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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari leads APC’s battle for Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, others

    Buhari leads APC’s battle for Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, others

    President-elect for Imo, Rivers, others

    President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has a packed schedule this week. He is leading the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaigns in some “battleground” states to lend his popularity to the push by APC candidates.

    He is scheduled to visit Lagos, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Nasarawa and Benue states.

    Others on the programme are Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Adamawa, a source told The Nation last night.

    Ahead of his campaign trips, which will likely be in town hall format, Gen. Buhari has already called on Nigerians to vote APC candidates all the way.

    The president-elect will be in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday. Governor Rochas Okorocha, who is seeking reelection on the platform of the APC, in a statement signed by his Media Adviser Sam Onwuemeodo, said Gen. Buhari will be given a “heroic” reception at the Heroes’ Square, where he will address residents.

    The governor, who held a thank-you rally in the state, to appreciate the people for their unalloyed support, noted that Imo people contributed significantly to the resounding victory.

    The governor urged the people to turn out  en masse to receive Gen. Buhari irrespective of their political affiliations, adding that “in the new emerging order, everybody will be carried along and people will not be discriminated against on grounds of their political leaning”.

    The Coalition for a Better Nigeria, in a statement at the weekend, said Gen. Buhari will visit the commercial capital on Wednesday and hold “a town hall meeting titled Change 2015”.

    It will be the 5th national discourse of the Coalition to review Nigeria’s political history and progressives as well as Nigeria’s march to freedom with the 2015 polls.

    Leaders of the party, including National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande and Senator Biyi Durojaiye, will be joined by Governors  Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) for the meeting at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, the state capital.

    “We expect some outings, possibly town hall meetings in some critically challening states but nothing has been finalised by way of programming,” spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Mallam Garba Shehu said yesterday.

    Director of Organisation of  the APC Campaign Council Boss Mustapha said the full campaign programme will be out today.

    Mustapha, who said he was in his home state of Adamawa campaigning for governorship candidate Jubrilla Bindow, said: “You know Gen. Buhari is no longer a candidate but president-elect.

    “His programes are no longer completely in our hands. You know many countries are making contacts with him, among other engagements. By Monday, we will be able to give you a final programme.”

    Elections into the governorship seats will be held in 29 states. Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Osun and Bayelsa states are excluded.

  • Kumuyi: Buhari must not fail Nigerians

    Kumuyi: Buhari must not fail Nigerians

    The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has urged Gen. Muhammadu Buhari not to fail Nigerians.

    He said so much is expected of the president-elect as regards tackling corruption, poverty and insecurity.

    Kumuyi said Buhari’s victory at the polls and President Goodluck Jonathan’s concession of defeat were possible through divine intervention.

    He spoke at a media briefing during the church’s National Easter Retreat. He was represented by the Church Secretary Pastor Jerry Asemota.

    According to him, the fact there were no bloodshed following the election as widely feared was a reason to thank God.

    Kumuyi warned that Gen. Buhari should not be expected to perform miracles once he assumes office, saying Nigerians must be patient.

    “We need to realise that he needs time. It’s not something that will happen overnight. We believe that as we pray and he dedicates himself to that cause, that we’ll begin to see results,” he said.

    He attributed the peace experienced after the polls to prayers, saying: “God’s children were praying and today the nation is at peace with itself. Our international counterparts never imagined it would be this way.

    “We wish him (Buhari) well. The nation expects so much from him. We’ll continue to pray for the incoming president so that God will grant him the wisdom to steer the country’s affairs aright.

    “The church will continue to push for peace within the country,” Pastor Kumuyi.

    According to Kumuyi, Nigerians cannot wait to have lasting peace and a reduction of corruption which he said had “plagued” the country.

    “It is the desire of everyone that we get rid of those things that have plagued us in the past. Incidentally, the president-elect has identified corruption and insecurity as two key areas he will work on,” Pastor Kumuyi said.

    He said since God knows the end from the beginning, there was no doubt that he would use Buhari for the country’s good.

    He praised President Jonathan for being one of the few African leaders, who would lose an election while in government and yet congratulate his opponent, describing it as “significant”.

    According to him, Jonathan’s action, which he described as a sacrifice, was worthy of commendation considering that people see election as a do-or-die affair in Nigeria.

    “We have seen signs that the transition from one democratic dispensation to another will be smooth. There is no acrimony or infighting.

    “For any leader who would build a nation, sacrifice and love are very important. We expect that he (Buhari) would lift this nation beyond the level we are now.

    “The nation we know has been plagued by many problems. The church’s responsibility is to continue praying.

    “No doubt, President Jonathan had an assignment that God wanted him to fulfill. The new president, I believe, also has a specific assignment from God.”

