The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Don’t tax minimum wage, NLC tells FG

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded amendment to tax laws to exempt income below N30,000 from being taxed.

    It also said the yet- to- be implemented national minimum wage should not be taxed.

    This is one of the motions adopted by the 12 National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja.

    In a motion submitted by the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria at the plenary session of conference, the union argued there was ‘twin assault on the real income of Nigerian workers caused by unrestrained devaluation of the naira and high rate of inflation’.

    It also expressed concerns the process for the new minimum wage was taking too long, calling on the parent body, NLC, to discuss strategies and plans for effective implementation of the new minimum wage particularly at the state level.

    General Secretary of the union, Comrade Issa Aremu, said it was important to put pressure on the Federal Inland Revenue Service to raise the tax bar so that the N30,000 minimum wage would fall below taxable income, while also calling for tax holidays for some categories of Nigerian workers.

    Read Also: NLC… New tenure, old problems

    He said, “Now that we have raised the minimum wage to N30,000, we must impress it on the FIRS to raise tax bar so that the new minimum wage will be protected. If you tax minimum wage of N30,000, we may as well go back to N25,000 or N27,000 by default. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives raised the point and I think labour must push the agenda to protect the new minimum wage.

    “The N30, 000 is actually a compromised amount from N56,000 earlier proposed so it must be protected. If the Federal Government can give 10 year tax holiday to companies, why not give the same to workers? Given the collapse of income, today, Nigerian workers deserve tax holidays.

    “We are not asking for this because we consider our job as charitable, what workers have in their pocket is what will turn the economy around. That is what we will use to purchase goods in the market and pay rent. For economic recovery, it is good for workers to have sustainable purchasing power or disposable income that is off the tax hook.”

    General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Eson, who appeal for protection of the new minimum wage, said that the income tax law needed to be amended to protect workers purchasing power.

    Ozo-Eson said, “Given that the N30,000 we agreed as a compromised minimum wage is so low, ideally, it should not be taxed but I believe that the correct way to do it is to amend the income tax law in order to raise the exemption bar if the N30,000 will fall within.

    “The law should be amended to ensure that the minimum wage level is below the taxable income. Under the present law, if you earn N18, 000 a month, your tax is zero.

    “There is a tax table but with N30,000, under the existing exemption guideline, there will be some little tax because it will be slightly above the exemption tax.

    “What needs to be done is to have an adjustment to the schedule so that the exemption is placed above the minimum wage.”

     

  • Court names Ogara Enugu APC’s governorship candidate

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday declared George Ogara the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu state.

    Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accept Ogara as the governorship candidate of the APC in Enugu state, having scored the highest valid votes casted in the 270 Wards of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The judgment was on a suit by Ogara, in which he named Senator Ayogu Eze, APC’s National Chairman, a chieftain of the party, Prof Moses Momoh and INEC as defendants.

    Justice Ekwo ordered INEC to recognize Ogara as the candidate of the APC for the purpose of 2019 governorship election in Enugu state.

    The Judge was of the view that the direct primary election of the party that produced Ogara as the party’s governorship candidate in Enugu was in compliance with the party’s guidelines as well as the Electoral Act.

    He ordered APC and its National Chairman to forward Ogara’s name to INEC as the party’s flagbearer in the 2019 governorship election in Enugu state.

    The Judge also restrained INEC from accepting any other name except that of Ogara, for the purpose of the 2019 governorship election in Enugu state, having scored the highest votes in the primary elections.

    Justice Ekwo declared that the plaintiff, having scored the highest number of votes cast by members of the APC in Enugu State for the Governorship direct primary election conducted on October 4, 2014 at the 260 Wards, is the nominated Candidate of the APC.

    He said the failure of the 2nd to 4th defendants to forward the name of the plaintiff to the 5th defendant (INEC) as the candidate of the 4th defendant (APC) and the refusal of INEC to publish the name of the plaintiff as the candidate of APC for the governorship election, is contrary to the provisions of Section 87 (3) of the Electoral Act. 2010 (as amended) and Article 20 of the APC Constitution.

    The judge further said: “Plaintiff’s name is entitled to be forwarded by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants to the 5th Defendant as the Candidate of the 2nd and 4th Defendants in the 2019 Enugu State Governorship election.

