The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Ayodele, on Friday, described Nigeria’s economic state as hypertensive.

Primate Ayodele said the President Bola Tinubu’s government has no solution to Nigeria’s economic problems.

In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Oluwatosin Osho, the prophet explained that Nigeria will continue to be difficult till there’s an economic reset which the current government may not be able to carry out.

He said: “This government will only work but they don’t have solution. Things will be getting difficult until they restart the economy again. I pity Nigerians because they will continue to face this till when God knows.

“Tinubu and other people in the economic team know that they don’t have solution, there is serious hardship, they need another formula to reset the economy.”

He added that Nigerians should expect more taxes on basic things in the coming days.

Ayodele further explained the stages that Nigeria’s economy will go through except there’s a reset.

“This government will continue to tax Nigerians on basic things yet they won’t be able to get the solution.

“The economy is harsh now, it will go to shrink stage then to process stage, then to burst and finally collapse, those are the stages our economy will go through.

“Don’t let it get to a state where people will be taking food from dustbin, we are in an economic embarrassment era. Nigeria’s economy will be hypertensive.”

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he is qualified to contest for the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking with reporters during a visit to Fashola farm in Oyo town on Friday, Makinde stated that speculations about his political future were unnecessary and unsolicited.

The governor stated that he is old enough to speak for himself on any issue without fear or intimidation, adding that he would do so publicly if he had anything to say about his political future.

He said, “We didn’t host the PDP reporters’ retreat because somebody has a presidential ambition. No comment, nothing. But all I can say to you is, I’m old enough if I want to do something, I will come out and say, this is what I want to do.

“So, no speculation, nobody can push my agenda. I will push my agenda when the time comes.”

Makinde recalled that with the support of the people of Oyo State, he defied several odds, including two failed Senate attempts before his election as Governor.

He said, “Oyo State people took a decision in 2019. We did not have a godfather. Nobody sponsored me, and nobody gave me a dime for us to get in here, but the people of Oyo State decided we wanted to give this opportunity to an outsider.

“And before that, you will see videos saying that, Oh, Seyi, what has he done before? Has he been a councillor? No. Has he been to the House of Representatives? No. What about the Senate? I tried twice but was rejected.

“So, experience in politics – No experience in governance, but I’ve done well for myself in business, and they said we’ll give you the opportunity. Before that time, the whole of the South-West was APC, consisting of six states.

“But in Oyo State, we chose to be different. Because I had no experience, I wanted to convince the people.

“We produced a document, Road Map to accelerated development of Oyo State, 2019-2023, and I said to the people, this is it in black and white, hold me accountable, and they gave us the opportunity. Thank God it is being done. “

The governor also cautioned Nigerians against allowing the country to slide into a one-party state.

He said, “Nigeria must not slide into a one-party state so that others will have the opportunity to showcase their talents.”

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, on Saturday, called on President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to be wary of the recent advice of the World Bank, in which it prescribed the reduction in government’s support for social services in Nigeria.

World Bank Group’s Senior Vice President, Indermit Gill, had at a programme early this week in Abuja, referred to the withdrawal of support being provided by the government for social and economic programmes in Nigeria and the floating of the Naira.

Gill spoke at the three-day Summit of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) that started on Monday, October 14th.

The Bank’s boss said the results of the current efforts would be seen in 10 to 15 years.

Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, urged the federal government to be wary of the advice.

In a statement he signed, Ajayi said: “Firstly, the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would have run its terms before the 10 to 15 years the presumed dividends of the World Bank prescriptions will manifest.

“Meaning that this administration may then only be remembered for the sacrifices made by the people and the attendant sufferings while another administration would take the credit for the dividends – if at all.

“So, rather than continuing with the Bank’s policies, resort should be made to policies that boost local businesses and encourage local initiatives thus reducing dependence on imported goods.”

Ajayi said the call on the President to be wary of prescriptions by the Bretton Woods’ institutions was predicated on what happened to countries that followed various prescriptions made by either the World Bank or International Monetary Fund (IMF) or both of them.

He recalled that most of the countries that heeded the prescriptions of these two institutions ended up in worse situations than the ones that made them run to either or both institutions.

Countries cited included Mexico, Mozambique, Ghana, Argentina, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.

Ajayi added: “The conditions given by the Bank included budget cuts, removal of subsidies from some services being provided for the people and the devaluation of the country’s currency. But, instead of heeding the advice, the Malaysian PM did the exact opposite. Of course, it was tough initially. Today, however, Malaysia is growing economically and is one of the few countries that are shedding off the toga of third-worldism.

“What we are saying is that while it is important to lay a good foundation for economic recovery, the models being prescribed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should be no-go areas because the havoc such models have wreaked in some of the countries that applied them.”

Powerful political figures from northern Nigeria have begun efforts to draft former PresidentGoodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race.

Their calculations hinge on the fact that Jonathan, having served as president from 2011 to 2015, is eligible for only one more four-year term.

This campaign is reportedly spearheaded by a governor from the North East and a retired general from the North West.

