The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

Obasanjo clears air on PTF, absolves Buhari of wrongdoing

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday on Tuesday absolved the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) of wrong doing while he was the chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund.

Obasanjo said the former head of state made no personal gains while his headship of the agency lasted

He also advised the APC and Buhari to recruit into their government “men and women of character” if the party wins the February 14 presidential poll.

Obasanjo said such people of character and integrity abound in all political parties and also in every parts of the country, adding that when brought in, they make things better for a government, the country and the citizenry.

The former president, who addressed Buhari and other APC chieftains, said the advice also applies to other political parties.

The meeting which took place at Obasanjo’s Presidential Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was also attended by Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie – Oyegun, the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbe, Senator Bukola Saraki and Chief Bisi Akande, among others.

On PTF, Obasanjo said the report of a panel of inquiry established to look into the book of the agency “was not of any material importance.”

According to the former president, he called off further inquisition into the PTF when Buhari assured him that there was no personal benefit accrued to him while his tenure at the agency lasted.

The former Nigeria leader insisted that he is still a card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party and had chosen to remain firm in PDP at the ward level, noting that regardless of the political parties participating in the elections, Nigeria “comes first and should remain paramount” to him.

Obasanjo told the visiting APC chieftains that he put off all engagement outside the state capital on Tuesday when he gathered that they would be visiting him, urging politicians seeking votes to engage in campaign of “issues” and how to solve the nation’s “crying problems” rather than feeding them with inanities.

Buhari in his address, said, “Your Excellency, under whom I served the most lucrative appointment‎ of the Minister of Petroleum Resources for three and a quarter years before he sent me on course.

“When I set about the programme of going round the states‎, somebody has the temerity to ask me that when I come to Ogun State, shall I call on Chief Olusegun Obasanjo?

“I don’t think I answered the man, I just looked the other way. I think that I should not come here (Abeokuta) in whatever capacity without calling to pay my respect.

“Sir, it’s a fact that you know more than all we know about the problem that we are in. But what we will do is ‎try to convince you to believe us that we are going to do better.
“We expect your understanding and support, although you insist in remaining in PDP. I have reached a certain degree of frustration in my attempt for you to try to shift a bit but you have refused.

“Briefly, we have been going around three fundamental issues – security, economy, corruption. This vicious circle is what the APC is determined to break. Because without security, there is no way the country can settle down not to talk of living in it.”

January 13, 2015
Buhari, APC leaders visit Obasanjo

All Progressive Congress Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and party leaders during a visit to Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta on Monday. Photo: Ernest Nwokolo

January 13, 2015
Buhari to receive defecting senator, others in Nasarawa

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will next Saturday receive into the party a defecting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, John Danboyi, and over 2,000 supporters from Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

Gen. Buhari is also expected to inaugurate the multi-million naira Lafia Square and other projects as his campaign train moves to Nasarawa State on January 17.

According to Malam Yakubu Lamai, the director of press to Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, necessary arrangements had been concluded to accord the PDP defectors a rousing welcome to add impetus to the campaign.

Lamai told our reporter in Lafia, the state capital, that APC remained the party to beat in the state.

The governor’s aide said the party was enjoying overwhelming support, adding that the people were confident in Al-Makura’s administration.

Lamai said the governor would also kick-start his campaign with Gen. Buhari’s on same day.

The governor’s aide said APC stakeholders would ensure nearly 100 per cent victory for the party.

He said Al-Makura’s campaign would be anchored on the popular slogan of “seeing is believing”.

According to him, the achievements of the governor have been documented with verifiable facts, images, data and testimonials from the people.

Lamai said scores of aggrieved PDP supporters from Doma had indicated their resolve to join the APC and be received by Gen. Buhari at the campaign.

January 13, 2015
We will end insecurity, corruption – Buhari

…Amaechi accuses Jonathan of deceiving Ndigbo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Monday in Owerri, Imo State, said his administration will sign an undertaken for good governance with Nigerians in order to ensure that it will promptly address the challenges of leadership failure the country is grappling with.

Buhari ,who spoke at the Dan Anyiam Stadium during the grand finale of the APC rally in the Southeast, said in the last 16 years under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government, the “country has gone from bad to worse,” lamenting that all the sectors of the economy had taken a turn for the worst.

