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  • Saraki: I’ll leave behind efficient Senate

    Saraki: I’ll leave behind efficient Senate

    SENATE President Abubakar Bukola Saraki said yesterday his focus since he assumed office as the presiding officer of the eighth Senate has been to build an efficient legislature that directly impacts the lives of Nigerians.

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted that the role of the legislature in a young democracy like Nigeria is often misconstrued.

    He said it was necessary for the National Assembly to work towards positively influencing the lives of Nigerians through its powers of lawmaking, oversight and advocacy.

    The statement said: “The President of the Senate is just first amongst equals. However, what always motivates me is that drive to leave this institution better than we met it. I always like to leave a place stronger than I met it, and more capable to deliver on its constitutional role and functions than how it was before I got there.

    “The difference between democracy and dictatorship is parliament. This is why I tell people that it is not about who the Senate President, the President, or the Chief Justice of Nigeria is, we must always work to strengthen all our institutions.

    “For example, in four years, I’m gone. Somebody else will be there, but the institution will always remain. If you have weak parliament that is not effectively able to champion the needs of the people, you will have a weak democracy. However, because of myopic interest at times, some people do not see why we must protect the mandates and integrity of these institutions.”

  • I’m behind Audu, says Buhari

    I’m behind Audu, says Buhari

    •President to lead 22 APC governors to final rally

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said he supported the candidacy of Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, dissociated his office from an advertorial published by a faction of the APC in the state alleging that Audu was not Buhari’s preferred candidate in the primary election.

    Noting that Audu emerged through a democratic process endorsed by the party leadership, the statement  said the President was aware of Audu’s outstanding role in his emergence as the APC presidential candidate, adding that it was incumbent on all  forces to rally round Audu to effect the change in the state.

    The statement reads:

    “President Muhammadu Buhari harbours nothing but good wishes for Prince Abubakar Audu, the APC governorship candidate in Kogi State.

    “As a democrat himself, the President has nothing but respect for the outcome of the Kogi primaries.

    “Democracy is about the people’s choice, and so whoever the voters have chosen to represent them, that is the person the President will support.

    “There are long years of fruitful political association between President Buhari and Prince Audu, as a result of which the President cannot but wish the governorship candidate well.

    “The President is aware of ex-Governor Audu’s outstanding role in the processes leading to his emergence as the APC presidential candidate, followed by his emergence as the elected president of the country.”

    President Buhari, the statement said, counselled  “the leaders of the APC in Kogi against petty differences, urging them to focus more on bigger issues of party growth and development, and to close ranks to do all that is lawful to ensure the victory of the APC candidates.

    “On account of party interest alone, the forces in Kogi politics need to rally round our candidate to complete the process of Change, which began with APC’s victory in the National Assembly elections in the state. Kogi should not be missing from the Change sweeping across the country.”

    President Buhari will lead 22 governors of the APC to the final rally of the Kogi State APC governorship candidate, Prince Audu.

    He was unable to attend the launch of the campaign and flag presentation to the standard-bearer at the weekend.

    The President, it was said, called the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, from India that the campaign launch be postponed to enable him attend and galvanise support for Audu, but Oyegun reportedly prevailed on him to allow the event to go ahead, saying there was no time left, as the election was about three weeks away and the party needed to go round the 21 local governments.

    A source said: “President Buhari then agreed that the event should hold.”

    The National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed and the Southwest APC governors, who were billed to fly into the state for the event, could not make it, following the death of Mai Borgu, Haliru Dantoro, who died last Friday in Germany.

    The monarch was an intimate friend and confidant of Asiwaju Tinubu, who was conferred with the title of ‘Jagagban Borgu’ by the late traditional ruler.

    It was said that Asiwaju Tinubu was devastated by the monarch’s death.

    The campaign launch attracted dignitaries across the country.

    Those in attendance included Chief Oyegun, NEC members, Senator Shuiabu Lawal, Hajia Ramatu Aliyu Tijana and the governors of Imo, Benue and Nasarawa states.

    Others were the former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the deputy governors of Adamawa, Kwara and Niger.

  • The Buhari Presidency: Behind the scenes

    The Buhari Presidency: Behind the scenes

    Since President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reins of power on May 29, his governance style has been a major discourse among citizens. His traducers, especially the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have turned fault finders overnight and won’t give him a breathing space. In this piece, YUSUF ALLI, MANAGING EDITOR, NORTHERN OPERATION explores the ‘slow and steady’ pace of Buhari and his unsung silent initiatives which may turn the nation around.

    Contrary to the awkward and uncomplimentary claims of a governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the countdown to the March general election, President Muhammadu Buhari is waxing stronger by the day. His capacity to cope with the workload has remained amazing to his aides, friends and associates. And in the last two months, it is becoming obvious that a new dawn is imminent for the nation. There can be no better testimony than that of President Barrack Obama, who lodged Buhari at the famous Blair’s House meant for philosopher leaders, and gave Nigerians a lot to cheer about their president. Obama said: “President Buhari came into office with reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda that is to make sure that he has been bringing safely security and peace to his country.”

    Trailing Buhari in the last two months has revealed many dimensions of the new President and the how he is laying foundation for a robust future for the country.

     Buhari’s unusual schedule causes stir in The Villa

    Apart from going through some discomfort (through a make-shift life) before packing to the Presidential Villa, the President lives an austere life. He works from 7am to the wee hours of the night with intermittent time for his five daily prayers. He consults with few underground advisers (close and old associates of many years) in House 7 and aides on daily basis to weigh options. Talking on the tight schedule of the President, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “Maybe because of his military background, the President wakes up early and he is an avid listener to radio stations. Before he reports for work by7am, he must have listened to all the talk shows on radio and you will be amazed how he picks you up on some national issues discussed on radio. Most times, he starts his day by 6am.

