President Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari said Sunday that his government will revisit the issue of the $20 billion dollars alleged to have been missing from the coffers of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Former Governor of the Central Bank and current Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had alleged that the NNPC failed to remit $20 billion dollars to the federations account, but a Senate Committee which investigated the issue claimed that there was no such funds missing.
Speaking while receiving a delegation from Adamawa state led by the Governor-Elect, Senator Jibrila Bindow at the Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, Buhari also said that it was unfortunate that the PDP government has practically destroyed the nation’s armed forces.
He reiterated his earlier pledge to fight corruption in the country and restore the confidence of Nigerians in the economy while taking practical steps to create employment for Nigerian Youths.
He said “I heard that some people have started returning money; I will not believe it until I go and see for myself. You all know what the Emir of Kano talked about when he was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria when he said $US20billion dollars not naira, $20 billion dollars was unaccounted for they, said it was a lie instead of investigating it they sacked him.
“And God in his infinite mercy made him the Emir of Kano in any case that is what he wanted and since this was documented, the new administration will take a look at it”.
Gen. Buhari who decried the level of destruction inflicted on the nation by the Boko Haram insurgency, said “I thank God for your visit. From what he (leader of delegation) has made, this problem of Boko Haram, we thank God it is now evident that this is not a religious problem, but purely terrorism. I said it earlier, all the religions we practice, both Islam and Christianity do not support terrorism.
“So, to go and kill people either in the mosque or in a church, market, motor park or to go and slaughter children in school, anyone who commits such a crime either does not know what Allahuakbar (God is great) means or does not believe in it. This is terrorism. It is our hope that God gives us the power to end this.
“On the issue of unemployment that you talked about, I went to 35 out of the 36 states of the federation. I went to some states about six times. I went for town hall meetings in Kano, Lagos and here in Abuja. I met with religious leaders in Churches of all denominations everybody is involved.
“From the airports to the streets, we saw youths running after our vehicles sweating; some walking the whole distance to wherever we were driving to. Whether they went to school or did not go to school, they don’t have jobs.
“This is the biggest problem we have in Nigeria today. Apart from security challenges the next thing is to find jobs for our youths. Our youths form 60 percent of our population in Nigeria and without jobs, these people who are still bubbling with energy will constitute a danger for this nation. If our youths don’t get jobs, we will not enjoy our stay in this nation.
“But one of the things we can do for you to fight poverty in Adamawa is the abundance of arable land that you have. Where I come from (Katsina state), the Sahara (desert) has eaten into the land and our populace who were not opportune to get a formal education became private guards because there is no more land to farm.
“But for you in Adamawa, you are blessed with land and water for agriculture. The 16 years of the PDP has further impoverished the people, it was the PDP, not the APP, not the CPC, not the APC because of that, within the next four years, we will do our best.
“The three things we in the APC will give priority to are the issues of Security, the economy and the war against corruption. These are three things that affect all the states in Nigeria.
“We hope that like I have been hearing over the radio that we have regained most of the territories captured by Boko Haram, we thank God. But among the worst atrocities committed against Nigeria by the PDP is what it has done to our military.
“It is our military that went to Barma, the same army that when I was commissioned second lieutenant, I did not spend three weeks before I found myself in Kinshasha (in Congo), then (the civil war) in Nigeria, Sierra Leone.
“Then to say Nigerian Soldiers failed to retake 14 local government areas out of 774, for me who served in the military, I find it incomprehensible except if I go there to find out what is the reason for this. The kind of leadership brought upon us by the PDP whether it is documented or not, it can never be forgotten in our history.
“Because of the (Boko Haram crisis) some of our fellow Nigerians from the North East don’t know where their parents are, some don’t know where their children are, their houses have been burnt, their cities like Bama, Michika, Mubi, Madagali and the rest of them.
“Some have built houses outside and when trouble starts they don’t even bother to carry their bags, they take a ride on Achaba (commercial motorcycle) and they flee Nigeria and leave us with the crisis, God help us.
“I hope those of you who have been elected as members of the legislature: the Senate and the House of Representatives at the Federal and State levels you will work with us.
