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Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • Disquiet as minister backs Atiku for 2019

    Disquiet as minister backs Atiku for 2019

    Ministers were troubled yesterday following the leakage of a video footage showing Minister of Women Affairs Aisha Alhassan endorsing former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for president in 2019.

    She also told the BBC Hausa Service yesterday that should Atiku join the presidential race, she would support him instead of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    She does not mind leaving the cabinet because of her preference for Atiku, Mrs Alhassan said.

    Leading an All Progressives Congress (APC) delegation from Taraba State  to Atiku, the minister was shown in the video as saying: “Mr President, our father, Nigeria’s president for 2019,  God willing, in your presence today are your people who have been placed under your care for forever.”

    Most cabinet members were shocked by their colleague’s stance.

    There were fears that the minister’s comments might hasten changes in the cabinet.

    Some ministers said the comments smacked of disloyalty; others said it was typical of Senator Alhassan.

    A minister said: “Some of us called her when the video went viral and she confirmed the comments attributed to her.

    “To me, I think it is like passing a vote of no confidence on your boss. I think it is untidy to write off your boss as incompetent to continue in office.”

    Another source in the cabinet said: “I am not surprised; it is typical of the Minister of Women Affairs. But the ideal thing is to leave and pursue your career. This development might affect our unity in the cabinet. Some will certainly not trust her again.”

    Another minister said: “She shocked me because I used to think she is closer to the President. What you cannot dispute is that the President has never hidden his respect for her. She was away from the cabinet for months when she was ill and the President tolerated her absence. She should have chosen a different approach to it because one good turn deserves another.”

    A government official said he suspected “a script”. It might not be only her. Maybe she is flying a kite,” he said, pleading not to be named.

    An APC stalwart, who also spoke in confidence, said: “I think she is kick-starting 2019 politics. I could see cracks in the coalition which formed the APC.”

    The presidency  has not commented on the video clip.

    A source in the Presidency said: “The President has just come back from Daura and he is just settling down. Actually, there is nothing to say.

    “The Minister of Women Affairs has confirmed to BBC that she made the comments. What else do you want the presidency to say?”

    In an interview with the BBC, the minister said: “Atiku is my godfather even before I joined politics.” She spoke in Hausa. “And again, Baba Buhari did not tell us that he is going to run in 2019.

    “Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel down and tell him that ‘Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister but Baba just like you know I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather. If Atiku said he is going to contest.”

    “If because of what I said I am sacked, it will not bother me because I believe in Allah that my time has elapsed, that is why…

    “Baba is not a mad man like those calling for my sack. They have been sending it and spreading that if Baba sees this I will be sacked.”

    A pro-democracy group, the  Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC) yesterday  said the minister’s comments was at variance with the position of APC National Chairman  John Odigie-Oyegun.

    The group  in a statement by its Co-Convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, said: “The comment  by Mama Taraba is contrary to the obscure claim by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun  that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019.

    “Everything that has happened has now confirmed that bombshell of an interview by the President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, when she warned she might not campaign for her husband in 2019.

    “She knew there was a plan to take advantage of her husband for 2019 and this much is known to Alhassan through her latest comment…”

  • Nothing wrong with visit to Atiku – Aisha Alhassan

    Nothing wrong with visit to Atiku – Aisha Alhassan

    Sen. Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, declared on Wednesday that those criticising her Sallah visit to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Yola, were being “mischievous”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes commentators on social media as alleging that Alhassan’s visit, during which she made philosophical comments on the 2019 presidential contest, was a tacit support for Abubakar’s presidential ambition.

    They also alleged that it signified disloyalty to her current boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, who may still be interested in seeking a fresh mandate.

    But Alhassan, in a telephone interview with NAN, said that her Sallah homage to Abubakar did not amount to  disloyalty to Buhari.

    She explained that Abubakar had remained her political mentor over the years and was still a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that her loyalty to Buhari and his administration, which she serves as a minister, was “unshakable”.

