The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Politics

  • Opinion: Of Peter Mbah and the contribution of Ndigbo to national growth

    Opinion: Of Peter Mbah and the contribution of Ndigbo to national growth

    Opinion: Of Peter Mbah and the contribution of Ndigbo to national growth

    By Alex Chukwuma

    South Eastern Nigerian has continued to remain in the lead of growing the economy in and out of season, that is why the likes of Peter Ndubuisi Mbah who was born half a century ago to the family of Chief and Mrs. Gilbert Ekete Mbah, in Owo, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State is still in the business of creating indigenous firms to enable sustainable growth in our economy.

    Named Peter, because his parents believed that, like the biblical Peter, Ndubuisi would grow to be a rock upon which great things would be anchored.

    Living up to his name, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah foraged through life with an uncommon focus and determination.

    He displayed courage, perseverance, resilience, conscientiousness, and passion. These attributes have catapulted him to the pinnacle of relevance and ensured his position in national and global affairs.

    The International Maritime Lawyer and Business Magnate, guided by these lifelong attributes among his other business engagements, founded the FOCUS International Schools in Lagos, even at a teething stage of his entrepreneurial drive, in recognition of the role of education in national development.

    Today, he is also the Founder and Chief Executive officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd., an indigenous Oil and Gas company.

    Rising from a modest beginning, Peter’s journey through life has been fruitful, and full of impact.

    It spans philanthropy, public service, academia, and entrepreneurship.

    Peter’s education commenced at the Army Children’s School, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, from where he obtained his first School Leaving Certificate with distinction. After leaving school, he wanted so much to be an international merchant; thus, he engaged in commercial training/trading, simultaneously pursuing his academic studies. He later enrolled at Owode High School, Owode Egba, Ogun State, where he sat for and obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate in 1992.

    It was while trading that he realized the importance of Legal Education. He applied to and was accepted to study Law at the University of East London, (UEL) in the United Kingdom from where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) degree, in the Upper-Class Division in 2000.

    While at the University of East London, his Leadership and Organizational skills came to the fore.

    He was thus elected president of the Students Law Society between 1998-99. Under his leadership, the school won the Students’ Union prize and Certificate of Achievement for the ‘Most Productive Society of the Year.’

    From 1999 to 2000, Peter was a Member of the Students Representative Council of the UEL, as well as a Member of the School of Law Board, where he represented the Final Year students. Peter won the First Prize in the University of East London Mooting Competition and led the University’s team to the International Negotiation Competition.

    He returned to Nigeria to study for his bar examination. He was later called to the Nigerian Bar and awarded the Barrister-at-Law (BL) at the Nigerian Law School. He did his youth service in Lagos with the law firm of Udeh and Associates and was mentored by the inimitable Justice Nnaemeka Agu (JSC, rtd) of blessed memory, who was then a consultant to the firm.

    Subsequently, Peter proceeded to acquire a Master’s degree in Maritime and Commercial Law from Lagos State University in 2004.

    In addition to these academic achievements and in the spirit of lifelong learning, he has continued to expand his boundaries of knowledge by participating in numerous other academic and capacity-building programmes, including:

    Master’s degree in Business Administration from the IESE Business School, Barcelona, University of Navarra, Spain.

    Chief Executive Programme at the Lagos Business School.

    Post Graduate Diploma in Strategy and Innovation at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and numerous other Executive programmes in leading business schools across the world, including the Stanford Business School and Harvard Business School.

    Peter’s academic records and grasp of administration, even in his student days, could be gleaned from the testimonials of his leadership given by his former lecturers and tutors at the University of East London, as well as here in Nigeria.

    Since leaving school, Peter has distinguished himself remarkably, seemingly to justify his tutors – Sumner, McGuire, and Ohuruogu projections of his capabilities. Aside foundingPinnacle Oil and Gas from an almost zero base worth and nil reckoning in the corporate world, he also sits atop the board and management of Pinnacle Pointers, a real estate and hospitality company.

    His business and professional track records have taken him through several spheres of activities such as Import trade, Oil and Gas Sales and distributions, maritime logistics, and public service. As diverse as his career in the oil industry has been, its consistent underpinning factor has been his passion for organization, corporate governance, and the perpetual search for knowledge.

    Peter has been a Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of numerous successful companies and sits on the boards of several establishments. Before Pinnacle Oil and Gas, Peter had earlier founded the Peter Mbah Investment Limited, a trading firm that served as the Nigerian representative to International Oil Corporation (IOC) based in Fresno, California, USA. He was the sole agent of IOC in Nigeria.

    Peter also founded GILPEL Industries Ltd., a trading company involved in the import and sales of domestic electrical appliances, as well as Focus International Schools, a world-class Primary and Secondary school based in Lagos.

    In addition to the huge strides he has made in the areas of business, human management, and public service, Peter is passionate about community development and service to humanity. His passion for intervention in community development is piloted by a zeal that is continuously driven by the quest for excellence, tenacity, resilience, and an indomitable ‘can-do’ spirit

    Being a man who believes in business success through innovation and creativity, Peter’s Pinnacle Oil & Gas Ltd entered the Nigerian oil and gas industry in 2008 as a late entrant but has gained a preeminent position through revolutionizing petroleum products handling by significantly reducing costs and turn-around time of operations.

