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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, Onu, others: Jega must go

    Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, Onu, others: Jega must go

    Police barricade on their way and the sun blazing above, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders marched yesterday on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

    Leading the way were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, APC Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) former chairman Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and many others.

    Their mission – to demand the cancellation of the November 16 Anambra State governorship election, resignation of INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and dissolution of the management of the electoral body. In a scene reminiscent of the pro-democracy struggle between 1993 and 1998 during the military era, the leaders trekked for about five kilometrer from the APC National Secretariat in Blantyre Street, Wuse II, Abuja to Zambezi Crescent in Maitama District where INEC is located.

    The initial stage of the trek was piloted by Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State) and many members of the National Assembly.

    The “great trek” was later co-ordinated by a former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change, Buba Galadima, an engineer.

    But when the procession took off, Gen. Buhari and some top leaders of APC withstood the rigours of standing in an open lorry for the protest march.

    Others in the lorry were Akande, Tinubu; Onu; a former National Chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party(APP), Alhaji Yusuf Ali; ex-Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima, ex-Governor Segun Osoba; ex-Governor Niyi Adebayo; Senator Nazif Suleiman; APC Deputy National Secretary Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Senator Abu Ibrahim; and former House of Representatives member Dino Melaye.

    Others who participated in the hectic protest were Senators Oluremi Tinubu; Sola Adeyeye; Domingo Obende; Anthony Adeniyi; Ahmed Lawan and Gbenga Asafa.

    House Minority Leader Femi Gbajiabiamila and Chairman of the House Committee on the Diaspora Abike Dabiri-Erewa were there.

    Others were the Deputy Minority Chief Whip in the House, Hon. Garba Datti; Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Suleiman Kawu; Hon. Umar Bago; Hon. Adeola Solomon; Hon. Yakubu Balogun; and Hon. Pally Iriase; Hon. Munir Hakeem; Hon. Abayomi Ayeola; Hon. Taiwo Adelekan; Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi; Hon. Gafar Akintayo; Hon. Sunday Adepoju; Hon. Ajibola Famurewa; the APC National Women Leader, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor, APC National Treasurer, and Hajiya Sadiat Umar Farouk,

    Waving brooms – the APC’s symbol – the brought traffic to a standstill for about two hours on the ever-busy Ademola Adetokunbo Street in Wuse II. Revolutionary songs blared from mounted speakers.

    Many workers in the business district abandoned offices to identify with the protesters.

    They held leaflets and placards with the following inscriptions: “Anambrarians, Nigerians are with you”; “Anambra Election: Jega, not the INEC Messiah, Resign Now”; “2015, No hope with Jega”; “No Supplementary Election in Anambra”; “Cancel Anambra Governorship Election Now”; and “Election Fraud Must Stop Now”.

    The procession, which started at about 10.30pm, berthed at the INEC headquarters at about 12.03pm.

    The situation turned into a battle front with the protesters at one end and combat ready soldiers and policemen at another end.

    Journalists were left in between as the protesters moved slowly towards the armed soldiers and policemen.

    At about 100metres to INEC gate, 20 armed policemen, backed by a new Armoured Personnel Carrier with registration number NPF, 635 9C, formed a brick wall to restrict the protesters.

    The wall was closely supported by a team of armed soldiers in a Hillux van marked ORS 0121.

    For about five minutes, it was a tug of war between the protesters and the policemen and the soldiers.

    The protesters succeeded in breaking only the first wall mounted by 20 policemen. Attempts to advance towards INEC’s gate were thwarted by the armoured vehicle and the soldiers.

    The protesters opted to hold a rally at about 50 metres to INEC’s gate, having achieved their aim to assert their right to protest.

    They also succeeded in sending the National Secretary of APC, Alhaji Tijani Tumsah, to submit a letter to the Office of the Chairman of INEC.

