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One-Year Anniversary: Presidency Confirms Tinubu’s Stance On Sacking Underperforming Ministers
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The presidency has said that President Bola Tinubu is ready to fire underperforming ministers who fail to deliver on their targets.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed to Sunday PUNCH that the President has yet to decide on the ministers’ performances.
Nevertheless, he has mandated them to meet the administration’s eight-point agenda, warning that those who fail to meet expectations will be dismissed.
Onanuga also rated the administration’s performance high as it approaches its first year in office, giving it a score of 70 percent.
He pointed out that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria was initially using 97 per cent of its revenue for debt servicing and borrowing for recurrent costs, such as salaries.
He emphasized that the administration prevented economic collapse by implementing decisive actions like removing the fuel subsidy and unifying the exchange rate.
President Tinubu, during the inauguration of his 48 ministers, advisers, and other aides, urged them to set aside personal interests and concentrate on the government’s urgent goal of lifting Nigeria out of poverty.
The President gave this advice at the end of a three-day retreat for ministers, permanent secretaries, presidential aides, and other top government officials at the State House in Abuja last year after their appointment.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, in commemoration of his first anniversary in office, on Wednesday, directed forty-seven ministers in his cabinet to present their performance reports to Nigerians.
The directives was relayed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing in Abuja.
[NaijaNews]
There are currently protesters on the streets of Gaya, one of the five emirates affected by the repealed Kano Emirates Council Law.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) controlled House of Assembly had repealed the law which ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used to dethrone Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II in 2020.
While assenting to the law on Thursday, Governor Abba Yusuf announced dissolution of the four extra emirates created by Ganduje.
The emirates are Rano, Gaya, Karaye and Bichi.
The governor also directed all the monarchs, including Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Emir of Gaya, to hand over to Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo, Deputy Governor, who oversees the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair.
Residents told Daily Trust that the dethroned Emir vacated the palace at midnight on Thursday.
There was no sign of any form of violence or resistance in the town as there was the presence of armed security personnel.
A resident, Abubakar Shuaibu, had said some people were not happy with the development.
But on Sunday morning, residents trooped to the streets to reject the dissolution of the emirate.
Wielding placards and chanting anti-government songs, the protesters alleged injustice, saying the dissolution of the emirate has political undertone.
Details later…
[DailyTrust]
At the climax of the Nigerian Air Force 60th anniversary, President Bola Tinubu has promised that his administration will procure more state-of-the-art aircrafts and equipments to combat insecurity ravaging the country.
This was even as he pledged his administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritising national security and the welfare of the armed forces.
The president, who was represented by his vice, Kashim Shettima at the Ceremonial Parade to Commemorate the 60th anniversary in Kaduna said, he is standing with the armed forces through challenges, triumphs, and grief, not as repayment but as an assurance of the nation’s unwavering support.
The president while hailing the NAF’s six decades of service, sacrifice, and patriotism said: “I bear with me today the gratitude of a nation that has watched your transformation into a formidable and resilient organisation, vigilant of the dynamics and complexities of security threats within and outside our borders for this long.”
President Tinubu praised the critical role played by the Nigerian Air Force in maintaining regional and sub-regional peace and security, expressing pride in the institution’s formidable and resilient transformation over the years.
He congratulated the Chief of the Air Staff, officers, airmen, airwomen, and civilian staff for sustaining the culture of service on the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary, saying “we stand with you in your times of need, triumph, and grief.”
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising security, noting that development cannot be guaranteed without a secured nation.
“In my inaugural address a year ago, I noted that security would be the top priority of my administration because we can never guarantee the development we have proposed unless each part of this great nation is secure. This is why we have continued to support the modernization efforts of our Armed Forces to address national and sub-regional security challenges,” he declared.
To address national and sub-regional security challenges, President Tinubu disclosed his administration’s substantial investments in procuring state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft, attack helicopters, sensors, and equipment to enhance the Nigerian Air Force’s capabilities.
“These acquisitions, including Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft, Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters, Agusta 109 trekker multi-role helicopters, and M-346 attack aircraft, aim to boost the nation’s combat and airlift capabilities.”
The President called for a Whole-of-Society approach to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges, even as he acknowledged the socio-economic factors contributing to security challenges.
Expressing confidence in the country’s eventual sound economic rebound, he said, “We are confident that this temporary sacrifice will come to an end soon, and the country will be on the sound economic footing we have promised the nation,” he stated.
President Tinubu paid tribute to the surviving members of the first set of pioneer NAF personnel, veterans, and fallen comrades, acknowledging their bravery, commitment, and service to the nation.
Aligning with the event’s theme, “Nigerian Air Force at 60: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships in Aerospace Innovations for Regional Security,” the President welcomed the participation of various partners and air forces from around the world, particularly from Africa.
He stressed the need for collaboration and developing partnerships with friends and allies to collectively address shared threats in the sub-region and beyond.
Earlier, a representative of Courses 37 and 38 of the Nigerian Air Force who retired from the Force recently, Air Vice Marshall Charles Ohwo, recalled “with nostalgia, the moment they were enrolled into the Airforce about 38 years ago.”
He noted that seeing the journey from then, he cannot but thank God, adding that many of them had gone unceremoniously from the service.
He said while the journey was not devoid of challenges they are grateful to the officers who encouraged them, especially the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of the Air Staff.
He also thanked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Tinubu and everyone who helped them succeed while in the service.
Those present at the event were former President of the Senate/Chairman, Senate Committee of Defence, Sen. Ahmed Lawan; House Committee on Air Force, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of State Defence Alhaji Bello Matawalle.
Others were Chief of the Air Staff/chief host, Air Marshal Hasaan Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas; Emir of Zazzau, HRH Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Dr. Harkeem Baba-Ahmed; members of the Diplomatic Corps and other senior government officials.
After the event, the Vice President proceeded on a condolence visit to the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, over the demise of his brother, Pharmacist Mukhtar Lawal Ismail, who passed away recently.