    “That the direct primary election for Governorship aspirants conducted on 4/10/2018, wherein the plaintiff emerged as the winner on 4/10/2018, having scored the highest number of Votes cast in the said direct primary election for Enugu State Governorship aspirants is consistent with and in compliance with the provisions of Section 87 (3) of the Electoral Act. 2010 (as amended) and Article 20 (iii) of the A11 Progressives Congress Constitution, 2014 (as amended).”

  • Middle Belt Forum denies endorsing Atiku

    A faction of the Middle Belt Forum has denied endorsing the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Forum, Mr. Gowon Egbunu, said there was no time the Forum came together as a group to endorse Atiku as its preferred presidential candidate in the upcoming elections.

    The Middle Belt Forum had, on Sunday aligned with other socio-cultural groups of its kind in endorsing the candidature of Atiku in the March 16 presidential election.

    Other socio-cultural groups that announced their endorsement of Atiku after a joint meeting in Abuja, were the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Northern Elders Forum, Pan Niger Delta Forum and a faction of the Afenifere.

    But in the said statement, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Middle Belt Forum, Egbunu stated that Atiku is not the Forum’s candidate and will never be.

    Read Also: Buhari thanks Ekiti Obas for supporting Fayemi

    According to Egbunu, if there is need for the Forum to endorse any candidate, the entire members will be duly communicated.

    The statement said, “This is to clear the air and put the records straight, that, Middle Belt people are honest and highly principled people who will not sell their conscience for a loaf of bread.

    “I watched with regret as one Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the Chairman of Chibok community in Abuja, on Channels Television, claimed to be speaking for the Middle Belt Forum.

    “There was no time when we came together as a people to endorse Atiku Abubakar as our candidate in the forthcoming elections.

    “Atiku Abubakar is not our candidate and will never be. If there is a need to endorse any candidate, you will be communicated accordingly”.

  • We won’t sell NNPC, refineries, FG assures workers

    The federal government has assured it has no plan or agenda to sell any of the refineries or the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ).

    It said anybody who has such plan does not have the interest of the workers at heart.

    Speaking at the 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said government was determined to attain the decent work agenda, which involves opportunity for works that are productive and deliver a fair income, security work places and social protection for families.

    Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Buhari said: “I want to reassure you of the commitment of this administration to the issue of welfare of workers.

    Read Also: IPMAN hails harmonious relations with NNPC

    “This is evidence of numerous programmes and policies that have been initiated by this administration in promoting the interest of the well-being of our workforce.

    “Meanwhile the administration is committed to addressing other labour issues that are still pending.”

    The NLC called for reversal of power sector privatisation due to what it called chronic failures by the distribution companies (Discos) to deliver quality power supply to Nigerians.

    Its National President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said: “Since the privatization of electricity distribution, Nigerians are yet to see the fulfilment of promises of efficient service delivery.

    “Instead, the electricity situation has gone worse with chronic failures by DISCOs to supply prepaid meters, exploitation of Nigerians through estimated billings and reluctance to attend to basic complaints.

    “Even with N39 billion bailout funds from government, the supposed private entrepreneurs have failed to turn anything around except maybe their pockets, unfortunately, at the expense of Nigerians. This must stop.

    “We call on government to reverse the power sector privatisation because it has failed.

    “Privatization of public utilities has not generally proven to be the correct thing to do in most countries even developed ones.

    “Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work; the many advantages of public alternative authored by David Hall privatizing public utilities has been a wreck in most countries. Example form Spain, France, India, South Korea, UK, Australia among others show how public/state guarantees and loans to private sector for the utilities sector have resulted in failures on delivery of services as well as repayment in most cases”.

    He however urged the Federal Government to resuscitate ailing refineries in other to liberate the downstream sector.

  • Breaking: Osun gov closes case at tribunal after 11 witnesses

    *APC to open defence, Feb 6

    Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has closed his defence before the state’s governorship election tribunal, sitting in Abuja.

    Oyetola, who is the second respondent in the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, closed his case on Tuesday, after calling 11 witnesses.

    PDP and Adeleke are challenging the outcome of the election won by Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also; Osun tribunal: ‘INEC is allowed to rectify errors in result sheets’

    Oyetola had, on February 1 this year, after calling his 11th witness – Adegboyega Rasaki Adeosunn, who acted as APC’s State Collation Officer during the election, promised to call four more on Monday.

