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Tag: Aliyu

  • Aliyu berates rights groups for supporting man with 86 wives

    •Swears in first woman CJ

    Niger State Governor yesterday swore in the first woman Chief Judge (CJ) and the second in the North, Justice Lami Fati Abubakar.

    The new CJ is the wife of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Aliyu conducted the ceremony in his Minna office.

    He berated rights activists and some civil society organisations for defending the Bida Islamic scholar, Mohammed Masaba, who reportedly married more than 86 wives.

    Aliyu said their defence of Masaba was morally wrong and unjustified because the cleric was believed to have been engaged in what the society perceived as an illegal behaviour.

    The governor argued that the groups should have defended the women Masaba might have lured into marriage instead of pitching their support with the cleric, who has allegedly vowed not to stop marrying more wives.

    Aliyu said: “We can deceive ourselves but we cannot deceive God.”

    The governor said investigations showed that some top public officers in the state had surpassed religious stipulations and married between five and seven wives.

    He noted that harmful practices against the girl-child was thriving in parts of the state and called for the implementation of the law to stop the perpetrators of such practices.

    Aliyu described Justice Abubakar as “a paragon of empathy and welfare”.

     

  • Aliyu laments high rate of illiteracy in North

    Aliyu laments high rate of illiteracy in North

    THE Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, has declared as unacceptable the report that 50 percent of children of school age are not in schools in 14 of the 19 states in the region. He expressed shock with the UNESCO report, which was made public on Thursday at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja. According to the report, states in the northern region account for a greater percentage of the 10.5 million national figure of school-age children that are out of school. Speaking in Minna on Friday at the flag-off ceremony for 2013 National Environmental Sanitation day, Governor Aliyu charged his colleagues, governments and other stakeholders in the region to redouble their efforts by bridging the gap. He said: “Yesterday, I was told that 14 states that have 50 per cent of the children out of school are in the north. Some northern states even have 76 to 80 per cent of the children out of school. This is not good at all, because in the world we record the highest number of out of school children. We have 10.5 million children out of school.” Citing his state, which has the highest figure in the north central geo-political zone, he lamented that despite initiatives put in place by his administration, which have seen school enrolment increasing from half a million in 2007 when he assumed office to 1.5 million annually, the state still records 50 per cent children out of school. He directed that the state will from next academic session implement the free and compulsory basic education policy which has been in place since 2007. “In Niger State, education is free and compulsory from primary to junior secondary school. We have been implementing the free education aspect of the policy. We shall be implementing the compulsory aspect very soon. We have to get these children into school and bridge the gap with the southern states,” he stated. Aliyu said concerted efforts should be made by northern states government to fund education adequately, arguing that no state, especially those in the north should blame the high rate of children out of school on fund. “In South-South region, Edo State had the least of 2.2 per cent, while in the South West, Ekiti had the least. These states are not getting what Akwa Ibom or Rivers or Lagos states are getting. We have to set our priority right and help to develop our region and catch up with the rest of the country,” he advised, and called on stakeholders to encourage the committee on the integration on Koranic and western education in order to remove the Alimajiris from the street. Aliyu blamed the increasing number of school dropouts in the region on polygamists, who he said cannot cater for theor responsibilities. “We use religion to kill education. This is not right. There must be control of lifestyle. Any country that cannot control its excesses will not grow.”

  • Plot to suspend Nyako, Aliyu tears PDP apart

    Plot to suspend Nyako, Aliyu tears PDP apart

    Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger) are next in line for sanction by the PDP for alleged anti-party activities, it was gathered last night.

    The plot to suspend them is already tearing the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party apart.

    The PDP has suspended two of its governors- Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), in the last two weeks for alleged insubordination and the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has warned that the party leadership will no longer tolerate indiscipline ahead of the 2015 elections.

    Nyako, Aliyu and Wamakko are believed to have voted for Amaechi during the disputed election of the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

    The party leadership and the presidency wanted the PDP governors to line up behind the official candidate-Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State.

    Amaechi won the election by 19 votes to Jang’s 16 to the embarrassment of the Presidency and the PDP.

    It was gathered that NWC, during the week, received the report of a committee set up to look into some petitions allegedly written against Nyako and Babangida Aliyu by party members in their states.

