Tag: Arewa Think Tank

As Nigeria marked Democracy Day on June 12, the Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has described President Bola Tinubu’s contributions to democratic governance as exemplary and worthy of emulation for the sustenance of civilian rule in the country.

The federal government observes June 12 to commemorate the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a statement issued by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, ATT recalled Tinubu’s leading role in the pro-democracy movement during Nigeria’s military era, particularly under the regime of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

The group hailed Tinubu’s patriotic zeal and active involvement in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), stressing that his unwavering advocacy for a return to civilian rule—despite not being in government—cemented his legacy as a true democrat.

ATT urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from Tinubu’s sacrifices and commitment to democratic ideals to preserve and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

“We want to remind Nigerians that Tinubu was in the forefront of those who fought the military by seeking a return to civilian rule.

“We know how passionate Tinubu was then about returning to civil rule. He later joined NADECO to fight for democracy.

Read Also: Akpabio hails Tinubu as symbol of democratic resistance

“Some of those who fought alongside him for democracy have died. He should honour the memory of those who fought alongside him for democracy, and ensure that those who felt aggrieved under the present Democratic dispensation and his administration are pacified and carried along. The statement said.

However,  the group warned youth wings from protesting against Tinubu’s government, and called on security agencies to deal with any group that came out to disrupt its planned solidarity march in Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt on Democracy Day.

“We want to advise strongly that no patriotic Nigerian should think of causing mayhem on June 12. And we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Nigerians and the leadership of the present government for sustaining democracy in our country.

“We appreciate the efforts of President Tinubu, his cabinet ministers, governors, elite, youths, and women in ensuring the continuity of our democratic system.

“While we acknowledge the challenges we face as a nation, we must not run from the fact that developed countries have also navigated similar paths before achieving growth and stability.

“We therefore urge all Nigerians to take a moment to pray for our country, the Presidency, and government at all levels for peace and stability.

“We strongly believe that the 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in the country demonstrated Nigerians’ embrace of democratic ethos.

“As we commemorate Democracy Day today, June 12, we honour the struggles and sacrifices that have shaped Nigeria’s democratic journey. This milestone serves as a reminder of our collective quest for democratic governance, human rights, and the rule of law.”

“We will continue to call for renewed resolve to build a more prosperous, united, and democratic Nigeria, where citizens’ rights are respected, and voices of all are heard.

“We felicitate all Nigerians on the occasion of Democracy Day, as it honours the sacrifices of those who stood firm in the face of oppression and paid the ultimate price in the struggle for democratic freedom.

“We salute the resilience and unwavering spirit of the Nigerian people, whose commitment continue to sustain the ideals of democracy, and we acknowledge the contributions of past and present leaders, civil society actors, and ordinary citizens, who had played a pivotal role in deepening the democratic culture in the country,” the statement added.

A northern Nigerian group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has expressed satisfaction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for banning the importation of foreign goods and services already available in the country.

The group hailed the President for his firmness and focus in taking the country to greater heights.

President Tinubu had, on Monday, approved a ban on the importation of foreign goods by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on goods or services available in the country without a waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

A statement yesterday by the Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, noted that the ban of such goods and services was in line with the objectives of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are happy that President Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this ban, which we believe will address financial wastages in public establishments.

“The new policy, dubbed: ‘Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy,’ aims at strengthening the domestic economy, promoting local content, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

Read Also: Tinubu’s strategic funding enhances NAF’s counterinsurgency operations – CAS

“We believe that it will empower local industries as it is designed to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and uniquely Nigerian.

“The good thing about this new policy is that it mirrored the U.S. ‘America First’ policy.

“It is our advice that all MDAs should review and resubmit their procurement plans in line with the new policy, and relevant authorities should ensure disciplinary action and possible cancellation of future procurement processes against breaches of this policy.

“What is the economic benefit of continued importation of sugar, despite having a functioning Sugar Council and several domestic producers? This is a clear example of inefficiency the policy seeks to eliminate from our country…”

“Government money must now work for the Nigerian people. And contractors will no longer be allowed to act as mere intermediaries importing foreign goods while Nigerian factories remain underutilised and closed.

“Arewa Think Tank will continue to appeal to Nigerians to remain patient with President Tinubu’s many well-intended policies which the ‘Nigeria First’ policy is the latest of the many economic reforms, and at a time the country is overcoming the hardship associated with the removal of fuel subsidy and naira floating.”

