The National Council for the Women Societies (NCWS) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the three women who left the cabinet before the end of the year.
The NCWS members from the 36 states and FCT visited the President at the State House Villa, Abuja.
President of the NCWS, Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda told the President that the three women should be replaced in line with the 35 per cent affirmative action.
She said: “As you also know, Nigeria is yet to fulfill the target of 35 percent of women in decision- making posts in the executive. We want to use this opportunity to raise this matter as well. If we do not, our women will ask us, why ?
“They are watching as we speak. The three women who vacated their ministerial posts for various reasons have not been replaced.
“This means that there is a deficit in the number of women in your cabinet. Sir, as we appeal to you to please champion the inclusion and participation of more women in your cabinet, public and board appointments, can we also leave here with the hope that these three women ministerial vacancies will be filled before the end of the year?
“For us, this is the only way that women can participate in governance and have have a seat at the table of executive decision – making in public policy.
The female Ministers at the beginning of this administration were Amina Mohammed (Gombe), Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun), Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto), Aisha Alhassan (Taraba) and Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe).
Mohammed, Adeosun and Alhassan have left the cabinet.
While Mohammed resigned to take a UN job, Adeosun resigned over NYSC scandal and Alhassan left over her disqualification from the governorship race by the APC.
The President promised to look into the issue as he claimed that he replaced the women that left with other female members of the cabinet.
He said Adeosun was replaced by Zainab Ahmed and that Aisha Alhassan was replaced by Aisha Abubakar.
The President said: “I have appreciated the settle and timely threat you have made. I said timely because you waited until campaigns are about to start. You mobilise yourselves to come and threaten me. I hope you are being very fair to me. You said I haven’t replace the casualties from my council about the ladies.
“I’m sure you are following up. One, applied to leave because she wanted to be the governor of her state. One failed to meet the government requirement of declaring NYSC certificate. I replaced them with other ladies, Finance and Women Affairs. So, I don’t know where I went wrong there.”
•President receives Letters of Credence from four envoys
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration will keep implementing policies that will make Nigeria’s economy, which is already looking good, better.
He spoke yesterday in Abuja during an audience with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Nigeria Mr. Jesper Kamp.
Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Nigeria welcomes further strengthening of relations with countries, especially in the areas of agriculture and trade.
He told the Danish envoy he was pleased that relations between Nigeria and Denmark have remained strong; noting that in the economic sphere, there is still some more work to do.
‘‘The Nigerian economy is looking good and we look forward to making it better,’’ the President told the Danish Ambassador after receiving his Letter of Credence.
Buhari, who also received Letters of Credence from Major General (retd) Waqar Kingravi, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria; Mr. Babacar Ndiaye, the Ambassador of Senegal to Nigeria and Mr. Vyacheslav Beskosky, the Ambassador of Belarus to Nigeria, told them that Nigeria valued the existing cordial and friendly relations with their countries.
He described the long-standing military cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan as very commendable and beneficial to both countries.
‘‘Given the vast experience of the Pakistani military, your commitment in assisting us to develop our military is commendable,’’ he told the Pakistani High Commissioner:
The Nigerian leader recounted that as a former military officer, several of his colleagues, who trained in Pakistan still have very fond memories of the country.
Receiving the Senegalese Ambassador, Buhari hailed President Macky Sall of Senegal for his roles in the progress achieved in the political process in Guinea Bissau.
Noting that he was aware of the economic progress taking place in Senegal, the President stressed the need for stability in the West African region to ensure rapid socio-economic growth, particularly in the key areas of education, health and infrastructure.
‘‘The bigger we are, the bigger the problems. So, we must continue to do our best to surmount our challenges in the region,’’ Buhari, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of States and Government, told the Senegalese envoy.
In his audience with the Belarus Ambassador, the President harped on the need for improved economic ties, while hailing the Eastern European country for accommodating international students from Nigeria in their tertiary institutions.
He wished the four Ambassadors very successful tenures, reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to continue to partner with their countries in areas of mutual concerns.
Even though Okorocha’s purpose of visiting the Villa is still unknown, it is believed that the meeting may discuss the crisis around the Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship candidate ticket.
The ticket is being contested by Senator Hope Uzodimma and the governor’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu.
President Muhammadu Buhari will win conveniently in the NorthEast in next year’s general election, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim has said.
He spoke against the background of the statement credited to him that the President will lose in the northeast.