According to sources, the northern power brokers considered their options and concluded that Jonathan’s potential candidacy aligns with their collective interests.

They are basing their strategy on the 1999 Constitution, which allows a maximum of two terms for any individual holding the office of president.

The group’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to derail President Bola Tinubu’s plans for re-election.

However, a rival group comprising other northern politicians and influential figures is pushing for a different southern candidate, as both factions oppose Tinubu’s continued leadership.

The promoters of the Jonathan-for-2027 campaign have reportedly started engaging with key stakeholders, aiming to build support for the former Bayelsa governor, who has recently focused on international diplomacy and promoting democratic norms.

A source within the group revealed to Saturday Tribune that northern leaders backing Jonathan come from across the political spectrum and are united in their determination to counter what they perceive as Tinubu’s mismanagement of the country.

Additionally, the group is reaching out to like-minded individuals and organizations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including civil society and pro-democracy groups, in a bid to rally broader support.

Jonathan is seen as a strong candidate because of his prior experience as vice president (2007-2010) and president, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Northern leaders believe he could gain widespread backing from southern states while also enjoying significant goodwill in the northern part of the country, even nine years after his presidency.

The push for Jonathan’s return gained momentum in August 2023 when reports emerged that key political figures were considering persuading him to run for the 2027 race.

This aligns with the stance of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, a former minister in Jonathan’s administration, who has publicly stated his willingness to step aside if Jonathan decides to run.

Mohammed, speaking at an event organized by the Save Africa Initiative, expressed his belief that Jonathan’s experience would make him an ideal candidate.

“With regard to your call for me to present myself, I am still contemplating my chances as the leader of the opposition… I have always said that as long as Jonathan is around, I will not present myself for the leadership of this country unless he decides not to run… He will do a better job because he has the experience,” Mohammed said.

The push for Jonathan’s candidacy isn’t new. Before the 2023 presidential election, rumors circulated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was considering fielding him as its candidate, backed by several northern governors.

However, both the APC and Jonathan distanced themselves from these claims, with Jonathan’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, clarifying that the former president had no interest in running at the time:

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it,” Eze said in a statement.

APC officials, including then-national committee chairman Mai Mala Buni, dismissed the speculations, with Buni emphasizing that their interactions with Jonathan were simply out of respect for his status as a former president.

Buni added: “Our visit to Jonathan was pronounced because of his status as a former president… That could be why some may think there was something beneath it.”

Despite these earlier denials, the 2027 initiative suggests that political interest in Jonathan’s potential return to the presidency remains strong among northern power players.

Workers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) say their strike will persist until their demands are met.

Adetoboye Ayodeji, chairman of the NAFDAC branch of the Medical and Health Union Workers of Nigeria, spoke with NAN on Saturday.

He called on the agency’s management to negotiate with the union to resolve the impasse.

The workers began an indefinite strike on October 7, demanding a review of the 2024 internal promotion examinations.

Ayodeji alleged that some staff who passed were denied promotion and that the management claimed there was a shortfall in vacant positions.

“Unfortunately, the management was recruiting at the same time into the positions that they claim there was no vacancy,” he added.

“While those that are rising through the ranks are not promoted, outsiders are brought to occupy the positions.

“Only 36 percent of participants in the examinations were promoted. We therefore said no, it is never possible.

“They cannot promote less than 80 percent of the participants.

“We rejected the entire promotion exercise and asked that more staff be promoted. There can never be motivation in an agency where 36 percent of staff are only promoted.

“It will have a devastating effect on the staff morale thereby affecting the health of the 200 million Nigerians.”

Ayodeji said there are also issues of unpaid statutory arrears and other benefits to some members of staff.

He said the union signed an agreement with the government and NAFDAC management in 2022 bordering on the workers’ conditions of service which remained unimplemented.

“The issues in the agreement were supposed to be settled in December 2022 but till date, none of the agreements has been complied with,” he said.

“Allowances that are supposed to be approved on or before December 2022 have not been approved, the condition of service could not be approved.”

Ayodeji said the union had written several letters to the NAFDAC management regarding the concerns without adequate response.

Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general of NAFDAC, had, in a statement on Monday, denied all the claims.

She said the agency had followed the rules on payment of arrears and benefits.

Auwal Sankara, commissioner for special duties in Jigawa, has denied allegations of having an illicit affair with a married woman.

On Friday, the Kano state Hisbah board said Sankara was arrested at an uncompleted building over an alleged illicit affair with a married woman in Kano.

Abba Sufi, the director general of Hisbah, alleged the commissioner’s arrest stemmed from the woman’s brother-in-law’s complaint, accusing him of improper conduct.

Sufi added that prosecution of the commissioner would begin on Monday in a competent court of law.

Reacting to the allegation in a statement, the commissioner dismissed it as “false, malicious and baseless.”

Sankara vowed to take legal action against those behind the allegations, adding that their aim was to damage his reputation.

