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Tag: Aliyu

  • Uduaghan, Aliyu reaffirm faith in PDP

    Uduaghan, Aliyu reaffirm faith in PDP

    THE governors of Delta  and Niger states, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Dr Babangida Aliyu, have reaffirmed their faith in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the dark days of the party were over.

    Speaking in Asaba Thursday evening, the governors said there was crisis in the party which had been resolved and that the PDP had  re-positioned itself to win  in the 2015 general elections.

    According to Governor Uduaghan who played host to Governor Aliyu and members of his team, “our party is now stabilised; people are happier and we are more united in the PDP,” observing that Governor Aliyu took a wise decision by not abandoning the party during the crisis.

    “You kept saying and reassuring us that you are a PDP man for life. Some people do not believe in running away from challenges and you are one of them,” Dr Uduaghan told his Niger State counterpart stressing that the answer to challenges was not to run away, but to “remain inside, tackle the challenges and effect the changes you desire.”

    The governor used the occasion to call on leaders to always take politics at the grassroots very important, asserting that lives of the people at the grassroots must be transformed.

    “Politics is about getting to the people at the grassroots; we must transform their lives because the little things we take for granted like provision of water means a lot to the ordinary Nigerian in the rural communities,” Uduaghan said.

    He described Governor Aliyu as a man who is playing strategic roles in uniting the country as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), assuring that Nigeria would remain one indivisible entity.

    In his remark, Governor Aliyu said Nigeria would witness a peaceful election in 2015 and the PDP would remain strong and victorious in the elections.

    According to him, “2015 will come and pass peacefully, and it will be to the success of the PDP,” adding that the PDP is at the grassroots and the people at the grassroots are fully in support of the party.

    He expressed satisfaction with the roles Governor Uduaghan is playing in the PDP, stating that his stand on issues has saved the PDP from crises and his  wisdom is an asset to the party.

  • Stop campaigning, Aliyu warns aspirants

    Stop campaigning, Aliyu warns aspirants

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday warned political aspirants who are campaigning to stop or face the wrath of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Aliyu gave the warning while reacting to a face-off between supporters of two aspirants, which nearly disrupted the inauguration of a government hospital named after former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar at Gulu, Lapai Local Government Area.

    Aliyu cautioned that any attempt to jump the electoral time table by the aspirants could earn any party and its candidates sanction from the electoral body.

    The governor was irked by the flooding of major cities and towns with posters of aspirants, as well as the unruly behaviour of party supporters.

    Disturbed by the development Aliyu chided some politicians and aspirants for their “over zealousness to campaign.’’

    “If INEC disqualifies anyone, it would be because some people are over zealous, they must wait for the right time. I saw many posters and I said it is only in politics that before you die, they will bury you. Already I can see many people who are eager to take over, please I will beg you to not to overdo it.”

    The governor said they should not allow INEC to punish the party because of their over zealousness.

    “INEC is watching and we should be careful so we do not become the party that will be punished as a result of not following the laid down rules and regulations.”

  • President won’t declare in Niger, says Aliyu

    President won’t declare in Niger, says Aliyu

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has refuted claims that President Goodluck Jonathan will on Saturday declare his 2015 ambition in Minna, the state capital.

    He also denied that Jonathan has started his presidential campaign, following his visit to some states.

    The governor spoke yesterday when he received the Head of the European Union in Nigeria and the executive of the Bayero University Kano Alumni Association.

    Aliyu said Saturday’s visit is to honour the Northcentral Zone unity rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “President Jonathan is not coming to Niger State to declare his intention to run for 2015, neither is he coming to the state to campaign.

    “If he is coming to campaign, he will announce it. The President is coming to Niger State for a solidarity and unity rally for the Northcentral.”

    The governor said the President would not embark on his 2015 presidential campaign in disguise, adding that when he is ready, it would be announced.

    Justifying the rally, which will be attended by the party’s National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, Aliyu said: “The rally is necessary to show that PDP is still one indivisible party and will remain so despite its crisis and problems.