[TheNation]
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to use his first year in office as an avenue to publish his assets declaration form.
SERAP asked the President to “use the anniversary of your first year in office as an opportunity to demonstrate your oft-expressed commitment to democracy, accountability, and openness in government by immediately publishing your asset declaration form,” the organisation said in a statement issued on Sunday by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
SERAP urged Tinubu “to encourage your Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms.”
It noted that to “promote public trust and establish a system of transparency, accountability and public participation,” Tinubu should “urgently propose a constitutional amendment to include provisions on the creation of asset declaration database to publish government officials’ asset declaration forms before, during, and after serving in public office.”
SERAP, in its statement, indicated that “openness and transparency in the details of asset declaration forms of high-level public officials would strengthen the country’s democracy and promote accountability at all levels of government.”
The statement partly read, “You promised in your inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, ‘to take proactive steps to discourage corruption’, and to ensure that ‘Nigeria is impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law’.
“We urge you to use your first anniversary in office as an important opportunity to underscore and reaffirm your oft-repeated commitment to democratic governance, openness and public accountability by immediately taking concrete steps to implement the proposed recommendations.
“Transparency in the details of asset declaration forms would also enable Nigerians to scrutinise the forms and verify the financial situation of public officials and alert about possible conflicts of interest and corruption.”
SERAP stated that the declaration of assets by public officials is a “matter of public interest and your government ought to provide the leadership,” noting that one of the ways through which “corrupt politicians in the country have perpetuated corrupt practices is through hiding assets.”
“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]; and Nigeria’s international anticorruption and human rights obligations.
“Information regarding the property and economic interests of public officials ought to be accessible to the public through a website created for this purpose,” SERAP said.
It stated further that “because asset declaration forms are public documents, public officials cannot claim that publishing their assets would violate their privacy rights.
“There is an overriding public interest in the disclosure of information on the assets of public officers who are trustees of Nigeria’s wealth and resources.
“Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms would enable Nigerians to scrutinise the assets and worth of public officials before taking office and at the end of their term of office.”
SERAP highlighted sections of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, contained in Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Tribunal Act, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and Articles 7(4) and 8(5) of the UN Convention against Corruption, among others, as supportive of assets declaration by public officers.
“We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your steps in taking steps to publish your asset declaration form and to encourage others to do so,” the organisation urged.
As part of his resolve to ensure maximum efficiency in his administration, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, told Sunday PUNCH of Tinubu’s readiness to fire underperforming ministers who fail to deliver on targets set for them.
Onanuga also rated the performance of the administration high as it approaches its first year in office, giving it a score of 70 per cent.
[Punch]
The Federal Government has instituted a legal action against the Governors of the 36 States of the Federation at the Supreme Court over alleged misconduct in the administration of Local Government Areas, LGAs.
FG, in the suit marked: SC/CV/343/2024, which was filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, is seeking full autonomy for all LGAs in the country as the third tier of government.
It specifically prayed the apex court to issue an order, prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.
As well as for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channeled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.
Besides, FG, prayed the Supreme Court for an order, stopping governors from further constituting Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the Constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system.
It equally applied for an order of injunction, restraining the governors, their agents and privies, from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.
Governors of the 36 States were sued through their respective Attorneys General.
In the 27 grounds it listed in support of the suit, FG, argued that Nigeria, as a federation, was a creation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the President, as Head of the Federal Executive Arm, swearing on oath to uphold and give effects to provisions of the Constitution.
It told the apex court: “That the governors represent the component states of the Federation with Executive Governors who have also sworn to uphold the Constitution and to at all times, give effect to the Constitution and that the Constitution, being the supreme law, has binding force all over the Federation of Nigeria.
“That the Constitution of Nigeria recognizes federal, states and local governments as three tiers of government and that the three recognized tiers of government draw funds for their operation and functioning from the Federation Account created by the Constitution.
“That by the provisions of the Constitution, there must be a democratically elected local government system and that the Constitution has not made provisions for any other systems of governance at the local government level other than democratically elected local government system.
“That in the face of the clear provisions of the Constitution, the governors have failed and refused to put in place a democratically elected local government system even where no state of emergency has been declared to warrant the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.
“That the failure of the governors to put democratically elected local government system in place, is a deliberate subversion of the 1999 Constitution which they and the President have sworn to uphold.
“That all efforts to make the governors comply with the dictates of the 1999 Constitution in terms of putting in place, a democratically elected local government system, has not yielded any result and that to continue to disburse funds from the Federation Account to governors for non existing democratically elected local government is to undermine the sanctity of the 1999 Constitution.
“That in the face of the violations of the 1999 Constitution, the federal government is not obligated under section 162 of the Constitution to pay any State, funds standing to the credit of local governments where no democratically elected local government is in place.”
Consequently, FG, prayed the Supreme Court to invoke sections 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14 of the Constitution to declare that the State Governors and State Houses of Assembly are under obligation to ensure a democratic system at the third tier of government in Nigeria and to also invoke the same sections to hold that the governors cannot lawfully dissolve democratically elected local government councils.
It also prayed for the invocation of sections 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14 of the Constitution to declare that dissolution of democratically elected local government Councils by the Governors or anyone using the state powers derivable from laws enacted by the State Houses of Assembly or any Executive Order, is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.
In a 13 paragraghs affidavit that was deposed to by one Kelechi Ohaeri from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the AGF said he filed the suit under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, on behalf of the FG.
The deponent averred that local government system recognized by the Constitution is a democratically elected local government councils, adding that the amount due to local government Councils from the Federation Account is to be paid to local government system recognized by the Constitution.
FG said it would in the course of the hearing tender, Daily Post online publication of January 29, 2024 titled “LG Administration; 15 Govs under scrutiny over Constitutional breach”, Vanguard online special report of September 12, 2023, Guardian editorial of January 23, 2024, Premium Times online publication of December 1, 2023, Vanguard online publication of December 1, 2023 and Arise online news of December 2, 2023, to justify the national importance and the public interest on the issue of granting autonomy to LGAs in the country.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has fixed May 30 to hear the suit.
