivien Elumelu, Tony Elumelu’s wife had bought 412,642 shares at N7.00 per share worth N2,888,494.00. She bought 156,097 shares at N5.9999 per share in 2020.
Ugochukwu Elumelu had in 2021 purchased, 244,966 ordinary shares at N6.90 valued N1,690,265.40. Ugochukwu had in 2020 also bought 361,323 shares at N6.0 per share.
Toby Onyemaechi Elumelu bought 36,016 shares at N7.10 per share in 2021 after he had bought 7,460 shares and 7,452 shares at N6.0 per share the previous year.
In 2021, Tiffany Ogochukwu Elumelu bought 296,043 at the price of N7.00 per share.
Tamara-Marie Ogechukwu Elumelu also joined the rush purchasing 296,409 units of shares at N7.00 per unit totaling N2,074,863.00. Ogechukwu had mopped up 361,323 shares at N6.0 per share in 2020.
Nneka Elumelu in 2021 spent N1.72m to purchase 245,457 of UBA at N7.00 per share, adding to the 106,464 shares she bought in 2020 at the price of N6.0 per share.
Onyinyechukwu Elumelu in 2021 acquired 243,899 at the price of N7.00. He spent a total of N1,707,293.00 on the transaction. Onyinyechukwu had bought 107,250 shares at N6.0 per share the previous year.
A political economist, Pat Utomi, has denied claims that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, sponsored the election of the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
This is coming against the backdrop of a claim by an LP candidate in Oyo State, Tawfiq Akinwale, that Tinubu asked Utomi to step down for Peter Obi in the buildup to the 2023 general elections.
However, Utomi described the allegation as misinformation against him.
Tweeting, Utomi wrote: “Truly if any flow from BAT came to me, I would quickly withdraw money I spent at his urging in 2007 paid to an international PR agency for an Orange revolution-type campaign to stop 3rd term but not refunded.
“Details are in the book I wrote 4 years ago. It would have helped my cash flow.
“As for funding PO, I cannot but be amazed at this disinformation.
“The outpouring of resources of citizens in support groups and PO’s prudent draw on his own purse was so humbling I even turned to ODs to fund my own activities in support of the campaign for faith in saving Nigeria.”