USA : 1ST INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, 1ST BLACK, 1ST NIGERIAN, YEMI MOBOLADE ELECTED MAYOR, REFLECTS ON HISTORIC VICTORY
Colorado Springs is getting a new mayor, and he can boast some firsts – the first Black person to be elected mayor, the first non-Republican to be elected in decades in the famously conservative city. Independent candidate Yemi Mobolade took some 57% of the vote in Tuesday’s election and will take office June 6. Mayor-elect, congratulations, and welcome to the program.
Nigerian-born Yemi Mobolade defeated his Republican challenger, Wayne Williams, in a May 16 runoff election. Mobolade, an Independent, is also the first non-Republican mayor in the city’s history. His predecessor, Mayor John Suthers, publicly endorsed Williams during the campaign.
Before getting into politics, Mobolade co-founded restaurants Good Neighbors Meeting House and The Wild Goose Meeting House. He most recently served as the Small Business Development Administrator and Vice President of Business Retention and Expansion for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Economic Development Corporation.
The mayor-elect ran on a platform of crime and safety, improving the city’s infrastructure and bringing more businesses to Colorado Springs. And his victory speech was a hopeful message to the city’s residents that positive change is on the horizon.
YEMI MOBOLADE: Thank you, Ayesha. And thank you for having me.
RASCOE: You are originally from Nigeria. What attracted you to Colorado Springs?
MOBOLADE: Yes, I moved to the U.S. 27 years ago as an international student. My siblings and I moved because of opportunity. And by fate and faith and luck, we landed in the U.S. And I spent the first 14 of those years in northern Indiana, where I met my wife. And I landed in Colorado also because of opportunity, first as a pastor and then as a business leader and now as a civic leader.
RASCOE: You said in your acceptance speech and in other interviews that you want Colorado Springs to become an inclusive city on the hill. Have you always found the city to be welcoming?
MOBOLADE: Yes. In my study – as I study other leaders and admire what makes a great city, it starts with a city that is welcoming of different cultures, different ideas, different – even different politics.
RASCOE: Are you saying that the city is not there at this point?
MOBOLADE: What I’m saying is that we’ve had a good start, and I’d like for us to fully evolve into that. So the city has started in that direction. I mean, clearly, you know, electing an immigrant as mayor is a sign that the city is actually more open and embracing of people with my story than perhaps America has heard about Colorado Springs. What I’m saying is that I have an opportunity as a leader to fully help us evolve into that even more exponentially.
RASCOE: The mayoral race is officially nonpartisan in Colorado Springs, but there’s been a lot of buzz over your win as a blow to the Republican Party. Do you see it that way?
MOBOLADE: Not at all. Frankly, that part of the media messages and cycle has felt frustrating for me because that’s not the politics I’m trying to introduce. It’s actually quite contrary to the leadership I’m trying to promote, the new way of politics I’m trying to usher. I have been clear from day one that – putting our quality of life ahead of party politics. So many of us like me in my city – 48% of us are registered unaffiliated. We are independents, and we represent so many different political values and spectrums on the continuum. So this statement is not a statement of, again, politics because this is a cancer of our nation right now. It’s what I call the tribalism that we’re seeing. And that’s the world that I left to come to this country.
RASCOE: Can I ask you, though – you are an independent candidate, but when you look at your policies, do you consider yourself progressive? Do you consider yourself conservative? How do you look at your own policies?
MOBOLADE: There are parts of my story that people would say Yemi is conservative, and what they mean is I’m a small business owner. The way I envision government is from a limited perspective. I moved to the city as a pastor. I teach at evangelical churches. So those parts of my story lend itself as conservative. And then when you look at my work in this city – has been to embrace our communities that have been so – part of our community socioeconomically that have not had a place at the table of city leadership, reaching out to the minority communities, the African community, the African American communities, and trying to provide economic opportunities and trying to serve as a bridge to parts of our communities that have been traditionally left out from the table. That would be, quote, unquote, “more progressive.”
RASCOE: So I know you said that there are a lot of people who feel like they don’t have a home politically in this country. What do you feel like the movement or what you are trying to do – what would that home look like for you if it doesn’t necessarily neatly fit within the two-party system that is currently in place?
MOBOLADE: Right. The home is just being Americans – red, white and blue. That is a home. And for me, the home for my city is Colorado Springs. We are Colorado Springs. That’s my – that was my campaign brand. It takes all of us, not just some of us. That is a home – getting back to who we are as Americans. And I think two things can be true at the same time. I think I can hold on to my strong values and still have room for others to be welcome at the table.
RASCOE: That’s Colorado Springs Mayor-elect Yemi Mobolade. Thank you so much for speaking with us.
MOBOLADE: Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate your time today.
Additional reports :NPR transcripts, Push News 24 International
AMUWO ODOFIN: TINUBU WILL NOT LABOUR IN VAIN – SANUSI
Breathing a sigh of relief from the aborted NLC strike over subsidy removal, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Prince Lanre Sanusi has declared confidently to Nigerians that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will not labour in vain and will succeed as the 16th President of Nigeria.
According to the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 House of Representative Candidate, Tinubu’s attributes and his efforts in reaching out to those that matters stands him out as a responsive and transformational leader who is interested in the welfare and economic prosperity of the people.