    At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, Oyetola”s lawyer, John Baiyeshea (SAN) told the tribunal that his client did not see any reason to call more witnesses and has decided to close his case.

    Tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo adjourned to Wednesday for the third respondent, APC to open its defence.

  • EFCC secures 40 convictions In January

    The spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Tony Orilade, yesterday said the commission recorded 40 convictions in January.

    He made this known in a statement in Abuja, adding that the number was cumulative convictions secured across the commission’s zonal offices.

    Orilade said a breakdown of the figure showed that the commission‘s Lagos office secured 20 of the convictions, followed by Abuja office which recorded nine.

    “Six of the convictions were recorded by Port Harcourt and Kaduna offices with three convictions each, Kano recorded two, while Benin, Ibadan and Gombe offices had one conviction each,” he said.

    Orilade said that the convictions included that of two former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, adding that they were sentenced to 91 year jail term and forfeiture of their properties to the Federal Government.

    “The duo was found guilty of laundering N264.8 million in the build up to the 2015 general elections.

    “The sum was believed to be their share of the 115 million dollars illicitly dispensed by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    “Another conviction of interest is that of a fraudster, named Ibrahim Suleiman, who defrauded the former First Inland Bank, now FCMB Plc of the sum of N400,700,000.

    “The money was fraudulently diverted from an account domiciled in First Inland Bank to the convict’s account from where he transferred various sums to different accounts. He bagged 32 year jail term,” Orilade said.

    The spokesman added that also of interest, was the case of Adewale Dalmeida, a staff of Dangote Cement Group who was sentenced to five year jail term.

    He said that Dalmeida was sentenced for the diversion of nine trucks loaded with 800 bags of cement each valued at N15 million each, which belonged to his employer.

    Orilade said that the enhanced counter-fraud strategies of the commission have also yielded good dividends following new trends in internet fraud.

  • My objective is to do best for Nigeria, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday reiterated his main objective in contesting elections four times and ending up in Supreme Court three times before he finally won the election in 2015.

    Receiving retired army generals, admirals, marshals and former military governors/administrators who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Abuja, the President declared: “God has made this country great. We have human and material resources, and may God continue to give us the right leaders. My objective is very clear, and I will continue to do my best.”

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President recalled what he said in his days as military head of state that; “We have no other country but Nigeria. We will stay here and salvage it together,” President Buhari noted that even if one was blessed enough to send children for training abroad,

    “After such training, they will still have to come back here. We must, therefore, give our best for our country. The patriotism imbued in us by the military will ever remain relevant. Let’s do our best for this country,” he said.

    Describing Nigeria as “a fabulous country,” the President said if it were not so, “the country could not have survived the damage done to it materially and morally in the past,” glorifying God that after 30 months civil war, with over two million lives lost, “we are still one country.”

    Buhari prayed that Nigeria would not lack people who can exploit its human and material resources.

    He added “The higher you go in Nigeria, the hotter it becomes, and not the other way round. But I can’t complain. I tried so hard to be here three times, ending up at the Supreme Court. So, I can’t complain over anything I am going through now.”

    Read Also: 2019: ‘No alternative to Buhari yet’

    He described the military as an institution that gives amazing opportunities to know the country, its different peoples and cultures, “and I am very grateful that you have claimed me back as one of your own. I was governor of North-east, which is now six states, Minister of Petroleum for over three years, head of state; I was arrested and detained, but did not lose my rank, because nothing was found against me.”

    Leader of the delegation, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, who was military governor in Borno, and later military administrator of Lagos State, said the retired top officers thought it right to visit the President, “to say that you have represented your constituency very well. You announced a simple three-point agenda upon assumption of office namely security; fighting corruption, and the economy. You have kept your words as an officer and a gentleman.”

    Marwa added: “We the retired armed forces officers, representing 99.9% of our colleagues say that we are proud of you; proud to be associated with your administration; and proud to witness this era of Nigeria rising again under your able leadership. We support you fully and totally in the presidential elections next week and will do whatever we can within the law to contribute to your emergence as the victor in the election in order to take Nigeria to the next level.”

    The most senior of the retired officers, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla, a former Chief of Naval Staff, who said future generations, would acquit President Buhari “most creditably,”

    He added: “On behalf of the generals here today, I congratulate you on the tremendous work done by this administration, and wish to state unequivocally that we are proud of you and fully behind you in the presidential elections next week. We pledge our full support and continued loyalty.”

    The delegation was made of one Vice Admiral, two Lt-Generals, 15 Major Generals, two Rear Admirals, eight Air Vice-Marshals, 12 Brigadier-Generals, three Commodores, nine Air Commodores, and 17 former military governors/administrators, among others.

  • Updated: Opposition plots to discredit 2019 poll, says FG

    For the second time in two weeks, the Federal Government Monday accused the opposition of fresh plans to discredit the general election before, during and after it has been conducted.

    The opposition parties have targeted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police for attack in order to prejudge the poll which will begin in the next 12 days.

    It also said the opposition, led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had covertly raised a 10-man propaganda delegation to visit some Western capitals, including London, Brussels and Washington, DC.

    It said the mandate of the team was to push the concocted line that President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has perfected the plan to rig the polls.

    It alleged that the opposition had become desperate to seek victory by subterfuge.

    It accused a presidential candidate of having suspicious meetings with some envoys.

    Read Also: INEC needs 1.2m personnel for 2019 polls

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed revealed the latest intelligence at the disposal of the government at a briefing attended by many local and international media.

    Mohammed said the opposition was doing everything possible, including instigating widespread violence as well as relentless attacks on key institutions, to discredit the forthcoming election.

    He said the opposition was already predicting carnage in the event of the President’s victory.

    He said: “With just 12 days to the 2019 election, we have called this press conference to alert Nigerians to the evil machinations of the opposition, which is not campaigning to win the election – because they know they can’t win a free, fair and peaceful election – but are busy planning how to scuttle or discredit it

    “Recall that on Monday, January 21st 2019, we alerted the nation, also via a press conference, to the plot by some opposition elements to scuttle the 2019 general elections by instigating widespread violence across the country. Of course we didn’t just make this up. It was based on credible intelligence

    “We revealed that the plan to scuttle the polls is part of moves to push the nation into a constitutional crisis, with the plotters hoping they can leverage on that to push for an interim government.  When we raised the alarm, the opposition dismissed it. Of course they were shocked to have been found out, so we understand their panic reaction.

    “To underscore the seriousness of our alert, a week after our press conference, the National Security Adviser (NSA) met with state governors to also inform them of this same plan to scuttle the polls via widespread violence. As I said at my last press conference, the alarm we raised is based on credible intelligence.

    “Today, still based on credible intelligence, we can reveal that the opposition is moving a step further. They are working hard to discredit the forthcoming election before, during and after the polls.

    “Specifically, they are sending a delegation to some Western capitals, including London, Brussels and Washington, DC, to push the concocted line that the Buhari Administration has perfected the plan to rig the polls. They are therefore pushing for a rejection of the results if the President wins re-election. They are also predicting carnage in the event of the President’s victory.”

    Responding to a question, Mohammed said: “There is no where there is any insinuation that the Federal Government has lost confidence in the international community. I think, less we are misunderstood, we never say the opposition is hobnobbing with the international community.

    “The opposition parties have decided to, instead of facing their campaigns, resort to international blackmail. We have seen a particular presidential candidate having some suspicious meetings with some envoys.

    “When we have credible intelligence that the opposition is going to carry out some sinister actions, the best and most effective way is to go public”.

    Asked of which of the 73 political parties contesting presidential race behind this plot, the Minister said: “There is PDP, CUPP and their allies.

    Mohammed alleged that the opposition had been using a nebulous group, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to push its covert agenda.

    He said CUPP nothing more than a reincarnated Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) which was employed to scuttle the Nigeria’s widely-acclaimed freest presidential election in 1993.

    He added: “Already, they have started flying the rigging kite domestically. They have been engaging in incendiary rhetoric and in making outlandish claims using several fronts, including the nebulous Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) which, by the way, is nothing more than a reincarnated Association for Better Nigeria (ABN). Of course you all know the role that the ABN played in the failed 1993 political transition process.

    “They have targeted, for attack, the two key institutions that are most critical to the success of the election: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police. They have used every malleable and malicious personality to make wild allegations against INEC.

    “Their strategy is simple: Discredit the election even before it is held, and continue during and after the polls with a view to convincing the West – which they believe they have won to their side using lobbyist-propelled propaganda – that the election is not credible.”

    Mohammed attributed the desperation of the opposition to the emerging electoral reality that they might lose the presidential poll.

    He added: “Some may ask: Why would the opposition go to this length? The answer is simple: They know, and are convinced, that they cannot win free, fair, credible and peaceful polls. The handwriting is on the wall for all discerning people to see.

    “While President Buhari has received warm and genuine reception and adulation from huge crowds everywhere he has gone to campaign, their candidate has been exposed to apathetic and thinning crowds! Their numbers just don’t add up!”

    But he restated the commitment of the President to a free and fair poll.

    “On our part, we as an Administration are undaunted by their antics, even though we believe it is necessary to expose their evil plans – as we have been doing – to the world. President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly stated his commitment to ensuring a free, fair and violence-free election.

    “He has no doubt – based on testimonies of change from Nigerians – that the achievements of his Administration, in the three cardinal areas of fighting corruption, revamping the economy and fighting insecurity, will speak for him at the polls. He did not rig his way into office and has no need to rig now that he is in office.

    The Minister urged Nigerians and the international community to beware of the antics of the opposition.

    “We are therefore compelled to alert Nigerians and the global community to the following:

    • The desperate opposition is doing everything possible, including instigating widespread violence as well as relentless attacks on key institutions, to discredit the forthcoming election. They know they will lose the election, but they want victory by subterfuge.
    • To further their plan, the opposition is dispatching a 10-member delegation to some Western capitals, including London, Brussels and Washington, DC, to sell the idea that the Buhari Administration has perfected the plan to rig the election. They have no empirical basis for the idea they are pushing, beyond relying on exploiting the nation’s ‘fault lines’ of religion, ethnicity and regionalism.
    • The opposition is approaching the election with an incredible level of desperation. In this regard, they have activated their own version of the infamous Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), under the guise of CUPP, to engage in unrestrained rabble-rousing and frivolous court cases. Of course, the activities of CUPP in recent times are there for all to see, even though the coalition seems to be a very poor imitation of the original ABN.
    • The Buhari Administration is committed to free, fair, credible and peaceful polls. We are glad that local and international observers are already fully mobilized to monitor the election.

    “We call on all Nigerians to be vigilant as we begin the final countdown to the election. Eternal vigilance, as the saying goes, is the price of liberty. We must not allow desperate politicians to crash our democracy on the altar of their personal – and sometimes inordinate – ambition!”

  • Labour picket Zimbabwean Embassy in Abuja

    …demand release of detained workers

     

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday picketed the Zimbabwean Embassy in Abuja, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of workers and labour leaders arrested while protesting the increase in the prices of fuel in that country.

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who led the workers said if the Zimbabwean government refuse to release the Union leaders, workers across the world will be mobilised to shut down the Zimbabwean embassies across the world.

    Wabba who is also the president of the International Trade Union (ITUC ) asked the United Nations to invoke relevant international conventions to protect the right of workers in Zimbabwe.

    He said ITUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress will petition the International Court of Justice to protest the violation of human rights in that country and the violence that follow the peaceful protest by the workers.

    Wabba also asks the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the African Union to invoke relevant labour conventions in dealing with the issue in Zimbabwe, adding that it was an irony that the same government which the labour union fought for is the one hunting down labour leaders.

    He said organised labour in Nigeria will not hesitate to seal up the embassy in Abuja if the Zimbabwean government failed to adhere to their calls and release the detained labour leaders in that country.

    Wabba called on the Zimbabwean Government to release detained leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and 39 others arrested for participating in protest march over fuel price increase.

    Wabba said that the NLC has followed with a sense of outrage the ugly incidents that have trailed the mass protests in Zimbabwe, adding that that the protest was occasioned by the sudden increase in pump prices of petroleum products by the government of Zimbabwe.

    He said: “the protest is against what many Zimbabweans perceive as insensitive policy choices by the government of Zimbabwe. The Nigerian working class family is sad that what should have passed as a civil action in democratic climes was met with disproportionate use of force by the Zimbabwean military and security forces.

    “The brazen show of force culminated into widespread suppression and violation of the fundamental human rights of ordinary Zimbabweans, who were exposed to an orgy of violence, bloodshed and acts of state cruelty.

    “The NLC is particularly concerned about allegations of home raids, killings, rapes, robbery and physical assaults against workers, women, children and civilians generally, during the so-called crackdown of protests by the Zimbabwean security forces.’’

    Read Also: Labour banks on Rewane Committee

    He reminded the Zimbabwean Government that the action of the security forces was in violation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87 on the Right to Unionise and Organise, saying ” the Nigeria Labour Congress reiterates its firm support for democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights cum dignity everywhere and at all times.

    “We, therefore, extend our strong solidarity to the workers and people of Zimbabwe as they express their democratic rights to peaceful assembly and protest. We stand with you today, being Feb. 1, 2019 and always as we lead Nigerian workers and all lovers of democracy, freedom and civil liberties on a march to the Zimbabwean High Commission, Abuja.

    “This is a protest against the descent of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to a reign of cold-blooded dictatorship, brutality and tyranny, adding that “what was happening right now in Zimbabwe was out of tune with democratic tenets and certainly not in tandem with Mnangagwa’s promise of a new Zimbabwe.“

  • Again, Obasanjo knocks Buhari over leadership style 

    … Nigeria should Borrow Rwanda Elite Consensus Model, Bugaje

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday came under attack few days to the 2019 presidential election.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo urged Nigerians not to despair, but be optimistic and vigilant despite the fact that Buhari is under performing.

    Obasanjo said that time has come when every Nigerian must have a Nigerian dream where there must be some commonalities adding that in assessing the mid-term government of President Buhari, security, fighting corruption and job creation remain where they were when the government started as it was not yet a success story.

    He said if Nigeria as a country must get it right, especially entrenching good democracy, there must be good governance, free and credible elections.

    Read Also:Oshiomhole lashes out at Obasanjo for ceding Bakassi

    Speaking at the Public Presentation of a book titled, “Politics as dashed hopes in Nigeria by Dr. Auwalu Anwar, former President Obasanjo however urged Nigerians to rise and defend the country’s fledgling democracy.

    Obasanjo vowed to do everything humanly possible to safeguard democracy for good governance in Nigeria and for all Nigerians.

    He said in the next couple of months, four West Africa Countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire will be having their elections, adding that one common feature is that the four incumbent presidents were in the opposition and people voted for them.

    The former president said that the world is watching to see how they would strengthen Democracy in their respective countries.

    Obasanjo who was the Chairman of the book presentation at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, said that democracy without a strong opposition is akin to a marriage without a bridegroom to consummate the marriage.

    The book which is published by Safari Books is made up of twenty- two chapters, with 614 pages.

    The former President said: “I am not in despair and I would ask the rest of us not to be in despair; our hope lies in democracy with good governance as one of the hallmarks which is free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

    “What should be our take home; yes things may be gloomy, things may not be what they should be, yes leadership may be underperforming, we must not lose hope, that is the first thing.

    “The second is that I believe we must have some commonalities that we will all hang on to. One our common nationality, Nigeria; this is the time when we must have a Nigerian dream, what is Nigerian dream, what can I hang on to? Yes I am a Nigerian and because I am a Nigerian I expect this.

    “And I believe if we all see ourselves first as Nigerians and then we enunciate for ourselves the Nigerian dream, a land flowing with milk and honey, a land of opportunity, a land that gives you a stake in all that it is, I think, we will have a country that we can all be proud of.”

    “I believe that every record we can keep of the history of Nigeria in totality, it doesn’t matter from what point of view you are writing, it is good for the future of this country because if we do not know our past, we may not be able to channel the right course to our future. It is important that we keep the memory of the past so that so that we can enlighten our present.

    “I must also congratulate him for the courage and the research work he has deplored in writing such a lucid and comprehensive book. I could see from the content from the book what may appear as the author’s frustration which led to the somewhat melancholy title.

    “Since the book is about The Buhari Organisation (TBO), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Progressive Congress (APC) and Buhari’s political life and activities up to the second year of Buhari’s administration. I will touch on two or three points that may be of interest to all of us.