“I urge you to be patient and ensure that anything that will benefit our nation receives your support. We will try our possible best and ensure that we repair hospitals, schools, roads and ensure that we get drugs in our hospitals, books and other equipment”.
In his remarks, the Governor Elect for Adamawa, Senator Jibrilla Bindow appeal to the President Elect to help build institutions such as health, education and fight corruption in the country.
Tag: BUHARI
-
I will revisit $20b missing fund – Buhari
-
The advisers Buhari should watch
They are many. Their motives differ. Their strategies are varied and at times, conflicting. But what they have in common is that their only interest lies in what translates to their personal benefits. Call it ‘stomach infrastructure’ if you like, with due apologies to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State. What is not debatable is the shameless selfishness that is thrown to the forefront by politicians as they jostle for position, power and influence.
For these opportunists and mischief-makers, anybody, interest or virtue can be denigrated or sacrificed. What is important is the materialization of their personal ambitions. In most cases, these personal ambitions have no social value worthy of their name.
In the wake of General Muhammadu Buhari’s election, these habitual opportunists have activated their heinous machinery of mischief. Their stock in trade is to stalk the president elect, deploying every social capital at their disposal. To the president-elect, their advice is ‘probe this’, ‘probe that’, dislodge all! Their goal: secure an appointment; corner juicy contracts; milk the economy dry. These are professional opportunists, for whom personal interest determines their professed love for any leader or country.
Could that explain the spate of decampments from the PDP to the APC? We may never be able to say so with any amount of certainty. Yet, the behavior of these characters has a striking resemblance to what Mahatma Ghandi had described as ‘politics without principles’. Their fundamental philosophy, if it can be so described, remains the same: the average Nigerian politician is driven more by pecuniary considerations than any deep-seated principle of a social value.
I think the point about politics without principles needs to be clarified. As we are all aware, not every move was predicated on the ‘stomach infrastructure’ principle. On the contrary, there were genuine cases where the absence of internal democracy and brazen executive corruption and favoritism had prompted decampment to other parties.
In spite of that, Buhari should avoid professional blackmailers and malcontents who would run with the hare and hunt with the hound. Their stock-in-trade is to rubbish every political office holder as either as corrupt on incompetent.
Good a thing, the report that Buhari has exhumed the Steve Oronsanye Committee Report on the civil service is a reassuring signal that the president elect does not intend to throw the baby away with the bath water. If he searches deeper, he will discover that among those being positioned for crucifixion, even within the Jonathan Administration, there are competent, hardworking and patriotic Nigerians-men and women-whose only crime is that they have been privileged to serve in the Jonathan Administration.
At his age and with his experience, Buhari needs no reminding that he is no longer the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but the president-elect of Nigeria. By May 29, 2015, he will become President of all members of all the political parties, including people who have no political affiliation. Even at that, nothing stops him from running an inclusive government that attracts the best hands in the country, without prejudice to their affiliations. And there are examples to tap from. Take the case of President Barak Obama of the United States who, at his election, retained some known republicans in his cabinet. Both Collin Powell and Robert Gates who he retained as defense secretary were republicans of high standing. Yet, in his calculation, America counted first hence his high-minded decision to run with them. If Obama’s posture could be justified in the United States that did not have the level of divisiveness that hangs
over Nigeria at the moment, it goes without saying that Buhari may learn a lesson or two from that.
From all indications, the grand old man of Nigerian politics is well on track towards disappointing mischief makers who intend to take advantage of him. The president-elect’s endorsement of Minister of Agriculture Akinwunmi Adesina for the post of president of the African Development Bank is a high-minded demonstration of statesmanship and patriotism. He ignored party and loyalists and placed Nigeria first.
Of course, this is not to discourage the president-elect from pursuing his anti-corruption program. To abandon that will tantamount to betraying the Nigerians who enthusiastically voted for change. Yet, it is important to caution against pursuing a policy that is driven by vendetta as the body language of some politicians suggest. Already, some aggrieved individuals are calling for the probe of specific individuals in a manner that hints of some personal or ethnic undertones. That is unfortunate. Rather than preoccupy ourselves with vendetta-inspired anti-corruption drive, the appropriate starting point should be understand the root cause of the endemic corruption that has plagued the broad gamut of the Nigerian social system to the extent that the notion of shame has disappeared from public lexicon. Thereafter, we can institutionalize the due process that will minimize the proclivity towards corruption.