    The committee, which has as members leading chieftains of the party, according to sources recommended the suspension of the duo.

    However, some NWC members are alleging interference in the work of the committee by the presidency.

    They say they cannot vouch for the impartiality of the panel and are kicking against the recommendation that the governors be suspended.

    Besides, they believe that the party is courting trouble by thinking it can take on too many governors at a time.

    The pro-sanction group, led by Tukur is said to be bent on implementing the recommendations of the committee. Sources said that if Tukur and his supporters have their ways, the two governors’ suspension will be announced anytime from now.

    Tukur is from Adamawa State and he has been having a running battle with Nyako in the struggle for the soul of the PDP in the state.

    A source familiar with the development said:”The situation now is that having realised that the current face-off between the governors and the presidency is affecting the popularity of the party adversely, some NWC members are urging the leadership of the party to exercise refrain in further suspending the governors.

    “But there are those who are determined to implement the recommendation of a committee set up to investigate allegations against Nyako and Aliyu. The two have been recommended for suspension.

    “The argument of those opposing further suspension is that the party’s popularity is dwindling. There is also the argument that suspending Aliyu will pitch the party and the presidency against the entire north considering his position as the chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF).

    “For Nyako, his suspension will be seen as a fall-out of his face-off with Tukur and this will not be good for the party’s image as a democratic organisation. But it appears the chairman and his supporters have a mandate to deliver on the suspension move. They are determined. But those opposed to the move appear to be equally insistent. That accounts for the current stalemate on the matter,” an insider source explained.

    Sources said the presidency, which is not backing down on its desperation to have its loyalist, Jang, recognised as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), is behind the plot to axe Nyako and Aliyu.

    A few weeks ago, the Niger State governor publicly declared that President Jonathan signed a pact to do just one term with northern elders in 2011. His relationship with the presidency and the party has been strained ever since then.

  • Plot to impeach Aliyu will fail, says Speaker

    Plot to impeach Aliyu will fail, says Speaker

    The Niger House of Assembly yesterday said it had not received any financial inducement to impeach Governor Babangida Aliyu.

    It promised its loyalty to the governor, stressing that the plot to impeach Aliyu will fail.

    The Presidency was said to have induced the Assembly with N1.9 billion to impeachment the governor.

    It was learnt that the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency were plotting to punish Aliyu for his role in the emergence of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) about two weeks ago.

    The ruling party and the Presidency allegedly plotted the governor’s removal and humiliate him as Chairman of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF).

    House of Assembly Speaker Adamu Usman said yesterday the planned impeachment of the governor was inconceivable.

    He said the Legislature has no cause to remove him.

    Addressing reporters after an executive session of the Assembly, Usman said: “As far as the Niger State House of Assembly is concerned, no member has been approached either individually or collectively as regards the issue of impeaching the governor. Neither have we received or have been offered any amount to the tune of N70 million each to induce us towards proceeding with any impeachment process.

    “At the executive session today (yesterday), all the members denied collecting any money and we promised our support to the governor. As the Speaker of this House, I enjoy the support of all the members and I can tell you that the entire 27 members are solidly behind our governor.

    “The irony of it is that this move is coming when all can see that our governor is performing. No financial inducement can make this Assembly do what is wrong before God and man. Count us out of any impeachment move. The plan cannot work here in Niger State.”

  • North’s governors won’t sack Aliyu

    The plot by some forces in the Presidency to remove Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu as the chair of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) appeared to have failed last night.

    There was a push by the 19 governors not to hold an election. The governors might have chosen to ask Aliyu to be in charge until a “more auspicious” time for a fresh election.

    Also, pro-Aliyu governors have marshaled a Plan B, should their opponents decide to spring a surprise.

    As at last night, Aliyu had secured the backing of 11 of the 19 governors.

    Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has quit the forum, leaving seven in the camp of factional chair of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Plateau Governor Jonah Jang.

    The NSGF will meet tomorrow in Kaduna amid anxiety that some forces in the Presidency will put pressure on some northern governors to hold emergency poll to remove Aliyu.

    Those opposed to Aliyu accused him of backing the reelected Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi to the disadvantage of Jang, who was said to be the consensus candidate of the North’s governors.