    The letter, dated 28th November, 2013, was signed by the National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and addressed to INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    Firing the first salvo at the mini-rally, Akande said:

    “If INEC is around to take this, we are ready to give it to INEC. The letter is our protest against the rigging of Anambra election. It is against the rigging of Delta State senatorial election. It is against the rigging of Oguta House of Assembly election. And our coming is to ask Nigerians to support us to stop rigging in Nigeria. There is poverty in Nigeria because of fraud. The rigging of election is the greatest fraud that any nation can have and we want to stop electoral rigging in Nigeria. This is because from our democracy our economy will develop, industrialisation will be established.

    “So, we are here to say ‘no’ to election rigging and present the letter to INEC. Whoever can come forward, the letter is here.”

    Clad in a cream kaftan, ex-Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, amid shouts of “Sai Buhari!”, said: “We are here mainly to give the letter to INEC on our representation to do away with the election in Anambra that was conducted and demanding the cancellation of the election totally and fix another day for the election. The reason we have put it in the letter, which will be handed over to INEC.”

    Welcomed with a new appellation of Asiwaju of Nigeria, the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu, was more pungent in his remarks.

    He said the rot in INEC must stop with the overhauling of the commission

    He shouted: “The greatest Nigerian democrats!” We are here to serve warning signal to INEC. As an institution, they do not represent the interest of Nigeria. They are all compromised electoral officers. They have committed criminal offences by rigging elections in Nigeria. The electoral commissioners represent 90% of card-carrying members of PDP. We are calling for dissolution of INEC immediately.

    “With the amendment of the electoral law, they have never complied with the Uwais Report. They rig; after rigging, because we endure them. They are used to sharing the election money and to promote corruption.

    “We are rejecting totality the predetermined result of the rigging in Anambra, the Delta Senatorial election, the Oguta House election. They thought they will keep us in lamentation, no, we are no more in lamentation.

    “We are determined for liberty- to liberate Nigeria, to change election thievery, change the electoral fraud, to change the institution here. Jega cannot manage the people, he should resign immediately. No one will accept this result from him. We have engaged him enough with excuses; we are no more taking them. This is our institution.”

    Tinubu urged policemen and soldiers not to attack the protesters because they are fighting for their cause.

    He added: “Police, your children are involved; your lives are involved. Nigeria police, your children’s life, your future lie here. We can obey you to the extent we are going back now. We have delivered the letter but next time, next time, we will not tolerate you to become the armed wing of PDP.

    “If the Nigeria Police have become the armed wing of the PDP, let us know. That is the way you are behaving. If Nigerian Army is now representing their patriotic sense to only one party, they should serve us notice and let us know. We all join the army and dabaru (scatter) the whole thing. This nonsense must stop. APC will stop the rigging. From now on, you must rig and roast. God bless Nigeria.”

    Onu said: “Is there anybody here who is happy with happenings in our country? Is there anybody here who is happy with the way INEC is conducting election in our country?

    “The APC will put an end to this. We need free and fair elections in our county. Why is PDP afraid of free and fair elections? Why are they afraid of the people? You must have free and fair elections so that our people will elect those they like. It is only when we do such that we can elect people who will put the interest of our country first. We are saying no to election rigging. We want free and fair election in our country; we want competition in the political arena. Why should this government embark on privatisation? Why should they want competition in the economic arena but do not want it in the political arena? Why should our President promise us in Onitsha that Anambra State governorship election will be free and fair? And everybody knows that that election was not free and fair. Why is it that the President has kept quiet? We want him to speak up; we want free and fair election in our country. Enough of this. We want to make sure that we have free and fair election in our country. Nigerians, we must come out and make sure that elections are free and fair.”

    Melaye, who did a yeoman job to ensure the success of the protest, said: “Once we have a sanitised electoral system, we will celebrate the obituary of PDP for ever. We are going to sing the old national anthem and we will be done.”

  • Buhari, Tinubu fighting for better Nigeria, says Lamido

    Buhari, Tinubu fighting for better Nigeria, says Lamido

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu are working for the good of the country, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido said yesterday.

    The governor spoke in Dutse, the state capital, while receiving former military Head of State Gen. Abdussalami Abubakar, who was rounding off his two-day visit to the state.

