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Northern group brandishes voting strength, says it holds the ace

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Northern group brandishes voting strength, says it holds the ace

Says it has a determinant vote to produce the next president

By John Danjuma

A group under the aegis of Arewa New Agenda (ANA) has brandished its voting strength boasting that it has determinant vote to produce Nigeria’s next president.
They therefore want whoever emerges as the President to take into cognizance the voting strength of their geographical zone which they said made it possible for the ruling party to win in 2015 and 2019.

They said in 2023 they are still holding the ace as the region that will determine who wins as president, hence they want the interest of the region to be protected.

They brandished figures from the last two election cycles which according to them accounted for votes from the 3 northern regions adding up to 75% of the votes received by the winning party; while the South West by virtue of “the merger” added 13% to this; to bring the total haul to 88%.

They spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, at a press conference at the International Conference Center.

The coordinator/convener of the Forum Senator Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi  who addressed the press said the critical inference from the foregoing analysis is that, “Without the votes from the south west, the winning party will still have won the election, but will lack the 25% spread amongst 2/3rd of the 36 State requirement for outright victory”

What they are projecting they said,

“As it stands today the Arewa Agenda 2023 is meant to set an agenda for the protection of the interest of the north in relation to the determinant role it will play in the emergence of the eventual winner of the presidential election in 2023.

“While in 2015 and 2019 the North was needing only a marginal support to coast home to victory. This time around, the South will be needing the full strength of the North to lead the “bulk of the charge” by doing the heavy lifting.

“We are supporting the growth of the Nation as we “Envision a Nigeria where the north is capable, vibrant and takes ownership of its future”

“A time has come for us to streamline the continuing participation of the north and its people as usual in the process of governance and socio-political development of our great country Nigeria.

“The Arewa  New Agenda 2023 seeks to promote the continuing prominence, relevance, involvement and participation of “the north” that will enable the rapid growth and development of the region in the Governance and service delivery structure of Nigeria post 2023 general elections.

READ ALSO: Stop dragging APC into your problems – Group tells PDP

“This is due to the strategic position the north occupies when it comes to determining leadership at all levels of Governance in the political processes of the democratic environment.

“As we approach the 2023 National elections it has become not only pertinent but expedient that we raise up to engage the occasion from the perspectives of the numerical strength the north wields in the political equation in the country.

“Current contextual analysis (Nigeria)

Nigeria remains the most populous country in Africa. The country has 36 States divided into 6 geo-political zones; and a Federal Capital Territory. “These zones are North West, North East, North Central, South West, South-South and South East. The population of the North-West Region alone is more than the population of South-East and South-South zones combined.

“We are going to be having a conference on the 6th and 7th september and in that conference we are inviting all the ethnic Nationalities in the 19 northern States to bring up issues, like the issue of insecurity, so many issues we want to hear from them.

“It is those issues the rappattoires will put together to form a compendium and this compendium will now serve as an Arewa agenda for whoever that becomes President to look into the pages of the Compendium and see what he can do for us.

“That document will not be cast in stone, it means that as we progress when there are more issues we put them there that is what we want to do but it must be an all encompassing and all embracing approach where everybody will have to say something. “It is not like if such a document does not exist by scholars but at every given time there are more challenges so we want to examine those challenges and bring them forward towards 2023 so that whoever that becomes the president this will become the Northern Agenda or position.”We are a group that seek to engage the issues, the real serious issues of the day and in that regard we are partizan with quality, who is the most qualitative person that can better lots of the north, given track record, give antecedents of all the contestants. “They are all known to us, they have a record of performance in public service, we are engaging with them as we are engaging with the Nigerian community

“We are looking at the issue based on the prosperity of the country as we are looking for the prosperity of the North.”

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NEWS

53 Convicts Benefit From Adeleke’s Prerogative Of Mercy

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Four gang-killed two in Osun, destroy N8M properties

 

In line with the recommendations of the Osun State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Governor Ademola Adeleke has extended mercy to 53 convicts serving various terms within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

According to Spokesperson to the State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, this was contained in a letter of commutation dated December 24th, 2024 and which has since been received and acknowledged by the relevant prison authorities read as follows:

ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide

“WHEREAS: the inmates whose names are set out in the schedule to this order have been convicted to various terms of imprisonment to wit.

(i) Simple offences and have served substantial portions of the sentences,

(ii) Convicts sentenced to death” (having spent a minimum of 10 years in custody.)

“AND WHEREAS: following the recommendation made to me by the state advisory council on the prerogative of mercy that I should exercise my power in relation to the said inmates in order to mark the 2024 Christmas celebration.

“AND WHEREAS: in the case of the 30 (thirty) inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences in whole.

“AND WHEREAS: I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to 12 (Twelve) inmates convicted of simple offences.

“4 (Four) Convicts have their sentences commuted from death to outright pardon. AND WHEREAS: I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to commute the sentences as follows;

“1 (One) convict has his sentence commuted from death to 15 (Fifteen) years imprisonment.

“6 (Six) Convicts have their sentences commuted from death to outright release.

“Now know ye therefore that, I Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c) and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended), I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto the said inmates.