He said: “For a long time I have nursed the feeling that Tinubu will be Nigeria’s President because I see in him a true Nigerian who believes in everybody regardless of his tribe, creed or faith.”
Speaking while receiving some party leaders in his Constituency on Monday, Sanusi said the idea of reaching out to stakeholders regarding Nigeria affairs rather than grandstanding is what will differentiate Tinubu from other past leaders.
PLS as he is fondly called, also reaffirmed Asiwaju administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and other self employed Nigerians as mentioned during his presidential campaigns.
Speaking to Push News 24 International, Sanusi emphasized that the welfare of workers and indeed Nigerians would remain a top priority throughout this administration.”
Despite not been the spokesperson for the government, PLS said as a party man he owes his constituents in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency the duty to update and guide them through various policy decisions of government and how it will affect them.
Sanusi expressed his appreciation for the unreserved support of his constituents in the last general elections and assured that his cardinal mandate would be to focus on enhancing the well-being of all stakeholders in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency.
“I want to assure you that Asiwaju will continue to look for ways and means to improve the life of all workers so that they will continue to be more intellectually built with improve efficiency and professionalism in carrying out their duties.
“I also want to assure that this next four years, the welfare of Nigerians will be of priorities, as this current administration is poise to return the country back to economic development and prosperity.” he said.
Sanusi acknowledging the role of the public servants and labour movement significant contributions to the successful implementation of government policies and programs was quick to advise that no one or group should be coerced against his or her will. He attributed the past achievements of Asiwaju to the harmonious relationship between the labour movement, public service and political office holders, stressing that the new president of Nigeria will not labour in vain.
Amuwo Odofin: APC Chieftain and House of Representatives Candidate for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, Prince Lanre A Sanusi (PLS) has reacted to Hon Femi Gbajabiamila’s appointment as Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a release made available to Push News 24 International , PLS describe the appointment as well deserving and an affirmative action confirming the sterling qualities of the Speaker.
The Lagos Prince further counseled the speaker stressing that “As the Chief of staff, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the executives role, promoting dialogue and cooperation among the members of the federal executive council, and ensuring that the voice of the people is heard and respected“.
Below is the details of his congratulatory message to Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as received by Push News 24 International.
Dear Rt Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila,
Congratulations on your well-deserved appointment as the Chief of staff to the President of the federal republic of Nigeria! This remarkable achievement is a testament to your exceptional leadership skills, unwavering dedication, and the trust that the nation have placed in you.
Your Appointment as the Chief of staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a significant milestone in your already illustrious political career. Your commitment to public service and your relentless pursuit of progress and prosperity for the Nigerian people have earned you this esteemed position. It is clear that the nation recognize your remarkable qualities as a leader through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Your experience and expertise will undoubtedly serve you well in this new role. As the Chief of staff, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the executives role, promoting dialogue and cooperation among the members of the federal executive council, and ensuring that the voice of the people is heard and respected. Your leadership will be instrumental in advancing the renewed hope agenda of the president and all progressive congress, contributing to the overall development and progress of Nigeria.
We are confident that under your stewardship as the chief of staff to the office of federal republic of nigeria president will thrive. Your commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability will inspire the nation, generation next, motivate them to work together towards the betterment of the nation. Your passion for service and your ability to build consensus will foster an environment of collaboration and unity among members of the federal executive council and the nation.
As you embark on this new chapter, please know that you have the support and well wishes of the Nigerian people. We are confident that you will lead with integrity, wisdom, and a deep sense of responsibility. Your dedication to the welfare of the citizens of Nigeria is admirable, and we are excited to see the positive impact you will make as the chief of staff to the president of the federal republic of nigeria.
Once again, congratulations on your appointment as the chief of staff to the president of the federal republic of nigeria. May you continue to inspire and lead with excellence, and may your tenure bring about positive change and progress for our great nation.
Warmest regards, Prince Lanre A Sanusi PLS Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency Lagos, Nigeria
TAJUDEEN ABASS : ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE QUINTESSENTIAL SPEAKER OF THE 10TH ASSEMBLY
The 10th National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, is expected to be inaugurated by June, 2023.
As expected, the race for who will be the next Speaker and Deputy Speaker is already gathering momentum, as aspirants and their supporters are consulting politicians and relevant stakeholders that may help them realize their ambition.
For the Speakership position, no fewer than 10 persons have indicated interest to take over from current Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila. The position just like the three other presiding offices in both chambers are expected to be zoned to the various geopolitical areas of the country.
As it is now, the President-elect is from the South-west while the Vice President-elect is from the North-East. In line with existing arrangement, South East, South South, North Central and North West, are expected to fill other positions in the Assembly.
There are also calls to balance the religious faiths as both the President-elect and Vice President-elect are Muslims.
However, lawmakers are divided over the geopolitical zones to produce the presiding officers of the federal parliament.
Push News 24 International cannreliably report that the President-Elect has given his blessings to the Chairman of the House Committees on land transport, Hon. Tajudeen Abass.
Abass also has been researched widely to have the highest chances of becoming the speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
The choice of Abass is the outcome of a survey conducted by Legislative Trends Assessors, a parliamentary research-based organisation.
