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Tag: BUHARI

  • Presidency affirms signing of 2018 Budget Wednesday

    …dismisses report on FEC

     

    The Presidency has affirmed that Muhammadu Buhari will sign the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law on Wednesday at 12p.m.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, affirmed this in a in statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The presidential aide had on June 13 disclosed that the president would sign the 2018 budget this week.

    He had said: “The position on the 2018 budget is that it will be signed next week. You will be told the specific date.

    “But one thing we are sure of is that the budget will be signed next week.’’

    The senate increased the 2018 budget from N8.612 trillion earlier proposed to N9.12 trillion.

    Read Also: Budget mess

    The senate also increased the crude oil benchmark for the budget from 45 dollars per barrel to 50.5 dollars per barrel.

    Meanwhile, Adesina has dismissed the media report that the Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was cancelled due to the scheduled signing of the budget by the president.

    According to him, the FEC meeting will not hold due to the Eid-el-Fitr holidays last Friday and Monday which affected preparation of council’s memoranda.

  • Buhari rules out talks with aggrieved nPDP leaders

    President Muhammadu Buhari will not meet with members of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), who are threatening to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), it was learnt yesterday.

    They have accused the ruling party of marginalisation and are threatening to defect to another party.

    The nPDP is one of the blocks that formed the APC in 2014 – the main groups being Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).

    On May 9, the nPDP wrote a letter to the APC leadership, seeking a meeting within seven days, to address its grievances.

    It also alleged harassment of its members by the Federal Government. The letter was signed by Alhaji Kawu Baraje as the group’s leader.

    However, another group of ex-PDP members in the APC led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu and House of Representatives member Abdumumin Jibrin in another letter, accused the Baraje group of insincerity and not representing the group.

    The APC leadership led by Deputy Natonal Chairman (North) Lawal Shuaibu, met with the Baraje group.

    A follow-up meeting was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, where it was agreed that the nPDP team, which had Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara in attendance, should isolate the issues for discussion at the next meeting, which is yet to hold.

    However, there were speculations that a meeting with the President was in the offing.

    But it was learnt yesterday that the President told a parley of party chiefs last week that he would not be meeting with the nPDP leaders because “it is a party matter”,

    Buhari, according to sources, said he was not disposed to getting involved in the matter. He was quoted to have said: “I will not interfere.”

    He reportedly told the governors at the meeting he had with them, that they as party leaders in the states “should deal with all issues as they are raised and where there is need, the party leadership can come in”.

    The President, the sources added, however, endorsed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s intervention which he said should continue.

    A few days to Saturday’s National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters, including some governors and party leaders, have been holding marathon meetings on how to keep the party intact.

    There has been intense horse-trading on how to secure some of the eight key posts in the National Working Committee (NWC).

    Governors are being wooed to back Buhari at the convention.

    But the aggrieved leaders of the New Peoples Democratic Party(nPDP) have kept the APC leadership in suspense on their next moves after the suspension of talks with the Presidency.

    It is unclear if nPDP leaders will attend the convention because some of them have complained of being shut out of the National Convention Committee.

    There was anxiety in the party yesterday on what the nPDP caucus was up to.

    The belief in the President’s camp is that a “cohesive” party leadership will put APC in good stead for the 2019 poll.

    Those with divided loyalty, the President’s supporters believe, should be weeded out of the NWC.

    A source said: “Some of our governors and leaders of APC have been holding series of meetings on how to make APC stronger with a new set of leaders who can complement the administration of the President.

    “These leaders, who are strategists of the President, are also working round the clock to reshape APC for the electoral battle ahead in 2019. We do not want to run a divided party in view of the gang-up by some leaders.

    “These marathon meetings in Abuja border on the need to be on the same page with like-mind governors and party leaders; putting in place harmonised or unity list; and laying a fresh foundation for the unity of the party.”

    The source added: “I might not give you their names but horse-trading is going on among governors and party leaders.

    “It involves weighing options on candidates, a give-and-take negotiation and putting 2019 poll above any other interest.

