Politics

2023: Ex-Nigerian President, Jonathan, seeks return to power, picks form of party that ousted him

Published

3 years ago

May 9, 2022

It appears Nigerians have not seen the last shocker in the race for who belongs to Nigeria’s next president, particularly in the ruling All Progressive Congress where almost thirty contenders have picked up a nomination form to run for the party’s ticket.

A group under the aegis of ‘Fulani group’ has purchased the N100 million nominations and expression of interest forms for ex-president Goodluck Jonathan.

A representative of the “Fulani Group” posing with APC official after picking up nomination form for ex-president Goodluck Jonathan

Last month, Protesters stormed the private office of the former President in Abuja with a call to declare his interest to contest the presidential election next year.

In what is now looking like an all-comers affair, news also broke last week that some political groups had picked the ruling party’s presidential nomination form for Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emiefele.

Until now, ex-president Goodluck Jonathan is known to be a member of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). How that would work with the latest development is yet to be seen.

Nigeria is due for another general election in 2023 when President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been in office since 2015 will be completing his second term of four years.

As the next Presidential elections in Nigeria draw closer, political gladiators have continued to pitch their tents and stick their necks but some are under the guise of being persuaded by their followers to contest for the Nigerian top job.

Related Topics:Elections Featured Goodluck Jonathan Nigeria

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 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

4 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.