The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • How Buhari will win presidential poll, by Kalu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former governor of Abia State Dr Orji Kalu on Tuesday gave insights into how the winner of the February 16. 2019 election will emerge.

    He said majority from Northern Nigeria would determine the winner.

    According to Kalu, experience has shown that whoever clinches majority of the votes from that region always emerges President.

    Speaking on departure to Abuja at a private hangar at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Kalu said with over 14.9 million votes already in his basket, it would be easier for Buhari to coast home to victory.

    He affirmed with the infrastructural revolution embarked upon in the South Eastern region, the President will also shore up his electoral changes better than in 2015.

    He said people of the region have come to realize that President Buhari , who was painted in different light, has shown more love for the Igbos through the many projected executed in the region.

    He cited the payment of pension to Biafrian Soldiers and Police; payment of severance benefits to former workers of Nigeria Airways Limited; Nigerian Railway Corporation and massive road construction across the South East.

    Kalu said Buhari will do well electorally in Anambra state with a projected 50 per cent of the votes cast; while he will pull over 35 per cent of votes cast in Enugu and 50 per cent in Ebonyi.

    Read Also: Presidential panel spends N10b on feeding Northeast IDPs

    In Imo State, he predicted Buhari will pull 52 per cent and garner between 51 and 65 per cent in Abia State.

    He cautioned the Igbo socio cultural organisation Ohaneze Ndi Igbo against turning the group into a political party because it does not have the mandate to tell Igbo people, which party or candidate to cast their votes for.

    He said because Ohaneze comprises people of different political parties, it will be wrong for them to endorse Alhaji Abubakar Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its preferred candidate.

    Kalu warned international community especially the European Union, United States and United Kingdom against interference in the presidential election.

    He said as global stakeholders they should advise on how to achieve peace and transparent elections and allow Nigerian voters to determine their leaders through the polls .

  • We won’t sell NNPC, refineries, FG assures workers

    The federal government has assured it has no plan or agenda to sell any of the refineries or the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ).

    It said anybody who has such plan does not have the interest of the workers at heart.

    Speaking at the 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said government was determined to attain the decent work agenda, which involves opportunity for works that are productive and deliver a fair income, security work places and social protection for families.

    Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Buhari said: “I want to reassure you of the commitment of this administration to the issue of welfare of workers.

    Read Also: IPMAN hails harmonious relations with NNPC

    “This is evidence of numerous programmes and policies that have been initiated by this administration in promoting the interest of the well-being of our workforce.

    “Meanwhile the administration is committed to addressing other labour issues that are still pending.”

    The NLC called for reversal of power sector privatisation due to what it called chronic failures by the distribution companies (Discos) to deliver quality power supply to Nigerians.

    Its National President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said: “Since the privatization of electricity distribution, Nigerians are yet to see the fulfilment of promises of efficient service delivery.

    “Instead, the electricity situation has gone worse with chronic failures by DISCOs to supply prepaid meters, exploitation of Nigerians through estimated billings and reluctance to attend to basic complaints.

    “Even with N39 billion bailout funds from government, the supposed private entrepreneurs have failed to turn anything around except maybe their pockets, unfortunately, at the expense of Nigerians. This must stop.

    “We call on government to reverse the power sector privatisation because it has failed.

    “Privatization of public utilities has not generally proven to be the correct thing to do in most countries even developed ones.

    “Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work; the many advantages of public alternative authored by David Hall privatizing public utilities has been a wreck in most countries. Example form Spain, France, India, South Korea, UK, Australia among others show how public/state guarantees and loans to private sector for the utilities sector have resulted in failures on delivery of services as well as repayment in most cases”.

    He however urged the Federal Government to resuscitate ailing refineries in other to liberate the downstream sector.

  • Campaign: photos of Buhari’s arrival in Ekiti

    President Muhammdu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday arrived in Akure, the Ondo State capital, amidst heavy security on a campaign visit to Ondo and Ekiti states for the 2019 general elections.

    R-L: APC leaders: Governor Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); former Interim National Chairman, APC, Chief Bisi Akande; Governor Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Governor Isiaka Ajimobi (Oyo), Governor Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); former Ekiti State Governor and Deputy National Chairman APC, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; and other APC leaders awaiting the arrival of President Mohammadu Buhari for the Ekiti State Presidential campaign in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday
    R-L: President Mohammadu Buhari; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and APC Senatorial Candidate, Hon Bamidele Opeyemi during the arrival of President Buhari in Ado-Ekiti for the Ekiti State Presidential campaign on Tuesday

    Read Also: Campaign: Buhari, Osinbajo arrive Ondo, Ekiti amidst tight security

    President Mohammadu Buhari being welcomed by Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; during the arrival of the President in Ado-Ekiti for the Ekiti State Presidential campaign on Tuesday

  • Campaign: Buhari, Osinbajo arrive Ondo, Ekiti amidst tight security

    President Muhammdu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday arrived in Akure, the Ondo State capital, amidst heavy security on a campaign visit to Ondo and Ekiti states for the 2019 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari and Vice President started their campaign from Ekiti to seek re-election to their offices as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Buhari was received by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and Chief Olusola Oke, Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation in the South West.