The senator reportedly made the statement durig the presentation of his book in Abuja at the weekend.
But in a statement by his media adviser Yusuf Ali, the Yobe East senator said the president would win the election conveniently
“As far as I am alive, there is nothing that will make Buhari fail in the North East. Not in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, or Taraba. There is no way he will lose the election. By the grace of God, Buhari will win the election and serve his second term.
“I Bukar Abba, I am in APC now, tomorrow I will be in APC by the grace of God. I will forever be in APC, if they don’t change the party. Nothing will separate me with my party the APC”.
The senator, Yusuf added, said he fought hard to build the APC hence he would not desert the party under any circumstance.
He said it was him and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the then Chairman of the ANPP, that first initiated the merger for the mega party of the opposition to form the APC and save the country from the PDP.
Describing the Senator as ”an slder statesman in his own right who does not deserve to be called unprintable names”, Yusuf said it was obvious the three-time lawmaker was quoted out of context, noting that ”he has pledged his support for the APC and Buhari in the 2019 general election.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem and Appeal Fund with N10 million.
The event took place at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja before the beginning of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
It is an annual tradition towards acknowledging and appreciating the gallantry and sacrifices of veterans in the first and second world wars, peace-keeping operations around the world and internal security operations, including the ongoing campaign against terrorism.
January 15th of every year is celebrated as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
From Wednesday, October 31 to January 15, 2019, top government officials and other Nigerians are expected to hang the emblem on their clothes as a mark of appreciating the efforts of the soldiers.
Buhari, during the inauguration, urged corporate organisations, particularly service providers and other business concerns, to support the veterans’ cause through voluntary donations, employment opportunities and welfare support.
He appealed to political actors to be decorous in their conduct and utterances to eschew fanning the embers of disunity.
The President said: “We would have no country to lead if our acts of deliberate incitement lead to the disintegration of our dear nation. Let us put Nigeria first and realise that in every contest, there must be one winner.”
Buhari reminded the nation that the celebration was a painful reminder of the perils of war and the need for the nation to avoid a recurrence.
“The celebration forcefully reminds us of the resolve of our citizens to remain in one united country, Nigeria.
“It also points out the fact that we had been through a bitter and unfortunate war that led to the loss of millions of our compatriots and the need to do all within our powers to avoid a reoccurrence of war,’’ he said.
Buhari also used the occasion to appreciate the gallantry and sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the campaign against insurgency and other internal security operations.
Noting that the efforts of the armed forces have led to the return of normalcy in affected parts of the nation, the President regretted the murder of two young and promising aid workers, Saifura Khorsa and Hauwa Liman, by Boko Haram terrorists.
“It is painful that this happened despite the efforts of government to effect release of the two victims.
“We condemn the callous and cowardly act in its entirety and call on all citizens and friends to forge a united front against this common enemy of our destiny.
“Once more, I extend the heartfelt condolences of the Government and people of Nigeria to the families and friends of these martyrs,’’ the President said.
The Nigerian leader pledged that the resettlement and rehabilitation of citizens affected by the war on terror would continue, hailing Dangote Foundation for its partnership with Federal Government in the rebuilding process in Borno State.
The President, therefore, called on other corporate organisations to borrow a leaf from this noble initiative since government alone could not satisfy the needs, given its limited resources.
At the brief ceremony were the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, members of the Federal Executive Council, Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Olonisakin, service chiefs and Inspector General Ibrahim Idris, senior officers and veterans.
Any African, who hates Nigeria, probably hates the entire black race. We are very unique in multiple nuances. Various fields of specialties have the impressive footprints of Nigerians.
In crimes, we have proved again and again that its sophistry is our exclusive preserve. We have gone to bestial limits where we proudly delight in plotting mass murders of our own kith and kin, or extermination of whole communities for political gains. We no longer dread the sight of blood.
We go paranoid in the worship of God; but demonstrate through words and actions, the unbridgeable gulf about the basic tenets of religiosity. Very richly endowed in politics, we experiment democracy in a manner that compels political scientists around the world into weekly researches to demystify our complex political mysteries.
Nigerians are world-acclaimed masters of partisan politics. But, we loath progressive democratic traits and concepts, such as development or issue-based campaigns, innovative ideas, positive leadership character and integrity. But we endlessly adore the negative concepts, with edifying slogans.