  • Jega, Jonathan, Buhari heroes of democracy, says Bakare

    Jega, Jonathan, Buhari heroes of democracy, says Bakare

    Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has named Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, President Goodluck Jonathan, and President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as heroes of the presidential elections.

    In what he termed as the ‘congratulatory part’ of his sermon titled: “Chances, Choices, and Consequences”, at yesterday’s Easter service, Bakare said Jega was deserving of the honour because of the role he played in delivering credible elections and not yielding to provocation.

    For graciously conceding defeat, the lawyer-turned-pastor said President Jonathan has defended Nigeria’s democracy.

    “You acted when it mattered most.  You are one of the heroes of democracy, and we thank you,” he said.

    For his patience and tenacity in seeking the presidential ticket since 2003, Bakare said Buhari, whom he called Mr. Integrity, was worthy of mention.

  • Don’t be vindictive, group urges Buhari

    Don’t be vindictive, group urges Buhari

    •Hails Jonathan

    President elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his vice,  Prof Yemi Osinbajo have been urged to see their election as an act of God and a divine victory for Nigerians, and regard themselves as God’s chosen vessel of change to confront various problems confronting the nation.

    In a congratulatory message by the group’s chairman, Chief Enock Ajiboso and publicity secretary, Mr Tunji Oguntuase, a faith-based organisation, the Christian Conscience group admonished the duo to put in place strategies to bring back on track our derailing economy, insecurity, massive corruption, and other self-afflicted problems confronting the nation.

    “Your election is Godly ordained, you must justify the confidence reposed in you by majority of Nigerians who cried to God for a change for an improved and egalitarian society. You must see yourselves as fathers of a modern Nigeria and forgive those who unjustly crucified your team before the elections’’ .

    “For the nation to compete  with other developing nations, decisive actions are urgently needed to curb needless wastage  in governance as well as to nib on the bud the lingering insurgency in the north western part of the country, Improvement on the lingering epileptic power supply, strive to provide qualitative education and improved infrastructure. The new administration must also build efficient and effective refineries that will put a stop at fuel importation that has become our albatross.

    The statement praised the President Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanship for conceding defeat even before the final announcement of the eventual winners of the election.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan has not only become a statesman by his action, he has written his name in gold locally and internationally because African leaders are known for sit-tight tendencies but in the face of all odds he has distinguished himself as a worthy leader.

  • Emerhor hails Buhari

    Emerhor hails Buhari

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has described the President–elect, Muhammadu Buhari, as a change agent ordained by God.

    He said Buhari’s emergence as the next President signifies God’s kindness to the nation.

    Emerhor, who spoke yesterday after a church service in Asaba, described Easter as a period of reflection.

    “This is the season of goodwill. God, in His infinite mercy, sent Jesus Christ to die for us;  His resurrection brought light to all of us and Easter is celebrated all over Christendom. It is a period of reflection to know how God will continue to sacrifice to keep all of us safe.

    “As you know, we just passed through a scary presidential election in the country but by His grace we have peace in this country. And God also decided it is time to have light in this country.

    ‘’He made a major change by bringing a change agent, General Muhammadu Buhari, as the next President of Nigeria. This change signifies that God is kind to Nigeria and the change will happen all over the country.

    “This Saturday, change is coming to Delta as Deltans get set for the governorship election, and my message to them is to use this period to reflect and allow God’s will to be done for the state”.

    He urged Deltans to vote for the APC in the governorship elections, adding that Delta could not afford to be in the opposition.

  • Buhari’ll lead Nigeria to a remarkable era, says Ogbemudia

    Buhari’ll lead Nigeria to a remarkable era, says Ogbemudia

    Two-time Governor of old Midwest Region and later Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia has said the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will lead Nigeria into a remarkable era.

    Ogbemudia hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding to his major rival, even as he urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “look inward” and strategise for future elections.

    He said: “I have known him since 1963 when he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army. I had the privilege to see some of his confidential reports by his commanders in which he was described as a young officer with boundless energy, and willing to continue when others are tired.

    “Energy and resilience he has truly demonstrated in politics by winning a historic election at the fourth attempt.

    “I am confident he will lead Nigeria into a remarkable era.

    The former governor called on the PDP to reflect into what led to the defeat when he said: “To my party, the PDP, this is an opportunity to begin to demonstrate capacity as a viable and credible alternative in the service of the nation”.

  • Buhari’s integrity an asset to economy, says Makarfi

    Buhari’s integrity an asset to economy, says Makarfi

    The former Kaduna State Governor and Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has said the integrity of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari remains an asset that will boost investors’ confidence in the economy.

