We’ll admit Obaseki, says PDP

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the party will readily admit the embattled Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, into its fold if the governor decides to join the main opposition party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, disclosed this in a telephone chat with our correspondent on the telephone on Friday.

Asked if the PDP was ready to admit the governor into its fold, Ologbondiyan said: “Yes, we will accept him, of course.”

The party spokesman however, said Governor Obaseki had yet to approach the PDP for membership as of the time he spoke with our correspondent at 6.57 pm.

Asked if the PDP would offer its Edo State governorship ticket to Obaseki if he joined the party, Ologbondiyan said the governor won’t get automatic ticket if he joined.

“Joining a party is different from contesting election. These are two separate things. People join political parties from their wards. We are in touch with our Edo State chapter and they have not told us that the governor had joined our party,” Ologbondiyan said.

Three aspirants seeking the PDP ticket for the Edo election had already been screened, signaling the close of nominations.

Reports making the rounds on Friday indicated that the PDP had envisaged Obaseki’s eventual defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that the opposition party had prepared ahead for him.

A party source hinted that the eventual winner of the PDP ticket might be persuaded to withdraw from the race for Obaseki on agreed terms.

The leadership of the PDP has always maintained that it would not hesitate to grant waivers to new entrants to contest elections, even on the day they joined the party.

Governor Obaseki was yesterday disqualified from seeking re-election on the platform of the APC as he was screened out by the party’s screening committee.

The governor has said that he would not contest the decision. (The Nation)

Nigeria Records 627 New Coronavirus Cases, Total Infections Now 15,181

Nigeria’s tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 15,181 as 627 new infections were announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Twelve deaths were recorded from the virus on Friday bringing the total number of confirmed deaths from the virus to 399.

According to the NCDC, the country has now confirmed at least 15,181 cases of the novel coronavirus with 399 deaths and 4,891 recovered patients.

Again, in Friday’s reporting, Lagos led the state ranking with 229 new cases. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) trailed behind, reporting 65 new infections.

Other states with new infections include Abia (54), Borno (42), Oyo (35), Rivers (28), Rivers (28), Edo (28), Gombe (27), Ogun (21), Plateau (18), Delta (18), Bauchi (10), Kaduna (10), Benue (9), Ondo (8), Kwara (6), Nasarawa (4), Enugu (4), Sokoto (3), Niger (3), Kebbi (3), Yobe (1), and Kano (1).

[Breaking] Obaseki’s disqualification: We’ll not appeal outcome of unjust screening exercise — Aide

Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, has stated that the camp of Godwin Obaseki will not appeal the outcome of the screening exercise, which he described as “unjust”.

The All Progressive Congress, APC, national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, in an unexpected turn of event, announced Friday afternoon the disqualification of Obaseki from the governorship race.

Reacting to the pronouncement, Crusoe described the event as “an open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice, which Oshiomhole has reduced the APC into.”

Crusoe stated in a release that “We have watched the mockery of the democratic process, which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is administering and superintending over in our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC). It has been an unfortunate, disheartening and dreadful spectacle.

“We had initially asserted that going by the open display and enthronement of illegality by one man in the party that comprises several organs and eminent personalities, there is no way that Governor Godwin Obaseki would get a fair assessment in the run-up to the nomination of candidates to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election.

“It is unfortunate that this open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice is the brand of democracy which Comrade Oshiomhole has reduced the APC into. The situation is quite saddening because this is a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.

“We have, therefore, decided that it would be an effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be, especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.

“We wish Oshiomhole luck in his maladministration of the party and trust that the Almighty will help our country to find the path to true liberty, freedom and justice.

“We call on all party members and the teeming supporters of Governor Obaseki to remain calm and await further directives.”

Just before the 2 pm press briefing where the disqualification of Obaseki was announced, the camp of the sitting governor had earlier leaked that all was set for Oshiomhole to pronounce the disqualification of the Edo State governor.

The statement read: “The extreme display of lawlessness and dictatorship by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would reach its peak by 2 pm today when he would announce in a press conference the disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki, from contesting the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“In record time, Oshiomhole has subverted all due process and broken all the laws in the books in his ultimate quest to crown himself as the godfather of politics in Edo State.

“As he stated recently that he is the Supreme Court and the ultimate determiner of the fate of aspirants for governorship seat under the APC, he has executed his pre-conceived agenda of stopping Governor Obaseki from flying the flag of the party, at all cost.

“After pushing the failed narrative about Governor Obaseki’s educational qualification and meeting a brick wall with the University of Ibadan’s response, he resorted to using his characteristic brute force to disqualify the governor.”

Vanguard

BREAKING: APC disqualifies Obaseki, two others

All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee for Edo State Governorship election on Friday declared Governor Godwin Obaseki unqualified to contest in the election due to some discrepancies in his educational certificates and NYSC.