So, opponents are only good for application of negative partisan concepts like physical or character assassination, arm-twisting, thuggery, blackmail, political vendetta, mudslinging, sentimentalism, ethnicity, sectionalism, regionalism, religiosity, hate speeches and campaigns of calumny.
President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) is once again under the fire of opposition politicians, partisan spin doctors, Mr. Fixers and their minions. Now, like in 2014, the heat against President Buhari in 2018 is not on what else he would do for Nigerians, if re-elected in 2019. It is now about his WAEC certificate. So, every Nigerian has become a WAEC or INEC officer.
It’s all more interesting, the progression of this nonsensical ranting about Buhari’s certificate. In 2003, when PMB vied against former President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ), Buhari’s WASC (or is it WAEC) certificate was not a sentimental issue. Same in 2007 and 2011. In 2014, it became an issue because Buhari was contesting against a PDP incumbent president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who felt chillingly intimidated and threatened by Buhari’s presidential candidature.
Therefore, we exhumed it and made a mountain out of a molehill. But it was Buhari’s saving grace. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, had all the powers and authority in the world to expose Buhari’s “faked” or non-possession of a secondary school certificate, to shame and ridicule him out of the contest. But both open and secret investigations, failed to yield the fruitful results pleaded.
Some PDP hirelings and apologists went to court and challenged Buhari over his 1961 WASC qualification. A legal practitioner, Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe played the spoil master. But as the case progressed in an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, the plaintiff voluntarily withdrew the suit. And it was struck out for obvious reasons.
This action was initiated after the Buhari’s alma mater, Government College, (formerly, Provincial Secondary School), Katsina officially confirmed that he indeed, sat for WASC exams in 1961 and obtained a certificate. It was released with grades.
A Premium Times exclusive report dated January 21, 2015 explicitly states that the medium, “…obtained the computer printout from Cambridge University as well as a statement of result, signed by the current principal of Katsina College, dated January 21, 2015… The Cambridge printout also shows the result of 17 other candidates at the centre, including Shehu Yar’Adua, a former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.”
The antagonists could not go any further. These are facts in public domain; trashed and conclusively confined to the dustbin of history more than four years ago.
But we are back at it again just to keep ourselves excitedly busy on the politicking plane, poking at hard facts, we can never ever crack. The failure of Buhari’s traducers to claim that the president has presented a forged certificate has spurred fresh anger, just to find something to hold against him.
They have wonderfully ignored the strength of submissions of Nigeria’s legal luminaries, affirming and reaffirming the qualification of PMB to vie for the office of President of Nigeria in 2019.
Provisions of the 1999 Constitution on who is qualified to vie for the office of President of Nigeria are contained in Section: 131 and the issue of academic or other qualifications are clearly defined in Section: 318 (1) of the same Constitution, which have not passed a verdict of guilt on Buhari.
It therefore, changed the narrative from legal requirements to morality. I imagine who has vetoed PDP from approaching WASC successor body in Nigeria, WAEC, to confirm the truth or falsehood of the certificate? There are a dozen emergency activists and artificial organizations’ they would have hired to execute the assignment. But they are hesitant. Why? Is PDP not prepared to present incontrovertible evidence that PMB has no certificate?
These critics know, when the military junta of IBB ousted Buhari as military Head of State in 1984, he was dumped into detention for months by orders of the military government. His private residence was raided and personal documents, including certificates’ carted away by the military government.
The action was spurred by the zeal to find something incriminating against Buhari. They found nothing, but never returned his seized documents. IBB is still alive and part of the force angling to unseat PMB.
PDP and its acolytes are free to make all the noise on certificate. But PMB has not applied to serve as PDP’s BoT chairman or its president. He is seeking to continue leadership of Nigeria and Nigerians. This propaganda has failed flatly like others before now.
Only PDP knows PMB is too old, frail and weak with health challenges to continue to lead Nigeria. But where is their dollar presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar now and at what age?
Those who chant PMB’s religious fanaticism and bigotry to impeach his character and integrity are usually dumfounded when he pays a visit to the Anglican Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, each time he is in United Kingdom (UK). There are more Muslim Mayors in UK than you can find Emirs in Nigeria. But he visits none, preferring to hobnob with a Christian cleric, who is also his best of personal friends around the world. As a Nigerian and like millions of others, we prefer to again, vote for a leader of integrity, even if he flaunts NEPA bill as certificate. It is better than mortgaging our destinies and future in the hands of known capitalist cum political opportunists, whose only occupation is feasting on national treasury. PDP! May you know that in 2019, and in spite of your noises, we will still overwhelmingly vote for President Buhari.
