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Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • Fix education to stop insurgency, APC tells Jonathan

    Fix education to stop insurgency, APC tells Jonathan

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) spoke yesterday at the second Progressive Governance Lecture Series in Kano on the need to use education to end insurgency.

    They identified lack of an effective education policy as the cause of poverty, insecurity and political unrest in the country.

    Party leaders at the event included APC National Leader, General Muhammadu Bbuhari; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki; Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Aisha Alhasan, Senate Minority Leader George Akume, Senator Mohammed Bingo, Senator Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya, Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara),  Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Masari.

    Gen. Buhari, a former Head of State, urged the Federal Government to provide free and qualitative education for Nigerians.

    He said such a step would reduce insecurity in the land, adding that the nation’s security challenges might worsen, if the Federal Government fails to fix the Education sector.

    Buhari said: “Until the falling standard of education in Nigeria is fixed to engage out-of-school children, the incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians, particularly in the Northeast, may get worse.”

    The former Head of State called for increased budget to education to raise its standard in line with global best practices.

    He said: “When we came to government in the 1980s, we called for education review, led by Prof. Babs Fafunwa, to review all the recommendations on education and identify critical points for immediate implementation. We must draw a clear-cut road map on our education to achieve the desired success.”

    Gen. Buhari, who regretted that no solution was sight to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, called for concerted efforts to return them to their parents.

     

  • An iroko has fallen, says Atiku

    An iroko has fallen, says Atiku

    Former Vice-President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa is an extraordinary jurist with extraordinary pedigree.

    In a tribute yesterday in Abuja by his Media Office, Atiku said the death of the retired Supreme Court Justice was like a huge branch being cut off from the nation’s judicial iroko tree.

    According to him, besides his extraordinary courage, the late Justice Oputa was also a man of profound knowledge, which earned for him the appellation of the “Socrates of the Supreme Court”.

    Atiku noted that for the late Justice Oputa to have earned the appellation from colleagues demonstrated his erudition and colossal stature.

    The notable politician recalled that with no less than 358 judgments and rulings under his belt, the late Justice Oputa was a giant of law, not only in Nigeria but also across Africa.

    The former vice-president prayed for the repose of the soul of the eminent jurist and condoled with his family on the irreparable loss.

  • Atiku asks Jonathan to seek foreign assistance 

    Atiku asks Jonathan to seek foreign assistance 

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed anger and sadness at the bombings in the suburbs of Abuja that left scores dead and many injured.

    In a statement by his media office in Abuja, he said this needless bloodletting cannot continue unabated, adding that it requires new strategies to nip it in the bud. While describing those behind the bombings as evil and callous  with scant regard for the sanctity of human life, Atiku said the latest bombings by insurgents should be a wake-up call to all Nigerians on the imperative of ending the blame game and working together to end this scourge.

    “As a country, we are not doing enough of focusing on and implementing solutions. We are all guilty of expending endless energy on handwringing and the trading of blame, none of which is able to save lives or change the status quo,” the former Vice President said.

    The former Vice President recalled that government had in February this year spoken about its successes in pushing Boko Haram to the “fringes” of the Northeast, where a state of emergency currently exists in a number of states, and where the Boko Haram terrorist group has carried out many deadly attacks recently. He said the bombings, which took place at a motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, cast doubts on the claims of containing the crisis to the fringes of the country. “There is an urgent need for the government of Nigeria to review its methods and strategies for dealing with terrorism,” Atiku said.

    He called for a step-up in intelligence, listening posts, picking up trends and conversations with a view to pre-empting terrorist attacks, adding that it is time for Nigeria to accept foreign assistance with fighting terrorism in the country. While expressing his condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the bombings, the former Vice President urged well-meaning Nigerians in and around the Federal Capital Territory to heed the call of National Blood Transfusion Centre (NBTC) by voluntarily donating blood at the National Hospital Abuja to save the lives of survivors.

  • ‘Dankwambo’s work speaks for itself’

    ‘Dankwambo’s work speaks for itself’

    Alhaji Buba Shanu is the State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Gombe State. In this interview with VINCENT OHONBAMU, he speaks on the party’s chances in 2015, and recent defections in the state.

    How prepared is the PDP for the 2015 general election in Gombe?