    Lamido, one of the G-7 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors crusading for internal democracy and good administration of the ruling party, described PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur as a “polio virus to Nigerian democracy”.

    Lamido, who declined to join the APC like five of his colleagues in the G7, described Tukur’s style of leadership as a threat to democracy, which people fought for, losing wealth and lives.

    He said Tukur’s action was capable of throwing the country into “total doom”.

    Lamido told Gen. Abdulsalami: “It is quite unfortunate that 14 years after you, Abubakar Abdulsalami, out of your national patriotism and selfless commitment to the nation, conquered all the temptations around you and relinquished government, things are being run like this.”

    According to the governor, the PDP’s house is in a shambles as a result of Tukur’s leadership style. He accused the party leader of lacking ideas on how to develop the party.

    He said his colleagues who earlier in the week defected to the APC did so out of frustration, adding: “ Most of them had worked for the advancement of the PDP in their states, but instead of the party to show appreciation, it ended up sending people parking unceremoniously.”

    The governor described Gen, Abdulsalami as a democrat for his role in handing over power to a democratically- elected government in 1999. He is a “father of democracy in Nigeria”.

    He urged him to raise up his hands and say “no” to anti- democratic forces and enemies of democracy.

    “It is high time people like you started talking so as to rescue democracy and the nation so that the legacies you have bequeathed will not be trampled upon by never do wells,” Lamido told his guest.

    To Gen. Abubakar, Nigeria is at the crossroads and will need the prayers of all to survived.

    He said the country would not survive in an atmosphere dominated by rancour and violence.

    “Whereever we are, we must make peace and this is also applicable to politics.

    “We, as people, must avoid violence and if there is any difference among us, there are procedures to follow – like the judiciary,” he said.

    The former head of state noted that the effort to restore democracy in the country during his regime was possible because of the commitment of all Nigerians.

    Gen. Abubakar praised Lamido for transforming his state positively, noting that the governor executed people-oriented projects.

    He said: “Whoever left Dutse 10 years ago would be overwhelmed by the level of progress recorded by the Lamido administration.”

    Gen. Abdulsalami visited the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi, in his palace and inaugurated the multi-billion naira State High Court, which he described as the best in the country.

  • Anambra poll: Buhari, Tinubu, others protest at INEC headquarters

    Anambra poll: Buhari, Tinubu, others protest at INEC headquarters

    Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari defied police and military barricade to march on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in protest against the shoddy conduct of the governorship poll in Anambra State.

    They demanded outright cancellation of the election by INEC.

    They also called for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and dissolution of the management of the electoral body.

    Reminiscence of pro-democracy struggle between 1993 and 1998 during the dark days of military era, the leaders trekked for about five kilometers from APC National Secretariat in Blantyre Street in Wuse II part of Abuja to Zambezi Crescent in Maitama District where INEC is located.

    The initial stage of the trek was piloted by Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State) and many members of the National Assembly.

    The great trek was later coordinated by a former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change, Engr. Buba Galadima.

    But when the procession took off, Buhari and some top leaders of APC withstood the rigours of standing in an open lorry for the protest march.

    Others tucked in the lorry were the National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; a former National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; a former National Chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party(APP), Alhaji Yusuf Ali; ex-Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima, ex-Governor Segun Osoba; ex-Governor Niyi Adebayo; Senator Nazif Suleiman; the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Senator Abu Ibrahim; and a former member of the House of Representatives, Comrade Dino Melaye.

    Others who participated in the hectic protest were Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senator (Prof.) Sola Adeyeye; Senator Domingo Obende; Senator Anthony Adeniyi; Senator Ahmed Lawan; Senator Gbenga Asafa; House Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajiabiamila and the Chairman of the House Committee on the Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri.

