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Tag: atiku

  • ACF, Northern Igbo leaders, Atiku hail withdrawal of quit notice

    ACF, Northern Igbo leaders, Atiku hail withdrawal of quit notice

    The umbrella body of northern leaders, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the leadership of the Igbo community in the North have welcomed the withdrawal of the quit notice earlier issued by a coalition of some northern youth groups to the Igbo living in the North.

    The Igbo leaders under the auspices of Igbo Community Welfare Association however asked the Federal Government to monitor and enforce its order against hate speech.

    ACF in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, commended the efforts of the Vice President, the Northern States Governors Forum under the chairmanship of Alhaji Kashim Shettima and other leaders of thought from the North in dousing the tension generated by the quit notice.

    The statement reads: “The ACF welcomes the withdrawal of the quit notice (issued) by the Northern Youths Coalition. This is a good development in the interest of peace and corporate existence of Nigeria.

    “ACF had earlier called on all concerned to note that our democratic system of government, which is anchored on law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, guarantees free movement of all Nigerians to pursue their means of livelihood in all parts of the country, devoid of hindrance from any group or individuals.
    “ACF therefore commends the efforts of the Northern States Governors Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shettima and other leaders of thought from the North.

    “The ACF particularly hails the earlier efforts of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who had earlier engaged Northern leaders, traditional rulers and the Igbo leaders to douse the tension created by the IPOB activities and the subsequent quit notice given by the Northern Youths Coalition to the Igbo living in the North.
    “ACF appeals to all Nigerians to heed the Federal Government’s warning against hate speeches and violent agitations that will jeopardise our peaceful coexistence as a nation.”

    The President-General Igbo Community Welfare Association, Barrister Chris Nnoli, said the withdrawal of the quit notice was commendable as it doused tension among the Igbo living in the North.
    According to him, “it is a welcome development and we the Igbo community appreciate it because it will lessen the apprehension and tension created by that statement.

    “Some people have come to say it was only a suspension and not a withdrawal. But I think whichever way, it is still in order and we welcome it.

    “We will continue to ask our people to remain calm and law abiding. Nigeria belongs to everybody and we believe that everyone has the right to live wherever they want”.

    Also commending the coalition of northern groups for their decision to rescind the quit notice given to the Igbo to leave the North on or before October 1, 2017, former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, described the development as the triumph of good judgment.

    In a statement issued from his media office in Abuja yesterday, the former Vice President appealed to the Coalition of Northern Groups and the Arewa Youths Council to go the whole hog and drop any other condition given to people of Igbo origin living in Northern Nigeria or anywhere else in the nation.

    According to him, “Reconciliation must be total or else it is pyrrhic.”

    In the spirit of this rapprochement, the Waziri Adamawa also called on other ethnic groupings which might have issued counter quit notices to accept the olive branch and rescind whatever notices or withdraw whatever statements they might have made.

    The former Vice President commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his national broadcast condemning such developments and urged other elders and elder-statesmen around the nation to add their voices to the condemnation of evil and henceforth refrain from making statements that could undermine Nigeria’s unity.

  • Atiku commends Northern youths for withdrawing quit notice to Igbos

    Atiku commends Northern youths for withdrawing quit notice to Igbos

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday commended the Coalition of Northern Groups for rescinding the quit notice given to Igbos in the northern part of the country.

    In a statement from his media office in Abuja, the former vice president expressed happiness that “at last, good judgment has prevailed.”

    Atiku, however, appealed to the Coalition of Northern Groups and the Arewa Youths Council to go the whole hog and drop any other condition given to people of Igbo origin living in Northern Nigeria or anywhere else in the nation.

    According to him, reconciliation must be total or else it is pyrrhic.”

    In the spirit of this rapprochement, the ex- vice president also called on other ethnic groups that have issued counter quit notices to accept this olive branch and withdraw whatever notices or statements they may have made.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for condemning such developments and urged other elders and elder-statesmen across the nation to likewise add their voices to the condemnation of evil and henceforth refrain from making statements that undermine Nigeria’s unity.

  • Atiku: Of container and content

    Sir: Atiku Abubakar is no small name, needing no introduction. It is safe to say he is the most vocal individual asking for a change in the country’s present system of governance. As expected, his position has attracted different reactions from people from all walks of life especially other politicians, some for and others against.

    A container as defined by the Learners Cambridge Dictionary is a hollow object such as a box or a bottle that can be used for holding something especially to carry or store it. On the other hand, the “content” has one of its definitions by same dictionary as everything that is contained within something. Simply put, the content is the contained. The relationship between the two from the above definition is quite clear and there is no gainsaying that a container should be suited for its content. Containers are made and tailored for their content.

