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Tag: 2019 poll

  • 2019 poll is battle between common good and self-seekers, says Osinbajo

    NEXT year’s presidential poll is between public interest and selfish interest, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday.

    He said that the election will be a battle between those who want the nation’s resources for personal use and those who want the resources applied for the general good.

    Speaking at a consultative forum organised by the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (BSG) in Abuja, Prof Osinbajo said that those who are wishing the President dead do so because they see him blocking them from plundering the nation’s wealth.

    Osinbajo also launched a doo-to-door campaign in Nyanya and Kara areas of the FCT for President Buhari’s re-election.

    He visited the Alhaji S. K. Ahmed family home in Nyanya and the Jimoko compound in Kara.

    Osinbajo, who described the President as a honest and truthful man, said the fear of the President has made some people not only desperate, but mad, pointing out that “their style is to sustain their cycle of lies so that people will begin to believe it”.

    He went on: “Come February 2019, the APC will, by the grace of God, win the general elections. We will return President Buhari to office for a second term. The election will be a historic one.

    “It is a battle between those who want our country’s resources to be used for our country and her people, and those who want to privatise the commonwealth.

    “The man who stands against the forces of retrogression, but with the future of our children is the man called Muhammadu Buhari.

    “He is not a perfect man, but he is a honest and truthful man; a man who wants to use the resources of this country for the common man. Between 2010 and 2014, our nation earned the highest amount ever in the history from oil – $383 billion. Just to compare in the same period we have earned less than $112 billion. But where are the roads, the rail and the power?

    “When we came into office, over 22 states were owing between three to six months of salaries. The President insisted we must support the states to pay.  Yet, when we came into office, oil was down to $30 a barrel and we were earning 60 per cent less than the previous government.”

    The vice president said the government “in the past three years, spent N2.7 trillion on infrastructure, the highest in the history of the country. How? “We are not stealing the money. We are using it for the people. So, today, we are doing major roads in 36 states, Lagos-Kano railway; Warri, Aladja, Mambilla and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.”

    “We are feeding 9.2 million children every day; we are giving two million petty traders a better deal in life with Tradermoni. We have now employed 50, 000 graduate under the NPower Programme; we are giving at least 400,000 of the poorest Nigerians 5, 000 a month because Buhari is the gate-keeper and has stopped grand corruption.

    “So, despite the fact that we are earning 60 per cent less, we are doing five times more. This is why there is a gang up by the discredited elite against him.  They prayed for him to die, he didn’t die. When he came back hale and hearty by the grace of the almighty God, they mourned while Nigerians rejoiced.

    “The fear of Buhari makes people desperate, even crazy. So, now they say he is Jubrin from Sudan. If you can’t discredit him, say he doesn’t exist! They were all alive and well when Pastor Adeboye went to London and prayed for him the day before he returned to Nigeria. How will one Jubrin sit in FEC and conduct meetings, consults with his ministers, speaks to me daily.

    “Their strategy is simple: if you tell often enough, some will believe you. Buhari is not only alive and well, he will, by God’s grace, live long and well after his second term in office.

    “Let me commend all of us members of the National Committee on Buhari Support Groups. You are the vanguard of the battle for the soul of our nation. We are going forward; we are going higher; we are going to the ‘Next Level’. God bless Nigeria God bless the APC.”

    Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Committee of Nigerians Support Groups, Senator Abu Ibrahim, said “the group is expected to serve as the base for the operations of a planned Strategic Communication Platform for Advocacy and Social Engineering (SCOPASE) that will seek to actively engage the society, especially the youth, and draw them firmly into the governance process as key stakeholders.”

    He said that members of the groups share President Buhari’s unwavering commitment to put Nigeria back on the path of cohesive national growth and development hinged on the huge human and natural assets.

    Read also: Always stand for truth, Osinbajo charges Nigerians

    The Katsina State-born politician said the President “has tirelessly and selflessly worked to put the economy back on track in the last 36 months and the indicators testify to the progress we have made thus far.”

    “Inflation has been on the downward trend generally for more than a year, the manufacturing sector has seen consistent growth in output through friendly policies, the agricultural sector has not only put millions back to rewarding work, it has inched Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency in food production, and the deliberate ease of doing business drive has seen a boom in micro, small and medium-scale enterprises and engineered renewed foreign investment interest in the economy.

    “High-impact social investment programmes have engaged hundreds of thousands of youths, small scale businesses are receiving some token to boost their businesses, millions of school children are being fed with nutritious meals daily and tens of thousands of indigent citizens are being provided succour through a Conditional Cash Transfer scheme.

    “A prudent management style has seen our foreign reserves approach $50 billion for the first time in many years(relatively lower average foreign earnings notwithstanding) even while pursuing some investments and aggressively executing infrastructure development projects in the maritime, power, railways and roads sub-sectors.

    “That projects abandoned in the years of surplus earnings are now being successfully executed with much less income is testimony to Mr. President’s love and dedication to Nigeria. He has shown exemplary aversion to the plundering of our collective patrimony and has given pertinent organs of government the free hand with which to rein-in the monster of corruption that had blighted our national psyche for decades.