    “The President works from the early hours of the day till 1am and 2am. In fact, there was a time the team around him had a meeting and expressed worries that the President was having only three hours of sleep. They therefore redesigned his schedule by saying no more appointment by 9pm. The new policy did not last more than one week. After that, the President worked till 1am.” Responding to a question, Shehu said: “I think it has to do with his military training because it got to a point that one of the youngest staff working with the President could not cope with his schedule.”

    Unveiling Buhari’s moral curtains

    Coming into power with a hard-earned reputation, Buhari has changed the face of Aso Rock – the seat of government. Unlike in the past administrations, loafers, busy bodies, political heavyweights, multi-colour businessmen masquerading as investors, chieftains of banks seeking to influence financial policies, portfolio investors and money bags do not have easy access to the Presidential Villa again. Instead, they now loiter around the corridors of the Senate and House of Representatives to have a peripheral feeling of what Buhari or the Federal Government is up to. This is the first time since 1999 when those who usually alter the fortunes of Nigeria at night over champagne have been shut out of the Villa. They can no longer drive in and out of the Villa at will; they cannot have gossip dinners with the President and have no access to every file signed by the President or a privileged knowledge of appointments and government policies again.

    The situation got to a ridiculous stage under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua that a businessman was always getting the copy of policy statement even before Ministers or Permanent Secretaries knew of the government direction. While ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was in charge, some businessmen and money bags could influence policies within minutes after a shuttle to the Villa. They sought monopoly of everything in the country, they wanted waiver to direct the economy as they like or determine how Nigerians breathe, and some of them manipulated the oil, industrial and financial sectors from the tip of their fingers. At a stage under Jonathan, Ministers feared these money bags and Presidential friends than the ex-President himself. All the luxury is gone with Buhari in charge. A source said: “To Buhari, any businessman, political heavyweight or money bag visiting the Villa must come to add value and not to diminish or deplete the system.”

    These men of means are unhappy being on the same pedestal with the poor but Buhari is unruffled. Besides having quality time to meditate on the state of the nation and plan, the Vila is saving huge cost often spent on accommodation at state expense, choice foods and exotic champagne like Vodka which was the delight of some people in the last government.

    Instead, Buhari runs a tight administration with a code of conduct for his immediate family and aides. Aides must live above board and keep sealed lips on official secrets, especially crucial policies and itinerary. Once you cross the border line, you are either redeployed or isolated or ejected from the Villa. To the shock of every staff in the Villa, Buhari woke up one day and relieved his Chief Security Officer, Abdulrahman Mani and Administrative Officer Widi Liman of their jobs. Although the government has kept mute on the removal of these confidants, findings revealed that Mani might have been redeployed for allegedly “leaking Buhari’s itinerary to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who strove to travel on the same flight to London in May. It was also learnt that Mani was sent out of the Villa following power tussle between him and the Aide-de-Camp of the President, Lt. Col. Muhammed Abubakar Lawal over the security changes effected in the seat of government. Another source said Buhari was unhappy with Mani and Liman on how they mismanaged the ‘opportunity’ to take care of his appointments. He suspected some connivance when unwanted guests or some corrupt elements were placed on appointment list.

    Also a desperate businessman looking for an oil block had attempted to bribe a brother-in-law, Musa Yola, to get access to the President but the in-law paid dearly for it. The dubious transaction was not only busted, Buhari ordered the arrest of his in-law in handcuffs. He ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the scam.

    This is the first time that the First Family will be under some restrictions. Buhari has listed no go areas for his wife and children in order to avoid abuse of power. When his wife and children went for lesser Hajj (Umrah) a few weeks ago, he made sure they travelled on Emirates Airline, a commercial flight with a caveat that they must not receive any gift from wealthy Nigerians who are usually using the pilgrimage to curry favours. A top source said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has adopted a strict policy on the use of presidential aircraft in order to save cost. His wife and relations have been restricted to the use of the aircraft in the presidential fleet.

    “A situation where the aircraft were used anyhow by some friends, associates of the President during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan can no longer be applicable in this dispensation.

    “For example, the Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and three children travelled for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Emirates Airline instead of using presidential aircraft.

    “Buhari is determined to ensure the judicious use of the presidential aircraft to save cost. He is also setting a new template for governance. Do not be surprised if you see the President using commercial flights.”

    Findings also revealed that Buhari is blazing another moral trail as a leader because his wife still cooks for him. While hosting some children to Eid-el Fitr festival, the wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, made the unusual disclosures. She said: “I’m going to leave you soon. I want to go back home to cook for my husband. Because my children are here playing with you, nobody is at home, only my husband. I want to go back home to be with him and also cook dinner for him.” As at the time of filing this report, Buhari is yet to acquiesce to pressure to make his wife to go about with the appellation of the ‘First Lady’. A source added: “I think the President does not want the Office of the First Lady hijacked by vested interests as the case between 2010 and 2015 when Jonathan was in charge. So far, Hajiya Aisha Buhari is known and addressed as the ‘Wife of the President.’

    Awaiting the fate of presidential jets

    Going by his level of contentment, it was apparent that the President does not need all the aircraft in the Presidential Fleet but he is yet to make up his mind on what to do. During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, about N9.08billion was spent annually to maintain the 10 aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). The aircraft are two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulf stream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and Gulf stream IVSP.

    Others are one Gulf stream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

    A presidency source said: “Do you know that it costs about N747 million to fuel the aircraft in the presidential fleet per annum. President Buhari said his administration cannot afford such a luxury. He has limited the use of presidential fleet by his wife, immediate family and friends.

    “The US President, Barrack Obama uses only two Boeing jets and one helicopter. So, Buhari is determined to cut cost. In any case, he lives an austere life. If he can ask his wife to fly on a commercial jet, then other public officers must emulate his standard.”

