 Okay, welcome back. It's time to lift from off the press the headlines that made it to the front pages of the National Dailies. And we have Opponabo in Kotharia, a public affairs analyst joining us this morning. Good morning and welcome to the program, Opponabo. Morning. Good morning, Nigerians. Okay, right now we are going to do it, you know, it's like a marathon. We're starting with the leadership newspaper. Let me wear this. The leadership newspaper has some headlines here. Tinibu makes changes, we assign so Yatola, Tunji, Ojo, Momo and others. And then troops get marching orders to read Niger Forests of Terrorist in a sterile appointment. NPA N, congratulates the Donators. Okay. And 24 days after, 500 directors defy federal government's order to retire. Okay, so we're taking two headlines from here, the rearrangement of the ministers and then the defiance of the 500 directors for the federal government's order. So let's begin with rearrangement of the ministers. What are your thoughts that the president has already rearranged these ministers and changed their portfolios before the inauguration, I think, holding today? Well, it really doesn't change. Probably Mr. President would have heard and listened to the criticism that George's nominations and the portfolios are signed to the nominees. Maybe, because what I said maybe is I don't think this is a government that has listened yet. So probably we must have listened or there is a lot of pressure from within. And I think it's most likely the case, a lot of pressure from within, that is within the caucus to say, No, I think Mr. Eshu handled this portfolio, Mr. Eshu handled this portfolio. But it is far from competence, it's far from putting square pegs in square holes. Why did I say that? Because the former commissioner, who is now a minister, I forgot his former commissioner in legal states, who was also the presidential spokesman. Delia Laker. Delia Laker, also have gone to information and so on. So it's not based on competence, I don't think so. I think it's just based on internal politics, that's what it's all about. Okay. So retirement age, whatever reason, and the directors were supposed to retire, but they have defied that order and they are still staying on. What does that say about the Nigerian civil service or anything else? Your comments, please. Impurities, it raised supreme in this country, especially when it is believed that you are well connected. Otherwise, if you, even before now, there was a police cop, a police, assistant commissioner of police or chief CSP who was retired. It went viral and refused to vacate the office. You can remember, even his genius had to walk into force him out of the office. That is how seamless and how as pathetic our situation, the civil service or the government is in this country. But as if you attain retirement age, it is automatic. In fact, in those days, people were looking forward to it. I'm talking of the days of our fathers and so they are looking forward to it because they had worked for probably about 35 years and they needed to rest. And of course, they needed to pay their gratuities and their pensions to run and so. But this time around, you tell these directors to retire, they retire, they ask you to wear because of the kind of monies they steal from the minutes. Don't forget that the highest office in any ministry is a director. Every other thing is an appointment. The highest rank is a director. And the pansticks are just appointments. They choose from one director. It's like the police force. The highest rank in the police force is the commissioner of police. AID, DID and IG are political appointments. That's why you can just take a seat here and make him an IG. But you can't just take somebody in DSP and make him a seat. No. But you can take a seat here and make him an IG. And therefore, I'm not aware of these facts. So in terms of the directors, most of them, because they are probably well connected, or probably in the system, 18 people is serious. Why am I saying this? Most of them are refused to go because they feel that they have their top roots in the ministries and in the government. But it's very simple. Lifting people is serious. All they used to do is to give them a much longer. Because you're stopping the growth of the next person. And you're also ending the salary you ought not to end. What you're supposed to end now is pension. You're supposed to get your pensions and gratuities. And of course, we all know that the pensions, gratuities and the tax of office are quite different from the salaries you get. So they are robbing others and at the same time robbing the government. Because if probably your pension is, your salary is 100,000 and your pension probably could have been 50,000 or 60,000 or 40,000. What opposed to the 60,000 you're still collecting at all? The other opposed to the promotion of your younger ones. Because until that office is vacant, you can't promote anybody into that office. And the most important question to ask is why are you still there? It has to be investigated. Why are you still there? You have this number. Because probably they've been in civil service for so long so they come to know each other and they try to form a force. No, we will not allow this. You cannot. But it's possible to happen in this country because it's a lawless society. It's a society with immunity. So it's possible it can happen. How can you attain the time of being complicit? You're not going to go. Just send the policemen to go and kick them out. That's as important as CSP. Okay. So let's... They have to kick them out and stop their salaries. So I said stop their salaries. I would have said they were conniving with the ministers but we don't even have the ministers. They're not going to be spending today. But I hope that the ministers will also work on this. Their salaries should be stopped. And any money they receive from the type they were supposed to have left, they should be made to reform. It's a criminal offense. Because your salaries are