    While Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited started operations in 2008, the company has since reached its peak in the Nigerian Oil and Gas downstream sector. This rise is probably best illustrated by the company’s successful launch of its ultra-modern Offshore Petroleum Products Intake and Off-take Facility in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, the first of its kind in West Africa. The facility, in the first of a planned three phases, currently boasts of one offshore mooring system and 300,000,000 litres of petroleum storage.

    In subsequent phases of expansion, which have already commenced, the facility will extend to two offshore mooring systems, the largest capable of mooring vessels of 150,000 Tons capacity, and up to one billion litres of the storage facility. This would make it Africa’s largest liquid bulk terminal.

    Aside from this, Pinnacle’s core areas of focus in the oil industry are petroleum trading, marketing, supply, distribution, and retail segments of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Downstream Sector. The company operates another storage facility and jetty in Warri, as well as a fleet of trucks and a network of retail petroleum service stations with branches across the country.

    In the area of public service, Peter made a significant impact while serving in Enugu State as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development under His Excellency Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. As a testament to the uncommon contribution, he made to the state’s fiscal operations, through the strategy document he evolved which became the operating template for Enugu State government’s development programmes, the NewsWatch magazine’s special publication of July 3rd, 2006, described Peter as “a man ahead of his time.”

    As the Commissioner for Finance, he was a Member of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (Nigeria’s highest fiscal allocation body), Chairman of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee’s Sub-Committee on Legal Matters, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Enugu State Insurance Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Enugu State Finance and Investment Company.

    He had earlier also served as Chief of Staff to the Governor in 2003, and courtesy of the role, he was Chairman of the Enugu State Tenders’ Board; Member of the Enugu State Executive Council (highest decision-making body in the State) as well as Member of the State Security Council.

  • I’ll name my successor through inspiration from God, says Governor Ugwuanyi

    I’ll name my successor through inspiration from God, says Governor Ugwuanyi

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Sunday said that he would name his successor through the inspiration of God.

    This is even as the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Chuka Utazi, said he would not contest to be re-elected to the Senate in 2023 for the interest of peace in his District.

    The duo spoke during a solidarity rally organised in honour of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State by the leadership and stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu North Senatorial District where the party leadership equally reaffirmed their total support for Governor Ugwuanyi and enjoined him to emulate his predecessors by picking his successor in 2023.

    The Governor who thanked Senator Utazi for his sacrifice also appreciated the party fateful for their support, assuring that he would not take their loyalty for granted.

    He enjoined the people of the District to use their superior voting strength to determine the results of elections in the state.

    Meanwhile, Senator Utazi in his speech alleged that “political enemies are trying to turn his Senatorial District into a battleground,” in the forthcoming elections which were why he is sacrificing his seat for the interest of peace.

    “Enemies outside want Enugu North Senatorial District to be a battleground in 2023. I don’t want here to be a battleground. We have an interest in the future of this Senatorial District and Enugu State at large.

    “We don’t want to go into troubles and litigations that would never end here. As a leader of my people, I have made my own sacrifice. Leadership is about sacrifice,” Senator Utazi said.

    Earlier in his opening address, the Zonal Chairman of PDP in the District, Mike Onyeze, while declaring the unalloyed allegiance of the party fateful, described the governor as the “hero of democracy,” siting his unprecedented infrastructure development and security in the state.

    “You have continued to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Enugu State despite the harsh economic situation in the country. We are behind you in every decision you take for the interest of PDP in Enugu State. We are gathered here to reaffirm our support for you.

    “As the party prepares for primary elections, we shall give you our total support as usual. We are also in support of the existing zoning arrangement in the state. The leadership of PDP in Enugu North Senatorial District and all the stakeholders condemn in totality members of our great party outside this District who is trying to scatter the existing zoning arrangement in the state. Those behind this anti-party movement are not only insulting the governor but the entire people of Enugu North Senatorial District.

    “The governor’s predecessors picked their successors and his case won’t be different,” Onyeze said.

    Other major stakeholders including those representing the three constituencies in the District at the National Assembly, State House of Assembly members, local government chairmen and party hierarchies in the District reaffirmed their support for the Governor.

    (Vanguard)

  • Adopt-women-as-running-mates-first-lady-tells-presidential-aspirants

    First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has asked presidential aspirants across parties lines to adopt women as their running mates in the 2023 general election.

    She made this call on Saturday when she hosted presidential hopefuls from various political parties to Iftar, at the State House Conference Center (old banquet hall), Abuja.

    According to her, considering the voting strength and involvement of women in politics, they should be adopted as running mates in the forthcoming elections.

    Mrs. Buhari said: “In fact, it is high time women are adopted as running mates at all levels, considering their voting strength and active involvement in political processes.

    “As we approach the 2023 elections with greater hope, I am confident that Nigeria will continue to grow from strength to strength on the pedestal of our democratic tenets.”

    The First Lady also encouraged the aspirants to ensure that the forthcoming elections are fair and free.

    Citing the 2015 elections that brought in her husband as president, she urged the aspirants to emulate same in the 2023 elections.