    How he is running government without ministers

    Gradually the President is restoring the old glory of the nation’s civil service in line with the 800-page report of Ahmed Joda Committee, which was submitted on June 11. Ahead of his appointment of ministers next month, the President is running the government with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, Permanent Secretaries (who are the accounting officers of ministries) and the Chief Executives/ Directors-General of parastatals and his key aides like some Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants. The Permanent Secretaries and the CEOs of agencies are enjoying every bit of freedom because for the first time since 2007, they can now make suggestions, rub minds with the President and implement without anyone breathing down on them. The Senior Special Assistant on Media, Shehu said: “The Permanent Secretaries are there to assist him and he has given them independence to take decisions (including financial ones) unless it is something extra-ordinary.”

    Reforms/ the coming structure of government and new ministers

    Sources in the Presidential Villa confided in THE NATION that the report of the Ahmed Joda Committee and the 2012 document of Steve Oronsaye panel will go a long way in shaping the surgical reforms which Buhari will carry out. These reforms may include merger of ministries and agencies, cutting waste in public service and putting in place a culture of transparency and accountability. In its report, the Joda committee said:  “There is no direct relationship between the number of ministries and efficacy of service delivery. The US with a population of 316million and with GDP of $17, 328 trillion (30 times Nigeria’s GDP) has 15 ministries. India has 24 ministries while the UK has 17.

    “The current structure of the Federal Government of Nigeria with 28 ministries and 542 agencies (50 of which have no enabling laws) results in very high cost of governance. The portfolios of ministries are not responsive to all the major critical national challenges such as family and child affairs; religious affairs; vulnerable and elderly group affairs as well as the North-Eastern crisis.

    “There is an apparent conflict between the desire of reducing the cost of governance through cabinet downsize and the constitutional requirement of a cabinet-level ministerial appointment from each of the 36 states of the Federation.”

    More than any group, the new ministers coming into Buhari’s cabinet may not enjoy the same luxury like some of  their  reckless predecessors in the administration of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Shehu said: “The President has said he will cut wastes everywhere. He used to tell us that as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, he was always applying to the Federal Executive Council for estacode each time he was going for OPEC meeting. You can predict his policy.”

    But the only challenge Buhari might have is about his plans to reduce the number of ministers from 42 to 18 or 19 because it will amount to a violation of the 1999 Constitution unless the relevant Section 147(1-3) is amended.

    The section says: “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.

    “Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President.

    “Any appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of section 14(3) of this Constitution:

    “Provided that in giving effect to the Provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.”

    When contacted, one of the strategists of the new administration said: “The President is still keeping the list of ministers to his chest; he has not disclosed any list.”

    What has changed in the past few weeks?

    Nothing sums up the turn-around being championed by Buhari than a confession by one of the immediate past ministers who said: “I don’t believe that everything can be done in an orderly manner as presently the case. Buhari’s personal leadership qualities, including hard work, have made a difference. Former President Jonathan said he was caged but I have realized that we were all caged.”  Without firing any shot as a military General or visiting any establishment, the President’s body language has done much magic in the past few weeks. The system is working in every Ministry, Department and Agency because public servants and government officials know that Buhari will not take nonsense. Since no one wants to incur the president’s wrath, civil servants now report at their desk on time.

    The same body language charm afflicts the electricity generating, transmission and distribution companies such that the nation’s power supply is reasonably stable since May 29 when Buhari only inherited a “historic low” of 727 megawatts (mw). According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday, the National Transmission Grid has recorded another peak of 4,662 megawatts (mw) of electricity. The TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Seun Olagunju said:  “Power generation and transmission have been recording new peaks above 4,500mw following improvements in gas supply to the generating stations as well as equipment/ infrastructure upgrade and enhanced human capacity of system operators.”

    Revving up anti-corruption agenda

    Contrary to the posture of his predecessors who used to receive brief from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies, Buhari has only left these agencies to “read his lips and be on the same page” with him in fighting corruption. A presidential aide, who spoke with our correspondent in strict confidence, said: “Do you know that Buhari has not asked any of the anti-corruption agencies to arrest anyone? He has not called for the file of any suspect or given them a list of the untouchables.  Suddenly, these agencies increased their pace because Buhari does not place any inhibitions on their way, no presidential interference at all.” In the last few weeks, some heavyweights either quizzed or arraigned in court were ex-Governor Sule Lamido and sons;  ex-Governor Martin Elechi and son; ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim; Mrs. Oluwatoyin Saraki (the wife of the Senate President); Hajiya Zainab Dakingari (the daughter of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua); ex-Governor Murtala Nyako and son; a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi and Mrs, Ifeoma Nwobodo, who was the Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime.

    Asserting the principle of separation of powers

    For 49 days, the National Assembly was on the verge of brinkmanship because the President refused to interfere in the internal affairs of the Legislature. There were conflicting reports on whether or not ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo prevailed on Buhari to intervene, it was however obvious that the President took a constitutional risk which almost overshadowed  his victory and the electoral gains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).  In the end, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Speaking on a live interview chat with NTA on Monday, the President explained why he refused to interfere. He said: “I have to be very sensitive to the Constitution of the country. I do not like to be told by anybody, especially the legislators that I am interfering in their matter. There are three arms of government: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Over the years, they have developed the system of choosing their leaders.

    “There is no way I can directly interfere. All I can do through the party is to appeal to their conscience that what I already observed, we should go over it as soon as possible. When I say we, I mean the APC.”

    Corroborating his claim, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said Buhari stuck to his stand till the end. He said: “Mr. President made it once again clear that everybody has no alternative but to listen to what the party says. He emphasized the fact that all of us were what we are thanks to the platform that the party provided for everybody. I think this message resonated very intensely with all the members of the House. He still did not interfere and his parting words to us were that the leadership of the House and the party should go and resolve whatever issues that were militating against a resolution.”

