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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari: I will recover $16b Obasanjo govt power cash

    What happened to power sector cash, by ex-president

    The President vowed yesterday to recover the $16 billion power funds that went down the drain during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

    “Where is the power? Where is the money?” the President queried at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said his administration will go after all those involved in the power deals to recover the money and continue with the ongoing development of critical infrastructure for the common good.

    Obasanjo was president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2007. His successor the late President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua launched a probe into the power projects. Many of the equipment got stuck at the ports while the probe lasted.

    A mammoth crowd of party faithful thronged the rally for Buhari’s re-election and the election of APC candidates in the state.

    Men, women and youths wearing vests and fez caps branded in APC colours were in a carnival mood, singing, drumming and shouting Sai Baba.

    President Buhari, who is seeking another term on the APC’s ticket, at the Government House heliport in Yenagoa, was received by Governor Seriake Dickson, his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah, Information & Orientation Commissioner Daniel Iworiso-Markson, and other exco members.

    Buhari was also welcomed by APC leader and former Governor Timipre Sylva; Minister of State for Agriculture Heineken Lokpobiri and APC state chairman Jothan Amos, among others.

    The President and his team, including APC Presidential Campaign Council Director-General and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), proceeded to the secretariat of the State Traditional Rulers’ Council, where the APC candidate held talks with royal fathers, led by Twon Brass monarch Alfred Diette Spiff.

    The President was given an Ijaw name, Ebiwari (Good House) by Amos, who referred to him as “a symbol of truth”  – to the admiration of the crowd.

    President Buhari insisted that those who squandered the power funds would not go scot free.

    He said: “You know we are building roads; the railway was virtually killed; we are rebuilding it and there was no power; we are bringing power back. The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent $16 billion for power.

    “But you are better witnesses than myself; where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them and eventually, God willing we will get them and we will get our money back.”

    The President promised that the APC administration under him will continue to tackle seriously security, economy, infrastructure and corruption.

    He said: “We are also promising that we will make people who occupy executive positions both in federal and state levels to  be accountable to the people. If you could recall when I came in 2015 under our great party, the party articulated three issues on which we campaigned and were voted in.

    “These are security, economy and fighting corruption. On security, the people of the Northeast are the biggest witnesses of what we achieved because when we came, at least 17 local governments were under Boko Haram. As I speak now, none is under them. But they resorted to train the young men and women, wrap them up with explosives and ask them to explode it in churches, mosques, market places and in motor parks. That is even rare now.

    “On economy, when we came in we had very high importation of food stuff. We thank God that in the three previous raining seasons,we realised bountiful harvests. The government’s contribution was to make fertiliser and other agricultural inputs available. That took away many able-bodied persons out of unemployment.

    “On fighting corruption, under this system, it is very difficult. But I keep mentioning wherever I go that all those who have account to give should prepare to account for it. Those that are indicted were taken before the court and a number of them are in jail and a number of their properties had been taken away to be sold and put in the treasury to continue with infrastructure.”

    The President praised the party leaders, saying the APC was stronger and that its strength would be tested in the forthcoming elections.

    Sylva said the APC remained the stronger party in the state and thanked the President for assisting in payment of workers’ salaries through bailouts.

    The former governor said the Ijaw people could be forgiven the last time for not voting President Buhari because their son contested the election against him; they had no reason not to vote for him in the coming election.

    He accused the state government of spending N120 billion to build an airport without disclosing the contractor’s identity.

    Addressing Buhari on why the people would vote for him, Sylva said: “Mr. President, you have also commenced and almost completed a major road in Bayelsa State connecting the community of the former President. You have also commissioned a major water project in Bayelsa, one in Otuoke and another one in Ekeremor, which was done from the Ministry of Agriculture.

    “Bayelsa has many reasons they should vote for you again. I always say this to Bayelsa, it is as clear as crystal, visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that Mr. President is winning again. I tell my people that apart from the fact that Mr. President has done a lot, we must also vote for Mr. President because that is the winning team.

    “Our father, Melford Okilo, taught us that our alliance with northern Nigeria must be sustained. And for us as Ijaw people, that is what we have always been known for. Let us not make any mistake. I learnt that some people came here to deceive Bayelsans, but we know them for whom they are. We call them ‘People Deceive People’.

    “For Ijaw land to grow, we need a forthright President like President Buhari. Izon means ‘truth’ and it is our name as a people. We also know that the name Muhammadu Buhari stands for ‘truth’. Buhari is a truthful person. So, he is our natural ally. That is why we must all vote for President Buhari.

    “He has brought many things to Ijaw land. I stand here as a son of Ijaw land, as a former governor and as a chairman of the Maritime University, which is also a school that was instituted by the President. Ijaw people have no reason not to vote for the President. This time we must vote en masse.”