    Now in real time application, the problems we face today as a nation must determine the solutions we seek for. Consequently the solution we seek for will again determine who we choose to lead us. No matter how broad based a government is, even in democracy, the policy direction will invariably be determined by the leader of the government who also is the country’s leader.

    Bigotry is not specific to any tribe or person. In my opinion, we are all ethnic bigots and this is supported and made worse by our present structure. It is the extent of bigotry and the ability to exercise restraints that differ. The man who has the least attributes of a bigot and the greatest ability to exercise such restraints is the one with the ability to unify us. He is the one to heal the wounds of divisions that presently exist and seem to be deepening. Considering our country’s peculiarity the most important responsibility of a leader is to unite her citizens. Who shall step out? Atiku Abubakar? Maybe not. But we must dish the sentiments of “why is he just saying it”, “why didn’t he do it when he was vice president for eight years?”

    Let the emphasis be on whether the man has the qualities we need right now for a leader. Over 100 million people may be eligible to be Nigeria’s president in the next round of elections, but we must keep in mind that sometimes, we could find the content we are looking for in the wrong container and at other times, the container you find may have the wrong content or no content at all. When you find the right content in an appropriate container, it’s an opportunity we must seize.

    Having been in public glare for more than 30 years in a system that is grossly seen to have failed to live up to expectation and in a time when populism is on the rise, it is understandable why the man Atiku Abubakar despite his intelligent ideas has continued to be disparaged by a section of the public. However, like Bishop Mathew Kukah puts it, the kind of person you need to be a priest is not the kind of person you need to be a governor. Forms determine function. At a time when our country’s bond of unity is abysmally weak, there are specific qualities needed in a leader so Nigeria could get a chance to be truly a nation and not just some geographic demarcation.

    If we must change the status quo it will take someone who knows the system and understands the status quo. Unfortunately there are no many people who understand the status quo that think or believe that it should be changed.

     

    • Dr Bright Emenena

    Warri, Delta State.

  • Atiku: we’re delighted to have him back

    Atiku: we’re delighted to have him back

    Former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar yesterday expressed delight at the level of good health and recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari after his medical leave in the United Kingdom (UK).

    In a statement yesterday by his media office, the former vice president said every well-meaning Nigerian should be happy with the recovery of the President.

    According to him, a healthy and stronger Buhari would be able to concentrate more vigorously on the task of implementing his campaign promises to Nigerians.

    He said Buhari’s recovery was good news for the country and Nigerians because “it would reduce the needless conspiracy theories surrounding his health and long absence”.

    The Waziri Adamawa noted that the task of governance is so enormous that the country should celebrate the return of the President.

    Atiku advised Nigerians to help the President succeed “by focusing on issues that unite us rather than those that divide us, and thereby distracting the President from attending to the tasks at hand”.

    The former vice president cautioned politicians against the promotion of hate politics for selfish advantages, adding that “a situation where Nigerians perceive one another as enemies rather than brothers who should be united by their common interests is unhealthy and inimical to our democracy”.

    He urged Nigerians, irrespective of party affiliation, to continue to pray for the President to succeed in the country’s larger interest.

  • Atiku: state of residence should replace state of origin

    Atiku: state of residence should replace state of origin

    Former Vice President and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Atiku Abubakar has asked the National Assembly to replace state of origin with state of residency in the ongoing constitutional amendment as a way of addressing hate speeches and other quit notice on Nigerians in their places of residence.

    In a statement entitled: “An eye for an eye will leave Nigeria blind”, the former vice president condemned the quit notice by a coalition of Niger Delta agitators on northerners and Yoruba in the Niger Delta region to vacate the area.

    He, however, hailed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for sanctioning radio stations that aired the anti-Igbo song and embarking on broadcasting hate speeches.

    He said: “Again, it has sadly come to my attention that there has been a counter quit notice issued in reaction to the unfortunate initial notices issued by some misguided youths in July of this year.

    “Just as I strongly condemned the quit notice on people of the Igbo ethnic stock living in Northern Nigeria and the counter quit notices that ensued, I also vehemently condemn the retaliatory quit notice given by certain elements in other parts of Nigeria to persons of other origins – be they Northern, Yoruba or any other ethnic grouping within our nation.

    “First and foremost, it is a fallacy to believe that there are people of Northern or Southern origin. Nigeria only has people of one origin. We are all of Nigerian origin and as Nigerians, we must be pragmatic enough to realise the obvious truth that an eye for an eye will leave Nigeria blind.

    “Let me at this juncture remind these ‘quit noticers’ that when brothers fight to the death over a domestic dispute, it is their neighbours that eventually end up inheriting their father’s property.”