    Buhari’s unique visit to the US

    This trip was a major breakthrough for Buhari because it came early in the day of his administration and he can now settle down for work. Besides mending the strained diplomatic ties between the US and Nigeria, Buhari was able to seek support for  the nation’s war against Boko Haram and anti-graft campaign which may lead to the repatriation of about $6billion looted funds.  The shuttle also fetched a commitment of $2.1billion loan from the World Bank (through its International Development Agency) to rebuild the insurgency-ravaged North-East. While the first 10 years of the loan will be interest free, additional 30 years would attract interest “lower than capital market rate.” On its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) might invest about $300million on immunization against malaria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is expected to work with Dangote Foundation for a zero polio free system in the country. A former Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora told THE NATION’s correspondent during the week that the gains of the trip were significant. He said: “It is a measure of goodwill Obama and the United States have for President Buhari and his administration. That goodwill goes beyond America; it also extends to international community especially the Western world.”

    Giving anti-terror war a new bite

    Since the appointment of new Service Chiefs, the nation’s counter-insurgency campaign has heightened. Troops have seized many camps of Boko Haram, killed more than 300 insurgents and set free hundreds of captives including a six-day old infant. Buhari has also initiated a military alliance with Chad, Niger Republic, Cameroon and Benin Republic. A military source said: “With the way we are going about the campaign, we will rout out Boko Haram in the next six months if we sustain the tempo.”

    Bail out for states

    Worried by the collapse of the economy of most states, the President has reeled out some bail out measures including the release of N713.7billion intervention funds for states; N413.7billion represents special intervention funds; and the balance of about N250billion to N300billion as a soft loan to states. While about N413.7b ($2.1b) was sourced from the recent LNG proceeds, the remaining N300b came from a Central Bank-packaged special intervention fund. The Debt Management Office (DMO) is expected to assist states to restructure over N660billion commercial loans crippling their economy.

    What should Nigerians do?

    National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu during the week asked Nigerians to be patient with Buhari to effect the much desired change. He said: “Change is not by magic, it is driven by the people… You see, we have had so much problem in this country in the past because we run into policy blindfolded without adequate and effective planning. You don’t have results unless you plan well. The time it takes you to plan, examine, re-jig, re-evaluate is more important than the time you just rush into taking action because you are either being sentimental, being emotional and being driven by forces that are not expected.”

     

     

  • Hiding behind a finger

    It was a long day not only for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega and his team, but also for Nigerians. Throughout Saturday, the nation waited on Jega as he held series of meetings on whether the February 14 and 28  general elections should hold as scheduled. Even before he came out around 11pm to address reporters, who had waited all day in INEC’s press centre, the grapevine had been abuzz with what he wanted to say.

    Since information travels at the speed of light these days, many were already talking about the postponement on social media. So, Jega only came to confirm what people already knew – the shift of the elections to March 28 and April 11. Watching Jega that night as he spoke, I felt for him. Here was a man of principle faced with a dire situation. He and his commission had done everything in readiness for the elections. They were set to go despite the hiccups in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), which some initially  wanted to use to force its hands to postpone the elections.

    Mind you, it is not that INEC has not been distributing the cards; it has been doing so even though it could still improve on its system to make things less cumbersome. It could ensure that its personnel are at the collection centres, such as polling units (PUs), wards and local government areas, as scheduled so that eligible voters will not be left stranded. Because really, many  went to their PUs, wards and local governments severally without meeting INEC personnel on ground.

    But in many places where INEC officials turned up early for the exercise, the owners were not there to collect their cards. What do we make of that? Do we blame INEC if the owners decide not to collect the cards? With the extension of the exercise to March 8, the collection of PVC would, hopefully,  have long been dealt with before the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections. Those who had other agenda wanted to hide under the collection of PVCs to scuttle the ongoing transition programme.

    It all started as a huge joke when some people began to fly the kite for either  the postponement of the elections or an interim government. The reason, according to them, being INEC’s unpreparedness. The commission has said it repeatedly that it is ready for the elections. Jega has been unequivocal on his stand that INEC is prepared for the polls notwithstanding the PVC challenge. His assurances seem not to cut ice with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has a different motive.

    Although the party is openly  saying that it is prepared for the elections,  it is acting otherwise behind the scene. It is in cahoots with some parties, which only exist on paper, some politicians, priests and former militants to stop the elections. The question then is why is PDP working covertly against holding the elections? Political pundits argue that it is against the holding of the elections because it has no answer to the Buhari challenge. In the political market today, the stock of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhar, is soaring.

    The pundits believe that if the  elections hold today, Buhari will carry the day. It is to avoid its ignominious defeat at the polls that PDP is buying time through the postponement of the elections. “Why will you postpone the elections at the 11th hour despite all the assurances given by the electoral body that it is ready for the exercise?” they wonder, adding : ‘’There is more to it than meets the eye’’. Elsewhere,  governments  move elections forward and not backward once they are sure of sweeping the polls.  Indeed, it is curious that the elections are being postponed now. Left to Jega, the exercise would have gone on until the military threw the issue of security into the mix.

    Insecurity was the latter day excuse, which the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sabo Dasuki, and the military chiefs gave for seeking the postponement of the elections for six weeks. But before looking at the genuineness or otherwise  of this excuse, let us examine what Dasuki said at Chatham House in London last January 22, while campaigning for postponement : ‘’They still have about 30 million cards to distribute. We look at the possibility of shifting this thing (election) and doing it when everybody  has the card because it doesn’t cost you anything.

    ‘’It is still within the law and it is safer for all of us. So, that is what we are encouraging. INEC keeps assuring us that everybody will have his card but I doubt it…there is nothing wrong in delaying it to ensure that everybody who ought to vote gets that card to vote…if you can’t vote without your PVC, what sense does it make to vote three months early when 30 million cards are still with INEC? That is my position’’. As we said in this space two weeks ago, in such a situation, the government should have come to INEC’s aid to ensure a quicker distribution of the PVCs in such a way that it would not affect the election dates. It could have declared public holidays to hasten the process, if it actually wanted the elections to hold as scheduled.