    “Though it is not yet Uhuru, and we still have challenges to confront as a determined multi-cultural developing nation, Nigeria has made real progress under President Buhari. Those who have feasted fat on her fortunes in the past (and who, now painfully have to part with their illegitimate earnings) may see things differently. But we join the millions of Nigerians, especially young ones, now taking advantage of new opportunities in the economy, to state without fear of contradiction that our years of desolate wandering are over.

    “In President Buhari we have a leader we can be sure, will never use his office and use our collective sacrifices to feed his personal financial empire.

    “We can go to sleep knowing very well that Mr. President will not be entertaining nocturnal meetings at which our common destinies are packaged and shared amongst a kleptomaniac few. He is true to his promises and will do everything humanly possible to fulfil them.”

  • 2019 poll: Atiku meets Wike ahead of campaign kick off

    Ahead of the opening of his campaign today, Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) presidential candidate  Atiku Abubakar yesterday met with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who resigned as the Southsouth co-ordinator of the campaign.

    Atiku was begging Wike, assuring the governor that he will henceforth be involved in key campaign decisions.

    The governor said he had no grouses against Atiku, but the leadership of the PDP which was trying to sideline him.

    Wike may today rescind his decision to resign as the Southsouth Coordinator of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council.

    Wike has ruled out leaving PDP, said a cabinet source.

    Atiku may also reconcile  the leadership of the party and Wike on issues raised by the governor.

    But Atiku’s Special Assistant, Public Communications, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, said: “The PCC is intact; there is no cause for alarm.”

    He insisted that the purported resignation of Wike was “speculative”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the meeting. He said: “Atiku and Wike met on Sunday (yesterday) in Abuja and they had fruitful and frank discussions. We are good to go with our campaign as from Monday (today).

    “The governor used the opportunity to list his grouses against the leadership of PDP, especially the emerging trend of marginalising him in key decisions connected with the campaign.

    “At the session, Atiku promised to address the challenges identified by Wike and he also assured him that he will facilitate a reconciliation with the party hierarchy.

    “Atiku implored him to withdraw his purported resignation by putting the nation, 2019 poll battle and the interest of the party above other interests.

    “Based in the soothing words from Atiku, the governor may today rescind his decision to resign as the party’s Southsouth coordinator.”

    An executive council source in Rivers State, who spoke in confidence, said: “I have not been able to link up with the governor today but one thing is certain, Governor Nyesom Wike will not leave PDP no matter how rough the situation is.”

    “The so-called deepening face-off between Atiku and Wike should be regarded as  a mere cliche,  figment of the imagination of the writers of such fiction, because there is nothing as such.

    “ Governor Wike’s purported resignation as Southsouth PDP Presidential campaign co-ordinator is still in the realm of speculation.

    “Wike is a solid and unshakable PDP leader. His contributions to the survival and sustenance of the party to become the formidable force it is today have been unsurpassed.

    “As a total party man,  his first priority in the 2019 election is to secure Rivers state for the PDP and he knows that with the Presidential election coming first, all hands must be on deck and no stone must be left unturned to ensure that the bandwagon effect of a PDP presidential election victory will flow into his own governorship election in March.

    “However, should the speculation of his resignation as a regional campaign coordinator have any real meaning, then Governor Wike must have very good and impeccable reasons for his decision which must be in the overall interest of the party.”

  • 2019 poll: EFCC to monitor donations to parties

    Donors to political parties were put on notice yesterday that the law will keep an eye on them.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu said the agency would monitor donations to political parties during next year’s polls and the identities of the donors.

    He warned political office holders against diverting public funds to their campaigns and for elections.

    Magu said the $2.2 billion arms scandal under the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan caused a setback for the fight against insurgency.

    The EFCC chief was delivering a paper at a one-day retreat for the 36 governors and key election stakeholders in Abuja.

    The retreat, with the theme: “Institutionalizing Transparency, Accountability, and anti-corruption issues in the electoral process in Nigeria”, was organised by Centre for Values In Leadership (CVL).

    Magu, who spoke through Olanipekun Olukoyede, his Chief of Staff, said parties should know that they will account for campaign funds after the poll.

    He said: “We shall keenly monitor the financial affairs of political parties to ensure that the use of public funds to finance political parties and prosecute campaigns at all levels of government is checked. To minimize corruption and the use of public funds to fund political parties and finance elections, there is need for greater effectiveness in enforcing the provisions of the various electoral laws in Nigeria especially as it relates to penalties upon breach of their provisions.

    Admitting that the enormous task before the EFCC and cannot do it alone.

    On the $2.2 billion arms scandal,  Magu said the cash was allegedly diverted to election funding.

    He said: “When you consider the fact that the money was disbursed for the purpose of procurement of arms to fight insurgency in the North, then the negative impact of funding elections with stolen government funds becomes real at once”.

    ”The 13-man Committee, which I was a member of, analysed how funds were transferred to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Nigerian Armed Forces in local and foreign currencies and subsequently disbursed.

    “The committee observed that about $2.2 billion was disbursed for the procurement of ammunition to tackle insurgency, yet little or nothing was actually spent for the procurement of the arms for which the funds were disbursed.

    “ The committee discovered that failed contracts amounting to about $2,378,939,066.27 and¦ 13,729,342,329.87 respectively were awarded by the NSA; who also approved payments in millions of dollars without documentation.”

