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Pastor Tunde Bakare Explodes: Blame Obasanjo for Yar’Adua, Jonathan’s failure …

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The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, spoke to BAYO AKINLOYE and TOBI AWORINDE about President Muhammadu Buhari’s list of ministerial nominees, among other issues

What do you think about President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees so far and what input did you have in the selection process?

We all waited for President Buhari’s list to come out. We have seen it and we trust God for the best as regards these people he (Buhari) chose by himself after due consultation with the Vice President (Prof. Yemi Osinbajo) and the party (the All Progressives Congress). We trust that as some of them had performed well in time past (in areas) that we can point to, they would had the grace to also do extraordinarily well for the citizens of Nigeria.

As for whether I have an input or not, that question is uncalled for because I am not in the decision-making organ of the party. He (Buhari) said it publicly that it (the selection) was (made) after due consultations with the Vice President and the leadership of the party. I am neither the Vice President nor an officer of the party. So, the question of my input has no basis.

The names of several of the ministerial nominees had been bandied about for months, prior to the official announcement. Do you think the delay in releasing the list was warranted?

In the first instance, he explained why it took that long. I do not think that President Buhari had no idea of who he wanted in his cabinet; I believe he had an idea of who he wanted but he wanted to act democratically: One, by consulting with his people as well as the vital organs of the leadership of the party. Two, he did mention in his October 1 broadcast that it was just few days to May 29 that he received the handover notes, then, the transition committee they set up had the opportunity of some weeks to go look into the notes. Three, they then sat down to harmonise the ministries with a view to making them lean and mean so that we don’t have a bogus government. If you do not know what ministries you are going to have, what would be the basis for appointing ministers for such ministries, which you have not agreed upon? It was after they had done that that they began to fill the places; that was when he decided, ‘I think A can go to ‘A’ ministry, B can go to ‘B’ ministry and C can go to ‘C’ ministry.’ That is why he took that long. It is not that he had no idea of who he wanted in his cabinet. But he had to do it thoroughly. Slow and steady wins the race.

A number of the ministerial nominees, especially some ex-governors, have been singled out in petitions and allegations of corruption. Is there anyone on the list who you may have doubts about?

Nigeria is a very complex country to govern. I am a preacher; permit me to digress a little to bring some wisdom from the Bible. In Deuteronomy 1, while doing his handover notes, Moses, the servant of God and the leader of Israel who led them (the Israelites) out of Egypt to the Promised Land, said, ‘May the good Lord multiply you a thousand times more.’ In essence, population is no problem. You can look at China and India, population is no problem; it should actually be an asset. ‘May the Lord multiply you a thousand times more, but I cannot bear — (three things) — your complaints, your problems and your burdens.’ This is the primary task of government. My understanding of this is that complaints that are not looked into become problems, and the problems that are not solved become burdens.

It is legitimate for some people to have petitions and complaints about an individual, based on their knowledge of that individual. But if you look at the other side of the spectrum, there are people who are thanking God for that individual because they benefitted from him while in office. Therefore, I have no comments that I will make publicly about any individual. President Buhari and his leadership team must have spent quality time to look at those things (issues) and you can rest assured of one thing: he is law-abiding and, because he is law-abiding, he will do the needful if any of them is found guilty. Remember, an accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. So, allegations do not translate into the committal of a crime. They remain allegations. But the Senate has said it will look into those things and I pray that the best, brightest and fittest will come out of their screening so that Nigeria can move forward.

What is your general assessment of the list? Are you disappointed or otherwise?

To be honest with you, disappointment does not arise at all because I am in the ‘amen corner’ of Mr. President. I wish him well. I want him to succeed and I know he is a person of deep thought, who has put a lot of considerations into it. If the leader says, ‘This is the person I want,’ how am I going to be disappointed in that? Let me see the man who is so perfect that he does not have any faults here and there; even those who were used by God in the Bible. Once upon a time, Moses killed and God said, ‘Those who are looking for you are there.’ Once upon a time, Saul of Tarsus was murdering Christians and throwing them into jail. Remember the thief on the cross who said (to Jesus), ‘Remember me in your kingdom.’ He entered Paradise that same night. Let us not judge people only by their past. Let’s put the totality of the picture; let’s consider all. I do not think that President Buhari, who is a champion for order and who wants to fight corruption with everything God has given him, will condone corrupt people around himself. But until those things are proved, they remain in the realm of allegations. There is therefore no disappointment whatsoever. To be honest with you, I know at least five or six of them very well. The ones I don’t know, I give the benefit of the doubt.