    Since it had its own agenda, it
    was better to hide under in
    security to force INEC to postpone the elections. When did it dawn on the NSA that the prevailing insecurity in the Northeast could affect the holding of the elections? Was it after his alleged shoddy distribution of PVCs by INEC failed to fly? Now that they have had their way, we wait to see how they will  conquer Boko Haram within six weeks as they have boasted. If it is that easy to finish off Boko Haram, why hasn’t the military done so since? What have they been waiting for these past six years? Boko Haram became a thorn in the nation’s flesh in 2009 shortly after the killing of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, and since then the military has not found an answer to this problem.

    Painfully, the Boko Haram insurgency  has spread from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to Yobe,  Adamawa and Gombe states, without the security agencies rising to the occasion. Now, the NSA, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Olusola Amosun and Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba want us to believe that, at last, they have found the antidote to the Boko Haram insurgency and that it comes at a price – postponement of the much awaited general  elections.

    That, with due apologies to Zebrudaya, is  ‘’fa…faa… faaa…foul’’.  In 61  days, it will be one year since Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped over 200  Chibok schoolgirls. What have our security chiefs done in this past year to bring back our girls? Nothing, but they are quick to use the ploy of insecurity to get the general elections postponed. Tell me, if in six years, they cannot flush out Boko Haram, is it in six weeks they will perform that magic?

  • Amnesty: JTF behind extra-judicial killings

    Amnesty: JTF behind extra-judicial killings

    There have been concerns about how the Joint Task Force (JTF) is carrying out the task of curtailing the Boko Haram insurgency. Allegations of human rights violations have been rife. Amnesty International, in a report issued yesterday, says it has evidence that the military is committing gruesome murder

    Gruesome video footage, images and testimonies gathered by Amnesty International provide fresh evidence of extrajudicial executions and other serious human rights violations being carried out in north-eastern Nigeria as the fight by the military against Boko Haram and other armed groups intensifies.

    The footage, obtained from numerous sources during a recent trip to Borno State, reveals graphic evidence of multiple war crimes being carried out in Nigeria.

    It includes horrific images of detainees having their throats slit one by one and dumped in mass graves by men who appear to be members of the Nigerian military and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), state-sponsored militias. It also shows the aftermath of a Boko Haram raid on a village that resulted in almost 100 deaths and destruction on a massive scale.

    This shocking new evidence is further proof of the appalling disregard for humanity in north-eastern Nigeria, where war crimes are being committed with abandon by all sides in the conflict. What does it say about a country when members of its military carry out such unspeakable acts and then deliberately capture the images on film, said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.

    These are not the images we expect from a country which sees itself as having a leadership role in Africa. The ghastly images are made worse by the numerous testimonies we have gathered which suggest that extrajudicial executions are, in fact, regularly carried out by the Nigerian military and CJTF.

    More than 4,000 people have been killed by all sides in the conflict during armed attacks this year alone. Civilians who are not directly participating in hostilities make up the majority of this death toll.

    In recent months, the conflict has intensified in north-eastern Nigeria, spreading to smaller towns and villages which are now increasingly on the front line. In July 2014 Damboa in Borno state became the first town to fall officially under the control of Boko Haram since President Goodluck

    Jonathan declared the State of Emergency in May 2013.

    The heavy-handed behaviour of the military also caused shock waves in Kaduna state in July. A fatal crackdown was carried out in response to a peaceful protest by the Shiite Zakzaky sect in Zaria. Thirty-three people were killed, including two children; 12 were killed while held in detention.

    Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to ensure that the military stops committing human rights violations. All reports of extrajudicial executions and other war crimes and serious violations must be investigated promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially, with those responsible; up the entire chain of command brought to justice.

    Members of Boko Haram and other armed groups are responsible for a huge number of heinous crimes like the abduction of the schoolgirls in Chibok more than three months ago but the military are supposed to defend people, not to carry out further abuses themselves, said Salil Shetty.

    A state of emergency must not give way to a state of lawlessness.

    Sadly, the same communities are now being terrorised in turn by Boko Haram and the military alike.

     

    Grisly extrajudicial executions

     

    The footage obtained by Amnesty International includes a gruesome incident that took place near Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on 14 March 2014.

    It shows what appear to be members of the Nigerian military and CJTF using a blade to slit the throats of a series of detainees, before dumping them into an open mass grave.

    The video shows 16 young men and boys seated in a line. One by one, they are called forward and told to lie down in front of the pit. Five of them are killed in this way; the fate of the remaining detainees is not shown on video, but eyewitness accounts confirmed that nine of them had their throats cut while the others were shot to death.

    Additional footage featuring some of the same perpetrators, taken earlier that day at the same location, shows two detainees digging a grave under armed guard before the killing is carried out. One is told to lie down in front of the pit, where his legs and head are held by what seems to be CJTF members. The individual who appears to be the commander of the group puts his right foot on the man’s side, raises his knife, kisses it and shouts and cuts the throat of the restrained young man.

    All other military and CJTF shout: “Yes oga (boss), kill him.”

    Amnesty International spoke to several military sources who independently confirmed that the armed captors in the video were indeed military personnel, and according to two credible sources, they may be part of the 81 Battalion, which is based in Borno State.

    No buildings, roads or other infrastructure can be seen in the video but the noise of cars confirms that it is near a road. Several of the armed captors are wearing military uniforms, one of which has the words

    “Borno State Operation Flush” emblazoned on the front. The ID number on one of the guns is also clearly identifiable.

    Eyewitnesses also confirmed to Amnesty International that the videos were taken on 14 March 2014, the day of Boko Haram’s attack on the military detention centre in Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri. Boko Haram forces reportedly released their members and told all other detainees to either join them or go home. After Boko Haram had left the town, more than 600 people, mostly recaptured detainees, were extrajudicially executed in various locations across Maiduguri. The detainees in the video were rearrested by the CJTF in Giddari Polo, near the Barracks, where various sources have confirmed that a number of them were shot and killed by soldiers after being handed over to the military. The military then took the corpses and the detainees to a location outside Maiduguri, near Giddari where the executions are reported to have been carried out.