    “There are eight positions the presidential strategists cannot joke with. They are the National Chairman, National Secretary, Deputy National Chairman (North);  Deputy National Chairman (South); National Organising Secretary, National Publicity Secretary; National Women Leader and National Youth Leader.

    “Of course, the nPDP factor has been dominating all discussions and the governors and party leaders have left options open.”

    As at press time, it was not clear if leaders of nPDP will attend the National Convention of APC or boycott the event.

    A party source said: “We do not know what the nPDP leaders are up to but we are preparing for the worse, including their likely defection from APC.

    “Some of these leaders are no longer committed to APC.

    We are aware that they are already negotiating with some parties.

    “We are hopeful however that the statutory and elected delegates among the nPDP leaders will be at the convention.”

    A source in nPDP said: “We are waiting for our leaders to give us direction on whether or not to attend the National Convention. As at Monday, the presidency and APC leadership have not addressed all our grievances.

    “Instead, what we have experienced is the inclusion of some factional leaders of APC in some states in the National Convention Committee (NCC) which we considered insulting.

    “Take the case of Kwara State where the chairman of nPDP, Alh. Kawu Baraje, comes from, it is pathetic. Some leaders of an illegal faction of APC in his state have been made members of the NCC.

    “Some of us prefer a total boycott of the convention by nPDP, but it is left to our leaders to tell us the direction we are going on Saturday.”

    The issues in the party include the following:

    • to retain the zoning formula or not;
    • should there be a total overhaul of the NWC, led by the outgoing National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun?
    • won’t it help party cohesion to have a mixed grill of Oyegun team and new NWC members?
    • how to accommodate the nPDP Caucus to stave off defection;
    • need to have an NWC which can make Buhari’s re-election possible
    • suitable and acceptable candidates for eight key positions; and
    • averting a plot to disqualify some key contestants.

  • Buhari deserves prayers, says Ondo lawmaker

    The lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Bamidele Baderinwa (aka White), at the weekend donated a block of classrooms to the management of Emmanuel Primary School at Ikota in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Baderinwa, who was represented by his political associate, Tunde Ogunlade, handed over the keys to the regent of the town, Princess Adunola Ajisafe.

    The lawmaker urged the school authority to use the classrooms well.

    He said they were built and equipped with teaching aids, chairs, tables and writing board to aid teaching and learning in a serene environment.

    Baderinwa said the new classrooms would make teaching and learning attractive to teachers and their pupils.

    The lawmaker assured his constituents of good representation.

    He urged them to continue to pray for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari for divine direction.

    This, the lawmaker noted, was better than raining abuses on them.

    He added: “The Nigerian leader deserves prayers and support from all and sundry for sustained development.”

    Princess Ajisafe thanked the lawmaker and the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration in the state and the Federal Government for working hard to make life comfortable for residents of the community.

    She urged the government to also pay attention to other areas in the community, such as roads, water and other infrastructural facilities.

    The school’s head teacher, Mrs Ayodele Taiwo and her assistant, Mrs Stella Bola Adetiloye, expressed appreciation to the lawmaker for his gesture.

    She said: “As Oliver Twist, we ask for more from our representatives to help us fix the leaking roof of old classrooms.

    “The new classrooms will assist us in many ways because the classroom is very conducive. We will be teaching them under a comfortable atmosphere. Our job will be much easier. We have been using chalk before but now we will be using markers.

    “We will not be teaching our pupils in the rain again because the roof of the old classroom has torn off and it leaks whenever it is raining.”

    The school’s Head Boy and the Head Girl, Destiny Agu and Ogedengbe Idowu, expressed delight over the presentation of the new classrooms for them.

    They said the new classrooms will help them to learn fast under a conducive atmosphere and guarantee a brighter future for pupils in the school.

  • Why I ’ve soft spot for Buhari, by cleric

    THE Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Oche Job, says he admires President Muhammadu Buhari because he is a man that fears no one.

    The archbishop’s remark was sequel to the recent signing of four bills into laws by Buhari.

    The President had on June 8 assented to the Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill, which grants financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly and the states’ Judiciary nationwide.