A Northern group, the Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a ban on the importation of foreign goods and services that are already available in Nigeria.

The group described the move as a bold and focused step toward strengthening the nation’s economy and advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, praised the President’s directive, which bars Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from purchasing foreign goods or services that can be sourced locally, unless a waiver is granted by the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Yakubu noted that the policy aligns with Tinubu’s vision to promote local production, create jobs, and reduce over-dependence on foreign products.

He urged Nigerians to support the initiative, saying it would help build a self-reliant economy and stimulate growth in local industries.

“We are happy that President Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this ban, which we believe will address financial wastages in public establishments.

“The new policy dubbed the ‘Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy’ aims at strengthening the domestic economy, promoting local content, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

“We believe that it will empower local industries as it is designed to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and uniquely Nigerian.

Read Also: Arewa Think Tank backs Bago on executive order to rid Niger of criminals

“The good thing about this new policy is that it mirrors the U.S. ‘America First Policy.’’

“It is our advice that all MDAs should review and resubmit their procurement plans in line with the new policy, and relevant authorities should ensure disciplinary action and possible cancellation of future procurement processes against breaches of this policy.

“What are the economic benefits of continued importation of sugar despite having a functioning Sugar Council and several domestic producers. This is a clear example of inefficiency that the policy seeks to eliminate from our country.

“Government money must now work for the Nigerian people. And contractors will no longer be allowed to act as mere intermediaries importing foreign goods while Nigerian factories remain underutilised and closed.

“Arewa Think Tank will continue to appeal to Nigerians to remain patient with President Tinubu’s many well-intended policies, which The Nigeria First Policy is the latest of the many economic reforms, and at a time the country is overcoming the hardship associated with the removal of fuel subsidy and naira floating,” the statement said.

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has declared its full support for Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, urging him to take all lawful steps necessary to rid the state of criminals and restore public order.

In a statement issued by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the group applauded the governor’s recent executive order targeting those behind the escalating violence and killings in Minna, the state capital.

ATT defended the governor’s decision to empower security agencies to clamp down on thugs and their enablers, saying the move was both legal and necessary. The group challenged critics of the order to present viable alternatives to the growing insecurity plaguing the state.

Yakubu described Governor Bago’s action as a bold and commendable step toward ending the cycle of violence that has threatened peace in the region.

“We wish to throw our weight behind governor Umar Bago of Niger State over the executive order, directing security agents to arrest people wearing dreadlocks, following series of calls by terrorised residents of Minna to curb the worsening thuggery that has claimed the lives of many innocent people.

“It is sad and worrisome that thugs have turned the streets of Minna into a battleground, notably since Mr Bago took over leadership of the State. We therefore urge him not to look back in fighting these criminal elements by all means.

“The number of killing in the State is becoming unbearable as more than 10 people have been killed by the thugs this year, including a retired permanent secretary.

“Just recently, precisely on 22 April, some thugs stabbed a bank driver identified as Mohammed, with a scissor causing his death, according to a statement by the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun. The deceased was assisting local vigilantes in arresting thugs who had assembled around his house.

Read Also: Arewa Think Tank hails  Sani over reduction of tertiary tuition fees

“We are pleased with the Niger State House of Assembly members for meeting with heads of security agencies, telling them to find a solution to the scourge because as representatives of the people, they cannot fold their hands and watch some criminal elements disguising themselves as thugs making lives unbearable for the people.

“We urge the governor to have zero tolerance for rascality and thuggery and parents to warn their children against disturbing public peace especially in the State capital, Minna to avoid the wrath of the law.

“We also support governor’s order that houses harbouring criminals as well as

any house found harbouring criminals should be demolished because Niger State is not for useless people. 

“We thumb up for the governor for banning the movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Minna, except those being used for medical emergencies would be exempted.

“We advise that local authorities, including district, village, and ward heads, to document residents in their communities and report criminal gangs in their domains to the appropriate authorities without any delay. 

“We see it as a great wisdom on the part of the governor for introducing special court to be established under the supervision of the chief judge of Niger State to handle thuggery cases for speedy judgement and subsequent imprisonment. He also ordered that any vehicle coming into Minna and caught with illicit drugs should be confiscated into government property.