In the Report released by the organisation and signed by the Director, Communication, Research and Strategy, Dr. Abubakar Tijani, in Abuja at the weekend, the poll conducted among members-elect gave Abass a clear lead. He said that 292 members-elect were interviewed, out of which 188 voted in favour of Abass while 10 other candidates shared the remaining 104 votes.
Indeed the race to produce the Speaker of the 10th House Representatives is more intense as the lifetime of the current 9th Assembly is gradually winding down. The contest is interestingly throwing up different individuals that are in their own rights deemed qualified.
Meanwhile, a few of the reelected ranking members of the House of Representatives with geo-political advantage to succeed the current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, have equally made their intentions known. However, the most outstanding of the lot is the lawmaker representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
The Iyan Zazzau is undoubtedly an outstanding lawmaker who has naturally earned the love and respect of the majority of his colleagues at the green legislative chamber. He has, over the years, proven himself as a natural leader that is innately built to be the first amongst his equals at the House of Representatives.
Tajudeen is the House Committee Chairman for Land Transport and he has convinced every of his colleagues that he is the best prepared and most qualified person to be the Speaker of the 10th Assembly. The Iyan Zazzau can be readily likened to a very good product that markets itself.
Tajudeen’s speakership ambition has indeed been faithfully endorsed by several professional bodies and a large majority of the newly elected and reelected members of the House of Representatives.
Tajudeen possesses all the needed qualities to be the next Speaker of the 10th Assembly. He is enviably educated and eminently experienced to preside over the affairs of the House. The highly resourceful Kaduna born lawmaker is manifestly of unblemished integrity which has earned him respect amongst his colleagues at the National Assembly.
He has distinguished himself as the only federal lawmaker from the North-West who has thus far sponsored unprecedented 74 bills. Abbas also stands out as a man that is most suitable in character, experience and academic qualifications to preside over the House. He is a man of impeccable character and his moral standing as well as intellect depth is far beyond any trace of doubt.
The 59 year-old is a man that is awesomely cool, calm, calculated and highly experienced in the business of lawmaking. He has served in various committees of the House that include National Planning and Economic Development, Public Procurement, Defence, Social Duties, Finance and Commerce. The Iyan Zazzau also served as the Vice Chairman of the Legislative Compliance Committee from May 2011 to May 2015.
The vastly experienced legislator is a doctorate degree holder in Business Management from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto. He was awarded his PhD in the year 2010. Earlier, the lawmaker had, in 1993, obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University. Iyan Zazzau is also a Bachelor’s degree holder in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He obtained a degree with flying colours in 1988.
Tajudeen also obtained a Diploma in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University in 1984. He had much earlier attended Kaduna Teacher’s College (KTC) where he obtained a grade II certificate in 1981. He also studied and passed his West African School Certificate Examination at the Government Secondary School, Makarfi in 1978. He had earlier obtained his First School Leaving Certificate at the LEA Primary School, Lemu, Zaria in 1976.
The federal lawmaker has a very robust career trajectory that covers education, management and marketing. He worked as a primary school teacher from 1981 to 1988 with the Education Department of Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He afterwards worked with Trust Acceptance Limited as an Investment Officer from 1988 to 1989. He also worked at the Bursary Department of Kaduna State Polytechnic as Accountant II in 1989.
Tajudeen picked interest in academics when he took up employment as Lecturer II and equally doubled as the pioneer Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance Department of Kaduna State Polytechnic Zaria from 1989 to 1993. He however left the academic environment to pick up employment with the Nigeria Tobacco Distributions Company Plc, now known as British–American Tobacco as Area Marketing Manager from 1993 to 1998.
Meanwhile, Tajudeen also worked as the General Manager of Jos Tobacco Distribution Company Limited from 1998 to 2001. He equally found his way back to academics in 2001 when he served as the Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in the Banking and Finance Department of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria till 2005. He afterwards moved to the Kaduna State University, Kaduna in 2005 where he worked at the Accounting Department as Lecturer I and the pioneer Head of the Department until year 2010.
The highly resourceful federal lawmaker successfully published 13 academic papers in international journals and also attended more than forty national and international seminars and conferences while working as a lecturer.
In 2011, he, however, contested and won election as a member representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He was made the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Compliance and served in this position until 2015. He was in 2015 re-elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also served as the Chairman of House Committee on Solid Mineral until 2019.
The Iyan Zazzau is a member and Fellow of several professional bodies. He became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILTS) in year 2020. He also became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketers in 2013 and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administrators in 2016. He was decorated as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management in 2010 and also became Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Nigeria in 2015. He also became an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management in 2008.
The outstanding qualities of Tajudeen have earned him several honours within and outside of Nigeria. In year 2019, he was made the Treasurer of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (African Chapter). In the same year, he was also made a Governing Council member of the Nigeria Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) where he represents the North West Geo Political Zone till date. He served as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Adhoc Committees on four different occasions from 2015 to 2022.
Tajudeen has won several back-to-back awards as the Best Performing House of Representatives member for several years. Above all, Tajudeen sponsored 43 Bills and 13 Motions in the 8th Assembly which was the 3rd highest number of Bills from any member. In the 9th Assembly, he equally sponsored 78 Bills and 7 Motions which turned out to be the highest by any member in the House. Interestingly, 20 of the Bills sponsored by Abbas have been assented by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Remarkably, Tajudeen has been the APC Caucus Leader for Kaduna State in the House of Representatives from 2019 till date. He also served as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Constitutional Review Conference for the North-Central in 2021.
