Iran’s mid-level officials and delegation walked out of the United Nations General Assembly after United States President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to “annihilate” Iran if Tehran fails to reach a deal with Washington, while declaring at the United Nations General Assembly that Cuba’s communist government was failing and “will fall”.

Trump made the remarks in a combative address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where he defended the United States’ failing months-long military campaign against Iran and warned that he could escalate the conflict rather than accept a settlement that allows Tehran to recover.

“I have a big decision to make,” Trump told world leaders gathered at the UN headquarters.

“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world?

“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”

Trump nevertheless said he believed a deal with Iran would eventually be reached, but tied his expectation to the US midterm elections.

“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election,” he said.

Trump also sought to distance himself from the electoral consequences of the November midterms, saying he was not personally on the ballot.

“I’m not running. I did that already and won in a landslide. The Republican Party is running, and I’ll be helping them, but I am not running,” he said.

The Iranian delegation walked out of the General Assembly Hall as Trump addressed the conflict, with most of the delegation leaving about 10 minutes into his speech.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were in New York for the UN gathering but were not in the hall during Trump’s address.

Trump devoted much of his roughly 40-minute address to defending his administration’s foreign policy and military actions, portraying the campaign against Iran as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and claiming that American military power had altered the balance of power in the region.

He also turned his attention to Cuba, saying his administration was seeking “a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba”.

“It’s an absolutely failed state — it’s failing like never before, and it will fall,” Trump said.

The Cuban delegation subsequently walked out of the General Assembly Hall.

Reuters reported that Trump said the Cuban government was under the greatest pressure it had ever faced and that his administration expected its political system to fall.

Trump’s remarks contrasted sharply with the emphasis on diplomacy from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who addressed the assembly shortly before him.

Lula said the wars and escalating tensions confronting the international community could not be resolved through military force alone.

“We all know there will be no winners on the battlefield,” Lula said in Portuguese. “Diplomacy is the only option.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also urged world leaders to strengthen international cooperation rather than retreat into confrontation.

“Military power alone cannot secure peace,” Guterres said in his opening address to the gathering.

Trump’s address ranged beyond Iran and Cuba to other foreign-policy disputes, including Venezuela, Gaza, Ukraine and the International Criminal Court.

He claimed credit for ending the war in Gaza and presented the United States as a central force in resolving international conflicts, even as negotiations over the next phase of the Gaza conflict remained unresolved.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his own address, sharply criticised Israel, describing it as having a “genocidal mind-set.”

Israeli delegates subsequently left the General Assembly Hall as Erdogan spoke.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also addressed the Gaza conflict, describing the situation there as “a genocide in every sense of the word.”

Trump’s UN appearance came against the backdrop of the continuing war with Iran and heightened international concern over the economic consequences of the conflict, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and elevated energy prices.

Immediately after his address, Trump signed an agreement with Denmark concerning increased US military presence in Greenland, while maintaining Danish control of the territory.

Trump said the agreement would give the United States “permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory”.

“We will have the complete ability to do what is necessary to defend the American continent and also Europe and other places,” he said.

The US President has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, but when asked whether the agreement meant Washington had abandoned that objective, he did not rule it out.

The UN General Assembly, the organisation’s main deliberative and representative body, brings together leaders and delegations from its member states each year to address international conflicts, development, security and other global issues.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his successor, Lateef Fagbemi, have offered contrasting accounts of the controversial $200m settlement reached between the Federal Government and Sunrise Power over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

While Malami said on Tuesday that the settlement was pursued in Nigeria’s interest and was not motivated by any promise of personal financial benefit, Fagbemi said the protracted dispute and litigation had held the Mambilla project “hostage” and deepened the country’s energy poverty.

Their differing positions followed a September 16 final award by an International Chamber of Commerce arbitration tribunal in Paris, which rejected Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited’s claims against Nigeria and ordered the company and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria $11.82m in legal fees and $414,125 in arbitration costs.

The dispute centres on the Mambilla project in Taraba State, whose development dates back to a 2003 agreement under which Sunrise was to construct a 3,050MW hydropower plant on a build-operate-transfer basis.

Sunrise subsequently commenced arbitration against Nigeria in 2017, seeking about $2.35bn over the project. The dispute later produced a January 2020 settlement under which Nigeria was to pay Sunrise $200m, followed by a March 2020 addendum that introduced a further $200m default provision, potentially raising Nigeria’s exposure to $400m plus interest.

In his reaction on Tuesday, Malami, through his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, rejected suggestions that his actions as AGF were undertaken pursuant to a corrupt agreement or in exchange for personal financial benefit.

“Malami rejects any suggestion that his official actions were undertaken pursuant to a corrupt agreement or in exchange for personal financial benefit,” the statement said.

Malami argued that the dispute predated his tenure as AGF, noting that the controversy had existed since 2003 and had passed through several administrations, attorneys-general and ministries.