     

    Military roundups in Bama

     

    Further video evidence obtained by Amnesty International reveals atrocities carried out in Bama, a town 70km south-east of Maiduguri.

    Bama is one of the many communities that has been a focal point of the violence over the past two years. It has frequently been targeted in armed raids by Boko Haram and has also been singled out at least twice by the

    Nigerian military for mass arbitrary arrests of people whom they allege are Boko Haram members.

    Residents told Amnesty International about a operation which took place on 23 July 2013. Scores of Nigerian military and CJTF from Maiduguri arrived in the central market around 11am and told all the adult men to gather in one area and take off their clothes.

    According to eyewitnesses, the men were then lined up and, one by one, told to close their eyes as they were pushed in front of a man seated in a vehicle. The man then indicated left or right. Up to 35 men who were sent to the left were alleged to be Boko Haram members. The remaining 300 or so were sent to the right, deemed to be innocent.

    The video evidence obtained by Amnesty International corroborates multiple eyewitness accounts of what happened next. The Nigerian military and CJTF members ordered those alleged to be Boko Haram members to lie down side by side on the ground, and then beat them with sticks and machetes.

    One eyewitness told Amnesty International the military officials shouted:

    “You have to beat, even kill these; they are Boko Haram.”

    The footage shows how during this operation, the military and CJTF fired celebratory shots in the air. Up to 35 detainees were then loaded onto a single military vehicle and taken away to the local military barracks in Bama.

    Several days later, on the afternoon of 29 July, military personnel took the men out of the barracks and brought them to their communities, where they shot them dead, several at a time, before dumping their corpses. One local resident told Amnesty International how the gunshots rang out from around 2pm into the evening as soldiers shot and deposited the bodies in different places around the town.

    A relative of one of the extra-judicially executed men described the aftermath: “At that time everyone was aware that these people (had been) killed, (and) started running to look. We found (our relative) near Bama bridge. Plenty of people were with us. They (had) shot five of them (in that location alone). There were five bodies including (my relative).

    He had a bullet hole in his chest and no clothes, only trousers. We took the body and buried it. There is no death certificate; Bama hospital is not functioning. There is no place to complain; the town has restricted movement. Everybody left what happened to God.

     

    Deadly Boko Haram raid

     

    Like many other communities in north-eastern Nigeria, Bama’s residents have been living in constant fear of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups. These are sometimes believed to be in retaliation for what the armed groups deem to be the local residents; co-operation with the Nigerian military. Many of the attacks are met with little resistance by the military.

    Boko Haram staged its most deadly assault on the town over the course of several hours early in the morning of 19 February 2014, which locals report left almost 100 people dead and more than 200 injured. Improvised explosive devices and grenades were used to destroy huge swathes of the town.

    The insurgents had a field day, killing, burning and demolishing, one Bama resident told Amnesty International.

    Video footage taken in the aftermath of the attack shows the charred remains of numerous cars and buildings, including fire damage to the top floor of the local Emir’s palace. Eyewitnesses told

    Amnesty International that schools and other administrative buildings were also bombed or torched, and more than 100 residents’ vehicles were destroyed.

    The footage from the aftermath shows scores of corpses wrapped for burial.

    Amnesty International is calling for an immediate, independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the pattern of serious and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that is emerging in north-eastern Nigeria. The Nigerian government must publicly condemn such acts, including reports of arbitrary arrests, incommunicado detention, enforced disappearances, torture and other ill-treatment, and extra-judicial executions carried out by the Nigerian military.

  • So, who is behind this TAN?

    Any keen observer of the political terrain in Nigeria today cannot but notice the organisation called Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN). It is perhaps the newest entrant in the merchandising of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Nigerian electorate, ahead 2015 Presidential Election. Whether or not you are a politician, 2015 is around the corner and many organisations will still come on board either for or against the President. Others will advocate that Nigerians look at another candidate other than Jonathan.

    Today, what is beyond debate is that of all the organisations currently mobilizing support for the president, TAN, already described by some observers as number one and the best, seem well funded. Agreed, their approach in television and website advertisements in packaging Jonathan for the Nigerian electorate may be described as logical, challenging and profound. Their newspaper outings are also somehow new, unique, consistent, strategic, focused and gradually but surely changing the approval rating of the President positively. In my opinion, this is because while the other promoters of Jonathan merely carry adverts in support of the President without much of intellectual content, TAN is doing better professionally.

    Also, TAN is very active in marketing the President in the internet and conducts awareness of the Presidents achievements in various fora on the web. Their style on the web is admissively attractive to young people who follow TAN activities religiously on the web and have shown membership enthusiasm massively. A young researcher told me recently that TAN’s web traffic is very high.

    These efforts or achievements notwithstanding, the current debate on the lips of political observers is “who is behind TAN?” The television adverts from two popular broadcast stations alone are more than 15 slots a day.

    Also, I am aware that thousands of T-shirts, bearing the picture of President Jonathan, have been distributed nationwide by the organisation.

    Their support of the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the current world cup campaign is also praise worthy. They advertised their readiness to sponsor 12 Nigerians to the Brazil world cup fiesta with all expenses borne by the group. Many people did not believe them because many previous adverts by other contraptions making such offers came to naught. The winners of the ballot conducted by TAN actually went to Brazil, all expenses paid and vociferously supported the Super Eagles of Nigeria in every match the Nigerian flag bearer played in the on-going world cup competition. As a result of these, more Nigerians are saying that TAN can be trusted, pointing out that they do what they say they would do. For example, one of their admirers said: “They promised a SuperEagles’ world cup jersey to every winner of their world cup “predict and win” promo in support of the Super Eagles and GEJ. They have fulfilled their promise to every quiz winner. So, I think they have integrity.”

