NEWS
‘There’s groundswell of northern supporters for Obi after the AJC character contest’
By John Danjuma
The spokesperson of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Dr Tanko Salisu Yunusa, has said that contrary to expectations on the party’s rating in the north, the Arewa Joint Committee’s character contest has created a huge groundswell of supporters for its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Speaking against the backdrop of the backlash the recent endorsement of Peter Obi by Afinifere generated especially against one its leaders chief Ayo Adebanjo, he said they should wait for a shocker as Obi’s supporters in the north are growing astronomically by the day, especially after the Arewa Joint Committee’s character contest
He paid glowing tribute to Afenifere, pan-Yoruba socio-political group for their patriotism.
The announcement of the group’s support for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election by Chief Ayo Adebanjo had drawn the ire of the Yoruba nation when one of their own Asiwaju Ahmad Tinubu is also in the race.
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Adebanjo said the group stood on justice and fairness and believed in true federalism and the Federal Character principle.
Adebanjo had said, many Yoruba leaders questioned why he should be supporting Peter Obi, a candidate of Igbo extraction, against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba, but he took his time to explain that the presidency is not a contest between the Yorubas and the Igbos.
However, when asked what made him to think Obi’s support base is growing, Tanko quipped, “presidential election is like beauty contest, you have to choose among the presidential candidates. You cannot go to the spectators’ stand to elect a more beautiful girl.
“Obi is not a saint, but in character, competence, and capacity, he is not only a Pan-Nigerian candidate, albeit he is head and shoulder above the three leading presidential candidates.
For our dear Compatriots, they trust Obi more than the rest in his capacity to salvage our dear country from dangerous slide into failed state.”
Reminded that older politicians who have control are day and night working assiduously to stop Obi by all means, Tanko responded saying, “we have heard of this security threat severally; however to us Obi’s life is in the hands of Almighty God, because in God alonewe trust. Obi depends solely on Almighty God and our security agencies.
“We believe sincerely that our security agencies are themselves earnestly yearning for a more productive and prosperous country, which Obi is prepared to engender.
NEWS
JUST IN: Senate Approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77trn Loan Request
To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.
The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
RELATED NEWS: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit
Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.
Details shortly…………..
NEWS
Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, has been arrested by Finnish authorities on allegations of inciting terrorist activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered his detention following an incident that reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021.
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The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the arrest of four other individuals in connection with the case. Officials say the charges involve public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said in a statement.
Details regarding the additional suspects or the specifics of the alleged crimes remain unclear as the investigation continues. Authorities have emphasized the sensitive nature of the case, stating that further information will be disclosed as the inquiry progresses.
This development marks a significant step in Finland’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety.
International News
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.
The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.
The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.
Ambiguity in Funding Commitments
Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.
“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.
The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.
Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Key Provisions and Concerns
The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.
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It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.
However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.
David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.
“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.
Rising Frustration from the Global South
Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.
Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.
“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A Critical Juncture
With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.
Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.