“My attention has been drawn to a recent media report alleging that I, Auwal D. Sankara, Commissioner for Special Duties in the Jigawa State Government, have been arrested by the Kano Hisbah Command on charges of having an affair with a married woman,” the statement reads.

“I wish to categorically state that these allegations are entirely false, baseless, and malicious, aimed at tarnishing my reputation.

“I urge the general public to disregard this fabricated story, which has been concocted by certain political elements to damage my character and integrity.

“As a married man, I have the utmost respect for the institution of marriage and would never engage in actions that violate its sanctity. I remain committed to upholding the values and principles that I stand for.

“I am taking this matter seriously and will pursue legal action against those responsible for spreading this false information and attempting to cause harm to my person.”

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has awarded N70 million against the Nigerian police for firing a stray bullet that killed a nursing mother in a landmark judgement that caps over 20 years of litigation.

Justice G. Olotu, on Friday, ordered the police to pay N10 million as general damages, N50 million as punitive damages and N10 million litigation to a 24-year-old man whose mother was fatally shot in 2000.

In that year, Margaret Achalla was bathing her baby in the Utako area of Abuja when she was struck by a stray bullet fired by a uniformed police officer. She slumped and began to bleed.

Rather than take the victim to a hospital, the officers fled, leaving her to bleed to death.

Rights lawyer and activist Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers took on the case in 2001 and sued the police to pay for damages.

The suit was backed with hard evidence, including the extracted bullet, pictures of the leg that was shot, x-ray report, medical reports and hospital invoices, all of which were contained in the proof of claim.

Due to the overwhelming evidence presented before the Court, Mr Olotu ruled that Ms Achalla’s death was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Consequently, he awarded a total of N70 million against the police; N10 million as general damages, N50 million as punitive damages and N10 million as cost of litigation.

Furthermore, he ordered that the police pay five per cent interest until the damages were fully liquidated.

The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,725 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,710 per dollar on Thursday.

However, the Naira appreciated to N1,600.78 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM.

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,600.78 per dollar from N1,660.49 per dollar on Thursday, indicating N59.71 appreciation for the naira.

The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the official market grew by 6.2 per cent to $350.72 million from $330.18 million traded on Thursday.

Says, N14m not enough for monthly Senatorial responsibilities

Abia North senator, Orji Uzor Kalu has again expressed his support for a single term of six years for presidents and state governors, saying such an arrangement would reduce the cost of governance while also fostering rapid development.

Noting that the current system of two tenures of four years each is expensive and usually distracts elected officials from concentrating on governance, the former Abia governor also spoke on the emoluments of senators, which he said was not enough to fund their activities.

Kalu spoke on Thursday evening on a Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today’, monitored in Abuja.

He said; “When I was governor, I called for a single term of six years. Remember, President Obasanjo said I was after him. That was part of the beginning of our quarrel. I advocated for that because of the cost of going for re-election, because of managing the economy. Because when you become a governor or a president, their eyes are on re-election.

They are not even thinking about what people will do or what people will get. Every politician is looking for re-election. So, the only way to solve this problem is by giving no incentive to anybody, doing one term of six years. It will go a long way in boosting performance because most of people think they need to make money for re-election.

In my minority opinion – I don’t know the majority opinion – I think most politicians are looking forward to the next election”.

Kalu advised the government to scale down on unnecessary expenditures, including aid given to other countries and regional institutions ‘N14m monthly for everything’

The senator who took exceptions to accusations that the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate was simply a rubber-stamp for the Executive, also dismissed allegations of bogus remuneration and vehicles for senators.
“I am in the Senate and a lot of things are said about the Senators and I sit there quietly and watch and most of these things are not true. Some senators were given aid to buy vehicles and those who could afford it upgraded them. I didn’t get a vehicle. There is nothing like official vehicles. They buy vehicles for the committees. We are elected, yet we don’t have vehicles but you have someone who is appointed and he moves in a convoy of six vehicles.

“We are doing a lot because in our constituencies if somebody is sick, they will come to us, if somebody’s child cannot go to school, they will come to us for school fees. So, the way we look down on legislators is something I cannot believe. As a senator, I earn N14 million monthly and it covers everything. That is, my salary, my overhead, the workers’ salaries, everything. From this money, I have to buy fuel to move to my constituency, I have to maintain my constituency offices, I have to sit in the constituency etc. It is not enough”.

On whether he was proud of what his party, the All Progressives Congress APC was delivering to Nigerians today, he said! “yes and no because my party is very unlucky. My party has done very well in the things they can do in the indices of the economy. The government is not continuing from where Buhari stopped. That is where the difficulty comes in.

They are trying to reform the economy. They are trying to bring back the economy to where it is supposed to be but it is bringing hardship to our people. The president himself knows that Nigerians are suffering. The president knows that Nigerians are hungry. The president knows. He is a street person. He knows the streets very well. The president, some nights, uses his car to go around in Abuja to know what is happening. He is not a president that is locked up in a room”.

He also denied reports of a rift between him and President Tinubu as well as alleged moves to impeach the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, saying there were no such plans.