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Tag: BUHARI

  • Agents of disunity exploit farmers-herders clashes – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says he will continue to work tirelessly to promote, protect and preserve a united, peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, where all, irrespective of background, can aspire to succeed.

    The president gave the assurance in his nationwide broadcast to mark the nation’s 58th Independence Anniversary in Abuja on Monday.

    President Buhari enjoined all citizens to continue to promote the values, virtues and common aspirations that unite Nigerians rather than engaging in divisive tendencies.

    He said: “As we celebrate the 58th Anniversary of our independence, we know we are on the right path. Although we have our differences, they count for far less than the values, virtues and common aspirations that unite us as a nation.

    “We have so much for which we should be grateful, and in which we should rightly take pride.

    “Our journey is not finished but we have come a long way.’’

    President Buhari also pledged that his administration would continue to support initiatives aimed at addressing “the challenges of our times.’’

    He said such challenges included global and regional crises and conflicts, terrorism, trans-border crime, climate change, human rights, gender equality, development, poverty and inequality within and between nations, etc.

    “In this context, we are working hard to achieve both the AU 2063 Agenda for socio-economic transformation of our continent; and the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, which together aim at addressing these challenges,’’ he added.

    At the international level, President Buhari said Nigeria would continue to remain a responsible and respected member of the international community.

    He maintained that Nigeria would continue to play “active positive roles within ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations as well as all other regional and international organisations and institutions of which we are members.’’

    On development of democratic values and culture in the country, the president `confessed’ that the task was not an easy one.

    “Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be no quick fixes or short cuts.

    “These are the most important lessons that we have learnt in our 58 years as an independent nation.’’ (NAN)

  • UNGA73: President Buhari returns to Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja from New York where he participated in the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    He aslo attended other official engagements on the sideline of the UNGA73 between Sept. 24 and Sept. 29.

    The theme for this year’s Session is: ‘Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential aircraft conveying the president, his wife, Aisha, and some members of his entourage took off from JFK International Airport on Saturday and landed at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Sunday morning.

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari and the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, were among government officials who welcomed the president at the airport.

    The highpoint of Buhari’s participation was his address on Tuesday to the General Assembly on the opening day of the General Debate.

    The president, in his presentation of Nigeria’s National Statement, sought global cooperation on security, anti-corruption, irregular migration, climate change, and UN reforms, among others.

    Buhari and his wife also attended a welcome reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his spouse for Heads of State and Government and their spouses.

    The president and his delegation attended the high-level ‘Mandela Peace Meeting on Global Peace’ in honour of the centenary birth of late South African President Nelson Mandela.

    The Nigerian delegation also participated in a high-level meeting on the ‘Fight against Tuberculosis’ organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Nigeria currently ranks seventh amongst the high TB-burden countries globally, and second in Africa, where Mrs Buhari also delivered a statement.

    The Nigerian delegation attended a high-level meeting on financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit.

    Others are the ‘Second Annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum, high-level Meeting on Action for Peace-Keeping’; ‘Commemoration and Promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons’, high-level meeting on the ‘Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa’, and ‘Pathway to Localising a Global Agenda’.

    Also while in New York, Buhari had bilateral meetings with many African and world leaders including Bill Gates with a view to promoting national and African interests.

    Buhari also had interactive session with a selected group of Nigerian professionals based in the United States and Canada.

  • ‘Nigeria faring better under Buhari, APC’

    AHEAD of the 2019 General Elections, the current administration is being daily appraised. Would you say it has lived up to expectation?

    Of course yes, considering where we are coming from and I wish we had had the President much earlier. The Nigerian story would have been different now, but we must not lose sight of the fact that it is much better we have him than not having him at all. What the President is doing now is that he is rebranding the country and showing us the road to prosperity. I think we should commend the President, we should encourage him. We are not saying the government has not made mistakes here and there, but the mistakes are corrected. When the government is doing well, we should encourage them and when they are not, we should criticise them and proffer solutions. From my stand point, the government has done very well. In 2019, he should be returned to office.

    President Buhari boasted that the recent defections will not affect his re-election. Do you agree with him?

    If you know the President, he is not given to boasting. The President is someone who tells you something in the morning and will tell you the same in the next ten years. He is very constant, as constant as the northern star. I may not be able to speak for others. Coming to your question, I think it is a tradition in Nigeria that towards an election, you have some people moving from one political party to the other. That is why I have proposed that the constitution needs to be amended so that we can give some elements of stringent conditions that will make it very difficult to move. We are not saying they should not move but cogent reasons must be given. It’s very unhealthy for our democracy.  Thankfully, Muhammadu Buhari is like a political party on his own. He is one man who can win an election without a political party. One man who has shown that he can win election from his home is President Muhammadu Buhari. He has that bloc vote already.