Earlier this year, you said, “I trust Buhari and this is because I have worked closely with him but I doubt his environment.” What did you mean by “environment”?

That comment was made at the (Island) Club, where I gave a Lenten lecture. It was during that lecture that I said, ‘I can vouch for the integrity and honesty of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (as he was then called). But I see some around him that I can’t say the same thing about.’ Remember, the APC is an amalgam of all kinds (of parties). But then, this is not heaven; this is the earth. In heaven, you may have angels attending to the duties in the throne room, but on earth, you still have men. And the best of men are still men, at their very best. Even in heaven, Satan — as Lucifer then — rebelled against God and created war, so how much more on earth? But I think likes attract likes. I believe in the power of influence more than the influence of power. If a leader is ramrod straight, he will influence his environment. And because of that, there can be a bandwagon effect of, ‘Look, this will displease the leader. Let’s do it right.’

That time was a time of politics, when there was still fight for this and that. In fact, I do not think that at the time I gave the lecture, we had gone to election. It was few weeks before the election. We have past that stage now. We are now face-to-face with the stark realities and I think the President put a lot of that into consideration before coming to his final list.

What lessons should President Buhari learn from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s failures?

To start with, President Buhari is not the new kid on the block. He had been governor of a total of six north-eastern states. He had been petroleum commissioner – what we now call minister of petroleum, and he had been Head of State for a brief period—between 1984 and 1985. He knew why he fought doggedly for those 12 years to unseat an entrenched regime or rather a political party (the Peoples Democratic Party) that had the vision or illusion of ruling Nigeria for 60 years. Whatever was his motivating factor should not be forgotten because what takes you to the top will sustain you at the top.

Now, there is what is called the PVC (Permanent Voter Card) revolution in Nigeria. He can’t afford to rest on his oars until his good becomes better and his better becomes best, because the promises made, and even those that are not made but are needful for this society, must be on the front burner for him to still stand before Nigerians and give account of his stewardship and expect them to vote for him or his party in the future. Those two things are enough to keep him going. And if he keeps on doing the right things, then the wrong things and the wrong people will leave him alone.

A number of big shots in the PDP have been jumping ship and pointing fingers at Jonathan for failing to fight corruption. Do you think that the party today would be what it is today if Jonathan had won the last election?

I will put it this way: failure is an orphan, success has many fathers. I’ve seen in this country that we are quick to shoot the wounded. If Jonathan did not accomplish much in the time he was president or vice president, I thank God for one thing: he did not allow a bloodbath in the process of handing over power. If he had decided to use all the powers at his disposal, he could still be unseated but there would have been bloodbath that was unnecessary and President Buhari alluded to that both in Washington—I was there with him when he made that statement—and here, when he received the baton in May. On October 1, he still alluded to it that he (Jonathan) saved Nigeria from an unnecessary bloodbath.

As for those who are talking, especially those he (Jonathan) looked up to as father figures; it’s too soon to abandon a person, no matter what he has done wrong or right. Let the law take the full effect if he has done anything that borders on crime. I am not supporting abuse of office, but please, ‘Do not rejoice over me, my enemy,’ as the Bible says, ‘because if I fall, I will rise again. The righteous man falls seven times; the Lord picks him up again.’ What am I saying? I am trying to say, ‘let’s give credit where it is due and let’s give correction that is necessary.’ We must not shoot the wounded because we are now teaching future people to sit tight because of the shame that will come as a result of handing over power.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources under Jonathan’s administration, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, is facing charges in the United Kingdom bordering on money laundering and bribery. What are your thoughts on accusations that she was high-handed during the last administration?