    Lokpobiri urged the President to ensure a level-playing filed in Bayelsa to enable the APC prove its worth. He accused the state government of squandering N1.3 trillion that accrued to the state for seven years.

    He said: “I have the mandate of the Bayelsa people to tell you that Bayelsa doesn’t want to be left of this moving train and winning movement. Right from the days of Melfford Okilo, Bayelsans have always known the party that would win. This time around, Bayelsans have already seen that your reelection had already been concluded.

    “The only request we want is for a level-playing field to be provided for Bayelsans to show you that they love you. This state in the past seven years have received N1.3trn. This is excluding local government allocations, bailout funds and loans that run into hundreds of billions of naira.

    “But Bayelsa is still one of the least developed states in the country. Bayelsa is still one of the darkest states in the country. Bayelsa civil servants have suffered the highest level of retrenchment in this country.”.

    Lokpobiri asked the President to bring his anti-corruption drive to Bayelsa and make the state government account for the money it received without commensurate development.”

     

  • Hope dashed in Rivers… More support for Buhari, Atiku

    The Supreme Court finally dashed the hope of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field candidates for the elections in Rivers State. This comes at a time more group pledged support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar. Eric Ikhilae, Gbenga Omokhunu, Bolaji Ogundele, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, sunny nwankwo and Jane Chijioke report.

    Supreme Court: APC can’t

    field candidates in Rivers

     

    The Supreme Court has ended the quest by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to reverse the October 10, 2018 judgment of the High Court of Rivers State, which barred it from holding primaries for the production of candidates for the next general elections.

    A five-man panel of the court, headed by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour struck out, yesterday, four appeals, left in the five appeals filed by the APC and some of its members against October 10, 2018 judgment of the High Court of Rivers State, voiding the primaries held by the APC in the state.

    The Court of Appeal in Port-Harcourt  refused to hear the appeals filed against the judgment by the APC and some of the candidates that emerged from the affected primaries, on the grounds that they were statute barred.

    The appeals decided on Tuesday by the Supreme Court are SC/1332/2018 (Ojukaye Flag-Amchree v. Ibrahim Umah and others); SC/1333/2018 (APC v. Ibrahim Umah and others); SC/1334/2018 (Tonye Patrick Cole v. Ibrahim Umah and others) and SC/81/2019 (APC v. Ibrahim Umah and others).

    At the commencement of proceedings on Tuesday, the five-man panel delivered rendered its decision on the arguments it took on Monday on the preliminary objection filed by Ibrahim Umah and others against the appeal marked: SC/1333/2018.

    The appeal – SC/1333/2018 – was the main one filed peal filed by the APC against the October 10 judgment and the subsequent decision of the Court of Appeal on APC’s appeal against the judgment.

    Justice Amiru Sanusi, who read the lead decision, said the appeal being pre-election related, was filed outside the time allowed under Section 285(9) and (12) of the Constitution as amended by the 4th Alteration Act 2017.

    Justice Sanusi upheld the argument by lawyer to respondent, Henry Bello and held that the appeal was statute barred.

    The judge rejected the argument by appellant’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) that the case was not pre-election, but about party leadership.

    Justice Sanusi upheld the objection and struck out the appeal on the ground that it has become academic exercise, as argued by Bello.

    Shortly after its decision in SC/1333/2018, the court consolidated the remaining three appeals, upon the agreement by lawyers to parties and took arguments on the objection against one of the consolidated appeals -SC/1332/2018, filed by Amachree.)

    The court said its decision in the appeal by Amachree was to be applied to the other two.

    In his argument, Bello, who filed the objection, repeated his position in the earlier objection which the court upheld, to the effect that the appeal was statute barred.

    He said the appeal has become academic having been filed outside the days allowed under Section 285(9) and (12) of the Constitution.

    Lawyer to Amachree and Cole, Wisdom Jerome and M. S. Ibrahim, argued that the suit at the trial court was not pre-election.

    Justice Augie said, since the Court of Appeal rejected Amachree and Cole’s appeals, because they were caught by Section 285(9) and (12), their appeals must suffer the same fate at the Supreme Court because, being pre-election appeals, they were statute barred.

     

    ACF endorses Buhari

     

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in next Saturday’s poll.

    The ACF said it carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country, and discovered that Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    The forum, which declared its stand in statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande, said:”In continuation of role of ACF as the political compass of the North, the leadership under the Chairmanship of  Mallam Adamu M. Fika Wazirin Fika GCON, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum at a meeting today 12th February 2019, has evaluated critical national issues, especially the political situation in the country and its attendant consequences for the continued peace, unity and progress of our dear country Nigeria.

    “The ACF takes note of the state of the political situation as the nation goes into another round of elections, where tensions are heightened as a result of intense campaigns, lobbying and horse-trading among political actors.