    As you can see, the Peoples Democratic Party, both at the national level and in Gombe State, is taking this as a serious business. I say so because we have the political infrastructure in place to take care of the business. If you look at our structure and activities, it is obvious that we are a serious party doing a serious business. At the national level, when the management of the PDP sneezes, Nigeria catches cold. This tells you that we are the party to beat. In Gombe State, we produced the last two governments from 2003 to date. And, if I may quote, His Excellency, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during the economic summit here in December, said: “If every politician would act the way the Gombe State governor is acting, if every state is like Gombe State, there would be no problem in Nigeria”. This is because Gombe State exemplifies what democracy should be – the government of the people, for the people by the people. So, to sum it up, the PDP has never been readier because we take this as a serious business.

    Considering that Senator Danjuma Goje has defected to the major opposition party, the APC, what are the chances of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo remaining in office beyond May 29, 2015?

    I know for certain he would be in office. The PDP is going to continue to rule Gombe State for quite a long time to come. As Jesus Christ once said: “By their fruits, ye shall know them.” What that means is that the product of a system characterises what the system is. Yes, I agree, personalities make government. The last government in Gombe State was principally characterised by Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma Goje; he gave it direction and form. This one is given direction by Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and he characterises the system. If you’ve been following trends in Gombe, you’ll discover that they are governments of the same party, but have taken two different steams. The incumbent is a government of professionals, by professionals, for the people. Every one of us is a professional in his own right. I have two Masters Degrees. You would be surprised, if I give you the rundown of other party officials. At the executive council, virtually 70 per cent of those individuals came from different professional constituencies. But, in Goje’s government, there were executive council members who didn’t see the four walls of secondary school.

    What, in your view, are the strengths of this government that would guarantee Dankwambo’s re-election?

    It’s a government that is prudent. We are accused of everything, but not stealing, killing, maiming, or coercion. We may be slow, but we are steady. We are not in a rush because we are sure footed. The government is moving step-by-step. This government is a government of people who are knowledgeable; it is a participatory government and everybody gets involved at his or her level. That way, it’s a government of Gombe people for themselves. If the people decide they no longer want this, they want the money to be shared; the money comes in and everybody gets his portion, no problem. But, I know for sure that we have done our best. These four years are going to speak for us, not just today, but for a long time to come

    There were speculations recently that some PDP councillors defected to the APC. What is the true position of the matter?

    I can tell you categorically that it is not true. It is not possible because, if you go back to our selection process, the PDP has a culture of obedience, particularly in Gombe State. Obedience is a child of faith. If you have faith and confidence in the system and then, you follow. In the process of selecting those who will ultimately contest as community leaders, the PDP management takes into cognisance loyalty, how long you have stayed with the party, your contributions to the party, your personal standing with the community where you want to contest and other factors. So, there is no way a serving councillor would leave the party. It’s like a crime has been committed – if they say Mr. Shanu killed somebody. The councillorship, I think, is one of the most serious responsibilities of elected representative of this country today. You want to leave the job and go to another party to contest for what, councillor again? It doesn’t make sense. If you say a former Councillor, I can understand that. Yes, he wants to be councillor again, but there is a better person in the community who is a councillor. So, he is going to another party to get a ticket.

    Talking about defectors, we have Senator Dajuma Goje here and others who defected with him? What is your view?

    I can understand the case of any politician who does not hold any public office, who out of frustration or wanton quest for power or office decides to politically prostitute. The former Vice President wants to be the President at all cost. But, it’s prostitution for a politician who is elected under the auspices of a party by his people to go and represent them, only to cross-carpet out of personal interest without the mandate and consent of his people. My advice to them is to come back because he is using your mandate for personal gains. But, if it’s okay with you, fine. If you are satisfied with what he has done, fine. But if out of ignorance you are not aware that you have an option, you are now aware. You decide the way you want to be represented, not the representative. It’s like religion; you don’t serve God the way you want, no. You serve him the way He should be served. So, we should not take these things for granted. My call for his people is that first, they should audit him. Why has he decided to change political party, is it because maybe he sees there are better people that probably might represent his people in 2015 and he is afraid he might not get the chance to contest, that is why he is running away, or has he committed some offence and he is like trying to take some insurance by moving to another party and maybe give conditions for returning? Or are there reasons why being in PDP cannot allow him to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Gombe central?

     

  • Atiku: our structure of govt needs to be reworked

    Atiku: our structure of govt needs to be reworked

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said the need to rework the federal arrangement should be a major focus of delegates at the National Conference.

    In a speech delivered at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, the ex-Vice President said the federal structure arrogated many functions and resources to the government at the centre, thus killing the spirit of innovation and enterprise among the people – which was a critical component in building a self-sustaining economy.