    Senator Makarfi, who contested a senatorial seat in the March 28 National Assembly election, but lost to Alhaji Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, his former commissioner for Finance and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, said: “Gen. Buhari has all it takes to take Nigeria to a higher level.”

    He told The Nation yesterday that given the track record of Buhari, he was confident that the economy would be revived and the masses would reap the dividends of democracy.

    Makarfi said he conceded defeat to Hunkuyi because it was the will of God, as expressed by the people.

    He congratulated the people who participated in the elections and were victorious.

    The former governor, who served between 1999 and 2007, expressed gratitude to his political associates for their support and understanding when he served as the governor and senator.

    “In particular, I wish to send my hearty congratulations to Gen. Buhari on his victory in the presidential election, believing that he will use his wealth of experience, integrity, fairness and discipline to lift Nigeria higher,” Makarfi asserted.

  • Expert advises Buhari on environment, others

    Expert advises Buhari on environment, others

    AN appeal has gone to the President-elect Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to make environmental issues part of the focus of his administration.

    A member of the Nigeria Environmental Society (NES), Mr Valentine Opone, who made the appeal in Lagos, said Buhari should put environmental management in his draft policy.

    He said: “As we know, human anthropological activity is tremendously causing global warming and the environment must be cared for for sustainability.”

    Opone, also member of the Drafting Committee, Federal/states Regulatory Dialogue on the Implementation of regulations of the National Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), said the government must hire experts to handle its ministry and departments of environment, adding that putting round pegs in round holes should  be    discouraged by the incoming government.

    The government, he said, should ensure that its interest for the green and brown environment should not conflict with that of overall development of the ecosystem.

    He said following the insurgency in the Northeast, there was need for a clean-up to eradicate the effects of the deposits which emanated from the deployment of arms and ammunition of both the security agents and the Boko Haram members, saying that most of these could lead to the deaths of some of our water bodies, such as rivers and streams.

    “It may sound strange that rivers could die. It was the importance environmentalists attach to the issue that they made it the theme of the last Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NES in Warri, Delta State, chaired by the Minister of Environment Mrs Laurentila Laraba Mallam. It was aptly titled: Sustainable use of Rivers in Nigeria.

    “Similarly, a sustained environment will reduce the outbreak of diseases for men and animals. This is because a balanced environment will accommodate enough oxygen and greens for healthy living. However, a polluted soil cannot but produce contaminated plants, which are injurious to man.

    “These contaminations are the fallout of toxics into the leaching water body, which are eventually taken in by the plants. The morphology of some certain species of organisms can also be altered or made to go into extinction,” he said, urging the incoming government to plan robustly for the environment.

    Another area Opone wants the government to focus at is urban renewal. He said because the migration of people from the rural areas to the urban areas is massive,and it is causing over utilisation or undue pressure on the available amenities,there was the need to build rural development projects to arrest the situation and balance the ecosystem.

    “Industrialisation must be encouraged with modern technology to reduce pollution of any kind. Policy makers must work with the policies and the White Papers of the incoming administrations where it favours the citizens and avoid throwing away every document produced by the outgoing government, ” he added.

    He praised the Jonathan government for assisting to make NES a chartered body, its recognition of the group, and support for industries in ensuring that environmental matters were not swept under the carpet.

    Specifically, he gave kudos to the Jonathan administration for its afforestation policy and fencing of coastal lines to avoid the negative effects of ocean surges.

    He urged Buhari to ban import of fairly used cooling systems, such as air conditioners, fridges because they are not oxone friendly as they emit Chorofloro Carbon (CFC) and Carbon Monoxide (Co2).

    He said these systems and used vehicles emit polluting toxic gases. He wants the Buhari government to encourage the recycling of used or abandoned metallic vehicles and machinery.

    Opone, member of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), asked the government to assist auto makers to produce cheap and affordable products to reduce the importation of tokunbo( used) cars.

  • Ndigbo congratulate Buhari

    •Demand true federalism

    Ndi-Igbo Germany (NIG), the umbrella organisation of Igbo ethnic groups and associations in Germany, has congratulated the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.

    In a message, signed by the its National Coordinator, Chief Joe Mmeh, said: “We rejoice with President-elect Buhari on his success at the polls and urge him to be the president of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religion and political affiliations.

    “The campaign has come and gone. It’s now time for national healing and governance. In every civilised society, no one takes personal what is said during campaigns. So Buhari should look forward to uniting Nigerians and avoiding advice from former office holders, who brought hardship and corruption into governance.