    Do you also believe APC will do better in the Southeast and South-south than it did in 2015?

    The party is making tremendous progress in the zones and this is good for our brothers in the Southeast and by extension the South-south. There is no where you put your eggs in one basket.  What happened in 2015 was a tragedy of all time. The Southeast and South-south put their hope in former President Goodluck Jonathan. I have always maintained that we must vote for a president, governor, senator, House of Rep member who will deliver on his promises.

    Specifically, what are your thoughts on Akwa-Ibom State?

    When it was reported in 2014 that the governor has been picked to contest, I was one of those who had so much hope in Governor Emmanuel. These were my reasons- one, for a man to have risen to the level of an Executive Director in Zenith Bank; you should be able to manage human resources and material resources. Two, his youthfulness was also what I appreciated. The third was his manifesto. It was splendid. Three years after, I must confess that I am disappointed in the governor. He has done more of newspaper development.

    President Buhari has turned to China on many occasions since he came on board. Why is he taking China that serious?

    The government is looking at partnership and I think the government got the best deal from the Chinese summit. Don’t forget that China is the best second economy in the world and when you try to tie yourself to a particular country or a particular continent; it may not really augur well. China is a very big investor in Nigeria too. That was not the President’s first trip to China, and in the entire trips, he has come out successful. We should also commend him that he has been able to show leadership in the African continent. I think the summit fetched the government over 10 billion dollars in deals and MOUs.

    Also, those making saying Chinese loans are dangerous have not provided any alternative, so we must be wary of arm chair critics. If you want to criticise constructively, give us alternatives. If the Chinese loan is dangerous, let us know the alternative you have to offer. Nigeria is not going into any deal with eyes closed. Don’t forget that whenever the President travels, he travels with experts. He travels with the best we have in our country, so the whole thing is not between our president and the president of the other country; it’s between experts, an MOU is signed and it is for the benefit of the both countries, not a case of one-sided agreement.

    How do you juxtapose government’s fresh borrowing plan and plan to distribute the Abacha loot from Switzerland to the poor?

    I think we should get it very clear. The Abacha loot that was recovered from the Swiss government needs to be seen from the right perspective. The Swiss government gave a condition that the recovered loot must be tied to a specific project. What is important is to get our money back. If we use the money to bring our people out of poverty, what is wrong with it? People will always criticise government without proffering alternatives.

  • Buhari departs New York after eventful 73rd UNGA

    President Muhammadu Buhari has departed New York for Nigeria on Saturday afternoon after his participation at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, which officially opened on Sept. 18.

    Buhari, in the company of his wife, Aisha, was seen off by a large entourage including the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency Ahmed Abubakar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Babagana Kingibe, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, and Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Buhari arrived in New York on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 for the gathering of the world leaders.

    The theme for this year’s Session is: ‘Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies’.

    The highpoint of Buhari’s participation was his address on Tuesday to the General Assembly on the opening day of the General Debate.

    The president, in his presentation of Nigeria’s National Statement, sought global cooperation on security, anti-corruption, irregular migration, climate change, and UN reforms, among others.

    Buhari and his wife, Aisha, also attended a welcome reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his spouse for Heads of State and Government and their spouses.

    The president and his delegation attended the high-level ‘Mandela Peace Meeting on Global Peace’ in honour of the centenary birth of late South African President Nelson Mandela.

    The Nigerian delegation also participated in a high-level meeting on the ‘Fight against Tuberculosis’ organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as Nigeria currently ranks seventh amongst the high TB-burden countries globally, and second in Africa, where Mrs Buhari also delivered a statement.

    The Nigerian delegation attended a high-level meeting on financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit.

    Others are the ‘Second Annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum, high-level Meeting on Action for Peace-Keeping’; ‘Commemoration and Promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons’, high-level meeting on the ‘Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa’, and ‘Pathway to Localising a Global Agenda’.

    During the course of his stay in New York, Buhari had bilateral meetings with many African and world leaders including Bill Gates with a view to promoting national and African interests.’’

    President Buhari also had interactive session with a selected group of Nigerian professionals based in the United States and Canada.

    Others in the president’s entourage were Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, that of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, Industry, Trade and Investment counterpart Okechukwu Enelamah, that of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma and Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

    Nigeria’s ambassador to the U.S. retired Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service Mohammad Babandede, and Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Ibrahim Magu and a host of other chief executive officers and aides were also on the presidential entourage. (NAN)

  • APC primary: Buhari polls 263,945 votes in Adamawa

    President Muhammadu Buhari polled 263,945 votes to win the Friday presidential primary election in Adamawa State.