    “The ACF takes special note that major political parties have nominated prominent northerners, for the February 16th 2019 Presidential Elections. The Forum has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

    “The ACF is therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

    “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

    “Furthermore, other considerations such as capacity to tackle security challenges, fight corruption, and boost the economy by way of diversification away from over dependence on oil, by infrastructural development in order to promote growth. The integrity of the candidate to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations is equally important in the election.”

     

    Group faults Atiku’s endorsement 

     

    A pro-Eastern Nigeria group, Awake and Defend Action Movement (ADAM), has faulted the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, by the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    ADAM is an umbrella body of pressure groups in the old Eastern region.

    ADAM, in a communiqué signed by its acting chairman, Ndubuisi Igwekani-Agu Biafra and the South-South leader of the group (Chief James Ekpo), said: “ADAM will ensure that our people demand transparency and accountability from every elected public officer in Eastern Nigeria. We will mobilise the entire youth in Eastern to deal with any elected officer who fails in his/her duties to account to the people.

    “Henceforth, we are monitoring some Igbo political contractors who rush to their pay master in the North and other parts of Nigeria to collect evil money to destabilize our people. Henceforth, we will monitor and expose them to bring sanity and peace to our land.

    “Now, concerning the youths in Eastern Nigeria, we have noticed the exponential increase in kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, yahoo yahoo, gambling, prostitution, child-trafficking, and all manner of violent extremism just to get rich overnight. We hereby warn that it will not be business as usual. We have set up a security watch to coordinate with security agents to expose all manner of evil activities perpetuated by youths in whatever disguise.”

     

    NHRC endorses Buhari

    for second term

     

    The Nigerian Human Right Community (NHRC) yesterday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

    NHRC, a coalition of 135 civil society and community-based organisations, spoke in Lagos.

    Its Secretary, Taiwo Adeleye,  said: “This is coming about 11 days to the presidential election in Africa’s most populous country of 170million people. There is no way you will go and vote without having made up your mind on who you want to vote for especially concerning a presidential election. We are now telling the electorates that before you go out there to vote, apart from seeking to know your conscience, what exactly is your conscience telling you? You need to look back, compare the two administrations; the past and the present, which is better off, which one would advance your course, your children and probably your generation.

    “We consider one major factor: the personal credibility of the two leading contenders.  It will be worst to have a man that has no iota of credibility at home and abroad to sit as the number one citizen of the country. It will be disastrous to have a proven corrupt man as the most important figure in Nigeria. We believe with the credibility of Buhari and Osibanjo, their errors of recent past can be corrected in the most honest manner.”

    The Directo- General of the Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors (BOSA), Wale Arogundade,  said Buhari’s administration has recorded immense achievements.

     

    Middle Belt Forum backs Atiku 

     

    The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) yesterday urged the people to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday.

    Its President, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, said Atiku’s adoption was based on a dispassionate assessment of the candidature of President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku.

    Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Bitrus stated that the major consideration for the middle belt region was the security of lives and property of the people, in which, he said, the Buhari Administration had failed.

    He said: “One major consideration for us in this election is the security of lives and property of the peoples of the middle belt region.  It is no secret that in the close to four years of the Buhari – led administration, the entire middle belt was turned into a vast killing field.”

     

    ‘Founding fathers behind Atiku’

     

    Voting massively for presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar on Saturday will fulfil the desire of the founding fathers of Nigeria, a PDP chieftain in Kogi State, Yabuku Kampala has declared.

    He spoke with reporters yesterday in Kogi State.

    The chairman of the Nigeria Integrity Forum claimed the founding fathers have unanimously endorsed Atiku to lead the nation.

    Kampala, who is also the President of Reliable Food for All Foundation, said: “Sometime ago, I saw fathers of our nation and some past leaders in my dream. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe Aguiyi Ironsi, Odumegwu Ojukwu, Murihtala Muhammed, Shehu Shagari  and several others in a meeting.

    “At the end of the meeting they all expressed their support for Atiku Abubakar to rule Nigeria next.

    “When I woke up, my initially response was to take the dream as one of those dreams that people normally have that reflect the experiences they are going through.

    “But later on, I started feeling uncomfortable as the dream repeatedly came to my mind with unsuppressed urge to let the nation know.

    “I strongly believe this is the divine confirmation Nigerians need concerning this year’s presidential election. So, we must all rise to the challenge of voting for Atiku.”

     

    70% of voters are undecided,

    says Olawepo-Hashim

     

    The Presidential candidate of People’s Trust (PT), Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has urged Nigerians to support his candidacy for rapid economic development that will lift the masses out of abject poverty, saying 70% of Nigerians voters are yet to decide who to vote for among the presidential candidates less than 11 days to the 2019 election.