The APC candidate who was given an Ibo name, Okechukwu, meaning God’s own portion, said, “we will sign an undertaken that the APC led government will make Boko Haram a thing of the past. We will upgrade the low standard of education, healthcare, infrastructure and power to revive our ailing economy.”

He therefore urged the people of the Southeast to “send the PDP parking,” assuring that his administration will place priority on job creation and youth empowerment as a viable tool to tackling insecurity and restiveness.

Speaking earlier, the Director General of Buhari Campaign Organization and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that the purported second Niger Bridge contract, was a mere ruse conceived by President Goodluck Jonathan to deceive Ndigbo and give them a false sense of belonging.

He said, “The second Niger Bridge was a mere fraud by the PDP to deceive Ndigbo but we in APC are honest men, we don’t have 419 men among us and we will fulfill all our promises. You should ask President Jonathan to show you what he has done for the Igbo.”

Further accusing the President of corruption, the Rivers Governor, noted that, “the economy has gone down completely because of large scale corruption encouraged by President Jonathan. During Yar’Adua’s administration, the price of crude fell to $45 per litre but Nigerians did not feel the pain because of the excess crude reserve but the present administration has squandered the excess crude reserve and Nigerians are suffering.”

January 12, 2015
We will end Jonathan’s impunity – Buhari

… Warns supporters against violence

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Monday assured Nigerians of the readiness of the party to end the impunity of the current government, while asking his supporters not to engage in any illegal act during campaigns leading the February 14 presidential elections.

Speaking while inaugurating an 80- man Presidential Campaign Council and his campaign office in Abuja, Buhari who was clad in a while Babanriga and milk colored cap and brown shoes to match, said the Peoples Democratic Party and the Jonathan government had failed to address any of the important concerns of the Nigerian people.

The former head of state said, “We intend to prosecute this campaign to win and we shall win. We undertake to end the impunity of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, a party that has proved clueless in every material. Particularly, it has failed to address any of the important concerns of the people of this country.

“It has failed to deal squarely with the great security challenge that has faced this nation within these last five years. And it has remained touchy and impervious to all constructive criticism and without concern for human life and for the suffering going on in the land.”

He told members of the party and other Nigerians to be vigilant before, during and after the election, “so that sponsored hoodlums do not commit illegalities that are in the end blamed on you. Not only must you not take the law into your hands, no matter the level of provocation, you must be able to expose those planning to do so before they act.

“I know it is all too painful for you to see votes you cast being disregarded and votes illegally thumb printed being counted to rig out the choice that you have legitimately and conclusively made. And it is even more painful when you know that the road to remedy has been firmly shut in your face, for, you are always called on to accept a judgment whose justice you cannot see, whose logic is flawed and whose facts speak against itself.

“All the same, I urge you to take to patience. I wish to assure you that the leadership of the opposition is not unmindful of this sad and frustrating situation, and has accordingly put in place a mechanism that will permanently put an end to rigging in this country.”

While lamenting the security situation in the country, Buhari said, “As we campaigned, Boko Haram attacked Baga town in Borno State, reportedly killing 2,000 people. But to this clueless government, this toll is just a number, a statistic that adds up to the litany that has gone before it.

“And worst of all, this PDP government has split the country along all known fault lines. It is time to send them into deserved retirement; which, in the normal cause of events, it will have done nothing to deserve.

“On our part, we have solemnly promised this nation that we are going to secure it against all threats, manage its resources efficiently and with demonstrable transparency, and then fix whatever is amiss in it.

“Under an APC government, no one will go to bed hungry, angry with the government or with the fear of insurgents or nocturnal visitors. We shall secure the government for the people and fix it. And, verily, we shall deliver on every of our promises.”

While paying tribute to founders of the party, he said, “Let me seize this opportunity to first pay special tribute to the leadership given by Chief Bisi Akande to the entire enterprise. It is no exaggeration to say that APC owes everything to the leadership given, the tact, wisdom and fairness displayed by Chief Akande.

“Next, I would like to recognise Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose sacrifices, organisational skills and extensive political network did much to straighten and cement the blocks of the merger and then take APC to unprecedented heights of acceptance in important areas of the country.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to all of you for the confidence you have decided to repose in me to be the presidential flag bearer of our great party. I feel honoured and thoroughly humbled.”

January 12, 2015
Why we are supporting Buhari, by Arewa group

A head of next month’s general election, Hausa residents in the Southwest have endorsed the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as their choice.

The group, “Buhari Campaign Organisation, Arewa Southwest”, cited the growing insecurity as their reason for supporting Buhari.

It urged all northerners in the zone to ensure that they vote out President Goodluck Jonathan and all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for Nigerian to get the desired change.

The group’s coordinator, Ali Idris, who addressed people in Lagos yesterday, said they were ready to fight as patriotic Nigerians to ensure future hope and social security.

Idris, who spoke in Hausa and later summarised his speech in English language, said Buhari and the APC will wipe out corruption and insecurity that has forced most northerners to relocate and become carrot sellers in the south.

He urged the people to ensure that they go and collect their PVCs and vote for the APC to secure their future and that of their children.

“Good citizens want change because of PDP’s failure for 16 years. No peace, no economic growth, no employment, nothing. This is not what we want for our country. They are trying to break this country, but it will not work. Nigeria’s strength is in its unity. There is no country like Nigeria,” Idris said.

Also speaking, Umar Mohammed expressed displeasure that the President has not shown concern nor visited victims of terror attacks and their families.

He said: “How can a President, who leads about 200 million people, not be concerned that some of his people are being killed? He has not for a day, gone to visit the victims. He has not secured the house. He is inhuman and we do not want him.

“We want all northerners in the Southwest to vote for only Buhari and the APC. The wind of change is blowing. People know that the PDP government has failed and even PDP members know that they cannot win this election. They will no longer be in power again.

January 12, 2015
Support for Buhari

A socio-political group, Grassroots Mobilisation for Muhammadu Buhari (GMMB), has called for support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

The National Coordinator, Remi Oyebamiji, said yesterday that there was need for the wind of change to blow in the country.

“We know Buhari is the only one who can end corruption in Nigeria. The only one who can promise and keep it. He has no oil well. This is the right time. With APC, It’s a party with political structure.

”This is the time we need Buhari the most. If Buhari can come back this time around, I can assure you that all that all the youth will be busy.

“It is because the youth are not busy, that’s why you are having Boko Haram, that’s why there are militants and area boys.

“He has done it before. You can see the rate of corruption in the system now. And the corruption has caused Boko Haram, unemployment, indiscipline.

“This is a fellow who when he was head of state there was nothing like corruption. He’s the only one who can give us zero corruption. Don’t let us deceive ourselves. It is so glaring now, if Buhari comes in now, corruption will be zero, and development will be there.”

January 12, 2015
APC Southeast hails Buhari

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast has hailed the promise made to Ndigbo by its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, to revamp the abandoned coal deposits in Enugu.

Buhari, when launching his presidential campaign in Enugu at the weekend, promised to revamp the abandoned coal deposits and use it for electricity generation in the Southeast.

In a statement yesterday, the Southeast spokesman for APC, Osita Okechukwu, said Gen. Buhari had rekindled the hope of the Southeast people that the coal deposits abandoned after the civil war would be revamped.

He recalled that in the 1970s and even up to the 1980s, abundant deposits of coal in Enugu were used to power the Oji River Power Station, which generated electricity for the East and beyond.

Okechukwu said: “In those days, electricity from Oji River Power Station served industries in the East, such as Premier Cashew Industry in Oghe, Avop Vegetable Oil in Nachi, Sunrise Flour Mills, Aluminum Industry, Ohebe Dim, Niger Gas and Niger Steel.

“Today, coal has been abandoned, while Oji River Power Station has gone moribund, throwing our region into darkness like other parts of the country. These industries that formed the industrial base of the Southeast have become moribund, hence there is massive unemployment.

“We have confidence in Gen. Buhari to redeem his promise; unlike the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government that for the last 16 years has reneged on the promise to revamp the coal industry, which it made on the eve of every election. I recall that in 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to revamp coal and to date the 3D Seismic Study is yet to begin.

