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You Can’t Force Me To Support Your 2023 Ambition – Obaseki Replies Wike

Recall that Wike, last week, launched a scathing attack on the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu over an alleged ‘threat’ he made to the party Leadership.

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The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has reacted to the recent crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Recall that Wike, last week, launched a scathing attack on the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu over an alleged ‘threat’ he made to the party Leadership.

However, in a newspaper advertorial on Monday, Obaseki fired Wike, stating that he will not threat or cajoled Edo State to support his 2023 Presidential Ambition.

The advertorial read: “The recent personal attacks by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Nyesom Wike, against my Deputy Governor. Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu is, to say the least, most unfortunate and totally uncalled for.

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“If Governor Wike was one who is wont to show respect and courtesy to his colleague-Governors, he would have ordinarily reached out to me to express his concerns about the views made by my Deputy Governor, rather than embarking on this unwarranted public onslaught.

“My Deputy Governor was a former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Student, NANS, and his comment is representative of the essence of the nation’s youth population, who are inclined to openly speak up and question the status quo. If Governor Wike cannot understand and adequately respond to the style and character of the Nigerian youth, how can he aspire to lead them?

“His Excellency, Governor Wike should have taken a cue from the manner in which the National Chairman of our party, Sen. Dr. lyorchia Ayu, responded to my deputy’s remarks, as a conscientious Leader who is able to show empathy and consideration.”

“The concerns expressed by my Deputy Governor bordered on pertinent issues affecting the PDP in Edo State which since the September 19th 2020 elections, has been able to register over 500,000 members; and till date, these new members have not been properly integrated into our party after two years.”

“On September 16, 2018, Governor Wike threatened the party that there would be grave consequences if it moved the National Convention from Port Harcourt in the run up to the 2019 Presidential election.

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“On September 12, 2019, Governor Wike also threatened to cause trouble for the party over the emergence of Hon. Ndudi Elumelu as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.”

“Undoubtedly, Governor Wike has contributed to the advancement of the party, just like others, since 1999.No one is against his desire to run for President, however, his ambition should not be embarked on in such a way that it would cause disruption at different levels, such as the PDP Governors’ Forum as well as different chapters of the party across the country.

“It clearly amounts to delusion of grandeur, for any one man to nurse the idea that he owns or has more stake in the PDP and everyone should pander to him.

“We are all equal stakeholders in the party and an aggregate of the ideas, opinions and contributions of all leaders and members should form the position of the party and not the view of one individual or a select few.

“While Governor Wike is free to use his resources as he deems fit in pursuit of his ambition, he should not attempt to cow, intimidate, cajole and threaten others into doing his bidding. Edo State cannot and will not be procured for anyone’s personal ambition.”

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“What Nigeria needs now are strong democratic institutions and not strong men; that is why we will join the great leaders of our party across the country to build PDP into a strong, large and indomitable party that will win next year’s Presidential election.”

“Governor Wike and his collaborators headed by Chief Dan Orbih in Edo State will not succeed in destabilizing the PDP in Edo State as they did other States like Cross River just to secure delegates to actualize his alleged personal ambition to run for presidency in 2023. In Edo, we don’t accept political bullies and overlords and historically, we have demonstrated our capacity to unshackle ourselves and dethrone bullies and highhanded leaders.”

“| appeal to all well-meaning leaders of our great party to call Governor Wike to order to desist from his current unguarded and disruptive tendencies. From all indications today, PDP ts set to take over the leadership of Nigeria provided we can rein in the self interest of a few leaders to put the task of rescuing Nigeria above their personal ambitions.”

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Buhari, Northern cabal part of plot to unseat Tinubu, opposition not ready – Primate Ayodele

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Ayodele

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has alleged that former President Muhammadu Buhari is part of a plot to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027.

Primate Ayodele revealed that Buhari is being influenced by some Northern cabals who are determined to undermine Tinubu’s government.

He disclosed this during the release of his 95-page 2025 prophecies on Friday, December 20, 2024.

According to Primate Ayodele: “Former President Muhammadu Buhari is part of the plot to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Although he is being dragged into it by Northern cabals, he will play a role. If Tinubu isn’t on alert, he will be shocked by those who would stand against him in 2027.”

Additionally, Primate Ayodele stated that opposition parties in Nigeria are not serious and have not demonstrated readiness to take the presidential seat in the country.