    Aliyu is also being witch-hunted for exposing the one-term pact allegedly made by President Goodluck Jonathan with PDP governors in 2011.

    The third ‘sin’ of Aliyu is his persistent call for power shift to the North.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that northern governors have met and resolved not to allow “outsiders” or “external forces” to create crisis in their forum.

    It was learnt that at a meeting of some northern governors yesterday, it was resolved that the best way to check anti-Aliyu forces is not to disallow an election.

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are aware of the plot to destabilise the NSGF by some forces, but we believe such scheming at this time is dangerous. Why must external forces dictate to northern governors?

    “We have been consulting and most governors are of the opinion that we should not hold an election into NSGF office to avoid rancour in our midst.

    “So, I do not think the election will hold because majority of the governors do not favour it. The minority can make noise on Thursday but we will not hold this election now. We won’t allow outsiders to dictate to us when we should hold an election.

    “We will also disallow them from humiliating Aliyu out of office. That cannot happen in NSGF.”

    Another governor said: “The reality is that the anti-Aliyu forces do not have the number. Of 19 northern governors, there are three ANPP governors, one CPC governor, and those you may term as seven “conscientious” PDP governors who are passionate about democracy and rule of law.

    “So, if they want an election to hold, let them push for it and we will meet in Kaduna accordingly. As I am talking to you, it is 11 against seven, if Yuguda stays away from the meeting…”

     

  • Aliyu weeps as ex-FCT minister Kotangora is buried

    Aliyu weeps as ex-FCT minister Kotangora is buried

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu wept yesterday as the body of former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mamman Kotangora was buried at his home town, Kotangora, at 5.10pm. The town stood still for the late general.

    His remains were escorted by military officers and flown to Kotangora in a helicopter. The remains were interred at the palace of the Emir of Kotangora according to Muslim burial rites.

    The two rakat prayers for the burial were led by the Chief Imam of Kotangora, Central Mosque, Sheikh Shehu Rimaye, with thousands of mourners in attendance.

    FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed led the Federal Government delegation, which also included the Minister of State, Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi and the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) Chairman, Mr. Christopher Kolade.

    The National Assembly was represented by Senator Ibrahim Musa, Niger North, the senatorial district of the late general, as well as Senator Zaynab Kure, who is also representing Niger State.

    The Commander, Nigerian Army Corps Artillery, Maj.-Gen. Amnon Kwaskebe, represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika Azubuike, at the funeral.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, were among eminent Nigerians who yesterday expressed shock over Kotangora’s death.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said the nation will always honour the memory of Kotangora for his patriotism and service to the nation in various capacities.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the late General’s family, the Kotangora Emirate Council, Governor Babangida Aliyu and all the people of Niger State.

    “The President joins them in mourning the illustrious and indefatigable former Minister of Works and the FCT who, even in retirement, continued to serve his fatherland with zeal, vigour and enthusiasm whenever he was called upon to do so…”

    Dr Jonathan prayed God Almighty to grant Kotangora’s soul eternal rest.

    Mark described the late Kotangora as a fine military officer and a gentleman.

    He said: “I received with shock and deep sorrow the news of the death of General Kotangora. I feel so sad about this. I never knew he was even sick. He was a brilliant officer and a distinguished administrator.

    “I recall the revolution he brought to bear in the construction of road networks across Nigeria as the then Minister of Works and Housing.

    “He was an honest person and a disciplinarian who never compromised on standards. He was a goal-getter.”

    In a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Senate President noted that the late Kotangora was a true nationalist and a patriot who stood to be counted when it mattered.

    The NSGF expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former minister.

    A statement in Minna by Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the Chief Press Secretary to the forum’s Chairman and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, described the late general as a patriot who died in the service of his fatherland.

    “He was an uncommon statesman, a dependable ally, a devout Muslim, a great military officer, a highly disciplined gentleman and a respected mentor of his subordinate officers,” the statement added.

  • Aliyu: we’ll get to Promise Land

    Aliyu: we’ll get to Promise Land

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday said his administration, in the last six years, has proved to all those doubting his ability to deliver dividends of democracy, that challenges can be surmounted.

    Addressing reporters after the ground-breaking ceremony of the multi-billion naira Minna City Centre in Minna, Niger State capital, the governor said he would ensure that he leaves the state better than he met it.