    Others were the Deputy Minority Chief Whip in the House, Hon. Garba Datti; Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Suleiman Kawu; Hon. Umar Bago; Hon. Adeola Solomon; Hon. Yakubu Balogun; Hon. Pally Iriase; Hon. Munir Hakeem; Hon. Abayomi Ayeola; Hon. Taiwo Adelekan; Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi; Hon. Gafar Akintayo; Hon. Sunday Adepoju; Hon. Ajibola Famurewa; the APC National Women Leader, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor, APC National Treasurer, and Hajiya Sadiat Umar Farouk,

    Waving brooms amidst blare of revolutionary songs, traffic was brought to a standstill for about two hours along the ever busy Ademola Adetokunbo Street in Wuse II.

    Many workers in the business district abandoned offices to identify with the protesters.

    They wielded leaflets and placards with the following inscriptions: “Anambrarians, Nigerians are with you,” “Anambra Election: Jega, not the INEC Messiah, Resign Now,” “2015, No hope with Jega,” “No Supplementary Election in Anambra,” “Cancel Anambra Governorship Election Now,” “Election Fraud Must Stop Now.”

     

  • Buhari, Tinubu, G-7 governors meet in Abuja

    Buhari, Tinubu, G-7 governors meet in Abuja

    The G-7 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday morning began a crucial meeting with top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

    The meeting which began at 9.30am at Kano Governor’s Lodge followed a similar one by the governors that ended at midnight.

    Although the agenda of the session were sketchy at press time, there were indications that it might be connected with overtures to the governors by APC leadership.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The meeting is the last in the series to guide the governors to either remain in PDP or defect to APC.

    “It is part of the ongoing consultations by the aggrieved governors.”

    Those at the meeting are a former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Murtala Nyako, Abdulfatai Ahmed, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ex-Governor Bukola Saraki and Imam Kashim among others.

    Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wammako, was being expected as at press time.

     

  • APC alleges plot to print Buhari-Amaechi posters

    APC alleges plot to print Buhari-Amaechi posters

    There are plans to cause disaffection in the All Progressives Congress (APC), its leading lights alleged yesterday.

    Their proof: presidential posters of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi are to be pasted in the North.

    A high-ranking government official is alleged to be the sponsor of the posters as part of a plan to divide the APC.

    The government official contracted the printers in Kaduna to print inciting campaign posters of the Buhari-Amaechi cooked-up ticket.

    It was gathered that one of the workers in the printing firms provided a tip-off, which led to the uncovering of the plot.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “They are printing Buhari-Amaechi posters as president and vice-president for distribution nationwide, especially in the North, by weekend. They are trying to blackmail Buhari and Amaechi to create a crisis within the opposition.

    “The posters have been designed to contain threat warnings to APC leaders to either give the ticket to Buhari-Amaechi team or forget about winning the 2015 poll.

    “Some forces have become jittery following the recent mileage of the APC, especially in the North.

    “They think they can split the APC to achieve their selfish end. But they cannot succeed because the wind of change is certainly blowing across the country.”

    It was gathered that the attention of some APC leaders had been drawn to the plot.

    An APC governor said: “We have heard about their covert plan but Nigerians are no fools; they can read between the lines.

    “The APC is a party of decorum. They (the falsifiers) cannot go far in their desperation to divide us.”

    Governor Amaechi’s Chief of Staff Mr. Tony Okorocha said: “The governor has not told anyone about his political ambition. He is preoccupied with the mandate he is holding in trust till 2015.

    “Nigerians should discountenance posters of the Buhari-Amaechi ticket because some mischief makers are at work.”

  • We deserve better governance; preventable road crashes; Professor Iyayi-RIP

    The people of Nigeria have never had the government they deserve. Try the 30 kilometre Lagos bound five lane 10,000 vehicle traffic jam this past Sunday afternoon. Try the 2000-car traffic mayhem at the MM2 Airport car park and arrivals and departure areas on Friday November 15. Too many vehicles – No governance! The successive governments of Nigeria have had such malleable people to govern, a fact the governments took advantage of to bastardise the citizens and country such that corruption rose from 10% as reported by very distinguished late Princess Tejumade Alakija, Head of Service in the Western Region to 100% and even 300%. How many ID cards would we each have if all the multibillion dollar ID card megascams had been supervised for progress and service delivery and not you-chop-I-chop-for-the-boys? The problem from the ID scams to the still-in-court N26m -N34billion pension scams to the ‘hot in jail’ Oyo State pension scam or the N250m bullet proof scam point to bad governance.