    Similarly, Olawepo-Hashim said he had no plan to step down for either the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari or Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, expressing the confidence that the two candidates are beatable with their parties’ woeful performances since 1999.

    The Presidential hopeful who spoke  during campaign in Akure, the Ondo state capital to solicit votes of the people of the state, advised electorates to reject the two political parties that had failed them and the country in the last twenty years.

    Mr Olawepo-Hashim who was accompanied by his Campaign Director-General and former transport minister, Mr Habu Fari, said the country was too endowed with natural resources for the citizenry to be wallowing in poverty and vowed to introduce policies that would end insecurity and economic hardship if elected the president of the nation on the sixteenth of this month.

    He advised eligible voters to secure their future by voting for his people’s trust party in 2019 election.

    Olawepo-Hashim assured Nigerians, especially youths and graduates that he would create jobs and make the environment conducive for businesses to flourish.

    The presidential candidate of PT said his party was fine-tuning its strategy in all states of the federation on how to wrestle power from the ruling APC, adding that PT had the highest number of representation in constituency nominations.

    Olawepo-Hashim said “some few days to election more than 70 percent of the electorates are still wondering who they are going to vote for. They have been examine the candidates they are going to vote for and what these candidates promised to offer and among all the alternative parties, the PT is the biggest. But i can tell you that this election is still very open even though its ten days to the election”.

    “This is one of the reasons i said if elected we will form a government of National unity which will include the good people in the APC and PDP,” he opined.

    The Director General of PT Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Habu Fari, expressed delight that the people of Ondo State trooped out enmass to receive Olawepo-Hashim, indicating that the people were ready to elect the third force which the PT candidate represented.

     

    ‘We condemn the show

    of shame in Ogun’

     

    The South West, Youth Zonal Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has condemned disruption of the APC presidential rally in Ogun State.

    Speaking at a news conference yesterday in Abuja, the group’s coordinator, Comrade Wole Badmus, said the act of brigandage was capable of putting the party in bad light.

    He said: “‘No doubt, this intra party rancour has portrayed the party as lacking in mechanism of addressing internal differences, thereby washing our dirty linen in the public’. The press text stated.

    “We cannot conclusively blame the host government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, yet the whole world and teeming party members wish to know how hoodlums of the other party he is supporting for governorship election in the state gained access into the venue and embarrassed Mr. President, the National Party chairman, the national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other dignitaries at the occasion.

    “The fact need be reiterated that in any electoral contest, a winner must emerge. Any aggrieved participants in such contest have the opportunity of exhausting internal machineries of addressing infractions before resorting to self-help.

    “We are particularly concern about the youth who were used as canon folders in this nefarious activity. Our view is that youth should be preparing themselves for leadership role rather than being engaged in these dirty inglorious roles.

    “While apologising to the President and Commander-in – Chief, the group promised to embark on thorough investigation into the remote and direct causes of the show of shame.”

    The group appealed to party members not to allow the Abeokuta hiccup to distract them from the onerous task of mobilising votes for President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday.

    “We should not be distracted at this material point. Members of our party especially the youths should come out and assiduously mobilised for the party’s victory at all elections most especially at February 16 Presidential Election,” Badmus said.

     

    NVDD hails Buhari over

    PVC collection’s extension

     

    The National Vanguard for Democracy and Development (NVDD) has commended the President Muhammadu Buhari government for asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the date for collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to February 11 to make it possible for eligible Nigerians to participate during the upcoming elections.

    In a statement in Lagos, NVDD Public Secretary, Emeka Obinagwu said:  “We are not at all disappointed in the decision of the federal government because we had always believed that the current administration is committed to ensuring Nigerians who are desirous of exercising their franchise during the forthcoming elections to do so unhindered.

    INEC had on Friday February 8 announced the extension of the window of collection of the PVC on its twitter handle, stating that it will do everything to ensure no registered voter is disenfranchised.

    Obinagwu said: “Contrary to the lies peddled by detractors that this government wants to derail the elctions, this action shows our president to be a leader concerned with the deepening of the democratic culture. He is a leader and must be applauded for this outstanding quality.”

    “This move will not only increase in the number of people who will vote, Nigerians are reassured that for once we have a government that is not ready to meddle in INEC affairs. This government deserves to be rewarded with another four years in office.”

  • UPU endorse Buhari, Ogboru, Omo-Agege

    The Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) has endorsed President Muhammedu Buhari, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru and Sen Ovie Omo-Agege as candidates for the Urhobo nation.

    A statement by the President-General, Chief Joe Omene, and National Secretary Martins Umukoro, including the youth, women and men wings, said the union endorsed Buhari for having picked an Urhobo son as governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Omene, who addressed union members, said Urhobo will not and cannot vote or support anybody and party that plans to sell the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or any other public property.

