News
Veteran Journalist, Dele Momodu joins PDP presidential race 2023
A veteran journalist who has finally joined the Presidential race as an Aspirant under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dele Momodu, has today in Maiduguri brokered his intention to contest the PDP Presidential election to deliver what past leaders that have ruled and are leading Nigeria could not do due to what he described as bureaucracy.
He added that,” “we have competent hands a sable people who can rule this country successfully but have been denied the opportunity by what they called some cabals who feel that nobody can rule Nigeria like them or without them.
“Leadership of Nigeria takes genuine and honest leaders to pursue issues and challenges bordering Nigerians like electricity, security and education which come out of idleness. Idle minds and lack of education generate insecurity and we have what it takes to provide every Nigerian with job or something doing”, Dele said
Speaking to PDP members and supporters that converged at Armani Event Center, Off Damboa road Maiduguri, he said,” Nigeria is endowed with human and material resources but the good leaders who have the heart and feelings of Nigeria and Nigerians have been denied the opportunity for long and it is now the right time for people like him to come out and contest the presidential election to give Nigerians what they want”.
According to him, cabals are those responsible for Nigeria’s electricity problem, insecurity and poor level of educational facilities over the years while pledging to bring to an end their inglorious regime if Nigerians will elect as the next president of Nigeria..
The veteran Journalist who is also a Publisher of Ovation International Magazine further promised to prioritize the basic and essential sectors of the economy like health, education, water supply electricity supply, security and other sectors.
The PDP Presidential Aspirant also said that he would ensure that Nigeria students are able to access standard and quality education without going abroad to seek for knowledge, stressing that he is prepared to match in any toes responsible for the deliberate failures associated with the major sectors of the country while describing ry act as economic sabotage and unpatriiotism.
Momodu earlier disclosed that he was in Maiduguri on condolence visit to his friend Garba Ramadan who is one of his associates and decided to consult his PDP members and supporters over his aspiration to run for the Presidency in 2023 which informed his brief audience with his constituents, PDP Stakeholders in Borno state.
He added that he is still consulting with other leaders and members of the party across the country to fine-tune a way forward to address major Nigerian issues and problems while criticizing some leaders of the country of sabotage and betrayal.
”I hate that word the cabal. Because they are the ones that hold our power sector and others. But I am determined and have the determination as one of the leaders to succeed where others failed . I will change the bureaucracy holding the country, particularly, the power sector down.
”I have the knowledge and solutions to fix power sector problems aming others. If you don’t know how to go about it , they will brown beat you down. So, in leadership, you can’t give what you don’t have. I will employ experts in every sector to handle their areas of specialization very well not just bringing anybody anyhow, ” Dele said.
The Presidential Aspirant further said that he had supported President Muhammadu Buhari for long to effect changes in the system of leadership of the country, especially, in the energy and other essential sectors but wondered why Mr President failed to deliver on his electioneer ING campaign promises .
”That’s one of the reasons why we supported Baba Buhari, and everybody knows he is a very disciplined Man . But unfortunately, I don’t know what happened. May be ill health or so as he couldn’t do those things we expected from him or him to do neither fixing problems in the power sector which is one thing we expected him to do.
“I am not joking. Anyone who knows me is aware that I have been imprisoned, forced into exile for three years. I have have what it takes to fix the problems of this country, especially, in the energy sector”, Dele said
Speaking on educational condition of the county, Chief Dele explained further that apart from ensuring the provision standard and quality education will include boosting skills acquisitions and vocational Entreprenuership education for the teeming unemployed youths by way of making them self reliant and empowering.
The Presidential Aspirant however lamented on the challenges and issues of insecurity in different parts of the country, especially, Borno state and north east which are known for peace and hospitality while putting blame of failure on the federal government for it’s inability to provide standard and quality education including skills acquisitions and vocational training or Entreprenuership to address issues of joblessness and youths Empowerment towards changing the narrative across the country.
He also said that Education will be given priority by his leadership hence education is not just about going to school and obtaining a certificate,” We will encourage more of vocational studies. We have too many talented youths roaming the streets.”