  • Large number of out -of- school children worries Atiku

    Large number of out -of- school children worries Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concerns over depressing statistics that Nigeria has as the highest number of out- of- school children in the world.

    He asked wealthy Nigerians to support charity and humanitarian causes that will help in giving such children formal education.

    In a statement from his Media Office in Abuja, the chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) pointed out government alone cannot successfully fund education in the country.

    While saying that education form the most critical tool for transforming individuals and spurring growth and development, he asked government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector.

    The former Vice President said the current situation in the education sector requires Nigerians with means to support education charity initiatives such as the Feed and Read initiative of the American University of Nigeria (AUN).

    Atiku, who is the founder of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), said the Feed and Read Programme initiated in 2015 is designed to provide a decent meal per day for the most vulnerable of children in Yola, Adamawa State.

    He also stated it will grant them exposure to classroom experience where they are taught Basic English, Arithmetic and Hygiene.

    According to him, the Feed and Read programme was a response to the effect of destruction and displacement caused by the Boko Haram menace in the North-East area of the country which further escalated a surge in the number of out-of-school children in the zone.

    “I have always been bothered about the parlous state of education in the North.

    “Bad as the situation was, the Boko Haram destruction tore apart the little that was left of the infrastructure for formal education especially in the North-East.

    “I personally had to intervene by giving encouragement to this initiative, ensuring that the meals meet with the standard of a balanced diet for school children. “

    “I eat food with these children to show that the food is safe and to lure more of them into the programme. I do this every time I visit the school.

    “I am happy when I see these children return a formal greeting in English language and when they solve simple arithmetic.

    “There remains a large swath of distance to be covered. Nothing is too much to give in providing formal education to all children who are yet to be captured by the education infrastructure that the government is trying assiduously to create.

    “That is why I implore more Nigerians who can afford it, to stretch a helping hand to these children. Any amount, no matter how little, will go a long way in making a difference in providing good education for the most vulnerable children not only in the North-East but in other places in the country,” he said.

     

     

  • Let’s ponder on what Atiku is saying

    SIR: Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa, former Vice President and former presidential candidate may be one of the most maligned high ranking former public office holders from the North. In addition to the public perception that everyone who has been in government has stolen government money and is corrupt, the experience and challenges Atiku Abubakar had with his then boss, during his time as vice president has contributed to whatever perception of him the section of the public may have. There is a general lack of trust for former public office holders, understandably so. For these reasons, whatever any former public office holder says or does must be for his personal aggrandizement in the perception of skeptics. Of course skeptics are many, and will always be.

    But can we stop for a moment and listen sincerely to what this individual is saying? Can we take a look at our own system and analyze how well we have done, how much we have progressed? We all have this consensus that the nation has not met her potentials. The agitation arising from all regions of the country are signs of the consensus that the people no longer believe in the present system. It is an old saying and a popular one that is only a fool that will do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.

    It really does not matter who says it, I think the content is more important than the container.

    Atiku is saying the present system has not worked for even his region despite other regions of the country’s perception that his region, the north presently benefits the most from the present arrangement. This is a view that most other people also share. He has said one United Nigeria is possible if we practice true federalism. He is again not alone in thinking that the period in the history of Nigeria when we made the most progress coincided with the period when our dear country practiced federalism as it was intended. Bear in mind that there is no such thing as “true federalism”, and that federal systems generally evolved in society in line with their peculiar challenges with a view to solving them. Atiku has consistently called for a major change in the present arrangement (Restructuring).

    Former military president Ibrahim Babangida also expressed support for a system change a few weeks ago.  No doubt that some of our former leaders had opportunity to do “right” and they didn’t. But are they not allowed to change their views? Should their views not be affected by changing situations? From the period of the Babangida’s administration till now is a long time and there is no doubt that a lot has changed.Despite that, Atiku has been quite consistent with his view on the need to practice true federalism.

    I do not believe that any one man has the magic wand that solves our numerous challenges nor do I believe that the solution to our problems is one prong and that with restructuring all our problems will go away.The former vice president has also expressed his views that restructuring may not necessarily be an easy sail.  But we shall search for the eye of the fish in the head of the fish as looking elsewhere will only be a waste of time.

     

    • Dr. Ememena Bright,

    Warri, Delta State.

  • Wike to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki to PDP

    Wike to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki to PDP

    •Oduah, Oseloka, Ikpeazu to run for Anambra governor 

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has initiated moves to woo former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara back to its fold.

    Others targeted by the party include Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, Abdullahi Adamu, Danjuma Goje and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

    The party appointed Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers) as chairman and Governor Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) as deputy chairman of a reconciliation committee set up to woo the high profile politicians back to its fold.