    Of course the Mobutu Economic Solution (MES) applies equally to the Nigerian corrupt political and economic life. The MES revealed that if Mobutu asked for $1m, the Finance Minister asked the Zairean CBN for $2m and the ZCBN Governor signed out $3m. The ZCBN chopped $1m and sent $2m to the Finance Minister who took $1m and sent $1m to Mobutu. The whole country has for too long been at the mercy of unaudited agencies well exemplified by NNPC, NPA, NEPA alias PHCN and FERMA exclusively controlled by little people in Abuja with minds too small to grasp the significance of their abused power and responsibility to better the lives of Nigerians. Their failure to perform nationwide against the ‘Rise of the Nigerian darkness and Pothole’ has killed and injured too many ‘Fellow Nigerians’ and made millions suffer the loss of loved ones and their earning power from too costly and sometimes deadly alternative power from poisonous gases and explosions and murderous potholes. The result is often a failure to achieve full potential by offspring. Every accident deprives someone of an education and earning potential. This is why every pothole should be a top priority of normal government and not a special reward of favour to the citizenry.  They, government men and women, claim we will have power, electric power, soon. But all Nigerians should ask why did we not have electric power when Generals Buhari, Babangida, Abacha, Abdusallam and General Obasanjo had ‘General’ totalitarian and ‘General’ democratic control and were ‘in total power’? Was their failure to add a simple 500 0r 1000Mw annually to the Nigerian national grid because of their myopia, misdemeanour, incompetence, greed and corruption?  The sale of failed government agencies like PHCN is actually a failure of leadership and supervision of bad employees. Remember schools were helped to fail when we stopped listening to, or failed to fund school inspectors and they in turn always expecting gifts like goats and cash to fill their car boots in exchange for a pass mark when they visited.

    The cost of travel remains far too high in Nigeria. Every day the media is filled with stories of road attacks, mislabelled ‘accidents’. If someone crashes into you at 100+kph that is an attack by another road user, not an accident. No death is acceptable or explainable as an act of God. God may know about it and allow it but God does not create the scenario. It is the free will of sometimes drunken men at the steering wheel who speed and crash into others. So many deaths and injuries for people merely going from A to B. The Okada Epidemic claims thousands maimed and murdered. Is that an Act of God? No! We have responsibility for our actions and our lives. When the little people die, no one cares beyond a static. May you should not die with someone more ‘VIP’ than you or your death will never be remembered. You will just be ‘VIP and 23 others died yesterday’. May that not be your portion! In the sight of God ‘VIP and 26 others’ must line up in order of death time for judgement, no queue jumping, though the VIP will probably be in the first queue he did not want to jump. Who wants to rush to Heaven?

    Professor Festus Iyayi, 66, former ASUU President, Winner of the Commonwealth Prize for Literature and writer of books including Violence, The Contract, Heroes and Awaiting Court Martial was not planning on joining the queue to heaven when he headed for the ASUU meeting on Tuesday November 12, having bid farewell to grandchildren and joined in the traditional prayer for a Safe Journey and ‘Travel Mercies’. He was struck down, not by an Act of God like lightening, an earthquake, a flood, but by man in form of a reckless governor Wada’s convoy-driver who must be breathalysed and prosecuted. Some may have wondered at the need for such senior citizens to travel to solve ASUU’s protracted strike with a recalcitrant government known for reversing agreements. Note that no matter how bad tertiary education is, it would have been primary school level without ASUU’s continuous struggle and intermittent strikes. The ASUU strike has yielded death. May this and other terrible deaths yield fruit for the students and staff, now dedicated to unnecessarily late Prof Iyayi. Governor Wada had demonstrated that he is a poor supervisor of man and machine.