not extended. Your salaries could have been extended if it was between the virus or the president or the government. But who extended their salaries? Nobody. If you're stealing money, you're not a citizen. You're stealing money. That's what they're doing. So they should be charged. They may feel charged like the SEC. Yes, they should be. But I'm so happy with them. They may feel like the SEC. They're the few who pitch what others should when they do the same thing today. Especially the SEC. So I am happy with what is going on. I'm happy. There are only young guys that is the disobedience of court orders and the transgression of law. But in all honesty, I am very happy. Let them keep them there for 50 years. But then it will become illegality. If I follow the SEC and I'm going to court. I said that's the only sad aspect of it. Disobedience of law and transgression of law. Disobedience of courts and transgression of law. Not really. It's like locking up Guari to be happy. I will be very happy. Okay, let's move forward to the punch list paper. Let's go to Dasuki and go. I'm not going to get to feel this thing. So that others, they say when they throw their phones into a pitch, others take question. So that you will know that the red does not fall on the wall. It falls on the wall. So let them feel that pinch and cry. You may be like that at that time. You cry, you shed blood. You have lost that thing. You shed blood. You are 10 exactly height and you believe you've been submitted for all kinds of problems. God has blessed you. But you don't know. You don't know what to borrow also. So it's good. They have not started. I tell you, as you see the tension in there. Matt, you're taking into the SS detention. Let me feel the tension. That's it. Feel how it feels to be in detention. And disobeying court on that. That you think. Now you're running back to the very courts. To the very courts. Disobeying court on that. But you're running back to the very court. That would be ridiculous. Yes. Okay, so the punch newspaper is also leading with FG prioritizes economy, security as ministers take oath today. So, I... Oh, ma'am. Ma'am. So ma'am. Okay. Is that newspaper? What... Are you bothered about audio records? No. I want to move forward from that. I want to move forward from that. Because we've touched on it. To Niger. Right on top of the punch newspaper. Yeah. Niger. Air Force rejects Junta's three-year transition plan. They said it was an assistive... It was an assistive decision. Yeah, the transition is real. You're nothing. Go ahead. Go ahead. It was... I think it was an assistive decision. I was doing the analysis. And I said to them, that was before the echo was due of their plans or made known their transition plan. And I said to them, listen, what the Junta will do is simple. They will agree to discuss. But if you listen court carefully, they said they are to discuss the effect of the sanctions. They cleverly avoided, as at that time, the issue of handing over to Junta. Now, let me also... I'm going to try to answer this. It will be extremely falling for the Junta to hand over power. To increase power and hand over to the outside president, the same man that they have. They will move from office. No matter the promises made, that don't worry, we will not come out. First and foremost, once they hand over power, they will retire. Then they have lost their powers as military corners and generals are working. That is number one. Number two, only a man with a mental, severe mental case will allow such generals who toppled him to remain. Because even the law will allow them to prosecute them for treason. Isn't it? Why will you take such a risk to restate that man? What will happen is they will come up with a program, a transition program, and allow somebody else to take over from them when they decide to leave. This was my analysis on the sisters. Just before they came up with it. And I said, let's watch carefully. You will find that they will come up with a time table and it will take them minimum of one year to reduce power. Now they are even saying three years. Because they are ready for war. These human beings are ready for war. They have the backings of other countries. And don't forget that in times of war, in times of war, you don't know the casualties. You cannot predict. Look at Russia and look at Ukraine. Look at Libya. Look at Iraq. I mean, the examples are valid. They are ready. And they know that the first targets will be several weapons states. And it's going to cascade. And that's why the doctors are saying, we don't need war. Allow these people to rule. After all, almost all leaders, what is his name? This man, Trump, he had, he plotted a coup, but it was failed. It was a civilian coup. Everywhere, every four or five years, they plot coups in Africa. Civilian coups. You know, like in Togo, your grandfather Chukuba, through the barrel of the gun, another one to somebody, you are there now for many years. When they go, they treat the constitution. And stay for 20 years. What are we talking about? I believe Nigeria, because Mexico is the last one. No. It was a civilian coup. Disagree. Just quickly disagree. There was a coup. It was a coup. Well that's your opinion. That's your opinion of Pune. We also want them to do more. We also want them to do more. I'm from the United States. Some of us have. No, war's there is a transgression. War's it is not a reflection of the people's will. What is it called? It's a coup, man. That's the truth. That's the truth. Even if it's a one-pulling unit, it's not supposed to be like that. Well, again, I said that's the opinion. The cases in court were waiting the judgment and... Yeah, that is my opinion. So the point I'm trying to make is, what locus have you? You remember they kept telling the Western world after the election, not to interfere. That as a result of our sovereignty. That's what they kept saying. That is also their sovereignty. You don't approve it. That is also their sovereignty. You cannot come and tell me that no, that