    Acknowledging his initial stance in opposing the constitution of the conference, Atiku said delegates should make the best of the opportunity.

    “I want to assume that a new and improved Nigeria is the goal and I believe any opportunity for people to talk is better than to fight,” he said.

    According to him, “the conference should focus on designing a political and governmental system, which empowers local authorities and gives them autonomy to address peculiar local issues, and enhances accountability, while contributing to the general good of the country.”

    Atiku said the envisaged robust federal system would reduce the tension built into the nation’s over-centralised system.

    He noted that the federal structure, which he termed unitary federalism – was a creation by and for the military governments of the past.

    “As more power was concentrated in the centre, the Federal Government appropriated more resources and expanded its responsibilities.

    All these were done in the name of promoting national unity. The process was easy, as the unified command structure of the military ensured little opposition.

    “Therefore, fixing Nigeria, to me, will require reversing decades of over-centralisation of power and over-concentration of resources at the centre,” Atiku said.

    The former Vice President observed that whereas the purpose of the unified federal structure was to foster national unity, “the notion that over-centralisation and an excessively powerful centre is equivalent to national unity is false and has made our unity more fragile and our government more unstable.”

    He advocated the renegotiation of “our union to make it stronger by granting greater autonomy, power and resources for states and local authorities”, which will “unleash our people’s creative energies and spur more development.”

    Atiku debunked insinuations that the top-heavy federal arrangement, as is being operated, is working to the favour of a section of the country.

     

     

  • Atiku welcomes Obasanjo’s reconciliation

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accepted an olive branch extended to him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness in the interest of national unity.

    In a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday, Atiku said: “Forgiveness is divinely-inspired. It is an oil, which lubricates the wheels of human interactions and engagements.”

    The ex-Vice President hailed Obasanjo “for taking this bold and godly step in the interest of the nation and humanity.”

    According to him, “the process of national healing and reconciliation should advance to a new level and extend to other citizens of our great nation, who may have had grievances against one another.”

    He urged politicians to learn from the words of Mahatma Ghandi that “an eye for an eye will make our nation go blind.”

    Atiku said: “When I made a similar effort a few years ago, it was on the conviction that it would not be beneficial to me before Allah, if I went to the grave with bitterness. Let us forgive one another so that we can team up for national rebirth.”

    He noted even if one disagreed with Obasanjo, no one would doubt his firm commitment to the country’s unity.

  • Atiku’s flight of fancy

    Atiku’s flight of fancy

    A FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has suggested that in fighting Boko Haram, the Nigerian military should “actively engage the civilian JTF, train and support them to be its eyes and ears in the battle against (terrorism). “No doubt, the military is operating in very unfamiliar terrain and needs all the local support it can get,” he adds. “There’s a lot that both parties the military and the civilian JTF can gain from collaborating.” Alhaji Atiku omits a small but important point: What happens after the war against terror is won and lost? Would the civilian combatants simply disarm and go home?

  • Govt’s strategy on Boko Haram ineffective, says Atiku

    Govt’s strategy on Boko Haram ineffective, says Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said yesterday that efforts being made by the Federal Government and the security agencies in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, appear to be ineffective.

    Atiku was reacting to the killing yesterday of 43 pupils of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Gujiba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

    It was the latest in the sect’s chain of bloody attacks on soft targets in recent times.

    The statement said: “All the Federal Government had been doing about addressing the security situation in the Northeast region of the country amounts to mere chasing of shadows if school walls cannot be protected from armed attacks.

    “This will not be the first time in recent times that school children are being attacked, and it is particularly disheartening that the Federal Government is yet to devise a strategy of keeping our schools safe from terror attacks.

    “If our counter-insurgency strategies are not strong enough to keep our children safe inside their schools, then one must wonder if such a strategy isn’t mere chasing shadows.”

    Atiku is miffed by President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement on Media Chat on Monday that the government had been successful at pushing armed attacks to the fringes of the country.

    “It is important that the Federal Government upped its counter-insurgency strategy and desist from taking credits in pushing armed attacks to the fringes, as the President would like to put it. No Nigerian’s life is less in value to another,” the former Vice President stated.

    He added that it was imperative for the government to ensure security in schools, particularly Federal Government Colleges because of what he described as their unique role in forging national unity among pupils from diverse backgrounds.

    A statement released by his media office said Atiku broke down in tears when he was informed of the killing of the pupils.

    “My heartfelt condolences go to families of the slain school pupils. It is unfortunate that innocent school children become victims of armed attacks”, Atiku said.