The distinguished three-term senator and former governor of Yobe State has just tasted what has been the undeserved lot of our patriotic and honest politicians, who are always being “misquoted” or “quoted out of context” or “misrepresented” or “lied against”.
The culprits?
Who else but those unscrupulous fellows who hide under various shadowy nomenclatures, such as public affairs analysts, social critics, rights activists, commentators and others to lash selfless people who have chosen to serve us all, putting their personal comfort at great risk.
At the presentation of his book, “Poorlitics” in Abuja, Ibrahim was quoted as saying that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could lose next year’s elections in the Northeast for poor performance. “Things have not changed and many things are getting worse and the people are bitter. We should not assume that we can win, even with massive rigging,” he is reported to have said.
“The economy has gone down because of our action and inaction and we are blaming the past too much rather than solving the present problems. I am going to give a dire warning. Let the Northeast not be taken for granted that we must support APC.”
He warned that if APC failed to do the right thing, the Northeast would have no option but to vote for any of the other candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, who is from the Northeast state of Adamawa, and is flying the flag of the PDP. “I still reserve the capacity to ask my people to go our separate way,” Ibrahim threatened.
The next day’s dailies were screaming: “Buhari faces imminent defeat in Northeast”; “Buhari risks defeat…”; “Rigging won’t make APC win in 2019″ ; “We may not beat PDP even with rigging”; and more.
The senator came under attack. Understandably so. He was savaged by Buhari’s supporters as an ingrate for lampooning in public a government that, according to his traducers, has been so good to him. Some said he had been a senator thrice after being a governor twice and his wife is a minister. What else does he want?
Others, who are obviously his bitter political rivals, said: Is Bukar Ibrahim now a critic? Is he broke? Is this what losing a ticket to return to the Senate for the fourth time can do to a decent man? Isn’t this ingratitude? Is he not part of the Senate that has behaved as if it was set up to eviscerate the Executive? What is his evidence for his bleak prognosis? How objective?
These, I am glad to report, are some of the charitable views of the moderate critics of the senator’s innocent views. The others went overboard, alluding to extraneous and stale matters.
Ibrahim fought back. He said he never said all those things being ascribed to him and that he remained a Buhari man for life. Were his traducers convinced? No. Not all. In fact, they seemed to have been more energised by his denial.
Suddenly, the forgotten matter of the distinguished senator seen apparently frolicking with two women in an unnamed hotel was excavated. Nigerians love salacious stories, especially when such stories have to do with some prominent person’s perceived concupiscence or sexual infidelity. Now, they are all talking about that video, laughing and yelling excitedly. This being a family newspaper, I won’t go into the details of the short video. Neither will I talk about the various lewd remarks it generated. Definitely, not the stuff for reading at breakfast.
They called Ibrahim names. A strictly private matter conceived in the inner recess of an unknown hotel became the subject of a case before a jury; talk about the mob as a jury. They slandered him. Even those believed to be unworthy critics were eager to cast the first stone.
Why should a man who has three wives be found with two women at a time? Sexual perversion? they asked. Avarice? Where did he get the energy from? Who filmed the show? Who are these women? Are they single or married? Don’t they have shame? Are they professionals? Will Ibrahim’s wives forgive him?
The whole thing was not really clear, as in all matters involving politicians. These, at any rate, are the questions many were asking. It is, however, to be noted that Ibrahim did not lift a finger against the purveyors of the scandalous rumour. He simply dismissed it all as pure envy by a jobless lot. “These are two consenting adults; I didn’t force them. So, why the noise? Are the women complaining?” he was quoted as saying.
Needless to say, that was the end of the matter. The distraction over, the senator returned to his job – making laws for the wellbeing of the society. So much for a much misunderstood senator.
Details of the information filed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by presidential aspirants – we have an army of them- have sparked a huge debate. Atiku, whom nobody has ever accused of lying – they say he is corrupt, without any proof whatsoever – has been fending off attacks over his income and tax returns. He says he earned N60. 2m in three years and paid N10.8m tax.
The popular thinking is that Atiku, with his famed wealth, should have earned more than N60.2m and paid more than N10.8m tax. His supporters have risen to his defence. They accuse his opponents of trying to set the taxman after the PDP candidate, force him to turn in the cash that would have gone into his campaign funds, leave him almost totally bare financially and render him vulnerable to a rout by his opponents.