“Opposition parties are not yet ready to win elections in Nigeria. They are a bunch of unserious people who only want to make personal gains. If they are serious about winning in 2027, they need to form one strong coalition; otherwise, it will remain just a dream.”

Speaking further, Primate Ayodele noted that the former governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, will make a major move in the state’s politics and that his movement could evolve into a political party.

“I still maintain that Rauf Aregbesola is a significant factor in Osun State politics. His movement will transform into a kind of political party. If the APC wants to win the state, they should work with Aregbesola; otherwise, they will fail,” he added.

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I’ll be bigger in Nigeria – Pastor Adegboyega scheduled for deportation claims

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Tobi Adegboyega

The founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, SPAC Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, has claimed that he will be more influential in Nigeria than in the UK.

His remarks follow the UK immigration upper tribunal’s approval of his deportation due to an alleged £1.87 million fraud charge.

Despite the ruling, Adegboyega vehemently denied the fraud allegations, calling them baseless and unsubstantiated.

In a preview of an upcoming Off The Record podcast episode, when asked if SPAC Nation was the only church facing such accusations, he emphasized the church’s success in the UK and Europe.

“We are the largest independent church in the UK and Europe right now,” he claimed.

He added, “If I am in Nigeria, I will be bigger than this, 10x maybe. If I am in Paris, I will be happier. It’s holiday for me. London will miss me, so you better tell them, we still need this guy, nobody is close to us entertaining us.”

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Embracing Tax Reform: A Call to action for Nigeria’s Youth

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By Dare Ojepe

At this significant crossroads, the future prosperity of Nigeria heavily relies on visionary reforms and active civic participation. One such critical reform, currently being pursued by President Bola Tinubu, involves the restructuring of our nation’s tax system—a move that promises to lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth and enhanced socio-economic equity.

Let us begin with the essence of the reform. These changes are not just about numbers and policies; they represent a transformative vision for our country; one where resources are judiciously managed, and opportunities are equitably distributed among all Nigerians, especially the youth, who are the backbone of our nation.

Driving Economic Growth

The proposed tax reform is designed to foster an economic environment where businesses can thrive and innovation is encouraged. By broadening the tax base and ensuring efficiency in collection, the government aims to create a more stable economic foundation. This stability is crucial for attracting domestic and international investments, which, in turn, translate to increased job opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians entering the workforce.

Enhancing Public Service Delivery

The link between tax reform and effective public service delivery can not be overstated. With better compliance and fairer distribution, tax revenues can significantly boost funding for essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Imagine schools with state-of-the-art facilities, hospitals with modern equipment, and roads that connect our nation seamlessly, all attainable with the right fiscal policies and when government can mobilise enough revenue to deliver on them. As it currently stands, Nigerian government is unable to mobilise tax revenue to fund our development compared to our peers in Africa like South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Egypt, Angola and Ethiopia where government tax to GDP ratio is well over 18%.

Empowering Youth and Entrepreneurs

One of the exciting aspects of these reforms is the focus on creating a supportive environment for youth entrepreneurship. The reforms include some tax exemptions for businesses with annual turnover of less than fifty million naira, which significantly benefits budding entrepreneurs. This measure encourages startups and small enterprises, enabling young Nigerians to transform their innovative ideas into flourishing businesses without the immediate pressure of financial burdens.

Furthermore, the reform proposes some tax exemptions for employees whose annual income is less than ten million naira. This initiative directly impacts young professionals entering the workforce, allowing them to save more and invest in their future, thereby enhancing their economic stability.

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability

At the heart of any effective reform is transparency. The proposed changes include measures to enhance accountability in tax administration, ensuring that every naira collected is directed towards meaningful development projects. This approach aims to build public trust and foster a civic culture where contributing to national growth is seen as a collective responsibility.

A Call to Action

To the vibrant youth of our nation, your role in this transformation is indispensable. We urge you to engage in this dialogue, to understand the nuances of these policy shifts, and to advocate for transparent and equitable reforms. Your voices, your ideas, and your actions are essential in driving this change and securing a prosperous future for all.

Let us unite with purpose and determination, embracing these reforms not as mere policy adjustments but as the stepping stones to a brighter Nigeria. Together, we can create an enduring legacy of prosperity and equity for generations to come.

-Ojepe is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Engagement_

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