    He said: “We reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atiku Abubakar because he vowed to sell NNPC, same attitude he exhibited when they bought DSC and NEPA when he was Vice President to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “Ogboru is the only candidate that is best recognised and accepted by all Deltans. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is the worse governor Delta State has ever had since its creation.

    “Ogboru has been winning election but has always been rigged out because of the PDP powers at the federal level, but thank God that power is no longer there.”

    Omene added that the Urhobo nation could not continue to have one tenure senator in the House of Asembly, hence they endorsed Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for a second term because he has performed well and needs to go back as a principal officer in 2019.

     

  • Breaking: ACF endorses Buhari

    …says, President deserves 2nd term

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the next Saturday poll.

    It would be recalled that Professor Ango Abdullahi led faction of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had recently endorsed the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    ACF which prides itself as the political compass of the North said, it has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country, it has come to conclusion that, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    The forum which declared its stand in statement personally signed by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande said, ACF’s stand was informed by the strides taken by the Buhari administration to improve and reposition the nation economically, with the multi-billion Dollar Mambilla hydropower project, the exploration of oil in Gongola Basin of the Benue trough, the Baro inland port, the North East Development Commission, the ongoing rail line projects nationwide, and other critical infrastructural development projects.

    According to the statement, “In continuation of role of ACF as the political compass of the North, the leadership under the Chairmanship of Mallam Adamu M. Fika Wazirin Fika GCON, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum at a meeting today 12th February 2019, has evaluated critical national issues, especially the political situation in the country and its attendant consequences for the continued peace, unity and progress of our dear country Nigeria.

    “The ACF takes note of the state of the political situation as the nation goes into another round of elections, where tensions are heightened as a result of intense campaigns, lobbying and horse-trading among political actors.

    “The ACF takes special note that major political parties have nominated prominent northerners, for the February 16th 2019 Presidential Elections. The Forum has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

    “The ACF is therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

    “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

    “Furthermore, other considerations such as capacity to tackle security challenges, fight corruption, and boost the economy by way of diversification away from over dependence on oil, by infrastructural development in order to promote growth. The integrity of the candidate to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations is equally important in the election.

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    “ACF also calls on the politicians and their supporters as well as the electorates to avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections. This is because violence is never a solution to any grievances. It not only destroys our democratic process but also lives and property. Democracy is a contest of ideas and reasons.

    “Also, ACF urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up its promise and assurances for credible, free and fair elections.

    “ACF equally calls on the Police and other security agencies involved in providing security to the election process to remain neutral and professional in their conduct.” It said.

  • Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    …..President gets Ijaw name as mammoth crowd gather in Bayelsa

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday vowed to recover $16bn allegedly wasted in the power sector by the government of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “Where is the power? Where is the money?” The President queried saying his administration would go after persons involved in the power deal to recover the money to continue with the ongoing development of infrastructures across the country.

    Buhari spoke at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where mammoth crowd of party faithful gathered for his reelection campaign in the state.

    Party faithful comprising men, women and youths adorned in APC vests and fez caps were seen drumming support for Buhari and chanting Sai Baba.

    The APC presidential candidate with his entourage landed at the Government House heliport and was received by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, his Deputy, John Jonah, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson and other cabinet members.

    Buhari was also welcomed to the state by the state leader of APC and former Governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva; the Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, the state Chairman of APC, Jothan Amos and other party leaders.

    Buhari and his team comprising his Campaign Director and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) proceeded to the Secretariat of the state Traditional Rulers Council where the candidate spoke to the council headed by the King of Twon Brass, Alfred Diette Spiff.

    The President was giving an Ijaw name, Ebiwari (good house) by the state Chairman of the party, Jothan Amos, who referred to as a symbol of truth to the admiration of the crowd.

    But the President insisted that persons who were involved in squandering the whooping power money would not go scot free.

    Read Also: My husband has passion for the masses – Aisha Buhari

    “You know we are building roads; the railway was virtually killed we are rebuilding it and there was no power, we are bringing power back. The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent 16bn American Dollars for power. But you are better witnessed than myself. Where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them and eventually God willing we will get them and we will get our money back,” he said.

    The President insisted that the APC administration would continue to take seriously the problems of security, economy, infrastructures and fight against corruption.

    He said: “We are also promising that we will make people who occupy executive positions both in federal and state levels to be accountable to the people. If you could recall when I came in 2015 under our great party, the party articulated three issues which we campaign and were voted on.

    “These are security, economy and fighting corruption. On security, the people of the Northeast are the biggest witnesses of what we achieved because when we came, at least 17 local governments were under Boko Haram. As I speak now none is under them. But they resorted to train the young men and women wrap them up with explosives and ask them to explode it in churches, mosques, market places and in motor parks. That is even rare now.

    “On economy, when we came in we had very high importation of food stocks. We thank God that in the three previous raining seasons we realised bountiful harvest. The government contribution was to make fertilizer and other agricultural inputs available. That took away many able-bodied persons out of unemployment.

