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Atiku canvasses restructuring at LBS, Obi replies Soludo

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Atiku canvasses restructuring at LBS, Obi replies Soludo

Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, yesterday, gave a response to the opinion piece penned by the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, setting the stage for a feisty verbal exchange between the two leading lights of Anambra and the Southeast region.

Reacting to Soludo’s treatise titled, ‘History beckons and I will not be silent (Part 1), where the governor disclosed that the investment he (Obi) left in government was worth close to nothing and the LP candidate can’t win the 2023 presidential election, Obi said he did his little as governor of Anambra and urged the incumbent governor to do his best in the state as an economics professor.

Speaking at the 2022 Lagos Business School (LBS) Alumni Conference, Obi described Soludo as his brother.

“He (Soludo) remains my brother, we are very close. I remain prayerful for him. For other things, which I didn’t succeed, God has given him opportunity to do it and succeed. So, if there is anything pending, governance doesn’t finish, people are still in government in America, so, you stop where you will stop, other people will continue from there.

“He is the governor of the state; he is my senior brother, he is even more intelligent than me, because he is a professor, I am a trader, so, he knows more and will be able to do things better than I did.

“I have done my little as a trader, now the professor is there, he will do his own as a professor, the schools I didn’t roof, he will roof them, that’s how government goes.”

The former governor said he left office with N75 billion savings, adding that his administration saved $50 million each in Access, Diamond and Fidelity banks with an interest rate of 6.5 per cent.

He further clarified: “The one they said is worthless, we invested N3.5 billion in International Breweries. That facility is there employing directly and indirectly over 10,000 Anambrarians. The shares were at a time being sold at N50, today, the share is about N5 or so.

“When you spread your investment, some will go up some will come down but overall the company is still there, the company is still doing well, it is still part of the global chain. I needed to explain it not because I am defending comments by my brother,” he said, adding that he left the office without owing any contractor or supplier who had executed his or her job.

ALSO joining the fray, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, lashed out at Soludo over his statement, saying it has dragged the governor to two deities in Igbo land, for discrediting the legacies of Obi.

The group in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said: “Ndigbo have dragged Soludo to the two famous divinities and deities (Chokoleze in Mbaise and Ubiniukpabi in Arochukwu) for his unreasonable public behaviour.

“Soludo’s actions are ridiculous, unreasonable and premature; there was no locus for the governor’s outburst and the sanctions against Soludo to face Igbo deities will serve as a deterrent to Southeast politicians who have been hired by enemies of Ndigbo and Nigerians to derail Obi’s presidency in 2023.

“Soludo exposed and indicted himself of treachery when he discredited the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and LP presidential candidates as not viable alternatives to win the 2023 elections. How can a governor of two presidential candidates (APGA and LP) make such a public declaration?

“We advise Soludo to concentrate on the current crisis in Anambra and stop casting innuendo and aspersions on the person of Obi,” the statement said.

In the same vein, National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, described comments made by Soludo as remarks borne out of jealousy.

Abure said Soludo, who was at some point the Governor of Central Bank, would first speak condescendingly about a sound investment decision made by Obi.

“Even Soludo rose on the legacy of Obi, because Obi was the first governor that rose to power through the APGA platform. Obi built the party, consolidated it and worked for the people of Anambra, which gave people confidence to continually vote for APGA.”

He further said that Soludo’s recent tirades is confirmation that Obi’s ambition is not an Igbo project but pan-Nigeria.

“This project is certainly not about Umunna! Even brothers and sisters normally disagree. It is a Nigeria project.”

MEANWHILE, the duo of Obi and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, revealed their security and economic plans for the country at the LBS conference.

The sessions, which was moderated by Franklin Ngwu, an associate professor of strategy, corporate governance and risk management at the Lagos Business School, and Muda Yusuf, founder/CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), was tagged: “The Leadership Imperative.”

Specifically, Atiku said that the review of the Constitution is highly essential to the unity of Nigeria, as his administration will pursue it with all seriousness if he wins next year’s presidential election.

The former vice president maintained that there would be a convergence, noting that what is currently at play with multiple exchange rates hurts the private sector, which contributes about 79-80 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Atiku added that his administration would privatise the oil and gas sector to generate income for the country and make Nigeria the refinery hub of West Africa.

“Up till now, our moribund refineries are not functioning and yet we are spending money on them. As far as I am concerned, we would rather privatise them, we have about three of them and we have been spending money without any production. If we had privatised them, they would have been producing today, no private sector will buy a refinery and be spending money and allow it not to be in operation.”

Speaking on inflation, Atiku said inflation is a by-product of a bad economy and once the economy is put on the right track, inflation will be controlled.

Atiku further said his agenda for restructuring is to ensure that the government becomes more efficient.

To this end, he said that he would encourage the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to come up with Constitutional amendments that will give more powers and resources to state and local governments.

“As Vice President between 1999 to 2007, I headed the economic team that implemented fundamental economic reforms, including the design and implementation of a private sector revival strategy.

“We focused on macro-economic stability and transforming critical areas such as banking, insurance, oil and gas, telecommunications, pension and the civil service.

“We created novel institutions for laying the foundation for good governance and accountability such as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPE), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and SERVICOM.