    “It was neither contested in the court of law, nor in the court of public opinion,” she said.

    “Therefore, the greatest end-of-tenure gift that fellow Nigerians can give to the first family is another free and globally-acknowledged fair election come 2023.”

    Recall that at the maiden edition of the National Progressive Women’s Conference in January with the theme “One Voice Uniting for Progress”, Mrs. Buhari had asked the ruling party leadership to ensure that women are put in strategic positions in the party.

    According to her, the participation of women in politics will have a significant impact on the country’s development

    (Sun)

  • We must salvage Nigeria or perish, Obi warns

    We must salvage Nigeria or perish, Obi warns

    Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PPD) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has observed that unless critical decisions and actions are taken by Nigerians, the country is headed for a deep crisis.

    He made the observation during a meeting with Ekiti State PDP stakeholders and delegates, yesterday, in the course of his consultation processes on the need to choose the right candidate for the party.

    He noted that the economic crisis besetting Nigeria is humongous, warning that the country may go under if not properly managed and decried the high level of insecurity in the country, attributing it to the poor state of economy

    The former governor lamented the high rate of unemployment, unstable education sector and deplorable infrastructure in the country and remarked that the challenge is how to pull the country out of its current crisis. He bemoaned the high incidence of borrowing by the country, without much to show for it.

    He vowed that his commitment is to move Nigeria from a consumer society to a productive nation. The first step in this regard, he said, is to cut the cost of governance.

    Obi asked Ekiti delegates not to be swayed by material or primordial considerations at the national convention but do due diligence on those seeking their votes to know if they have the capacity and vision for the job. He warned that Nigeria would continue to lose with the present sharing culture, adding that his mission is to halt the trend.

    In his address, state Chairman of the party, Lanre Omolase, lauded Obi for the good record he set while as governor of Anambra State. He described Obi as one of the best the party can offer for the presidency.

    Earlier, the former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, had met with Obi where they discussed many challenges faPresident Muhammadu Buhari has described the explosion that rocked an illegal crude oil refinery in Abaezi forest in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State as a national disaster,.

    He, therefore, directed the armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify clampdown on illegal refineries following reported deaths of tens of people in the disaster.

    According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said responsibility for the loss of lives and property must squarely lie with the sponsors of the illegal refinery, “who must all be caught and made to face justice.”

    Conveying his condolences and the full depth and range of the nation’s shock and trauma, to the families of the victims, the Ohaji Egbema community, and the government and people of Imo State, the president urged community leaders, the police, and the secret service not to allow occurrence of the heart-breaking incident in any part of the country again.cing the nation.

    (Sun)

  • Ahead of Presidential Primary, Osinbajo Begins Second Nationwide Consultation, to meet with party delegates 

    Ahead of Presidential Primary, Osinbajo Begins Second Nationwide Consultation, to meet with party delegates 

    °Gaya emerges support groups’ DG

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is expected to begin his second round nationwide consultation ahead of the presidential primary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) slated for June 1, 2022, THISDAY gathered yesterday.

    The move, according to the source in the vice president’s camp, was designed to cement efforts already put in place by Osinbajo in a bid to fortify his chances of clinching the party’s presidential ticket.

    He said the vice president would be meeting with APC delegates in the all the local governments across the country and might start this weekend in Oyo State.

    “Consultations are already in progress across the country and yes we might be intensifying the engagements very soon, the sources told THISDAY.

    Osinbajo who had after a recent nationwide consultation, declared intention to succeed Buhari, is expected to meet with APC delegates from his home state, Ogun.

    Meanwhile former governor of Kano State and senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Senator Kabiru Gaya, has been appointed the Chairman of The Progressive Project (TPP), an umbrella body of various support groups of Vice President Osinbajo across the 36 states and the FCT.

    The Kano State federal lawmaker who was at the headquarters of the TPP yesterday, to address Osinbajo’s supporters, assured them that the vice president would succeed Buhari next year.

    Gaya described TPP as a mass-based, citizen-driven project and that he decided to take the responsibility to lead a process of recalibrating all pro-Osinbajo populist forces towards electoral victory under the banner of APC.

    He said: “Our duty is the coordination of all support groups: this is not the Campaign Council.

    For Professor Yemi Osinbajo, this race is not about personal ambition but about a positive response to populist call from a citizen-driven mobilisation that began without input from him or his office.

    “Note that people from other parties and even millions of non-partisan citizens who do not belong to any political party have strong interest and involvement with this campaign for Osinbajo’s candidature.

    “Without an iota of doubt, I am certain that all the knowledgeable people here can attest to the qualities and competence of Professor Yemi Osinbajo. You will also agree with me that his chosen method redefines presidential declarations in Nigeria; he has clearly signaled that noble citizens have no need to descend into gutters – no touts were hired by anyone and his message effectively reverberated across the entire country and the Diaspora.”

    On fund to obtain the vice president’s nomination form, he said: “We feel confident that unlike moneybags, our truly populist candidate is popular enough to pool supporters’ token donations and raise such money with ease.

    “Just one youth group with TPP, the Progressive Group alone say that they can raise N100m with rough voluntary contributions of N10, 000 each by 10, 000 of their supporters who are keen about seeing a better future.