He said the government’s consideration at the time was whether “an asserted multibillion-dollar exposure, continuing litigation, financing difficulties and delays to the Mambilla project could be brought to an end through a substantially smaller negotiated settlement.”

Malami also pointed out that the $200m settlement was never paid to Sunrise, adding that there was no evidence before the tribunal linking him to any financial benefit from the proposed arrangement.

“One obvious factual question is whether any money or other financial benefit from Sunrise, Adesanya or any connected entity was ever received by Malami pursuant to the alleged arrangement,” he said.

“The settlement money itself was never paid by the federal government to Sunrise.”

The former AGF also acknowledged that former President Muhammadu Buhari did not approve the payment, saying he subsequently instructed government lawyers to resist Sunrise’s attempt to enforce the settlement against Nigeria and preserve the Federal Government’s legal position.

Malami further cautioned against presenting the tribunal’s findings as a criminal conviction, noting that the proceedings were commercial arbitration between parties to a dispute and that he was neither a party to the proceedings nor given an opportunity to state his own side of the story.

Fagbemi, however, said the legal battle had come at a substantial cost to Nigeria, particularly in terms of the delay to the power project.

According to the AGF, the progress of the Mambilla project was “held hostage” by the “relentless litigation and arbitration” instituted by Sunrise.

He said the tribunal had established that the settlement agreement and its addendum were not binding on Nigeria because the former government officials who signed them lacked the requisite authority.

“As a result, the project has been unable to achieve financial close, depriving Nigeria and its people of the enormous economic benefits of 3,050 megawatts of clean, renewable hydroelectric power,” Fagbemi said.

He added that the consequences of the delay included “lost power generation, foregone industrial output, and continued energy poverty.”

The AGF said the tribunal’s decision sent a message that Nigeria “will not be a soft target for predatory litigation and arbitration.”

Fagbemi also commended President Bola Tinubu for maintaining that Nigeria should not succumb to what he described as “fraudulently contrived contractual agreements” and adverse claims arising from them.

The ICC tribunal, in its 616-page award, found the settlement agreements unenforceable, including on grounds of corruption and violation of Nigerian public policy. It also rejected Sunrise’s claim for $400m, while directing the company and Adesanya to bear their own legal expenses.

Malami said he would issue a comprehensive response to the tribunal’s individual findings after reviewing the full award and the underlying records.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of lying about the alleged N50bn funding from the Federal Government for the upgrade of the Ibadan International Airport.

Wike, while appearing on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout programme on Monday, had claimed that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration supported the Oyo State Government with N50bn for the airport project.

The disagreement over the airport funding comes amid an increasingly strained political relationship between Makinde and the Tinubu administration, with the governor and members of the Federal Government backing opposing political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.

Makinde, while addressing supporters at the Makinde/Daura 2027 presidential town hall meeting in Katsina on Tuesday, said the Oyo State Government did not receive any N50bn from the Federal Government for the expansion of the airport.

He asserted that the project was being fully funded by the state government.

Makinde stated, “Let me start by saying that my attention was drawn to an interview granted yesterday by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, where he said that the President gave N50bn to Oyo State to upgrade the Ibadan Airport to international standards.

“I want to say that claim is false. The President did not give Oyo State N50 bn or me to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The Ibadan Airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 per cent with the funds of Oyo State.”

Reiterating the governor’s position, his media aide, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in a statement, described Wike’s claim on the airport project as false, reckless and misleading.

Olanrewaju said there was no such N50bn approval on the project from the Federal Government to the state government, adding that the state rejected misinformation on the premise of scoring cheap political points.

Olanrewaju argued, “President Bola Tinubu’s minute on the proposal submitted to him by Governor Seyi Makinde for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Ibadan airport was ‘Approved at no cost to the Federal Government.’

“The records as stated above are with the Presidency just as they are with the Oyo State Government.

“Wike’s assertion does not originate from any Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval, or statutory aviation infrastructure process.

“It is not an official communication of the Federal Government. It is not backed by documentation. It is not grounded in fact. It is a claim made without responsibility and without regard for the truth, and should therefore be disregarded by members of the public.”

He maintained that every component of the upgrade has so far been executed and funded solely by Oyo State.

Olanrewaju added, “In line with the approval granted by the Federal Government, which clearly stated that the airport upgrade would be undertaken at no cost to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government has fully financed a comprehensive transformation of the facility.

“This includes the expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrade of the airfield lighting and navigational systems, apron improvements, construction of supporting infrastructure such as the dualised Airport Road, enhanced aviation safety installations, and ongoing work on a modern international terminal designed to significantly boost passenger and cargo capacity.”

He slammed Wike, adding that the minister should have sought the factual information rather than dishing out “fabrication and lies.”

“Wike’s statement is both untrue and unfortunate. He should have sought knowledge on the matter before going on air. Let it be stated unambiguously: The Federal Government did not give Oyo State N50bn for the Ibadan Airport upgrade. Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication and a lie from the pit of hell.