Among the steps to be taken to stamp out corruption, Buhari can start by improving on the step taken by his kinsman, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Ardua who became the first President to publicly declare his assets. Buhari can waive the immunity clause, insist that all contracts be publicly advertised and the bill of quantities made public for professional and opposition groups to make their inputs and enact appropriate legislation against poorly or abandoned projects. Furthermore, nothing suggests that public office holders cannot be compelled to use less expensive official vehicles purchased from local manufacturers under terms and agreements that do not imperil our present and mortgage the future of our children. That way, the automotive policy of President Jonathan which, actually is a revival of the policy of the Obasanjo Aministration between 1976 and 1979, will receive a boost, to the benefit of all.
In all, I wish President-Elect, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari every success, guided always by the conviction that his success can only advance the course Nigeria and the welfare of its citizens. Of course, that includes me and you, the reader!
-
Obiano visits Buhari, solicits appointments for Ndigbo
•Anambra gov pledges support for president-elect
Anambra State governor, Willy Obiano, yesterday solicited appointments for Ndigbo in the government of the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.
The governor, who made the request when he visited General Buhari at his residence in Abuja, promised to support General Buhari’s administration, just as he denied reports that he was planning to dump his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting with General Buhari, Governor Obiano said he has already adopted the spirit of change in the governance of his state and will work in collaboration with the president-elect to ensure that the welfare of Nigerians is protected.
Obiano’s All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) was one of the political parties that publicly endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term bid.
Speaking on his meeting with the president-elect, Obiano said that he discussed the appointment of citizens of Anambra State in particular, and the South East in general into the new government.
He said: “I came to congratulate His Excellency, the President-elect on his victory. I am also here to reassure him that Anambra and the South East will support him. I also pleaded with him on some pressing projects that are of major importance to the people of the South East, like the second Niger bridge and some of the federal roads.
“I also did mention the area of appointments for Anambra people in particular and the people of the south-east in general, be it ambassadorial, ministerial and others. Basically, it is to congratulate the President-elect on his well deserve victory.”
Asked if the visit was in line with the change that is going round the land at the moment, he said, “I am a focused governor. Under my tenure, I brought change to security in Anambra State and I am always going to support things that bring about change and to improve the well-being of the people of Anambra and Nigerians.”
When reminded that the APC has leaders in the South East who should be speaking for them in terms of appointment, he said, “Most of the APC leaders in the south-east have actually visited me and we are talking. I suspect that the President-elect is not going to offer appointment only to people from his party. Everybody supported him, and therefore, I am pleading that he considers people from the other parties so that we can all embrace the change.”
While denying any plan to join the APC, the governor said, “It is not correct to say I might join the APC. I will remain with APGA and work very closely with the president. I will give him 100 percent support.”
-
Jonathan, Buhari meet in Aso Rock Villa
President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday met for about 40 minutes with the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, behind closed-doors at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.
Buhari arrived at the Presidential Villa at 3 p.m. in an entourage comprising six black Range Rover and Land Rruiser SUVs.
On Buhari’s entourage were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun and former Chuief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abdulraman Dambazzau.
At the end of the meeting, Jonathan did not allow Buhari to field questions from journalists as he promised that there would be another opportunity for Buhari to speak when he comes back to the Villa to intimate himself with the offices, residential and other areas of the State House.
Jonathan said: “We will take a date when the President will come and I will show him round the state house, but today is not for that. Today is to continue with our conversation. So we don’t need to worry the President.”
Asked how fruitful the meeting was, Jonathan said: “You can see that we are smiling. It was a fruitful one.”
Asked further what they discussed, Jonathan said: “We are discussing in the interest of the country.”
When journalists pushed further to get Buhari’s comment on the meeting, he said: “The President said it all.”
Buhari had on April 3, 2015 paid a similar visit to Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.
-
Jonathan, Buhari meet at Aso Rock
President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday met for about 40 minutes with the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, behind closed-doors at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.
Buhari arrived the Presidential Villa at 3.00pm in an entourage comprising six black range rover and land cruiser jeeps.
