- ••Joins Alayede of Ayede-Ogbese At Praise Concert
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi,SAN, CON has urged the people of the State to vote massively for the House of Assembly candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 11, election.
The Governor also thanked the people of Ayede-Ogbese and the State at large for the huge vote recorded by the APC at the last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Governor Akeredolu explained that the APC candidates, if elected, will guarantee seamless collaboration between the executive and legislature, adding that it will engender accelerated development in the State.
He spoke on Saturday at the Oba Awon Oba 2, (A meeting with the King of Kings) commemorating the One Year Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Raphael Ajibola Olaleye Oluyede, Alayede of Ayede-Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of the State.
The Governor said Oba Oluyede has remained true to his Christian background despite ascending his forefather’s throne.
He called on the people of Ayede-Ogbese to rally support for the APC House of Assembly candidate in Akure North, Mr Kolawole Ologede who hails from the town.
Governor Akeredolu assured that the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the President-Elect will bring greater benefits to the people of the sunshine State.
The Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other members of the State Executive Council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu attended the event.
The Praise Concert was led by the award-winning De Emeralds choir.
Olabode Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State
March 4, 2023.
PRESS STATEMENT
The Government and the people of Ondo State received the news of the ruling of the Supreme Court on the punitive implementation of a monetary policy, hurriedly packaged to achieve a pernicious end by Mr Godwin Emefiele, with great relief. The position of the apex Court is in tandem with our press releases on the subject matter.
We salute the industry and courage of the Justices of the Supreme Court for the well-considered ruling.
The CBN Governor and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice misadvised the President to assume powers of an Emperor answerable only to himself and no other authorities as enshrined in the law.
It is deplorable to witness small businesses collapse with unbelievable rapidity. We have been regaled with tales of the dehumanisation of ordinary Nigerians who have been forced to strip themselves naked in banking halls weeping to be given their monies kept with the banks. Some have lost their lives, needlessly, for being unable to access their deposits in the banks upon demand. The Governor of the CBN acted most irresponsibly when he claimed to be exercising powers, which the CBN Act does not invest in his office. He was quoted as saying that he was fighting corruption, money laundering and vote- buying. He acted, ultra vires, goaded by his political permutations. The AGF equally misled the President to act beyond the limits of his executive powers. Nigerians have been punished unduly.As the Supreme Court has pronounced, the law must be allowed to rule. There are statutory functions allotted to bodies in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. These bodies must be allowed to exercise those functions. Anyone purporting to act in contravention of the extant laws does so, either ignorantly or mischievously. The letters of the law are simple and understandable if the people in authority embrace less mischief.
We enjoin the Federal Government to obey the ruling of the Supreme Court immediately as there is no other alternative open to it.
We congratulate the States which challenged this obnoxious policy implementation and hope that our banks will release the deposits of Nigerians in their custody upon demand forthwith as there will be grave consequences for continued seizure of the hard-earned monies of citizens.
There is no gain asserting the obvious. The whole policy may have been well conceived. Its implementation has been politically driven. The CBN Governor is a partisan of injustice and oppression. Most Governments, perhaps with the exception of a negligible few motivated by the possibility of deriving unexpressed political advantages, cannot meet simple obligations to their citizens. It is most unfortunate.
As we enjoin the officials of the Federal Government who may be directly involved in putting into effect the spirit and the letter of the Supreme Court ruling to do so immediately, the Ondo State Government will not hesitate to proceed against persons and institutions whose activities impede its ability to discharge statutory obligations to the people.
There is no justification for the pains to which our people have been subjected for obvious political reasons.
ARAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI O.AKEREDOLU, SAN, CON.
Governor, Ondo State.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ATTENDS UN CONFERENCE ON LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN QATAR
President Muhammadu Buhari will, on Saturday, March 4, leave for the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in Doha, the capital city of Qatar.
This follows an invitation by the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The conference which is from 5th to 9th March, 2023 under the theme: “From Potential to Prosperity,” holds once in a decade and provides an opportunity to garner the support of the international community for accelerating sustainable development in the LDCs as well as assist them make progress towards achieving prosperity.
In Doha, President Buhari will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to support the most vulnerable countries to meet their development challenges, highlighting areas through which the Nigerian government has provided them with various forms of assistance over time.
As most of these countries struggle to find sustainable solutions to challenges of poverty, adverse effects of climate change, food and energy crisis as well as high-debt burden among others, the Nigerian leader will vigorously reiterate the need for sustainable solutions for countries facing these severe challenges.