     

  • Tinubu, Buhari to INEC: Re-strategise ahead of 2015 elections

    Tinubu, Buhari to INEC: Re-strategise ahead of 2015 elections

    Former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday urged the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to re-strategise ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that he made the appeal at Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s fifth year anniversary in office and launch of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party in Edo State.

    “We are therefore reminding INEC that it has the responsibility to direct the people and correctly advise the people that it will guarantee a free, fair and credible election.

    “We know that power is not easy to surrender. But we want it and we will get it in an honest manner because APC has come to stay,” he said.

    He commended the people of the state for their foresight in voting for Oshiomhole adding, “your votes have not been misplaced by the amount of massive development being experienced in the state.

    “Since you took that decision five years ago, Oshiomhole has never looked back in terms of infrastructure and economic development of Edo State.

    “You have seen and witnessed the radical development. But let me say that this is not our final destination.

    “Our destination is to take over the federal level to replicate what Oshiomhole and other APC governors are doing in their states.

    “You have accepted APC and it is now your duty to begin to spread the good news around your neighbourhoods and communities.”

    Also speaking at the forum, the former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhar (rtd), who congratulated Oshiomhole on his achievements, said, “I am happy that the people can now see the difference.”

    Buhari said that he was optimistic that Oshiomhole would continue with his good work of developing the state.

    He said that an APC government at the centre would work to eradicate poverty and provide security to the nation.

    “If you vote us into power, we are prepared to tackle cases of abduction and killings of people across the nation so that people can move freely in whatever part of this country,” he added.

     

  • Why Nigerians should dump PDP, by Buhari

    Why Nigerians should dump PDP, by Buhari

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) roadshow rolled yesterday into Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where its leaders renewed their call on the G-7 Governors and members of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC.

    The delegation, led by the Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, former military Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, met Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed, members of the House of Assembly, PDP leaders and others.

    Other APC chieftains on the entourage include former governors of Edo and Benue states, Chiefs John Odigie-Oyegun and George Akume, former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari, APC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed, former Works Minister Hassan Lawal and another ex-minister, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe.

    The APC leaders did not mince words on their mission – to woo Ahmed into the progressives’ camp.

    First to speak was Akande, who said: “I am at home and I don’t think I should have to perambulate too much, except to say that we’ve come to Kwara State through the governor to invite first all of you to our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and secondly, we are not limiting our visits to the members of the new PDP, which they call the G-7; we are extending the visit to all the other governors and all the other members of the PDP because we are starting a revolution that will make us a country of the progressives.”

    “And that is what we have started just about a week ago and we hope to use Kwara state as a clapboard to enter the heart of every Nigerian that it is better to live for the people.”

    Tinubu bemoaned woes of Nigeria, occasioned by bad and visionless leadership.

    Said he: “To the people of Kwara State, I will say we have brought joy, joy for the change. We brought hope and we brought friendship. And bringing that is to introduce to you again formally the APC.

    “The appropriate name, the appropriate movement and the appropriate political platform for the current situation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Why we have not succeeded in fraternising the opposition and the government is not challenged to be responsive to the people because there was no strong alternative platform.

    “There is an army of unemployed; our youths are frustrated. Even if we can manage our own hunger, but can any graduate or none graduate going to bed every night hungry think right of democracy? Can a woman in labour with pains who has not been able to take proper care of the first child and having the second think well of democracy if there is no proper medical care? Can we talk today of solid and good education that was given to us by our own fathers, because education is a weapon against poverty; can we boast of that in the face of this unending crisis in the education sector? Before you know it, this electricity supply will flip and can we continue to sit back and lament and complain about the suffering, about government, about Nigeria going backward and drifting or do something; talk together; work together and challenge ourselves for the future of our children.

    “Kwara State is a beautiful bride, but go and ponder yourselves very well, freshen up with nice perfume and come on marry us; with that we will have stability and progress. That is our proposal and that is why we are here, we want that beautiful bride to be ours so that you all join hands together and rescue Nigeria from drifting.