[Vanguard]
A train moving from Kaduna to Abuja has reportedly derailed at Jere.
Daily Trust reports that the train departed Kaduna around 8:05am and derailed about an hour later.
Three carriages were said to have gone off the tracks.
Security operatives are currently on the scene to watch over the dozens of stranded passengers and offer support.
More to follow…
[TheCable]
The 26th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has described his reinstatement by the state government as justice against the injustice meted to him in the past.
On Friday, Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano after deposing the 15th Emir, Aminu Bayero.
This was after the Kano State House of Assembly heard the motion on the Kano State Emirate Council Amendment Bill and eventually repealed the 2019 Law that allowed for the creation of the five separate emirates from the old Kano Emirates.
But despite a court stopping Sanusi’s reinstatement, the statement had enthroned him.
However, meeting with security chiefs on Saturday, Sanusi said he had not seen the specific court order.
“The emir, who spoke for over an hour during the meeting, told us that what the state government had done was justice against the injustice meted out to him in the past.
“He told us that he had not seen the court order we were referring to, describing it as a media court order until he sees it,” a source privy to the meeting told Daily Trust.
Legal experts have offered different views about the judicial order that was recently given stopping the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano
The allegation made by Governor Abba Yusuf that Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano granted an order stopping the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido as the 16th Emir of Kano from the United States is generating serious controversy among lawyers in the country.
While some argued that if the court proceedings are conducted virtually, the judge can sit anywhere because he has a global jurisdiction, others contended that the Nigerian judicial system follows territorial authority. Judges typically exercise jurisdiction within Nigeria’s borders.
LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that the rules of the Federal High Court provide that judges can conduct judicial activities outside the country in certain circumstances, like when the court judge participates in international arbitration proceedings held outside Nigeria.
Also, in rare cases, a judge may conduct hearings or proceedings in another country with the consent of the parties involved and the Chief Judge’s approval.
However, the Federal High Court has embraced virtual court proceedings, also known as remote hearings. However, a situation where a judge sits over a case virtually from outside the country is controversial.
The judge, in the eyes of the storm, is a very senior judicial officer who handled high-profile cases before he was transferred outside the Lagos jurisdiction of the court.
He has been sitting virtually on some old Lagos cases from his Kano base by the court’s rules.
On May 7, 2024, Justice Liman convicted and sentenced a plastic surgeon and founder of MedContour Services Ltd., Dr Anuoluwapo Adepoju, for failing to appear before the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) about an investigation into a failed plastic surgery that resulted in the death of one Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020.
This judgment was delivered virtually.
Also, on May 17, 2024, during a visual court hearing, he fixed June 3 for judgment in the money laundering trial of a former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
He has also been conducting the case of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Four directors of Petrol Union Oil and Gas Company Limited, accused of an alleged £2.556 billion fraud.
In his reaction to the controversy, a Professor of law, Ademola Adaranijo, said that the judge had not done anything wrong. However, he is unsure of the allegation because there has not been an official response from the court’s authority or the judge.
Adaranijo stated that in law, when it comes to online offences, jurisdiction is global. He said that if someone committed an offence of cyberstalking, for example, in Enugu, he can be tried anywhere in the country because you can not limit the Internet to a particular location.
He said, “In the same vain if the judge is sitting online, he can conduct the proceeding from anywhere as long as the parties agree.
But a Lagos lawyer, Michael Okpu, disagrees with his colleague’s opinion; he said a judge must have access to necessary resources, files, or support staff to handle cases effectively.
He said, “The National Judicial Council’s (NJC) Guidelines for Virtual Court Proceedings (2020) only allowed virtual hearings in certain circumstances, such as urgent matters, interlocutory applications, pre-trial conferences and simple civil cases.
“However, the guidelines mandate that the judge, parties, and legal representatives be within Nigeria’s territorial boundaries during virtual proceedings.
“So, a judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria cannot sit over a case virtually from outside the country; he must be within Nigeria’s borders to participate in virtual court proceedings,” he said.
[Leadership]
On inauguration day at the Eagle Square, Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made promises on critical areas affecting the country including economy, security, power and petrol subsidy.
In fact it was on that occasion that he made the statement ‘subsidy is gone’ which has continued to reverberate in the economic circles across Nigeria.
Nearly one year after, people are asking, How much of the promises have been fulfilled? Find below the full text of the May 29, 2023 speech:
My Fellow Citizens,
I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people, unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty, absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity.
This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation.
As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.
The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.
For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.
This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.
We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.
Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.
To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.
The peaceful transition from one government to another is now our political tradition. This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.
Here, permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr President, you have been an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation you love. On a more personal note, you are a worthy partner and friend. May History be kind to you.
For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish.
Yet here we are. We have stumbled at times, but our resilience and diversity have kept us going.
Our burdens may make us bend at times, but they shall never break us.
Instead, we stand forth as Africa’s most populous nation and as the best hope and strongest champion of the Black Race.
As citizens, we declare as one unified people devoted to one unified national cause, that as long as this world exists, NIGERIA SHALL EXIST.
Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip.
We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never EXTINGUISH.
Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.
We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it.
In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard-fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality.
The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic.
They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore.
They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law.
Over six decades ago, our founding fathers gave bravely of themselves to place Nigeria on the map as an independent nation.
We must never allow the labour of those who came before us to wither in vain but to blossom and bring forth a better reality.
Let us take the next great step in the journey they began and believed in.
Today, let us recommit our very selves to placing Nigeria in our hearts as the indispensable home for each and every one of us regardless of creed, ethnicity, or place of birth.
My supporters, I thank you. To those who voted otherwise, I extend my hand across the political divide. I ask you to grasp it in national affinity and brotherhood. For me, political colouration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians.
May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal.
My fellow compatriots,
The Nigerian ideal which I speak of is more than just an improvement in economic and other statistics. These things are important; but they can never convey the fullness of our story.