Tajudeen has seen it all in the House of Representatives and he definitely possesses all the leadership attributes to become the next Speaker of the 10th Assembly.
The happily married lawmaker is obviously the right man for the speakership position and he is evidently poised to be the best Speaker that will ever preside over the affairs of the House of Representatives.
LAGOS STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FELICITATES WITH PRINCE RABIU ADIO OLUWA, ONE OF LAGOS STATE G.A.C MEMBERS ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSAY.
…………..Recounts Him As One The Brain Boxes Of All Progressives Congress In Lagos State……..
……………..Beseeches God For Longetivity Of Life And sound Health For Him………………
……………..Describes Him As A Mentor And Leader Worthy Of Celebration And Emulation………….
“The joy of every business owner is to see the business thriving. The joy of every teacher is to see the students become successful. The joy of every parent is to see the child growing to become somebody in life.
On the other hand, in replication, It is also a thing of joy seeing one’s teacher, leader, guardian, director, adviser, educator and mentor being celebrated on a special day like today.
“Whatever ways people have been describing Prince Rabiu Adio Oluwa, a worthy member of Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the Apex Leader of APC Lagos West Senatorial District he befittingly deserves the accolades showered on him as a proven Progressive, a Leader, a Mentor, a Grassrooter Mayor, a Visionary Personality, a Solid Mobilizer, a Stabilizer, a Socialite and Political Strategist”~ Lagos State Executive Council.
“Indeed you have proven yourself as a bulwark of democracy, a quintessential leader, a true servant of the people, a role model, particularly to all young progressive politicians in Lagos State and in Nigeria.
Through clear actions and deeds, you have unambiguously demonstrated high values and contributed immensely to the development/stability of our noble party and Lagos State”, they extol the diehard progressive leader.
Today is not only special for you, but also for everyone you’ve touched through your many acts of exemplary and fatherly leadership.
Our prayer from the #GreaterLagos team, ably led by the workaholic Captain, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu for you on this auspicious occasion of your birth anniversary is that God Almighty grant you long life in good health and happiness, protect you against all evils, uplift you in all facets of life, above all, take you to the very peak of your heart desire (Amen).
May this day mark the beginning of greater exploits to come in your life Sir.
US 2024 : DESPITE CLOCKING 82, JOE BIDEN DECLARES RE-ELECTION BID, POISE TO BE US OLDEST PRESIDENT
President Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony honoring the Council of Chief State School Officers’ 2023 Teachers of the Year in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, April 24, 2023 in Washington. President Biden announced 2024 reelection bid Tuesday.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish the job” he began when he was sworn in to office and to set aside their concerns about extending the run of America’s oldest president for another four years.
Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a second term, is betting his first-term legislative achievements and more than 50 years of experience in Washington will count for more than concerns over his age. He faces a smooth path to winning his party’s nomination, with no serious Democratic rivals. But he’s still set for a hard-fought struggle to retain the presidency in a bitterly divided nation.
The announcement, in a three-minute video, comes on the four-year anniversary of when Biden declared for the White House in 2019, promising to heal the “soul of the nation” amid the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump — a goal that has remained elusive.
“I said we are in a battle for the soul of America, and we still are,” Biden said. “The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer.”
While the question of seeking reelection has been a given for most modern presidents, that’s not always been the case for Biden, as a notable swath of Democratic voters have indicated they would prefer he not run, in part because of his age — concerns Biden has called “totally legitimate” but ones he did not address head-on in the launch video.
Yet few things have unified Democratic voters like the prospect of Trump returning to power. And Biden’s political standing within his party stabilized after Democrats notched a stronger-than-expected performance in last year’s midterm elections, as the president set out to run again on the same themes that buoyed his party last fall, particularly on preserving access to abortion.
“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred,” Biden said in the launch video, which painted the Republican Party as extremists trying to roll back access to abortion, cut Social Security, limit voting rights and ban books they disagree with. “Around the country, MAGA extremists are lining up to take those bedrock freedoms away.”
“This is not a time to be complacent,” Biden added. “That’s why I’m running for reelection.”
As the contours of the campaign begin to take shape, Biden plans to campaign on his record. He spent his first two years as president combating the coronavirus pandemic and pushing through major bills such as the bipartisan infrastructure package and legislation to promote high-tech manufacturing and climate measures. With Republicans now in control of the House, Biden has shifted his focus to implementing those massive laws and making sure voters credit him for the improvements, while sharpening the contrast with the GOP ahead of an expected showdown over raising the nation’s borrowing limit that could have debilitating consequences for the country’s economy.
But the president also has multiple policy goals and unmet promises from his first campaign that he’s pitching voters on giving him another chance to fulfill.
“Let’s finish this job. I know we can,” Biden said in the video, repeating a mantra he said a dozen times during his State of the Union address in February, listing everything from passing a ban on assault-style weapons and lowering the cost of prescription drugs to codifying a national right to abortion after the Supreme Court’s ruling last year overturning Roe v. Wade.