    “Our populist Mathematics is flawless and very strong; moneybags within or outside APC will only lose their dollars in any contest against the people’s will.

    “Unlike the history of some other political parties, records show that neither APC presidential ticket nor its VP slot had ever been won by throwing money around but by populist endorsement from north and south.”

    (Thisday)

  • 2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time

    2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time

    The Peoples Democratic Party has, for the fourth time, extended the date for its sale of nomination and expression of interest forms to Friday, April 22, 2022.

    The last day for the submission of already completed forms is now Monday April 25, 2022.

    The party, however, noted that the shift does not affect its dates for primary elections.

    In a statement signed late Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said, “After a thorough consideration of various issues and concerns in the Party, the Peoples Democratic Party has further adjusted its Timetable and Schedule of Activities to extend the closing dates for the purchase of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the 2023 general elections to Friday, April 22, 2022.

    “Under the reviewed timetable, the last day for the submission of already completed Forms has been extended to Monday, April 25, 2022”

    Consequently, the following new dates have been fixed for the screening as well as Appeals arising from the screening of aspirants for various positions;

    State House of Assembly and National Assembly: Wednesday, April 27, 2022, Governorship: Thursday, April 28, 2022, Presidential: Friday, April 29, 2022.

    Appeals on all screening exercise: Monday, May 2, 2022

    Under the updated timetable, the three-person Ad-Hoc Ward Congress has been fixed for Saturday, April 30, 2022 while the Local Government Area National Delegates Congresses will now hold on Thursday, May 5, 2022

    “All dates for primary election into various positions remain the same,” the statement read.

    (Punch)

  • 17 PDP Presidential Aspirants rake in N646m for party through forms

    17 PDP Presidential Aspirants rake in N646m for party through forms

    17 PDP Presidential Aspirants rake in N646m for party through forms

    •Ayu to Amaechi: We don’t want president that can run round stadium like Usain Bolt, but can’t run railway transportation

    17 presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been listed for further screening ahead of the party’s primary elections.

    The aspirants are two-term governor of Kwara State and immediate past President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Speaker, House of Representatives, and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former President of the Senate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.

    Others include former Minister of Federal Capital Territory and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; former Minister of State for Education and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; outgoing Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; 2019 PDP vice presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; United States-based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; and media mogul, Dele Momodu.

    Also successful are Investment banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; a pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa; former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Cosmos Ndukwe; Charles Ugwu; as well as the only female aspirant in the race, Tareila Diana.

    The party realised N640 million from the 16 male presidential aspirants and N6 million from the only female presidential aspirant, Diana, making the revenue generated N646 million.

    The presidential convention of PDP is expected to hold on May 29 and 30.

    Yesterday, also, the Akwa Ibom State governor addressed the party’s NWC on his presidential aspiration, likening the 2023 presidential election to a war, and required an experienced politician to carry the APC presidential ticket.

    Emmanuel stated, “Just to let the party know that we are challenged as a nation. The party is about going to war. And if you want to go to war, you cannot leave your generals and start dealing with recruits.

    “You have the generals in your team and we’re ready to march on to victory. And I’m trying to let you know that if you will look around the country today, there are issues in Nigeria, so people want to see those that will bring solutions and not create more problems.”

    He said Nigeria was challenged, “Because this is a country that you’d woke up one morning, if care is not taken, you wouldn’t have stories to tell our children. You come into the scene, you play the politics, with all your knowledge, with all your experience, with all the education, with all your exposure, how come you didn’t try, you didn’t even offer to serve your country?

    “I don’t want to be questioned like that in the next generation. So, today, I’m standing as one of those that have solution to economic issues. So, the solution for Nigeria, first of all, is to try and rescue our economic values in this country. I don’t want to go so much about the infrastructure, because that one, once you can rescue, with that you can actually reconstruct and restore the infrastructure that has decayed.”

    Meanwhile, National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, yesterday took a swipe at Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, a presidential aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), for his alleged inability to manage the railway system in the country. Speaking after Emmanuel had briefed the party on his presidential aspiration, Ayu said Nigeria desired trusted and tested politicians, like the Akwa Ibom State governor, to manage the affairs of the country.

    Ayu stated, in a veiled reference to Amaechi, “We don’t want presidential aspirants, who can run round the stadium, like Usain Bolt, but cannot run a railway station.”

    He compared the presidential aspirants of the party to those of APC, saying all of them are qualified to run the affairs of the country better than President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ayu advised the PDP presidential aspirants to take their campaigns to the delegates, as their votes would decide the 2023 presidential candidate of the party. He also warned against mudslinging during electioneering campaigns, saying such would give the opposition ammunition to attack the party.

    “Campaigns would be issue-based and not attacking each other or mudslinging,” the PDP national chairman said. He pledged that the party would conduct a transparent and fair presidential convention, as it had no preferred candidate.

    (Thisday)

  • Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee

    Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee

    Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee

    The All Progressives Congress says it will begin its sale of presidential, governorship, national and state assembly forms on Saturday.

    The APC, which revealed this after its 11th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, failed to disclose if it would be zoning its presidential ticket or not thereby leaving its forms open for all to buy.