    “Any time money is diverted by an administration to fund a political campaign, it is money already budgeted for an essential need which will never be met because of heartless and corrupt public officials.

    “The money being misappropriated is either from health, security, education, road construction, personnel costs etc. The case of arms procurement by the NSA under President Goodluck Jonathan government is apposite.”

  • 2019 poll: Why Buhari must continue, by Tinubu

    Buhari, Oshiomhole, governors in Osun as Oyetola takes over from Aregbesola

    At a packed stadium, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday announced the resolution of the progressives  to support continuity of good governance.

    “There is no going back in the resolve to return President Muhammadu Buhari for another term in office,” the former Lagos State governor said.

    It was at the inauguration of Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola and Benedict Olugboyega Alabi as Osun State governor and deputy governor.

    The colourful ceremony, attended by many dignitaries and ordinary folks, took place at the Osogbo Township Stadium  in the state capital.

    Tinubu said Nigerians could not afford to go back to the “scavengers, who personalised governance because of their greed”.

    To the APC stalwart, there should be enough of greed and self-serving government that “has held back our progress as a nation”.

    He stressed that there was nothing to show for the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in power.

    He said the PDP only laid the foundation for “greed” and “selfishness”.

    His words:  “Nigeria must never be allowed to go back to the corruption, greed and selfishness that have held back our progress. No shaking and no going back to the old foxes, old scavengers and old greed of this country. Look back at their years in government and find out if they laid any good foundation. They didn’t, except the personalisation theory of greed.”

    Tinubu, who was elated by the inauguration of the new government in Osun State, congratulated the former governor, Rauf Aregbesola, for handing over power to a progressive administration.

    He said: “I congratulate you, Aregbesola, for handing over power to a progressive. Now you have joined me in the club of former governors. You have really done very well. You have run progressive and welfarist programmes. I commend you for your performance in the two terms you have spent as governor.

    “You have done very well. Since eight years, which is like yesterday. You earned a progressive mandate and did it for four years and renewed it for another four years. It was a welfarist and progressive programmes now handed over to another progressive governor. Thank you for walking the path and doing a good job.”

    Tinubu, who congratulated Oyetola and Alabi, assured them that the administration would be supported by progressives in all parts of Nigeria.

    According to him, Oyetola’s emergence as governor is a continuation and testament of APC’s progressive ideology of governance started four years ago by President Buhari.

    He urged the new governor  to follow the path that will engender progressive development, put smiles on people’s faces and take the country to higher heights.

    The former governor said: “We want you to maintain the same path of progress. We are strongly behind you. Ride on, no going back. There is no any other party here in the Southwest.”

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the inauguration marked a peaceful transition from one administration to another.

    President, who commended the former governor for steering the ship of the state successfully for eight years and handing over power to an APC administration, thanked the people of Osun for conducting themselves peacefully during  and after the governorship elections.

    Buhari advised politicians in the 2019 general elections to make their campaigns focus on programmes and agenda capable of emancipating the people from hardship.

    He called on Oyetola to centre his administration around the welfare of the people of the state, especially women and youths, to make life meaningful to them.

    He said: “Public office is a trust. You must rule with a human face and the fear of God. You must ensure that all the ongoing projects are completed.”

    He assured the new governor of all the necessary support that would help him succeed.

    Buhari also called on Nigerians to vote for the APC in the 2019 general elections.

    He urged them to conduct themselves peacefully  – in a manner devoid of bitterness and violence, shunning hate speech and violence during the campaigns.

    He praised the Aregbesola for bringing “immense developments” to the state in the last eight years.

    He assured that the APC-led administration would continue to deliver the democracy dividends to the people.

    Among the dignitaries at the event were Senator Oluremi Tinubu,  Gen. Alani Aknirinade, Aregbesola’s wife, Sherifat and his former deputy Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori.

    There were Governors Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).

    Former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo were there.

    Others were the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, former  Osun State  Governor Chief Bisi Akande, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarin, former  House of Representatives Speaker Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, Osun state speaker of the State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, former state speaker, Adejare Bello, APC women leader, Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Senator Solomon Adeola , former Lagos deputy governor, Femi Pedro, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senator Sola Adeyeye.

  • 2019 poll: Anxiety in PDP as Atiku’s policy plan extends to second term

    There was anxiety yesterday in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the discovery that the policy plan of  its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has extended to a likely second term in office.

    Instead of planning for a single term of four years, Atiku’s targets have a six-year timeline, fueling speculations that he might be hoping for two terms in office.

    Most party  leaders from the Southeast and Southwest were worried last night on the tenure framework in the document tagged People’s Policy”.

    According to a PDP governor, who spoke in confidence with The Nation, the “policy is causing some disquiet because it does not give a ray of hope that power will shift from the North to the South in 2023 if Atiku is elected as the nation’s president in 2019.

    “Some of us were expecting a timeline of 2019 to 2023 but the policy plan is mostly made up of a six-year plan.

    “The people of the South-East, South-West and South-South want a commitment from Atiku on whether or not he will spend one term in office in order to complete the slot of the North.

    “We are suspecting that those who drafted the policy have a hidden agenda of two terms in office for Atiku.”

    A member of the National Working Committee of the party said: “I think our candidate is planning for the future for the country. It may not be a matter of second term ambition.

