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2023: Reject Atiku, Tinubu, Osinbajo, Afe Babalola Tells Nigerians

Published

4 years ago

February 4, 2022

Eric

Aare Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has asked Nigerians to reject aspirants who are older that 60 years while making their choice of who to vote for as the country’s president in 2023.

The octogenarian lawyer who is also the Founder, Afe Babalola University (ABUA), Ado-Ekiti said this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on the qualities that the political parties and voters should qualities to look out for before adopting or voting anyone to become the next Nigeria’s President.

Babalola, in the statement entitled: “The Presidency: When a candidate Is or Not Qualified”, said that such a candidate must not be too old and must be of sound health.

Babalola, in a three-page statement explained that any candidate for the post of Nigeria’s President should not be more than 60 years old, so that if he has the opportunity of serving two terms of four years each, he would still be leaving office before he turns 70.

Babalola’s prescription will rule out some of the front line aspirants like the 69-year-old for Lagos governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and 75-year old former Nigeria’s vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from the 2023 presidential race.

His advice will also also rule out 64-year old Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is under tremendous pressure to join the 2023 presidential race by groups and associations across the country.

Babalola, commenting on health, said the candidate must be physically, mentally and medically fit.

“The President should not be a person who will be looking for medical treatment from hospital to hospital around the world.

“He must be so healthy that he should be able to work for a minimum of 14 hours a day.

Aside age and health, the legal practitioner also said that the parties must search for the very best, without mundane considerations in picking their candidates.

He added that the country needed a candidate who would go beyond politics and embrace principle of a stronger Nigeria.

According to him, such candidate must be highly educated, up to at least, degree level and must not have history of penchant for corrupt practices.

He said the candidate must also be extra-ordinarily brilliant and have sound knowledge of the current affairs, work ethics, leadership experience, good human relations and also have clear cut vision and mission for Nigeria.

The notable legal practitioner said that the presidential candidate should be fluent in spoken English, such that he would possess the ability to write a speech all by himself.

According to him, in addition, he must possess the ability to speak off-the-cuff.

Babalola said: “The candidate must produce evidence that he possesses unquestionable means of livelihood.

“He should not just be seeking election as a means of securing employment or to offset outstanding indebtedness or use his position as the President to divert government’s funds into his offshore accounts.”

He further advised that the candidate must demonstrate that “he is willing and prepared to serve the nation without earning salaries, as it was the case between 1960 and Jan. 15, 1966.

“The sum total of the qualities those who deserve to be voted for as Nigeria’s President are age, health, education, sound knowledge of current affairs, work ethics, experience, human relations, vision and mission for Nigeria.

“Others are; belief in the need for a new Constitution, oratory power, kindness, friendliness and firmness, previous contributions to development, economic standing and readiness to serve as well as proven ability to solve problems,” Babalola said.

“It is normal that the aspirant for the post of Nigeria’s President must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, obtained from a reputable university.

“Sound knowledge of current affairs must also be considered.

“A person aspiring for the post of Nigeria’s President should possess a sound knowledge of Nigerian, African and world affairs for him to be able to speak and debate convincingly on any of them,” he said.

On work ethics, he said that the occupant of that exalted seat should be able and ready to work for a minimum of 14 hours a day, based on his personal knowledge of the volume of documents, petitions and applications that daily flooded the office of the President, most of which would require his personal and urgent attention.

“I know, as a fact that former President Olusegun Obasanjo worked for a minimum of 18 hours a day when he was at the saddle as Nigeria’s President without leaving any file till the next day.

“That is how anyone aspiring to be Nigeria’s next President should work.

“Concerning personal attributes, the aspirant should not be arrogant or opinionated. He should be a good listener, respectful and humble.

“He must be law abiding and a respecter of the Rule of Law, vision and mission for Nigeria:

“The aspirant must be someone who is totally detribalised and who appreciates that the country, Niger Area, now called Nigeria was brought together by Europeans during the 1884 Berlin Conference without consulting the locals and without their consent.

“He must appreciate that the over 400 ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria have their different languages, cultures, religions, customs and values.

“He must, therefore, demonstrate to the voters that he believes in the evolution of nation-Nigeria from these various ethnic nationalities,” Babalola further stated.