In issue if insecurity in the country, Chief Momodu said,” It is also not just about buying guns to fight insecurity. We will engage the youths also in the fight but positively.”
“I really appreciate Borno people for the warm reception given to me and my entourage. I assure you that Borno State and other parts of the North East region will once again witness peace and economic prosperity if I am elected as the next President of Nigeria, come 2023. I will still com.back for a proper and better campaigns and consultations,” Dele said.
Member representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Kingsley Chinda said, the Tax Reform Bills would serve the interest of citizens of Nigeria.
He spoke in defence of the passage of the recent tax reform bill, describing it as a product of diligent legislative work aimed at serving Nigerians’ interests.
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Hon. Chinda emphasized that effective opposition does not require public confrontations but strategic engagement. He noted that the tax reform bill, initially flawed, was subjected to thorough scrutiny and stakeholder consultations before passage.
“We saw that the bill was not good enough for Nigerians, so we pushed for reforms,” Chinda stated. “We engaged the National Assembly leadership, consulted governors, state parliaments, and civil society groups to ensure the final version better served the people.”
While acknowledging that no law is perfect, he maintained that the revised bill represents significant progress, balancing public interest and economic needs.
On the PDP’s internal crisis, Chinda expressed disappointment over conflicting interpretations of the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s national secretary. He dismissed claims by some members still recognizing Chief Ndubuisi Okoye, describing such actions as misleading.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling was clear—Anyanwu was never lawfully removed and remains our national secretary,” Chinda said. He criticized the party’s National Organizing Secretary for causing confusion and urged members to seek clarification from the Peoples Democratic Party’s legal adviser instead of spreading misinformation.
Chinda, who is a leading opposition voice in the House, called for unity, cautioning against public disputes that damage the party’s image. “We must avoid washing our dirty linen in public. The judgment is final, and we should focus on strengthening the party ahead of future elections,” he advised.
Despite the Peoples Democratic Party’s challenges, Chinda expressed optimism about the party’s resurgence after its upcoming congresses and national convention. He urged members to prioritize Nigeria’s interests over personal ambitions, emphasizing that internal disagreements would not diminish the PDP’s role as a viable opposition.
On concerns about Nigeria drifting toward a one-party system, Chinda dismissed fears, stating that the PDP’s revival depends on strategic repositioning rather than the ruling All Progressives Congress’ actions. “We must go back to the drawing board, put the country first, and rebuild,” he concluded.
The Minority Leader’s remarks underscored his commitment to legislative diligence and party discipline, even as the PDP navigates its current turbulence.
HaAN OPEN LETTER TO ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR: THE CASE OF GOING TO EQUITY WITHOUT CLEAN HANDS
My attention as a Public Affairs Commentator and Citizen of Wukari in Taraba State has been invited to various invectives of unprecedented dimension directed at His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON by my brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ostensibly to give oxygen to resurrect his endless political odyssey and sordid presidential ambition. I am weighing into this public narrative to interrogate various disruptions triggered by some notable politicians like Atiku Abubakar in our national life.
It is hardly possible to build anything out of frustration and bitterness. This is sadly the predicament of a one-time Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who is on course to being enlisted in the Guinness Book of Records, as the only person globally, who has unsuccessfully contested for President for six times spanning 33 years.
These bitterness and frustration have beclouded his reasoning. Atiku Abubakar, who is shamefully a dominant mention in every page of the corruption history in Nigeria, an insipid and serial sodomist, could have rather used the Ramadan period to seek for the atonement of his many mortal and monumental sins from the Almighty Allah, but his engagement in chicanery and unbridled umbrage in the most malicious and defamatory manner is the sad characterization of a man reputed for low family values and child abuse.
The series of pernicious lies peddled by Atiku deserve response in this era of positive and innovative Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which has invited collective actions for the growth and prosperity of Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar’s putrid and repulsive corrupt practices have made Nigerians to reject him for a record six times. A master of failure indeed!