is an illegal government. Who told this an illegal government? It is this country that will save the government this little or not. But you, you can't come and tell me. What do you mean I don't want the government? Britain is practicing parliamentary system of government. I'm very nice practicing the... Presidential. Sorry? Presidential. Monarchy is practicing what? Monarchy. So who told you that I must practice law? And I always tell people, they say the worst form of civility is better than the best form of which is the dust. They say lie. As a result, they say fa fa fa fa. That is a fact lie. Because look at Iraq. Look at Libya. Till today the people are regretting. No democratic government in Africa would guarantee the Libyans or those who are Iraq, who are Gaddafi and some and who say they should be. I'm not saying I endorse their decision or something. But those who live in Libya under those regimes and Libya and Iraq, they were better than Nigerians. One billion times better than Nigerians. The only difference is you cannot openly criticize the government. You should then shut up now because the government is providing negative. In Nigeria, they are not providing anything yet. If you talk about how they've been locking up, they're killing. So which is better? You talk in the night, you talk in the morning, in the night you're dead. They are not providing anything. This other one is common. Respect me, don't talk. But I'll give you everything. Free cars, everything. Which government is not better? Which one is better? So what would the civil ourselves? Why would the civil ourselves? It's not about the nomenclature. It's not about the nomenclature. It's all about what you get from the system. If you get good governance, so be it. Why do you criticize the government? Because of bad governance. Why do you criticize it? That's the truth. Yes, the military men are dictators. You dare not criticize them. But what of the civilians? I'm not talking of in other countries like America, I'm talking of Nigeria being specific. What of the civilians when you criticize them? Those that didn't, Tassuki went to court and we started there to say, why must you court them? Why did they remain there? What do you defend? What do you call that? What do you call that? Then you come and tell me, what's some of this? No, no. It is what I get as a citizen of a country that will make me know you're out of that country. Not when I provide everything. Then this man came again on board now and unleashed the greatest economic war among us. With impunity. You're saying we don't have money or we'll suffocate. But you're appointing 48 ministers. Why do you even have junior ministers? What do I do with junior ministers? What do I do with them? What are you doing with them? And you say, who's entitled to our seatbelt? Are you losing your own? Have you gone to your tailor to buy mom and dad's dress? What do I do with bulletproof? Yes, I can understand who the president and the vice president is. What kind of legislator do you do with bulletproof? What do I do with them? Who's killing you? You said they voted for you. Who's killing you? You called for an innate status symbol. Your people voted for you. So who's killing you? Are you a criminal? Do you shoot somebody? But you want to protect yourself? They want your life on the bulletproof. Not the two presidents. With all the aids. Your aids you have everywhere. And you say who to call them? Look at them, they just want to embrace. And they will give you how many millions. And people are justifying it. You're paid salary to do your work. You are not compelled. You opted, you contested because of your own volition. You're paid salary monthly to do your work. About 13, 14, 15, depending. Millions. Then you want to go and play with them. You spend extra. What are the problems you want to deal with in 2009? Okay, let's move forward. Let's move forward. So we're able to touch all the other headlines before you leave us this morning. The Guardian newspaper. Similar discussions there on the front page of The Guardian. But let's look at Forex Crisis. Worry over policy inconsistencies as CBN brings back BDCs. We saw that news on Thursday. Friday. That decision was taken on Thursday and it broke out on Friday. So what's your take on this Forex Crisis and the new policy that CBN is coming up with? Is it Nigeria? Next one to the things of policies to the heights of errors. Whoever is given an assignment will want to create an impression rightly around you. I don't I can't really tell you what the consequences are. I want to be honest with you because I've not really put that to know what really is going on because of what happened to me last week which you know we are quite aware. But I hope that's my only prayer and I've always told you I'm not an economist. I just pray that the economists are going to analyze what the CBN is doing and to ensure that it is in our own interest because the president acting governor of CBN obviously seems to need to be rather less and he lacks that confidence. Probably he's being made acting based on his position in the office. Maybe he's in command probably. I don't really know. But from what I get from some economists even on that the demand is not what is on us. It doesn't know it doesn't know exactly what he's doing. The only time I feel this in my day is when the dollar goes off. If the dollar doesn't go I'm not bothered about the economic jargon and so the GDPs and GDPs the food on the table. So that is the bottom line. So when you go and tell the market and the GDP as using the nonsense you're talking about how does that matter? I used to say I bought Gary for $10,000 today I'm buying him for $11,000 I bought Gary for $10,000 today I'm buying for $9,000 forget all these jargon and all those things the market force will speak for itself the prices in the market will speak for itself will let you know if the market is doing well or not. So on that honestly I can't really I'll be pontificating if I attempt to answer