“With many years in the private sector, I have a deep understanding of our economy and its challenges.”

Obi, on his part, called for the overhaul of the cost of governance, thereby making it functional, adding that the structure of the country is not working.

“The cost of governance in Nigeria is unacceptable. The entire system needs an overhaul, to make it more functional, to train people more so that it will be able to bring technology for efficiency and effectiveness.”

On foreign exchange, Obi said “the rate and volatility of your foreign exchange is a function of your foreign reserve, which is directly linked to your export, because you are not a country that is productive.”

He said to control and bring stability to the currency, there is a need to export and earn dollars, saying that Nigeria cannot be 80 per cent dependent on oil that gives less than $20 billion.

Obi said the country needs to start production and export of goods, saying it is the only way to earn dollars and curb scarcity.

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Rep felicitates Wike on emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year

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Wike visits scene of collapsed building, insists structures without approval will go down

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno), has congratulated the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on his emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year.

Betara, in a congratulatory message issued in Abuja, eulogised the leadership virtue and dedication of the minister to infrastructural development in the territory.

The lawmaker, representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno, said that the award was well-deserved.

“On behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on your well-deserved recognition as the Minister of the Year by THISDAY/Arise TV.

“This prestigious honour is a testament to your visionary leadership, tireless dedication and exceptional contributions to the infrastructural transformation in the territory.

“Your unwavering commitment to service and your determination to improve the lives of residents and visitors alike to the FCT has been nothing short of exemplary.

“Through your bold initiatives and strategic policies, you have not only enhanced the aesthetics and functionality of Abuja, but have also reaffirmed the FCT’s position as a beacon of progress and modernity in Nigeria,” he said.

Betara said that the recognition was a reflection of the positive impact of Wike’s work and the admiration he had earned across various sectors.

While describing the recognition as an outstanding achievement, the lawmaker prayed that the milestone would serve as an inspiration for greater accomplishments in service, with integrity and purpose.

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Court adjourns case against ex-Kogi governor, others

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday, adjourned hearing in the alleged money laundering case against  former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello until April 3 and April 24.

Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case for continuation of hearing after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, was called to testify.

The Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he had five witnesses to call for the day.

Justice Anenih said she could only take one witness as she had other matters to attend to.

The court also announced that it would not be sitting on Thursday as previously scheduled.

Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, informed the court that the prosecution had not made the statements on oath of the 2nd defendant available to the defence team.

He said he was aware that the first defendant had not made any statement.

Daudu also objected to the witness presented by the prosecution, arguing that the defendants had no prior knowledge of the witness and were only seeing him in court for the first time.

Citing authorities, he emphasised that legal proceedings should not be a “hide and seek” game, stating that the prosecution was required to provide the witness’ statements on oath in advance so the defence could adequately prepare for cross-examination.

“The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not.

“So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants.

“I understand the first defendant has not made a statement. Fortunately, we are still within the house keeping stage of the proceeding,” he added.

Corroborating this, counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, said, “mine is not a comment but an observation my lord. My application is for the court to order the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.”

When the judge asked if he had requested for the statements, Aliyu SAN said, he discovered on Tuesday that the said statements were not part of the proof of evidence served on the defendants.

He said: “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert if any.

“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Commissioner of Police.”

The prosecution witness, however, disagreed, saying the defendants were trying to delay speedy trial.

He insisted that the proof of evidence was served on the defendants on Nov. 27, 2024.

“The constitutional provisions, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on.

“The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defence with all the documents requested for,” Pinheiro argued.

He noted that the issues would be addressed whenever they receive formal applications from the Defendants and urged the court to proceed on the business for the day.

“As it is, we have almost utilised more than an hour on these arguments,” he stated.

The judge asked the defendant’s counsel why he did not raise the issues in December.

Daudu SAN replied that it was because it had to be done after arraignment.

“I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defence,” counsel for the 3rd defendant said.

The judge, however, declined the application for adjournment and directed the prosecution to proceed with the case.

The prosecution then proceeded to call its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with EFAB Property Nigeria Limited.

Nwora testified that he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes on Feb. 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property concerning a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.

He stated that he sold the said property to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.

He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC.

He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550million that was paid.

Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello.

The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account. EFAB Property complied in two batches of N400 million and N150 million.

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Kebbi to upgrade Zuru hospital to referral centre

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The Kebbi Government says it is assessing the condition of the Zuru General Hospital with the aim of upgrading it to a referral centre.

Gov. Nasir Idris stated this when he visited the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammadu Sani-Sami on Wednesday in Zuru.

Idris visited the emir to thank the people of Fakai, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Zuru Local Government Areas that make up the emirate.

Idris said that upgrading the Zuru General Hospital to a referral centre would ease the difficulties faced by people of the emirate.

The governor said that quality healthcare services remained an utmost priority of his administration.

He said that the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi and the State Medical Centre, Kalgo, currently serving as referral health institutions were overstretched.

“The government is committed to reversing the trend by making referral hospitals close, accessible and affordable to the people of the state,” he said.

On the expansion of the Zuru Water Works and construction of urban township roads, Idris promised to reappraise the facilities for necessary action.

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