The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 election

  • PDP to Buhari: Your Presidency reeks of corruption

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the integrity test and has no moral rectitude to pontificate on corruption.

    The PDP said the President has entangled himself and soiled his administration in corruption.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said if there is any person whose activities of corruption have become a threat to the coming election, it is President Buhari.

    The main opposition party accused the President of financing his campaign with looted funds, while surrounding himself with politicians indicted for corruption.

    The statement was a reaction to President Buhari’s accusation of corruption against the PDP, particularly with regards to the opposition party’s campaign expenses.

    But the PDP it has all the while refrained from calling out the President on his “various indictments” for corruption, even during his reign as a military ruler.The statement reads, “A clear reading of Mr. President’s statement today shows that he is not yet aware that Nigerians have decoded his mastery of concealments of corruption in his Presidency and are no longer interested in his failed self-acclaimed fight against corruption.

    “President Buhari presides over the most corrupt and incompetent administration in the history of our nation, for which Nigerians are very eager to go to the polls on Saturday to vote him out of office.

    “If Mr. President were to be aware, he would have discovered that his entire surrounding reeks of moral, institutional and integrity corruption.

    “But since he has consistently claimed not to be aware of anything around him, it is imperative to let him know that the fish in his pond is rotten from the head.

    “Clinical examples can be drawn from his campaign council. Nigerians are aware that not a few members of this council have been indicted for malfeasance bordering on corruption

    “Is it not strange therefore that President Buhari who wants Nigerians to perceive his administration as fighting corruption, will cast a net into the ocean and bring out only corrupt people to run his campaign?

    “The truth is that Nigerians have seen more than enough of the fake fight against corruption and have come to a conclusion that President Buhari is merely paying lip services to this fight. He has no intention to do it and even if he had the opportunity to govern perpetually, he will never fight corruption.

    “Rather than seeking for sympathy votes, President Buhari should simply admit his failure in governance and allow Nigerians to build their future by getting our nation working again under the leadership of Atiku Abubakar”.

     

  • Army, Bayelsa warn youths against electoral violence

    The Nigerian Army and the Bayelsa State Government has warned youths in different parts oft he state against violence in the forthcoming elections.

    They gave the warning while speaking to a crowd of youths during a peace marathon  to douse tension following security concerns ahead of the elections.

    The Commander 16th Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe led some officers of the command to partake in the marathon, I Run for Peace, organised by the state’s Commissioner for Youths, Udengs Eradiri.

    All the security agencies such as the Department of State Service (DSS), the police and other paramilitary agencies were involved in the race, which aimed at discouraging violence before, during and after the elections.

    Scores of physically-challenged persons, youths, government officials and residents in the state undertook the 12km marathon, which began at the Tombia roundabout Yenagoa and terminated at the Peace Park, opposite the Government House, Onopa.

    Cash awards were doled out to winners in various categories with the16th Brigade donating N200,000 to support the physically-challenged.

    Eradiri commended the military and other security agencies for support efforts of the government to ensure peace in the election period.

    Insisting that election is not war, the commissioner warned youths against engaging in acts capable of destabilizing the state in the name of election.

    He said the government of Governor Seriake Dickson had worked hard to enthrone peacenik the state and would to allow anybody to hide under elections to truncate the peace.

    Eradiri said: “This is the type of relationship that Bayelsa State is looking for. We should see security agencies as our own brother, family and friends. This run Isa contact point to reforming our society, Bayelsa.

    “There are too many drugs in the streets. We have too much of cultism. People are doing the cult as if it originated from our state. Other people use it for friendship and empowerment, but our people hide under it to kill their brothers. It must stop. Drug abuse, crimes must all stop. The government will do its bit to empower the young people and take them out of the streets.

    “So, the essence is to bring young people together to preach against violence especially in this period of the election. It is not palatable to hear that young people are dying because of elections.

    “The violence that is being caused by politicians especially politicians from Bayelsa. We must kick against it. We want to reorganise the Bayelsa society for peace through this marathon.  The result of the marathon shows that Bayelsans are ready for peaceful elections.

    “The Governor has made a lot of investment in security to ensure peace in Bayelsa. To attract investors and development, we need a peaceful Bayelsa and my ministry will continue to engage young people to bring to help them focus on peace”.

    Aligbe on his part, commended Eradiri and the state government for initiating programmes to discourage youth engagement in violence.

    He said such programmes would make the job of the military easier inter region adding that Bayelsa remained the safest state in the zone.

    He said: “As members of armed forces, we are concerned when we conduct operations, we go to communities and our internment is taken out of context. They see us as enemies. But I want to use this opportunity to tell you that the military belongs to the people.

    “Even if we have the mandate of the President, the Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs to come and operate in any community, we cannot succeed if we don’t have the mandate of the people on ground.

    “We want to close the gap between you and us so that we can protect you better and you make our job easier. Bayelsa is not all about the negative narrative that is going out there. Bayelsa is actually the safest state in the Southsouth. That is the truth.

    During elections, we should be calm in our communities. Give us information so that we can protect the society better”.

    The initiator of the event, Irvin Allen, said they mooted the idea following increasing criminal activities in the state.

    He thanked Eradiri for partnering with them to actualise the event and advised the people to vote instead of fighting.

    He said the event was apolitical adding that despite political ideologies, what they were interested was sustainable peace in the state.

     

  • 2019 polls under corruption threats, Buhari warns

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday raised the alarm that the 2019 general elections and democracy are under threats by corruption.

    He made the remark in a statement he signed.

    According to him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised concerns over laundered money being funnelled into vote buying.

    He said “On February 16th, Nigeria will hold a general election. Four years ago, the country experienced its first democratic transfer of power to the opposition since 1999. The vote in a few days will be no less significant.

    “As president, I have tried to judiciously exercise the trust vested in me to combat the problems of corruption, insecurity and an inequitable economy. All are important. But amongst them, one stands above the others as both a cause and aggravator of the rest. It is, of course, corruption.

    “A policy programme that does not have fighting corruption at its core is destined to fail. The battle against graft must be the base on which we secure the country, build our economy, provide decent infrastructure and educate the next generation.

    “This is the challenge of our generation: the variable on which our success as a nation shall be determined. But the vested interests at play can make this fight difficult. By way of their looting, the corrupt have powerful resources at their disposal. And they will use them. For when you fight corruption, you can be sure it will fight back.

    “It even threatens to undermine February’s poll and – by extension – our democracy. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised concerns over laundered money being funnelled into vote buying. This is the problem of corruption writ large. It illustrates how it lurks in all and every crevice of public life, manipulating due process in pursuit of self-preservation and perpetuation; protecting personal political and economic interests at the expense of the common good.”

    He pointed out that those who have criticised his administration’s anti-corruption drive are those who oppose its mission.

    He added “And though their lawyers may craft expensive alibis, they cannot escape that which binds them together: a raft of documents and barely legal (some clearly illegal) mechanisms – whether that be the Panama Papers, US Congress reports, shell companies or offshore bank accounts.

    “Corruption corrodes the trust on which the idea of community is founded, because one rule for the few and another for everyone else is unacceptable to anyone working honestly.

    “But as we have intensified our war on corruption, so we have found that corruption innovates to resist the law. This is not the sole domain of those Nigerians, but the international corruption industry: the unsavoury fellow-traveler of globalisation.

    “Once the enablers are let in – as they have been in the past – the greed of those they collude with grows. We have closed the door on them, but unfortunately there still remain individuals who are willing to open windows.” he said

    Stressing that concrete progress has been made, the President said that there is still much to do.

    He said that his administration has repatriated hundreds of millions of dollars stowed away in foreign banks, which he said have been transparently deployed on infrastructural projects and to directly empower the poorest in the society.

    He went on “More is still to come from our international partners in France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Yet the hundreds of billions sifted out of the country for the best part of this century promise more.

    “We have secured high profile convictions, but greater cases remain. Lawyers table endless objections to obstruct court proceedings, whilst their clients hope it lasts until a ‘friendly’ president is voted into office. We must continue to tighten the legal framework and ensure the authorities have the investigative powers at their disposal to secure sentences. Only then will we begin to neutralise the advantages the corrupt have.”

    The President said that more ghost workers must be removed from government payroll.

    According to him, almost $550million has been saved from identifying phantom employees.

    “More can be recovered through our whistle-blower policy ($370 million has been returned since its launch in 2016). More is still to come. But, together, we shall prevail over corruption.

    “A Yoruba proverb states that only the patient one can milk a lion. Likewise, victory over corruption is difficult, but not impossible. We must not flounder in our resolve. I know many Nigerians would like to see faster action. So do I. But so too must we follow due process and exercise restraint, ensuring allegation never takes the place of evidence. For that is not the Nigeria we should wish to build.

    “There is no doubt that this Administration has changed the way we tackle corruption. The choice before voters is this: Do we continue forward on this testing path against corruption? Or do revert to the past, resigned to the falsehood that it is just the-way-things-are-done? Or that it is just too difficult – too pervasive – to fix?

    “I know which one I would choose. It is why I am asking Nigerians for another four years to serve them.” he stated

  • I’ve delivered on my campaign promises, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday declared that his administration has delivered on its promises made to Nigerians in 2015.

    Buhari spoke at the old Banquet Hall of the State House during the presentation of the book, “Nigeria on Firmer Ground, Towards Lasting Peace & Progress,” put together by the Presidential Media Team.

    According to him, his administration is ready to do more by taking Nigeria to the NEXT LEVEL of development, prosperity, peace and stability.

    He said “Coming just a week to the commencement of the 2019 general elections, there is no doubt that today’s event is very significant as the electorate is being offered more insights into the achievements of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration since we came to office in 2015.

    “From the accounts of all the earlier speakers and what can be gleaned from the book, supported by verifiable facts and figures on projects and programmes implemented in almost every State of the Federation, it is clear that our administration has delivered substantially on our campaign promises.

    “Riding on the wave of the CHANGE Agenda which we anchored on making positive impact in the three priority areas of security, economy and fighting corruption, I am convinced that we have made real progress and we are poised to do more by taking Nigeria to the NEXT LEVEL of development, prosperity, peace and stability.”

    He went on “We are also poised to make life-changing progress in infrastructure, agriculture, social investments, and much more.

    “From returning the economy to sustainable growth, degrading Boko Haram terrorists, boldly confronting the monster called corruption, history will remember this Administration as one that did what it promised and charted the path for a future of which we can all be proud.

    “Going round the country in the past weeks on our campaign stops, I believe that our message emphasizing the need to stick to the winning team and not risk returning our country to irresponsible leadership, at any level of government, has resonated with the people.

    “Their stock-in-trade is the avaricious plunder of our national assets and resources, and ordinary Nigerians are quite aware of their conduct in government.

    “Our simple message to the Nigerian electorate is to give us four more years to build and consolidate on the foundations we have painstakingly laid so that we shall all reap the benefits of what we have planted in all sectors of our society.”

    He said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government has proved to be better manager of resources.

    Read also: Rivers 2019: We are studying judgement, says APC 

    “We have proved better managers of our national assets and the limited resources available to us than past administrations, and we are committed to entrenching higher levels of accountability and transparency in the years ahead.

    “As the nation prepares to give her citizens the opportunity to choose their leaders and representatives in the next few weeks, I urge all Nigerians to exercise their civic duty in an atmosphere of peace and security.”

    He urged the youths not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians in the coming elections.

    “Let us remember that elections will come and go, but we need a country in which to live. I am appealing to our youths: do not allow yourselves to be used by desperate politicians to violate the sanctity of the ballot and endanger our country.

    “I assure you that the security agencies will protect you as you go out to vote without fear of violence or molestation.”

    The President also commended the Presidential Media Team, the Buhari Media Organisation and other stakeholders for helping Nigerians to understand more of what this administration has done by producing the book, and presenting it to the public.

    At the book presentation the National leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that unlike other past leaders who were helping friends, President Buhari decided to work for the masses.

    Tinubu, who was represented by Dele Alake, said “Buhari’s government took a different approach. People have murmured his inaugural address statement that “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” was aimed at me.

    “Well, I find that strange indeed as those words were what I wanted him to say and wanted him to be.

    “Unlike others whose stated policy is to enrich friends, Buhari took the nobler position that it was better to help the millions of hard-working but anonymous common folk instead of maintaining the national economy in the status of a festive party for a select few.

    “True to his word, President Buhari has achieved a lot in his time in office despite our strained financial condition due to shrunken oil prices.

    “Through focused policies, the Buhari administration has set the foundation for enduring growth of a diversifying economy not unduly reliant on an increasingly unreliable foreign appetite for crude oil.

    “Let our economy stand on its own feet and not be overly beholden to motorists in New York City, London or Paris. I believe such sovereign economics are, in the long term, the soundest economics.” he said

    He added “The President has managed to return Nigeria to the path of growth. Our foreign exchange reserves have been rebuilt. Inflation has been brought under control and our balance of trade steadily improved.

    “These macroeconomic indicators point to an economy that, under the watchful eye of the President, is steadily recovering.

    “But we must also recognise that positive economic statistics mean little to ordinary Nigerians striving to put food on their tables.

    “Our party, the APC is a party of compassion and progressivism. Despite the relatively meagre revenues of this government compared to prior governments, the Buhari administration set out to do what the other governments cared not to do. That is to give direct care to the nation’s poorest and most put upon citizens.

    “Our primary school feeding program and monthly stipends for the poor feed millions, enable children to remain in school, and have energized local economies by creating scores of thousands of jobs while providing a measure of economic security to our poorest citizens.” he stated

    The former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, who reviewed the book, described those equating the TraderMoni programme of the Federal Government and the Bank of Industry to vote-buying as fools.

    Calling a revolving loan given to the market women to aid their petty trading vote-buying, he said, was nothing but foolery.

    According to him, the government had said before its implementation across the country, that the fund was approved by the National Assembly.

    He also described the current Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, as a conspirator frustrating President Muhammadu Buhari’s return for second term.

    Osoba told the President, “Sir, on June 12, 1984, you appointed me the  Manager Director of Daily Times and Tony Momoh as the  General Manager of Daily Times. Tony Momoh reviewed your mid-term from Daily Times; I am now reviewing your four years.

    “I keep telling people that if anybody fails under Buhari, it must be his fault and he must be careless person because when you appointed, throughout the tenure of Buhari, he never invited myself or Momoh, or interfere in whatsoever it was we were doing in DailyTimes.

    “I believe that God gave us Buhari to restore the years that corruption has eaten deep into our fabrics.

    “Quoting Abba Kyari, funds that were meant to support our soldiers were diverted; Contractors, godfathers and politicians helped themselves to millions and as a result many of those on the frontline and those they were supposed to protect were killed.

    “These were all the problems inherited by this administration by those who are seeking to return to power, God forbid

    “Still quoting Abba Kyari, he said that in the boom years, from 2000 to 2015 almost nothing was saved and almost nothing was invested.

    “So, when the oil price crashed in 2016, we had no spare capacity to boost production and check the shock.

    “It is my strong belief that God gave us Buhari, a man of towering integrity to restore the years that locust of corruption has eaten deep into our fabrics. May we never go back to those years.”

    Osoba went on “Yesterday, the Alake of Egba Land took the rail from Lagos to Abeokuta; for me 61 years ago from  Abeokuta to Oshogbo. 1958. Mr President I am going to present you a picture of me in a train 61 years ago, 1958.

    “The train went dead; we in Yoruba land are always with you because your philosophy is same with our political father,  Awolowo whose philosophy is welfarism and egalitarianism. We will massively support you in Ogun State and Yoruba land in general.” he stated

    According to him, in the 2003 election (under Obasanjo), the total votes cast for the President was 1.6m while as governors, they got a total of about one million.

    He said that the court described what happened in Ogun State as criminal.

    “It is not my words but that of the court.” he said

    In other serious nations, he said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should have been impeached.

    He said that the government could not account for the 600000 votes.

    The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole noted that Obasanjo destroyed the Nigeria textile industry during his tenure.

    He wondered why the former President would allow his friends to be importing into the country with duty-free while prohibiting certain categories of textiles.

    Oshiomhole also faulted his policy of allowing those with rice millers waiver to import certain quantity of rice.

    He said that he had no apology to those complaining that things are hard in the country, stressing that there must be pain in getting the country back on track.

    The former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, who unveiled the book, said that it is a compendium which contains the summary of the activities of the current administration.

    Stressing that the easiest thing that doesn’t require intelligence is criticism, he urged critics to get a copy of the book in order to get enlightened.

    To Buhari, he said, “No Nigerian has the capacity to pull genuine crowd like you.”

    According to him, there is need to give the President another four to complete the good work he has started.

  • 53 parties endorse Buhari ahead of APC rally in Lagos

    ..Atiku’s plan a strategy of lies, says Fashola

    Ahead of the Saturday mega rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, a coalition of 53 political parties has endorsed the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the decision was based on the president’s achievements in the last three years.

    The coalition, under the banner of Coalition of Political Parties in Lagos State (COPPILS), declared its support for Buhari at an event held in Surulere.

    The event was witnessed by the Minister for Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, APC’s National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala, the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and lawmaker representing Lagos East in the Senate, Gbenga Ashafa, among others.

    Director of Publicity of the coalition, Mallam Shakirudeen Olofin, said the 53 parties had directed their members to work with the APC to deliver Lagos to Buhari, noting that they took the decision to support the APC presidential candidate because of the infrastructure projects of Buhari administration in the Southwest.

    According to a communiqué issued by the coalition and signed by its convener, Hon. Akinola Obadia, the APC-led Federal Government had sited more projects in Lagos to consolidate the status of the state as the fastest growing economy in Africa. The coalition said the strides must be sustained for sustainable development.

    The communiqué read: “Based on the numerous achievements of the President Buhari in the last three and half years, which include reduction in $5 million importation spending, infrastructure projects on Lagos-Ibadan axis and the flag of Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonsoki-Ojota Expressway, the coalition hereby endorses the candidacy of President Buhari.”

    Hailing the decision of parties to support President Buhari’s re-election bid, Fashola said Lagos residents had no choice than to return APC to power. He said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in its 16 years dominance at the centre, left infrastructure in the state to rot, pointing out that the opposition party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had no plan for the country.

    Fashola described the PDP presidential candidate’s policy paper as “strategy of lies”, saying Atiku’s plan is impracticable. He said Buhari’s investment in infrastructural renewal was unprecedented, adding that the “Next Level” slogan of the APC was strategically coined in preparation for the projected job creation and economic upswing that would come as dividends of Buhari’s investment in infrastructure.

    Sanwo-Olu said Buhari’s achievements in four years could not be compared to PDP’s 16 years in power, saying the APC-led Federal Government had initiated and completed 143 road projects across the nation since 2015. He said Buhari’s victory at the general election must be collective responsibility.

  • Breaking: INEC extends collection of PVCs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has extended the collection date of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) till Monday 11th.

    Announcing the extension, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu also said the staff will be at their duty post even at the weekend to ensure that all registered voters get their PVCs.

    Besides, he said the time of collection has also been extended till 6 pm.

    The commission has also directed that all staff across the country be deployed for the purpose.

    Read Also: INEC rules out shift of election dates

    He also said that uncollected PVCs after the extended date will be recalled and deposited at the CBN till after the general elections.

    Meanwhile, the management of INEC is in a closed door meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to review activities for the February Presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for next Saturday, 16th February, 2019.

     

    Details shortly…

  • 2019 Election and national values (1)

    Next week, Nigerians will head to polling stations to declare their preferences in the choice of a president and national legislators for four years. The president’s election is a national affair because the entire nation is the president’s constituency. By the same token, then, choosing a national president is, ultimately, an expression of the values of the nation. And a president that is elected by the free will of the people reflects their values.

    While some preferences reflect nothing more than taste, electoral preferences reflect deep-rooted moral values. Your choice of chocolate over vanilla cake is simply a matter of what tantalizes your taste bud. However, if you prefer, say, a child molester as your governor or president, that says a lot more about your morals. For governors and presidents have responsibilities over the lives of millions of people, and not caring about their moral standing puts you in an indefensible position.

    Furthermore, as birds of a feather flock together, so humans with the same preferences and values stick together. Your preference for a child molester will naturally place you in the same party as other child molesters. If you have pleasure in racist rants, you are most likely going to end up in a political party that empowers racists. And corrupt exploiters, who feed fat on the common patrimony of the collective, will always find a home in the company of other exploiters. Even if they wonder afar for a while, they will have no rest until they find their way back to where they belong.

    Some clarification is in order. Despite the picture of fixed groups with people belonging to one or the other as painted above, we also know that there are nuances worth understanding. Some are die-hard members of specific parties because what the parties stand for jell with their preferences, whether morally debased or morally sound. But there are other groups of individuals.

    First, there are those individuals who choose to sell their birthright for a pot of porridge. They fall prey to misplaced priorities, selling their votes for a pittance that they expend within a day or two. But they end up in a lifetime of poverty because those who buy their votes have no sense of responsibility to them.

    Second, there are decent value-voting citizens who choose to stay out of political parties as independents. In close competitions, these could sway the outcome of an election. They are also the most likely to examine seriously the character of candidates, their position on issues, their background and experiences in politics and society, and the prospect of their candidacy for the masses.

    Finally, there are non-partisans who are nonetheless greatly invested in elections. I have in mind ethnic voters whose preference is dictated by the ethnic nationality to which they belong. Interestingly, this presidential election is different from recent ones. It is the second one since 1999, when the two frontrunners come from the same ethnic nationality. In recent elections, we have had one candidate from the north, another from the south. This year replicates 1999 when the two major candidates came from the southwest and 2007 when Yar’ Adua, Buhari and Atiku were the frontrunners.

    One would expect, therefore, that ethnicity will not be on the ballot and ethnic champions will have no serious platform. But, of course, such a thinking reflects an underestimation of the place of ethnicity in our national space. We have heard reports of even one of the candidates questioning the ethnic authenticity of the other. Buhari doesn’t speak Fulfulde well; therefore, he is not a true Fulani, according to Atiku.

    There are also surrogates in other nationalities routing for one candidate or the other based on their assessment of his positions relative to their interest. And though the heads of the ticket are from the same nationality group, their running mates are from two of the most competitive groups, Yoruba and Igbo. To think, therefore, that ethnicity will play no role in this election is to be a dreamer. The reality is that it will, at least, to some extent.

    If we cannot wish away the role of ethnic calculations, what can we truly and realistically expect to be on top of the reasonings that everyone with a thinking cap brings to bear on their decision to vote one candidate or the other?

    Let me make another assumption. There are probably good reasons why some may not be enthusiastic about voting. Beside the IPOB loyalists harkening to the voice of Kanu to stay home or participate in his referendum, there are those who are disgusted about the choice presented to them and would rather not venture to the polls. This is, of course, a weak excuse and a dangerous position to take. Many who took similar position in the 2016 US elections are living to regret it.

    For those who would not shirk their civic responsibility, the question remains, what are their priorities? On what basis are they thumb-printing their ballot papers? What reasoning process have they been through? I assume that they have been inundated with campaign slogans and promises of all the candidates, especially the leading ones. What messages have stuck with them as worth their consideration?

    It is fair to suggest that the priorities of the electorates, from security, economy and jobs, to anti-corruption, restructuring and infrastructure, are as diverse as the nation’s demographics. The candidates naturally take their cue from this. Thus, President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the two leading candidates, have in varying degrees focused on infrastructure, security, economy, anti-corruption and restructuring. How do we assess their claims and promises?

    Restructuring is high on Atiku’s agenda. It’s the reason for the support he receives from some southwest, southeast, and south-south leaders. How does he plan to do this? How seriously is he to be taken? It is instructive to note that among his powerful endorsers is former President Obasanjo who has been contemptuous of restructuring. Will Atiku dare his former boss again? Can Atiku single-handedly restructure the country without national and state legislatures?  How about his NEF supporters? While presidential leadership is important, it is hardly enough.

    APC promised devolution of power in 2015. A party committee submitted a report; but intra-party politics surfaced. The promise is back in its 2019 manifesto. Is there reason for us to keep hope alive?

    The war against corruption has been President Buhari’s forte and his political party has made much of it. He has dared anyone with a knowledge of corruption about him or his family to come forward. Even with powerful enemies along the way, he has vowed not to shy away from the fight.

    Atiku has made a similar pledge. However, he continues to be under a cloud of suspicion. His chief endorser and campaigner, President Obasanjo, has been unapologetic about his allegation that Atiku is a corrupt politician. It’s in black and white. Atiku is still under investigation in the U.S. for corruption. In a moment of unintended frankness, he declared on national television that he would use the presidency to enrich his friends.

    Beside the candidates, it is also important for neutral electorates to consider the stand and background of political parties on whose platform they are running. PDP ruled the country for 16 years. What was its record? Both Atiku and Obi, his running mate, are on record publicly accusing their party of mismanagement of the country’s resources from 1999 to 2015.

    PDP Chairman Secondus publicly apologized to the nation for his party’s performance. That was only a couple of years ago. The same leaders who led its failure are still in the leadership role. Obasanjo who left the party and tore his membership card publicly is also back routing for its presidential candidate. But no one has told the nation how the party has changed in the last four years. What evidence of change when it has not been in power since that apology? As to Obasanjo’s vouching for a changed Atiku, what evidence is there since Atiku has not held any elective or appointive position since 2007?

    To be continued.

     

  • 2019: US ambassador warns against violence

    The United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart W. Symington on Thursday said those who incite violence in Nigeria would be held responsible.

    Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom in Government House Makurdi, Stuart Symington said the process of election in the county must be free and fair for the people to choose their leaders at all Level.

    Read also: PDP to El-Rufai: direct your attacks at Buhari

    The Ambassador also held a closed-door meeting with the APC Benue State Gubernatorial flag bearer,  Hon. Emmanuel Jime and members of his campaign Organisation at the campaign headquarters of the Jime/ Ode campaign organization in Makurdi.

    He, however, did not speak to newsmen after the meeting with Jime, but zoom off to unknown destination amidst tight security.

  • FG invited our observers, EU replies El-Rufai

    The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on Wednesday replied Governor Nasir El-Rufai and said its observers were invited for the February poll by the Federal Government.

    It said its observers are always impartial and do not interfere in the electoral process.

    It also clarified that its observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to – and beyond – the 16 February elections.

    The EU EOM, which made its position known in a statement in Abuja, said the “security of EU observers is of paramount importance and will remain under constant review.”

    The statement said: “We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February.

    “The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country. The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for the 2019 general elections.

    “EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.”

    Notwithstanding, the EU said its observers will continue to do their work while their security remains under constant review.

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    While the security of EU observers is of paramount importance, and will remain under constant review, EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to – and beyond – the 16 February elections.

    The statement added: “For the last month the mission’s team in Abuja, as well as 40 long-term observers across the country, have followed the elections.

    “We have met with a wide range of candidates, parties, election officials, security agencies, and civil society organizations, and have enjoyed good cooperation at federal and state levels.

    The mission looks at all aspects of the election, including the campaign tone, the transparency of the election administration, the neutrality of security forces, and the independence of the judiciary.“

  • 2019: IDPs won’t vote in Niger – INEC

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Niger state, Professor Sam Egwu has disclosed that there will be no Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) voting in Niger state because INEC does not recognize any IDP camp in the state.

    Egwu stated this while interacting with newsmen at the Niger state INEC office in Minna.

    He declared that INEC did not include Niger state among the states captured for IDP voting adding that no preparation had been done to that aspect.

    “IDP voting will not take place in Niger state. We have never recorded any official IDP camp in the state, so none has been recognized so far. Those who were said to be displaced have returned back to their homes where they can vote. ”

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    The Resident Electoral Commissioner then said that only 6,436 out of 22,839 who requested for transfer of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had collected their PVC calling on others to ensure they collect their PVC before the close of collection by INEC.

    He added that there are over 2.39 million eligible voters in Niger state who are expected to vote on the forthcoming elections.

    He declared the preparedness of INEC in the state to conduct the forthcoming elections adding that they are gradually overcoming the logistical challenges they envisage may crop up.