    “President Buhari served the purpose of galvanizing efforts to get Jonathan and PDP out of office. Buhari and the APC must get the credit that because democracy without a strong opposition is like a marriage without the bridegroom consummating the marriage.

    “But on the midterm score card Dr Anwar pointed out three significant and tangible areas of failure; security, fighting corruption and job creation. As at today these three areas are still what they were at midterm not yet a success story.

    “Dr Anwar touched on another significant but intangible areas of failure; exemplary leadership which induce character and power for the sake of what may be called power for self aggrandisement. I can say that I understand where Dr Anwar is coming from to get the title of the book, but we must face despair with optimism.”

    Obasanjo went further that: “I am not in despair and I would ask the rest of us not to be in despair; our hope lies in democracy with good governance as one of the hallmarks which is free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

    “Between now and the next few months, there are four significant countries where elections are taking place in West Africa; Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Cote d’ivoire. The incumbent in the four cases were in the opposition and people voted for them, it was good for democracy.

    “The world is looking at these four countries in the incoming elections to see what will be their contribution to cumulatively strengthen, improve and stabilize democracy in each of these four countries. If we all cherish democracy, we will all guard and protect our fledgling democracy and that I believe is the main purpose of Dr Anwar’s book.

    “As for me I will do everything within me possible to safeguard democracy to good governance in Nigeria and for all Nigerians.

    “I am particularly happy in this respect that most Nigerians themselves are rising to their duties, obligations and responsibilities as guardians of our democracy. I commend all those that are standing for democracy. Remember that if you stand aloof when evil is being perpetrated you will become an accomplice in the perpetration of evil.

    “Nigerians must be the architect of their own fortunes and future progress but equally gratifying is that the international community have accepted the responsibility and committed themselves to take necessary actions to ensure the health and sustenance of our democracy therefore making politics a great hope for Nigeria, for West Africa and indeed for Africa rather than great despair or dashed hopes.

    “We salute and appreciate those who support us for the general good of Nigeria with a population of 200million and rising, our misfortune has implications for the rest of Africa and the rest of the world in general. Nigeria’s potentials shall be realised by the grace of God.”

    In his Keynote address, a former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje, who noted that there was the absence of elite consensus in Nigeria, where each zone is doing its own, without a common sense of purpose; however urged Nigeria to have a replication of Rwandan model of national integration in addressing socio-political crisis in Nigeria.

    According to Bugaje, the elite consensus introduced by the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame which reconciled Hutus and Tutsis was required to salvage Nigeria, just as he explained that Rwanda went through the worst genocide in the world but rose to become the safest country with the fastest growing economy in Africa within twenty years, adding, “I am confident Nigeria and other countries can escape crisis. And what gives me this confidence is Rwanda. I am not a fan of Paul Kagame because he has his shortcomings. He is human.

    “What Paul Kagame does is elite consensus. Today if you go to Rwanda you cannot know who is a Tutsi, who is a Hutu. If you ask them, you will never get an answer. They will just smile. Because they agreed that, they will not go back to that thing that divides them. And they succeed. This is what we require to salvage our country.”

    According to Bugaje, Poor quality of governance and poor delivery was deepening poverty, with large number of out of school children, just as he said that Parties have lost content, conscience and courage and plays out now is politics of big men which took over from the politics of big ideas, thereby leading to emptiness, money and violence.

    Bugaje who also took a swipe at the aspect of the constitution which harps on eligibility and nit suitability, said that in the 21st century, it was out of place and not suitable to say that secondary education should be the requirement needed to be the president of the country, adding that there was confusion, clear absence of transparency in the country as well as poor politics of governance.

    Bugaje who noted that the leadership was not interested in thinking about where Nigeria would be in the next twenty years, the world of Information Technology, wealth moving away from oil to creativity, said that the only consensus now is to loot treasury and continue thuggery, but was quick to add that inspite of all these, there was still hope as we need courage and resilience.

    Also present at the event were former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar who was represented by former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammed Uwais; governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai who was represented by his deputy; Col. Lawal Gwadabe, Professor Terhemba Shija who was the book reviewer, Spokesperson of Afenifere, Yinka Odunmakin, former Minister of State, Defence, Johnson Agiuyi Ironsi, Jnr, Akilu Ndabawa, Senator Ibrahim Ida, Dr. Umar Ardo, among others.