Some say his personal earnings should be separated from his companies’ haul. Others insist that since he is threatening to fight corruption if voted in, he must come clean on his earnings. Otherwise, say the critics, what will he say when corruption fights back as it does nowadays? They say his American University enlists only students whose parents can shell out a fortune as fees, listing his other ventures.
Yet, there are those who think sincerely that Atiku need not bother about all this, their logic being that should he disclose his real and verifiable earnings, many of those poor people he has been helping would faint. Some sense, I dare say.
Instead of explaining the income and tax matter, Atiku’s supporters have latched onto the old issue of the President’s academic papers. Buhari insists the papers are with the military. Instead of just strolling down the road into the Defence Headquarters in Abuja to demand that the papers be released for public viewing, they say the President should be disqualified. Is INEC complaining?
Oby Ezekwesili has been threatening to win the presidential race. The candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has confounded her strategists with an open disclosure of how she would win. She says she will leverage on her being the most qualified of the scores of candidates eyeing the trophy. She describes APC and PDP as “Siamese twins of failure and destruction”.
Nobody, besides those who advise her to note that politics is different from activism and those claiming that she was part of the PDP’s rapacious years, has bothered to reply the former minister. Isn’t the co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls a serious contender who should not just be ignored?
Elizabeth Ogbaje Ochanya’s fate
Her story could melt a heart of stone. Young, healthy and full of dreams like the kid next door, she must have been looking forward to a good family life after schooling. Then fate supervened in a fatal way. Her mum died and she had to live with her cousin whose husband and son – what an evil pair – took turns to rape her. She was their sex toy for five years. Complications set in. She was hospitalised. Doctors fought valiantly to save her. No luck. She died.
The late Elizabeth
Elizabeth Ogbanje Ochanya died. She was 13; just 13. An innocent child. Makurdi streets were throbbing on Tuesday with students marching to demand justice for the poor girl.
On trial are her uncle, Andrew Ogbuja, 52, a Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo teacher and his son, Victor Ogbuaja, who allegedly drugged, molested, abused and raped the JSS 2 pupil of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko, Benue State.
It is still not clear why the Ogbuajas visited such savagery on a little girl they must have promised to love and adore after her mum’s death. Mental instability? Sheer wickedness? Crass impunity? Lack of values? The court will surely find out. These, after all, are allegations.
There may be many Elizabeths out there who are scared of telling their stories. They should be encouraged to talk before it is too late. May Elizabeth’s soul find with The Creator the peace she was denied here for no reason.
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday approved a fact-finding committee on the alleged infractions committed by suspended Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Usman Yusuf.
Yusuf was suspended from office over alleged fraud by the NHIS Governing Council.
A statement by Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) Olusegun A. Adekunle on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the committee is to report back within two weeks.
He said: “The Federal Government has found it necessary to restate that the objective for establishing parastatals is in fulfillment of the need to deliver services to Nigerians faster and better. It has also considered it necessary to restate that the roles of Governing Boards/Councils are as prescribed by the statutes, guidelines and extant circulars and that the position of chief executives of parastatals is to ensure that policies of government as enunciated by boards and councils are implemented in accordance with their mandate.
“It has, however, observed with deep concern the growing tension between boards and chief executives and their attendant implications for governance. For the avoidance of doubt, government will neither tolerate acts of indiscipline from any appointee nor will it habour any acts of corruption. Government will, however, ensure that due process is followed strictly in trying to maintain discipline and probity in public service.
“With specific reference to recent developments at the National Health Insurance Scheme, Mr. President has after due consideration approved the establishment of an independent fact-finding panel to investigate the alleged infractions by the Executive Secretary and report back within two weeks.”
The membership of the panel, he said, included Dr. Hassan Bukar as chairman. Members are Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Director, HPRS, FMH, Mr. Adewale Owolo, Director, Audit, (AuGF), Mr. Shamsuddeen Bello, Deputy Director Expenditure (OAGF) and Mr. Ishaq Yahaya, Director, Certification & Compliance, BPP.
Others are Dr. Ekanem John Udoh, Director of Science (FMS&T) and Mrs. Jummai Idakwo, Director, Administration (OSGF) to serve as member/secretary.