I was not part of that government. It stays in the realm of best guesses and I don’t do well with guesses. I like facts. The matter is in a court of competent jurisdiction outside of the realm of a ‘cash-and-carry’ legal system. So, let the law take its full effect. I do not think money can bribe a British judge. We have seen from (ex-Governor of Delta State, James) Ibori’s case that though he was discharged and acquitted on the same charges, he got to Europe and faced the music. If Diezani had abused power, that abuse must have been condoned by those who gave her free rein. So, you can’t blame Diezani alone; you (have to) look at the systemic failure that produced such people. Where is the place of checks and balances? Where is the oversight that the Senate was supposed to have in the National Assembly? Where is the collective effort of those in the cabinet? You can’t blame one man; the fall of one is the fall of all. It is a shame on the nation that they are arresting our ministers abroad and finding money in their hands. Like the people, like the priest.

What do you make of the pleas by Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto; the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and others in the National Peace Committee against probing Jonathan?

He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches. The individuals you mentioned — the Bishop of Sokoto and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor — they are people I can pick my phone (to call) and ask them about their opinion on what they have said. I have learnt not to follow what I read in the newspapers in Nigeria. My first daughter got married in August this year and it was all over that Pastor Bakare gave his daughter away (in marriage) in London, whereas it took place in Lagos. So, when they say things about people, I have learnt to be careful. And about what transpired between Bishop Kukah and President Muhammadu Buhari, until we get to hear from both sides, I am careful not to pass judgment.

I am not avoiding your question because it’s been done to me a number of times. In 1999, it was reported that I said (ex-President Olusegun) Obasanjo would die. I didn’t say such a thing. But where will I be going to say I didn’t say such a thing? I don’t waste my time. I just focus on what I am doing. If I gave a false prophecy, why did Obasanjo invite a thousand pastors to Ota to start praying for intervention? I just said, ‘Hey, be careful; if these take place, these are the consequences that will come.’ Nobody paid attention to the details of what I said that, ‘If by an act of omission or commission Obasanjo is sworn, in as President of Nigeria, three things would happen: One, corruption will reach its peak; two, the revival of the occult will claim the lives of many; and three, family life will disintegrate in Nigeria.’ Go back and check those things, whether they came to pass or not.

Here we are, I have no reason to hate Obasanjo, but it is what you blow into the flute that it brings out. I have heard claims that I said Obasanjo would die. Propaganda is the machinery of the wicked; they have a way of making a mountain out of a molehill. Why would anybody who believes in equity and fairness say that if someone has done evil, he should be overlooked? No! The Bible makes it clear that when judgment is not speedily executed, the hearts of men are set in them to do evil.

When I went to the US with the delegation of President Buhari, part of the little contribution I made during a meeting we had with (the first female US Secretary of State) Madeleine Albright was that we should learn from the past and we should not put the cart before the horse. In the past, what we were asking for was restitution— ‘return our money’ — but we didn’t do any prosecution. This time, we should prosecute and do it legally so that others will learn that there are consequences for what they have done. When you know that if you steal, you will face the music, you will think twice; except your father’s name means nothing to you and you are not a person of dignity and integrity. I don’t want to spend my life in jail over stolen wealth of the nation. No. But if for my conviction, for asking that Nigeria should be restructured, for asking for order and discipline to be in our nation, you jail me, then, I will become the moral conscience of the nation. I do not think any preacher in his right mind will say, ‘wherever you see wrong done, overlook it.’ I don’t think those people (peace committee members) will say so or else they know more than we know.

What if Jonathan is found to be guilty of looting the country’s treasury?

If he had looted the treasury, take the money back. Take the money back and let the world know; let the law take its full effect. A president is a servant of the people. Power is a trust from God. If he had looted the treasury, take the money back and let the law take its course. But don’t deliberately impugn his integrity; don’t give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

Obasanjo has been meeting with President Buhari. Are you wary of his closeness to the President?

Buhari is not a young man that can be influenced by anyone. He knows his onions and his door is open to past leaders. And he must cross-check with them some things that are not clear to him. So, because people change, who knows? If a Saul could become Paul, if a Jacob could become Israel, who knows what an Obasanjo could become? He could become the person who says, ‘Oh my God! I regretted that I had the opportunity to do my best and I did not do quite well.’ If I had any pain where Obasanjo is concerned, it is not a pain born out of envy; we are poles apart age-wise, in terms of exposure and status. (In life) we are miles apart — he’s much older than I am. There is no competition at all. My pain is that I have not seen anyone as specially endowed and blessed in Nigerian history and political history like Obasanjo.

