President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Kayode Fayemi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Fayemi, who just won election in the state last weekend, arrived the Villa around 12.30p.m.
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.
Details Later…
Sir: Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) spent eight years as head of state in Aso Rock, the seat of Nigeria’s government. He pledged at different times in his regime to return power to “the people”. But he never did. Somehow, he always found a way to dribble himself out of the maze of his own pledge.
I remember during his regime, there were rumours that some forces of turpitude were egging him on in his despotic drive. These people were also said to ensure a daily supply of marabouts to the presidential villa – for spiritual bunkering. That IBB annulled the June 1993 presidential election was said to be because of this shadow clique.
IBB was eventually forced out of power by citizens whom he had had a Maradonic run on in the field of tyranny. Then came Sani Abacha, who claimed he wanted to restore order in the country, after which he would give way for a democratic government. Abacha drank from the hypnotic chalice of Aso Rock and became Nigeria’s most brutal dictator. It was also rumoured at the time that he was being puppeteered by the sycophantic voices in his court. Abacha wanted to be life-president, but God had another plan for him.
Olusegun Obasanjo, out of prison, became president in 1999. He spent solid eight years in power, but he suddenly thought that he was the only president Nigeria deserved; that he was the best thing to happen to the country since jollof rice. He wanted a third term, and he was making frantic effort to have the constitution amended for this immoral reason. But he failed. There were “reports” that the abominable third-term idea was sold to Obasanjo by some persons who felt their overnight-lavish existence would be threatened if he left power. But Nigerians won.
Umar Musa Yar’Adua’s case is a classic example of the power of native prebendal forces. Yar’Adua, a good man, was dying; even died, but these forces will not let go of the crown, not because they loved the deceased but out of sheer self-preservation – their gluttonous existence would be threatened by his exit from power.
President Muhammadu Buhari is not in the best of health. It is normal for anyone of his age. I believe, Buhari may not necessarily be hungry for a second term in office, but the “vested interests” will want him to remain there even at the expense of his health..
It is an integrity test for Buhari if he runs for re-election conscious of his ill-health. Perhaps, “integrity and politician” are antithetical.
I have learnt one lesson over the years; I hope Nigerians learn it too. Any politician who says “I will spend only one term in office” is a congenital liar.
Aso Rock is the coven of interests where presidents go to live and die.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the leadership of the National Assembly.
The meeting started around 2.p.m when the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara arrived the President’s office.
While the 2018 Budget proposal submitted to National Assembly last November is yet to be passed, other issues have also made the relationship between the two arms of government not too cordial.
The latest was the threat by the National Assembly to invoke Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution towards starting impeachment process against the President for purchase military jets without lawmakers’ approval.
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report
Details later…
Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina has called on religious leaders in the country to continue to pray for the unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria as the nation approaches 2019 general election.
Adesina, who is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the call when pastors of the Gospel Faith Mission International led by the Deputy General Overseer of the Mission, Pastor Emmanuel Oluwayemi paid him a courtesy call in his office at Aso Rock, Abuja, on Friday.
The presidential aide stated that Nigeria at this time was in need of spiritual support of respectable clergy.
“As we approach the election year, please continue to pray that all will be well with our country. People are getting desperate to ensure that their desires, often ill-motivated, are actualized.
“But by the prayers of spiritual fathers like you, it will be well with the country,’’ he said.
According to him, God is the ultimate solution to all challenges and that no man has the solution to happenings around him.
Adesina expressed delight that the Gospel Faith Mission International, which was a highly respected organisation, known for its open and broad mindedness, had chosen to offer spiritual support to the government.
He reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s assertion that “he is not a religious bigot and can never be one.’’
Pastor Oluwayemi had earlier told the Special Adviser that the church and the nation had a lot to do together “especially at this time when there is tension in the land.’’
He added that the role of the church was to advise and pray for leaders of the country as commanded by God in the scriptures.
He acknowledged their role as co-builders in Nigeria to ensure that there was fairness and justice in the nation.
The Deputy General Overseer assured that the Gospel Faith Mission International would continue to provide “back-up support’’ for the government rather than heat up the polity.
He prayed that God’s hands would continue to be on President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other elected people in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met behind closed doors with former Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting lasted for about 25 minutes at the President’s office.
At the end of the meeting, Sambo told State House correspondents that his meeting with Buhari was private.
Sambo had in May 2017, also met in closed door meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo while acting as President.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with his Equatorial Guinea’s counterpart, Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Mbasogo, who arrived the Presidential Villa at 12.30 p.m., was welcomed by Buhari and other government officials.
The Equatorial Guinea’s leader had paid similar visit to his Nigerian counterpart in February 2016.
During the visit, the two leaders held talks on bilateral agreements between both countries.
Buhari had also visited Equatorial Guinea twice since he came to power in May 29, 2015.
NAN
PVC paved way for my victory in 2015 – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night hosted All Progressives Congress ( APC ) leaders to a dinner at the Presidential Villa.
During the dinner, he recounted his experiences in the Nigerian electoral processes which eventually gave him victory as Nigeria’s democratic President in 2015.
He said “I am the only politician that ended up three times in the Supreme Court and still virtually refused to give up.
“There is one thing that disabused my mind in a dispassionate way about ethnicity and religion across the country. You know that tribunal for presidential election started at High Court of Appeal. The President was my classmate. I missed only four of the court sittings.
“For that first phase, 2003, we were in court for 30 months. My legal leader was Chief Ahamba (SAN), an Igbo man. He asked the panel of judges to direct INEC to produce the voters register to prove to you that the election was done underground.
“When they came to write the judgment, they completely ommitted that. Another Igbo man, a Roman Catholic, in the panel of judges wrote a minority report.
“I went to the Supreme Court. Who was the Chief Justice? An Hausa Fulani, a Muslim from Zaria. After 27 months, Ahamba presented our case for two hours and 45 minutes. The Chief Justice got up and said they were going on break and when they return the following day, they will deliver the judgment. They went away for three months. That was what made it 30 months.
“And when they came back, they discussed my case within 45 minutes. In 2007, who was the Chief Justice? A Muslim from Niger State.
“The third one, who was the Chief Justice? My neighbour from Jigawa State. The same religion and the same tribe.
“Finally, the determination of our people and technology: the Permanent Voters Cards made it possible for us to be here.
“Voters education is important. Let people be educated that it is their right to choose leaders of their choice.” he said
The President continued “There is something that hit me very hard and I am happy I hit it back at somebody. Seven states of the North are only represented in my cabinet by junior ministers, ministers of state. In South East, I got 198,000 votes but I have four substantive ministers and seven junior ministers from there.
“You are closer to the people than myself now that I have been locked up here, don’t allow anybody to talk of ethnicity. It is not true.
“The PVCs worked well in 2015. That was why when the former President rang me, I went temporarily into a comma. I will never forget the time. It was quartet after 5pm and he said he called to congratulate me and that he has conceded defeat. He asked if I heard him and I said yes and I thanked him for his statesmanship.
“The truth is after being a deputy governor, a governor, Vice-president and President for six years, and he took that decision is great. He could have caused some problems. He had stayed long enough to cause problems.
“I felt I should invite you and eat together and to tell you that as I am sitting here, I am very much aware of the problems in this country and that I will always reflect on the historical antecedents before I arrived here.
“I keep telling people that while I was in uniform, quite reckless and young, I got all the ministers and governors, and put them in Kirikiri. I said they were guilty until they could prove their innocence. I was also detained too.
“I decided to drop the uniform and come back. Eventually, I am here. So really, I have gone through it over and over again. This is why I am not in a hurry virtually to do anything. I will sit and reflect and continue with my clear conscience.
“I thank you for honouring my invitation and I am telling you that if I don’t ring you or call you, it is not because I ever forgot how you supported me at one stage or the other over the years from 2003 till now.” he added
The APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun said “I was very touched by what you said. I hope it is understood in the proper perspective.
“It indicates quite clearly that you have listened to what people are saying. It has been such a terrible misrepresentation. You have seized this opportunity to say that you are not what people are saying.
“There are so much misconceptions. Look at the example you have given that those who stood by you through the periods of problems and struggles are not people of the same religious persuasion.
“You have said it that you are not an ethnic jingoist. I know this because I have known you for a very long time.
“For some of us, when these things are said, we find it painful but I hope there will be proper rendition of what you said today and it will start clearing the air.
“The only thing I will add is that you have had a most challenging 2017 in every respect, including your son’s predicament.” he said
He prayed that Nigerians will start to see the good results of the essence of the President in 2018, especially with all the struggles and efforts he has put in for the country.
He said “For almost three years, you have laboured to reconstruct the broken foundation of this nation. You have laboured to put a new infrastructure without which development is impossible.
“They were just dipping hands in the treasury, the banks were just changing papers and collecting commissions and we all said we were developing and prospering. But it was not a development that touched the ordinary man of this country.
“For the first time, that is about yo begin. It has taken three years of foundation laying and thank God the harvesting, I believe, is going to begin this year.
“It is my hope that it will come early enough for people to see that if one has to call anybody the architect of a modern Nigeria, you will bear that distinction.
“Like I said when we were launching the book of your achievements, what you started, you cannot complete. That is a matter of fact. But what you started is basic, fundamental that Nigerians must learn a new way of doing business based on their sweat from which profit will come based on their resources.
“When we are used to doing things wrongly, change becomes very difficult and we are passing through that stage now.
“It is not a struggle we can complete in four years or even eight years. But you have started something new and that change is not for nothing. It is even deeper than most of us understand. We must carry it on until it becomes second nature to us.
“We are firmly, totally and completely behind you and when you make up your mind soon as I hope you will, you will find an army behind you. Those who wish you well are already working and it is my hope that you will agree eventually that continuity is important and critical. Otherwise, all what you have struggled for will come to nothing.” he said
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was conspicuously absent at the All Progressives Congress’ caucus meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the new Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, gathered that the Turakin Adamawa might have travelled out of the country.
NAN reports that the meeting which started at about 8.45p.m. was being attended by the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
NAN also observed that some participants at the meeting were seen “struggling’’ for photo opportunity with the new SGF.
Others attending the meeting include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the APC national Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun, Sen. Bola Tinubu, cabinet ministers and presidential aides.
Read also: Buhari hands over Lawal, Oke to anti-graft agencies
The meeting was also being attended by governors of Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Nasarawa as well as deputy governors of Kwara and Yobe states.(NAN)
The planned dinner by President Muhammadu Buhari the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and some principal officers of the National Assembly failed to hold last night.
The dinner was slated for the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja by 8:30 PM.
However, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the entourage were said to have disagreed with security officials at the pilot gate.
According to sources, the lawmakers were asked to come down from the bus conveying them so as to be issued visitors’ tags.
Not comfortable with the screening, the lawmakers were said to have turned back.
President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with some state governors inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The governors who are attending the meeting includes; Zamfara, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ondo and Kwara States.
Details later…