According to the statement, the terms of reference included:
“•To investigate the alleged infractions listed by the NHIS Governing Council in letter dated October 18, 2018 and determine the extent of culpability or otherwise of the Executive Secretary with regards to the allegations;
“•To make appropriate recommendations based on the findings from TOR I above;
“•To identify, investigate and make recommendations with regards to issues that led to the unhealthy relationship between the board and the CEO;
“•Investigate and make recommendations on the extent of involvement of staff unions’ within the institution as to the current impasse between the Governing Board and Executive Secretary; and
“•To examine all governance challenges in the NHIS and make appropriate recommendations.”
The panel, which is headed by a retired Permanent Secretary, will be inaugurated by the SGF tomorrow at 3.00p.m. in the conference Room of the OSGF.
“With the establishment of this panel, the earlier body set up by the Governing Council stands dissolved.
“In order to create room for an unfettered investigation, Mr. President has approved that the NHIS Executive Secretary should proceed on administrative leave immediately.”
In Yusuf’s absence, Mr. Ben Omogo, a director of Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has been deployed to oversee the scheme’s affairs.
“Government recognises the importance of the scheme as a strong mechanism for the delivery of public healthcare and wishes to re-assure all Nigerians of its determination to place high premium on public interest.” the statement said.
Senator Bukar Abba has denied media reports that he said President Muhammadu Buhari will not win in the North East, saying the president would win conveniently in the forthcoming 2019 presidential poll.
Bukar Abba stressed that there is no way the ruling party; the All Progressive Congress (APC) will lose the election.
His conviction, according to a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Yusuf Ali was based on the great work the president has done in the last three and half years.
Yusuf quoted the senator as saying that: “As far as I am alive, there is nothing that will make Buhari fail in the North East. Not in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, or Taraba. There is no way he will lose the election. By the grace of God, Buhari will win the election and serve his second term.
“I Bukar Abba, I am in APC now, tomorrow I will be in APC by the grace of God. I will forever be in APC, if they don’t change the party. Nothing will separate me with my party the APC”.
The senator, Yusuf added has vowed to forever be a member of the All Progressives Congress, a party he fought hard to build. He said it was him and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu the then Chairman of the ANPP that first initiated the merger for the mega party of the opposition to form APC and save the country from the PDP.
Describing the Senator as “an Elder Statesman in his own right who does not He deserve to be called unprintable names”, Yusuf said it was obvious the three time lawmaker was quoted out of context, noting that “he has pledged his support for the APC and Buhari in the 2019 general elections.”
Congress of Northern Nigeria Christians (CNNC) has urged the Federal Government to constitute a probe panel to investigate the recent Kaduna crises, discover the cause, the perpetrators and ensure peace.
Speaking through its Media and Publicity Secretary Larry Joseph Yammai, the Christian body noted that the panel of inquiry will ensure that the crises do not spill to other parts of the state and other states.
It also called for a commission to resettle those displaced from their homes to enable them go back and live their normal lives.
The umbrella body of Christians in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, lamented the killing of Agom Adara by his kidnappers.
“CNNC is saddened by the gruesome murder of the Agom Adara, Dr Maiwada Galadima (JP). This reprehensible act that should have no place in today’s Nigeria, appears to be a recurrent decimal within communities of our members. We recall that Etum Numana, Malam Gambo Makama and his expectant wife were also killed on January 1.
The statement said: “We are seriously concerned at the disgraceful security situation in Kaduna state that has claimed over 100 lives and destroyed unquantifiable properties this October. The situation has been clearly exacerbated by the lack of unbiased leadership in the state which has further alienated the citizens along religious fault lines.
“CNNC notes with grave concern the rapid deterioration of the security situation across the nation particularly in the Northeast. Boko Haram is reported to be resisting and overrunning the Nigerian Army, even with the recent attack on the 145 Battalion in Gashigar, Borno state. Whether the military is motivated and has enough and requisite equipment to execute this war is a matter of conjecture.
“One, that they are not being reunited with their lands and so cannot engage in farming – their only way of survival. Consequently, there shall be massive food shortages with the government taking no visible steps to plug this anomaly.
“Secondly, these farmers shall be disenfranchised with the 2019 elections. It is in this light that CNNC once again calls upon President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency constitute a high-powered commission to resettle these displaced citizens in their lands and communities and give them the adequate security they deserve as Nigerians and allow them to continue to live and function as such.”