“But, with the promise Gen. Buhari made last Saturday to revamp coal for electricity generation, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. His promise is a bond and commitment.

“No doubt, our industries will come alive again and boost the economy of our region. Our youths will minimise their migration, as many will be employed. The economy of the Southeast will blossom once again and our region will reclaim its lost glory as the industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria.”

He said with Buhari’s commitment, Ndigbo should be reassured, for he is a man of integrity, who, as the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) chairman, started the greater Enugu Water Scheme aborted by the PDP.

Okechukwu added: “My brothers and sisters, kindly listen to the advice of our elder statesman, former Vice President and founding Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, to Ndigbo not to put all our eggs in one basket, especially when the PDP has lost the vision of its founding fathers.”

He praised Buhari for his promise to give soft loans to farmers in the Southeast, unlike his opponent, President Jonathan, who came to Enugu to throw stones.”

January 12, 2015
ACF not divided over Buhari, says Waku

•Seeks resolution to Benue governorship crisis

A chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Benue State All Progressives Congress (APC) former governorship aspirant, Senator Joseph Waku, has said the North is not divided over the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of the February 14 election.

Waku was a senator between 1999 and 2003.

He urged APC national leadership to address the crisis in the state chapter, following the governorship primary, to avoid losing some elections in the state.

Waku said those against the emergence of Gen. Buhari had criminal records or intended to carry out some criminal activities.

The senator noted that Gen. Buhari’s Presidency would not be interested in witch-hunting people.

He said: “There is no single division in the ACF regarding who becomes the candidate of any political party, not even Gen. Buhari. We are non-partisan. So, our job is like that of an umpire – we moderate. For all our children who want to get into politics, we advise them not to get into crisis. So, we are non-partisan.

“I am sure you are referring to a dissident group called the Northern a Elders Council, headed by an outdated Northerner who has never won an election even as a councillor.

“Otherwise, the North is united about who becomes President of this country, particularly a Northerner. They always believe that based on the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) zoning, a Northerner should be a candidate. They thought the APC, which has no zoning, decided on a credible Nigeria who happens to be a Northerner. There is no division in the North.

“There is division and hatred for those who are either criminals and are afraid of going back to jail, or those who intend to be criminals. These are the people against gen. Bihari in the North and in Nigeria. No Nigerian, who wants this country to progress, is against Gen. Buhari.

“There are quite few people whose records are not yet strengthened who are afraid. But we keep telling them that Gen. Buhari will not run a vengeance government. He will not witch-hunt anybody. We are all Nigerians and, together, we shall build a united Nigeria.

“But that is not to say that law and order will not be allowed to take its course. Some of those who mismanage their responsibilities may be called to question. It may not even be Gen. Buhari…”

January 12, 2015
Lawyers drum up support for Buhari/Osinbajo ticket

The A group, ‘Lawyers for Change’has urged Nigerians to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), at the general elections.

The group promised to mobilise the people to endorse the ticket at the poll.

Speaking at the inauguration of the group in Lagos, the National Coordinator, Adesina Ogunlana, said the ticket “represents the best option now for the salvation of our country from the misrule of incompetent and selfish leaders.

He added: “That is why we identify and support credible participants in the political process, irrespective of ethnic, religious or party affiliation, who can lift our country out of her myriad of socio-economic and political problems and move her forward”.

Ogunlana, a former first Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, said when Osinbajo emerged as the vice presidential running mate to Buhari, Nigerians discovered the alternative route to power. He said the election will be very challenging, urging menof goodwill to rise to the occasion.

Ogunlana stressed: “That is why we have come together to let the people know that Yemi Osinbajo is not just any other presidential candidate. “We want Nigerians to know that the distinguished professor of Law and learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) whom the APC has paired with Buhari for 2015 presidential elections is an exceptionally gifted, surpassingly decent and a very progressive-minded individual”.

“Our group is highly interested in and committed to the betterment of the country which we believe is bedevilled by many self-inflicted injuries as a result of which her prosperity, development and stability are badly compromised”, he said adding that what Nigeria needs now is urgent rescue from her myriad of economic and political problems.

January 12, 2015