There is a portion of the Scripture in John 4, where Jesus met the woman at the well of Samaria and he said to his disciples afterwards, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, the harvesting field is white already and I am sending you to reap where you do not bestow labour.’ It is as if every time something major happens in Nigeria, he is the recipient of the blessings. Can you compare the role of Benjamin Adekunle of the Third Marine Commando Division in the Nigerian Civil War; can you put it on the same pedestal with the role of Obasanjo? Obasanjo joined them at the war front; not long after, he was the one that received the surrender note (from the Biafran troops). Obasanjo was not part of the coup that brought Gen. Murtala Muhammed into power but he became his deputy. And immediately Gen. Muhammed was murdered, he became the Head of State.

I remember him saying, ‘Against my personal wish and desire, the mantle of leadership has now fallen upon me.’ I mean, I heard his English and I said, ‘Oh my God, this is an Egba man speaking.’ But, he was our Head of State. Whether he was rough or rugged, take it or leave it, there is an invisible hand positioning him. Obasanjo handed over power whether out of being afraid or not, we don’t know. But he handed over power and he became a global power well received. Abdulsalam Abubakar was a parade commander the day Obasanjo handed over power to Shehu Shagari, only for Obasanjo, years after, – more than 20 years after – to come and receive power from the same Abubakar straight away from prison.

Those eight years (Obasanjo spent as president) should have been formidable years of putting Nigeria upon a pedestal that nobody can reverse it. And above all, whether it is insecurity or selfishness, which is the greatest curse on the face of the earth, he gave the weak and the sick to the nation. Whatever happened during Umar Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan era – yes, they will have their own portion of the blame – but Obasanjo thought he could manipulate things from Ota. That is my opinion; that is my pain. He robbed this nation of quality leadership and he robbed this nation of being put on a pedestal of predictable progress. That should be his regret. Now, he should repent and contribute his quota towards giving quality leadership to this nation.

Are you saying Obasanjo messed up things during his eight years?

He did (mess things) big time; time will tell.

Some people are asking for immunity for some principal officers in the National Assembly. What do you think about this?

Immunity is the breeding ground of impunity. What I think should be enshrined in our Constitution, no matter the position you occupy, including that of the president, when it borders on crime is that immunity should not be something you feel you can cling to. Because immunity breeds impunity, no one should be above the law regardless of the office you occupy. In fact, in decent climes, such people should resume. But here, it is not so.

Will you, therefore, say that the immunity clause should be removed from the Constitution?

No. if you remove immunity clause, presidents and the governors can be overwhelmed by assailants –not those who just want to shoot them –but, those who want to bring petitions and false allegations against them all the time. But where a crime is proved, that someone has committed a crime, regardless of the office you occupy immunity should be taken away. That is why I said in decent climes –look at the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon (a former president of the United States) resigned. Whenever crime is involved there should be no immunity –because immunity breeds impunity.

Some Nigerians are asking the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to resign following the charges levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau?

No. I am not saying that because they remain charges until he is proved guilty. But, if he knows in his heart of heart that he is guilty of those things, nobility will compel such a person to say, ‘Upon this consideration, I will remain on the floor of the Senate.’ But, if he knows that he is not guilty, let him wait there and let it be proved in the court. And if he is found guilty, even if he goes on an appeal or not, they will ban him from public life; it had happened before. History has a way of repeating itself.

Source: The Punch

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JUST IN: Tinubu Meets Ibori, Wike, Makinde In Abuja

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President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a closed door meeting with James Ibori, former Governor of Delta state; Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers state; and Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor.

 

The meeting is taking place at the President’s office in Aso Villa.

 

Reports say the three politicians arrived at the Aso Rock Villa at about 4:20om on Friday, 2 June, 2023.

 

Details shortly…

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Court Orders Union Bank To Pay Former Manager N20.2m Over Wrongful Termination…….

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Justice Maureen Esowe of the Lagos division of the National Industrial Court has ordered the Union Bank to immediately pay the total sum of N20, 261, 810 million to one of its retired staff, Asenime Claire Ojuzo.

 

The judgment sum according to Justice Esowe, is the shortfall of gratuity Union Bank ought to pay Mrs. Asenime, upon her retirement.

 

Justice Esowe made the order while delivering judgment in a suit marked NICN/LA/534/2017, filed by a retired officer and the bank.