    “Some people think they have injured us by defecting from the party but I am glad to tell you today that PDP is stronger, better, more democratic and transparent.”

    The governor added that unlike before, the PDP is better positioned for the 2015 general elections, adding that the new leadership had ensured that there is transparency and rule of law and everyone is satisfied with the current happenings in the country.

    “We know where we are heading to. We do not have any major problem anymore. Everything that is happening now is open to everyone, everything is now transparent. We are now stronger and better.”

    He also disclosed that the PDP Governors Forum meeting will hold after the North Central zonal rally.

    President Jonathan has visited Imo, Sokoto and Kwara states for his party rally.

  • National confab: North to take common position on issues- Aliyu

    Baring any last minute change the 19 states of Northern Nigeria are set to present a common position at the forth coming National Conference, Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has disclosed.

    He said the governors from the region last Monday at its meeting in Kaduna resolved  to take a common position on issues to be raised at the National conference  slated for next month.

    Aliyu who made this disclosure Wednesday  at an interactive session on National Conference with major stakeholders from his state in Minna said that the northern governors also decided to send their best to the Conference.

    According to him, “At our last meeting in Kaduna, we took some positions as northern governors and as states. We have some paramount issues that we want to stand on and we will present it during the National Conference.

    “We also resolved to send in our best to the conference with lots of experience to discuss without fear or favor at the conference and the state delegates will be briefed from time to time in the course of the conference which would start next month”, Aliyu said.

    He argued that the decision of the governors would strengthen the unity and development of the nation.

    The governor saddled the stakeholders with the responsibility of determining the three delegates that will represent the state at the Conference, “We have to send our most intelligent and brilliant delegates. Two men and one woman who will not be afraid to defend the state and the North.”

    He then gave some of the issues to be discussed by the stakeholders which include the structure of government in Nigeria, creation of the office of the Controller of the Federation Account as against the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, State Police, devolution of power, residency and indigenization, onshore and offshore dichotomy, resource control amongst others.

    Aliyu used the meeting to intimate stakeholders of the decision of the state government to institute a State Commonwealth Fund, a prototype of the National Sovereign Fund with a view to preventing the state from going under by making a mandatory monthly saving no matter the state of the nation’s economy.

    “A committee have been set up to look at issues and come up  with decisions on how to make sure that Niger state does not find itself in financial straitjacket.”

    Journalists were excused as the  stakeholders went into a closed door session as Governor Aliyu promised that the newsmen would be briefed after the meeting.

  • Aliyu alleges plot to destabilise Niger

    Aliyu alleges plot to destabilise Niger

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday has said there is an alleged plot to destabilise the state, following the ban on commercial motorcycles.

    He alleged that the plot is being hatched by some prominent opposition individuals in the state.

    Aliyu’s allegation was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.

    The statement alleged that a protest was being organised by a group of key figures.

    It reads: “The government of Niger State condemns this cheap blackmail by these disgruntled politicians, who have lost out of the power game and are clutching at anything to remain relevant.”

    Aliyu said the government acted responsibly in the interest of the public, stressing that his administration would not repeal the law banning the use of Okada in the state capital.

    He said he was convinced that the advantages of the newly introduced tricycles far outweigh those of motorcycles, emphasising that no responsible government would sit and watch its citizens die in avoidable road crashes involving commercial motorcyclists.

    “There is no need to politicise the issues on ground, because innocent residents, irrespective of their party affiliation, suffer greatly, with some, even losing their lives, often times when accidents involving motorcycles occur.”

  • PDP crisis: Options before Lamido, Aliyu

    PDP crisis: Options before Lamido, Aliyu

    In the next few weeks, the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and his Niger State counterpart, Dr. Babangida Muazu Aliyu, will make known their decision whether they will remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or pitch tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this report, Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo, examines the options before the two governors and its pros and cons

    The nation’s polity appears revved for interesting developments in the next few weeks and months.

