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Anniversary: Nigerians make shocking revelations
Nigeria marks its 62 years of independence anniversary as a nation today.
This year’s anniversary is coming five months close to the 2023 general election, an election many Nigerians believe can change the story of the country for the better.
As it is with the tradition, the Nigerian government had lined up activities to mark the event.
We reported that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed while reeling out the activities to commemorate the 2022 Independence Day, last week, disclosed there would be a Presidential Broadcast and later on the same day, a Military Parade at the Eagle Square, Central Business District, Abuja.
The Minister further announced that the Award of National Honours would be held as part of the Independence Anniversary on October 11 in the nation’s capital.
Mohammed claimed that celebrating Nigeria’s independence anniversary in 2022 serves as a reminder that, in spite of the challenges the country has faced, Nigerians remain united, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari administration was committed to promoting unity, security and stability of the country.
However, some Nigerians have expressed mixed feelings about the celebration of this year’s independence anniversary, noting that the country, as it stands now, is currently regarded as one of the worst places to be born, with numerous intractable challenges that have defied solutions.
Many also wonder why those in power are more concerned about the squandering of resources without thinking about the devastating consequences on the hapless poor citizens.
Most of the respondents, who spoke to us, expressed disappointment while grieving about the way things are in the country.
At the Orange Market in Mararaba, Karu Area Council of Nasarawa State, the mood of disappointment rent the air.
Some market women we spoke to, expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that Nigeria at 62 was still limping on wounded legs, insisting that insecurity and corruption were the orders of the day.
A woman said, “Our dear country is blessed with abundant resources but those in the leadership position do not know how to use it for the good of the people. No country can grow where leaders cannot see beyond their noses. There is no visible sign of development and Nigeria is in total darkness. Most of our leaders are political looters”.
Though he initially hesitated to speak to us, an FCT taxi driver, Ahmed, did not hold back his anger.
“I can tell you sincerely that there is nothing worth celebrating in the so-called independence celebration of Nigeria. The only thing that is worth celebrating in this country is nothing but sorrow, tears, blood, corruption and undemocratic values,” he said.
A Port Harcourt based legal practitioner, Peter Ugwuoke, is of the opinion that a society that doesn’t value education, only spells doom and gloom for the future; making the task of imbibing patriotism and nation-building especially ardent.
“What exactly are we celebrating, the fact that there are numerous students roaming the streets due to the ASUU strike, or the high unemployment rate; a dire situation with many societal implications- as prostitution seems to be the ‘easy’ route for many of the affected females”, he angrily retorted.
He suggested that the nation needs to reinvent the culture of discipline, honesty, diligence in hard work and being your brother’s keeper- amongst many other good practices.
Also speaking, a senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dr Victor Bassey said it is only those who participated or are still participating in the looting of the national treasury who are celebrating.
“I am not celebrating Nigeria at 62, because there is nothing to celebrate in the true sense- except if you are part of those involved in the ‘oil theft’ racket or those sharing the commonwealth of the citizenry, then maybe you may have some reason to celebrate.
“Those cornering the wealth of the majority should remember though, your celebration is in vain, as you are surrounded by those you have looted from will strike back in full measure,” he said.
He added that the dearth of good leadership has been one of the major challenges but he believes there is hope, advising that patriots mustn’t relent and must continue to prod the cause till the good ones amongst the people emerge and take hold of affairs.
Notwithstanding the prevailing negative mood in the country, many believe the country is blessed with abundant resources, and are hoping that those in the leadership position will know how to tap into those resources to achieve the desired development.
Things you need to know today Sunday 19/03/2023..
1. Governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates of the different political parties, their supporters and other stakeholders are in anxious wait for the results of the polls which were held on Saturday, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, began uploading of the results on its results viewing portal.
2. A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State was not contesting against the Peoples Democratic Party, but against the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Police. Amaechi said this while addressing journalists after casting his vote at Ward 8, Unit 17 in Ubima Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
3. A member of the All Progressives Congress has been shot dead in Cross River State. It was gathered that the incident happened on Saturday morning at Ogoja in the northern senatorial district.
4. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arrested four vote-buyers in Sokoto and Katsina states during the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday. The spokesperson for the ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, revealed this on Saturday night in a statement.
5. Governor Babagana Zulum, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s election, has secured the highest number of votes cast in Monguno Local Government Area of the state. While Zulum polled a total of 17,187 votes in the LGA, Mohammed Jajari, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival garnered just 280 votes, leaving a margin of 16,907 votes.
6. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, has reached out to his supporters who were attacked during Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections. According to Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in the state, an agent of the party was gunned down during the election.
7. A former councillor of Getso ward, Ibrahim Nakuzama, has been reportedly shot dead over alleged ballot box snatching. Nakuzama was said to have been gunned down by security operatives in Gwarzo local government area of Kano, on Saturday.
8. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State have asked their supporters to march to collation centres. While Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NNPP presidential candidate, made the call on his party’s behalf, spokesperson for the Gawuna/Garo Campaign Council, Malam Muhammad Garba, made the call for the ruling party’s supporters.
9. Fire on Saturday razed down parts of the second market in the metropolis, Gamboru Market, in Borno State. This is exactly three weeks after a fire completely razed the largest market in the state, Monday Market, also located in the metropolis.
10. A former President of the United States, Donald Trump, has said he expects to be “arrested” Tuesday over an alleged hush-money payment to a porn star in 2016. He urged his supporters to protest, as prosecutors gave signs of moving closer to an indictment.
Results of the governorship election held across 28 States in the country are being awaited.
