Politics

Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo declares to run for 2023 presidency. But what’s new?

Published

3 years ago

April 11, 2022

The race for the 2023 Presidential Elections in Nigeria is getting interesting as political gladiators have continued to put their mouths where their hearts are. The latest is Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who has announced his intention to run to become Nigeria’s next president under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Osibajo made the announcement in a video obtained on his verified social media account with the quote.

“I am today, with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of APC.”

I am today, with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of APC. pic.twitter.com/atggfEnF2Q

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) April 11, 2022

Osinbajo in the short video boasts that his privileged position as Nigeria’s Vice President puts him in a better position to fix Nigeria.

“I have been in agricultural, mining, and oil and producing communities, in the Delta, Kebbi, Enugu … and in other states of the federation listening to the different experiences and yearnings of our people.” He said.

“I have visited our gallant troops in the Northeast and IDP camps, and I have felt the pain and anguish of victims of violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, flooding fire, and other disasters.”

“I have been in the home of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country.” He added.

I have sat with our “techpreneurs” in Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna with our Nollyhood and Kannywood actors with our musicians from Lagos, Onitsha, and Kano and I have spoken with small and large businesses, I stood where they stood, I sat where they sat, I know their hope and aspirations …” The video ends.

It remains to be seen how things will shape up in Nigeria’s ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the contest of who gets the party’s presidential ticket. Osinbajo’s political benefactor, Bola Tinubu had shown interest to run for Nigeria’s president on the platform of the party. Meanwhile, another member of the party, Nigeria’s Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi also declared interest to run for the job over the weekend. Others who have also shown interest to run for the post are Governor Yaya Bello of Kogi state, former governors Oji Uzor Kalu, and Rochas Okorocha, amongst others.

Related Topics:2023 elections Featured nigeriadecides Osinbajo

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.