Buoyed by the midterm results, Biden plans to continue to cast all Republicans as embracing what he calls “ultra-MAGA” politics — a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan — regardless of whether his predecessor ends up on the 2024 ballot. He’s spent the last several months road-testing campaign themes, including painting Republicans as fighting for tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy while trying to cut social safety net benefits relied on by everyday Americans and roll back access to abortion services.
Biden, speaking over brief video clips and photographs of key moments in his presidency, snapshots of diverse Americans and flashes of his outspoken Republican foes, including Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, exhorted supporters that “this is our moment” to “defend democracy. Stand up for our personal freedoms. Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights.”
Biden also plans to point to his work over the past two years shoring up American alliances, leading a global coalition to support Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s invasion and returning the U.S. to the Paris climate accord. But public support in the U.S. for Ukraine has softened in recent months, and some voters question the tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance flowing to Kyiv.
The president faces lingering criticism over his administration’s chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of war, which undercut the image of competence he aimed to portray to the world, and he finds himself the target of GOP attacks over his immigration and economic policies.
As a candidate in 2020, Biden pitched voters on his familiarity with the halls of power in Washington and his relationships around the world as he promised to return a sense of normalcy to the country amid Trump’s tumultuous presidency and the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
But even back then, Biden was acutely aware of voters’ concerns about his age.
“Look, I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else,” Biden said in March 2020, as he campaigned in Michigan with younger Democrats, including now-Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “There’s an entire generation of leaders you saw stand behind me. They are the future of this country.”
Three years later, the president now 80, Biden allies say his time in office has demonstrated that he saw himself as more of a transformational than a transitional leader.
Still, many Democrats would prefer that Biden didn’t run again. A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows just 47% of Democrats say they want him to seek a second term, up from 37% in February. And Biden’s verbal — and occasional physical — stumbles have become fodder among the GOP, which has sought to cast him as unfit for office.
Biden, on multiple occasions, has brushed back concerns about his age, saying simply, “Watch me.”
During a routine physical in February, his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, declared him “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to handle his White House responsibilities.
Aides acknowledge that while some in his party might prefer an alternative to Biden, there is anything but consensus within their diverse coalition on who that might be. And they insist that when Biden is compared with whomever the GOP nominates, Democrats and independents will rally around Biden.
For now, the 76-year-old Trump is the favorite to emerge as the Republican nominee, creating the potential of a historic sequel to the bitterly fought 2020 campaign. But Trump faces significant hurdles of his own, including the designation of being the first former president to face criminal charges. The remaining GOP field is volatile, with DeSantis emerging as an early alternative to Trump. DeSantis’ stature is also in question, however, amid questions about his readiness to campaign outside of his increasingly Republican-leaning state.
To prevail again, Biden will need to revive the alliance of young voters and Black voters — particularly women — along with blue-collar Midwesterners, moderates and disaffected Republicans who helped him win in 2020. He’ll have to again carry the so-called “blue wall” in the Upper Midwest, while protecting his position in Georgia and Arizona, longtime GOP strongholds that he narrowly won in his last campaign.
Biden’s reelection bid comes as the nation weathers uncertain economic crosscurrents. Inflation is ticking down after hitting the highest rate in a generation, driving up the price of goods and services, but unemployment is at a 50-year low, and the economy is showing signs of resilience despite Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.
Presidents typically try to delay their reelection announcements to maintain the advantages of incumbency and skate above the political fray for as long as possible while their rivals trade jabs. But the leg up offered by being in the White House can be rickety — three of the last seven presidents have lost reelection, most recently Trump in 2020.
Biden’s announcement is roughly consistent with the timeline followed by then-President Barack Obama, who waited until April 2011 to declare for a second term. Trump launched his reelection bid on the day he was sworn in in 2017.
Biden is not expected to dramatically alter his day-to-day schedule as a candidate — at least not immediately — with aides believing his strongest political asset is showing the American people that he is governing. And if he follows the Obama playbook, he may not hold any formal campaign rallies until well into 2024. Obama didn’t hold a reelection rally until May 2012.
On Tuesday, Biden named White House adviser Julie Chávez Rodríguez to serve as campaign manager and Quentin Fulks, who ran Sen. Raphael Warnock’s reelection campaign in Georgia last year, to serve as principal deputy campaign manager. Reps. Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Jim Clyburn and Veronica Escobar; Sens. Chris Coons and Tammy Duckworth; entertainment mogul and Democratic mega-donor Jeffrey Katzenberg; and Whitmer will serve as campaign co-chairs.
On the heels of the announcement Tuesday, Biden was set to deliver remarks to union members before hosting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit at the White House. He plans to meet with party donors in Washington later this week.
Biden’s formal go-ahead comes after months of public incredulity that the president would seek another term despite plentiful signs that he was intent on doing so.
Ahead of the president’s announcement, first lady Jill Biden expressed disbelief at the persistent questions about her husband’s intent to run.
“How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it?” she told The Associated Press in late February. “He says he’s not done.”
U.S. announces new favourable visa regime for Nigerians
The United States government has said from March 1, validity period for visitors’ visas for Nigerians wishing to travel temporarily to the U.S for business or tourism would be increased from 24 to 60 months.
The U.S Embassy in Abuja disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The Embassy stated that the visa validity extension would allow Nigerians use the visa for 60 months to make short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew it.
