Tag: Abdulsalami

The Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee said it will be deploying the newly inaugurated Election Information technology hub in its security and peace process in the forthcoming Anambra governorship poll.

Anambra will elect a new Governor on November 8. 

The peace committee launched the Election Security Information Hub on Wednesday to enhance its intervention work.

The hub is expected to provide  verifiable data which the committee will be using to engage critical  stakeholders in security and electoral process.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Gen. Martin Lurther (rtd), who represented Abubakar, said there must be peace in the country for credible elections. 

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He stressed that the strength of democracy is the credibility of elections and the confidence in the process.

He however noted that every election circle has continued to throw up gaps in security management.

The inaugurated hub, he said, is aimed to correct those identified gaps  

“The strength of any democracy rests on the credibility of its election and the confidence of its citizens in the process. While Nigeria’s democracy continues to deepen, each election cycle reveals persistent security challenges, gaps in coordination, intelligence sharing, and weak response systems that allow local tensions to escalate into broader conflict.

He highlighted  the works of the Peace Committee since inception in 2014, which include facilitating the signing of peace accords, moral and civil commitments by political actors to conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and after elections and also intervening in other forms of violence, not related to elections, but retained the capacity to impact negatively on election outcomes.

He however added: “Yet, as we have learned, peace must be sustained by systems. 

“The ESI has embodied that conviction that peace and credibility must be protected by structure, information, and cooperation.”

He also commended the European Union for its steadfast partnership under the EU-FDGN programme. 

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has congratulated ex- Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on his 83rd birthday.

 In a statement, Senator Mark prayed for continued good health, peace of mind, and divine wisdom for General Abdulsalami in the years ahead.

 Describing him as a true patriot, Senator Mark commended General Abdulsalami for his pivotal role in transitioning Nigeria to democratic governance.

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 He noted that although democracy has its imperfections, it remains the most viable and preferred system for the nation.

 “General Abdulsalami earned the trust and confidence of Nigerians by keeping his word to end military rule and usher in a representative democracy,” Mark stated. “He is, without a doubt, a man of peace in every sense of the word.”

Senator Mark further acknowledged Abdulsalami’s enduring dedication to national unity and stability, especially through his leadership of the National Peace Committee, which has been instrumental in promoting peace especially during critical periods in Nigeria’s history.

The National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by former head of state Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and convened by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has announced that it will hold a national stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja as part of efforts to address the various challenges currently facing the country.

This was stated in a press release issued and signed by both leaders on Wednesday, September 25.

The committee said the 2023 general elections were marked by a renewed sense of optimism and desire for change among Nigerians.

It also said the optimism was demonstrated in the number of people who registered for the 2023 elections 93,469,008 million compared to just 57,938,945 million registered voters in 1999.

“Nigerians believed that the 2023 elections would usher in an administration that would swiftly address the nation’s lingering socio-economic challenges.

“The preparations for the elections heightened the hopes for positive socio-economic and political change. However, the outcome of the keenly contested presidential elections amplified the regional and ethnic cleavages that have underpinned our journey of nationhood,” the statement read.

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It said additionally, the well-intentioned policy of the government to improve the lives and well-being of Nigerians is yet to meet the expectations of the citizens and the economic strain is being felt by all and sundry.

It said: “This dire situation has fuelled frustration and discontent, culminating in the recent nationwide protests on hunger.

“The demands made during the protests reflect the deep-seated challenges facing the country and the urgent need for responsive and effective governance.

“In response to this and in line with its mandate to mediate and intervene in electoral and non-electoral matters that impact the peace and stability of Nigeria, the NPC has decided to convene a one-day town hall meeting with critical stakeholders to discuss frankly and explore the pathways to support the government in addressing and overcoming the current socio-political and economic situation facing the country.”

The committee said the meeting will be held on 26th September 2024 at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.

It said: “This meeting will provide a platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration, where the concerns and aspirations of the people can be discussed, and the outcomes are presented to the government.

“It is a crucial step towards bridging the gap between the government and its citizens, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their legitimate concerns addressed.”

A former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find solution to the hunger in the land.

He said the hardship in the country was getting out of hand.

The ex-military leader noted that the increase in fuel price was making life hard for everyone and that the situation needed to be addressed as fast as possible.

According to him, giving palliatives to Nigerians without addressing the root cause of the hardship is not the answer to the problem.

Abdulsalami spoke when he hosted the leadership of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR), led by Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, to commemorate his birthday.

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“The hardship in the land is getting out of control. Everybody is crying about this hardship. It seems to be getting out of control. People cannot afford three square meals. The issue of transportation, the hike in fuel price, the hike in school fees for children and the lack of funds in everybody’s pocket are making life difficult for everybody.

“We will continue to encourage the government to introduce measures to soften the hardship. The federal, states, and local governments should see how they can cushion this economic hardship,” he.

The former Head of State said he and other leaders had continually made recommendations to the Federal Government on how to get out of the current economic hardship.

He hoped the government would examine the recommendations and implement them.

“I will like to intimate you that in some of the proposals we have given to government on another platform. We have emphasised that giving palliatives is not the answer to the high prices of food and other items in the country.

“There is need for government to flood and saturate the communities with food. Let the government buy food and sell it at reduced prices to the people so that the people will try to buy some of these food items, depending on their pockets/income.”

“We have passed these recommendations to the government. We hope they will implement it,” Abdulsalami said.

The former military leader urged those proposing for the #EndBadGovernance protest on October 1 to conduct it peacefully and prevent it from becoming a platform for carnage, theft, and criminalities.

“If at all we are going to demonstrate, let us know this is why we are demonstrating. Let us not inflict hardship on fellow Nigerians.

“I also call on the government to listen to the demonstrators because you cannot beat a child and prevent it from crying.”

The leader of the delegation, Abdullahi Jabi, drew the attention of the former Head of State to the prevailing hunger in the land.

The CDHR leader urged him to prevail on the Federal Government to find urgent solution to the problem.

He congratulated the elder statesman on his birthday, praying God to give him long life and good health.

• Governor hails ex-military leader for placing national interest above self

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has congratulated former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on his 82nd birthday.

The governor expressed appreciation to the elder statesman for his consistence in placing national interest above personal ambition for the greater good of the nation.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described General Abubakar as an epitome of unity and a patriotic elder statesman who has made significant contributions to the growth and stability of the nation and the West African sub-region.

He said the reputation of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee as a peacemaker and nation builder would remain invaluable in the democratic history of Nigeria and Africa.

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Bago noted that Nigeria’s democracy could be attributed to the former Head of State, having midwifed a smooth transition from military to civilian rule in 1999 as well as laying a solid foundation of democracy in Nigeria.

He prayed to God to grant the celebrant robust health, increased wisdom and renewed strength to continue to serve humanity.