•Calls for rule of law in Kano emirate impasse
By Sunday Ani
Founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Boniface Aniebonam, has said Nigeria was already bleeding before the emergence of President Bola Tinubu.
Aniebonam, who noted that the president was aware of the crisis in the country before he came into power, made the statement during his appraisal of Tinubu’s administration in the last one year.
In a statement by Aniebonam, yesterday, he pointed out that an understanding of the challenges facing Nigeria was what propelled the president to come up with the Renewed Hope Agenda to tackle the challenges headlong.
“The belief of members of the NNPP stand to reason that a great leader is he or she who can take a wrong decision, rather than taking none in a matter of state affairs of urgent importance.
“The president is human and may have taken some wrong decisions like removing the cankerworm of corruption infested oil subsidy without first planning on cushioning the effects but it will be good in the long run.
“Therefore, this is the time for all Nigerians to be more determined to work hard and make sacrifices for the good of our country.”
According to Aniebonam, Tinubu and members of his cabinet have successfully taken Nigeria away from the intensive care unit to the general ward. This simply means there is hope for Nigeria’s greatness shortly.
“Going forward, it is the belief of members of the new NNPP that the greatness of Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians.
“To achieve this objective, we must enhance productivity in the area of education, rule of law and order, science and technology, agriculture, industrialisation and avoidable acts of corruption and public disorder.
“Therefore, this is not the time to apportion blames in the name of opposition to whatever government does.
Opposition must be responsible and constructive in all criticisms, with respect and patriotism.
“It is, therefore, a time to advise and encourage the president and leaderships of the legislative houses and judiciary to continue to ensure every of their actions is for the good of the general welfare of Nigerians.
“It is our firm belief that political patronage should be done in a manner that does not affect the mantra of renewed hope for Nigeria.”
He urged the president to ensure the most qualified persons shall be deployed to critical and strategic positions to drive the process of renewed hope for a greater Nigeria.
He equally called on the president to ensure Nigeria’s federal highways are put in very good conditions to reduce accidents, kidnappings and related criminalities
“The national carriers both, on the sea and in the air, should come on stream to stop waste on freight rates. This shall help to stop the pressure of dollar in our local currency.
“Nigeria must be engaged in aggressive local production to stem the tide of forex menace eating deep into our foreign reserve and purchasing power.
“Specifically, the labour force of Nigeria needs a living wage to meet up with the economic realities of Nigeria, thus ensuring industrial peace and harmony.
“Expansion of technical education opportunities shall be the road map for intervention to unemployment in Nigeria. Therefore, access to start off funds must be made easy for graduates to engage in local production.
“Every institution of learning must be smart education based at all levels to enable Nigerians to be globally competitive and empower our youths into the information technology world,” he said.
In a related development, the party has also called for caution in handling of the Emirate stool tussle in Kano State, stressing that the law should be strictly followed in resolving the controversy.
Aniebonam told newsmen that parties concerned must apply caution so as not to plunge Kano into avoidable conflagration, capable of impeding the nascent democratic process Nigeria has been nurturing overtime.
“Kano State is the only state run by the NNPP in Nigeria. As a peace-loving political party that believes so much in God and law, it is our sincere appeal that everyone concerned in this matter must thread softly. We must consider the overall interest of the people of Kano above self interest.
“We are marvelled at the degeneracy of law and order in that state under the leadership of NNPP and the contending forces for control of the emirate stool.
“What is crucial in the titanic struggle for the control of the Kano royalty is that both warring royal groups should ensure the rule of law is strictly adhered to,” he said.
Aniebonam, who is also the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders said judgment/ judgments of courts of competent jurisdictions should be fully and respectfully complied with.
“This advice has become paramount and necessary because if Kano boils, the whole nation could be negatively affected in one way or the other. Let wise counsel prevail between the two brothers in the interest of public peace and emirate sanctity,” he said.
He lauded President Tinubu and elders of Kano emirate for their show of concern and efforts over the peace of the society and Kano State in particular.