    However, its high nomination fees for aspirants generated angry reactions among Nigerians, with many of them saying they were symptomatic of the corrupt APC government.

    The APC pegged its expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidential ticket at N100m.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed this shortly after the 11th NEC meeting of the APC.

    According to Morka, the presidential nomination form would be sold for N70m while expression of interest forms would go for N30m.

    He revealed that the House of Assembly expression of interest forms would go for N500,000 while the nomination form goes for N1.5m.

    The nomination form for the House of Representatives would sell for N9m while the expression of interest form goes for N1m, making N10m in total.

    Senatorial aspirants will purchase their expression of interest forms at N3m each and nomination forms at N17m each, making it N20m in total.

    Governorship aspirants will have to part with N10m for the expression of interest forms and N40m for the nomination forms, making N50m in total.

    The National Women Leader of the APC, Betta Edu, had said women would get free forms.

    However, Morka said women were only entitled to free nomination forms but would pay for their expression of interest forms at every level.

    He revealed that the youths, whom he defined as individuals at the age of 40 and below, would purchase the expression of interest forms with a 40 per cent discount on the nomination form fees for each position.

    “Now please note, and this is very important, that female aspirants and persons with disabilities will purchase our expression of interest forms for all the positions that they may be interested in while the nomination forms will be free without any costs to them.

    “Now, our youths also got some very special consideration out of this meeting. And our youths are considered persons between the ages of 25 and 40. To purchase the expression of interest forms but with a discount of 50 per cent. On the nomination forms now, as usual, all the payments are to be made to banks that will be designated by the party and published in a very short while from now,” Morka revealed.

    On the schedule of activities from form sales up until the primaries, Morka said the presidential primary election would hold from May 30 to May 31. This, therefore, allays fears that the party’s presidential primary will clash with that of the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party, whose primary has been slated for May 28 and May 29.

    “The first item on our schedule is the notice of election that will be issued to the state chapters of our party. That activity will be carried out on April 22, 2022. The second item, the sale of forms at the APC national secretariat,  will commence on Saturday, April 23 to Friday, May 6, 2022. And the last day for the submission of completed forms and accompanying documents will be Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

    “Screening of aspirants for the House of Assembly and for the governorship aspirants will be conducted on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Screening for aspirants to the House of Representatives and the Senate will be carried out on Friday, May 10, 2022. And for the presidential aspirants, that will come on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

    “The publication of screening results will be done for the state assemblies and the governorship on Friday, May 13, 2022. For the House of Representatives and the Senate, it will be on Saturday, May 14, 2022. For the presidential aspirants, the publication of screening results will be on Sunday, May 15, 2022,” he said.

    The party spokesman noted that screening appeals for the various offices would happen as follows: State assembly and governorship (Saturday, May 14 2022), House of Representatives and Senate (Tuesday, May 17, 2022), and presidential (Monday, May 23, 2022).

    Morka continued “We will have our primaries for governorship on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. The primaries for the state House of Assembly will hold on Friday, May 28, 2022. The House of Representatives will hold on Sunday, May 22, 2022. For the Senate,  that has been scheduled to hold on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

    “Our special convention for presidential primary is billed to hold between Monday, May 30, and Wednesday, June 1, 2022.”

    He noted that the National Executive Committee had devolved its powers to the National Working Committee for the next 90 days, giving the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, full powers over the primaries.

    For the said period, the NWC would have the power to exercise the authority that was constitutionally assigned to the NEC on behalf of the party.

    Morka explained, “The resolution has devolved the powers of NEC under Article 13(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) of our Constitution. But those powers of NEC in those provisions are now vested in the National Working Committee of the party. So in other words, the NWC of the party is authorised for 90 days to exercise the authority that is constitutionally assigned to the NEC on behalf of the party.”

    However, like the PDP, the APC said nothing about the zoning of its Presidential ticket.

    Nigerians condemn high cost of forms

    But the high cost of forms was condemned by many Nigerians on social media including members of the ruling party.

    They argued that it would prevent youths and disadvantaged groups from running for office.

    A former media aide to ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, asked, “How can the APC set presidential nomination forms at N100m? Is that not encouraging corruption? Who, but the corrupt, can afford that? Is that why they pardoned (Joshua) Dariye and (Rev Jolly) Nyame, so they can sponsor forms?”

    In his contribution, journalist, Adejumo Kabir, tweeted, “Buhari criticised the N27.5m levy for the presidential nomination form in 2014, describing it as exorbitant. Today, he leads a party selling a form for N100m. Shame on him.”

    Gold Isaiah tweeted, “The APC presidential nomination form is pegged at N100m. I’m not surprised because all the money they have been borrowing is in their personal accounts. Highly corrupt regime!”

    Uche Jegbefume tweeted, “N100m for presidential nomination form means absolutely nothing to the fantastically corrupt people in the APC. Only the electorate and masses are perpetually poor for their political gains.”

    Abubakar Mona Usman tweeted, “N100m for APC presidential nomination form? This tells you how corrupt, wicked, and inhuman the government of the day is. May God save us in 2023.”

    However, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria and founding member of the party, Osita Okechukwu, justified the high cost of forms, saying it would deter unserious aspirants.