    “Atiku has not really been categorical on whether or not he will spend one term in office. So, those raising dust on 2025 policy plan are  getting agitated to know where he stands.”

    The governor took time to highlight some of the contentious areas which have drawn suspicion on Atiku’s plan.

    The document said: “The State’s critical policy priority is to build a broad based, dynamic and competitive economy with a GDP of US$900 billion by 2025

    “By 2025, we shall increase the inflow of direct foreign investment to a minimum of 2.5% of our GDP Working towards achieving the lowest corporate income tax rate in Africa.

    “Accelerate investment to double our  infrastructure stock to approximately 50% of

    GDP by 2025 and 70% by 2030.

    “Achieve a sustained increase in manufacturing output from 9% to 30% of GDP by 2025.

    “Reduce the sector’s dependence on imported raw materials. Looking inwards will promote value addition.

    “Achieve a diversified production structure with more processing of domestic raw materials.”

    On electricity, Atiku said: “Power sector reform will be a critical policy  priority. By 2025, Nigeria shall make giant strides in diversifying its sources of power and delivering up to 20,000 MW.”

    The document indicated that the same 2025 timeline was assigned to crude oil production.

    It said: “Prioritise investment in nameplate capacity and ensure that Nigeria starts to refine 50% of its current crude oil output of 2 million bpd by 2025.

    “Privatise all four-outstanding government-owned refineries to competent off-takers with mandates to produce agreed levels of refined output.

    “Issue new licences for Greenfield investment in crude oil refining and allied activities.

    “Introduce market friendly fiscal and pricing policies.”

    Concerning road development, the policy document gave also a timeline of 2025.

    It added: “Develop 5,000km of roads by 2025 through PPPs and community interventions. Develop and rehabilitate the connecting road networks across the geo-political zones.

    “Reduce gradually the rate of unemployment and under-employment to a single digit by 2025.

    “Encourage transportation development around the nation’s agricultural and industrial clusters.

    “Construct up to 5,000km of modern railways through privatisation, PPPs and public investments.

    “Improve existing port efficiency and achieve

    accelerated development of alternative container ports, especially inland dry ports.”

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, one of Atiku’s strategists, Mr. Phrank Shaibu ( who is also a communication expert), said: “2025 is not an eight-year term; it is a six-year plan. Whoever takes over will complete the programmes.

    “The  ruling party’s focus should be more on damage control to enable them offer seeming apologies to millions of Nigerians they have diaappointed and the millions they have put in the labour market through their ill performance in government.

    “So, the issue of campaign promises will not hold water for the Buhari camp as their participation in this election is just for posterity to be subtle in judgement of failure.”

    On the kind of campaign to expect, Shaibu, who is also a close associate of Atiku,  said:  “A large population of Nigerians have been taught new lessons on poor leadership and now have a better understanding of disinformation because they feel the reality of economic pains and hopelessness that have been thrust upon them in the past three years.

    “Consequently, the campaign for 2019 presidential elections will be based on truth campaign.

    “Right now, the electorate have grown in knowledge of what choice will be best for them, especially on their safety, real economic growth and equity.

    “Nigerians will experience a new trend of issue based campaign. The two major contestants have been tested and their performance cum capacities to deliver well documented.

    “Already, we have a lot of decided voters, especially given their sad experiences and difficulties in the past three years under a president that has ruled Nigeria twice with established antecendent of bringing upon the citizenry abject poverty.

    “I believe the campaign focus will be on the few undecided voters. This category of persons when shown and educated on some hidden facts of maladministration, especially on gross embezzlement, many shades of corruption, selective justice and deceits, will reach early conclusions on which camp to give their mandate.”

  • 2019: Buhari unveils ‘Next Level’, Atiku ‘People’s Policy’

    PDP candidate to launch document on Facebook Monday

    APC govs  gather in  Abuja for campaign today

    Party’s NWC meets Wednesday on campaign structure

    Analysis: Issues that will shape the contest

    All is set for the 2019 presidential battle with President Muhammadu Buhari launching his campaign tagged “Next Level” today.

    He is beating the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the game.

    The Presidential Candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar will on Monday unveiled his Policy Document.

    Also, the President may by Monday announce members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Although the list of members of the Council was kept under wraps last night, our correspondent gathered that it may be chaired by the President who will be assisted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, co-chairman and governors as coordinators.

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi retains his portfolio as the Director-General of the campaign.

    This is coming as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today lift ban on campaign for 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Feb. 16, 2019.

    A statement by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC Director Of Voter Education and Publicity, yesterday in Abuja said that political parties which fielded candidates for both elections would commence campaigns across the country.

    Investigation by our correspondent show that President Buhari has adopted “Next Level” as the theme of his campaign in order to give Nigerians a peep of where he is taking the nation to in the next four years.

    It was learnt that all APC governors have been invited to the launching of “Next Level” at the Presidential Villa by 4pm today.

    As at press time, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha was busy with logistics for the launch which is being coordinated by the Vice President.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Next level is the theme of President Buhari’s campaign. It is about the next set of ideas and programmes we are taking the country to.

    “The President will on Sunday reel out all his achievements; he will present his score card and manifestoes coded the “Next Level”.