“Effective March 1, 2023, the U.S. Mission will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism.
“The visa validity extension allows Nigerians to use the visa for 60 months to make short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew their visa.
“The visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase as a result of the increased visa validity,” the statement read in part.
Increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the United States to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria, the embassy said.
“The U.S. Mission continues to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Appointments for No-Interview Visa Renewals are readily available,” the embassy added.
On the No-Interview Visa Renewal policy the embassy stated that: “You may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if your application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined only) visa, and you meet each of the following criteria:
“You are physically present in Nigeria, your previous visa was issued in Nigeria, your previous visa is in the same classification as your current application, your previous visa was a full-validity, multiple-entry visa.
“Your previous visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next 3 months from the date of application.
“You have all your passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.
“You have never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offence in the United States, even if you later received a waiver or pardon.
“You have never worked without authorisation or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.
“Please see our website at https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ for further information.
“If you are qualified based on the above criteria, visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng to start your application.
“Please note that processing times for the programme are expected to be up to two months and you will not be able to retrieve your passport during that time.
The U.S. says increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by it to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria.
The United States government has said from March 1, validity period for visitors’ visas for Nigerians wishing to travel temporarily to the U.S for business or tourism would be increased from 24 to 60 months.
The U.S Embassy in Abuja disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The Embassy stated that the visa validity extension would allow Nigerians use the visa for 60 months to make short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew it.
“Effective March 1, 2023, the U.S. Mission will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism.
“The visa validity extension allows Nigerians to use the visa for 60 months to make short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew their visa.
“The visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase as a result of the increased visa validity,” the statement read in part.
Increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the United States to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria, the embassy said.
“The U.S. Mission continues to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Appointments for No-Interview Visa Renewals are readily available,” the embassy added.
On the No-Interview Visa Renewal policy the embassy stated that: “You may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if your application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined only) visa, and you meet each of the following criteria:
“You are physically present in Nigeria, your previous visa was issued in Nigeria, your previous visa is in the same classification as your current application, your previous visa was a full-validity, multiple-entry visa.
“Your previous visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next 3 months from the date of application.
“You have all your passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.
“You have never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offence in the United States, even if you later received a waiver or pardon.
“You have never worked without authorisation or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.
“Please see our website at https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ for further information. “If you are qualified based on the above criteria, visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng to start your application.
“Please note that processing times for the programme are expected to be up to two months and you will not be able to retrieve your passport during that time.
“Each applicant must individually meet the criteria; minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria on their own,” the Embassy further stated.
The Embassy also explained that for applicants on a life-or-death emergency, they may request an expedited, in-person interview.
It however added that to accommodate “No-Interview Visa Renewals”, appointments will be very limited.
The embassy also noted that business travel, conferences, weddings, and graduations are not considered emergencies.
“If you have an emergency and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng or +234-1-227-8955 to request an emergency appointment.
“Third parties unaffiliated with U.S. Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos may seek to take advantage of various visa services to target visa applicants with fraudulent offers or claims.
“Applicants should fill out their own forms and make their appointments themselves via the official websites.
“As future opportunities for Interview Waiver appointments become available, they will be communicated via our website.
“Remember to rely on information only from genuine sources: https://travel.state.gov, https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/, and https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng.
“Avoid becoming the victim of a scam,” the Embassy advised.
Two-year US visa interview delay frustrates Nigerians
Travellers looking to visit the United States for tourism, business and family visits have expressed their frustration over delays in securing interview dates in order to get visas.
BusinessDay’s findings show that the earliest time to get interviews dates is in 2024, while the ‘DropBox’ option is only open for those whose visas expired within a space of two years.
DropBox is the facility or process used to apply for visa renewal without the visa interview. It is a facility to submit documents without an interview. The DropBox facility makes visa renewals quick and easy by helping applicants eliminate the in-person visa interview requirement.
Any applicant whose visa expired beyond two years and those who are applying for the first time will have to apply to get interview dates.
Applicants for US visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the embassy in Abuja or the consulate general in Lagos. Applicants are required to schedule an appointment for the interview, either online or through a call centre.
Apart from students, those travelling for emergencies and medicals, the earliest interview dates are years from now.
“We hardly get people buying tickets to travel to the United States for family visits, business or tourism because the process of getting the visas is very discouraging. Applicants will have to wait for over two years to secure interview dates and they are not even sure of getting the visas eventually,” Gina Ogonna, a travel agent at Green Travels, told Push News.
Ogonna said sometimes, even students are not issued early dates for interviews, despite having their Form I-20, which proves that a person is legally enrolled in a programme of study in the US.
She said the situation had made more students seek admission in the United Kingdom and other countries, saying the long wait for US visa interviews was affecting travels to the country.
The travel agent said the situation might have led to the suspension of Delta Air Lines’ direct nonstop service between New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport and Lagos three weeks ago.
Delta said customers impacted by its suspended New York-JFK-Lagos service would be re-accommodated on Delta-operated flights or service operated by its joint venture partners.
Push News 24 International findings show that Nigeria is not the only country affected by the development but has a longer wait time to secure interview dates. In Brazil, the wait time is 760 days, in Guyana it is 900 days.