He, however, called for a brand new Constitution for the country, in which he said the presidential candidate must be a strong believer. (NAN)

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Apapa Tanker Accident: Scooping Spilled Fuel is Suicidal, Sanwo-Olu Warns Lagos Residents

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Eric

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the scooping of fuel by residents at the Apapa Bridge as a “suicide mission,” warning that the Lagos State Government will intensify enforcement to prevent actions capable of triggering mass casualties.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday at the signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill at the Lagos House, Ikeja, shortly after reports emerged of residents rushing to scoop spilled fuel from a tanker incident at Apapa.

He expressed disappointment at the conduct, stressing that such behaviour places lives at grave risk.

The governor commended the swift intervention of Lagos first responders and the police, who cordoned off the area and brought the situation under control before any explosion or disaster could occur.

He cautioned residents to desist from reckless acts, noting that the State would “leave no stone unturned” in safeguarding lives and property.

Linking the incident to broader issues of indiscipline, Sanwo-Olu said the government would enforce tougher penalties against environmental and safety violations, including indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians.

He disclosed that the 2026 budget makes provisions to strengthen the capacity of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and private sector participants, with plans to expand compactor truck fleets and deploy additional equipment.

“We have instructed LAWMA not only to apprehend offenders but also to ensure they are charged for environmental violations,” the governor said.

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2027: Oyegun Welcomes Edo Obidient Movement into ADC

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Eric

National Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief John Oyegun, on Monday, said a new Nigeria is possible with the calibre of people joining the party.

Oyegun spoke in Benin at the mass entry of the members of the Obidient Movement into the ADC.

The former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress stressed that the Obedient Movement’s entry into the party in the State is a sign that the people are ready to join the struggle for a leadership change.

Oyegun, who noted that he is happy that the Obidient movement is joining the ADC, added: “A new Nigeria is truly possible. A few days ago, I was in the hall when a colourful and important personality, Dele Momodu, joined us.

“Today is the first time I saw youths who were committed to the nation-building. It is my first time meeting members of the Obidient Movement in this number. We are convinced that the youth of this country are ready.

“You have decided to take up the struggle yourself by joining the ADC. I am happy. I want to say that from the day the coalition came together, I have been convinced that we are on the right path.”

“I am sure you are not happy with what is happening in Nigeria and Edo State. Remember that the chairman said our one target is to save the country. We must start to make sure that, through the ADC, we make a new Nigeria possible.”

The State coordinator of Obidient Movement, Asemota Idiogbe, described ADC as the right party to battle APC in Edo and Nigeria.

He stated that he expects Peter Obi to become the party’s flagbearer and, eventually, the president of the country.

He said: “This is the right party to battle the APC in Edo and Nigeria. The ADC will take over Edo and the country. We expect Peter Obi to be the president. We are here to improve the party, not to ask for positions.

“We will influence the masses to vote for the ADC. The party is for people who want a better Nigeria. I want to let you know that the current leaders were the ones who made the Labour Party thick. Now that we have fused into the ADC, Labour is no more.

“We don’t share money to mobilise people. We are self-funded. Some of those who won on our platform betrayed us and joined the APC.”

State Chairman of the party, Kenneth Odion, commended the Obidient Movement for joining the ADC, noting that the party was poised to do well in the next election.

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Army Dismisses Mutiny Threat Against Tinubu’s Govt

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Eric

The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false and misleading an online report alleging threats of mutiny by soldiers over salaries and allowances, describing the claim as sensational and detrimental to national security.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said there has been no threat of mutiny within the Nigerian Army.

Anele said that such conduct is alien to its ethos, discipline and professionalism.

She said mutiny is a grave offence under military law and incompatible with the loyalty of Nigerian Army personnel to the Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Anele explained that the report relied on anonymous and unverifiable claims circulated through non-official channels, which did not reflect the views or disposition of officers and soldiers who were trained to address grievances through established military procedures.

Anele clarified that promotion increments is only one component of military pay and should not be misrepresented as total earnings.

According to her, military remuneration includes consolidated salaries, rank-based allowances, operational, field and hardship allowances, as well as other entitlements that vary based on deployment, qualifications and responsibilities.

She said the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant government authorities, is implementing structured welfare reforms, including periodic reviews of salaries and allowances, enhanced operational incentives, improved accommodation, medical care and insurance packages for troops and their families.

The army spokesperson added that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, had, since assuming office, initiated constructive engagements with relevant authorities on troop welfare, with positive outcomes already emerging.

Anele reaffirmed that the Federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to the welfare and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces amid evolving security challenges.

She urged the public to disregard unfounded reports and rely on official communication channels for accurate information on the Nigerian Army.