Others also disqualified are Hon. Matthew Iduoroyekemwen and Egnr. Chris Ogiemwonyi.

The committee however cleared Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu, Dr. Pius Odubu and Hon. Osaro Obazee.

Details shortly…

June 12: Continue to support democracy – Tinubu tells Nigerians

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has advised Nigerians to continue working  to improve on democracy for the growth of the country.

Tinubu gave the advice on Friday in his Democracy Day message with the theme, ‘June 12: A milestone for democracy’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved June 12 to commemorate  the nation’s democracy day in remembrance of the annulment of June 12 Presidential election in 1993.

According to the APC national leader, we must keep and nurture democracy, not for its own sake, but for ours.

He said that democracy day and its commemoration must not descend into empty ritual and that Nigerians must continue to work to entrench and improve on it.

“We must continue to be vigilant and keep watch over our democracy and ward off those who may want to draw us back toward a dimmer period.

“Nigerians deserve congratulations and commendation for their investment in democracy and for how far we have come.

“However, we equally must warn and remind ourselves how far we must go,” he said.

Tinubu noted that many people who fought for democracy and the June 12, 1993 elections changed the political climate in the country.

He commended the patriots who fought for democracy saying, planting the seedlings of democracy required much toil and sacrifice.

“Dr Beko Ransome Kuti, late Gani Fawehinmi, Baba Omojola, late Pa Rewane, late Pa Enahoro, Baba Ajasin, Pa Adesanya and Baba Adebanjo.

“Others are Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Femi Falana, members of the civil society groups and student activists all fought hard and struggled mightily on everyone’s behalf.

“Many laid down their lives that we may have this brighter moment.

“Many people whom we do not know also lost their life or climb to bring this moment to pass.

“On this day, we duly honour such patriots. We remember them and commend their sacrifice,” the APC leader said.

Tinubu further said that marking democracy showed that the day or patriots are not taken for granted.

“We must keep and nurture democracy, not for its own sake, but for ours,” he said

Tinubu also hailed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for its fight against corruption and tolerance of constructive criticism.

He commended Buhari for having the political courage to make June 12 Democracy Day.

“President Buhari, however, realised the import of June 12 and understood that this day more than any other best symbolized our national pursuit of democracy.

“In spite political opposition, Buhari helped set the record straight by making  June 12, Democracy Day,” he said.

Tinubu noted that the nation now grappled with COVID-19 and its resultant public health and economic challenges.

“Only a democratic government would have been so informative and open.

“Only a democratic government would have initiated palliatives and worked in a cooperative manner with the states to devise the best possible policies to fit local circumstances,” he said.

Tinubu further stressed that democracy was the best avenue to harness collective abilities in the urgent resolution of these  challenges.

He urged people to be thankful to God and remember those who sacrificed to enable the country advance far on democratic journey.

“Let us use democracy to win the present battle for national prosperity in all of its forms over poverty.

“The times we face are not the easiest but we have a destiny to reach and a democratic roadmap on how to get there.

“Hand in hand, let us get there together,” he said

Tinubu urged Nigerians to be safe and act with compassion toward one another.

“We must remain vigilant and do even more to elevate freedom of thought and expression.

“I wish all Nigerians a memorable Democracy Day and many more years of enduring democracy,” he said (NAN)

FBNQuest launches FBN Halal Fund for ethical investing

FBNQuest Asset Management, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings recently launched the FBN Halal Fund, to provide investors with investment options that improve financial inclusion and align with ethical beliefs.

The merchant bank explained in a statement that FBN Halal Fund is an open-ended mutual fund regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and it is designed to meet the needs of investors seeking long-term income generation, as it offers an opportunity for exposure to a broad range of fixed income Shariáh-compliant investments.

The FBN Halal Fund is an open-ended Fund, which offers a key benefit of providing flexibility and liquidity for investors with ease of entry and exit.

Returns from the Fund will be distributed to unit-holders semi-annually. In order to provide investors with confidence regarding strict adherence to Shariáh principles, the FBN Halal Fund will adopt a best practice approach with its governance structure through a Shariáh Advisory Council of Experts, an Investment Committee, a Custodian, and a Trustee.

Commenting on the product launch, Ike Onyia, the Managing Director of FBNQuest Asset Management stated that “The FBN Halal Fund will be actively managed under Islamic finance principles, a respected Shariáh advisory council of experts and our seasoned portfolio managers who are guided by valuable experience”.

“The Fund was introduced based on the need to create value-driven connections with our clients. Being a member of one of the strongest and most dependable financial groups in Africa, our goal is to constantly provide a wide range of solutions to support the evolving needs of our partners, and the opportunities for diversification through this Fund further affirms our client-centric approach to service delivery.” he added.

Vanguard