    The returning officer of the election in the state, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu who announced the result on Saturday at the APC state headquarters in Yola, said that of the 21 local government areas of the state, his team could only collate polls from 10 after voting on Friday and the collation had to continue for much of Saturday.

    “I hereby declare Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the primary election in Adamawa State, having received a total of 263,945 votes and being the sole aspirant,” the returning officer said.

    Read Also: APC Primary: Buhari scores 697,532 votes in Imo

    He had in the course of the announcement of the result given the votes from the 21 LGAs as Demsa 11485, Mayo-Belwa 26587, Girei 7252,
    Yola South 10589, Michika 14576, Madagali 12508, Numan 8594, Song 17600, Gombi 9730, Kufore 14116, Yola North 17920, Maiha 9451, Shelleng 15435, Hong 17126, Toungo 7800, Mubi South 9669, Guyuk 8936, Jada 10791, Ganye 10289, Lamurde 7775, and Mubi North 15698.

  • APC Primary: Buhari scores 697,532 votes in Imo

    President Muhammadu Buhari,  garnered 697,532 votes in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential primary in Imo State.

    Buhari was returned unopposed by the APC card carrying members who turnout in large number for the exercise.

    The State Returning Officer, Chief Charles Amadi, announced the result after collation at the Nick Banquet Hall, Owerri.

    The Governor, who addressed APC faithful shortly after announcing the result, said that President Buhari “remains the best option for the Southeast and her people in the 2019 election compared to others jostling for the same position in other political parties”.

    He assured that the President will “win in the entire Southeast in 2019″.

    According to him, “in the 2011 election, the PDP people were able to rig and write fictitious figures to misrepresent the facts on ground. But in the 2015 election, the PDP also manipulated the results of the South – East states to portend dislike and resentment for Muhammadu Buhari. But we fought them to standstill to ensure that they did not perpetuate their heinous act of writing unrealistic results. Hence, the Southeast votes ensured an even spread for the emergence of Mr. President”.

    Read Also: Buhari secures 210, 201 votes in Bayelsa

    He continued that, “what we are doing today is the APC Presidential Primary for President Muhammadu Buhari. It is also very clear that the President is Contesting the 2019 Presidential election on the platform of APC as the sole candidate of the party. But like the Constitution approves, whether it’s one person or more than one candidate, the electorate must exercise their franchise.

    “So we have come to show our love towards him by queuing to vote for him massively. We’re doing this to know the number of the Party members from each ward that are approving his candidature for 2019 presidential election. So, I’m here with my people to assure President Muhammadu Buhari that Imolites are with him come 2019”.

    The governor added further that, “I am very happy for the large turnout as people had trooped out in their large numbers to ensure victory for our Party, APC and our presidential flag-bearer, President Muhammadu Buhari and also to assure him that APC is the Party on ground in Imo State.”

    Announcing the result, Amadi said President Buhari garnered six hundred and ninety seven thousand, five hundred and thirty-two votes out of the nine hundred and forty-four, eight hundred and forty-three registered members.

  • Buhari congratulates China on 69th anniversary

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, on the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic.

    In a congratulatory letter personally signed by him, President Buhari extended warm greetings and felicitations to the Chinese on behalf of the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Mr Femi Adesina’ the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said Buhari also praised China for the achievements in recent years and blossoming relations with Nigeria.

    President Buhari said: ‘‘I seize this opportunity to congratulate you on the laudable economic and technological achievements of your country in recent years and commend you for sharing the fruits of your success with so many countries in Africa and around the world, thereby positively transforming the lives of millions.

    “The Peoples’ Republic of China is Nigeria’s valued partner in progress. We have cooperated extensively in the fields of trade, technology, security, infrastructure, and human development.

    “While looking forward to an even deeper and more beneficial relationship, you have our best wishes as you celebrate your 69th anniversary.’’

    Meanwhile, the Chinese leader had also congratulated President Buhari on the 58th Independence anniversary of Nigeria, slated for Monday.

    Nigeria and China share the same date as their National days.

    In his congratulatory letter, President Xi Jinping praised President Buhari for stabilizing the country.

    “Under the leadership of your Excellency, the Nigeria people have been committed to safeguarding the nation’s stabilisation, development of economy and elevation of livelihood and achieved gratifying outcomes.

    Read Also: Anambra APC adopts Buhari for second term

    ‘‘I would like to extend my appreciation and attribute the success of the recent Beijing Summit of the Forum on Africa-China Cooperation to your Excellency’s participation and remarkable contribution.

    ‘‘I highly value the development of China-Nigeria relations and I am willing to join efforts with you to elevate the Strategic Partnership between China and Nigeria to a new level, for the well-being of our two countries and peoples.