“Arewa Think Tank believe that governor Umar Bago who is popularly known as Farmer governors is on the right track to rid Niger State of thuggery even without executive order because he has been up and doing since he was elected governor of the State,” the statement said.

A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has applauded the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for his unwavering commitment to providing affordable education in tertiary schools by reducing fees by 50 percent in favour of the students.

In a statement by ATT Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, it noted that the school fees reduction was a significant step forward in addressing critical educational development challenges faced by indigent parents to send their children to school.

Yakubu added that the school fees reduction is a visionary roadmap by Governor Sani aimed at enhancing the impact of education in the State, and called on the people of the State to ensure that they accord the governor the necessary support to sustain the good gesture.

“We applaud the governor’s recognition and the need to reduce Kaduna tertiary school fees by 50%. This, of course, is a big relief for students as well as their parents and guardians. We see this action by the governor as a major step towards removing barriers to higher education acquisition.

“We believe that this good gesture has made it easier for students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university education in the State with financial ease.

“We want to use this opportunity to advise students that, on their part, they should make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course, and not to allow agents of disunity and chaos to use them to destabilise their communities and steer them away from their career goals.

Read Also: Police arrest eight suspects for killing, burying baby in hospital

“In the same vein, we want to urge the government to continue to support students and the youth generally to realise their ambitions for a better future, and trust them as reliable partners of progress.

“We must also applaud Governor Uba Sani’s decision to facilitate the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering at Kaduna State University (KASU), which to us, is a testament to the governor’s vision of building a brighter future for the youth.

“And more exciting is the directive to KASU management by the governor to allow all students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees – a good step  that shows that the governor has deep concern for the less privileged, ensuring that no student is left behind due to financial constraints.

A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has dismissed a petition submitted by “ a faceless group”  to the Economic and Financial Crime Commissions (EFCC) and the Independent Corruption Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate and prosecute the Minister of Defence and former governor of Jigawa State, Muhammed Abubakar Badaru, over alleged abuse of office.

In a statement the Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu said if the minister had been found incompetent, President Bola Tinubu would have removed him.

He stressed that the President has confidence in him and his ability thus, those bent on pulling down the minister are envious of him,but cannot take his place.

The group described false  claims that Abubakar continues to file annual returns for private companies,and that he operates a licensed Bureau de Change (BDC) while holding a federal ministerial position.

ATT noted that the accusations are a calculated attempt to incite relevant stakeholders against the performing Minister of Defence.

The statement reads in part: “Nigerians should not introduce ethnicity in the good works that Badaru is doing in the defence ministry because if he is not doing well, President Bola Tinubu would have removed him long ago. But the President has confidence in him and his performance. So those hiding under this petition through this faceless group to pull down the Minister are doing out of sheer envy. They are envious of the Ministerial position of Badaru. And we make bold to tell such unpatriotic persons that there is no vacancy in the ministry of Defence. They should beam their poor searchlight somewhere else.

“We demand for thorough inquiry by EFCC and ICPC to establish the genuineness of this faceless group in order to ascertain their real intention to write against the Minister’s asset declarations.

Read Also: Arewa Think Tank hails Tinubu’s economic policies as food prices drop

“We believe that a complainant can turn accuser, therefore, we wish to urge the anti-graft agencies to enforce stricter investigation of the background of the petitioners as they may have disregarded the principles of due process expected of factual petitioners.

“We want to say categorically that the action of the faceless petitioners suggests a threat to the nation’s security. And therefore, such action should be nip in the bud without delay.

“The Ministry of Defence, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s security, cannot be ridiculed by individuals who want to rock the sailing boat in the middle of Sea. Where were these petitioners when Badaru passed all the processes to becoming the Ministers of one of the sensitive Ministries in the country. We want to believe that the petitioners are to rubbish the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. But they will never succeed. “We trust that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will act decisively to ensure that these petitioners are exposed with their evil intentions to rubbish the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Abubakar Badaru.”

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has alleged that the recent denial of visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers by Canada was orchestrated by fifth columnists within the corridors of power, aiming to embarrass President Bola Tinubu’s administration. 

In a strong condemnation of the Canadian government’s decision, ATT criticized the visa rejection, which prevented some senior military officials from attending an event in Canada honouring war veterans. While part of the delegation was granted visas, the exclusion of key officials sparked a backlash from Nigerian authorities. 