    “Ndi-Igbo Germany congratulates Buhari as Nigeria’s President–elect and the citizens for peacefully exercising their franchise to elect their leaders. We salute President Goodluck Jonathan for establishing a legacy of democratic freedom and peaceful expression of a vibrant democracy.

    “Ndi-Igbo Germany advises President-elect Buhari against ethnicity. He should be magnanimous in victory by forming a government of national unity; picking the best brains among Nigerians, both home and abroad. Meritocracy, instead of mediocrity, should be the watchword on how to move Nigeria forward economically, politically and technologically. We believe that the God, who gave President-elect Buhari victory, wants him to rebuild the country. We enjoin him to ensure fairness, justice and equity for all.

    “Ndi-Igbo Germany supports the indivisibility of Nigeria, but condemns any sort of domination of any part of the country by another. We reinstate our demand for a true federalism and a greater autonomy to the geopolitical zones and that federal allocations and amenities be shared on equal proportion among the six zones.

    “We thank President-elect Buhari for his promise during the campaigns to build a second Niger Bridge where no tollgate fees shall be paid by Ndigbo and other Nigerians. As a matter of fact, Ndigbo cannot and shall not accept any bridge where tollgate fees shall be paid, a system not obtainable in others parts of the country.

    “We also demand that roads in the Southeast, Enugu International Airport and Trade Fair Complex be completed. Seaports and dry ports in the Southeast should be established and made functional. We are sad when we see the lopsided nature of distribution of amenities by the Federal Government and the neglect of Ndigbo 45 years since the Civil War ended. We hope President-elect Buhari will correct these imbalances.”

  • Nigerian equities gain N1.82tr on Buhari euphoria

    Nigerian equities gain N1.82tr on Buhari euphoria

    The negative sentiments and depreciation haunting Nigerian equities gave way to optimism and scramble for quoted equities as the successful conduct of the presidential election and emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as president-elect triggered a massive bullish rally that topped the market with about N1.82 trillion.

    As indications emerged on Monday that the March 28 general elections were largely peaceful and credible, and the opposition candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was leading, investors upped demand for Nigerian equities. Quoted equities’ capitalisation, which opened the week at N10.319 trillion, closed Monday at N10.494 trillion. The eventual announcement of Buhari as the president-elect and the concession of defeat by President Goodluck Jonathan spurred the bullish rally.

    Market data released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that last week saw the largest gain by Nigerian equities this year. Nigerian stock market is dominated by foreign investors, who account for almost two-thirds of total transactions. Buhari had built his campaign on resolution of three core issues of corruption, insecurity and economic underdevelopment.

    Aggregate market value of all quoted equities closed the four-day trading session last week at N12.135 trillion as against the week’s opening value of N10.319 trillion, representing an increase of N1.82 trillion. The benchmark index for the Nigerian stock market, the All Share Index (ASI), also jumped by almost six steps to close at 35,728.12 points as against its opening index of 30,562.93 points. The ASI, a value-based index, tracks the prices of all quoted companies and it is thus directly related to market sentiments.

    The stock market sustained consecutive upswing, rising from N10.494 trillion on Monday to N10.718 trillion on Tuesday and N11.621 trillion and N12.135 trillion on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.  The market performance was driven by increased demand for equities as turnover rose consecutively during the four trading sessions. Investors staked N1.84 billion on 196.26 million shares in 3,638 deals on Monday and increased this to N5.05 billion for 379.45 million shares in 4,138 deals on Tuesday. By Wednesday, turnover stood at N10.94 billion for 881.58 million shares in 4,611 deals. Turnover peaked at N18.75 billion on 1.17 billion shares in 9,006 deals on Thursday. Friday was declared a public holiday in commemoration of Good Friday.

    Major foreign and Nigerian investment firms placed “buy” on several Nigerian stocks, a reference to the reduction in the political risk and the attractiveness of Nigerian equities, most of which had been undervalued by sustained depreciation over the past 15 months. Exotix, a global investment firm, described the successful conduct of the election and the emergence of Buhari as “unprecedented positive”.

    “A broadly effective voter card system, largely peaceful voting days, generally orderly announcement of results, concession of defeat and most importantly, the win for the opposition candidate, comprise a remarkable, unprecedented and positive presidential election in Nigeria,” Exotix stated.

    The firm noted that some macro level concerns which have driven Nigeria to underperform all major frontier markets have thus been removed. Exotix subsequently raised its recommendation for Nigerian stocks, especially banking and consumer goods companies.