It is an established fact that Atiku Abubakar is the most corrupt Nigerian, having been associated with every high-profile corruption allegation in the country across the private and public sectors. In 1996, the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha seized control of the NICOTES shares belonging to him and renamed it Integrated Logistics Services Inc.
In 2006, Atiku was indicted by the EFCC and the Federal Government Administrative Panel of Inquiry after a Special Audit /Forensic Investigation of PTDF from 1999 to May 31, 2006.
Internationally, he is known as a super conman. Atiku’s association with American Congressman William Jefferson, who was jailed for 13 years in 2009 over bribery and other charges is well known to millions of Nigerians.
For those who don’t know, Atiku was the subject of a probe about 15 years ago by the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs chaired by Senator Carl Levin. He was indicted for using offshore companies to siphon about 40 million dollars from Nigeria between 2000 and 2008 to his fourth wife in the United States, Jennifer Iwenjiora Douglas Abubakar (now divorced).
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom Atiku served for 8 years as Vice President, in his book ’MY WATCH’, in the chapter, titled “Atiku and US Justice Entanglement”, gave a vivid account of “corrupt involvement” of Atiku with a company called iGATE and William Jefferson. Obasanjo equally linked Atiku to the embezzlement of $20 million, funds that were to be utilized by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and another $125 million to fund PTDF during 2003 fiscal year.
The immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has also spoken eloquently about Atiku’s corrupt adventure. In his book, ’The Accidental Public Servant’, El-Rufai gave a detailed account of Atiku’s corrupt involvement in Ericsson’s deals, the PTDF scandal, Abuja Water Treatment Plant contract and his obsession with marabouts – these marabouts that have been deceiving him since 1991 that he will be president.
A serial women abuser, Atiku has divorced two of his wives since 1971 (Ladi and Jennifer). In the case of Jennifer, even after the divorce, he threatened and bullied her out of Nigeria. Jennifer had to sell her law chambers in Nigeria and relocated to the UK.
He has been after the woman in an attempt to dispossess her of her assets and properties.
A certified child abuser, Atiku’s exploits with hapless boys and young men are well known. No wonder, in his eight years as vice president and many years as wealthy man (though filthy), Atiku could not boast of a school that could cater for the educational needs of the less privileged, especially boys (Almajiri’s), but now runs the exotic ABTI University and a host of other businesses that are out of the reach of the common man.
In the contrary, unlike Atiku Abubakar, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON has for over two decades, conducted himself with integrity and transparency. His accomplishments in Akwa Ibom State, in particular, and Nigeria in general, are symbolized in the countless legacies of infrastructure, human capacity development and tourists’ hub.
Just yesterday (Tuesday), the Super Eagles of Nigeria hosted The Warriors of Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. The stadium, which is the only FIFA approved facility in Nigeria, was built by Akpabio as governor of the state. What did Atiku do for Adamawa state and Nigeria?
The Zimbabwean delegation also flew Ibom Air and landed at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo- all legacies of the Uncommon Transformer. But where are Atiku’s legacies for the people? He can only lay claim to a chain of businesses, which are products of pillaging and corrupt investments.
In all of these, it is crystal clear that Akpabio’s unflinching support for President Tinubu, who blocked Atiku’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the APC in 2015 and frustrated his return bid in 2019 and yet floored him in the 2023 general elections is the reason for Atiku’s hostile charge against the Senate President.
But using Akpabio as a ladder to get to the president cannot do Atiku any good. Both Tinubu and Akpabio are united by the resolve to rejig and reset the nation and give Nigerians dividends of democracy, which Atiku as vice president worked tirelessly to undermine for personal aggrandizement.
It is also axiomatic that Atiku has started preparation for the 2027 general elections. As for Akpabio and Tinubu, they are preoccupied with state and governance issues and would not swim with the former vice president in his quest to distract the duo from delivering good governance to Nigerians. When 2027 comes, Nigerians will, for the umpteenth time give, Atiku a black eye and vote the best candidate.
DANJUMA ISAIAH writes from
Wukari in Taraba State
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
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