    But may I follow other critical Nigerians to ask the question here, “who is bankrolling TAN?” Many have opined that given the huge budget being expended by TAN on all its activities, the financier or financiers must be resident in Aso-Rock or the Presidency. Other pundits say if the financier is not in Aso Rock directly, the huge expenditure of TAN must at least be under-written by a close beneficiary of presidential largesse.

    As it is, no one knows for sure who is bank-rolling TAN. May be they should ask Dr Udenta O Udenta, the official face of TAN and the group’s Director of Communications and Strategy. He is surely in the position to know.

    Rumours making rounds now is that some President’s men are still denying having any links with TAN. So, if the brains behind TAN are not within the Presidency, pray, who are they? Concerned Nigerians are eager to know.

     

    — Dr  Musa is a Kaduna based public affairs commentator and the Founder/Leader of New Arewa Foundation for Peace (NAFP)

     

  • ‘Suspect behind Ozekhome’s, Nwike’s kidnap’

    ‘Suspect behind Ozekhome’s, Nwike’s kidnap’

    The State Security Service (SSS) said yesterday that Kelvin Prosper Oniarah who allegedly masterminded the abduction of human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

    Oniarah had, in a parade with his gang members on September 18, 2013, openly issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to provide infrastructure for his community or face the wrath of his gang.

    A statement issued yesterday by the spokesperson of the SSS, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, said the suspect was arrested yesterday by a combined team of the Army and SSS operatives.

    Ogar stated that Oniarah had been on the wanted list of security agencies for crimes ranging from terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery.

    The SSS also linked the suspect to the abduction of a judge in Edo State, a women official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and a former Anambra State Deputy Governor, Chudi Nwike, who was killed in captivity.

    Also liked to the suspect is the abduction of some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and security agents.

    “He also masterminded various attacks against security personnel, carried out several armed robberies and kidnap operations in Delta, Edo, Rivers and Anambra states.

    “Oniarah maintained operational bases and detention camps in Warri and Kokori community in Delta State, Ugbokolo community in Benue State, Benin City in Edo State, and Aba in Abia State,” the statement added.

    Ozekhome was kidnapped on Auchi-Benin road on August 24 and was held captive by his abductors for three weeks before he was released.

    The Service said Oniarah had been taken into custody while investigation into his activities was ongoing.

     

  • Presidency behind crisis, say CPC, CNPP

    Presidency behind crisis, say CPC, CNPP

    President Goodluck Jonathan got some bashing yesterday for his alleged complicity in the Rivers State crisis, which the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) described as a sign of executive recklessness. The President is behind it all, CPC said.

    The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) said: “Dr. Jonathan cannot sit by and watch in glee while men who answer to him and his wife are igniting crises of such proportion.

    Niger State Governor Babangide Aliyu, who is also the chair of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), alleged that with the backing of the federal government, Rivers State Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu has virtually taken over the security functions from the democratically elected governor.

    Aliyu alleged that concentration of too much power at the centre is responsible for the untoward actions of the police chief.

    Speaking while receiving Ambassador Zubairu Dada, Federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), yesterday in Minna, Aliyu maintained that as long as the centre is still powerful without the devolution of power to states and local governments, there will always be problems as being witnessed in Rivers State.

    “There can hardly be progress in a country if things continue this way,” Aliyu said.

    He also frowned at the revenue allocation formula that gives over half of the nation’s receipt to the Federal Government. “There is too much money for the federal government to swim in. That is why it can use the resource which should be used for the provision of social amenities for the people to fight” he said.

    CNPP Secretary General Chief Willy Ezugwu, in a statement yesterday, said: “For five lawmakers to attempt claiming numerical superiority over a larger group of 23 or 27 lawmakers is totally irresponsible and must not only be condemned but sanctions, including criminal prosecution, must also be applied to serve as a deterrent to other would-be trouble makers.

    “It is totally appalling that President Goodluck Jonathan can sit by and watch in glee while men who answer to him and his wife are igniting crises of such proportion at a time when the nation is battling armed insurrection in some areas and widespread armed kidnapping in others. The body language of the President is beginning to suggest that he is a willing actor in the western written script that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015 or how else does one explain his failure to call his men to order.”

    The conference also asked the National Assembly to “investigate the role played by the police in aiding criminality in Rivers State, particularly when video evidence strongly suggests that the police provided cover for people whose sole aim is destabilising the state Assembly.

    “It is not enough for the House of Representative to ask for the redeployment of the Police Commissioner for Rivers State Command, Joseph Mbu. An investigation could yield valuable information as to who Mbu answers to even though the public might have correctly insinuated.

    To the CPC, the Presidency is at the centre of the crisis.

    The party said the crisis has the trappings of executive recklessness and impunity.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, the CPC demanded the impeachment of the President.

    It raised four posers for Jonathan and the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar.

    The statement said: “The infra-dig dramatised at the Rivers State House of Assembly, as captured by local and foreign media, has become a cause for concern among Nigerians.

    “The horrific spectacle, to us at the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), is a clear manifestation of the leadership deficit at the nation’s presidency.

    “The cause of the fracas was that on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, a group of five legislators- led by Mr. Evans Babakaya Bipialaka- sat (in an inquorate manner) ahead of the 27 other House of Assembly members, with the sole purpose of impeaching the incumbent Speaker, Mr. Otelemaba Amachree.

    “Apparently, as a way of executing this nefarious act, the group of five procured another mace that was different from what was in the custody of the incumbent speaker of the House of Assembly.

    The CPC said the Presidency cannot deny involvement in Rivers State crisis, including the First Lady’s backing for the self-imposed leader of the G-5 causing mayhem in the Rivers House of Assembly, Mr. Evans Babakaya Bipialaka.