Our mission is to improve our way of life in a manner that nurtures our humanity, encourages compassion toward one another, and duly rewards our collective effort to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.
Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.
The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.
Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.
In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme. Today, permit me to outline in broad terms a few initiatives that define our concept of progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal:
The principles that will guide our administration are simple:
- Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law.
- We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our sub-region.
- We shall remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.
- In our administration, Women and youth will feature prominently.
- Our government will continue to take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.
SECURITY
Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.
To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE.
We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower.
THE ECONOMY
On the economy, we target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment.
We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps:
First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted.
Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.
Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.
I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.
We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home.
JOBS
My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.
Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive
infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.
AGRICULTURE
Rural incomes shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products. A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken.
Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.
Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.
INFRASTRUCTURE
We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention.
FUEL SUBSIDY
We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.
MONETARY POLICY
Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning. The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.
Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.
Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.
FOREIGN POLICY
Given the world in which we reside, please permit a few comments regarding foreign policy.
The crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in our immediate neighbourhood are of pressing concern.
As such, my primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African sub-region and the African continent. We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.
As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity.
CONCLUSION
This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria.
On this day, Nigeria affirms its rightful place among the world’s great democracies. There, Nigeria shall reside forever.
The course of our past and the promise of the future have brought us to this exceptional moment.
In this spirit, I ask you to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality.
With full confidence in our ability, I declare that these things are within our proximate reach because my name is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God bless you and May He bless our beloved land.
*In the following pages, the ruling party, opposition parties’ members as well as a renowned economist, in what is at best fireworks on the Tinubu government, assess the administration one year after.
Despite the four local refineries in Nigeria having a combined capacity of 450,000bpd, oil marketers and energy experts have expressed diverse views on whether they can end the lingering fuel crisis in the country if fixed by the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The four state-owned refineries in the country located in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri have stopped operations since 2019, forcing the Federal Government into foreign refining of its crude oil, which has grossly affected the fuel supply and economic stability of the country.
In a bid to fix the Port Harcourt refinery, the Federal Government in 2021 approved the sum of $1.5 billion, but the refinery, which has a total capacity of 210,000bpd has yet to restart operations since then.
The Federal Government initially said the refinery plant would commence operations in December 2022. Later, it shifted the commencement date to the end of the first quarter of 2023, but nothing else came out of it.
However, on Monday, the National Public Relations Officer, Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, said the PH refinery may now commence operations by the end of July after several postponements.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company, Mustafa Sugungun, has said the rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery would be completed by the end of 2024 after years of being shut down due to lack of maintenance.
Speaking during an oversight visit to the refinery by members of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Petroleum Downstream led by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, in April, Sugungun explained that the 110,000-barrel-per-day refinery would start producing at 60 per cent capacity by the end of the year, while full production will take place subsequently.
Recall that the acting Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), Desmond Inyamah, had said the refinery would commence full operations in December 2023.
Disclosing this when members of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee over-sighting the refinery projects visited to inspect the level of maintenance of the Warri refinery, Inyamah said the last time maintenance work was done at the WRPC was in 2004 and 2005.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Olufemi Soneye, also told our correspondent in February that the mechanical completion of the Warri refinery would be completed in the first quarter of this year.
However, speaking in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH at the weekend, the oil marketers and experts argued that even if the current administration moves speedily to get the four refineries into full operations in the next few months, the consistent fuel crisis in the country may still not be completely eradicated because the refineries would likely face supply constraints of crude oil.
In his submission, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Dr Billy Gilly-Harry, said though there were strong indications that the Port Harcourt Refinery would start operation anytime soon, the Tinubu’s administration should work on putting the entire four refineries into full operations in other to ease the country’s consistent fuel crisis.
He said, “It is difficult for me to confirm any date for the Port Harcourt Refinery re-operation. But I had a physical visit to the place a few weeks ago and what I saw was good enough to go. But they (NNPCL) don’t want to announce anything again, because they don’t want Nigerians to have issues. We were hoping that on the 29th of this month, the Warri refinery would go live, while the Port Harcourt one would come onboard shortly after. But since the management of the PH refinery has projected a date for its reactivity in July, we can’t say anything more about it.
On whether the full operationalisation of the four refineries would reduce the price of fuel in the country and the artificial scarcity of the product, he said that cannot be guaranteed, except the Consumer Protection Council and other agencies emplace strict price regulations in the market.
“The price of fuel in a deregulated petroleum product regime will be determined by the cost of demand and supply. If the Consumer Protection Council is working optimally, there should be a source of control so that we, the retail outlet owners, will not unnecessarily hike fuel prices once the refineries take off. Though we have our internal mechanisms to regulate ourselves in as much as we have the NMPDRA, the CPC should also put in their efforts to protect the consumers,” he explained.
Also speaking with Sunday PUNCH, IPMAN Vice President, Hammed Fashola, said full operation of both the Port Harcourt refinery and the Dangote Refinery would serve as a “big relief for everybody” in the country if it can be achieved.
He said, “It is very important and I believe the government is working towards that. If the Port Harcourt refinery can come up this year, and maybe the Warri refinery next year, my concern about the whole thing is the Kaduna refinery which has been abandoned for years. I don’t know if it is still good or available to transfer crude. I think the government has to look at that before they start pumping money into it. That is very key because there will be further constraints and it will be useless.
However, in his submission, an energy expert and lawyer, Mr Ayodele Oni, stated that even though the refineries were completed, it would be difficult for them to meet Nigeria’s fuel needs, because there had been an onward sale of the country’s crude oil for years to come.
“There have been debates whether we have enough crude because of the faulty agreement the government has reached having sold out our future crude so even if you have a refinery and you don’t have enough crude, there is a challenge there,” he said.
The expert further urged the Federal Government to boost its investment in oil exploration and production to ensure a stable supply of fuel in the country.