“Aviation infrastructure funding follows strict due-process channels involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other regulatory bodies. These channels are transparent, traceable, and publicly verifiable. None of them reflects the figure Mr Wike has circulated.

“The Oyo State Government will not allow misinformation, especially one of this magnitude, to be weaponised for political point-scoring or used to distort public understanding of government finances.

“The claim is not only false; it is reckless, misleading, and capable of eroding public trust if left unchallenged,” Olanrewaju said.

Makinde backs mining devolution

Meanwhile, Makinde has called for the devolution of mining responsibilities to state governments, arguing that states would perform better if given greater control over the sector.

Speaking in Katsina, Makinde proposed that the responsibility be transferred to the states, with the Federal Government retaining oversight.

Speaking in Katsina, Makinde said, “Right now, the issue of mining is on the Exclusive Legislative List in our Constitution. Devolve that responsibility to the states and let there be oversight only at the federal level. They will do better.”

APM presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor said his administration seeks to reset Nigeria’s socio-political system in areas including the economy, education and security.

Makinde stated, “We are determined to reset the economy. People will argue that Nigeria is rich in natural resources. But natural resources are not enough. You must have skills and knowledge, and you must also have intensive production.

“Our economy must work 24/7. If our economy shuts down at 7 or 8 o’clock in the evening, we cannot compete with economies that are running 24/7.

“We want to reset our education. We want to examine the data that we are being given. We want to know how many out-of-school children we have and how we get them back into school.

“We also want to reset the security architecture in Nigeria. A few days ago, we all woke up to learn about the 37 young souls who were lost in Niger State. Is it their fault that they were born in Nigeria? Is it their fault that they were looking for means of surviving? No, sir. The answer is no.”

Power transmission

Makinde also said his 2027 campaign would be issue-based, expressing concern over President Tinubu’s decision to proceed on working leave without, according to him, transmitting power.

The governor said he had always complied with the constitutional requirement as Oyo State governor by transmitting power to his deputy whenever he travelled out of the country on vacation for more than 21 days.

He questioned why a similar arrangement was not being applied at the federal level.

Makinde stated, “Section 145 of the Constitution provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.

“If the President is unable, whether through sickness, a medical trip or incapacitation, to function, we are all human. Anything can happen to anybody at any time. If that happens, the President should also transmit power to the Vice President.

“I promise you that, as your President, I will follow the Constitution to the letter. If I am not going to be available, if I am on vacation, I will transmit power to the Vice President. Record this and hold me accountable.

“So, on this basis, I want to implore you to know that what we have ahead of us is a daunting and challenging task. But if we do what we are supposed to do, with support, we can achieve it.

“And for the election, I maintain and repeat it: it won’t be APC versus APM, or APM versus ADC, or ADC versus NDC. It will be APC versus Nigerians.”

Makinde urged Nigerians to obtain their PVCs and support his proposed “Reset Agenda” to build a country that works for all citizens, irrespective of tribe, religion or region.

“So, on this note, expect me back. This is a town hall for the Northwest. I am still coming back here in Katsina, to Kaduna, to Kano, to Kebbi, to Zamfara, and to Jigawa to campaign on a state-by-state basis,” he added.

In his remarks, APM vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the gathering was to demonstrate support for the party’s presidential candidate and express Nigerians’ desire for change ahead of the 2027 general election.

Daura stated, “The North-West, and indeed Nigeria at large, is yearning for resetting Nigeria. Here in the North-West, some of our most prominent and pressing problems include, first and foremost, insecurity, and, of course, the twin brother of insecurity, which is poverty.

“Sometimes, when we try to discuss these issues, we go back and forth. But the alternative we have been looking for has been provided by His Excellency, Governor Makinde.

“One of the main points I have made is that this country needs a reset. Fortunately, that is also the mindset of our presidential candidate, and I was easily persuaded by that position and mindset. So, I want to say that, together with the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Makinde, we are ready to reset Nigeria.

“Resetting Nigeria is very important, and we are going to provide details as we proceed with our campaigns. But before that happens, I would like each and every one of us to bear in mind that we must do all we can, within the law, to exercise our civic rights, vote for change and make His Excellency, Governor Makinde, our President come 2027.”

APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, said the party’s administration under its presidential candidate, Makinde, would prioritise restoring security and normalcy in the country.

Dantalle also said the proposed administration would introduce measures aimed at encouraging citizens to make rational decisions and recognise leaders as representatives of the people.

He urged Nigerians not to doubt the sincerity of the party’s political journey, describing its commitment to the 2027 election as genuine, honest and focused on delivering the desired change.

The Katsina town hall is part of the Makinde/Daura campaign organisation’s planned nationwide consultations ahead of the 2027 election, with the campaign saying the engagements are intended to focus on national stability, citizens’ welfare and other policy issues.

The campaign organisation had announced that the Katsina engagement would kick-start its zonal town hall meetings across the six geopolitical zones, with subsequent meetings scheduled for Uyo, Lafia and Enugu.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM