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Tag: BUHARI

  • ‘Buhari’s victory beginning of new Nigeria’

    ‘Buhari’s victory beginning of new Nigeria’

    THE All Progressives Congress’ (APC)  National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure, said yesterday that the countdown to a new Nigeria “has indeed begun” with the victory of the party’s presidential candidate, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Oluyemi Osinbajo.

     Akinyelure, who spoke in a statement, said Buhari’s victory signalled the dawn of a new era for the nation, which he noted, would guarantee economic breakthrough, social justice, institutional strengthening and the rule of law.

    Akinyelure noted that Buhari’s emergence in the just-concluded presidential election “is, no doubt, a defining moment in Nigeria’s recent history. His victory, too, is for all citizens of Nigeria, irrespective of party, race and religion.

    “Given what happened during the electioneering, Buhari’s victory signals the dawn of a new era for Nigeria. It, also, indicates the beginning of new Nigeria, which we have all toiled to realise day and night through ballots and which they have long yearned to see after a 16-year reign of impunity in our fatherland”.

    But, he said the victory at the polls was just a phase in the quest for new nation, noting that the task ahead “does not end at the poll. We have developed an inclusive manifesto to respond to diverse socio-economic and political challenges, which has defined Nigeria as one of the world’s most troubled countries.

    The party’s vice chairman, therefore, assured that under the Buhari-Osinbajo administration, insecurity “will be effectively reverse. Aside, strong socio-political order that guarantee public safety will be established in the Northeast and Southsouth to create enabling environment for investments.

    He added: “The surging unemployed population will be meaningfully engaged with a view to creating wealth across divides and reversing trends that lead to the explosion of our fatherland. The unemployment rate currently put at 29 per cent will be stemmed with the implementation of different programme we have already developed.

    “Also, there is an assurance that institutions will be strengthened; the rule of law respected; human rights guaranteed; equal opportunities assured irrespective of political affiliation and social justice will be ensured in all parts of the country in line with our manifesto. We will all witness the dawn of new Nigeria that we all desire.”

    The vice chairman, however, said nothing much could be done without the support of all Nigerians across all geo-political zones in the country. He urged all stakeholders irrespective of political leanings to make constructive and meaningful input “to the forthcoming Buhari-Osinbajo administration for the love of Nigeria”.

  • ‘Buhari’s victory God-sent’

    ‘Buhari’s victory God-sent’

    The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus, has described the victory of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari as divine.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant, Alhaji Dawood Ajetunmobi, Badmus urged the President-elect to hit the ground running with ideas that will give the people a responsible and responsive government.

    “There is no doubt that Buhari’s victory is the will of God. This is the first time in the history of our nation that an opposition party will unseat the ruling party in a presidential election.

    “Although, the victory calls for celebration but the exigency of time does not avail us the luxury of unbridled celebration. The “People’s General” should  roll up his sleeves and usher in a new era and wind of change in the country.’’

    The statement also commended the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, praising him his resilience and commitment before, during and after the polls.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan’s gesture is also commendable.

    “I see it as a master stroke for breaking the back of those who would have started fomenting trouble immediately the winner was declared.

    “This is good for the polity. Nigeria is the overall winner.”

  • ‘Buhari ’ll redeem his promises to Nigerians’

    ‘Buhari ’ll redeem his promises to Nigerians’

    Eminent citizens have described the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the dawn of a new era in the country.

    They said Buhari’s leadership will engender the process of giving Nigeria a new direction, by halting the drift that has almost plunged it into ruins.

    Afenifere Deputy Leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, said after 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, which is characterised by impunity, insecurity and corruption, Nigeria will now witness the dawn of a new era.

    Fasanmi  said: “I am personally happy at the victory of Gen. Buhari at the polls. As the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo used to say, there is no known history of unbroken darkness. However long the darkness will take there will be a glorious dawn.

    “Those who thought they could spend millions of naira and dollars to purchase victory, particularly in Yorubaland, would now cover their faces in shame. The Yoruba people have spoken, Nigerians have spoken through their ballot.

    “I am happy to say that if I meet Chief Awolowo again, I have good news for him. His dream about a new era in Nigeria has come true. That the progressives across the country have come together to rescue the nation.”

    Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, noted that efforts to use religion against Buhari failed. Accorbing to him, in spite all the lies fabricated against Buhari, he triumphed.

    Mamora said his view that no amount of money can swing Yoruba votes in favour of the PDP has been vindicated by the election results in the Southwest. “The Southwest is too sophisticated. They have made up their minds, no amount of distributed largesse will change their minds.

    “No individual or group can dictate to them on how to vote. This they have demonstrated during the presidential election. I salute their courage and perseverance. I commend them for their consistency.”

    Afenifere chieftain, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye said the victory of Gen. Buhari is an indication that God loves Nigeria. He said given the commotion, tension and bloodshed in the country the presidential election was prosecuted to its logical conclusion.

    Durojaiye said but for the composure and magnanimity of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega, the unruly behaviour of former Minister of Niger Delta Godsday Orubebe would have disrupted the declaration of the result.

    He  advised the President-elect on assumption of office to tackle corruption, insecurity and the epileptic power supply in the country. He believes if the power supply is stable, small and medium scale industries will spring up which will create jobs for unemployed youths.

    To Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), Gen. Buhari’s victory did not come as a surprise to discerning Nigerians. He said though this victory was long in coming, keen observers  know that it was inevitable.

    Ngige said: “It was a victory postponed, but not denied. It is not in doubt that the last time the PDP won an election freely and fairly was in 1999 under the administration of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    “From 2003 to 2011, the PDP had not won any free and fair election. It was the judiciary that had always legitimised the shenanigans that characterised the previous elections. It is therefore to the credit of Prof. Jega that he decided to make history by insisting that the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly elections will be free and fair.

    “Nigerians yearned for change: change from a corrupt, clueless, inept, incompetent, hopeless, divisive and hateful government that had been in office for the last 6 years. Nigerians yearned for a change from a government that had divided the country along ethnic, religious and regional lines to a government that will unite, unify and bond all Nigerians. Nigerians yearned for change from a government that had no answer to the collapsing economy, mass unemployment, insecurity and mass poverty to a government that will revive the economy, create employment and empower the masses.

    “Nigerians yearned for a government that will stop the mindless looting of our common patrimony and assets by our fellow country men and women. I am hopeful and optimistic that Gen Buhari would live up to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians that voted massively for him in the entire North, the Southwest, the Southeast and the Southsouth zones of Nigeria. The process for the redemption of our country under the leadership of Gen Buhari and Prof Yemi Osinbajo has just started.

    “All hands must be on deck to support the incoming government to return this country to the path of glory and progress. I congratulate Nigerians for this historic election in which an incumbent government at federal level has been voted out of office through a free and fair election. I must also congratulate the outgoing President  Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his spirit of sportsmanship in conceding defeat and thus saving the nation from needless post election tension and apprehension,” Ngige concluded.

  • Buhari, you do not come to us by chance

    Muhammadu Buhari, you do not come to us by chance. You who have drunk fresh water from an unnamed stream should make history.  I bet you curse providence now or thank it. I bet you wonder why it is that it must carve you so wickedly inwards the way the eclipse comes before that twist in the scenery we all love to talk about and dream about.

    Now you must find a path we both must travel; you must find that proverbial destination we all must arrive, henceforth. You must start a new vision to guarantee the attainment of the old ones laying spent in the doldrums of ineptness and all that conceit, and deceitfulness ever gave.

    Now that you know better, let every smile become the sneer you have learnt to loathe, let every sneer become such incense that would teach your heart to obsess at the crossroads where courage banters with success and progress.

    Today, our dreams are of discord and our talk is of chaos. The cowards that we are have chosen to prevaricate where remedy jostles with perversion for head-space, in the interest of our dying State. But we choose perversion. Would you too?

    Perhaps you have no inkling what turbulence you have been chosen to curtail; do you have any idea what tempests you must ride and conquer?  Perhaps you know not what madness your lot is to contend…the storm is astir Buhari, what can you do?

    Will you become the leader and messiah of our dreams? Will you become the spitting image of predators we have learnt to endure in power? Will you become the proverbial neophyte forever walking in the shadows of enfant terrible tin gods?

    Perhaps you understand not the heart of the matter Mr. Buhari; you do not come to us by chance. You come in the year when old promises stay broken and new promises founder with the breath that utters them.

    You come when the young expect nothing and the old endure forced recall and invocation of pleasures past. You come when we can charm neither logic nor wit to justify what had been taken, stolen and forsaken.

    You come when daylight jostles with our heart’s pulsed reassurance of twilight. You have become Number One citizen at scarcely our finest hour. You come when we perfect the art of decapitation of defenceless mothers, sons and daughters. You come when we master the ‘fine art’ of execution and ethnic genocide.

    You come when fear’s moon flower spreads within the clan. You come when debauchery and bloodlust colours our dawns into devious dusks of gruesomeness and slaughter. It’s a grievous weight you bear, General Buhari, I do not envy you. Given time perhaps I would wish I were you.

    But I do not now, for this brief that you accept confounds me and yet it behoves me to suggest that you remember our official histories of rancour, administrative plunder and death. Remember the histories that afflict our peace and burden our hearts; let them be your guide in your onerous task to hack memorable paths to your own narrative in the pursuit of fresh traceries and histories in the interest of our common good.

    If you can manage to achieve that, your records speak from the shelf a thousand and one years after destiny foisted your leadership upon us. And if you are a disaster like every other before you, your record shall speak from the shelf.

    Tell me, are you the disaster they say you would become. Show us; are you the effeminate struggling to pass as ‘man,’ as circumstances command? It was a brave thing that you did keeping faith in your dream even in the face of random acts of ridicule and violence hauled at you by subhuman elements like Fayose, Fani-Kayode, Faka and company.

    It was about time Buhari that you became our dream. It was about time you actualised our heartfelt wishes; Nigeria deserves more than the impotent wimps and court jesters at the helms of affairs. Now that you have become Mr. President-elect…now, what?

    I wonder if you will get carried away in the euphoria of the moment and so doing, substantiate the fears of wanton alarmists peddling calumny against your Excellency; please do not go the way of outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan and company.

    Please do not turn governance into a bazaar; Nigeria does not need more than 18 ministries to be precise. You know such grey slots I abhor, and our people detest, don’t you?

    Having committed yourself to such gallantry that excited our hearts to sing your praise, do not renounce plaudits we summon from the depths of our hearts.

    Mr. President-elect, you will have to desert the old ways…our corrupt ways. You must deviate from the path of those who played “puppet.”

    You are adjudged to be a man of better breed and character, please do not cross over to the dark side like Jonathan. You must learn from the sad fate of Jonathan; now that you have beaten him silly to the position of Head of State, his cunningness and desperate exploits amounts to nothing; the fortune-hunters that misled him have begun to desert him even after they gobbled the feed with the cart and the left-over. Its four years since 2011 when he took over and our people are passionately retracting heart-felt paternosters they made for his sake; it is only Jonathan out there, I assure you. Please do not go the way of outgoing President Jonathan.

    You have no one Buhari; it’s just you, your actions, inactions, and posterity.

    Mr President-elect Buhari, in a nation of 170 million or more, will you do better? Your first test will be in the appointments that you make; so doing, you will announce to the world what manner of leadership you have to offer. Do not go the way of the outgoing bunch of clueless toddlers who desperately sought to play ‘adult’ to our detriment.

    I hope you are man enough to take charge. I wish you would undo the unforgivable gaffe Jonathan committed foisting damaged policies and men unto our battered state. Shall expired drugs divest the heart of terminal cancer?

    Shall you now rise in high character to act unfettered? Shall you now act enabled by superior manhood to bridge the void that swallows and dampens our lives? Shall you now with calm heart and level head summon and excite the dawning perspective of human good in the interest of Nigeria’s poor, helpless citizenry?

    You see, there is some poetry to your emergence. It is your lot to re-enact the compulsive story of patriotism undiminished, bliss-stung. Shall you now summon and regurgitate that old anguishing virtuosity in the interest of State and those whose destinies listless men you defeated frustrate even as they leave?

    I wish you strength and formidable grace as you divest our fatherland of random vile and madness that became our lot in the wake of President Jonathan’s leadership. It’s never too late to divest our destiny of men and women forever maddened by lust for power and the spoils of phantom projects. I hope you find persons of private virtue, the old-fashioned…post-modern folk who would bow their heads to no blast, and stand unbending to every brute force in the world. And we know that such men and women are yet with us.

    Find them Buhari, if truly you intend to make history.

  • Buhari, Jonathan, true statemen -Agbaje

    Buhari, Jonathan, true statemen -Agbaje

    Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has praised President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari for displaying true sportsmanship and statesmanship in the presidential election.

    In a statement by Felix Oboagwina, Director of Media and Publicity to Mr. Agbaje, the PDP Governorship Candidate commended President Jonathan for placing the nation ahead of personal and party interests by conceding defeat to Buhari.

    “Many in Nigeria and the international community had feared that 2015 would witness post-election violence and explosion in the nation,” he said. “But the pre-election and post-election disposition of these competing candidates has defused the tension and frustrated all evil prognoses.”

    According to him, the two had shown themselves as true nationalists.

    Agbaje described President Jonathan as a man of history, being not only the first incumbent leader to concede defeat to the opposition, but one of the few African leaders who did not have the sit-tight or do-or-die attitude to politics.

    Congratulating Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their victory, Agbaje prayed that their reign would usher in peace and prosperity to every part of Nigeria.

    He said that by the result of the polls in Lagos, Lagosians had demonstrated that they were ready for change in the state.

    According to him, PDP’s commendable performance at the three elections came about as a synergy between indigenes and non-indigenes.

    “The results were a victory for democracy in Lagos State,” he said.

    Agbaje also congratulated Federal legislators emerging from the elections, saying, they must remember that they owed their victory to the people and they should be ready to serve the electorate.

    He urged Lagosians to hold firmly to their resolve to produce change at the April 11 governorship and state house of assembly polls.

    However, Agbaje urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to solve the several headaches that bedevilled the polls, including, lateness of polling staff at duty posts, malfunctioning card readers and the unholy alliance between officials and APC.

    “INEC owes Nigerians the duty to deliver free, fair and credible elections and the Commission must do everything humanly possible to check and avoid failure,” he said.

  • Bayelsa Rep hails Buhari, Jonathan

    Bayelsa Rep hails Buhari, Jonathan

    A member representing Sagbama-Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House Representatives, Dr. Stella Dorgu, Thursday saluted President Goodluck Jonathan for his uncommon show of sportsmanship after losing the Saturday’s election to Gen. Muhammadu, Buhari (retd).

    Dorgu who spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, further hailed Buhari for his success and appealed to him to be magnanimous in victory.

    She said the President by conceding defeat immediately demonstrated his love and commitment to the unity of Nigeria.

    Dorgu said President Jonathan had made the Ijaw proud and changed people’s negative perception against the ethnic group.

    She said the posture of the President had paved the way for a peaceful transition for the continuity of democracy in the country.

    “I salute his courage and magnanimity. I also salute Governor Seriake Dickson for keeping the Bayelsa PDP family together.

    “We will now enter another phase of political development that will make us stronger strategically. We need to work in unity for good governance in Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole,”she said.

  • Lawmaker dedicates victory to Buhari, Jonathan, Jega, Tinubu

    Lawmaker dedicates victory to Buhari, Jonathan, Jega, Tinubu

    A member of the House of Representatives and former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the June 21, 2014 election in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, has congratulated the President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari over his landslide victory in last Saturday’s presidential elections.

    In a press release made available to The Nation, Hon. Bamidele described it as “a brilliant outing by Nigerians whose determination to liberate themselves from the untold hardship and sheer misrule that characterized the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hegemony in Nigeria is worthy of celebration.”

    Bamidele, who returned back to the All Progressives Congress Congress (APC) as the campaign for the elections got underway, called on the President-elect to regard the victory as a God-given opportunity to provide a most unique and transformative leadership to the nation. He added that Gen. Buhari should not renege on his promise to ensure a zero level of tolerance for corruption and to commit himself to the security and welfare of Nigerians on assumption of office. The lawmaker said, otherwise, the efforts of all lovers of democracy at home and abroad to support his bid for the presidency will be in vain.

    He said: “In the same vein, I urge Gen. Buhari neither to allow himself to be distracted nor dissipate so much energy in probing past leaders and administrations, but rather encourage those who have looted public treasury to re-invest such money in the local economy with a view to generating more opportunities for massive employment and financial stability.

    “His most urgent assignment must be to concentrate on the critical need to assemble a highly professional and resourceful economic team that has the capacity to rescue the nation’s economy from the doldrums within a reasonable space of time, as the poverty condition among the people of this country is no more tolerable and requires an urgent intervention. He needs this crack economic team to complement his strict leadership posturing in order to move the nation forward.

    Bamidele also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for his spirit of sportsmanship. “He has demonstrated that he has the spirit of a good sportsman and has acted in the interest of peace, progress and unity of our dear nation. The issue at stake is beyond Gen. Buhari and President Jonathan as it is essentially about the sustainability of our democracy as a nation and the need for us to demonstrate to the rest of the world that Nigeria has come of age and has set her foot on the right path in terms of commitment to global best democratic practice standard.”

    He described the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, and the National Leader of the APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as men who would go down in history as defenders of democracy. He said Prof. Jega is a man whose integrity and strength of character “became the blood and tonic that sustained the electoral process.”

    He also described Asiwaju Tinubu as the foremost opposition leader whose selfless and resourceful efforts gave rise to the new Nigeria everyone is celebrating today. He added: “Tinubu was once referred to as ‘the last man standing’ when he was the only surviving governor following the so-called ‘electoral tsunami’ that swept away his counterparts in the Southwest geo-political region in the 2003 general elections.

    “Tinubu did not only leave progressive legacies of socio-economic transformation in Lagos State, but went back to the trenches to rescue the rest of the Southwest region from the PDP between 2003 and 2011 in a tumultuous legal and political battle of heroic dimension.”

  • APC lauds Ondo for backing Buhari

    APC lauds Ondo for backing Buhari

    The Ondo State Coordinator of the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Ife Oyedele, has thanked the people for voting massively for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in last Saturday’s presidential election.

    Oyedele noted in a press statement he signed personally that it is gratifying that Ondo people chose to vote for the APC flag bearer in spite of the heavy intimidation and monetary inducement offered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    The Coordinator noted that the victory of the party in Ondo is particularly significant when viewed against the fact that the progressive camp has not been in government  in the state for the past 12 years. He said: “In Ondo State, the APC contended with, and defeated Governor Mimiko, the Southwest Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Committee, who spent billions of naira to induce the electorates.”

    Governor Mimiko had earlier bragged that he will deliver one million votes to President Jonathan.

    Oyedele praised the gallant people of Ondo for standing firm in the face of unrelenting attacks by the gang of thugs deployed all over the state by Governor Mimiko.

    He urged the electorate to vote massively for all APC candidates in the House of Assembly election slated for Saturday, April 11, 2015, “so that Ondo State can be finally rid of the last vestiges of a mindless, inept and non-performing administration of the PDP.”

    He enjoined the Inspector General of Police to ensure that PDP thugs arrested before and during the election for various electoral offenses are prosecuted.

    Oyedele said the party leaders would meet to deliberate on the victories won by PDP candidates during the election, to decide whether to go to court or not.

  • U.S. based Nigerian actor congratulates Buhari, Ben Bruce

    U.S. based Nigerian actor congratulates Buhari, Ben Bruce

    Hollywood based Nigerian filmmaker, Pascal Atuma, has congratulated Nigeria’s president-elect, General Buhari and Mr. Ben Murray Bruce on their victory at the poll.

    About a week ago, Atuma had stated his preference for Nigeria’s next leader, saying: “If I have to choose between former President Buhari and President Jonathan Goodluck, and they are the only options available as it stands, I will vote for Buhari.”

    He said: “At this moment in time, Buhari is the best option for Nigeria and I am happy that the good and wonderful citizens of Nigeria did the right thing, they have spoken and their voice did the job. I am happy that Buhari will be leading us for the next four years and I believe he will do a fantastic job.”

    Speaking further, Atuma said, “I also want to remind the new President to take care of Nollywood , support Nollywood at all cost and levels and remember that Nollywood flies the flag of Nigeria positively across the globe and that we all supported him from day one because we knew he was the best for us and is the best for us. Together we will move Nigeria forward in a positive direction.”

    The Hollywood filmmaker also congratulated Mr. Ben Murray Bruce, Chairman of Silverbird Group, on winning a Senate seat. He went on to say:

    “I know Mr Ben very well and what he stands for, so with people like him now in the seat of power and involved in decision making, the future of Nigeria is bright, brighter than it has ever been, it is a beautiful season for Nigeria, season of great hope, I am happy and excited and looking forward to the new Nigeria, full of hope and development.

    “This election will serve as lesson to all, the days are gone when politics in Nigeria is business as usual, today, this day the people spoke loud and clear, and their voices echoed the change that we desire for the future of Nigeria.

    “May God bless Nigeria and I wish the new regime the best, and call on all Nigerians, home and abroad to help this new regime to achieve a better Nigeria.”

  • LCCI advises Buhari on cost of doing business, others

    LCCI advises Buhari on cost of doing business, others

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) yesterday urged president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to urgently address the fundamental problem of high cost of doing business in the country as soon as his government is inaugurated.

    Its President, Alhaji Remi Bello who spoke during Council Meeting lamented that the declining oil prices and its impact on fiscal outlook presents a significant challenge to the incoming administration.

    According to him, the outlook for many macro-economic indicators is not bright with foreign reserves dipping below $30 billion and persistent pressure on the naira.  He is however hopeful that the success of the presidential election will mitigate the anxiety and uncertainty that characterised the business environment before the elections, adding that investors’ confidence will be positively impacted by recent developments in the political space.

    The LCCI boss urged the incoming administration to also address the fundamentals problem of low productivity which he blamed on macro-economic factors, institutional challenges and structural issues, stressing that the government must also prioritise  issues such as blocking all fiscal leakages and wastes in government, especially in respect of the management of petroleum products subsidy. LCCI also called for immediate review of the activities of the Joint Task Force (JTF’s) in the Niger Delta area where revenue is lost daily due to oil theft.

    Other issues according to him, are import duty waivers, ghost workers in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and service wide votes. He further stressed the need to prioritise government expenditure to boost investments in critical infrastructure. The challenge of high cost of governance, collapse of the rail system, poor power supply also demand urgent attention, he added. He also called on the in-coming administration to sustain the momentum of the war on terrorism and insurgency in parts of the country.

    Its Director-General, Mr.Muda Yusuf called for performances audit of key regulatory institutions whose activities impact on the private sector.

    Yusuf said the government should ensure acceleration of reforms on the oil & gas sector in order to attract more private investments in both the upstream & downstream segments of the sector.  This would save the economy the current huge foreign exchange used for importation of petroleum products.