     

  • How Nigerians will remember Jonathan

    How Nigerians will remember Jonathan

    SIR: The Yoruba say people may feel hunger same way, but may not feel same way deep down about issues, events, and occurrences. Thus, those who made illicit wealth during the presidency of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), due to which Nigeria is in debt and deficit financing, will remember him as the best thing that happened to them. He is currently in bribing spree, visiting traditional rulers and religious leaders, countrywide. Even ordinary citizens will hardly visit such people empty handed; so it goes without saying that he is bribing them.

    How will ordinary Nigerians remember GEJ? Very many Nigerians will remember him for driving them to join him to truncate rotational presidency, which led to terrorism, properly so-called, for the first time ever in Nigeria. Churches that had existed for many years were bombed with people worshipping inside them; many Imams, other Muslim leaders, and near innumerable Muslims were also killed and are still being killed. Many Christian leaders were and are bribed to shout against the Muslim north; the confusion is second only to Nigeria’s civil war. Is it the Muslim north that asked GEJ to truncate rotational presidency; and to divide and rule Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum? Is it the Muslim north that is now asking GEJ to deny that he promised to spend no more than a single term of four years? Yes, some bribed northerners are still behind him, but that is because they are bribed and they are corrupt.

    In the name of God and for the sake the nation’s Civil War, I appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to give peace a chance and vote for rotational presidency; 2015, northwest; 2019-2027 southeast, etc. Let’s make that our modus vivendi, towards order, equity, peace, stability, and progress. Political opportunism, such as GEJ availed himself can never work; it worked for GEJ who became President, but too many Nigerians are still dying, both terrorism and corruption are on rampage; Nigeria is in shambles. I told the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to forget about becoming Nigeria’s President, and simply face his private University, because we want zonal rotational presidency, and we don’t want anybody who built private university from corruption.

    Being nice is good. General Muhammadu Buhari was Petroleum Minister, Finance Minister, and Head of State; in none did he mess-up. By the grace of Almighty God, he will win the 2015 election and teach us to straighten our petroleum and other accounts. He will not seek a second term, because we don’t want another civil war; it will be the turn of the southeast; southwest and south-south will wait for their second round as we rotate from zone to zone, north-south. Yes, if chosen,Governor Rotimi Amaechi will work well with Buhari, his peers have confidence in him as Chairman of the Governors’ Forum.

    Yes, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, is looking favorably into my Masquerade Studies proposal. I am highly hopeful. With God, all things are possible.

     

    • Oyeniran Abioje,

    Ilorin

     

  • Atiku to PDP: own up to nation’s sorry state

    Atiku to PDP: own up to nation’s sorry state

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take responsibility for the sorry state of the nation.

    He urged the party to face the reality of the nation’s situation instead of resorting to name-calling and childish response to the crisis of confidence bedevilling its fold.

    In a statement by his media office yesterday in Abuja, the former vice president urged the PDP to get off its high horse and stop searching for scapegoats among members of the opposition.

    Atiku noted that it was inappropriate for the leadership of his former party (PDP) to describe him as an “ingrate”.

    He reminded the PDP leadership that as a former vice president and a conscientious member of the founders of the party, he deserved respect and decent language from the party’s leaders.

    The former vice president accused PDP leadership of treating his case with selective memory.

    “The personal insults in the PDP statement succeeded in doing just one thing, which is to depict its managers as childish, petulant and, above all else, incompetent.

    “It confirms the notion, on the part of many, that they don’t have what it takes to live up to their ‘sacred’ mandate. They have lost their way, and their refusal to recognise the error of their ways has prompted the shepherds to – reluctantly – move on, for the nation’s sake, to build a better future for the country’s teeming population,” the Atiku said.

    The former vice president recalled that the new guard in the PDP kept a low profile when he (Atiku), along with other champions of democracy, like the late Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua, the late Moshood Abiola, the late Kudirat Abiola, the late Sunday Afolabi and other members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, fought in the frontline to remove the military from power.

    He said: “Since almost all of us – the founding members of the PDP – have been hounded out of the party, because we allegedly have one aspiration or the other, people who supported military rule or did not even know what was going on, are now the masters of the PDP, and they present themselves as the custodians of the nation’s future.

    “But I challenge anyone of them to show their contributions, except looting the Nigerian treasury.

    “If I and other patriots working in tandem with the National Assembly did not work together to retain term limits in the constitution, none of those holding power today would not have been there – from local, state or federal governments.

    “Those who wrap themselves in the PDP banner should at least recognise and respect those of us who made today’s debates possible.”