    “On fighting corruption, under this system it is very difficult. But I keep mentioning wherever I go that all those who have account to give should prepare to account for it. Those that are indicted were taken before the court and a number of them are in jail and a number of their properties had been taken away to be sold and put in the treasury and continue with infrastructure”.

    The President praised the efforts of the party leaders saying the APC was stronger and that its strength would be tested in the forthcoming elections.

    On his part, Sylva said the APC remained the stronger party in the state and thanked the President for assisting in payment of workers’ salaries through bailouts.

    Sylva said the Ijaw people could be forgiven the last time for not voting President Buhari because their son contested the election against him; they had no more reason not to vote for him in the coming election.

    He further accused the state government of spending N120bn to build an airport in the state without disclosing the identity of the contractor.

    Addressing Buhari on why the people of the state would vote for him, he said: “Mr. President you have also commenced and almost completed a major road in Bayelsa state connecting the community of the former President. You have also commissioned a major water project in Bayelsa, one in Otuoke and another one in Ekeremor, which was done from the Ministry of Agriculture.

    “Bayelsa has many reasons why they should vote for you again. I always say this to Bayelsans, it is as clear as crystal, visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that Mr. President is winning again. I tell my people that apart from the fact that Mr. President has done a lot, we must also vote for Mr. President because that is the winning team.

    “Our father Melford Okilo taught us that our alliance with northern Nigeria must be sustained. And for us as Ijaw people, that is what we have always known for. Let us not make any mistake. I learnt that some people came here to deceive Bayelsans, but we know them for whom they are. We call them ‘People Deceive People’.

    “For Ijaw land to grow, we need a forthright President like President Buhari. Izon means truth and it is our name as a people. We also know that the name Muhammadu Buhar stands for truth. Buhari is a truthful person so he is our natural alliance. That is why we must all vote for President Buhari.

    “He has brought many things to Ijaw land. I stand here as a son of Ijaw land, as a former governor and as a chairman of the Maritime University, which is also a school that was instituted by the President. Ijaw people have no reason not to vote for the President. This time we must vote enmasse”.

    On his part, Lokpobiri asked the President to ensure a level-playing filed in Bayelsa to enable the APC prove its worth in the state accusing the state government of squandering N1.3trn that accrued to the state for seven years.

    He said: “I have the mandate of the Bayelsa people to tell you that Bayelsa doesn’t want to be left of this moving train and winning movement. Right from the days of Melfford Okilo Bayelsans have always known the party that would win. This time around, Bayelsans have already seen that your reelection had already been concluded.

    “The only request we want is for a level-playing field to be provided for Bayelsans to show you that they love you. This state in the past seven years has received N1.3trn. This is excluding local government allocations, bailout funds and loans that run into hundreds of billions of naira.

    “But Bayelsa is still one of the least developed states in the country. Bayelsa is still one of the darkest states in the country. Bayelsa civil servants have suffered the highest level of retrenchment in this country”.

    He asked the President to bring his anti-corruption drive to Bayelsa and make the state government account for the money it received without commensurate development.

  • Buhari leads ‘Berlin Wall must fall’ mission to Kwara

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) leaders were in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday. Their mission was to perfect plans for the fall of what they called “The Berlin Wall”.

    They urged the people to free themselves from the stranglehold of a political figure, who, according to them, has done nothing to reciprocate their support.

    It was at the presidential campaign rally led by President Muhammadu Buhari, who restated his administration commitment to bringing those who abuse trust before the law. The rally held at the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin.

    He added that funds recovered from looters would be reinvested into the infrastructural development.

    The President said. “We are going to continue to take those who abuse trust before the law; collect what they have stolen and reinvest them in infrastructure.

    “I assure you that the undertaking we made in 2015 in the three major issues All Progressives Congress (APC) believes in (security, economy and fight against corruption), we have not failed.

    “Wherever I go I repeat myself on these issues so as to remind you where this country was before we came in, where we are in now and what we are able to do with the resources that are at our disposal. The people of the Northeast, as far as security is concerned, are major witnesses of our performance.

    “On the economy, we thank God the three previous rainy seasons were good. We made fertiliser available and reduced the prices it used to be. People are now back to the farm and nobody regretted it. We have been able to ensure food security and people are living respectable lives; in fighting corruption, we are not going to give up.”

    APC stalwart and Co-Chairman of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that Kwarans had over the years, been held captive by one man.

    He said: “This is celebration of Kwara state’s freedom. It’s being long they have been swindling your collective patrimony… We are not here for conspiracy. We are not here to quarrel with the Saraki dynasty as Gbemisola Saraki is with us.

