BIG STORY

Why Outcome Of Presidential Election Surprised Foreign Observers — Lai Mohammed

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2023

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says many foreign commentators were stunned by the outcome of the presidential election because of their preconceived opinions.

Speaking on Tuesday while engaging with some international media organizations and think tanks in London, the minister said the foreign observers had a wrong mindset about the election before it was conducted.

Lai said the international observers believed Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), would win the polls owing to the publicity created by his supporters on social media.

The minister said the hyped activities of the Labour Party supporters on social media did not represent the political situation in Nigeria.

“In the course of my interactions, particularly with the Economist, I referred them to an earlier article they wrote, in which they rated the Labour Party presidential candidate as the front-runner in the polls,” NAN quoted the minister as saying.

“I explained to them that there was no way a presidential candidate who has no political spread and a grassroots base could win an election in Nigeria.

“I also explained to them that many of them were ignorant of the constitutional requirements for a presidential candidate to win an election in Nigeria.

“For instance, not only that the candidate must have the plurality of votes, he must also have one-quarter of the total vote cast in at least 25 states of the federation.”

Lai further said both the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates couldn’t have won the election because they didn’t meet the requirement.

“When you look at the results, only the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, met these requirements,” Lai added.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, came short of these because he came second and had 25 percent in 21 states. Obi came far behind with 25 percent in 15 states.

“This means that Obi, who was wrongly adjudged as a front-runner in the election, was virtually unknown and unpopular in 22 states. For any party to ignore the northeast and the northwest zones of Nigeria during a presidential election, it will be impossible for it to win.

“The election had thrown up a lot of surprises and it is precisely those surprises that made it credible and transparent.”

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Education Minister Reverses 18-Year Age Limit For Admission

Published

2 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the removal of the 18-year age limit for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He also indicated the possibility of a comprehensive review of the nation’s education policy.

However, Alausa made it clear that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to invalidate over 22,700 degree certificates acquired by Nigerians from unrecognized universities in neighboring Togo and the Benin Republic.

Speaking at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa emphasized that practical education is key to tackling Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. He stated that tertiary institutions must stop producing graduates without ensuring job opportunities for them.

The minister also revealed plans for the federal government to partner with private sector players to provide training opportunities for students and help them realize their full potential.

Additionally, Alausa announced that universities focused on agriculture would be empowered to implement commercial farming practices as part of efforts to address the country’s food security challenges.

More to come…

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: 114 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters Arrive Presidential Villa

Published

4 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

One hundred and fourteen #EndBadGovernance protesters, including minors and adults acquitted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, have arrived at the Presidential Villa.

The protesters, initially arraigned by the Police Force, were released following a court ruling by Justice Obiora Egwatu.

The case was dismissed at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation (“AGF”), Lateef Fagbemi.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to officially receive the released protesters.

They are then handed over to their respective Governors, specifically Uba Sani of Kaduna and Abba Yusuf of Kano.

Ministers present at the State House Auditorium in Abuja for the reception include: Tunji Alausa (“Minister of Education”); Nentawe Yilwatda (“Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”); Balarabe Lawal (“Minister of Environment”) and Tanko Sununu (“Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”).

Also, Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai, is in attendance.

Other dignitaries present are Deputy Senate President Jubrin Barau and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi.

More to come…

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