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Nigerian-British politician, Mrs Abigail Marshall Katung, has emerged as the first African Lord Mayor of Leeds, in the United Kingdom, and has been officially sworn in at a council meeting.
Abigail Marshall Katung takes over the role from Al Garthwaite to become the city’s 130th lord mayor and the first person of African descent to hold the position.
She is the wife of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Kaduna South Senatorial District.
“Since arriving in Leeds in 2000, the city quickly became my cherished second home,” Mrs Marshall Katung said.
Born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, Mrs Marshall Katung came to the United Kingdom to study at the University of Leeds.
She is an athletics coach, and recently became the Governor of Leeds City College in January 2024.
Her new position as the lord mayor of Leeds has made her the first elected councilor from Africa to hold the council position.
Mrs Katung has also become the second black person after Eileen Taylor and the 130th of all.
Speaking about the historic feat, Mrs Katung said her new position has become a glittering case of contribution for foreign students in the UK celebrated on the African continent.
“It was not just the city where I lived, studied and worked, it’s where I chose to raise my children and become a public servant,” she said.
“My appointment as lord mayor has been widely celebrated in the city’s African community and is a shining example of the enormous contribution international students make to UK society.
“As lord mayor of Leeds, I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure voices are heard from all areas of the city and every triumph is recognised and celebrated.”
The reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano on Thursday, and the consequent dethronement of Emir Ado Bayero, has come with dramatic twists, turns and intrigues, creating anxiety and a tense situation in the state.
The development, likened to the plot depicted in Game of Thrones, a Hollywood series, is laced with political maneuverings and undertones, setting the once peaceful state divided and on the fringe of implosion.
DAILY POST reports that the two royal families: Bayero and the Sanusi families are now in a supremacy battle over the highly coveted Emirate stool in the ancient city of Kano.
Recall that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II beat Aminu Ado Bayero to succeed the latter’s father, Emir Ado Bayero, in 2014.
But six years later, Sanusi was deposed for his predecessor’s son, Aminu Ado Bayero, amid a fallout with the state government under former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
However, four years later and with Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in the saddle as the governor, Sanusi headed back to the throne on Thursday.
DAILY POST reported that the Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024, dethroning all the five first class Emirs of the state.
The House which passed the bill dissolved the five Emirates created by former governor Ganduje. Those were Bichi, Rano, Gaya, Karaye as well as the Kano Emirate.
According to the new law, all offices established under the amended law have been set aside thereby reviving the Single Emirate System in the state.
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, claimed that the reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, was a fulfilment of his campaign promise.
In a statement by the spokesperson for the governor, Sanusi Bature, he said, “Governor Yusuf further articulated that the return of Muhammad Sanusi II back on throne will propel peace and prosperity, adding that the repeal of the council law was in realisation of his campaign commitments to restore the lost glory of the state and its rich cultural heritage.
“Everyone should go about his or her normal activities in the state, we have done what we believe is in the best interest of the state and its people.”
The governor further issued 48 hours to Aminu Ado Bayero and four other former first class chiefs to vacate their palaces and hand over all emirates property to the office of the deputy governor.
Controversial court order
However, a few hours to Sanusi’s reinstatement, a new twist was introduced to the ensuing drama as a Federal High Court in Kano granted an ex-parte order stopping Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II pending the determination of a substantive suit filed against the reinstatement.
The order also halted the abolishment of four emirates: Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.
The court, however, directed all parties involved to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of the suit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi on Thursday.
Security agencies vow to obey controversial court order
Following the controversial court order, the joint security agencies, under the leadership of the Kano Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, said they would obey the court order issued by a Federal High Court stopping the state government from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, alongside other top security officers of the military, the DSS and others, warned that they would not allow anybody to break peace and unity of the State using what is happening in the Emirate Council.
“Our joint security resolved to keep peace in Kano, and the development surrounding the Emirates Council; the Police Command respects the court order, alongside other security agencies and we have resolved to ensure that we keep peace in the state,” he said.
He added that they would not be compelled by anybody to carry out any assignment.
“As far as the situation of the Emirate is concerned, we recognize the Emir who was there as stated by the Court, and we are only respecting Court orders which says status quo should be maintained and that is where we stay and stand,” he added.
The Police Commissioner further stated that, “the position of law is very clear that whoever tries to cause problems will be arrested without hesitation.
“Miscreants are advised to stay away from causing havoc in the State, as the safety of the people remain sacrosanct.”
Bayero returns to Kano
Amid the tense atmosphere in the State, Bayero was said to have been brought back to Kano and was at the Nasarawa Emir’s Rest House adjacent to the Ministry of Works.
It was gathered that he returned to the town in the early hours of Saturday.
The aircraft which conveyed the deposed Emir touched down at the Aminu Kano International Airport at about 4:30 am.
Yusuf orders Bayero’s arrest
However, as tension enveloped Kano over alleged forceful return of deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, Governor Yusuf, on Saturday ordered his immediate arrest.
The Governor, his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam and other top government functionaries also took over the Emir’s Palace in an effort to prevent the deposed Emir’s forceful return.
Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, in a statement said that in the governor’s position as the State Chief Security Officer, he has ordered the arrest of the deposed Emir for violating the laws and his directives.
Ganduje using Ribadu to sustain deposed Kano Emir – Dep. Gov
Amid the confusion, the Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, accused the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, of trying to impose the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero on the state.
Gwarzo made the allegation on Saturday while speaking to journalists at the Emir’s palace.
He said Ganduje was using the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to achieve his objective.
He said: “It is unfortunate that the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, is using the National Security Adviser to create tension in the state by smuggling into the state, the former emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
“The appointment and dethronement of Emir or any traditional title holder is solely the prerogative of the state government.
“I am here together with the governor and other top government functionaries to ensure that the new emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II starts exercising his power and authority immediately after he was given his appointment letter yesterday”.
Ribadu denies claim
However, in a swift reaction, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday, denied claims of providing air transport for the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero to return to the state.