The Summit will be attended by world leaders, the private sector, civil society and youth organisations. It aims to share developmental ideas and mobilize political will, solidarity, action and solutions to transform the LDCs, by finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of poverty, food insecurity, hunger, weak or non-existent infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, climate change among others as they struggle to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
President Buhari’s delegation includes some Ministers and top government officials who are expected to use the opportunity of the visit to sign some agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the Qatari government.
The President is expected to return to the country on Wednesday, March 8.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 4, 2023.
PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMISERATES WITH ABACHA FAMILY OVER DEATH OF ABDULLAHI
President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the former First Lady, Marayam Abacha, and family on the death of their son, Abdullahi.
The President’s prayers and thoughts are with the family of Abacha as they grieve the passing of the young Abdullahi.
The President prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for those who mourn.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 4, 2023
PRESIDENT BUHARI FELICITATES WITH MOST REVD AKINWALE AS NEW METHODIST CHURCH ARCHBISHOP OF ABUJA
President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates most warmly, His Grace, the Most Revd Michael Olusegun Akinwale as he officially assumes office as the new Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese of the Methodist Church Nigeria.
The President wishes the Archbishop a successful Enthronement ceremony on Sunday, March 5, 2023, to be performed by the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Ali Aba.
President Buhari, while commending Archbishop Akinwale for his services to the church particularly, during his immediate past position as the Secretary of Conference, expresses confidence that he will deploy his wealth of experience to do greater exploits in his new post in Abuja.
The President enjoins the Archbishop and other church leaders to use their exalted positions to preach love, unity and peaceful co-existence among their followers, especially during this period of general elections in the country.
According to him, “Our religious leaders have a crucial role to play in promoting brotherhood in our nation since they command large following and should serve as vanguards of peace and stability. As role models, their utterances and messages have the capacity to influence their listeners positively or negatively.”
President Buhari also prays for Archbishop Akinwale to have a blessed tenure as he continues to serve God and humanity in his new capacity in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
March 4, 2023
Naira Redesign: ‘Disclose how you’re obeying Supreme Court orders’, SERAP tells Buhari
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “disclose details of the measures your government is taking to immediately and effectively obey the Supreme Court decision extending the validity of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, and directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to continue to receive the notes from Nigerians.”
SERAP urged him “to publicly instruct the CBN to immediately and effectively implement the Supreme Court decision ordering an end to the cash withdrawal limits imposed by banks because such restrictions violate citizens’ right to freely use their property.”
SERAP also urged him “to disclose the measures that your government is taking to direct the CBN to immediately re-circulate the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, as ordered by the Supreme Court.”
In the letter dated 4 March, 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “There is an overriding public interest in disclosing the details of the measures your government and the CBN are taking to effectively and satisfactorily obey the Supreme Court decision.”
According to SERAP, “Disclosing the measures that your government and the CBN are taking to implement the Supreme Court decision would also enable Nigerians to monitor and scrutinize the level of compliance with the decision.”
SERAP said, “The public should not be kept in the dark on what your government and the CBN are doing to implement the decision. Widely publishing the implementation measures would also improve accountability of state officials and public confidence in the rule of law and Nigeria’s democracy.”
The Supreme Court last week extended the validity of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 Naira notes till 31 December, stating that the CBN must continue to receive the notes from Nigerians. The Court held that the president’s directive on the redesign of the new notes without due consultation is invalid.
The letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the requested information and recommended measures are implemented within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our requests.”
“The implementation by your government of the CBN policy on the redesign of the country’s currency has contributed to violations of citizens’ rights.”
“SERAP is concerned about the persistent disobedience of court orders by your government, and the apparent lack of respect for constitutional and international rule of law obligations.”
“Nigerians are entitled to the details of the level of compliance by your government and the CBN with the Supreme Court decision as a matter of transparency, justice and the rule of law.”
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and human rights treaties to which the country is a state party rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”
“Your government has the legal duties to act as ordered by the Supreme Court, and consistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the CBN Act, and the country’s international obligations.”
“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]; the Freedom of Information Act; the CBN Act, and the country’s international obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
“According to our information, the Supreme Court has extended the validity of the N200, N500, and N1,000 Naira notes till 31 December, and directed that the CBN must continue to receive the old notes from Nigerians.”
“The Court held that your directive for the redesign of the new notes and withdrawal of the old notes without due consultation is invalid.”
“The Court also stated that the disobedience of its interim order of 8 February that the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes should continue to circulate alongside the new ones makes Nigeria’s democracy look like a mere pretension while democracy is replaced with autocracy or dictatorship.”
“The Supreme Court also ruled that the cash withdrawal limits imposed by banks as a result of scarcity of currency notes in circulation is illegal, as it amounts to impermissible restriction on citizens’ right to freely use their property.”
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
5/3/2023
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202