    The renewed optimism helped the Nigerian market to reverse its dragging negative average-year-to-date return to positive, with modest average year-to-date gain of 3.09 per cent. All key indices at the NSE showed widespread positive sentiments, with most equities recording their highest gains so far this year. While the ASI indicated average week-on-week gain of 16.90 per cent, the NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks, indicated higher weekly gain of 17.91 per cent. The NSE Banking Index recorded the highest gain of 23.97 per cent, reflecting the scramble for banking stocks. The NSE Oil and Gas Index, NSE Industrial Goods Index, NSE Consumer Goods Index and NSE Insurance Index recorded average weekly gain of 16.42 per cent, 13.62 per cent, 15.14 per cent and 3.46 per cent respectively. The NSE Lotus Islamic Index, which tracks ethical stocks on the basis of Islamic rules, also rose by 14.30 per cent.

    Price analysis showed that 72 stocks appreciated during the week as against six stocks that depreciated. Several equities rose by almost one –third of their share price. Fidelity Bank appreciated by 38 per cent to close at N2.07. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company rose by 33.9 per cent to close at N6.75. Zenith Bank appreciated by 32.5 per cent to N25.05. Oando rose by 31.3 per cent to N17.60. Guaranty Trust Bank added 30.87 per cent to close at N31.88 while United Bank for Africa rose by 29.8 per cent to close at N4.92 per share.

    Altogether, turnover within the four days surged above average to 2.63 billion shares worth N36.58 billion in 21, 393 deals. The financial sector, driven by banking stocks, remained the dominant sector with a turnover of 2.06 billion shares valued at N21.06 billion traded in 12,133 deals; representing 78.1 per cent and 57.6 per cent of the total turnover volume and value respectively.

    The conglomerates sector was the second most active sector with a turnover of 178.25 million shares worth N2.352 billion in 1,493 deals while the consumer goods sector placed third with a turnover of 118.96 million shares worth N5.59 billion in 2,816 deals.

    The trio of FBN Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc were the most active stocks as they jointly accounted for 834.17 million shares worth N12.16 billion in 5,089 deals, representing 31.7 per cent and 33.3 per cent of the total turnover volume and value respectively.

    Market analysts said the bullish rally might help Nigeria to reverse its negative foreign portfolio investment (FPI) position. The latest FPI report by the NSE had indicated that there was “significant increase in foreign portfolio investment outflow”. The report showed that nearly three-quarters of the transactions on the Nigerian stock market were done by foreign investors during the period, highlighting the dominant negative trend orchestrated by the foreign divestments.

    The report, based on the latest available data for the period ended February 2015, showed that foreign portfolio investment outlook had so far been negative, with year-to-date deficit of more than N32 billion.

    According to the NSE, foreign outflows totaled N81.60 billion in February 2015 as against inflow of N52.35 billion, indicating a significant increase on the downtrend that started the year when foreign portfolio outflow was N51.08 billion against inflow of N48.03 billion.

    Year-to-date, total foreign inflow stood at N100.38 billion compared with outflow of N132.68 billion, representing net deficit of N32.3 billion. The report had underlined concerns that foreign investors were downsizing their portfolios. Nigeria recorded negative net foreign portfolio position of N154.14 billion in 2014 as against a positive net position of a modest N20.48 billion in 2013.

    The latest report also showed continued dominance of the foreign investors in the Nigerian market with foreign transactions accounting for 72.61 per cent of total transactions in February compared with 27.39 per cent contributed by domestic investors. Foreign investors had contributed 52.24 per cent while Nigerian investors accounted for 47.76 per cent in January. Altogether, the proportion of foreign transactions to domestic transactions so far this year stood at 62.28 per cent and 37.72 per cent respectively.

    The NSE report is generally regarded as a credible gauge of foreign portfolio investments in Nigeria as it coordinates data from nearly all active investment bankers and stockbrokers. Nigeria presently operates a mono stock exchange, which makes the NSE the sole gateway to the nation’s stock market and the NSE’s benchmark indices, the country indices for Nigeria.

    The NSE report used two key indicators-inflow and outflow, to gauge foreign investors’ mood and participation in the stock market as a barometer for the economy. Foreign portfolio investment outflow includes sales transactions or liquidation of equity portfolio investments through the stock market while inflow includes purchase transactions on the NSE.

    The 12-month foreign portfolio investment report for 2014 had shown that foreign portfolio outflow was N846.53 billion as against inflow of N692.39 billion in 2014, representing a net deficit of N154.14 billion. In 2013, total foreign inflow stood at N531.26 trillion compared with outflow of N510.78 trillion, leaving a positive balance of N20.48 billion.

    The report showed a notable spike in foreign transactions, although the negative colouration indicated that the propensity was towards divestment rather than investment. Total foreign transactions rose by 52.5 per cent to N1.54 trillion in 2014 as against N1.01 trillion in 2013.