Those that accompanied Buhari to the Presidential Villa include the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), John Oyegun and Abdulraman Dambazzau.
At the end of the meeting, Jonathan did not allow Buhari to answer journalists’ questions as he promised that there would be another opportunity for the President-elect to speak when he comes back to the Villa to familiarize himself with the State House environment.
Jonathan said: “We will take a date when the President- elect will come and I will show him round the State House but today is not for that. Today is to continue with our conversation. So we don’t need to worry the President- elect, we don’t need to worry him.”
On how fruitful the meeting was, he said: “You can see that we are smiling, it was a fruitful one.”
Asked further what they discussed, Jonathan said: “We are discussing for the interest of the country.”
When journalists pushed further to get Buhari’s comment on the meeting,, he said: “The President said it all.”
-
Buhari moves to Defence House
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has started operating from a government-owned complex following the allocation of the Defence House for his use.
He is expected to use the facility till March 28. After his inauguration on May 29, he will relocate to Aso Rock Villa where the presidential residence is currently undergoing renovation.
Gen Buhari moved into the Defence House on Tuesday on his return to Abuja from Kaduna and his hometown Daura, where he stayed after the governorship election on April 11.
The Defence House in the Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is one of the President’s guest houses. It is located opposite the Legacy House, which has been serving as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign headquarters.
The President-elect hosted ECOWAS chairman and President of Ghana John Mahama on Tuesday at the Defence House before leaving for his campaign headquarters where he received delegations from Kogi and Kwara states.
He has also been receiving visitors at the All Progressives Congress (APC) headquarters.
Senate President David Mark visited the president-elect yesterday.
Gen Buhari returned to Abuja from Kaduna on Monday and held talks with Ivorian President Alhassan Quattara at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
When our correspondent visited the Defence House, a horde of security operatives was guard. Visitors were being screened before being allowed into the premises.
The Defence House is wearing a new look.
APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed that the president-elect had been operating from the Defence House.
“Yes, the Defence House was handed over a few days ago after its renovation,” Shehu said.
After he was declared winner of the presidential election on March 30, Gen. Buhari started receiving visitors from his private residence in Asokoro area, before leaving Abuja for Daura to vote in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.
He spent one week in Daura, receiving local and international guests before leaving for Kaduna where he received another set of guests, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
-
Ex-militant leader: Buhari won’t stop Amnesty Programme
The National President, National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (NCNDE-A), Israel Akpodoro, has said President-elect Muhammadu Buhari will not scrap the Amnesty Programme.
He described the fear as generally misplaced.
Akpodoro said the fear was created by those who were averse to change in the country.
The Urhobo-born ex-militant stated that the alleged plan to scrap the amnesty programme was used to whip up ex-militants’ sentiment.
Akpodoro said he threw his weight behind the candidature of the retired General because he was sure he would rule with the fear of God.
He said his open fight against some ex-militant leaders over their threat to go to war if President Goodluck Jonathan lost re-election made him enemies.
He alleged that “ethnocentric, boastful, questionable…ex-militants” launched vitriolic attacks on him and other members of the NCNDE-A following the adoption of Gen. Buhari
He accused some ex-militant leaders of distorting history by giving the credit of the establishment of Amnesty Program to Dr Jonathan instead of his late boss, President Umar Yar’Adua, who was the initiator and the executor of the genuine and purpose-driven amnesty program.
General Buhari he noted has never contemplated scrapping the program but would rather strengthen it to make it more productive and goal oriented unlike what it is today. “The incoming administration must be allowed to ?settle down to work with the support of all Nigerians just like the NCE-A has decided to support the APC administration every inch of it journey through success.”
He said, late President Umar Yar’Adua initiated a genuine amnesty program for the restive youth population in the region in his Phase 1 amnesty program and not his successor.
“Pastor Wilson and his cohorts stood the truth on its head in their misappropriation of credit?. It was the late Umar Yar’Adua, who initiated and executed the genuine amnesty program in phase 1, before this incumbent government established phase 2 and 3 which ofcourse is directly opposite the Phase 1 in execution and intention.
“While phase 1, was all inclusive, well managed in equity, that of Phase 2 and 3, were for only President Jonathan’s kinsmen and cronies.” Akpodoro stated.
re the operators to a quite part of the cities and rob them.