    The law is to ensure that the budgetary allocations of the states’ Houses of Assembly and the judiciary will no longer go through the budgeting process of the executive arm at the state level, but will  be transferred directly to the their accounts.

    Buhari also signed into law the Bill No. 16, which stipulates that where a Vice-President succeeds a President or a Deputy Governor succeeds a Governor, he or she can no more contest for that office more than once.

    Other bills signed into laws were the Constitution Amendment No. 21, which relates to determination of pre-election matters and the Bill No. 9, which gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sufficient time to conduct bye-elections.

    The clergyman, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday, said if Buhari “is a man who fears what people will say, by now, he would have become very nervous.

    For sure, I commend him. You see, Buhari fears no one and that’s why I like him. He makes up his mind and says and does what he thinks is the best for the nation.

    “People may not praise him now but by the time he lives the seat, and somebody comes in and they begin to do comparison, they will say if it were in the time of Buhari, oh my God, this thing would have been this.”

    He said the financial autonomy for the states’ legislators and judicial officers would ensure accountability at the state level.

    “First, the autonomy in terms of finances, I think it is for accountability. So that one is perfect.

    “It is the best way because if somebody is controlling what you have or you live in fear when the money comes to you, you cannot give proper account of what has been bestowed to you,” he said.

    The archbishop said with the signing of the Bill No. 16 into law, the president had justified Nigerians’ action on the 2015 presidential election.

    “Let’s take former President Goodluck Jonathan as example. He took part of Yar’ Adua’s tenure and by the time it came to him properly, he was elected properly.

    “When he sought for re-election, people were already tired of him because the period he took from Yar’Adua plus the period he spent on his own which he was elected, people had already known everything about Goodluck Jonathan and they were tired of him.

    “Money could not change the minds of the people. And so when I heard about the signing of the bill, I said it is only now that they want to resolve what Nigerians have been covering.

    “This nation cannot be taken for a ride. By the time you completed the two years, which the other man could not complete and you have done your four years, which you won, they have known that if you were to fix Nigeria, you would have fixed Nigeria within that six years.

    “And if things were falling apart, they have correct judgment in their heads to see that you must get out of that place,” he said.

    He urged that every leader in a position of power should hit the ground running as soon as he or she was elected into office.

     

     

     

     

  • Senator urges Buhari to probe killing of Saro-Wiwa, Marshal Harry, others

    The lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Andrew Uchendu, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order investigation into the killing of renowned environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and top politicians: Chief Marshal Harry, Senator Obi Wali and Chief Aminasoari Dikibo, all of Rivers State.

    Uchendu, the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, according to his media aide, Solomon Okocha, made the admonition yesterday in Port Harcourt, when the Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Rivers State, Marshall Israel, visited him.

    The senator hailed President Buhari for declaring June 12 as the new Democracy Day in Nigeria and for the posthumous conferment of the highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

    He said: “Recognising June 12 as Democracy Day and honouring the late Chief Abiola are the starting point in the healing process and the rebirth of a new Nigeria. For us in Rivers State, there are murder cases that we will like to be investigated and where necessary, President Buhari should apologise on behalf of the Federal Government to Rivers people.

    “Rivers people and other Nigerians will like to know what really happened to Saro-Wiwa, A.K. Dikibo, Marshal Harry and my mentor, Senator Obi Wali, so that the souls of the deceased can finally rest in peace. This will go a long way in soothing the nerves of our people. We are not trouble makers and we will continue to support President Buhari in the national healing process.”

    The Head of PCC in Rivers stated that officials of the commission decided to visit Uchendu, because as a body set up by an Act of the National Assembly, it needed to partner the legislature, in order to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate.

    Israel noted that the engagement had given the officials more knowledge that would enable them to effectively inquire into complaints by members of the public, concerning the administrative action of any public authority and companies or their officials, and other related matters.

  • Order IGP to unseal our office, Peace Corps begs Buhari

    The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to unseal its corporate headquarters following several court orders to that effect.

    It claimed to have secured over 15 valid court judgments against the police and other security agencies, none of which has been appealed.