 

The claimant, a former senior manager at Union Bank, through her lawyer, Chief Paul Omoijiade, had asked the court to “declare that the purported approval by the bank of the claimant’s withdrawal from service which the Claimant did not apply for was wrong.

 

“A declaration that the purported determination of the Claimant’s contract of service by Union Bank is wrongful, same having been done without due process as laid down in the bank’s handbook and the bank’s custom and practice.

 

“A declaration that the purported removal of the claimant from his employment as Senior Manager (SM) without due process amounts to redundancy for which the claimant is entitled to redundancy benefit.

 

“A declaration that Union Bank is in arrears of N18, 114, 600 million, in the payment of the Claimant’s gratuity.

 

“A declaration that the deduction of the sum of N16,106,219.66 million, as outstanding loans, status car, unearned medical, outstanding status generator, and car from the claimant’s gratuity is unlawful.

 

“An order of the honourable court directing Union Bank to pay to Ojuzo the sum of N16,106,219.66 million, deducted from the claimant’s gratuity.

 

“An order of the honourable court directing Union Bank to pay to Ojuzo the sum of N18,114, 600 being a shortfall in the gratuity paid to her.

 

“An order of the honourable court that the bank pays the sum of N12 million, to the Claimant as compensation for the defendant’s wrongful and unlawful action withdrawing the claimant’s services without due process.

 

“An order of the honourable court for the payment of interest at the rate of 20% on the deductions and withheld gratuity under paragraphs (f) and (g) above.

 

“An order of the honourable court that the bank pay to the claimant the sum of N1 million, being the cost of litigation.

 

During the trial of the suit, the claimant told the court that she was a staff of the bank until her employment was wrongfully withdrawn on November 22, 2013, and her terminal benefits were never paid in full.

 

She also told the court that Union Bank also deducted the sum of N16, 106, 219.66 million, which the bank referred to as outstanding loans, unearned housing, status car, and unearned leave from her benefit, adding that, said she never applied for withdrawal service, therefore, the withdrawal of her services is tantamount to redundancy.

 

Defending the suit, Union Bank through its witness, Francis Idiaghe, who was led by Feliz O. Ogungbemi, told the court that there is no provision in the Trust Deed of variation that the claimant or any employee of Union Bank can remain in service till the age of 60. Rather, than underemployment, either party can determine the contract by giving a month’s notice.

 

The witness told the court that the Defendant, exercising her right under the contract, determined the contract by a letter of withdrawal of service dated November 22, 2016, issued to the claimant. Adding that the sum of N16,106,219.66 million, deducted from the claimant’s terminal benefits covers the loans (N13,683,188.86 million) taken by the claimant during the pendency of her employment and the outstanding and unpaid money (N2,247,210 million) covering the cost of her status car and a generating set.

 

Union Bank in its final written address, asked the court to determine “Whether the claimant is entitled to a declaration that the withdrawal of the Claimant’s employment is unlawful.

 

“Whether the Claimant having been paid her terminal benefit and having accepted same, can be heard to complain that his contract was not properly determined.

 

“Whether the termination of the Claimant of employment by the Defendant amounts to redundancy.

 

“Whether the Claimant is entitled to the sum of N18,114,600.00 (Eighteen Million One Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Six Hundred Naira) as outstanding gratuity from the Defendant.

 

“Whether the deduction of the sum from the Claimant’s terminal benefit in the liquidation of Claimant’s outstanding staff loans, status, generator loan, and unearned medical is unlawful.

 

“Whether by the evidence placed before this Honourable Court, the Claimant is entitled to damages in the sum of N12 million.

 

“Whether the Claimant is entitled to interest at the rate of 20% on the alleged outstanding gratuity and the amount allegedly deducted from her gratuity.

 

“Whether the Claimant is entitled to the sum of N1 million, as cost of litigation.”

 

Justice Esowe, in her judgment on the suit after the evaluation of parties’ submissions, and citing plethora of legal authorities, held that: “having gone through the claimant’s claim, evidence led in support, the defendant’s defense, evidence led in support, with the final written submissions of Counsel on both sides, this Court, while adopting all the issues formulated by Counsel, has distilled a sole issue for determination, to wit: Whether the Claimant has proved his case to be entitled to the reliefs sought.” culled: Business Hallmark.