-
Buhari, PENCOM and Union Bank
SIR: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) on Wednesday, April 1, as winner of the March 28, Presidential election must have sent shivers down the spines of people and corporate organizations who believe and thrive in impunity and recklessness.
This declaration equally ushered in hope for people like me. It is the dawn of a new era.
We, the pensioners of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc nationwide (pensioners from 2006 to 2012 of which I am one) have been maltreated, pauperized, traumatised, dehumanised and some have been sent to their early graves.
For over two years, Union Bank has refused to pay our legacy fund/accrued pension rights to our various Pension Fund Administrators.
It is impossible for us to access our pensions. After many entreaties to both PENCOM and Union Bank and despite the directives by PENCOM to Union Bank to pay us, the bank remains adamant and unperturbed; this is sheer impunity.
We are in a dilemma and this is our plight for which the world must know.
Union Bank should pay all our entitlements now. This is appealing to our GMB, the yet to be formed central government of APC, relevant authorities and stakeholders to come to our rescue.
We believe that change has come!
- Lanre Onawola
Apata, Ibadan.
-
Buhari moves to Defence House
President Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has relocated to the Defence House in the Maitama area of Abuja metropolis where he now operates temporarily.
Buhari, who returned to Abuja from Kaduna on Monday to hold talks with Ivorian President Alassane Quattara at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, has been receiving guests at the Defence House since Tuesday.
He spent the better part of Tuesday and Wednesday receiving guests at the Defence House located opposite the Legacy House which serves as the campaign headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party.
When The Nation visited the place, a horde of security operatives were seen on guard while visitors were properly screened before being allowed into the premises.
It was also observed that the building was wearing a new look, a clear indication that it was only recently renovated.
Buhari, who was declared winner of the 2015 presidential election, was operating from his private residence in the Asokoro area of Abuja before leaving the FCT for Daura where he took part in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
He spent an extra one week in Daura receiving guests, both local and foreign before leaving for Kaduna where he received another set of guests including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
On Tuesday, the President elect played host to the ECOWAS chairman and President of Ghana, John Mahama at the Defence House before leaving for his campaign headquarters where he received a delegation from Kogi and Kwara States.
The Spokesman of the All Progressive Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, told The Nation that the Defence House has been made available to the President elect for his official engagements.
“Yes, the Defence House was handed over a few days ago after its renovation,” Shehu said in a text message when asked if the Defence House is now the operational base of the President elect.
-
Ex-militants leader declares support for Buhari
Leader of the Bakassi Freedom Fighters (BFF), an ex-militant group in Cross River State, Gen. Franklyn Duduku, has pledged to support the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in his efforts to move the country forward.
He also said no ex-militant would go back to the creeks, but said the Buhari government should strengthen the Amnesty Programme to enable it achieve its objective.
A statement signed by Duduku and titled: WE WILL SUPPORT GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI TO UNITE THE COUNTRY, made available to The Nation in Calabar on Thursday reads, “One of the many reasons why ex-militants leaders in the Niger Delta region are teaming up to support GMB is for the interest of peace and development of the entire nation.
“GMB during his tenure in office in the military era was able to achieve if not much, but a few remarkable projects which up till date speaks volumes to his personality.
“No leader is bad. It is only when we allow greed to overpower our conscience that evil becomes prevalent in all the sectors of our endeavour. Electioneering days are over and we now know the next captain of the Nigerian ship.
“It will be rather disrespectful of any well – meaning and peace – loving Nigerian to say ‘Buhari will Islamize Nigeria,’ as claimed by some fanatics who are just mere agents of destruction.
“One would ask why the same GMB, who had been a military head of state did not Islamize the country as easy as it was then than now in a democratic dispensation! It is only in our nation that political opponents resolve to character assassination and castigation, as if it is instrumental to election victory!
“It is an established reality that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the President-elect, has come to unite the nation and bring long lasting peace to the troubled parts of the nation. If we must succeed, then sentiments must be avoided, we must bring to bear all avenues that will foster a peaceful co-existence amongst us as a nation and people of one belief. Nigeria is our country. There is no other home like ours. We must support the President-elect to build and unite Nigeria.”