    ‘‘I wish your esteemed country prosperity and fortune, and its people happiness and contentment,’ President Xi wrote in his congratulatory message.

  • Ekiti APC members affirm Buhari’s candidacy at primary

    .PARTY COLLATES RESULT AT SECRETARIAT

     

    Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State have affirmed the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the February 16 presidential election.

    The direct primary was held in all the 177 wards of the state on Friday with party members trooping out in large numbers.

    Reports from the wards indicated that exercise was conducted with voice vote with no voice of dissent against the President’s candidacy.

    The state APC secretariat in Ado-Ekiti was a beehive of activities on Saturday as party electoral officers were turning in the results from the wards.

    The state APC Chairman, Mr. Paul Omotoso, led other members of the executives to receive the results from the wards and supervising the collation.

    Collation of the APC presidential primary election was still going on at the time of filing this report.

    Speaking on the conduct of the presidential primary, Ekiti APC Chairman Omotoso and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ade Ajayi, expressed satisfaction with the exercise.

    Omotoso said party members, with their overwhelming votes for the President, have restated their resolve in ensuring the return of Buhari to Aso Villa beyond 2019.

    He said the APC in Ekiti was ready to win all the available legislative seats and presidential poll in the 2019 general elections.

    Omotoso said: “We had our presidential primary on Friday in all the 177 wards and the candidacy of President Muhammad Buhari was affirmed.

    “You will recall that the the President had earlier been adopted as the presidential candidate during our state congress on September 15 but we have now formalised it with the conduct of a direct primary.

    “Majority of party members voted in all the wards and we had ‘yes’ vote in all the 177 wards

    Read Also: Buhari has stabilized Nigerian economy – Presidential support committee

    “The turnout was very high and party members are very happy about it.

    “That shows the acceptability of our presidential candidate to every member of the party and as much as we are doing that, there was a general resolution that all party members are determined to return President Buhari to Aso Villa come 2019.

    “We are already collating the results from the wards for onward transmission to the APC national secretariat in Abuja in line with the guidelines and party constitution.

    “Further to this as a party, we have also resolved to embark on aggressive, massive and meaningful mobilisation drive for the party in Ekiti State.

    “We are fully ready for the presidential election and State and National Assembly elections. We are optimistic of winning all elections in Ekiti.”

    Party spokesman Ajayi said: “We have wholeheartedly endorsed President Buhari which has now been formalised through affirmation and the party is now fully focused on the general elections.

    “The large turnout in our party shows that Ekiti State is now an APC state because the PDP has gone into oblivion.“

  • APC presidential primary: Buhari polls 98% in Zamfara

    Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara has announced that President Muhammadu Buhari polled 98 per cent votes in the state at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential primary election, held throughout the country on Friday.

    The Governor, who served as the party’s State Returning Officer for the Presidential Primary, made the announcement while declaring result of the primaries conducted in all the 147 Wards of the 14 Local Government areas of the state on Saturday.

    He said that President Buhari, who is the only Presidential Aspirant for the position of President in the forthcoming 2019 General Elections, scored 247,847 representing 98% of the total number of the registered APC members in the State.

    Read Also: Saraki eulogies dead NAF officer, laments crash incident

    He said despite the fact that President Buhari was the sole aspirant for the position of President, the APC resolved to hold its primaries with a view to weighing the President’s acceptability amongst APC faithful.

    The governor, who was impressed with the way and manner the APC members conducted themselves, urged them to reflect same in the future primaries in the interest of the party and the nation.

    He assured that the party’s remaining primaries would equally be conducted freely and fairly which would lead to its success at all levels in the upcoming 2019 General Elections.

    The governor commended the INEC officials, security agencies and the media for ensuring a successful exercise.

  • Alhassan resigns as minister, quits APC

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan has resigned her appointment in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.
    Alhassan, popularly called Mama Taraba was on Thursday disqualified to run for governorship election in Taraba State in 2019 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    While there is still no official statement from the presidency on the latest development, a Presidency source, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, confirmed it.
    He simply said “It is true.”
    Giving reasons for Alhassan’s disqualification on Friday, the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said that the party had to disqualify her and the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, to protect the party’s core values.
    Oshiomhole had said “As for the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, she has issues that have to do with party loyalty.
    “Our constitution is clear and it dictates that to contest elections or even hold office in the APC, you must be loyal to the party in every material concern.
    “From all she had said in the past and even her comments and general attitude during the screening, the NWC reviewed everything taken together and we arrived at the conclusion that she does not possess the level of loyalty that the APC requires for her to contest elections on our platform,” he stated.