    The minister accused her “political detractors” of “amplifying and misinterpreting” the visit so as to smear her image because  they were afraid of her growing political strength in Taraba.

    “In a nation where politicians are quick to dump the people that assisted them to get to where they are, for political expediency, I have chosen to maintain a long standing family relationship with Abubakar, as well as Buhari, who I consider as a father.

    “Besides, neither Buhari nor Abubakar has officially told anyone of an interest in seeking election in 2019,” she said.
    Declaring that power comes from God, she said that if she loses her job because of her visit, she would consider it as the will of God.
    She urged Nigerians to support the policies and programmes of the Buhari administration because it was time for governance and not yet time for politicking.

    NAN recalls that criticisms has continued to trail the minister’s pronouncements over the 2019 presidential contest during a Sallah homage to Abubakar on Sept. 4, 2017, with many viewing it as a campaign for Abubakar.

  • Nigeria too old, too big to fail – Atiku

    Nigeria too old, too big to fail – Atiku

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said on Sunday that the Nigeria nation was too old and too big to fail saying the option out of the present agitations in the land was to restructure the country until it comes close to a country envisaged by the nation’s founding fathers.

    In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja, the former Vice President said Nigerians must realized that for every Atiku to be great, it must go through struggle, pointing out that Nigeria must also go through a phase of struggle and come out from it stronger than before.

    The former Vice President commended the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators for withdrawing their quit notice asking Northerners and south westerners in the region to vacate before October 1.

    The statement reads: “Just as I commended Arewa Youths for listening to good counsel and withdrawing the ill advised quit notice to people of Igbo origin to leave the North before October 1 or face consequences, I similarly applaud Niger Delta youths for rescinding their counter quit notice to persons of Northern and Southwestern descent to quit the South South region.

    “This news could not have come at a better time as when Nigeria defeated Cameroon 4-0. The Super Eagles scored four goals and none of those goals were scored in the name of Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba or indeed under the aegis of North or South. Each and every one of those goals was resoundingly for Nigeria.

    “No one disowns a child when he or she is almost 60. Nigeria is too old and too big to fail. Instead of divisions, what we must do is restructure our Federation till it more closely resemble the almost perfect union that our Founding Fathers chiseled together at the various pre Independence conferences.

    “There is enough in Nigeria for everyone’s need and to meet every bloc’s aspirations. What we need is not uniformity but harmony. Just like an orchestra, we may all sing differently, but when our voices are blended together, they give off a richer more melodious symphony than would ever have been possible if we were to sing individually.

    “I urge all Nigerians to be hopeful. To be great, every nation must go through struggle. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, if you are going through struggles, keep going. We will go through and emerge better than before. This is my promise to Nigeria.”

  • Atiku advocates review of educational system to address poverty

    Atiku advocates review of educational system to address poverty

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has advocated for an urgent review of the nation’s educational system, saying only a functional educational system will pull the nation of the abject poverty which he said has held the majority of Nigerians hostage.

    Receiving a delegation from the US-based NURU International, the former Vice President said that a retooled education system that would emphasise functional and problem-solving strategy remained the way to go if the war against poverty is to be won.

    The former Vice President said that with functional education, the high incidence of school drop outs will be reduced while products of secondary education on graduation would have acquired skills that would serve as their source of income for life.

    According to him, Nigeria and Nigerians benefitted from such an educational system in the past but that things changed after the civil war when the country adopted an education system that mainly took interest in producing candidates for the universities and not for other levels of higher education.

    He explained that in the past incidence of school dropouts was so low because there were government colleges, secondary schools, technical schools and craft centres which provided spaces for primary school leavers to continue their educational pursuits based on their respective intellectual/mental ability and capabilities.

    “I remember that in the 1960s in Northern Nigeria all students sit for one examination and their performance determines where they will be placed for further education. Everyone is accommodated within the four levels of higher education that was available then and this reduced the incidence of school dropout to its barest minimum,” he said.