Supporters of the various candidates and political parties are soaked in tension as the final announcement of results lingers.
All the serving and outgoing governors are also in hot seats, thinking of what may eventually become of their political career.
Two dominant political parties, the PDP and the APC have candidates in the entire 28 states for Saturday’s election but will have to do more work to win some states where the Labour Party, LP, have candidates.
In Akwa Ibom, Akan Udofia is the APC candidate. Other states are: Abia – Ikechi Emenike, Adamawa – Aishatu Dairu Binani , Bauchi – Sadique Abubakar, Kaduna – Uba Sani, Gombe – Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Delta – Ovie Omo-Agege, Borno – Babagana Zulum, Cross River – Bassey Otu, Jigawa – Umar Namadi, Kano – Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Ebonyi – Ogbonna Nwifuru, Enugu – Uche Nnaji, Katsina – Dikko Umaru Radda, Kebbi – Nasiru Idris, Kwara -AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Ogun – Dapo Abiodun, Nasarawa – Abdullahi Sule, Plateau -Netanwe Yilwatda, Rivers – Tonye Cole, Yobe -Mala Buni, Zamfara – Muhammad Bello, and Oyo – Teslim Folarin.
The PDP candidates across the country are: Okechukwu Ahiwe – Abia, Umaru Fintiri – Adamawa., Umo Bassey – Akwa Ibom., Ibrahim Mohammed – Bauchi, Titus Uba – Benue, Mohammed Ali Jafari – Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta, Peter Mbah – Enugu, Muhammad Barde – Gombe, Mustapha Sule-Lamido – Jigawa, Isa Ashiru Kudan – Kaduna, Muhammed Abacha – Kano, Aminu Bande – Kebbi, Abdullah Yahman – Kwara, Abdul-Azeez Adediran – Lagos. David Ombugadu – Nassarawa, Segun Sowunmi – Ogun, Seyi Makinde – Oyo, Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau, Siminialayi Fubara – Rivers, Sa’adu Umar – Sokoto.
But the LP have serious contenders in some states- Lagos- Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Abia- Alex Otti, Enugu- Chijioke Edeoga, among others.
We reports that the exercise witnessed voter apathy in all the states of the federation, a development blamed on the outcome of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
However, many die hard supporters still made it a point of duty to file out for the exercise.
While the election was violent in some states, it was relatively peaceful in a few States.
Lagos, Delta, Benue, Osun, Niger, Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, among others, are some of the states where thuggery and shootings took the centre stage.
As of the time of filing this report, the outcome of the polls is still too close to call in most of the States.
In Lagos, Kwara and Oyo States, the incumbent governors are believed to be on their way to victory. However, in Enugu, Abia, and Benue States, the ruling party, PDP, are said to be struggling, with LP, APGA and APC, respectively, in early lead. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State is still uncertain of victory.
For Ebonyi State, it is a close call between the APC, APGA and the PDP. However, the two opposition parties are crying out over alleged hijacking of voting materials by the Governor David Umahi-led APC administration.
In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike is said to be succeeding in his move to install a successor, with the former transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi crying out that his party, the APC was contesting against the PDP, the INEC and the police. He added that there was a total failure of governance in the country.
Kaduna, which is one of the states of interest remains undecided, with the PDP accusing Governor Nasir El-Rufai of massive vote buying.
In the next hours, governors-elect would have emerged across the 28 States, bringing to an end weeks of anxiety and tension.
Results are currently trickling in from polling units in the ongoing governorship election in Lagos State.
INEC officials have concluded voting and sorting of results in some polling units while ballot counting has also commenced in the presence of voters.
We gathered that the governorship election is keenly contested by candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Labour Party, LP across the State.
George cast his vote at PU002 Cameron Road, Eti Osa Local Government Area, in Ikoyi.
Recall that the PDP leader and others endorsed the LP candidate.
Governorship
LP — 115
APC — 95
PDP — 4
APC — 97
Funke Akindele Loses Polling Unit to APC
Polling Unit 019, Ita Aro Square, Àga/Ijimu Ward, Ikorodu LGA
GOVERNORSHIP
APC: 77
PDP: 19
LP: 1
ADC: 2;
Jandor wins his Polling Unit
LGA: OJO
PU: 001, OSOLU SEC, SCHOOL, IREWE
ADP: 01
APC: 66
LP: 01
PDP: 87
LGA: ETI OSA
PU: 011, IGBOGUSU
APC: 107
LP: 43
PDP: 1
VOID: 5
LGA: Ikeja
Ward: Alausa
PU: 085
APC: 43
LP: 5
PDP: 0
APGA: 1
Invalid: 1
LGA: Ikeja
Ward: Alausa
PU: 085
APC: 43
PDP: 0
LP: 5
NRM: 1
LGA: Oshodi/ Isolo
Ward: Oke-Afa/ Ejigbo
PU: 49, Aigbedion Street
ADC: 0
APC: 26
LP: 7
PDP: 2
LGA: Oshodi/ Isolo
Ward: Oke-Afa/ Ejigbo
PU: Junction of Adebayo Oyelana/Demuren/Ailegun Road
ADC: 2
APC: 48
LP: 89
PDP: 0
LGA: Alimosho
Ward: Ipaja South
PU: Daru Salam School/ Ejigbo Block
ADC: 0
APC: 6
LP: 0
PDP: 0
LGA: Eti-Osa
Ward: Victoria Island II
PU: Water Corporation Rd. Opp. Enterprise Hubs
APC: 3
PDP: 2
LP: 3
Things you need to know today Sunday 19/03/2023..
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