The US Department of State blamed the pandemic for the backlogs.
David Bier, associate director of immigration policy at the Libertarian Cato Institute, said the two-year, pandemic-induced lockdown of US consulates around the world halted visa services.
“They just stopped doing work during COVID. And that produced what we’re seeing now, which is year-plus waits, massive backlogs and all the problems associated with that,” he told VOA.
Though wait times vary significantly from consulate to consulate, Bier said, “it is the worst it’s ever been since 9/11.”
The latest State Department data from its consulates show the wait for some visa interviews can routinely be more than a year, and the majority of consulates now take more than six months to schedule an interview for a tourist or business traveller.
In a February 2022 letter to the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, members of the US Chamber Travel Coalition urged the Biden administration to ease domestic and international travel requirements and coordinate with other countries to ease travel between countries.
Travellers looking to visit the United States for tourism, business and family visits have expressed their frustration over delays in securing interview dates in order to get visas.
BusinessDay’s findings show that the earliest time to get interviews dates is in 2024, while the ‘DropBox’ option is only open for those whose visas expired within a space of two years.
DropBox is the facility or process used to apply for visa renewal without the visa interview. It is a facility to submit documents without an interview. The DropBox facility makes visa renewals quick and easy by helping applicants eliminate the in-person visa interview requirement.
Any applicant whose visa expired beyond two years and those who are applying for the first time will have to apply to get interview dates.
Applicants for US visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the embassy in Abuja or the consulate general in Lagos. Applicants are required to schedule an appointment for the interview, either online or through a call centre.
Apart from students, those travelling for emergencies and medicals, the earliest interview dates are years from now.
Read also; US Consulate explains new visa programme, says not drop box
“We hardly get people buying tickets to travel to the United States for family visits, business or tourism because the process of getting the visas is very discouraging. Applicants will have to wait for over two years to secure interview dates and they are not even sure of getting the visas eventually,” Gina Ogonna, a travel agent at Green Travels, told the media.
Ogonna said sometimes, even students are not issued early dates for interviews, despite having their Form I-20, which proves that a person is legally enrolled in a programme of study in the US.
She said the situation had made more students seek admission in the United Kingdom and other countries, saying the long wait for US visa interviews was affecting travels to the country.
The travel agent said the situation might have led to the suspension of Delta Air Lines’ direct nonstop service between New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport and Lagos three weeks ago.
Delta said customers impacted by its suspended New York-JFK-Lagos service would be re-accommodated on Delta-operated flights or service operated by its joint venture partners.
BusinessDay’s finding show that Nigeria is not the only country affected by the development but has a longer wait time to secure interview dates. In Brazil, the wait time is 760 days, in Guyana it is 900 days.
The US Department of State blamed the pandemic for the backlogs.
David Bier, associate director of immigration policy at the Libertarian Cato Institute, said the two-year, pandemic-induced lockdown of US consulates around the world halted visa services.
“They just stopped doing work during COVID. And that produced what we’re seeing now, which is year-plus waits, massive backlogs and all the problems associated with that,” he told VOA.
Though wait times vary significantly from consulate to consulate, Bier said, “it is the worst it’s ever been since 9/11.”
The latest State Department data from its consulates show the wait for some visa interviews can routinely be more than a year, and the majority of consulates now take more than six months to schedule an interview for a tourist or business traveller.
In a February 2022 letter to the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, members of the US Chamber Travel Coalition urged the Biden administration to ease domestic and international travel requirements and coordinate with other countries to ease travel between countries.
The coalition is made up of Airlines for America, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US Travel Association. It wrote that as other sectors of the economy reached a full recovery, business travel spending was about 50 percent below 2019 levels and international travel spending was down 78 percent compared with 2019.
“Imagine if you just got pregnant and would like your mother to come and take care of the baby, if your mother starts applying for a visa today, that baby will be over one year old by the time your mother is interviewed, ” a travel agent said.
Some applicants said they had applied for admission into various institutions in the US earlier this year, after which they were given admission and provided with Form I-20, which enabled them to book an interview appointment.
They however said it was very difficult to secure early interview dates after paying the necessary fee required by the US consulate.
“I am supposed to resume studies in the first week of September but my interview date is fixed for almost the end of October. This means I would have missed out from school activities for over one month and would have to catch up with things when I resume,” an applicant who identified himself as Chisom told BusinessDay.
Susan Akporiaye, president of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), said the US embassy had not opened for full operations since COVID-19.
She said: “They have really not opened and that is why people can’t get appointment dates till 2025. They have not started visa processes but they only opened for students, medical and emergencies. I had a meeting with the consular when she came for the launch of the resumption of United Airlines in Nigeria. I told her that by the end of this year, all Nigerian visas would have expired and people won’t be able to travel.
“They said they’re working on something and not too long after that, they resumed the ‘Drop Box’; and said if people’s visas expire within two years, they will be eligible for ‘DropBox’. This means that for instance, people whose visas expire between 2019 and 2022 can apply for a DropBox,” Akporiaye said.
She hinted that those whose visas have expired for more than two years would have to wait for interview dates. “People are seeing appointment dates till 2025 because they are hoping that before then, they will have started full operations. When they did the Drop Box option, a lot of people got their visas renewed,” she added.
The NANTA president said some students did not get US visas because they did not submit the right documents.