    “The launch of Next Level is to prepare the ground for a nationwide comprehensive campaign. We will surely take the battle to the PDP and other parties.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has been constituted with the President as the chairman, supported by Osinbajo, many co-chairmen, APC governors, the National Chairman of APC, ministers including Adamu Adamu (Education) and Hadi Sirika (Aviation) and other party leaders like Farouk Adamu.

    “Hopefully by Monday, the list of the PCC members will be out. We have kept the list under wraps because we know PDP has been spying on us.

    “Even the launch of Next Level has caught many unawares because we felt we should beat the opposition to its game.”

    A source in the PCC of PDP said the party’s presidential candidate will on Monday unveil his Policy Document.

    Although Atiku was in Yola last night, he was being expected in Abuja on Monday to present his manifestoes allegedly drafted by a 400-man team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about three weeks ago.

    The source in PDP said: “The Policy Document is more of a farewell to disunity, poverty, unemployment, insecurity and underdevelopment in Nigeria.

    “It contains practical and measurable solutions to all problems facing this country.”

    Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC will meet on Wednesday on the setting up of a reconciliation committee and work on campaign structure for victory in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    A member of the NWC said: “We actually scheduled a meeting for Tuesday but due to the public holiday, we may meet on Wednesday.

    “The NWC will use the session to raise a reconciliation committee on issues arising from the primaries and how to keep the party united for 2019 poll.

    “We know there are some challenges but we will try as much as possible to appease the aggrieved in order to move forward.

    “We are expected to consider proposals for campaign structure in a manner that APC will be in good stead for a resounding victory in all the 36 states and the FCT.”

    The Next Level document obtained yesterday gave insights into Buhari’s new economic drive with employment as a major thrust.

    Some of the highlights include the following:

    *Engagement of 1m N-Power graduates

    * Skill up 10 million Nigerians under a voucher system in partnership with the private sector

    *Anchor Borrowers Scheme to support input and jobs to 1m farmers

    *Livestock Transformation Plan to create 1.5million jobs

    *Agriculture Mechanization Policy to create 5m jobs

    *Provision of $500m innovation fund to tech and creative sector to create 500,000 jobs

    *To train 200,000 youth for outsourcing market in technology, services and entertainment

    The document said: “Soft loans of up to N1m to small traders, artisans (carpenters, tailors, mechanics, hairdressers, barbers, plumbers, vulcanisers etc) and commercial drivers (Taxis, Keke, and Motorcycles).

    “Next level will take current number of 2.3million traders, farmers, artisans under Trader Moni, Market Moni and Farmer Moni schemes to 10million Nigerians under the People Moni Scheme.

    The President also pledged to raise power generation to 11,000 megawatts.

    The document added: “A minimum of 1,000 MW new Generation Incremental Power capacity per annum on the grid to bring a total of a minimum of 11,000 MW.

    “Distribution to get to 7,000MW under Distribution Expansion programme.”

    On security, the document indicated plans to “decentralize funding of police operations and foster true community policing by implementing direct transfer of funding to Police Divisions.

    “Execute the second phase of the Farmer-Herder and National Livestock Policy to end the decades-long conflict between farmers and herders.”

    He has also promised more inclusion in government.

    It said: “To achieve 35 % in female appointments. More youth appointment for boards, special mentoring programmes in governance with young graduates working with ministers and other senior government appointees.”

    On Education, there is a plan in the Next Level to “remodel and equip 10,000 schools per year.”

    Atiku to kick-start campaign with ‘people’s policy launch’

    In the meantime, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar will tomorrow kick-start his 2019 presidential campaign with an address to Nigerians on Facebook at 12 noon.

    Atiku will be using the platform to present his vision for Nigeria and his action plan to achieve it, as encapsulated in his policy document.

    A statement by the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation yesterday said the policy document will be uploaded on his website (www.atiku.org) for all Nigerians to access at no cost.

    The statement added that Atiku’s decision to kick-start his presidential campaign with the launch of his policy document is to reiterate his commitment to run an issue based campaign.

    “The intention is to take our policy directly to Nigerians and to register the belief of Atiku Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country. That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and ultimately take ownership of it.

    “Our campaign offers a simple message: united, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian.

    “On the first working day of the campaign, the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar will put forward his plan to get Nigeria working again.

    “We have chosen to do this by having the PDP presidential candidate speaking directly to the Nigerian people on Facebook. This medium came about as part of the telecommunications revolution that he helped start as Vice President in 1999-2007.

    “We have also chosen to have our candidate speak online as it facilitates the ability for anyone to download a copy of his policy document at no cost, as we intend this to be the policy of every Nigerian.

    “Our policy document focuses on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business, developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how we will empower women.

    “Our policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising Nigeria as the foundation of our campaign.

    “This policy document is being launched to encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us in helping to get Nigeria working again.

    “The PDP presidential candidate looks forward to conducting vital discussions as he travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with stakeholders: farmers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and children.

    “We recognise that this will be a vigorous and hard fought election. We are completely confident that with peaceful, free and fair elections, we will be victorious.”

    Buhari campaign groups ready

    The President Buhari support groups such as the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) is set to kick off the campaign with what they call the ‘Buhari Connect’ meant to showcase the achievements of the President in the last three and half years.

    The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, told The Nation that the lifting of the ban by the electoral management body does not make it mandatory that parties should commence campaign immediately as they cannot determine for the parties when to start their campaigns.

