Today's Headlines: PDP, LP Mock APC as NEC Ratifies Ganduje Party Chair; Tinubu’s CBN investigator, Obazee, laments media attacks
PDP, LP Mock APC as NEC Ratifies Ganduje Party Chair
The appointment of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje as the new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has drawn criticism from opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party. They accuse Ganduje of having corruption allegations hanging over him.
However, Ganduje, after emerging as APC National Chairman during the party’s National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, pledged to promote unity, implement reforms, and uphold internal democracy within the party.
In addition to Ganduje’s appointment, Senator Ajibola Basiru was also appointed as the APC National Secretary.
Responding to Ganduje’s appointment, the PDP expressed strong disapproval, stating that the APC has confirmed itself as a “cesspit of corruption and a haven for thieves, bribe-takers, and treasury looters.”
The Labour Party’s chief spokesman for the Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, shared a similar sentiment, expressing disappointment and stating that the appointment of Ganduje was clear evidence of the APC’s lack of credibility.
Tinubu’s CBN investigator, Obazee, laments media attacks
Jim Obazee, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, has vehemently denied allegations of financial impropriety leveled against him. He labeled the accusations as “outrageous falsehood” and alleged slander.
His lawyer, Anayo Mbah, held a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, where he addressed the malicious campaign aimed at defaming Obazee’s character. The intention behind this campaign, according to Mbah, is to manipulate public opinion against his client.
Recently, President Bola Tinubu appointed Obazee as a special investigator to conduct a probe into the Central Bank of Nigeria and related entities. However, since the announcement of his appointment, various negative narratives have surfaced in some online media outlets, seeking to tarnish Obazee’s reputation.
Contempt charge: We’ll embark on nationwide strike Aug 14, if… — NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning of a potential nationwide indefinite strike starting from August 14. The strike threat is in response to a contempt charge filed against the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) by the Federal Ministry of Justice for their involvement in a recent strike.
During a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened to assess the outcome of the nationwide protest held on Wednesday, the NLC demanded an immediate withdrawal of the contempt charge.
In their communiqué, the NLC leaders explained the decision to suspend the nationwide protest, citing the nation’s prevailing mood characterized by widespread suffering and deprivation in all states.
The NEC also evaluated the effectiveness of the nationwide protest, including the meetings held with President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly leadership, and the Federal Government’s action through the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in filing the contempt charge.
APC Crisis: Discontent over Tinubu, NEC confirmation of same-faith appointments
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stirred discontent with its decision during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to appoint a same-faith National Chairman and National Secretary on Thursday. Some party chieftains deemed this action “terribly insensitive.”
During the National Caucus meeting on Wednesday night, the immediate-past Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, was recommended for the position of National Chairman, while Ajibola Basiru, the spokesperson of the 9th Senate, was nominated for the position of National Secretary. These nominations came after the forced resignation of the former National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
Two party officials, speaking off the record to Vanguard, acknowledged that although the development couldn’t be immediately reversed, it should be noted that the APC has now aligned itself with a specific religion.
“We know what we went through with the Tinubu/Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket. As if that was not enough, we were on the verge of producing a Muslim Senate President until many of us protested. That said, we still have a Muslim Speaker.
“We did not force Adamu out only to be replaced by another Muslim. If you read the statements of the former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, Salihu Moh. Lukman one of his consistent demands was that Adamu be replaced with a Christian from the North Central. Now, you did not do that but went ahead to even distort the zoning formula by taking that office to the North West. And to add salt to injury, the new National Secretary is also a Muslim. These are the two main people who run the party. There should be religious sensitivity”, he stated.
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