She said: “The I-20 form qualifies students to get dates and they use the interview option for them and their interview dates are always available. It is the I-20 number that the system recognises.
“For emergency cases, the US consulate will book any day available and send a request to applicants to provide all the documents to prove that the case is an emergency. The onus now lies on the US consulate to treat the cases as emergencies or not. If they check and find out that it is not an emergency, they may not attend to the person.”
According to Akporiaye, those travelling for tourism, family visits, and businesses whose visas have expired after two years or those applying for the first time would have to apply for interview dates and wait till 2025 for their interviews.
When contacted, a spokesperson for the US Mission in Nigeria told BusinessDay that the Department of State remains committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the US by both immigrant and nonimmigrant travellers.
According to the spokesperson, the US Embassy in Abuja and the US Consulate in Lagos are currently providing the full range of consular services, including processing all categories of nonimmigrant visas.
He said: “To address visa demand in Nigeria despite the ongoing challenges resulting from COVID closures and restrictions, the US Mission has introduced a number of initiatives including processing nonimmigrant visas without an interview for those who qualify.
“In the last few months, Consular Sections in Abuja and Lagos have processed over 95,000 non-immigrant visas. Demand continues to exceed appointment availability; however, and this is likely to be the case for the foreseeable future.”
The spokesperson said applicants with an urgent need to travel should book any available appointment on ustraveldocs.com and follow the instructions to request an expedited appointment.
He said as the Consular Sections must prioritise services for US citizens, immigrant visas, and work and student visas, only the most urgent tourist and business visa cases can be expedited.
“We remain committed to lowering those wait times as quickly and safely as possible, recognizing that visas for work and tourism play a critical role in the US economy. Regular updates on estimated nonimmigrant visa wait times are available on travel.state.gov,” he said.
It is good to be the first to accomplish a feat and it feels really good to be recognised for it. Today, Push News 24 International wants to recognise a hero who should be known by all as she accomplished a great feat setting an example for African and Nigerian women.
Kofoworola Ademola was born in 1913 to the well renowned Lagos lawyer Omoba Eric Olawolu Moore, a member of an Egba royal family, and his wife Aida Arabella (née Vaughan), who descended from Scipio Vaughan (through whom she also had Cherokee ancestry.
She studied at the CMS Girls school in Lagos before proceeding to New York USA where she was admitted into the Vasser College. She moved to Portway College Reading, United Kingdom and St. Hugh’s college Oxford where she studied from 1931 to 1935.
Due to her determination and sheer ruggedness to pursue her dreams, she earned a degree in education from Oxford while at Oxford she wrote a 21-page autobiography at the insistence of Margery Perham, a British historian and a scholar on African affairs to challenge British stereotypes about Africans, she wrote of her childhood as a mixture of western cultural orientation and African orientation.
In 1939, she married Adetokunbo Ademola, a renowned Nigerian lawyer who went on to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1958 to 1972. He also doubled as the Chancellor of the University of Benin. The union was blessed with 5 children.
Lady Ademola as she is often called helped to pioneer women affairs in Nigeria. In 1958, when the National Council of Women Societies was formed she was chosen as the first president. As president, she became a board member of the International Council of Women. Ademola was also a social worker, teacher and educator, she co-founded two schools: the Girls Secondary Modern School in Lagos and New Era Girls’ Secondary School, Lagos. She was a director of the board of trustees of the UBA (United Bank For Africa) and secretary of the Western Region Scholarship Board. She also wrote children’s books, many of them based in West African folklore,
She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1959, receiving the award from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s government in the 1960s awarded her the honour of membership of the Order of the Federal Republic.
She holds a traditional chieftaincy title. She held the chieftaincy titles of the Mojibade of Ake and the Lika of Ijemo.
BREAKING: APC Dissolves Presidential Campaign Council — April 23, 2023
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) inaugurated last year to prosecute the 2023 presidential election.
The dissolution was contained in a statement on Saturday night, jointly signed by the Director General of the APC PCC, Governor Simon Bako Lalong and the Secretary of the council, James Abiodun Faleke.
The party on behalf of the chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, President Muhammadu Buhari; the president-elect, Bola Tinubu and other leaders, thanked all council members, leaders and supporters for working assiduously for the resounding victory of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“Since the campaign council began in September 2022, we have witnessed an unprecedented, relentless, and engaging mobilisation of our members nationwide and in the diaspora towards securing the majority popular votes for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential ticket. The journey has been a worthy one with our hard-won victory. The credit goes to all our members particularly, the leaders and members of the various campaign directorates.
“We would like to express our deepest appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), for his unwavering support and leadership throughout the campaign. We could not have achieved this level of success without his single-mindedness, commitment, and forthrightness.
“However, we have concluded that it is in the best interest of the campaign and its stakeholders for us to dissolve our council with immediate effect. This has become necessary to retune us towards the May 29, 2023, inauguration of the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The process of transitioning into a new era of a Renewed Hope is underway and all our energies and activities must reflect the principles underlying this process.
“We hope that you will all continue to stay involved in Nigeria’s political process and to advocate for issues that you believe in. Our democracy is stronger when we all participate in the political process with patriotism.We would like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your support, dedication, and hard work”, the statement said in part.