     The former Vice President said that it is not every secondary student that is “a university material” adding that there is need to ensure secondary school leavers are armed with skills through which they could earn a living and raise families.

    He maintained that if the school leavers do not acquire knowledge and skill to engage their energies on graduation, they become willing and available tools for anti-social activities which could manifest in youth restiveness as being witnessed in the country.

    Apart from investing in education, the former Vice President said that the micro finance scheme promoted by him has empowered 45,000 families in Adamawa state by providing them with micro-finance facilities with which they started a small business.

    He said that the initiative, which targeted women as beneficiaries of the loan scheme, has lifted many families out of poverty, adding that the beauty of the micro-finance arrangement which operates in all Local Government Areas in Adamawa, except two, is that it has recorded 98 per cent recovery rate just as the women have become the “bread winners” of their respective families.

    The leader of the delegation and founder/CEO of NURU International, Mr Jake Harriman said that his organization, which currently operates in Michika and Madagali areas of Adamawa state aims at reducing “abject poverty” in those communities within the seven years the organisation, will operate.

    He said that the essence of the visit was to solicit the support of the former Vice President so that NURU will succeed in its poverty intervention programme in the state.

  • Northern youths blast Yerima

    Northern youths blast Yerima

    • Says won’t welcome unwholesome comments

    A group of northern youths under the auspices of Arewa Grand Youth Alliance yesterday accused the leader of Arewa Youth Coalition, Shettima Yerima of trying to undermine political leaders of the north by his public utterance which they believe is capable of creating anarchy in the north.

    President of the group, Alhaji Idris Inuwa said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that they will not sit back and watch the likes of Yerima who issued quit notice to Igbos living in the north to use the name of Arewa for the devilish purpose.

    Inuwa frown at the attempt by Yerima to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who he described as two of the North’s finest politicians, adding that such moves will be allowed to succeed.

    Inuwa challenged Yerima to show the world his political constituency in the north, pointing out that having lived his all his life in Lagos, he has no single political value in the north.

    The statement reads in part “Yarima is deceived by the euphoria that trailed their infamous “quit notice” given to Igbos in the North to leave by 1st October 2017, an action deliberately designed to destabilize the nation, thereby seeing himself as an emerging hero that could speak for the North.

    “However, the inconsistencies and vague choice of words in the said interview have clearly shown his ignorance of politics, where the wisdom of elders and energy of the youth are pulled together to produce result. In other words, the elders and the youth must constantly collaborate because no one can do without the other.

    “Equally glaring is his lack of appreciation of the dynamics of the Northern region where both the elders and the youth collectively work together on any issue of National significance as determined by exigencies of time. This is not surprising because this is a young man who is alien to the political tradition in the North, as he lived all his life in Lagos.

    “We challenge Yarima to come out and tell the world his political constituency in the whole North? And what are his political value apart from being a manipulative political tool in the hands of Northern political rivals who constantly use him for his nuisance value.

    “We wish to state here that we are very much aware of his sponsors to discredit two (2) of the North’s finest politicians of our time, President Muhammadu Buhari and Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to achieve their sinister political motives ahead of 2019. As Northern youths and critical stakeholders in Nigeria, we will resist any attempt by the likes of Yarima to use the name of Arewa for the devilish mission.

    “Let us warn Mr Yarima and his sponsors to desist from reckless and unguarded utterances against our leaders and elders who have sacrificed so much for our future. Any further attempt will leave us with no option than to bring out his dossier and make it public.”

  • Atiku warns of decent to Rwandan style genocide

    Atiku warns of decent to Rwandan style genocide

    • Says hate songs against Igbos in circulation

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Monday warned of comments, songs and actions that may force the country to go the same way that led to the infamous Rwandan genocide which led to the death of thousands of people in the East Africa country.