that. Okay. Yeah I don't know I think we should let up on Abogo this morning. Okay. That's one more, that's one more. Okay you have more time. I'm looking at something once I get to signal from the amongst. Okay. Maybe we'll go back to Nijie a little bit because we're talking about the fact that the junta has given a timetable for transition back to the civilian government. Yes. What do you make of the fact that ECOAS has still rejected this because some of us thought this will be an opportunity to save face because this is going to be an all out war which may give all ECOAS all that. That's a personal opinion though but they refuse to take this opportunity to do the needful and call for dialogue even more than open confrontation. ECOAS has now rejected the plan of the junta to do the transition within three years. What do you think the implication of this might be? ECOAS is just batching under CQB case. Nothing will happen. Those in ECOAS that are saying you must really engage, you must do this immediately. Some of them have been presidents or heads of states, not even presidents but you cannot have a democratic president for more than 10 years. I've been president for 15, 20 years. So what right have you to dictate in this country? That is number one. Number two, ECOAS led by Nigeria because when at all the war, the start of this war 80% of the personnel the money everything will come from Nigeria. Can we ever, considering our financial problems can we impact on this world? Our soldiers ready, these fat belly soldiers that could not contain Boko Haram and I tell you that even the Boko Haram from the military that is Boko Haram within there will be sabotage because of the northern states as well as the several northern states that are already because the civilians are the ones talking does not mean that the military is thinking otherwise. You know the military is obey the last command and what the since he says go ahead and do this. They cannot tell the since you know we are not going to do but they will move in and sabotage us because they are their brothers and most people in the army are from the north especially those at the bottom of the northern the recruits, they are from the north and the northerners are saying don't go to war, we are also going to suffer it will be sabotaged and those who are not pleased with the tribals administration and policies will exploit it to destroy to the final nail of the coffin you are going to go for wars you have not even solved your own problem yet is it because of the lifestyle of Nigerians our disintegration that is what you have done so far is it not enough to ignite a coup is it not enough these are your policies you have come up with is it not enough to ignite a coup and the largest these are the things that lead to a coup now you are afraid that if nothing is done in Niger there might be a it might be replicated here in Nigeria if whether you do anything in Niger or not when the time comes it will happen these things have spontaneous reaction when it comes to revolution it is only in the military that they will be planning but look Nigerians are happy I always say when legality is antithetical to democratic ethics and a threat to national coercion and the economy of the nation that legality must not be allowed to exist on legitimacy what is important in government is legitimacy not legality but people always think the other way when the military decrease are lost like degree 4 and degree 2 on that it is worry decrease are lost they are legal but they are illegitimate that is the question are they accepting so it is not all about legality that is why you have the issue of equity in law because equity is meant to parade the disparities of the law it is not all about legality look you push somebody to the world the proletarian in the world is that perpetrated under the shield of the law so yes but that is a law it will backfire soon because there cannot be a proletarian under the shield of the law so it is not all about legitimacy because every spiritual force are tired and the dictators act in reliance and they will be lost they put for themselves to benefit themselves so it is not all about proletarian legality it is what it is legitimate so they should allow the Nigerians they will be happy if they say 3 years, 4 years but if they say forever they will fight themselves there will be another soldier that will come up to talk about this we all face it in Nigeria after the 1966 coup we will be having military after that what happened now we are talking of 23 or 24 years of democracy a lot in Nigerians and even if you have to play international politics there are ways you can grab on like what the Americans do in other countries what the British will do in other countries Russia and so what the international politics they sponsor one group against the other group but it is from within not to send your soldier down there you can not sit there and go look I will leave you with this who the hell are you if you are a president I am also your head of state no matter how small it is no matter how small it is if you are a president of America I am the president of Nigeria you must respect me if you are coming to Nigeria you don't come and impose yourself come and dictate to me who the hell are you yes you might have more powers and so but I will also have alliances with other countries to disgrace you and that is what they want to do and there are other countries that are ready there are a lot of lies I will talk about this why are you going into this work your country is burning your whole country is burning you are leaving your home now you are going to fight and put out the fire in another country and you come to serve a leader but indeed we hope that they do not go to war with Niger because Africa cannot handle the ripple effect thank you we don't want to see war thank you so much for your time good morning thank you open our boat in Kota area has been our guest we will take a break and come back with our first hot topic stay with us