    He promised to ensure that every project and programme his administration started is completed on or before the expiration of his term on May 28, 2015.

    Aliyu said: “Today makes it six years of this administration. Our achievement is a confirmation to everyone, even those who have no faith in God, to know that there is God. I’m very happy that we have come this far. All the challenges we met, we have been able to surmount them and work for the people.

    “I will continue to make sure that all the things we have started are completed by the time we are leaving office. Everything else is in the hands of God.”

  • Amaechi, Aliyu, loyalty pledge and Jonathan

    Amaechi, Aliyu, loyalty pledge and Jonathan

    Moments after he was re-elected as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) last Friday, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State gave a short and, for someone who cuts a fairly radical or activist image, unusual statement about democracy and President Goodluck Jonathan. The election was victory for democracy and proved the resolve of the governors to affirm the unity of the Forum, he said with a strong hint of exaggeration. But as for Dr. Jonathan, the governor felt a desperate urge to pacify him, thereby giving the impression he not only contested against the Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, but also against the president. It is not clear that everyone will agree the governor needed to pacify the president, but he did so nonetheless with extraordinary self-effacement. As he put it delicately, “We remain committed to supporting our leader, the president and commander in chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to realise the development dream of all Nigerians by reducing tension, uncertainty and insecurity in our beloved country. We want to pledge our steadfastness and resolve working alongside Mr. President to better the lives of our people as we render transparent and accountable stewardship.”

    But Mr. Amaechi is not the only one pledging loyalty to the president, even though it is all but obvious the pledge was cynical and perfunctory. Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, also felt compelled to offer the same peace offering when the president visited Niger State for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Zungeru Hydro-electric Power Project. Responding to widespread report he was warring against the president, Dr. Aliyu remarked effusively: “Those thinking that there is war between the Niger State government and governor and the president should swallow their spit. We are one; we recognise that the people of Nigeria elected him and we respect that. If we do not respect and follow you (Mr. President), God will ask us. So we are saying, Mr. President that we are for you…We are with you and I hereby pledge my government and people’s loyalty and support to you.” But shouldn’t everyone pledge his loyalty to the constitution?

    It is unlikely Dr. Jonathan would believe the two governors. By lashing out furiously against Mr. Amaechi through the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) immediately after the NGF poll, the president gave indication he was impervious to the governor’s blandishments. And while he may also not be able to lash out against the Niger State governor as he would like, he will at least take the governor’s protestations with a pinch of salt. On their own, it is unlikely the two governors think the president would be misled by their red herrings. Why, then, don’t we cut to the chase by showing one another our true colours and forswearing the cultural nuance of groveling before power? It is true that by the Nigerian constitution the president has nearly limitless power to do and undo, yet both the spirit and the letter of the constitution do not grant the president such powers as many imagine. But by groveling before the president/head of state and deferring to him sycophantically, as has been done by the political elite over the decades, the president can be forgiven for imagining he transcends the constitution and has the power of life and death over every citizen. After all, the police, secret service and the army believe everyone is a subject to be treated shabbily, not a citizen whose rights are non-derogable.

    Let Mr. Amaechi enjoy his NGF victory unabashedly, notwithstanding the compulsive bellyaching of his traducers and the aggressive intrigues of Dr Jonathan and the PDP. And beyond the routine exhibition of official courtesies, let Dr Aliyu also put his foot down whenever the need arises, for in truth, there is really no pleasing this president, at least not with the scheming gerontocrats around him disturbing the peace of the country. Blessed will be the day when the president climbs down from his high horse, and the people climb up from their genuflecting and groveling sewers, and we all meet at the table of reason and moderation where everyone knows his limits within the sacred confines of the constitution.

     

  • I’m not at war with Jonathan, says Aliyu

    I’m not at war with Jonathan, says Aliyu

    •‘NGF election crisis a grave threat to democracy, security’

    Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has said he is not at war with President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Speaking for the first time after the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) election at the ground breaking ceremony of the Zungeru Hydro-electric Power Project, Aliyu said he was loyal to the president.

    He said: “Those thinking that there is war between the Niger State government and governor and the president should swallow their spit.