    National headquarters of Peace Corps of Nigeria at 57, Iya Abubakar crescent off Alex Ekwueme Street, opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja, has been under lock and keys by the Police since February 28th, 2017, a day it officially opened.

    National Commandant of Peace Corps, Dickson Akoh, claimed the organisation pays as much as N13.5m rent annually on the sealed office.

    But the Police have refused to vacate the properties despite two subsisting court orders; resolution of the House of Representatives; the letter of authority from the Attorney-General of the Federation; the interventions from the Civil Society Organisations and National Human Rights Commission.

    Last Tuesday, Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court Abuja restrained the Police and Idris from further harassing Akoh or prosecuting him on any ground until all previous court judgments are obeyed.

    Briefing newsmen on the judgment, Akoh said his group remains a non-confrontational and law abiding organization and has explored all lawful means, including seeking political solutions to its ordeal but to no avail.

  • Honour Okadigbo’s memory, group tells Buhari

    •Endorses Nwogu for APC National Organising Secretary

    Supporters of late former Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, under the auspices of the Chuba Okadigbo Rainbow Organisation, want President Muhammadu Buhari to honour the memory of his late running mate by accepting one of his loyalist, Hon. Chidi Nwogu, as the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A communique issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja, attended by supporters of the late Senate President from across the country, said the group endorsed Nwogu for the position at a meeting in Abuja.

    The communiqué was signed by the National Leader of the Group and Owelle Awkuzu, Chief Peter Emenaka, the Northeast Coordinator, Alhaji Yakubu Das and the Southwest Leader of the Group, Dare Falade

    The Chuba Okadigbo Rainbow Organisation appealed to Buhari to honour the memory of Dr. Okadigbo by accepting Nwogu as the National Organising Secretary of the APC.

    Nwogu is one of the seven candidates, including the current occupant, Senator Osita Izunaso, vying for the office of the National Organising Secretary at the national convention of the party, scheduled for June 23 in Abuja.

    The organisation was formed by Okadigbo, as an umbrella political body for all his supporters nationwide. He used the organisation when he ran as vice presidential candidate to Buhari in the 2003 Presidential Election.

    The group said they were backing Nwogu for the office because of his loyalty to their leader throughout the period he contested with Buhari in 2003 and therefore appealed to Buhari to ensure that Okadigbo’s supporters were fully integrated into the APC, since according to them; they were ready to campaign for the president in the 2019 Presidential Election.

  • Our loyalty to Buhari paying off – Kwara APC

    The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) described the recent increase in the number of its members to serve in the committees of the party’s national convention to four as dividends of their loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and the party. The party also congratulated its members that were recently appointed as members of the sub committees of the national convention  which is slated to hold on June 23rd, 2018.

    The party in a statement by Kayode Oyin-Zubair, its spokesperson, described the earlier arrangement that had Kawu Baraje as the lone Kwara APC chieftain to serve in the committee, as a slap to the chapter. How can someone who was national secretary of a party, national chairman of the then ruling party, and later chairman of a national corporation, be comfortable being a lone member of a convention planning committee? That was a slap on the party and we wonder why he wasn’t bothered,” the statement read.

    The new appointees are Alhaji Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo, member elections committee; Alhaji Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, member security committee and Ayoola Obisesan,  member venue committee. The party urged the appointees to bring to bear the industry and dedication to work that Kwara people are known for, while thanking President Buhari and the party for duly recognising and rewarding the chapter with memberships of strategic convention committees such as Venue and Protocol, Elections and Security.

    “This is a pointer to the fact that the journey may be rough, we will surely get to the desired destination. We must remind ourselves that our sacrifice to entrench internal democracy and respect for party supremacy in the state is beginning to yield results. We must remind our teeming members and admirers that, they should never be swayed by the raging noise- we are very close to the promised land. It is heartwarming and reassuring that Kwarans will eventually appreciate our efforts in restoring dignity and pride to the good people of the state,” the statement read in part.