    The statement added: “Despite the denials of the President’s media aides, who have perfected unscrupulous mendacious posturing, we believe very strongly that the Presidency is at the epicentre of the current security challenges in Rivers State.

    “We have noted the demeanour of Mr. Joseph Mbu, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, which, the House of Representatives agreed, is unbecoming of a patriotic Police officer.

    “We have also noted that the tumultuous entry of the First Lady, Patience Jonathan into Port-Harcourt in June was for the wedding of Mr. Evans Babakaya Bipialaka, the leader of this group of five.

    “We noted the suspicious acquiescence by the Rivers State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the infamy done by the group of five.

    “Unfortunately, the situation in Rivers State has degenerated since the formal takeover of the state Assembly functions by the House of Representatives.

    “The Police reportedly fired tear gas canisters into the Government House. We also learnt that the security detail for the governor have been withdrawn! These are pointers to anarchy in the state.

    “The relevant questions to be asked are:

    Did the group of five legislators have the legitimacy (under the nation’s extant law) to sit on Tuesday, July 9, 2013?

    If they acted outside the law, should legal proceedings not be commenced against them as a way of punishing this execrable villainy, thereby strengthening the Nation’s jurisprudence?

    Should the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, continue to allow Mr. Mbu function as the State commissioner of Police with the documented show of insubordination against the state governor?

    Is the President’s polarising content of the debacle in Rivers state not a manifestation of his undesirable leadership style?

    “As a party, we know that Nigeria is not a monarchy, where statehood is synonymous with the person of the holder of Executive Authority.

    “The President, through subterranean means, had unduly increased the entropy level of the political firmament in Rivers State for self-conceit. This, we believe, is unbecoming of a statesman. The National Assembly has the responsibility to investigate the President in the Rivers State saga. If found culpable, he should be impeached forthwith!”

  • One-eyed militant: we’re behind Algeria hostage crisis

    One-eyed militant: we’re behind Algeria hostage crisis

    MILITANT extremist in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Mokhtar Belmokhtar has claimed responsibility in the name of al-Qaeda for the mass hostage-taking in Algeria and called on France to halt air strikes in Mali, Mauritanian news website Sahara Media said yesterday.

    “We in al-Qaeda announce this blessed operation,” Belmokhtar reportedly said in a video cited by the website.

    It also quoted the jihadist as saying: “We are ready to negotiate with the West and the Algerian government provided they stop their bombing of Mali’s Muslims.”

    Sahara Media did not display the video itself on its site and it was not immediately possible to verify the information.

    The website has in the past received statements from al-Qaeda-linked fighters operating in the lawless Sahara. Before the Mali crisis erupted, Mauritania was one of the countries deemed most at risk from such groups and al-Qaeda’s North African wing (AQIM) is believed to have camps in its vast desert.

    “We had around 40 jihadists, most of them from Muslim countries and some even from the West,” Belmokhtar reportedly said in the video.

    Mauritania’ s ANI news agency had previously reported that members of Belmokhtar’ s Mulathameen brigade, whose name means “The Masked Ones”, had told it the attack was retaliation for French air strikes against the Islamist rebels who seized control of Northern Mali since last year.

  • North’s leaders behind Plateau crises, says Jang

    North’s leaders behind Plateau crises, says Jang

    he lingering crises in Plateau State which has led to killings, is not ethnic but sponsored, Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang said yesterday.

    Jang alleged that some north’s leaders and some security operatives are fuelling the crises.

    He also accused north’s governors of opposing state police because of Plateau state.

    The Plateau governor spoke in Abuja at a church programme tagged ‘Plateau Prays’ organised by the Plateau State Indigenes Development Association (PSIDA) in Abuja.

    He expressed regret that he called meetings to find a lasting solution to the lingering crises to no avail.

    The governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Rev. Choji Gyang said: “We keep asking ourselves why Plateau State is in crises. Why they are against Plateau is because we call ourselves Plateau the Christian state. And Islam is a very strong religion in the northern part of the country. So for Plateau to come out to say it is a Christian state it is against the wishes of those who don’t want any other religion outside Islam in northern Nigeria.

    “Plateau is different from other northern states. That is why the enemies are causing crises. We need to go back to God our creator. The crises in Jos have taken a new dimension. The crises can best be described as a Gorilla war in the military terms. A strategy of hit and run, a strategy of getting them from the side, then the centre cannot hold.

    “We say we are Christians and the recent killing is a clear indication that it is not just an ethnic crisis. It is more sophisticated than that from investigations.

    “As I am talking to you now, it is obvious that some security people are involved in the attacks on the Plateau. In the last attack, one of the security men was caught in the act and he was shot and was rushed to the Plateau hospital and investigations are going on. Before that incident, one other person was caught and he said there are people somewhere in the far north who are sponsoring the Plateau crises.

    “Recently when the National Assembly called for constitution amendment, the issues of the state police came up.

    A governor said he spoke with one of the governors from the far north as to the reason why they were not supporting the state police. And the governor told his Southern colleaugues point-blank that they were not supporting the state police because of Plateau State . This statement calls for so many interpretations as to why they do not want to support state police.

    “The governor (Jang) said recently one of the governors told him that one of the problems that he is having with those on the top is because he is the one helping out in the issues that concern Plateau. That he shouldn’t be the one talking. Jang said I do not have a voice on the Plateau so if I do not speak who will? We do not have a voice on the Plateau. I have gathered the who- is- who in the state to discus on the way forward but all to no avail. The governor is delighted to be part of this programme today. We need prayers to solve Plateau crisis.”

    President of PSIDA, Mr. Bako Nabasu expressed disappointment that the economy of the state has been badly weakened by the crises.

    Nabasu expressed frustration at the attitude of the elite in Plateau, adding: “The divisive tendency employed by the political class at the detriment of the state is worrisome and must stop if we must succeed as a people. We must all put hands on deck and together as a people come to God in prayers. We must not make the mistake of coming to the Almighty as a divided people.”