Speaking through the spokesman of NSA office, Mallam Zakari Mijinyawa, Ribadu maintained that he did not provide the aircraft that returned the sacked Emir to Kano.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, he said: “I read the comments on social media, it is untrue.
“The NSA did not provide air transport to anyone to Kano.
“Political actors should desist from misinforming the public as law enforcement officials in the state strive to maintain peace and order.”
Bayero reacts
Deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, in his speech on Saturday, said justice will prevail over the issue surrounding the emirates in the state.
Bayero urged relevant authorities to ensure justice because nobody is above the law, urging residents to maintain law and order
He spoke on Saturday at the mini-palace where he has since returned to after his dethronement.
According to Ado-Bayero: “I call on the people to remain law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process in this tussle.
“We call on the authorities to do justice in this matter. Kano is a very influential state in Nigeria. Whatever affects Kano affects Nigeria. May peace reign in Kano. We pray for Allah to bless Kano with responsible and just leaders.
“Justice is the way to go on every issue. There will be justice. Nobody is above the law. We will accept whatever the law says. I appreciate all the people who have shown concern.
“As I said, justice will take its course. We will keep on praying for peace in Kano State. May Allah the Almighty protect us.”
*I didn’t give any directive – Kwankwaso*
A former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, insisted that he played no part in the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.
Kwankwaso spoke with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso, explaining that he never influenced the decision of the governor to reinstate Emir Sanusi.
” When I go there, I will hear what happened and I am sure they will tell me whatever happened, and whatever they tell me, we just pray for them. I heard the Assembly members have repealed the law.
“What we were telling them was they should go and investigate whether what happened was done out of goodwill or not. What happened appears to be a vendetta or cheating. It’s just a matter of did Ganduje did right or wrong. It’s not about going against him.
“I will go to Kano very soon and I will speak with some of the assembly members, especially the speaker, and the Governor on what is happening.”
*Allah is the best of planners – El Rufai*
However, immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, reacted to the reinstatement of his bosom friend, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as Emir of Kano by the Kano State government.
El-Rufai took to his Facebook page on Friday night, posting a cryptic message, evidently referring to the development in Kano Emirate.
In a post tagged ‘Friday Reminder’, with a quote from the Holy Qur’an, El-Rufai wrote: “But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” – Holy Quran – Surah Al-Anfal (8:30).”
*Don’t plunge Kano into chaos – Council of Ullamas*
On its part, the Council of Ulamas in Kano has cautioned President Ahmad Bola Tinubu against using federal power to cause serious crises that could cripple Kano through his government’s alleged interference in the ongoing Emirate Council impasse.
The Council of Ulamas said it was worried that recent events in the Emirate, if not carefully handled, could escalate and degenerate into chaos.
In a statement signed by 18 members of the Ulama, the clergies expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing dispute over the emirship.
Ulama emphasised that it is important for Tinubu to take all necessary measures to uphold peace in the state.
The Council of Ulamas said it was worried that recent events in the Emirate, if not carefully handled, could escalate and degenerate into chaos.
“The State Governor also has a responsibility as the Chief Executive of the state. As the act in question has already been completed, there is no need for violent enforcement of any order or violent resistance to it. We vehemently oppose any measures that will escalate conflict in the state.
“Mr. President, as the leader of the nation, should not allow the contest for a royal stool to degenerate into violence. We are calling on Mr. President to allow the people of Kano State to resolve these issues amicably without the use of force and without loss of lives.”
He added, “Kano State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria; therefore, we, the undersigned, call on both contending parties to use civil means in resolving their differences to allow peace to reign in the state.”
“As major stakeholders in the state, we want to assure Mr. President that we shall reach out to contenders to resolve the matter peacefully.”
FG will be held responsible for violence in Kano – Atiku
Reacting to the development, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government would be held responsible if violence breaks out in the state over the emirate crisis.
Atiku said Tinubu’s government was inviting anarchy to Kano State by providing security for the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero.
In a statement via his X handle, Atiku cautioned the federal government against destabilising the State.
“The action of the Federal Government in deploying soldiers in Kano in the tussle over the throne of the ancient city is an upset to the peace and security of the state, and also in breach of the 1999 Constitution as Amended.
“The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment.
“It is surprising that in the early hours of today, exactly at about 5:30 am the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by Federal might made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.
“In this wise, the former Emir could not have made his way into the Nasarawa Palace without the support of the Federal Government having done so with the support of the army and other security personnel in his company. The deployment of soldiers in extra constitutional matters such as this undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military.
“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years and any attempt to destabilize the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March, 2020: dethroned, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.
“We wish to state unequivocally that if for any reason, law and order breaks down in Kano State, particularly Kano Municipal, the Federal Government should be held responsible as the act of providing security cover to the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to come back to Kano is an invitation to anarchy.”
Halt reign of madness unfolding in Kano – Inibehe Effiong
Meanwhile, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has cautioned the federal government against interfering in the Kano Emirship struggle.
Effiong specifically said that the central government has no authority to determine Emirship dispute, to appoint or enthrone anyone as Emir.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, the legal expert said that President Bola Tinubu should urgently halt the reign of madness unfolding in Kano.
His statement comes after a team of joint security agencies, under the leadership of the Kano Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, said they would obey the court order stopping the Kano State government from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Gumel, alongside other top security officers of the military, the DSS and others, had warned they would not allow anybody to break peace and unity of the State using what is happening in the Emirate Council.
Many observers believe that the federal government is allegedly interfering in what is supposed to be a state matter.
However, Effiong, a human rights lawyer, advised that the State should not be set on fire because of partisan politics.
He said: “The federal Government has no authority to determine Emirship dispute or to appoint or enthrone anyone as Emir.
“It is the responsibility of the King Makers and the Governor to do so.
“President Tinubu should urgently halt the reign of madness that’s unfolding in Kano.
“Do not set the State on fire because of partisan politics.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, asked Nigerians to hold President Bola Tinubu responsible should Kano State descend into anarchy on account of the ongoing tussle over the throne.
Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in Abuja, described the deployment of soldiers to Kano by the Federal Government as an upset to the peace and security of the state, stressing that the action was in breach of the 1999 Constitution.
The statement reads: “In performing their constitutional duties of law making, the Kano State House of Assembly, KSHA, passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in consonance with the provision of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended whereas the governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, subsequently signed into law the said bill. The law, therefore, repealed the 2019 version, which balkanized the ancient Kano Emirate into five.
“The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the Governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the Kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and, accordingly, handed him a letter of appointment.
“It is surprising that in the early hours of today, exactly at about 5:30 am the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by federal might, made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.
“In this wise, the former Emir could not have made his way into the Nasarawa Palace without the support of the Federal Government having done so with the support of the Army and other security personnel in his company. The deployment of soldiers in extra constitutional matters, such as this, undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military.
“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years, and any attempt to destablise the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that when Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on March 9, 2020, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.
“We wish to state unequivocally that if for any reason, law and order breaks down in Kano State, particularly Kano Municipal, the federal government should be held responsible as the act of providing security cover to the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to come back to Kano is an invitation to anarchy.”
President Bola Tinubu is ready to fire underperforming ministers who fail to deliver on targets set for them, the Presidency has said.
The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, speaking in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, said though the President was yet to decide on the ministers’ performances, he had told them to deliver on his administration’s eight-point agenda. He added that those found wanting would be asked to leave the cabinet.
Onanuga also rated the performance of the administration high as it approaches its first year in office, giving it a score of 70 per cent.
He said when President Tinubu took over, Nigeria was using 97 per cent of its revenue to service debt, and was borrowing for recurrent expenditure, which include the payment of salaries, adding that the administration brought the nation back from the brink of economic collapse with the implementation of bold policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidy, and the unification of the exchange rate.
My boss colluded with external parties to rob our workplace, but i went to prison for it – Ex-inmate
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Tinubu’s charge to ministers
President Bola Tinubu, had while inaugurating his 48 ministers, advisers, and other aides, urged them to put aside their personal interests and focus on his government’s immediate concern of pulling Nigeria out of poverty.
The President gave the advice at the close of a three-day retreat for ministers, permanent secretaries, presidential aides, and other top government officials at the State House, Abuja, last year after they were appointed.
He told the participants that they had the responsibility of changing the narrative about the country, noting that if they had any problem with Nigeria, they should have a conversation about it.
President Tinubu stressed the need for the officials to bond and ensure that the country recovered from ‘elephantiasis’.
He said, “We have gathered here to shape the future, no threat about it. The responsibilities we bear are not just titles; they are the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians.
“You might be ready to forget about the rest of the world but as a Nigerian, let’s go out there, let’s bond together and make sure our country is fully recovered from elephantiasis.
“Let me remind you that you are not here to make excuses; neither am I. I am your friend, brother, father and grandfather.
“You must put outside personal ambitions and focus on the progress of our nation. It is through this that we can be truly proud. I am proud to stand before you. I am very proud of all of you. And, I am proud of myself too. I contested the election and won with your support. They took me to court, and I won.”
The President also extracted the commitment of the ministers and other government officials to work together as a team to achieve the goals of his government, asking, “We are about to close this three-day cabinet retreat, are we proud that we are Nigerians? Are we sure that we’ve done this? Is the responsibility of the permanent secretary clear in partnership with the minister? Are we one family?
“Since we are one family and one nation, and we are in this vehicle together to change the narrative and bring about the economic prosperity of our country. Are we ready?”
The President further told his ministers and other aides, “We have a responsibility to our country to make sure we completely change the narrative about Nigeria.
“If we have problems, let’s talk to one another. Let’s have gentle conversations about our country. It is not about ‘just leave me alone, I’m going home’; you may not have a home.
“There’s nothing you can do successfully without good healthcare and poverty reduction. Like I said before, poverty is not a shameful thing, but it is not acceptable. Are we going to dig our people out of it?”
Struggling economy
There has, however, been some disquiet around the country as Tinubu counts days to his first anniversary.
From rising inflation to insecurity and a shaky exchange rate, the country, according to analysts, still has a long way to go.
Although the President inherited a struggling economy, he promised to get it running in no time.
Tinubu, in his 80-page policy document, highlighted an eight-point agenda, with national security and economy topping the list.
Others include agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, and education.
In his manifesto, Tinubu said his objective was to foster a new society based on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to treating each citizen with equal respect and due regard.
He promised to build a Nigeria, especially for the youth, where sufficient jobs with decent wages create a better life.
He said, “Manufacture, create and invent more of the goods and services we require. Nigeria shall be known as a nation of creators, not just of consumers. Export more and import less, strengthening both the naira and our way of life. Continue assisting our ever-toiling farmers, through enlightened agricultural policies that promote productivity and assure decent incomes, so that farmers can support their families and feed the nation.
“Modernise and expand public infrastructure so that the rest of the economy can grow at an optimal rate.
“Embolden and support our young people and women by harnessing emerging sectors such as the digital economy, entertainment, culture and tourism, and others to build the Nigeria of tomorrow, today.
“Train and give economic opportunities to the poorest and most vulnerable among us. We seek a Nigeria where no parent is compelled to send a child to bed hungry, worried whether tomorrow will bring food.”
He also vowed that his government would generate, transmit and distribute sufficient, affordable electricity to give people the requisite power to enlighten their lives, homes, and dreams.
“Make basic healthcare, education, and housing accessible and affordable for all; and, most importantly, establish a bold and assertive policy that will create a strong yet adaptive national security architecture and action to obliterate terror, kidnapping, banditry, and all other forms of violent extremism from the face of our nation.”
On May 29, as he was sworn in, the president removed petrol subsidy, which many economic analysts said was responsible for corruption and waste in the oil sector.
This was greeted by outrage, with protests erupting in several locations as a result of the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit, transportation, and food items.
Inflation rose astronomically and has continued to do so month-on-month.