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Dr. Ope Banwo Speaks On Transitioning  Naija Lives Matter Organization To Non-Partisan Mode 

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***Says Organization Will Now Focus On Projects To Improve Nigerian Lives

 

Dr. Ope Banwo, the founder of Naija Lives Matter (NLM), a non-governmental organization committed to better lives for Nigerians has explained the organization’s decision to refocus its priorities.

 

In a statement released on Tuesday, Dr. Banwo stated that the organization’s mission and goals extend beyound the 2023 elections, electioneering campaigns, and politics.

 

According to him, the process of the organization had been clearly communicated from its very beginning to avoid any accusations of opportunism or policy inconsistencies, which are unfortunately common in our country when disagreements arise.

 

He said; “Since 2011, the NLM organization has consistently de-emphasized its partisan support for any specific candidate after the elections and campaigns are over, enabling it to concentrate on its global mandate of making Naija lives matter to all Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations.

 

“When Naija Lives Matter endorsed Peter Obi as our chosen candidate in August 2022, we made it clear that our partisan involvement would solely extend until the conclusion of the elections. Subsequently, we would focus on other aspects of our mission and goals, for which our organization was founded in 2011.

 

“In the past, we supported Jonathan through the GEJ project, rallied behind Buhari through the Buhari4Naija project in 2015, and even had a Moghalu4Naija project before eventually endorsing Peter Obi for the 2023 elections.

 

“Our commitment is not irreversibly tied to any particular politician; it lies in what we believe is in the best interest of Nigeria and its people,” Dr. Banwo said.

 

With the transition, NLM now moves beyond the recent election cycle, with a current focus on organizing projects aimed at making the lives of all Nigerians better.

 

“Henceforth, we shall therefore leave the legal and political affairs to lawyers and politicians, and respect the decisions of the courts, whatever they may be.

 

“In alignment with our mandate and the previously declared engagement period for the 2023 elections, we hereby inform our members that Naija Lives Matter will now shift its focus towards other aspects of our charter such as mass non-partisan mobilization on national issues, youth empowerment training, workshops, community assistance services for the less privileged in Nigeria, and other activities.

 

“In light of this new direction, we will convene meetings with our state directors and cell leaders to announce additional NLM initiatives that extend beyond politics in the coming days. These initiatives will focus on non-partisan national mobilization, youth empowerment through training and workshops, and community-building responsibilities.

 

“All our threads on WhatsApp and other social media platforms will once again be dedicated to NLM as we officially conclude the Peter Obi Nation Project for the 2023 elections,” Dr. Banwo noted.

 

Thanking members of the Peter Obi Nation Project of the NLM organization for their tremendous efforts during the 2023 elections, Dr. Banwo said that together they fought valiantly in a highly contested electoral process, adding that together they gave as much as they got in the very bitter partisan electioneering campaign for the organization’s endorsed candidate, Peter Obi.

 

“We did not compromise and many of us even paid the price of alienating some of our long-term friends in the heat of partisan battle.

 

“To this end, I am immensely proud of every individual involved in this monumental battle, and it has been an honor serving as the Chief Vawolence Officer for Naija Lives Matter side of things during this 2923 election cycle. We also offer No apologies for our passionate campaign for what we passionately believed in. It was what it was.

 

Acknowledging the fact that many individuals who joined NLM’s special Peter Obi Nation Project were primarily interested in supporting the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, and may not share NLM”s broader mandate and NGO charter, Dr. Banwo said that the organization would understand if those solely focused on partisan politics choose to disassociate themselves from the NLM organization across it numerous groups and threads, adding that the organizational continuity transcends any single election cycle.

 

“To be clear, this pivot by NLM does not mean we no longer support Peter Obi. We continue to stand behind his 2023 mandate which we believed in, wholeheartedly. Nevertheless, our organization was not established solely for this election cycle. We have followed the same refocusing approach after the elections in 2011 and 2015. Although the intensity of this cycle was undeniable, our policy remains intact.

 

“We hope that our fellow compatriots engaged in the highly intense campaign for 2023 will understand and respect our decision to shift away from combative partisan politics at this juncture. Instead, we aim to engage the Tinubu government in a non-partisan yet critical manner, reminding them of their promises and holding them accountable. Should the courts later remove him from office, we will also celebrate. But for now, we have a country to assist in governance.”

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