    National Caretaker Chairman Senator Ahmed Makarfi inaugurated the committee and urged it to deliver on the assignment.

    The party also appointed a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, as chairman of a newly inaugurated Disciplinary Committee. A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara was named as deputy.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is chairman of National Convention Committee with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as deputy chairman.

    Makarfi urged the reconciliation committee to extend its assignment to the founding members of the PDP, stressing that the dragnet should be extended beyond those who left the in 2015.

    Makarfi said those targets should “include President, Vice President, governors and former senate president, speaker of House of Representatives and all other former top ranking members in the party.

    “Everybody that was in PDP at one time or the other should be reconciled with. It is not limited to pre-2015”.

    Makarfi also mandated the committee to reach out to other individuals who have never been in the PDP, with a view to bringing them into the party, without any conditions attached.

    He assured members that went through thick and thin with the party that they would not be sidelined. “We cannot foreclose opportunity for those who stayed behind during the turbulent period”.

    Ikimi assured that former PDP members who defected to the APC would soon be back in the party.

    He said: “APC is now dying and is almost dead. I am aware that they were able to win in 2015 because of members of PDP who defected there.

    “I have it on good authority that key members who left PDP and joined APC are now returning to the party. I would like us to receive them with open hands and we will rebuild the party”.

    The party also suspended the former factional Chairman in Anambra State Ken Emeakayi

    National Publicity Secretary Dayo Adeyeye who announced the decision, said three days after the dissolution of all factional executive in the state in July, Emeakayi went ahead to summon a meeting of his faction, which was in violation of the decision of the National Caretaker Committee.

    He said the committee issued him a query but rather than respond to the issue, Emeakayi disparaged the national leadership.

    “His reply not only showed disrespect to the National Caretaker Committee, he disparaged the personality of the chairman and the secretary.

    “He issued words of abuse totally unbecoming of a person who claimed to be holding an important office as chairman of a state chapter.

    “We found this to be gross indiscipline. And today, we decided on this matter, in accordance with the provisions of our constitution.

    “So, the National Caretaker Committee at its meeting today took cognisance of the violation of the Provision of Section 58 (1A, B, C, G, H, I, J, M) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended) by Chief Ken Emeakayi.

    “We took a decision to immediately suspend him for  one month, in accordance with Section 57 (3) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended),” Adeyeye said.

    He added that the case of Emeakayi had also been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further disciplinary action.

    Adeyeye said seven aspirants had obtained the PDP nomination and expression of interest forms for the November 28 Anambra State Governorship election.

    They are Dr Alex Obiogolu, Mr Oseloka Obaze, Prince Okechukwu Emeka, Dr patrick Ubah, Mr Akolisa Ufodike, Lynda Ikpeazu and Mrs Stella Oduah.

  • PDP moves to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki, others back to party

    PDP moves to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki, others back to party

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday initiated moves to woo former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, back to its fold.

    Other targeted by the party include Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, Abdullahi Adamu, Danjuma Goje, Governor Aminu Tambuwal and many others who were members of the PDP but defected to the All Progressives Congress ((APC).

    The PDP had appointed Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) as chairman and deputy chairman of a reconciliation committee set up to woo the high profile politicians back to its fold.

    While inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, tasked Wike and Dankwabo on the need to win the targeted individuals back to the party.

    The party also appointed a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, as chairman of a newly inaugurated Disciplinary Committee.

    A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, was named deputy.

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, was named chairman of National Convention Committee, while former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, will act as deputy chairman.

    Makarfi charged the reconciliation committee to extend its assignment to the founding members of the PDP, stressing that the dragnet should be extended beyond those that left the party in 2015.

    According to him, all individuals who had held top government and political positions on the platform of the PDP but have left the party should be brought back.

    Makarfi said: “This includes President, Vice President, governors and former Senate president, Speaker of House of Representatives and all other former top ranking members in the party.

    “Everybody that was in PDP at one time or the other should be reconciled with. It is not limited to pre-2015.”

    Makarfi also mandated the committee to reach out to other individuals who have never been in the PDP with a view to bringing them into the party without any conditions attached.

     

  • Atiku flays hate song against Igbo in North

    Atiku flays hate song against Igbo in North

    FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned a song in circulation in the North, which allegedly disparaged and wished people of Igbo origin dead.

    He warned against comments, songs and actions that might lead to the infamous Rwandan genocide.

    The genocide led to the death of thousands of people in the East Africa country.

    Atiku urged security agencies to apprehend, try, convict and severely punish those behind the “ungodly song which incites racial hatred”.

    He commiserated with the people of Ozubulu in Anambra State, who lost family members in the church fatal shooting that also many injured.

    In a statement yesterday, Atiku said: “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”.

    He added: “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.