  • CAN says no vacancy in Aso Rock, endorses Buhari, Oshiomhole

    The national executives of Change Advocates of Nigeria (CAN), Nigeria and Diaspora have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for second term in office come 2019.

    The body in a statement signed by its National Youths Leader, Gabriel Nwajei which was made available to newsmen on Saturday in Asaba also endorsed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo Governor, for National Chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2018 convention.

    It said that the president has demonstrated courage in taking major decisions that had impacted the people positively which prompted its call on him to continue and complete the second term in office, adding, “No vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019”.

    CAN listed the reasons it is rooting for  President Buhari  to be re-elected come 2019;

    “His anti-corruption fight and recovery of looted funds within and outside Nigeria.

    “For taking the nation away from economic recession, the increase in agriculture produce like rice, cassava, others and the N-Power Programme for our young graduates.

    “The President has given assent to the ‘Not too Young to Run bill and granted autonomy for  State Houses of Assembly and to state judiciary.

    “The presidential order for the posthumous award and investiture on Late M.K.O.Abiola and Amb. Babagana Kingibe, Chief Gani Fawehinmi among others and the making of June 12 our Democracy Day showed courage”.

    The body, however, acknowledged that there were still more to be done to make the nation great in the areas of security, restructuring, local government autonomy and in conducting a free and fair elections.

    “But as the sayings goes, Rome was not built in a Day”

    “Our mission is to mobilize all youths with their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) across the country for the 2019 presidential project,” it said. (NAN)

  • Ramadan: I fasted against advice —Buhari

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari revealed yesterday that he shunned advice from concerned Nigerians who asked him not to observe this year’s Ramadan on the grounds of ill health.

    He said that after skipping the 30-day fasting exercise last year because of his poor health, he felt that he was strong enough to observe it this year, and did so without skipping a day.

    Addressing residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who paid him a Sallah homage at the Presidential villa, President Buhari said he had derived more health benefits from observing the fasting and refusing to follow the advice of those who asked him not to fast on health grounds.

    He said: “A lot of people told me that on health grounds, I could default. But I refused because I know the value of fasting.

    “I cannot miss it once I can do it. Last year, I didn’t (fast) because I was on health vacation.

    “But this year, I have done it, and I thank God because it has helped me to be much healthier and to attend to national issues.”

    The President made a fresh case for Nigerians to shun individualism and sectionalism and work towards a united nation.

    He emphasised the need for all hands to be on the deck to salvage the nation.

    “Please, in your constituencies, emphasise what I said about 30 years ago: ‘we don’t have another country but Nigeria,’ “ he told the delegation led by FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello.

    “We may as well remain here and salvage it together. There is nothing else we can do.

    “Even those who have gone out are now trying to come back because they are not wanted out there.

    “I wish all the resources they had, if they had deployed them here, it would have been much better.”

    The President, who noted that the country is blessed with abundant human and material resources, said it was painful that the immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had to resign his appointment to contest the governorship seat of Ekiti State.

    He said: “Here, I have to digress and wish my former Minister of Mines and Steel, Fayemi, well. He has been a very hardworking minister, because the ministry he was leading was neglected with the overbearing economic relevance of oil.

    “But from the days of mining of tin, columbite, coal and so on, you know this country is blessed.

    “Throughout the country, we have solid minerals and I am hoping that Fayemi will succeed to lead his state again.

    “I believe he is a very hardworking person, very patriotic, but Nigerian politics is virtually unpredictable.

    “We are going to work very hard to fill his space in the Executive Council so that we keep on exploiting more and more of our solid minerals and less politicising of our petroleum resources.

    “What we realised between 1999 and 2013, as I have always said, we have never realised it.

    “It’s on record that we were producing 2.2 million barrels per day on the average at the rate of $100 per barrel.

    “It went up to $143 per barrel and then I think it stabilised between $80 and $90.

    “Nigeria has never received so much money and we thank God that we have survived the crisis in no time.

    “It is amazing that we are here because we tried four times, we ended up three times at the Supreme Court and is no joke.

    “I have suffered for this constituency just like I suffered in the military.”