    From the unending crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the trouble-shooting efforts of the Presidency and the party leaders to curtail the situation, coupled with the determined efforts of leaders of the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) to consolidate on its recent political gains, politicians across all divides seem poised for a big battle ahead the 2015 general elections.

    Within the PDP, The Nation gathered top members of the party are anxiously awaiting the decisions of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and his Niger State counterpart, Babangida Muazu Aliyu, to either remain in the party or defect to another political party.

    In the last few weeks, sources revealed that pressure, laced with subtle threats and blackmail, has been brought on the two governors by some powerful forces in government to dissuade them from leaving the PDP.

    While this scenario is playing out, there are also unconfirmed reports of attempts by majority of the governors’ supporters urging them to leave the PDP for the APC, whose leaders it was learnt, are seriously working underground to convince Lamido and Aliyu to join the party.

    Following the defection of the five PDP governors, Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) and Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) to the APC, both Lamido and Aliyu declined to join their erstwhile colleagues in the nPDP/G7 to the APC, citing the need to explore further avenues to resolve their disagreements with the PDP leadership.

    But their hopes to find a common ground with their party appears dashed if developments within the party in the last two weeks are anything to go by.

    Presidency, PDP gives up on Lamido

    Barring any last minute change of plan, the Jigawa State helmsman is likely to defect from the PDP to the APC next month, according to sources close to him.

    A recent media report, quoting Lamido as having described PDP as a ‘dead and buried party,’ appears to be the final confirmation that he is on his way out of the party of which he is a founding member.

    A source quipped, “It is just a matter of weeks before Lamido leaves PDP. The minimum condition he gave to remain in PDP is the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. But now that the Presidency and the other PDP governors have decided to stick to Tukur, what is the point staying put in the party?”

    Feelers that Lamido could remain in PDP were heightened recently when majority of the PDP governors agreed with the Jigawa State governor’s call for Tukur to step aside. The Nation in fact gathered that many of the governors were allegedly in touch with Lamido assuring him that they were all in support of the ‘Tukur must go’ project.

    But the sudden volte face by his colleagues, who allegedly bowed to pressure from some powerful forces in the Presidency to back Tukur, proved the last straw that convinced Lamido that his time is up in the PDP.

    The embattled PDP National Chairman, according to impeccable sources, was alleged to have leveraged on his filial relationship with Mrs. Bola Shagaya, who is arguably the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan’s closest friend, to turn the tide in his favour. Shagaya’s son, Sheriff is married to Tukur’s daughter, Aisha.

    Recent newspaper reports allege that the First Lady, it was, who recently summoned some PDP governors and prevailed on them to support Tukur or face serious backlash from the Presidency. Shagaya was present in most of the meetings, sources told The Nation.

    Another factor alleged to have influenced Lamido is the veiled reference to him in the response letter of President Goodluck Jonathan to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In the letter, the President had accused a certain northern governor who is quite close to Obasanjo as having made an unsubstantiated allegation of corruption against a serving minister. Lamido, it was gathered, is riled that the President allegedly inferred in his letter that he was a liar who was intent on ridiculing his (Jonathan) administration.

    The issue of trust is also another major challenge that has made reconciliation between Lamido and the PDP quite a thorny issue. The Presidency is also worried by Lamido’s utterances and body language in recent times, and most importantly his closeness to ex-President Obasanjo, who is regarded as his political godfather.

    Sources disclosed that what is delaying Lamido’s decision to leave PDP is the urgent need to tidy up the legal loose ends in the case involving two of his sons who were sometimes ago arrested, detained but later released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on money laundering charges.

    On fears being expressed in certain quarters that his sons’ cases could be used against him by the powers-that-be, the governor, according to sources is reportedly unperturbed. “His (Lamido) position is that he cannot be blackmailed and that the law court will be the final arbiter if his sons are eventually charged to court.”

    But for now, The Nation learnt that the outspoken governor is buoyed by the level of support he currently enjoys from both appointed and elected officials in his state, some of whom have already defected to the APC.