As of April 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 33.69 per cent relative to the March 2024 headline inflation rate, which was 33.20 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
In February, the headline inflation rate increased to 31.70 per cent relative to the January 2024 headline inflation rate, which was 29.90 per cent.
Meanwhile, the February 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.80 per cent (five points), when compared to the January 2024 headline inflation rate.
Unemployment also rose to about 4.1 per cent, with over 60 per cent of the youth either unemployed or underemployed.
Ministers’ assessment
In commemoration of his first anniversary in office, Tinubu directed his ministers to present their performance reports to Nigerians.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while announcing this at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, said the low-key first-anniversary celebration would be marked with sectoral media briefings by the 47 federal ministers.
Idris was joined at the press conference by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu.
On January 24, 2024, the agency in charge of the assessment, the Central Delivery Coordination Unit, trained at least 140 officials to track and assess the performance of federal ministries, departments and agencies ahead of the assessment.
Speaking on Arise TV’s News Night programme in April, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, who also heads the CDCU, affirmed that the unit had received performance reports from at least 20 ministries.
She explained that the assessment report would be the joint effort of the ministers, citizens and industry experts.
Meanwhile, in April, the Presidency unveiled a citizens’ feedback platform in a bid to get a ‘strong feedback loop between citizens and government’ on the eight priority areas of the current administration.
Bala-Usman, who disclosed this at the Go-Live event of the CDT held in Abuja that month, said the creation of the application was informed by President Tinubu’s decision to assess his ministers and heads of agencies based on key performance indicators.
Bala-Usman added that the eight priority areas for the assessment of the ministers’ performances in the App included reforming the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth, strengthening national security for peace and prosperity, boosting agriculture to achieve food security, and unlocking energy and natural resources for sustainable development.
Others are to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development; accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation; and improve governance for effective service delivery.
Also, in an interview in October 2023, Bala-Usman provided extensive details about the application and its expected deliverables.
She had said, “We are going to deploy an application— a software— where citizens can report back on project-based deliverables that the Federal Government has committed to doing within the period to 2024.”
Detailing the process at the time, she said, “We sat with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have worked effectively to define the exact deliverables for each ministry.
“Those deliverables cascade to the agencies of government. So, for example, you have deliverables for the health sector, and everything that is contained within the value chain or the ecosystem within that sector will be contained within the deliverables.
“Those deliverables are translated into key performance indicators for the respective ministries. Once you have your key performance indicators, you’re able to clearly understand what your deliverables are over the period of the four years of the administration.”
However, an analysis of the feedback reports from the application made available to Sunday PUNCH showed that some Nigerians rated the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman; and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar, very poorly, giving each of them one mark out of a possible five.
However, Onanuga insisted that the President had done well given what he met on the ground.
While promising that the administration would deliver more on its promises in the next 12 months, the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy said Tinubu would sack ministers who failed to perform and meet the targets set for them.
He said, “President Tinubu has already told them (the ministers) they will go if they can’t perform. He told them at the retreat last year that the government has an eight-point agenda, and he expects the ministers to deliver on it. Those who are found wanting would have to go. But, as of today, the President has not made any decision on that.”
Onanuga also stated that while the President had not announced that he would reshuffle his cabinet, he wanted them to be accountable, adding that that was why he asked them to present their scorecards, even though they had only spent eight months in office.
“The president has not said he is going to reshuffle. Let me explain something. None of those ministers have spent one year in office. They came in last August. The president wants them to be accountable. That’s why he told them to come out and give their scorecards, to talk about what they have done in the last eight months. When you see what they have done, you cannot but give this government, in its first year, a 7/10 for the various achievements that his ministers and, by extension, his government have achieved.”
Tinubu performance abysmal – PDP
However, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party does not see anything good to cheer about the one year in office of President Tinubu.
Faulting claims by the All Progressives Congress that President Tinubu had done very well and that Nigerians would rate him highly, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, described the first year stewardship of the president as ‘an abysmal failure’.
Tinubu has not done well – LP
Also reacting, the Deputy President of the Labour Party, Ayo Olorunfemi, said the presidency was only deceiving Nigerians to think that President Bola Tinubu had done well in his first year in office.
He criticised the president and the APC, saying Tinubu’s administration had only taken citizens from ‘frying pan to fire’.
He said, “They have done well to themselves as a nuclear family. They are nuclear families. Nigeria is roasting in poverty, people can no longer feed, hopelessness has taken over the land, and anarchy is taking over. So, what is it that he has done? What is it that this government and its political party have done in the past nine years?
“They took us from frying pan to fire. That is exactly what they have done in the past nine years. I don’t think they have done anything good. They are just deceiving us, believing that Nigerians are fools.”
‘Govt performing poorly’
In his reaction, a public affairs analyst, Dr Emma Jimo, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, highlighted the government’s failure to address basic needs despite promises of renewed hope.
He said, “Pick education, for example. The government is performing poorly. Maybe the highest point is the government taking responsibility to pay the backlogs of the previous government’s indebtedness to ASUU. Even at that, it is still poor. Aside from that, look at what binds all Nigerians together – the economy.
“This government is performing poorly on the standard of living. The cost of living has gone up astronomically. The measures put in place to run the economy have not been working. They failed woefully, and they are still failing.”
In a similar vein, another analyst, Dr Anthony Ahmedu, told Sunday PUNCH that the current administration had disappointed Nigerians with its performance in one year, adding that it had continuously made poor decisions that were rejected by the citizens.
The academic said, “I had believed the Tinubu-led government would be able to take Nigeria to a greater height from the mess the previous administrations left us, looking at his (Tinubu’s) experience in politics, and especially his role in Lagos State. But to my utmost disappointment, the current administration has not met expectations at all.
“Economy wise, especially, because I felt he was coming in with the economic idea of Lagos, and should be able to help the economy of Nigeria. But, he has not been able to do so in any way. We can see how unstable the naira has been. We have also seen some wrong decisions taken, such as naira devaluation and subsidy removal.”