    He said “Campaigns are not starting tomorrow (Sunday). What has happened is that the ban on campaign is officially lifted and parties are now free to begin their campaigns. You know, INEC can tell you when not to campaign, but they cannot determine for you when to start.

    “They have lifted the ban and parties are now free to go out there and openly campaign for the elections. Within the next one week, we will roll out our campaign plans.”

    Director of Strategic Communication of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo (SAN) could not be reached for his comment on plans for the President’s campaign as calls to his phone and SMS sent to him were not answered as at the time of this report.

    The party and the campaign organisation were yet to constitute a formal campaign organisation as at yesterday 17 to carry on with the campaign.

    But the Buhari Media Organisation(BMO), one of the President’s support groups said it has lined up an open-air event to kick-start the campaign today at the Unity Fountain, Abuja where it intend to highlight and promote the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The show, with the theme, ‘BUHARICONNECT’ and the slogan ‘THE PEOPLES PRESIDENT’, it said will attract Ministers, Governors and other top echelon of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A statement by the Secretary of the organisation, Cassidy Madueke said the variety  show will also be an opportunity to highlight the achievements of President Buhari with testimonials from the beneficiaries of the administration’s Social Investment Programmes, including poverty alleviation, school feeding, Tradermoni, women empowerment, Anchor Borrowers and cash transfer programme.

    The show will also feature appearances by political leaders and top government officials at the event which kicks up at 1pm today.

    The INEC in a statement by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, announcing the lift of ban on campaigns said that political parties which fielded candidates for both elections would commence campaigns across the country today.

    He said that the commencement of campaigns was in line with the Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the INEC. He added that it was also in accordance with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which provides that “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

    “Political Parties are expected to conduct their activities in an organized and peaceful manner, devoid of rancour, hate and/or inflammatory speeches.”

    He reminded political parties and their candidates that campaigns for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly would commence on December 1.

     

  • 2019 poll: Buhari vows harsh verdict for Atiku

    THE proposed N30,000 minimum wage seems to have become a campaign issue ahead of next year’s election.

    To the Presidency, the controversy over President Muhammadu Buhari’s position on what the least paid worker should earn  is “concocted”.

    It accused yesterday some political actors, including the Atiku Media Office, of trying to score cheap political goals, warning that “stiff judgment awaits them at the polls”.

    Presidential spokesman  Femi Adesina was reacting to comments by the Atiku Media Office, which said “President Buhari cannot be trusted to implement the ‘new’ minimum wage of N30, 000’’ recommended by the Pepple tripartite committee”.

    Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “Buhari may not have the political will to implement the new wage’’.

    Adesina said: “Those who have latched onto the concocted controversy to play cheap politics, we appeal to them to remember that elections are not won through loquaciousness, and trying to demean the President at every drop of a hat.

    “But then, it is not surprising, as they have nothing else to sell to Nigerians, if they don’t ride on the name of the President. Stiff judgment awaits them at the polls.’’

    The presidential aide frowned at the recurring reports alleging that Buhari had reneged on an earlier acceptance of the N30,000 recommended as the new National Minimum Wage by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee.

    He noted that these reports were contrary to what transpired on Tuesday when the committee presented its report to the President.

    Adesina said the President, while acknowledging the concerns raised by government on affordability and labour’s focus on meaningful increase, stated clearly in a speech, which was made available to the media, that:

    “In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas.

    “Our plan is to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time. I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.

    “As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report. I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”

    Adesina observed: “From the above, and throughout the report-submission ceremony, the President never mentioned any figure. What he committed himself to was a new minimum wage, and only after the Report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented to him for assent.

    Read also: ‘Governors frustrating minimum wage’

    “Until the proposed minimum wage has gone through the whole gamut of law-making, President Buhari, who is a stickler for due process, will not be caught in this unnecessary web of controversy, which amounts to putting the cart before the horse and hair-splitting.’’

    But an Atiku group insisted yesterday that an Atiku Abubakat presidency would usher in a new beginning for growth.

    The New Nation with Atiku (NNB) noted that under the present circumstance, the former Vice President stood out as the best chance to take the country to the Promise Land.

    Briefing reporters yesterday in Abuja, the group’s Director General, Adesina Abolade and National Coordinator, Blessing Braide, said they were prepared to canvass for votes for Atiku once the ban on political campaign is lifted.

    Braide criticised the economy, saying that is where Atiku comes in.

    “He is coming to write his name in gold and to touch lives. What he and his predecessor Olusegun Obasanjo were not able to do, he has seen all the lapses and he is the only person among those contesting that has a blueprint and fully ready.

    “So we have to rally round to support him as he has what it takes. We are ready to mobilise the youth and the old in all parts of the country to vote for the man that is fit for the job,” he said.

    He also stressed that the group is not a apolitical and does not belong to any political party, “But we are close to what is happening  and that is why we have come together to say that we will support the vision of Atiku …”

    “ If Atiku is looking for power and somebody who is not looking for power might not know how to mange power if you give him power. But this man says that I know how to do it. He has establishment in this country that has employed our youth and if all the wealthy men have done the same, lots of our children would have been employed.”

    Also yesterday, a firm owned by Atiku  said it had approved N33,000 as minimum wage for its employees.

    Managing Director of Yola –based Gotel Communications, Mohammed El-Yakub, in a statement said:  “The N33,000 new salary scale, which takes effect from November 2018, includes domestic servant and all categories of workers on the former vice-president’s payroll,” El-Yakub said.

  • 2019 poll: Osinbajo, Atiku renew restructuring battle

    The restructuring debate returned at the weekend, with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo  describing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar as an opponent of the idea when he was in office as vice-president between 1999 and 2007.

    Atiku has promised to restructure Nigeria in six months, if voted in as president.

    Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while delivering the ninth public lecture of Sigma Club at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI), Osinbajo spoke of how he as Attorney-General of Lagos State went to the Supreme Court 12 times on restructuring.

    That was when the Lagos State Government’s move was opposed by the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency with Atiku as his deputy.

    “All this time, this was 2000, some of those people, including the presidential candidate of PDP, who is talking about restructuring, was the vice president then.

    “They opposed every step we took. Of course, we were taking the Federal Government to court then. They opposed every step.

    “Let me explain my position clearly. I am not just an advocate of restructuring, there is no other government in Nigeria that has actively pursued restructuring such as we did when I was Attorney General in Lagos State.

    “People talking about restructuring, if you ask them what they meant by restructuring, they won’t even know what it means and that is the problem we have to face,” he said.

    The vice president recalled the Supreme Court battles.

    His words: “We started with fiscal restructuring, which is more of resource control. Should states control their own resources? We went to the Supreme Court. They argued that each state should control its own resources.

    “The states that argued in favour of autonomy for states to control their resources were the oil producing states in the country and Lagos State while some others argued on the other side because they wanted to share oil money.

    “We lost at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said ‘no’, that you cannot control your resources. If you are an oil producing state, take 13 per cent extra, which is derivation.”

    Osinbajo said Lagos State argued that it had ports and the ports served the entire nation, so the state should also take 13 per cent derivation which the Supreme Court objected.

    Osinbajo said further argument led to the introduction of onshore and offshore law, which enabled the state to share from onshore resources.

    “The next thing we did was that the states should be able to create their own local governments, which is autonomy of states.

    “So, we created 37 new local governments in Lagos. The president then, Chief Obasanjo, seized our local government funds and said we could not create new local governments,” he said.

    But Atiku fired back in a statement by Paul Ibe of his media office. He described Prof. Osinbajo as “economical with the truth.”

    The statement said: “given that Prof Osinbajo and his boss have been speaking discordant tunes on restructuring, we can understand their desperation to revise history, however, it is impossible to revise documented history.

    “Prof. Osinbajo needs to be reminded that there are well documented accounts in the Nigerian media chronicling Atiku Abubakar’s support and struggle for restructuring.”

    The statement said a piece published in a national newspaper chronicled Atiku’s thoughts on how “to restructure the revenue allocation formula to allow littoral states of the federation benefit from off shore oil proceeds.’

    It added that “ironically, it was precisely Mr. Osinbajo’s boss, Muhammadu Buhari, who as military dictator, cheated these states of their just due by military fiat.

    “It is also common knowledge that the six geopolitical zones structure which all parts of Nigeria benefit from today is the fruit of the collaborative efforts of Atiku Abubakar, the late Alex Ekwueme and other patriots.

    “Their efforts at restructuring Nigeria are captured in the Hansard of the 1995 Constitutional Conference, which is a public document and is still available at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “The question we want to ask Professor Osinbajo is this – why do he and his boss constantly resort to rewriting history? Why can they not campaign on their achievements? Is it that they are forced to campaign on subterfuge because they have no achievements to campaign on?

    Nigerians want to know if promises have been kept. They are not interested in fairy tales about how Atiku Abubakar did not support restructuring because they know that he is and was and will always be an active promoter of restructuring.

    Everywhere he goes to campaign, Atiku Abubakar has used temperate and respectful language on both President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo.

  • Buhari, Atiku camps step up attacks over 2019 poll

    MORE attacks were launched yesterday by the camps of the two main contenders in next year’s presidential election.

    President Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are in the race, which has a legion of other contestants.

    A vote for Atiku, said Information Minister Lai Mohammed, is a vote for corruption, which Nigerians had rejected.

    The Atiku camp returned the fire in addition to listing its candidate’s achievements as Vice-President in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency .

    The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) said Atiku’s election as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate will make the campaign for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari much easier.

    According to the group, for the PDP to have recycled a former leader from one of its past administrations that had been mirred in corruption allegation shows clearly that the opposition party is planning to wield the country back to the era of monumental corruption.

    Also yesterday Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said a vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate is a return to “a sordid corruption-laden past”

    The Minister spoke in Abuja when he paid an advocacy visit to the headquarters of Daar Communication Plc, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio stations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the minister was at the media house to seek support for the National Campaign Against Fake News launched by the Federal Government on July 11.

    Fielding questions from members of Board and Management of the organisation and some reporters at the event, the minister expressed the confidence that Nigerians would make the right choice in President Muhammadu Buhari next year.

    “The stark choice for Nigerians in the 2019 election is either to go back to the past – a sordid corruption-laden past – or a brighter future, which beckons as represented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “I am, however, very confident that Nigerians will make the right choice,” he said.