“My will and pleasure thereof, is that you commute the death, life and years of imprisonment as indicated herewith in the schedule”

Those in the schedule are as follows:

CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT PARDON (SIMPLE OFFENCES)

  1. OLABOMIJI NURUDEEN
  2. MUSTAPHA ISAH
  3. OLALEKAN ABDULLAHI
  4. AYOMIDE OLOJEDE
  5. AKEEM RAPHAEL
  6. ADEYEMI ABIODUN
  7. OLADIPUPO SEGUN
  8. OMISAKIN SUNDAY
  9. ADEMOLA ADIO
  10. TUNDE OLAPADE
  11. LATE CHIEF WOLE OLA RUFUS OJO
  12. OMOLOYE OLAJIDE OLAYEMI

CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT RELEASE (SIMPLE OFFENCES)

  1. OLUBO SUNDAY
  2. ISAH UMAR BIODUN
  3. FAWAS KAREEM
  4. OMIRIN TEMITAYO
  5. OLARENWAJU AYOMIDE
  6. DARE SUNDAY
  7. OLADAPO TUNDE
  8. GANIYU SAHEED
  9. ADEWUMI SODIQ
  10. ADEBAYO ADEOYE KEHINDE
  11. LASIS KAZEEM
  12. DAUDA OJO (59 YEARS)
  13. ISMAILA RAJI
  14. OSENI MICHEAL
  15. AJAYI KOREDE
  16. ABIONA NURUDEEN
  17. OSHI SAMUEL
  18. SHEU YUSUF OLATUNJI
  19. OJO AANU
  20. MUSTAPHA KEHINDE
  21. LASIS ABEEB
  22. ALEXANDRA IORLAHA
  23. OJO TAIWO
  24. AZEEZ MUJEEB
  25. AKINYEMI DAVID
  26. ADEOSUN ADEKUNLE
  27. OLAOBAJU SAMUEL
  28. ADURA ADEFEMI
  29. PAUL BASIL
  30. KUNLE DAVID

CONVICT RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT PARDON FOR GOOD CONDUCT (CAPITAL OFFENCES) – 4 (FOUR)

  1. SUNDAY MORAKINYO
  2. SEGUN OLOWOOKERE
  3. TUNDE OLAPADE
  4. DEMOLA ODEYEMI

CONVICT RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT RELEASE ON HEALTH GROUND, (CAPITAL OFFENCES) –

1 OLUWAFEMI FAGBEMI

2 BEWAJI SUNDAY

  1. AMEHIN GEORGE
  2. AYOMIDE ARULOGUN
  3. TAIWO OLUWATOBI STEPHEN
  4. ABUBAKAR ABDULAZEEZ

CONVICT RECOMMENDED TO BE COMMUTED FROM DEATH TO 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT HAVING SPENT AT LEAST 10 YEARS IN CUSTODY

  1. OJEKUNLE TIMOTHY
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International News

Ghana To Grant Visa-Free Entry To All African Nationals

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has approved a new policy allowing visa-free entry to Ghana for all African nationals, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this year.

The initiative is expected to be implemented before the end of his term on January 6, 2025.

With this move, Ghana will join Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as one of the few African nations offering unrestricted visa-free access to all African passport holders.

READ MORE: Christmas: Shettima Assures Of FG’s Commitment To Citizens’ Welfare

The policy is seen as a significant step toward promoting free movement across the continent, enhancing trade, and deepening economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Akufo-Addo announced the policy during his keynote address at the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) held in Accra.

Speaking under the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, and Trade,” he highlighted the challenges Africans face when traveling within the continent.

“Many of you had to acquire a visa to attend this event,” he said, emphasizing the barriers to intra-African mobility.

He described the visa-free policy as a solution to these challenges and a critical step toward achieving the goals of the AfCFTA.

“The free movement of people is essential for stimulating intra-African trade and fostering collaboration across borders,” Akufo-Addo added, noting that the policy aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of promoting economic growth through integration.

The visa-free initiative is expected to enhance Ghana’s standing in the region, making it easier for African nationals to travel, trade, and collaborate.

By eliminating visa requirements, Ghana aims to position itself as a leader in continental integration, creating opportunities for deeper economic ties with other African nations.

The policy also underscores Ghana’s commitment to the AfCFTA, which seeks to establish a unified market for goods and services across Africa.

Officials believe this move will attract businesses and encourage cross-border trade, ultimately boosting the continent’s economy.

The Ghanaian government has begun taking steps to implement the policy, with full rollout expected before the end of Akufo-Addo’s presidency.

Officials are updating immigration procedures to accommodate the new framework and ensure a smooth transition.

President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the initiative during his address.

“We are taking concrete steps to ensure that this policy becomes a reality this year,” he stated, signaling that the groundwork for implementation is already underway.

 

 

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NEWS

Christmas: Shettima Assures Of FG’s Commitment To Citizens’ Welfare

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Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of the federal government’s dedication to national security, economic transformation, and welfare of the citizens.

This was detailed in a Christmas message on Wednesday afternoon in Abuja under the signature of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.

According to the Vice President, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its focus on these critical areas, as the country looks forward to the dawn of a new year.

ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide

He said, “In these times of economic transformation, I want to assure you that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of all Nigerians.”

Vice President Shettima particularly urged the citizens to imbibe the virtues of national unity during the yuletide season.

“Nigeria’s diversity remains our greatest strength. Let us avail ourselves of the time provided by the holiday season to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us across all faiths and regions,” he said.

Senator Shettima assured Nigerians of the continued vigilance of the nation’s security forces, noting that “our brave security personnel will continue to work round the clock during this festive period to keep us safe.”

He said enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect the citizens during the holiday period.

“The relevant agencies have been mobilized to ensure your safety and comfort on all major routes,” he stated, urging travelers to remain vigilant.

VP Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s trajectory in the coming year, saying, “I am filled with hope and optimism about Nigeria’s future. Together, we will build a more prosperous and united nation.

“To our young people, you are the backbone of our nation. The Renewed Hope administration is implementing various initiatives to create opportunities for you to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s development,” he added.

 

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