In a statement on Friday, ATT Chief Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, recalled that his group had previously warned President Tinubu in 2023 about the presence of fifth columnists within his government, urging vigilance against internal saboteurs.

“After we warned President Tinubu about fifth columnists, some classified memos at the Presidency were leaked to the public mid-November 2023 to embarrass the government.

“Also the fifth columnists had in November 2023 come down heavily on Tinubu that his trip to Saudi Arabia at that time was a jamboree, short of any economic benefit for Nigeria.

“The recent refusal of Canada to approve Visas for our top military officers, to say the least, is most embarrassing to Nigeria as a nation.

“We therefore request the Presidency to embark on an investigation into the civil service framework to eliminate individuals referred to as “moles” who are loyal to opposition parties in the country.

Read Also: Sack of three INEC RECs, good omen for 2027 election – Arewa Think Tank

“This fifth columnist is within Nigeria, so Tinubu should probe deeper to ensure that the fifth columnists do not embarrass his government at any of the international visits again,” Yakubu said.

“We view the Canada Visa denial as embarrassing and disrespectful to Nigeria as a nation, but this should not deter Nigeria from asserting itself on the global stage and should not be taken for granted.

“We can imagine the sour experience of our top military officers and the situation they found themselves so disappointed in, however, it is a reminder for Nigeria to strengthen its independence and resilience as a united nation.

“However, it’s a clear reminder that the country must stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted, but to reinforce the importance of making Nigeria self-sufficient, as the incident is a motivation to work towards national progress.

“We want to commend General Musa for his leadership in tackling security challenges and also thank him for having the courage to say Canada denied him and others Visas.  And this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria thrive. We commend you for providing purposeful leadership in the fight against insecurity in the country.

“We want to believe that the Visa denial may have exposed Canada’s stance on Nigerian military officials and its wider diplomatic relationship with Nigeria because the specific reasons for the refusal of Visa remain not too clear for now.

“The Canada Visa denial incident has highlighted the bureaucratic and political hurdles Nigerian officials face in international engagements most of the time. Therefore, we say enough is enough in this regard,” The statement said.

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has said that the sacking of three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Adamawa, Sokoto and Abia States by President Bola Tinubu is a good omen for the conduct of 2027 general election.

The group lauded President Tinubu’s decision to sack the electoral commissioners, saying that it is a sign that there will be no room for electoral malpractices in the next election.

This was contained in a statement at the weekend by the chief convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, describing President Tinubu’s  action as a step towards restoring public trust in the nation’s electoral process.

The group also  praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noting that the move will help sanitise the  electoral system.

President Tinubu had penultimate week  asked the Senate to approve the termination of the suspended RECs’ appointments, in regard to constitutional provisions.

“We at Arewa Think Tank want to say that the action of President Tinubu is a reflection of commitment of his administration to strengthening electoral integrity in the country.

Read Also: 774 electoral offenders on trial over 2023 elections – INEC

“We also want to applaud the recent conviction of Ignatius Uduk, a former electoral official found guilty of fraud during the 2019 elections. This will serve as deterrent to others in subsequent general election in the country.

“From the action of Mr. President, individuals working for the system must be ready to account for their actions, either negatively or positively.  The confidence in the INEC will be restored and citizens can have faith in the fairness and transparency of future elections.

“As we move gradually towards the next election, we call  on security agencies and political parties to enforce internal disciplinary measures against those engaging in electoral misconduct.

“We want to emphasize the importance of following due process in maintaining the credibility of the electoral system whenever election is being held.

“We are delighted to note that INEC’s decision to investigate and follow proper procedures demonstrates its commitment to integrity and transparency.

“By taking time to investigate and follow proper procedures, INEC has demonstrated a commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity in its operations, which is crucial in building public trust in the electoral process,” 

“We believe that adhering to due process ensures that actions taken are justified and transparent. This, in turn, reinforces the credibility of the electoral system, as decisions are based on established norms and legal frameworks rather than arbitrary judgment.

“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to the leadership of INEC to work closely with Judges of high integrity in dispatching electoral cases before the courts jurisdiction for quick delivery of judgments because as it is said, judgment delay is judgment denied”, the statement said.