APC has borrowed N5bn for Okpebholo’s inauguration – Obaseki

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has earmarked between N2 billion and N5 billion for the inauguration of the Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, has alleged

Obaseki levelled the allegation at the inauguration of 10-man caretaker committee members of the State’s PDP in Benin City on Friday.

The governor, who also disclosed that the money for the inauguration would be borrowed, lamented that the outgoing government was not carried along nor invited for the inauguration.

Recall that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the APC, who defeated the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the State would be sworn-in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

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He alleged that the incoming government has started spending the sum of almost N27 billion set aside for the payment for projects and other obligations by his administration.

“In this holiday period, they will want to spend as much money as possible to confuse the people. They are going to struggle to change their perception.

“We have almost N27 billion to pay for projects and obligations, but they have started blowing it, and they have gone to borrow money for the inauguration which is going to cost them N2 to N5 billion. That is the money they will first take from the treasury.

“They are doing an inauguration and the governor is not even invited. It is like they are starting a brand new government and a brand new state”, he said.

APC has borrowed N5bn for Okpebholo’s inauguration – Obaseki

Tinubu greets Trump, expects better US-Nigeria relations

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, said President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the relations between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

Donald Trump claimed victory on Wednesday and pledged to “heal” the country Wednesday as results put him on the verge of beating Kamala Harris in a stunning White House comeback.

President Tinubu says, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”

According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.

He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.

President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th President will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

NNPP crisis: Kano Gov Yusuf ignores Kwankwaso’s calls, meetings

The political crisis within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has deepened as Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor and party godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are said not to be on talking terms.

Tensions have escalated with Kwankwaso taking critical party and local government decisions without input from the governor, newstrends learnt.

These include appointment of local government chairmen and influencing the party’s political machinery, which has fueled growing resentment within the governor’s camp.

An inside source was quoted as saying, “Abba (Gov Yusuf) does not want to denigrate Kwankwaso, but he truly wants to be independent. Ninety per cent of the commissioners were imposed by Kwankwaso, and Abba is still working with them. This shows he still respects him.

“For a long time, Abba wanted to drop some commissioners who are either incompetent or disloyal to him, but out of respect for Kwankwaso, he reluctantly accommodates them for peace to reign.”

A report by Daily Nigerian says except for the governor’s appearance at Kwankwaso’s birthday celebrations on October 21, where the godfather used the opportunity to corner the governor at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport lounge, the duo had not met or spoken in recent months.

It was also learnt that the governor shunned meetings convened by Kwankwaso at his Miller Road and Maitama residences in Kano and Abuja respectively.

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“He (Governor Yusuf) earlier agreed to attend the Miller Road meeting at night but he kept Kwankwaso waiting through midnight and refused to come,” an insider said.

Kwankwaso’s efforts to meet or speak directly with the governor we’re frustrated.

The NNPP leader on some occasions reportedly made further futile attempts through the governor’s ADC and private secretary.

When attempts to see the governor failed, the NNPP leader allegedly sent an emissary to convey his directive to sack the SSG, who is believed to be the architect of the governor’s rebellion.

After Kwankwaso’s directive for the SSG’s sack fell on the governor’s deaf ears, the chairman of the NNPP in Kano, Hashimu Dungurawa, on October 14, announced the dismissal of the SSG and Commissioner for Transport over alleged anti-party activities.

Meanwhile, several high-profile NNPP figures, including lawmakers and commissioners, are said to be aligning with the governor.

Some are reportedly negotiating a potential defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

NNPP crisis: Kano Gov Yusuf ignores Kwankwaso’s calls, meetings