    Atiku said in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja that a particular song disparaging people of Igbo origin and wishing them dead was currently circulating in the country, reminding Nigerians that the Rwandan genocide was ignited by a similar song.

    The former Vice President asked security agents to immediately swing into action, investigate, arrest and prosecute those behind the hate song.

    The statement reads “It has come to my attention that a song disparaging people of Igbo origin, and which wishes them dead, is circulating in some parts of the nation. I totally and unequivocally condemn this development, and I call on all men of goodwill to rise up against this evil.

    “This song is reminiscent of the beginnings of the Rwanda Genocide. Nigerians need to be aware that the Rwanda Genocide was believed to have been ignited by a song titled Nanga Abahutu (I hate Hutus), sung by Rwanda’s then most popular musician, Simon Bikindi. God forbid that we should have such a déjà vu in Nigeria.

    “I call on the security agencies to thoroughly and decisively swing into action and apprehend, try, convict and severely punish those behind this ungodly song which incites racial hatred.  

    “Simon Bikindi was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for igniting and aiding the Rwandan genocide. Thus, let those who think they can treat their fellow citizens so unjustly know that within and outside Nigeria exist mechanisms that will ensure they answer to their crimes.

    “I call on all men of goodwill to remember those immortal lines from our former National Anthem “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”.

    “The effects of hate in any shape or form were made even more evident over the weekend, in a mass shooting incident that left many of us reeling with shock. I commiserate with the people of Ozubulu in Anambra State, who lost family members in the fatal shooting that also left almost a score injured. 

    “I pray that peace will return to their minds and their community soon, even as the police work hard to get to the bottom of the matter. May God comfort them as no man can.

    “The difference between us as Nigerians is not a difference in our tribe or our religion. It was and remains a difference based on whether we are good Nigerians or bad Nigerians, and I am very certain that the good Nigerians far outnumber the very few bad ones.”

  • PDP begins sale of Anambra governorship forms

    PDP begins sale of Anambra governorship forms

    …Slashes cost of forms from N11m to N6m

    The national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party has commenced the sale of interest and nomination forms for aspirants in the Anambra State governorship election billed to hold in November.

    As at Tuesday, only one of the aspirants, Dr. Alex Obidigbo had collected his form.

    Spokesman for the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye announced the reduction of the nomination form for the race from N11 million at which it was sold during the 2015 elections, to N6 million.

    According to him, the crash in price was to allow broader participation in the race by intending aspirants, adding that Nigerians have not lost confidence in the party.

    Adeyeye said that the PDP was working towards winning 30 of the 36 states by 2019.

    The party’s Caretaker Organising Secretary, Dr. Abdul Ningi declared that the PDP had recovered from the shock it received when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and five governor defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the 2015 elections.

    Ningi said, “We said one of our cardinal principles is that the party is not a one man party. This party has individuals that left the PDP, beginning with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar.

    “That has been our plight. This party can do without a single individual or groups of individuals. Five of our governors left, we were wounded but not defeated and we are rising from the ashes of those who have left”.

    He added that the 14-month leadership crisis the PDP went through has strengthened rather than weaken the party, as it has provided the opportunity for reflection.

    Continuing, Ningi said, “We are also happy that the crisis has given us the opportunity to look inwards, to look at mistakes, look at where we went wrong and try to make amends.

    “This party has also left it doors open to those who have left to come back because the PDP is their natural turf. A lot of them have discovered that where it matters is this party”.

    The party chief observed that the crisis bedeviling the country today were not there in the 16 years the PDP held power, stressing that Nigerians have now seen the difference.

  • Africa must get its politics right – Atiku

    Africa must get its politics right – Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Africa to get its politics right in order to achieve accelerated development on the continent.

    He said the continent would achieve development by strenghtening its electoral system, deepen democracy and accountability and reduce corruption.

