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Taiwan president says China threat growing ‘every day’ as Biden criticises Beijing

Taiwan is on the “front lines” in the fight for democracy as the threat from China grows “every day”, its president Tsai Ing-wen has said, as US president Joe Biden criticised China’s “coercive” actions in the Taiwan Strait.

The democratically elected Tsai told CNN she remained open to dialogue with China’s leader Xi Jinping, but amid increased risk of military action she had “faith” that the US would come to the island’s defence.

She also confirmed the presence of US military trainers on the island, the first time she has personally done so. But she it was “not as many as people thought”, adding: “We have a wide range of cooperation with the US aiming at increasing our defence capability.”

In an interview recorded on Tuesday, Tsai repeated calls for other democracies in the region, including Japan, Australia and South Korea, to help support Taiwan.

“When authoritarian regimes demonstrate expansionist tendencies, democratic countries should come together to stand against them. Taiwan is on the front lines.”

Tsai said the Chinese Communist party needed to decide what sort of relationship it wanted with the world.

“Does Xi want to have a peaceful relationship with everybody in the region or in the world, or does he want to be a in a dominant position so that everybody listens to him, listens to China?” she said.

China is becoming increasingly isolated on the world stage as Xi stands by the goal of annexing Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a province of China, and has not ruled out using force to “reunify”.

Tsai first came to power in 2016, and was reelected in 2020. Beijing considers her stance – that Taiwan is a sovereign nation with no need to declare independence – to be separatist, and has refused to engage with her government. Speaking to CNN, Tsai said more communication “would be helpful” between the two governments “so we can reduce misunderstandings”.

“Given our differences in terms of political systems, we can sit down and talk about our differences and try to make arrangements so we can coexist peacefully,” she said.

Asked why cross-straits dialogue had deteriorated, Tsai said the situation and China’s plan for the region had “changed a lot”.

China’s military activity in the region and acts of intimidation towards Taiwan have grown in recent years, and increased dramatically in the last few months. In the first four days of October China’s air force sent 149 warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

PLA drills and exercises have also increased in the region as China modernises and expands its military, and in response western nations and allies have increased their military presence and participation in joint exercises.

Taiwan’s military can not match China’s but Tsai has pledged to increase military spending and focus on an asymmetric defence system to make it more difficult for China to attack or consider attacking.

Last week, Biden set off alarm bells in Beijing by saying the US had a firm commitment to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of a Chinese attack. The White House later downplayed the president’s comments, which came during a CNN town hall, and said he did not mean to imply any changes in the US “one-China policy”, which recognises Beijing but allows informal relations and defence ties with Taipei.

On Tuesday Tsai told CNN people had different interpretations of Biden’s comments but she had faith the US would defend Taiwan if China made a move.

On Wednesday Biden told leaders at the east Asia Summit – an annual meeting of 18 Asia-Pacific nations which was also attended by Chinese premier Li Keqiang – of his concern at China’s actions in the Taiwan Strait, saying they undermined peace and stability in the region.

“The president also reiterated the US commitment to the international rules-based order and expressed concern over threats to that order,” the White House said in a statement. “He made clear that the United States will continue to stand with allies and partners in support of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and freedom of the seas.”

His comments came after China said Taiwan had no right to join the United Nations, in response to a US call for the democratic island to have greater involvement in the world body.

In a statement marking 50 years since the UN general assembly voted to seat Beijing and boot out Taipei, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said on Tuesday he regretted that Taiwan had been increasingly excluded on the world stage.

“Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system is not a political issue, but a pragmatic one. That is why we encourage all UN member states to join us in supporting Taiwan’s robust, meaningful participation throughout the UN system and in the international community,” he said.

In response to Blinken’s statement, China emphasised its position that Taiwan’s government had no place on the global diplomatic stage. “Taiwan has no right to join the United Nations,” Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, said. “The United Nations is an international governmental organisation composed of sovereign states … Taiwan is a part of China.”

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Publish names of contractors who disappeared with N167bn meant for 31 MDAs’, SERAP tells Tinubu

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to disclose the specific names of the companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) but failed to execute any projects.” SERAP is also seeking “the details of the projects for which the contractors collected N167 billion, and the proposed locations, as well as the number of contractors involved and the amount collected by each contractor.” These damning revelations are documented in the recently released 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

SERAP said, “The details to be published should include the names of shareholders and others that might have any ownership interests in the companies that collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs but disappeared with the money without executing any projects.”

SERAP urged him “to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly bring to justice, as appropriate, any companies and contractors who collected the over N167 billion of public funds but failed to execute any projects.”

SERAP also urged him “to name and shame the companies and contractors and to ensure the recovery of the over N167 billion reportedly collected by them for projects not executed. The recovered money should be fully remitted to the treasury.”

In the letter dated 30 November 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Publishing the names will make it hard for companies and contractors to get away with complicity in grand corruption.”

SERAP said, “Holding the companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs but disappeared with the money would also prevent and combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the spending of public funds.”

The letter, read in part: “The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) alone reportedly paid N100 billion to companies and contractors for projects not executed.”

“It is important to show that your government would not shield or allow ingrained wrongdoing by companies and contractors to go unpunished.”

“Unless the names of the companies and contractors are disclosed and widely published, alleged corrupt companies and contractors executing public projects will not be deterred and the victims of corruption that they allegedly committed will continue to be denied access to justice and effective remedies.”

“The allegations of corruption involving many companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs have continued to impair, obstruct and undermine access of poor Nigerians to public goods and services.”

“According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation published on Wednesday 13 November 2024, thirty one (31) ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) paid over N167 billion [N167,592,177,559.40] to companies and contractors for contracts and projects not executed.”

“Companies and contractors reportedly collected N100 billion from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) for contracts and projects not executed.”

“The thirty other MDAs including Nigerian Correctional Service; National Pension Commission, Abuja; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri; and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Office.”

“Others include: Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger state; National Centre for Women Development; Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB); Federal University of Gasua; and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.”

“The companies and contractors that allegedly disappeared with public funds meant for public projects may also be liable for aiding and abetting the commission of acts of grand corruption.”

“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Failure to take punitive and dissuasive measures would allow corrupt companies and contractors to continue to undermine the rule of law and socio-economic development of the country.”

“Senior public officials who apparently served as intermediaries for these companies and contractors continue to escape justice. The allegations of corruption involving the use of the public funds may be responsible for the developmental challenges confronting the country and lack of effective and efficient public goods and services.”

“The allegations that the companies and contractors collected over N167 billion of public funds from 31 MDAs but failed to execute any projects clearly amount to a fundamental breach of national anticorruption laws and the country’s international anticorruption obligations.”

“The consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”

“Another consequence of corruption is the growing inequality in the country, where the privileged few have access to all public resources, while the vast majority of citizens are deprived of access to public services.”

“Corruption undermines economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of opportunities.”

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“The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Accountant-General of the Federation have sacred duties to ensure that natural resources and wealth are transparently and accountably used solely for the purposes for which they are budgeted, and for the effective development of public goods and services.”

“Your government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds are spent by MDAs, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.”

“The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to practice.”

“Ensuring the accountability of companies and contractors and the recovery of any missing public funds would improve public accountability in MDAs.”

“Accountability requires transparency. Nigerians’ right to a democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government, and have an opportunity to assess progress and assign blame.

“The UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party contains requirements of integrity and honesty in economic, financial or commercial activities-in the public and private sectors.”

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“It also imposes obligations on the government to ensure that sanctions imposed for corruption on natural and legal persons are effective, proportionate and dissuasive.”

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”

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The Good Life Nigerians Lived Before Petrol Subsidy Removal Was Fake – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigerians lived fake lives before the petrol subsidy removal in 2023.

Tinubu stated this while speaking at the 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo state on Saturday.

According to the president, the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of exchange rates was necessary to save Nigeria from the brink of collapse.

Represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole, Tinubu disclosed that his administration took decisive action to avert economic disaster and secure the future of Nigerians.

He said: “As you are all aware, we took the baton of authority at a time when our economy was nose-diving as a result of heavy debts from fuel and dollar subsidies.”

“The subsidies were meant to support the poor and make life better for all Nigerians. We are all aware of the fact that the poor and average Nigerians were the sufferers of what was supposed to give them succour and an improved standard of living.

“Unfortunately, the good life we thought we were living was a fake one that was capable of leading the country to a total collapse unless drastic efforts were urgently taken.”

The president emphasised the real reasons his administration has to quickly remove the fuel subsidy.

“The need to salvage the future of our children, and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and also unify the exchange rates. I am not unaware of the consequences of the tough decisions on our people. I sincerely wish there could be softer options.”

The president also expressed dismay over the widespread migration of youths in search of “greener pastures.

“Many of our youths have chosen the supposed easy option of emigrating to the proverbial greener pastures where their citizens had rolled up their sleeves to bring their nations back from the brinks in their times of trouble. ”

He noted that this led to the brain drain syndrome that we now experience in all areas of our endeavours as a nation.

Tinubu however said the renewed hope agenda of his administration is on track, assuring Nigerians of his resolve to remain steadfast in its pursuit of a better and greater Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Adenike Oladiji boasted of the quality of education and research at the university. She equally noted that the University is fully committed to contributing to the technological advancement of Nigeria.

Prof Oladiji urged the graduands to ensure they utilize their knowledge to advance themselves as well as society

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Ondo election: Court trashes suit challenging Aiyedatiwa deputy’s credentials

The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has squashed the suit challenging the qualifications of Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, both candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The suit was filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the election, Agboola Ajayi, through his legal counsel, M Ndoka (SAN)

Delivering his judgement, the Presiding judge, Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke declared that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to file the suit

She added that the case filed by Ajayi and his party, the PDP, was statute-barred, being filed outside the 14 days required by the Electoral Act.

Justice Adegoke therefore ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, having filed through originating summons instead of a Writ of Summons.

In his originating summons, the plaintiff said the first defendant, the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adelami, is known by multiple conflicting and irreconcilable names of Adelami Owolabi Jackson and Olaide Owolabi Adelami; arguing that with the conflicting names, the court should disqualify him and the governorship candidate.

He therefore sought a “Declaration that the APC has no validly nominated governorship and deputy governorship candidate for the 2024 election”.

Ajayi asked for an order disqualifying the defendants from participating in the election and order and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from publishing their names or allowing them to participate in the election.

However, Remi Olatubora (SAN), Counsel to Adelami, argued that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) result has the name Adelami Owolabi Jackson in 1974 and that a degree certificate from Ambrose Alli University issued in 1982 has the name Adelami Olaide Owolabi.

Olatubora said the grievance of the plaintiffs is not about discrepancies in the name but the order or arrangements of the names.

Other defence counsels, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) who represented Governor Aiyedatiwa, the second defendant, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) who represented the APC, and Charles Edosan (SAN) who represented INEC, agree with the position of Dr. Olatubora.

According to Olatubora, the plaintiffs have no right to file the suit following section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 because they are not members of All Progressives Congress and did not participate in the primaries that the governorship primary that produced Adelami and Aiyedatiwa as candidates.

He submitted that “The plaintiffs lack the locus standi to file the suit or seek the reliefs set out in the originating summons; adding that the suit as a matter of law does not qualify as a pre-election matter, and this court lacks jurisdiction.”

The presiding judge ruled that the issue involving certificate forgery and perjury was criminal, which required the calling of evidence from the authorities that issued the certificates in question.

According to her, Section 29 of the Electoral Act made provision for who can challenge the candidate of political parties.

She noted that the fact that PDP and Ajayi are not aspirants in the APC primary that produced Aiyedatiwa and Adelami as candidates rubbed them off any legal right to challenge their qualifications.

Justice Adegoke, therefore declared that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, dismissed it and resolved all issues in favour of the defendants.