    In a statement by its Director of Communications and Strategic Planning, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, the BCO said the PDP had nothing new to offer Nigerians, apart from trying to restore the old order in which corrupt politicians looted the nation’s coffers dry.

    Ibrahim recalled that the PDP under some of its past administrations had questioned Atiku’s credibilty, noting that it cast spell in the eyes of the ordinary man that the same party is presenting the same person it once maligned as a choice Nigerians should settle for in the forthcoming presidential poll.

    He said: “Everyone seems to be forgetting that we are not just voting the presidential candidate but the party and these same people are the ones that put us in this mess in the first place. Now, they have regrouped, recycled the same leaders who were in power when the country’s treasury was looted dry and still want Nigerians to give them power.

    “It is like a dog going back to eat its vomit. Are there no better people to challenge President Buhari in 2019? This set of people were in power one way or the other since 1999, and we have been moving backwards since then. Now, they want to take Nigerians back to Babylon after Presiddnt Buhari has painstakinly secured their freedom from bad governace, corruption and a battered economy that was tottering towards an eclipse.”

    Noting that Atiku’s emergence as PDP presidential candidate has made its campaign for Buhari’s second term easier, BCO insisted that the opposition party was planning to sell the presidency to the highest bidder.

    Ibrahim continued: “We said it and we will still make it clear to Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) they rejected in 2015 on account of debauchery, pervasive corruption and collapsing and decaying infrastructure are out to desecrate the coveted seat of President of this nation.

    “It has been the position of the Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO) that the PDP is not interested in choosing a person of clean past from its motley of contestants but more concerned about who donates what to the party.

    “The President Muhammadu Buhari administration will never allow their invidious plans against Nigerians. We urge Nigerians to join us in the campaign against those who have created a crowd of beggars among them, turned their states to mere ATM points, and are ready to mortgage the country at pittance for the sake of power.”

    But, the Atiku Abubakar campaign, in a statement yesterday, listed the “bold strides” taken by the former Vice President while in public office.

    It said as Vice President (1999 to 2007) and chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Atiku superintended over the GSM revolution that saw Nigeria go from 50,000 to 100 million GSM lines.

    The organisation said the GSM revolution added 500,000 direct jobs to the economy and attracted $27 billion to the GDP.

    The campaign group also credited Atiku with what it described as the successful privatisation of many public enterprises that hitherto consumed government resources without yielding profits.

    “A further achievement of the former Vice President is initiating, starting and completing several road projects all over Nigeria, including roads in President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina.

    “In return, we challenge President Buhari and the APC to mention three projects that they have initiated, started and completed in the last three years.

    “We ask President Buhari how many loopholes in public expenditure he has plugged? The spectacular failure of the 419 Nigeria Air is still fresh in the memory of Nigerians.

    “Unlike Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar is an expert job creator who has founded many successful and thriving businesses, including the American University of Nigeria, Yola; a microfinance bank that has moved 45,000 families out of poverty; and Rica Gado, a livestock feed company that has significantly reduced instances of herdsmen/farmers clashes by providing a business-friendly solution instead of asking Nigerians to give up their land for cattle ranching or face death, as the Buhari government did.

    “Unlike President Buhari, Atiku Abubakar does not believe Nigerian youths are lazy. How could, when 25,000 out of his 50,000 employees are youths?

    The campaign organisation stated that it listed only a few of the “booming” commercial enterprises founded by Atiku, adding that no other candidate is as poised as Atiku to get Nigeria working again.

    “Nigerians want jobs and Atiku means jobs. It is no surprise that that is one thing the APC do not want to talk about, seeing that they have lost 11 million jobs in the last three years.”

    On the fake news phenomenon, the minister said it was assuming a dangerous dimension, especially as the nation approached the 2019 general elections.

    “There is no better time to intensify the campaign against fake news, especially as we approach the 2019 general elections.

    “The enemies of democracy will explore the phenomenon of fake news even more than before.

    As you witnessed in the last Osun governorship election, especially the rerun, about 16 PDP members were arrested by the Police for impersonating international observers to perpetrate violence.

    “But, within minutes, the whole story was turned as if it was APC stalwarts that were arrested. This is the power of fake news.

    The minister continued: “A few days ago also, news circulated in the social media that Sharibu Leah had been released.”

  • 2019: I am PDP’s best candidate – Bafarawa

    A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa declared on Monday that he is the party’s best candidate for next year’s presidential election.

    He said: “As a politician and democrat, I think I am the right person to represent the PDP in 2019 presidential election because I have been trained as a politician, it is my career and my training. I am not a retired military officer or civil servant. I believe that with my experience and capability, I will be able to deliver the best for Nigerians.”

    He, however, said he does not see the PDP presidential ticket as a do- or- die affair as he is ready to support the party notwithstanding the primary election’s results.

    Speaking to journalists after meeting PDP members in Minna, Niger State, Bafarawa said he desires the best for Nigerians.

    The ex-Sokoto governor added: “If we are democrats, we play the game according to the rules. We should respect winning and losing. For those who join the party for the purpose of being the presidential or governorship candidate, they will leave the party after the primaries.

    “I am a democrat and I see it as a game. I will never give up PDP whether I succeed or not. I will support the party in its quest to win the presidential election in 2019.”