    “We are one; we recognise that the people of Nigeria elected him and we respect that. If we do not respect and follow you (Mr. President), God will ask us. So we are saying, Mr. President that we are for you.”

    Aliyu said his criticism of the president’s policies and programmes were not a show of disloyalty but a deliberate move to attract more projects and attention to his state.

    The governor said: “If you hear a lot of criticism, it is not because we do not love you (president) but because we want you to do more. Regardless of the noise, I know PDP shall make it, because we are one and we all are in one party.

    “We are with you and I hereby pledge my government and people’s loyalty and support to you. I am saying this because in our culture and religion if you don’t respect your leader, Allah will not be happy with you.”

    The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, denied planning to dump the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for another party.

    Aliyu said the reports were being planted by those who are seeking to disintegrate the PDP.

    “The story of planned defection of Governor Aliyu is a figment of the imagination of persons who are either threatened by the successes the party has made in the last 14 years or are afraid of squaring up with the party in the 2015 general elections,” the statement said.

    Aliyu said he was embarrassed “by the orchestrated attempt to impugn his hard earned integrity”.

    The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) and the Lagos State House of Assembly have said the controversy trailing the election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the Chairman of the NGF poses a grave threat to democracy and security.

    AANI made its position known during a meet-the-press session in Abuja on Monday night.

    AANI, in a speech read by its President, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Onoja, cautioned the feuding parties to be mindful of the danger in overheating the polity.

    Describing the NGF as an informal forum, Onoja advised the 36 governors to shelve the game plans for 2015 and focus on the challenges of 2013.

    He said: “The recent unfortunate outcome of NGF’s election in which 36 governors could not count 36 votes is a setback for democratic process. Indeed the incident that characterised the election of Nigeria Governors Forum deeply saddened AANI. We strongly condemn the incident and wish to call the governors to immediately put their house in order and refrain from any action that may threaten our collective security.

    “We, therefore, advise our leaders at all levels that the contestations as good as they are, the ultimate remains public welfare and unity of Nigeria. So contestation must also go hand in hand with cooperation. The NGF should emulate the internal democracy of AANI. With over 1500 members, there was a free and fair election towards a better Nigeria.

    “We also recommend that governors have refresher leadership course in NIPSS, Kuru in Jos to enhance capacity and broaden their patriotic national outlook.”

    He advised the governors to cooperate with the president in rebuilding the country.

    Onoja said the country’s experience has shown that democracy has its own challenges but the alternative “which is military rule will be certainly worse”.

    The Lagos Assembly, through its Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Segun Olulade, said the anti-Amaechi governors acted in subversion of the ideals of democracy.

    Olulade said: “It is very disheartening and misleading to the upcoming generation of Nigerians that 35 astute politicians and chief executive officers of states of the federation could not manage an election among themselves, to the extent that some of them could not even adhere with the result of the election conducted where they were physically present and voted without duress.

    “The alleged collection of signatures of some governors before the conduct of the election that reproduced Amaechi and the allegation of foul play after the said election speaks volume of the culture of treachery and rigging that characterises the PDP since most of the governors who perpetrated the act were PDP governors who must have rigged themselves into office during the 2011 general elections.’’

     

  • Aliyu to Fed Govt: Harmonise police welfare with other security agencies

    Aliyu to Fed Govt: Harmonise police welfare with other security agencies

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has advocated the harmonisation of police welfare package in conformity with other security agencies’ to boost their morale in the face of current security challenges across the country.

    The governor attributed the acute manpower shortage in the police to the formation of vigilante corps by most states.

    Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, at the inauguration of the state Advisory Committee of Vigilante Corps.

    The governor noted that the security situation in the country would improve when the welfare of policemen is at par with that of other security agencies.

    He said because of the low motivation, police officers do not show adequate zeal in carrying out their duties.

    Aliyu said: “If a policeman dies in the line of his duty, we hear that his family gest N500,000 or N1million while another arm gets up to N10 million. We need to standardise this to encourage them to work for the nation.

    “All the police and military personnel, put together in this country, are not up to 500,000. They are understaffed, yet overstretched and under paid for the risky jobs they undertake.”

    According to the governor, the a security officer will be ready to risk his life for the country if he knows his family would be taken care of by the government.