    Aliyu still foot dragging

    The case of Governor Aliyu presents a more complicated scenario.

    Indications have emerged that the former federal permanent secretary is yet to make up his mind on leaving PDP for another political party.

    His stance may have raised hopes in the Presidency and within the PDP leadership that the governor will not join his ‘comrades’ in the former nPDP in the APC.

    The politics of Niger State as it relates to who succeeds Aliyu in 2015 is said to be the major reason why Aliyu allegedly prefers to remain in PDP.

    Sources claim there is a disagreement among powerful stakeholders in the state and the governor over the latter’s likely successor.

    While the stakeholders are rooting for either Abubakar Bello, son of retired army officer and wealthy businessman, Col. Sani Bello, who is a member of the APC or Mohammed, eldest son of former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, to succeed Aliyu, the governor is allegedly against any plan to foist his successor on him.

    But another source who spoke to The Nation disclosed that Aliyu’s delay in defecting to the APC was for a strategic reason after all.

    The governor, it is claimed, remains on the same page with his colleagues in the former G7, particularly on the issue of the return of the Presidency to the North in 2015.

    No doubt for the G2 governors, decision time looks sooner than later.

  • Aliyu promises more money for schools if stealing is checked

    Aliyu promises more money for schools if stealing is checked

    •Governor pleads with govt/ASUU to make sacrifices

    The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has attributed the underdevelopment of the education sector to stealing of public funds.

    Aliyu, who spoke at the first national convention and election of executive council of the Bayero University Kano (BUK) Alumni Association, also said the Federal Government should be sincere in tabling the facts as contained in the 2009 Agreement it signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    The governor, who is an alumnus of BUK, said less stealing of public funds would make free education possible.

    ‘’I have been asking myself when I look throughout the parts of the world, it is only in Nigeria where you have strike in the universities; why? And I have also found that if Nigerians desist from stealing, we should be able to provide free education from primary school to the university level,” he said.

    Aliyu also urged the Federal Government and ASUU to make sacrifices, towards an amicable resolution of the lingering strike crippling the university education sub-sector.

    The governor, however, admitted that though strike is old fashioned in the settlement of disputes globally, it is the only language the government seems to understand.

    For the viability of universities, Aliyu counselled all major stakeholders to contribute their quota towards the funding of universities through their alumni associations, pointing out that famous universities in the world, like Oxford , Harvard universities, among others, are great, primarily due to their financial contributions made by the alumni associations.

    He called on the various alumni associations to emulate the good gesture of the foreign-based universities by exploring other sources to generate funds to develop and equip their alma mater.

    On the occasion, the BUK Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulrasheed Aabubaka, praised members the university’s alumni association, especially Aliyu, as well as Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, former Zamfara State governor for their support for the infrastructural development of the university.

     

  • I didn’t betray G7 governors, says Aliyu

    I didn’t betray G7 governors, says Aliyu

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said he did not betray the Group of Seven (G7) by not joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking for the first time since five of his colleagues dumped the PDP for the opposition, Aliyu explained that he went into the struggle with the PDP leadership with the intention of reforming the party and not to dump it.

    Aliyu spoke yesterday in Minna when the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), led by the Vice-President, Ms. Hauwa Shekarau, visited him.

    He appealed that his decision should be respected.

    “I led the so-called G7 as a result of a reform we were looking for in our party. The idea was not to leave our party; the idea was to reform it.”

    The governor attributed his stay in the PDP to the decision of his people, explaining that he could not take such a step without consulting his people.

    He said: “The fight is not about me, it is not a one-man show; it is not about my ambition. It is about my people. There is no way I’ll take any decision without seeking my people‘s views. Majority prefer we stay in PDP and we will stay and make it work.”

    Aliyu said he respected the decision of his colleagues to join APC and called on them to respect his decision to stay in PDP.

    “If along the line of the struggle, some people find it more expedite to leave the party, that is their decision and I respect that. Those of us who feel we still need a reform and we feel that we should remain, I think our views and actions should be respected.”