    Delivering a lecture titled: “Where is Africa Going?: Thoughts on African Development Bank’s High 5s for African Development” at the Maiden University of Nottingham Summit on Africa, held in England, Atiku said the continent must develop a mechanism for producing leaders who place their countries and the continent over personal or sectional gains and interest.

    He said: “Let me say that Africa must get its politics right in order to accelerate its development.  This would include improvements in electoral systems, deepening of democracy and accountability, and reduction in corruption.

    “Let’s not forget that these priorities have to be adopted and implemented by governments and by the political leadership. Therefore, Africa needs mechanisms for producing leaders who privilege their countries and the continent over personal or sectional gains and interests.

    “Thus, Africa’s civil society and Africa’s development partners have important roles in pressuring African governments on important political reforms to help provide the democratic spaces for policy dialogues and democratic interventions in Africa’s development.”

    He stressed that security has become one of the continent’s biggest challenge, pointing out that if not addressed, the security challenges facing the continent may impede developmental efforts.

    He added: “Let me say, however, that while security does not feature among the Bank’s top five priorities, it is a top priority for African countries. Security is a huge challenge and if not addressed may impede the implementation of the Bank’s plans, especially for fragile states.”

     

     

  • Adamawa kingmakers pay homage to Atiku as new Waziri

    Adamawa kingmakers pay homage to Atiku as new Waziri

    Kingmakers, Councillors and District Heads of Adamawa Emirate Council on Saturday paid homage and solidarity to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his appointment as the new Waziri of Adamawa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appointment of Atiku made him the next in hierarchy in the emirate to the Lamido of Adamawa.

    Speaking on behalf of the kingmakers and others, the Galadima of Adamawa, Alhaji Mustafa Aminu, congratulated Atiku and pledged their loyalty to him.

    “Congratulations and may God guide you and give you long life and good health to discharge this deserving responsibility.

    “You are fit for this position because of your total loyalty and support to the development of the emirate.

    “Since independence of Nigeria, no citizen of the emirate had shown love and patriotism to Adamawa.

    ‘’You promoted Adamawa to the world and may Allah bless you and give you more health and long life to continue the good work,” Aminu said.

    Responding, Atiku thanked them for the visit and called for more unity in developing Adamawa.

    “I want to thank God for this day and to use this opportunity to thank Lamido of Adamawa for giving me the position of Waziri, and that of Turaki to my son, Aliyu who is the grandson of Late Lamido Aliyu Mustafa.

    “I want to thank you for this visit to pay homage and celebrate with me so that we can unite and work together for the progress of the land and our people,” Atiku said.

    He also thanked friends and well-wishers in Adamawa, Nigeria and worldwide who felicitated with him over the new appointment.

    NAN reports that Atiku succeeded the former Waziri, Alhaji Mohammad Abba who passed away in April.

    Highlights of the occasion was the offering of special prayers and the presentation of the official number plate of number two man in the emirate to Atiku.

  • Atiku gets traditional title of Waziri Adamawa

    Atiku gets traditional title of Waziri Adamawa

    Adamawa  Emirate Council has confirmed the elevation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the position of Waziri Adamawa, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Mallam Muawiyah Abba, the Information Officer of the Emirate Council, confirmed the development to NAN on Friday in Yola.

    Atiku’s appointment to the position followed the death of the former Waziri, Alhaji Muhammad Abba in April.

    The Waziri is the most senior kingmaker in the emirate and serves as close confidant and adviser to the Lamido.

    Abba explained that the Council had also conferred the title of Turaki Adamawa, hitherto held by Atiku, to his son Aliyu.

    “It is true that the emirate has appointed Atiku Abubakar the new Waziri of Adamawa while his son, Aliyu, is also appointed as the new Turaki Adamawa to take over from his father,” he added.

    The new Turaki is also a grandson to late Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Aliyu Mustafa.

    When contacted on the development, the spokesman of Atiku, Mr Paul Ibe, also confirmed the appointment, adding, “I have spoken to him (Atiku) and he confirmed it.”