    Speaking in a phone interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Okechukwu also noted that the high fees were a result of a decision by Buhari who insisted that the party must fund itself.

    (Punch)

  • Peter Ndubuisi Mbah: Distinguished in business and public service (Opinion)

    Peter Ndubuisi Mbah: Distinguished in business and public service (Opinion)

    Peter Ndubuisi Mbah: Distinguished in business and public service (Opinion)

    By J.J Nwachukwu

    For Chief Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, it has been a long walk to breakthrough. Indeed it was a tortuous journey to his turning point. Having meandered through the thorny path to the creamy circle of the society, today, he shares the limelight as well as high recognitions where ever he finds himself. Like most trailblazers, he prepared for a battle early in life and learnt to stand strong on his feet. More often than not, he runs on his steam. Mbah has a distinguished career in politics, business, and public service.

    For blazing peerless trails in the area of entrepreneur, Mbah has been bestowed with several prestigious awards.
    There has been many such famed awards from far and near, even in the recent past. Peter Mbah who could be fittingly described as a relentless fighter for good cause and a defender of truth, has given generously to education, youths and community development. He is generous and philanthropic.

    As a man of the future and a new age leader, receptive to modern ideas, Chief Mbah is not unmindful of the fact that the resources of any nation is dependent on its human capital, with particular reference to the youths who represent the future of any nation. For instance, an uneducated youth is a burden rather than a resource. No wonder he has devoted a large chunk of his resources to human capital development with deliberate attention on youth development over the years.

    As was noted earlier, moving up the socio-economic cum political ladder was not easy for him as some who viewed his rise to the top as a difficult pill to swallow, had flung stones and punches in his direction. These treacherous elements in their determination to undercut his ever rising profile deployed the tool of mudslinging and blackmail. However, he was able to navigate his way out of these intrigues to fame and fortune. Through patience and sobriety, he has been able to establish a foothold in the oil and gas sub-sector of the economy.

    Born on March 17, 1972, in Enugu, Enugu State, to the family of Chief and Mrs. Gilbert Mbah, Peter Mbah is a native of Owo in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Chief Peter Mbah, who is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pinnacle oil and Gas Company, holds a degree in International Maritime Law from the University Of East London (UEL). As a student, he stood out as a strategic planner of events and a renowned organizer and mobilizer of men and resources. Right from his days in the school, excellence has remained his watch word. As a student leader, he stood out distinguishingly from the crowd as we shall discover shortly.

    Between 1998 and 1999, he was the President of the Students’ Law society. While his tenure lasted, the society won the Students’ Union prize/certificate of achievement for the ‘Most Productive Society of the Year’. He was also member, Students’ Representative Council of the UEL, from 1999 to 2000, just as he was member of the School Law Board between 1999 and 2000 where he represented the final year students. This forward looking young man was to add another feather to his cap when he won the first prize of the University team to the International Negotiation competition. Additionally, he received the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn major Bar Vocational Course Award in 2000.

    Still at UEL, Mbah as a stand-out performer, had distinguished himself further as a foremost student representative with emphasis on the organization of men. He was later called to the Nigerian Bar where he received the Bachelor of law (BL) at the Nigerian Law School. He did his youth service in Lagos with the Law firm of Ude and Associates.

    As a result of his ingenious attributes, some of his former lecturers and tutors at the UEL spoke glowingly of his person. Colin Sumner, Professor of Law and Head of the School of Law at the UEL, commented thus: “Peter has always struck me as an extremely determined and immensely capable young man. He is very sharp and alert, despite his easy-going manner…He resurrected a dormant body and won the University’s prize for the most productive society of the year … (he) led our student team in the International Negotiation competition”.

    In the words of Ken McGuire, Senior lecturer and Mbah’s personal tutor at the UEL, “Peter is personable and well mannered. He is liked and respected by his fellow students and members of the academic at UEL. (He) is diligent, well organized and (a) hardworking student (and his) academic abilities are excellent… one of the best students I have taught at UEL. He is confident of his abilities and works extremely hard”.

    In the same vein, his Nigerian lecturer, Professor Chris Ohurogu was not left out as he said: “He struck me as a very hard working, intelligent and highly motivated person (who) possesses such a degree of foresight and problem-solving mentality which surpass those of his peers”

    Peter Mbah also attended the Army Children’s School, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, and Owode High School, Owode Egba, Ogun state, where he obtained his school leaving certificate in 1984 and Senior Secondary School Certificate in 1992, respectively.

    In 2004, he proceeded to the Lagos State University where he acquired a Master’s Degree in Maritime and Commercial Law. To ensure that his profile remains on the upward beat, Mbah has also participated in several other academic and capacity-building programmes, including the Master’s Degree in Business Administration from IESE Business School, Barcelona, University of Navarra, Spain, the Chief Executive Programme at the Lagos Business School; Postgraduate in strategy and Innovation at the said Business School, University of Oxford and various certificate programmes in frontline Business Schools across the world, including the standard Business School and Harvard Business School.

    In 2003, a career breakthrough had launched him into the front of the line as he became the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani. As the Chief of Staff to the Governor, he was the Chairman of the Tender’s Board, member of the State Executive Council, just as he was a member of State Security Council. With this leadership reckoning, he was later appointed the Enugu State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in the same administration. As an insignia of excellence in Business and Public Service, he was able to take the flag from half-mast to full mast. He began by establishing a sensible fiscal policy for transactions with the Government, as he developed a strict revenue management rules with minimum default rate. In this way, he was able to harness much of the Government’s fund for capital and human projects. The strategy document he developed was adopted as the fiscal operation document for Enugu State Development Programmes.

    In a tribute, the Newswatch Magazine in a special publication of July 3, 2006, described Chief Mbah as “a man ahead of his time”. As Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, he was a member of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (Nigeria’s highest fiscal allocation body), Chairman of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee’s Sub-Committee on Legal Matters; Chairman of the Enugu State Joint Account Allocation Committee; Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Enugu State Finance and Investment Company.

    “Mbah’s experience cuts across various sectors and activities, including, import trade, Oil and Gas sales and distribution and Maritime logistics”. Apart from Pinnacle oil and gas limited, he also takes charge in a group subsidiary company known as Pinnacle Pointers-a real estate and hospitality company.

    Given Chief Mbah’s wide and significant socio-economic and political antecedents, the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, in November 2021, at her 8th and 9th combined convocations, conferred on him a doctoral award, honoris causa in political science.

    As a philanthropist, he has created opportunities for both the young and the aged to have a good life. In testament to this, he has several students-majorly of Enugu State origin on his scholarship scheme. In fact, the people are not in a hurry to forget his meritorious contributions in the state. Chief Peter Mbah is also part of the reason why the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has retained her popular appeal and firm grip on Enugu State since 1999. Today, the opposition parties are in a weak opposition in the state with poor caliber membership spread across the state. From time to time, Chief Mbah has continued to provide attractive incentives for his party as a way of oiling its machinery. To the average party member, Mbah is a good news. This perhaps explains why his governorship aspiration is said to be fired majorly by the youth population within his party and Enugu state at large, apart from the warrant of support from the leaders. His ambition commands wide interest and respect among the people of the state and beyond.

    Chief Mbah has a lot of good points:
    -He speaks quietly, yet firmly
    -He comes across more as a statesman than a politician
    -He is heavy with wisdom and rare intellect
    -His commitment to issues of human welfare is well known
    -Infact, Mbah is not one to keep mute or speak in muffled voice over issues that bother on the interest of the people. etc, etc.

    The Peter Mbah we know is willing and prepared to govern with focus on raising the bar of good governance by delivering for the people in a manner devoid of sheer sloganeering and the cunning and subterfuge of words. As a matter of fact, there is a convergence of intra supportive elements that are prepared to patronize his choice and ensure his success at the polls if he emerges his party’s standard bearer, come May 2022.

    Having held private and public sector positions, there is no doubt that he is well fitted for the job. With his background from the private sector, he can achieve a government goal through private sector engagement. Amongst the aspirants for the Lion building Enugu, are mercantile politicians whose only interest is “self”-and who having amassed wealth through governance must remain in power to protect it. It is not enough to aspire to occupy an office to succeed an outgoing governor or any other political office holder for that matter, what is important is, what is the content of the alternative that you are offering? Apart from being an influential and illustrious son of the state, his business acumen and successes are the propelling factors that the people saw in him that made them to encourage him to show interest in the guber race. Their thinking is that he will bring into governance of the state the same careful and meticulous financial discipline that he used to build his business empire. And as a governor, he will not disappoint those who have vouched for him. As a technocrat with verifiable antecedent, Chief Mbah stands out in the crowd with his good understanding of the demands of leadership. We must not base our choice on barbaric and backward sentiment since the end result could be bruising.

    Over the years, Chief Mbah has garnered sufficient global and economic management experience to run Enugu State, unlike the other aspirants who have either none or weak experience in governance issues. Indeed, Peter has the requisite governance experience and what is lacking in this regard can be largely compensated for by his immense experience in corporate governance, economic management and organizational reforms. Looking at this legion of governorship aspirants in Enugu State today, it is very clear that Chief Mbah is well rounded for the job, having gone through the crucibles of scholarship, learning and knowledge acquisition. Let us pool our resources together and make his aspiration realizable. With his solid support base across the wards and Local Governments of the State along side other winning qualities, Chief Peter Mbah remains the best hand to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in 2023.

    It is therefore safe to conclude that Chief Peter Mbah remains an undisputed benchmark for quality leadership in an oasis of incompetence, and therefore should be given an opportunity to make Enugu State competitive.

    J.J. Nwachukwu writes from University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

  • Just In: APC Pegs Presidential Forms at N100m, settles for indirect primary, rules out consensus

    Just In: APC Pegs Presidential Forms at N100m, settles for indirect primary, rules out consensus

    Just In: APC pegs Presidential Forms at N100m, settles for indirect primary, rules out consensus

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to sell its presidential form at the cost of N100 million. While the Expression of Interest form is fixed at the cost of N30 million, the nomination form cost N70 million.

    This was part of the decision ratified at the emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held, Wednesday, at the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja.