    Eulogising the emergence of APC as a strong opposition party, Aliyu hoped that the development would put an end to political prostitution in the country.

    He said: “For us in Niger State, we welcome the development of a two-party state and end up creating more political prostitutes.”

    Aliyu cautioned that people should not play unnecessary politics with the development, which may end up creating more trouble.

  • We’re heading for a two-party state, says Aliyu

    We’re heading for a two-party state, says Aliyu

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday said the country may be heading for a two-party state.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the inroad being made by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Aliyu described the move by the leadership of APC as a healthy development for democracy.

    He spoke while receiving the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Hajia Saudatu Sani, who was on an advocacy visit to the state.

    Aliyu said the country’s move towards two or three political parties would be reinforced by lack of democratic principles in the existing political parties.

    He said: “Nigeria may end up with two or three political parties. The fact is that the merging of parties is healthy for our democracy.”

    The governor made a case for independent candidacy, saying such candidates would fill the gap created by the undemocratic postures of the parties.

    He said: “People don’t vote for a candidate because they like that candidate but because they hate the other contestant. For Nigeria to achieve true unity, there is the need to expunge the indigene and non-indigene provisions from the constitution and replaced by residency of Nigerians the governor said adding that the 35 per cent affirmative action for women should also have time frame to an extent that women could take over the leadership of the country in the final analysis.”

  • APC will sanitise Nigeria, says Aliyu

    APC will sanitise Nigeria, says Aliyu

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party needed to sanitise Nigeria’s politics.

    He also said the struggle in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) being spearheaded by the Group of seven governors (G-7) is a revolution to cleanse the party and the national polity. Aliyu is the group’s leader.

    He spoke yesterday when he hosted leaders of the APC led by its Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, who were in Minna to woo Aliyu to APC.

    Aliyu said: “I said it that the coming together of the ACN, ANPP and CPC brought radicalism closer. The emergence of APC is a harbinger for a proper revolution. A revolution that will now sanitise the politics of Nigeria.”

    He warned the ruling PDP to be “cautious, tread softly and be tolerant” with opposition parties, predicting that “the ruling party today may be in opposition tomorrow”.

    The G7 leader said the struggle in the ruling party was their own contribution to santise the party.

    His words: “What is happening in our party, PDP, is the revolution that is catching up with the country. Many see it as an internal struggle, but it is a move to see that the party is cleansed.”

    Commending the forsight of the leaders of APC in coming together, Aliyu said the party’s emergence on the political landscape would bring the best out of the 2015 elections as Nigerians would have the opportunity to have two major parties to seek for their favour”.

    Though he was not categorical about the request of the APC leaders, Aliyu said: “We have declared ceasefire because we are negotiating. After that, you can come with a blast. If we resolve, we will still be friends and if we don’t resolve, you will have as many of us as possible. As a group, we the G7 are people who keep to agreement.”

    He then advised that the membership drive should not be limited to the G7 governors alone. “Don’t just visit the G7 governors alone, visit all governors and let us see who will not receive you. If other parties see this move as a good way, let them do it,” Aliyu told the APC chiefs.

    Akande said they were in the state to solidarise with Aliyu in the face of persecution he along with the G7 governors were receiving from the ruling party and to ask him and the people of the state to join the APC.

    APC National Leader Tinubu said the political barometer and radar had shown that the time for change in the country was ripe.

    According to him, Nigeria needs “changes that take the welfare of the people as a cornerstone of its economic policies”. “Change that is focused on quality of life of our men and women. Changes that give priortity to economic priorities and take poverty off the land and put our youth to work”.

    He expressed optimism that the party’s drive would yield positive results for the country.

    On the delegation were General Muhammadu Buhari, former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari, Senate Minority Leader George Akume, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi, former Minister of Works Hassan Lawal, former Edo State Governor Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Minister of Labour Alhaji Gwadabe and Interim National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed.