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God bless whoever stole the budget-Etcetera writes….

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It is very hard to explain to a non-Nigerian abroad that Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people. He/she would wonder how a country of over 200 million citizens became so tamed to the point of stupidity — that a few individuals could keep millions of people locked in hell for over 20 years would have been termed impossible, but as the world has come to know, there’s nothing impossible in Nigeria. We hold the record of the most persevering people on earth. We have an unbelievable threshold for endurance.
One of the reasons why I think Nigeria may never recover from her present predicament is because as a people, Nigerians love poverty. This is the only country in the world where a politician steals money and the people provide tangible reasons why the politician is actually supposed to steal.
This is the only country in the world where it has become acceptable that whoever gets into government is advised to loot with impunity. Looting of government funds is now fashionably done on a turn-by-turn basis. Listening to Nigerians defend their kinsmen who have looted the country is very sad: Abi if you get there, you sef no go chop? Abeg leave my brother make him chop him own, after all when your brother dey there, himsef too chop. Life na turn by turn. This is the mentality of the average Nigerian on the street.
If not for our level of docility, our government wouldn’t have the effrontery to tell us that they spent millions of naira to open a Facebook account. The National Assembly wouldn’t embarrass us by asking the founders of Facebook down here to set up their Facebook accounts. A governor wouldn’t tell us he spent N72m of taxpayers’ money to build a personal website and still be made a minister of the federal republic in this current dispensation.
The hard and soft copies of the 2016 budget documents President Muhammadu Buhari handed over to the National Assembly on December 22, 2015 was declared missing a couple of days back and Nigerians have been screaming like banshees how the country had been placed at the forefront of ridicule, forgetting that we have been living in ridicule for ages. Is the shame of a missing budget more embarrassing than the content of the budget itself?
With all the fight against corruption, what has changed? Have the police stopped collecting money illegally on our streets? Has impunity stopped in our petrol stations where fuel is blatantly and flagrantly sold above the recommended price? Has the leadership of Nigeria stopped living in comfort while the people live in poverty? Must we continue funding 10 airplanes in the midst of gargantuan poverty? The exchange rate is at an unprecedented high of N305 to a dollar and the minimum wage of N18,000 is about $64 and this same government has been advising us on the need to be prudent in our spending while public officials have failed to reduce their level of comfort. Even the proposed 2016 budget submitted to the joint session of the National Assembly showed that Buhari himself failed to heed to his own advice of being prudent.
How do you consider the stealing of the proposed budget as an embarrassment when President Buhari and Vice-President Osinbajo will be spending N2.2bn on travels and transport, foodstuffs and catering materials, refreshment and meals as well as honorarium in the 2016 fiscal year? This is a figure that is N710m higher than what was budgeted for the same under the immediate past government in 2015. A further breakdown of the budget for the presidency also includes general renovation of the Guest House at N387m, complete furnishing of the Guest House at N45m, purchase of computers for N27.5m and the construction and provision of recreational facilities for N764m.
A sum of N3.6bn was budgeted for BMW saloon cars for principal officers and another N189m was allocated for tyres for operational vehicles in the presidency. What is more embarrassing to you? That over 300 girls were kidnapped and nothing has been done to bring them back? Is it not more embarrassing that our soldiers are being slaughtered by a bunch of untrained terrorists because of the corruption within the military hierarchy? Is it not more embarrassing that the PDP is already calling for the impeachment of the president just after nine months of assuming office?
Abeg abeg, May God bless whoever stole the budget. He/she is a patriot. I believe he/she, like everyone else in the country, must have lost hope in our useless National Assembly and can’t trust them to cut down the discrepancies in the budget.
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Fear of Assassination: Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei Picks Three Potential Successors—Excludes Son

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Amid rising tensions and fears of targeted attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly named three possible successors, excluding his son, in preparation for a worst-case scenario during the ongoing conflict with Israel.

According to a Saturday report by The New York Times, the 86-year-old leader, who is said to be operating from a secure underground bunker, privately selected three senior clerics to take over leadership if he is killed. The decision follows a wave of high-profile assassinations allegedly carried out by Israeli forces, which has heightened concerns at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership.

Crucially, Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba—who has long been rumored to be his heir apparent—was not included among the chosen candidates. This marks a significant departure from previous speculation suggesting a dynastic transition was in the works. The Jerusalem Post also confirmed the report, adding that Khamenei has made additional contingency plans by appointing replacements within Iran’s military hierarchy in anticipation of further Israeli attacks.

Traditionally, Iran’s Supreme Leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts, a powerful clerical body of 88 members. However, Khamenei’s move suggests he may be attempting to influence the succession process in advance, seeking to ensure ideological continuity and maintain regime stability amid external threats.

Experts believe the choice of three clerics rather than a single successor points to internal disagreements and the urgent need for contingency planning as the situation escalates. While the identities of the chosen individuals remain undisclosed, sources say they are trusted hardliners closely aligned with Khamenei’s vision.

Regional Impact and Rising Concerns

The reported development comes at a volatile time in the Middle East, with recent Israeli strikes targeting senior Iranian and Hezbollah figures. Analysts warn that any sign of instability in Iran’s leadership could further destabilize the region.

“This is not just theoretical succession planning — it’s being done under the very real threat of attack,” a regional intelligence source told The New York Times. “The regime clearly views the risk of a leadership vacuum as imminent.”

Khamenei’s decision underscores the high level of concern within Tehran’s leadership circle as it braces for potential escalations and prepares for scenarios that were once considered unlikely.

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Diri Proposes Third Term for Governors to Curb Abandoned Projects

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has suggested a constitutional amendment to allow state governors a third term in office — a move he believes could help tackle the persistent issue of abandoned projects across Nigeria.

Governor Diri made the call during a stop in Nembe Local Government Area, part of his ongoing ‘Thank-You Tour’ across the state. Addressing a large crowd at King Koko Square in Nembe, the governor said limited time in office often prevents administrations from completing critical infrastructure projects.

“It is not proper to start a project and leave it for another government to finish,” he said. “Some of your requests can be fulfilled, but time is no longer on our side. That’s why I believe the National Assembly should consider revisiting the constitution to give governors a third term.”

He encouraged community members to reach out to their federal representatives — including Hon. Marie Ebikake, Hon. Fred Agbedi, Hon. Oforji Oboku, and Senator Benson Agadaga — to push for such an amendment.

Diri highlighted the ongoing development of a 60-megawatt independent power plant as a major step toward addressing electricity challenges in the state. He announced that twin gas-powered turbines, procured by the state government, would soon be delivered and installed at the Elebele site, which is nearing completion.

According to him, once operational, the power plant will supply electricity to key areas such as Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, and parts of Ekeremor, helping to reduce the state’s dependence on the national grid.

The governor also addressed the community’s call for the construction of the Igbeta–Ewoama–Okoroba road. He admitted that time was a constraint but expressed willingness to partner with federal bodies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the South-South Development Commission to make it happen.

Governor Diri thanked the people of Nembe for their warm reception and overwhelming support in the 2023 governorship election, which saw him and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, re-elected.

“We promised to come back and say thank you if re-elected. This visit is to fulfill that promise,” he said.

Several dignitaries praised the governor’s efforts during the visit, including former Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), Attorney-General Biriyai Dambo (SAN), Nembe Council Chairman Chief David Alagoa, and PDP chieftain Chief Blessing Izagara, who all commended the progress made on the Nembe–Brass road project.

Governor Diri also paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmund Daukoru (Mingi XIII), who expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitment to development. The monarch lauded Diri for returning to thank the people after the election, a gesture he described as rare among politicians.

“You’ve proved doubters wrong. You kept your word, and the blessings of this throne will remain with you,” the king said.

The governor’s entourage included several lawmakers, top government officials, and traditional leaders.

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Tinubu Can’t Be Re-Elected In 2027 – El-Rufai

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Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is an impossibility.Speaking in an interview shared on his verified X handle on Thursday, the Social Democratic Party chieftain emphasised that anyone holding a different view is out of touch with the reality in Nigeria.**El-Rufai contended that the Nigerian populace has lost confidence in both the All Progressives Congress and the current president, suggesting that they would therefore be unwilling to cast their votes for them in the upcoming general election.El-Rufai said, “Anybody that thinks it is possible for President Bola Tinubu to get re-elected is living in another country, not Nigeria. It is impossible for Bola Tinubu to get re-elected.”The former governor stated that there is no pathway for the former Lagos State governor.He said that even the weakest opposition would defeat Tinubu because Nigerians are unhappy with the APC and the policies of the current administration.“I don’t see a pathway for him,” he said.El-Rufai maintained that those defecting to the ruling party do not matter, insisting that the real target of the SDP and its emerging coalition are the voters.“It is greedy and hungry politicians and those that are looking for money, contract, appointment, office that are defecting,” he added.The former FCT minister continued, **“The other class of those defecting are those that know that the EFCC or ICPC can intimidate them, because they know what they have done if they have done what is not quite right.**“And this is what I think the SDP and the coalition of political parties or grouping that we are working with is targeting. We believe that the 2027 elections will be between the APC and Nigerians.”**El-Rufai, who supported the election of Tinubu in 2023, is now a member of the SDP and is fronting a coalition against the current administration.**El-Rufai, alongside the likes of former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among others, are leading the coalition to remove Tinubu through the ballot in 2027.

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