    The sale of forms of the ruling party will commence on April 22, 2022.

    Also, the party has said it will choose its presidential candidate through an indirect primary.

    The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and other leaders of the party transmitted their powers to the National Working Committee of the APC for 90 days.

    Details later…

  • 2023: Prominent APC leaders in South West shun Fayemi’s event in Ibadan

    THE launch of the national agenda by the National Prosperity Movement aimed at drumming support for the presidential ambition of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in 2023 suffered a major setback as prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in South West shunned the gathering held at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Ibadan.

    Investigations by Vanguard revealed that the party leaders from the zone distanced themselves from the meeting in solidarity with the APC National leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, who has since signified interest to contest for the President in next year’s election.

    Some of the party chieftains, who spoke on why they stayed away from the event, described the aspiration of current Governors’ Forum Chairman, Fayemi, as dead on arrival.

    The venue of the event, which was largely occupied by attendees mainly from Ekiti state, also had political aides of Governor Fayemi and some politicians from Osun state.

    In his paper presentation at the event, the Director General, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN, Mr. Seye Oyeleye said the unity and progress of the Nigerian-Nation-State have been heavily marred by the systemic and structural deficiencies evident in Nigeria prior to independence which

    was subsequently worsened by the intervention of the military.

    While explaining the need to establish a relationship between the Nigeria Agenda, Civic Nationalism, and Leadership, Oyeleye also harped on the need for a broad-based constitutional development process for the sustainable development of the country.

    “The national question in this context simply refers to deliberating on the efforts that will accommodate the competing and often, diverse interests and ideologies

    of several ethnicities, tribes, religions, cultures and some would say class, existing within

    one geographical entity. It is the debate as to the order of the relations between the different ethnic, linguistic and cultural groupings so that they have the same rights and freedoms, access to power, and an equitable share of resources.”

    He noted that Nigeria’s present and future needed to be determined by the will of the people, saying Nigeria is currently being run against the will of the people, as the constitution serving as the social contract of the country is illegitimate without any input from Nigerians.

    Addressing Nigeria’s constitutional deficiency, the DAWN boss said it was the first step to addressing the national question and consequently pursuing the Nigeria Agenda.

    “All other efforts aimed at solving our challenges are tantamount to putting the horse before the cart. The structural and systemic inefficiencies would continue to stall progress and breed disunity.” He stated

    (Sun)

  • 2023 Presidency: Group urges Atiku to drop his ambition, support Peter Obi

    2023 Presidency: Group urges Atiku to drop his ambition, support Peter Obi

    The Peter Obi Support Network has asked former Vice President Abubakar Atiku to drop his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election and support another candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.

    Both Atiku and Obi are contesting the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket.

    In a message to Atiku dated April 19, 2022 and made available to our correspondent, the group said it was in the interest of equity, justice and fairness.

    The message was signed by the group’s Media and Communications Committee members, namely: Prince Emeka Kalu, Alhaji Kabir Garba, Adigun Makanjuola, Mr Marcel Ngogbehei and Comrade Sani Saeed Altukry.

    The group said stepping down and supporting Obi would not only save the PDP and Nigeria, but also ensure that the Atiku/Obi ticket of 2019, which Nigerians missed, was returned to power in 2023 and ensure that their lofty manifesto was implemented for the benefit of all.

    According to the group, the country as of today was in an extreme crisis, and it was at times like this that history and posterity recorded its greatest heroes and heroines.

    It said the reasonable implication is that after eight years of the rule of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the presidency should rotate to the South in 2023.

    It called on Nigerians not to repeat the mistakes of 2015, adding that nobody should wish Nigerians another eight years of bad governance.

    The group noted that if the PDP conceded its ticket to the South-East, it would be sending a message that would drown the APC.

    The statement read in part, “We write on behalf of millions of our members across Nigeria to call on you, our Party Leader, H.E Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON), to seize the moment and show again the leadership you ably demonstrated in 2019 when you rose above primordial considerations to choose Mr. Peter Obi as the PDP Vice-Presidential Candidate; an action that got the entire country ‘Atikulated & Obligated.’

    “The Atiku/Obi 2019 ticket has gone down in history as Nigeria’s most inspiring presidential ticket of all time, which in our view was an unfairly denied victory.

    “Regardless of the foregoing, our relationship with you will last forever; and for the record, all of us in POSN were Atikulated & Obligated in 2019. Hence, for us, you are part and indeed the head of our family.

    “As you are aware, Nigeria had President Olusegun Obasanjo (Southwest, 1999–2007) and President Goodluck Jonathan (South-south, 2010–2015), leaving the South-East outstanding.

    “The All Progressives Congress has zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South; therefore, the PDP has no reason not to follow suit as a matter of law. To do otherwise will mean working against equity and fairness and inviting avoidable litigation and possible truncation of the PDP’s participation in the 2023 presidential election, which will give the APC a ‘walk-over-victory.’

    “Stepping down and supporting Peter Obi will not only save the PDP and Nigeria, but also ensure that the Atiku/Obi ticket of 2019, which Nigerians so dearly missed, is returned to power in 2023 and ensure that their lofty manifesto is implemented for the benefit of all.”

    (Sun)