    “She is a scion of the Sarakis. We are here to reject overlord. We are here to say ‘no’ to Bukola’s enslavement. He is a betrayer. We are chastising Bukola Saraki. This is the celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This is the celebration of the end of oligarchy; the emperor that has been existing for years.”

    Adams Oshiohmole told the crowd of supporters that the end of the Saraki dynasty had come.

    He presented the party’s flag to the APC governorship candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    The APC National Chairman said: “For Bukola, it is finished. I cannot wait till Saturday for Kwara people to celebrate their new found freedom. Also, it will be a day for Kwara people and for Nigerian politicians that the evil that their political son has done to their political father has befallen him.

    “Suffice to say that for 16 years Bukola has underdeveloped Kwara and has controlled governor more than the master controls his cook. He has reduced Kwarans to mere beggars in their own political and economic life.

    “The confession of Bukola Saraki after his defection from APC exposes him as a selfish politician. To him, politics is about juicy jobs. That is why I am happy to be here to see the actual translation of ‘enough is enough’.

    “Everything that has a beginning must have an end. It is the day the people that have been at the receiving make up their minds to confront the oppressors that the oppression is over. That is the case of Kwara and the case of Bukola. I join you the people of Kwara to celebrate your new found freedom.”

    Information, Culture & Tourism Minister Lai Mohammed said: “During the November 17, 2018 by-election, I said our party has broken the Berlin Wall of Kwara politics. I said then that we will repeat the same thing during the 2019 elections.

    “The elections are now here. It is time to retire those who have held the state down and make our people and our state very poor. They have been deceiving the people. They have been blaming the Federal Government for their failure.

    “When they can’t pay workers’ salaries, they blame the Federal Government; when they cannot provide road they blame the Federal Government; voting them is giving them licence to continue to loot.

    “They say the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has not done anything in Kwara State. Tell them it is a big lie.”

    He reeled out the major infrastructural achievements of the government in the state.

    The state chairman of the party, Bashir Bolarinwa said the state under the Saraki oligarchy had been underdeveloped, saying “as a first generation state our infrastructure and institutions do not depict our status. We, unfortunately, are behind other states created much later.

    “It is a pity. We prayed, we hoped and made a decision that we are indeed tired of this group of reincarnate of the biblical Pharaoh. But Kwarans have decided that our own Pharaoh must let Kwara go.

    “Today’s rally is a culmination of our collective resolve of people to declare and let it resonate clearly that ‘enough is enough’ indeed.

    “After all, the tenet of democracy is that the people decide who should govern them. Since the people have oto ge, let enough be enough. They should pack and go. I appeal to you all to heed our clarion call of Oto ge (enough is enough)”.

  • Buhari warns against election violence

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday warned Nigerians against engaging in violence during the forthcoming general elections, saying he is not an apostle of bloodshed.

    He advised Nigerians to embrace peaceful conduct, shun political thuggery and other forms of crisis.

    Buhari spoke during the women conference of the First African Church Mission, held in Zuturung, Gada Biyu, Zango-Kataf Local Govt Area, Southern Kaduna, with the theme: “I will help you”.

    The President, who was represented by Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Deborah Iliya, described those sponsoring violence during elections as unpatriotic.

    Calling on the people of Southern Kaduna to support his re-election in the forthcoming polls, Buhari said: “I’m not an apostle of bloodshed, no, I’m not available for violence.”

    The President called on women to play their motherly roles in the building of good homes and the country.

    He appreciated the leadership of the African Church of Mission for their invitation and reiterated his relentless efforts and commitment to creating a more conducive environment for the citizenry, saying: “We are one big family.”

    Congratulating the church on behalf of the President for the solidarity and support they have continued to give the government, Ambassador Iliya said the Nigerian project had already become a reality.

    She said: “I believe that your prayers will give your leaders the power towards their numerous efforts to improve the lives and well-being of all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs or creed.

    “In the front-burner of the agenda of the present administration is the provision of adequate security to the citizenry. This, the President has since demonstrated, by equipping the various security agencies, so that they would always act more efficiently.

    “The President has told me to inform you that he sees human life as sacrosanct and will do everything to protect lives and properties. Try to live in peace and harmony with one another and avoid anything that could bring trouble.”

  • Buhari endorses Abiodun as APC candidate

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday raised the hands of Prince Dapo Abiodun and presented him to the electorate in Ogun State as the party’s governorship candidate in the March 2 election.

    Scores of hoodlums had stormed the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, venue of the party’s rally, and disrupted the proceedings.

    APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole also presented the symbolic party’s flag to Abiodun at the well-attended rally.

    The event was also witnessed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, some former and serving governors and party executives.

    President Buhari hailed the people of Ogun State for supporting him in 2015 and reeled out his achievements in combating insurgency, fighting corruption, building infrastructure and providing social security, among others, for Nigerians.