    “This is the time to do just that and if we miss this boat, our grandchildren will give us a poke in the nose. They will curse us – God forbid. We are capable of bailing Nigeria out of poverty. We have very progressive platforms in Lagos, Oyo states; go there and see what we are saying and if you collaborate, agriculture will become revived; farmers will be incentived and industries will be established in Kwara.

    “There will be progress, there will be employment. But if we are not collaborating, if we are not cooperating. If we are not putting our political act together, government will continue to take you for a ride and nothing will happen. Nobody can intimidate you, if they see us united. But immediately they see us oscillating and uncertain, they treat us as chickens for dinner. Help is here. APC is here. Hope is here, APC is here. Change is here APC has arrived. We invite you all to join us for the sake of our country.”

    General Buhari said since the PDP government had been in the saddle, nothing had improved in the lives of Nigerians.

    He added: “That nothing has improved over the years shows the non performance of the ruling PDP. The non performance of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), popularly known as NEPA, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Pension Funds are enough to remove any government in power, except in Nigeria. The PDP government has institutionalised corruption in Nigeria. There is no way Nigeria, with our vast population, vast land can continue to entertain an army of unemployed youths without the resultant effect of kidnapping and Boko Haram. So, the fundamental objective of APC is to secure a hope for Nigerians.

    “The attempt for this movement started in 2005. We realised that the ruling party is so amorphous, with none of the opposition parties in critical zones to effect a change. It became absolutely necessary for all the representatives of these parties at the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and even the local governments to come together and balance the equation. Another sacrifice began by the parties that have come together.”

    Ahmed described Nigeria as “basking in residual superstition”, adding that “we are at the turning point in the history of this country, not forgetting the fact that Nigeria has come of age”.

    “Nigeria, like any other developing country, is still basking in the residual superstition. The whole world is being driven in the comity of developed nations, but, unfortunately, every country gets the leadership it deserves. Whoever is leading this country today is a product of our choice. That means we have a choice to move along with the progressive countries or we sit behind.”

    Ahmed added that “today, as it is, the APC has formed itself into a strong formidable platform. They are in Kwara on a marketing activity. What makes Kwara unique is simply because we have established structure, formed over a period of four decades of hard work and dedication to the people of Kwara State; selflessly delivered by our late political leader, Dr Olusola Saraki. This has led us into inheriting what we call an election winning machinery. This machinery has been directing every election in the state over the years.

    “I want to commend the leadership of the APC. You have come here to share with us your aspirations for Nigeria. You are aware we are still under the leadership of the PDP, which is undergoing serious challenges today and reconciliation is still ongoing. Clear areas of differences are being critically reviewed. We hope that the interest of this country will take precedent over and above any self interest. Be assured that we will always have a common platform for growth and development. In Kwara, we are one party, one family and that is what has kept us together. That will continue to sustain us.

    “The same machinery has put in place all the 191 councillors and 16 local government chairmen. The same has put all the members of the House of Assembly and National Assembly in place and it has also put the governor in place. We here in Kwara are one family.

    “Dr Bukola Saraki has been carrying the mantle of leadership inherited in a way and manner that has given us… That structure has demonstrated that it can lead us aright. That is why we will join hands with anybody out to maintain the peace, because that is where the strength of our people lies.”

    House of Assembly Speaker Razak Atunwa applauded the APC chieftains for having the interest and progress of the nation at heart.

    “It is indeed refreshing to see these titans of Nigerian politics from all walks of life, various ethnicities, different age groups, diverse political backgrounds come together to pursue a common goal and development of our dear nation Nigeria. It is crystal clear that what is paramount on your mind is the progress of the nation. Political parties have a final role to play in the democratic existence of our nation. Parties must provide the platform by which people can express themselves.

    “Parties must not subject their members to unwarranted persecution. In other words, political parties must have internal democracy. A party that ceases to have internal democracy cannot do this country a world of good. Avoid bad governance, avoid autocratic tendencies and practices. We must resist acts of impunity; we must be tolerant of divergent views. We must see ourselves as one indivisible nation, as people with a common heritage.

    “In Kwara State today, that is precisely what we practice. We see ourselves as one people. We see ourselves as our brothers’ keepers. That is why there is great harmony not only in the various parts of government but also between the executive and the legislature.

    “However, what is also unique in Kwara is that we have a unique political structure. In the state today, one man commands mother of votes. The one man that will deliver Kwara state in its entirety is Senator Bukola Saraki. “You only need one vote of one Dr Bukola Saraki. Once he speaks’ the entire Kwara has spoken. But I’m particularly, nonetheless, happy to see juggernauts of Nigeria politics here today. “

  • Buhari, Tinubu to meet Lamido

    Buhari, Tinubu to meet Lamido

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) leaders Gen Muhammadu Buhari and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are billed to meet with Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido today in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.

    Lamido is one of the G7 governors – a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Chief Press Secretary to Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Kyari, confirmed the planned visit. It was also learnt that the coming of the duo may not be unconnected with an attempt to woo Lamido to APC.

  • Abdusalami, Buhari, Tinubu at Sokoto varsity inauguration

    Abdusalami, Buhari, Tinubu at Sokoto varsity inauguration

    Sokoto, the headquarters of the Caliphate yesterday hosted political big wigs in one of the largest political gatherings in recent times.

    But it was an educational event that attracted the who-is –who in politics. The Sokoto State University, conceived by Governor Aliyu Wamakko was inaugurated by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    The colourful event was witnessed by Second Republic President Shehu Shagari.

    Others in attendance included House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, a son of the soil, former Head of State Gen Muhammadu Buhari, who is a leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and his counterpart former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Also present was former Vice President Atiku Abubakar There were four visiting governors. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) Sule Lamido (Jigawa) Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers). There were also former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, and former Kebbi State Governor Adamu Aliero.

    All the guests underscored the importance of education. Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar also said without education, there cannot be progress.

    Gen. Abubakar urged the management of the new university to strengthen efforts at meeting global best practices so as to attain academic excellence and standards.

    “You have to blend local contents with global orientation in its teachings and research, so as to attain global best practices,” he said.

    “If the institution has to be relevant and has the ability to integrate its products in the society, should strengthen its scope as a knowledge-driven concern”, he added.

    “The students should get the best education, while the teachers and other staff members of the university, must do the best in their duties”, he urged.

    “I am rejoicing with the people of Sokoto State who had shown that they are in search of development,” he said.

    Tinubu described education as the greatest weapon against poverty and ignorance, saying,” it is the only chemical that can break down differences.

    “I salute the courage, commitment and understanding, and we will continue to colloborate with you in your endeavours” he said.

    Tinubu, who noted that there were complexities in the country, appealed to Nigerians to use their differences for advancement.

    Gen. Buhari described education as the most important determinant for any people to enhance their participation in public affairs.

    According to him, the Federal Government has not being able to adequately cater for its universities.

    He lamented the growing number of qualified applicants unable to gain admission into the universities.

    “There are many Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degree holders who have remained without jobs.

    “This is due to insensitive leadership because, an educated community ought to be able to create jobs for its people,” he added.

    Wamakko, who attributed the triumphant success to Allah, thanked God for making the university a reality.

    According to Wamakko “ it is in the overall interest of the public and for the development of the educational sector in the state and Nigeria”, he added

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said no nation or society can be rightfully placed on development without education.

    “The importance of education cannot be over emphasized in any society or country,” Atiku said, adding that “the efforts of the Sokoto State government for establishing the institution is highly commendable,” he added.

    Amaechi appealed to his colleagues to place education on top priority.

    The Sultan of Sokoto decried killings in the name of religion.

    Sultan Abubakar said: “The Sokoto Sultanate council, all traditional rulers and the generality of the Muslims, have dissociated themselves from such dastardly acts.

    He told former Head of State, Gen. Abubakar when he visited him that “ Islam abhors the killing of any innocent souls, without following the due, legal processes.”

    According to the monarch, “we are always committed to the growth and development of Islamic religion, but in line with its teachings and law.

    “Muslims should even persuade non-Muslims to join the religion by their good conduct and strict adherence to the Islamic law.