    Against the violence that preceded his arrival at the venue, during which several members of the APC were injured and chased out of the stadium by thugs allegedly sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the President warned that the choice of who to vote for “is a fundamental human right of the people and there should be no problems about that at all”.

    He posited that people should be allowed to freely express their choice by voting their preferred candidate on February 16 and March 2.

    President Buhari said he had “no problem about it”.

    The state’s Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Yemi Sanusi, apologised to the President for the gross misconduct, indiscipline, disrespect and disorder perpetrated by suspected agents of the governor at the M. K. O. Abiola Stadium.

    He said Amosun allegedly used the thugs and other urchins to wreak havoc on members and supporters of the APC for wearing yellow vests and caps of Dapo Abiodun.

    The caretaker committee chairman alleged that the thugs at some points were personally led by the governor, who was seen on a video that has since gone viral, removing billboards and other campaign materials of Dapo Abiodun from the venue.

    Also, members of the caretaker committee were reportedly barred from mounting the stage, allegedly by Amosun’s “thugs”, with obvious compromise of some security agents attached to the governor.

    “The unruly acts, not only embarrassed the President and his entourage, but embarrassed the people of Ogun State at home and abroad, who have since been expressing their disbelief and disdain.

    “While tendering this apology, we are happy that the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies have details of the sad events, which we urge them to submit to the Presidency,” Sanusi said.

  • Buhari endorses Abiodun as APC candidate

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday raised the hands of Prince Dapo Abiodun and presented him to the electorate in Ogun State as the party’s governorship candidate in the March 2 election.

    Scores of hoodlums had stormed the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, venue of the party’s rally, and disrupted the proceedings.

    APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole also presented the symbolic party’s flag to Abiodun at the well-attended rally.

    The event was also witnessed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, some former and serving governors and party executives.

    President Buhari hailed the people of Ogun State for supporting him in 2015 and reeled out his achievements in combating insurgency, fighting corruption, building infrastructure and providing social security, among others, for Nigerians.

    Against the violence that preceded his arrival at the venue, during which several members of the APC were injured and chased out of the stadium by thugs allegedly sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the President warned that the choice of who to vote for “is a fundamental human right of the people and there should be no problems about that at all”.

    He posited that people should be allowed to freely express their choice by voting their preferred candidate on February 16 and March 2.

    President Buhari said he had “no problem about it”.

    The state’s Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Yemi Sanusi, apologised to the President for the gross misconduct, indiscipline, disrespect and disorder perpetrated by suspected agents of the governor at the M. K. O. Abiola Stadium.

    He said Amosun allegedly used the thugs and other urchins to wreak havoc on members and supporters of the APC for wearing yellow vests and caps of Dapo Abiodun.

    The caretaker committee chairman alleged that the thugs at some points were personally led by the governor, who was seen on a video that has since gone viral, removing billboards and other campaign materials of Dapo Abiodun from the venue.

    Also, members of the caretaker committee were reportedly barred from mounting the stage, allegedly by Amosun’s “thugs”, with obvious compromise of some security agents attached to the governor.

    “The unruly acts, not only embarrassed the President and his entourage, but embarrassed the people of Ogun State at home and abroad, who have since been expressing their disbelief and disdain.

    “While tendering this apology, we are happy that the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies have details of the sad events, which we urge them to submit to the Presidency,” Sanusi said.

  • Pelting Buhari in Ogun sign of rejection, says PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) has described Monday’s pelting of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally, as a sign of rejection.

    According to the main opposition party, the action was a direct response by Nigerians to his four years misrule as depicted in the expansion of poverty, corruption, divisiveness and bloodletting across the country.

    A statement Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said “It’s instructive to note that Mr. President was pelted in Abeokuta barely 24 hours after his Zamfara state rally on Sunday, where he attempted to incite Nigerians to join the APC in their planned resort to violence to derail the 2019 general election, having realised that they stand no chance of winning the election”.

    The PDP said the people of Ogun state, and indeed, the South West, have shown that they are in direct alignment with other states and geo-political zones in rejecting President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose administration the party said, has foisted so much injustice and brought unprecedented pain and anguish to Nigerians.

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    The statement said, “Mr. President can now see that Nigerians cannot be bought with N10, 000, as he was made to believe by Prof. Osinbajo and members of the cabal in his Presidency.

    “After the unpalatable encounters in all his rallies, Mr. President needs no further signal to show him that the people have completely rejected him, despite his false performance indices. Nigerians are determined to deal him a crushing defeat on February 16 by voting enmasse for the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as the next President of our country.

    “The PDP therefore urges President Buhari and the APC to read the handwriting on the wall and get ready to accept his inevitable defeat so that Nigerians can have a breath of fresh air under the leadership of Atiku Abubakar, whose campaign has continued to receive rousing reception in all parts of the country”.