    Others include Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District and Mr Olaide Adelami, State Coordinator, Presidential Support Committee in Ondo State.

    Read Also: My fight against corruption unshaken, says Buhari

    Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport, Chief Bola Tinubu, the Head of the Presidential Campaign and Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s National Chairman, also arrived after the president and vice president

    NAN also reports that the men of the Nigerian Police were led by Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, Commissioner of Police in the state.

    Other security agencies include men of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), among others.

  • Looters won’t go unpunished, says Buhari

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reiterated the determination of his administration to rid the country of injustice and corruption.

    According to him, “Any person who cheated or looted the nation will be brought to justice, irrespective of status of the person in society,”

    He spoke when he met Southwest Imams and Islamic scholars on Sunday at the State House, Abuja.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, urged religious leaders to spread the message among their followers of the government’s total determination to promote social justice across the entire society.

    Buhari said the nation’s diverse religions and cultures teach justice by all and for all, adding that “unless there is justice for everyone, the country cannot progress”.

    The delegation leader, Sheik Abdulrasheed Hadiyatullah, described politics as the proper administration of public affairs and rebuilding what was destroyed.

    He hailed the President for doing just that and assured him of support in reforming the country.

    “We have never seen a purposeful government as this one. We have great respect for you. We will continue to support your war against corruption and the programmes aimed at making life better for the generality of Nigerians,” Sheik Hadiyatullah said.

  • My fight against corruption unshaken, says Buhari

    •President inaugurates ICPC board

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that the ordinary people in the country understand and support his administration’s fight against corruption.

    Those opposing the fight against corruption, he said, were only pretending not to know what corruption is.

    The President spoke at the swearing in of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Board members at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “Today’s occasion is the continuation of this administration’s fight against corruption.  It is a cardinal programme in the three-point agenda that I promised to pursue and will continue to pursue as I seek the mandate of Nigerians for a second term.

    “The fight against corruption is very crucial in our national development.  This is why I have often said – if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.

    “We are all witnesses to the damage that unbridled corruption has inflicted on our development aspirations.  Apart from deliberate and wanton looting of our national wealth and common patrimony, corruption has eroded our values and ethical foundation as a nation.

    “Corruption has negatively affected our political, economic and social life.  Those opposed to our fight against corruption berate us for our focus, determination and single-mindedness.  They pretend that they do not know what corruption is.

    “But Nigerians know what corruption is.  Ordinary people know what corruption is and they support our effort and determination to fight it.”

    The President also listed the various forms of corruption in the public service.

    He said “The abuse of public office for private gain represents corruption in its worst form.  The circumvention of public policies and processes for competitive advantage and profit is another form of corruption.

    “The abuse of public office for personal benefit even if no bribery occurs is also corruption.  The diversion of State revenue or miss-application of budgeted funds falls into the same category.

    “I am particularly delighted that the ICPC law under which you will operate is robust enough to assist government to sanitise the public sector of corruption in service delivery, public procurement, diversion of public revenue, deliberate misuse of public funds, and so on.”

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    He insisted that government agencies must give account of public funds.

    “We are determined to ensure that every agency of government account for public revenue generated or expended.  I am looking forward to ICPC’s support both for enforcement of anti-corruption laws and submission of policy measures and directives to prevent revenue leakage and diversion.

    “In this regard, I urge you to collaborate with other government agencies such as the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation towards mitigating wrong-doing in public expenditure.  Furthermore, I look forward to receiving anti-corruption recommendations linked to e-Government standards and principles.

    The acceptance speech on behalf of the ICPC was made by Professor Bolaji Owasanoye.

    “We are lucky to be given this assignment because under your leadership, you are unquestionable, unequivocal and unshakable resolve to deal with corruption is very well known.

    “Therefore, the political will required to fight corruption is available.

    “I pledge on behave of the commission and members that we will do our best not to disappoint you or disappoint the country.”

    Other members of the board include Dr. Grace Chinda, Okolo Titus, Obiora Igwedebia, Mrs. Olubukola Balogun, Justice Adams Bello, Hannatu Muhammed, Abdullahi Saidu and Yahaya Dauda.

  • Retired Generals back Buhari for second term

    Retired military officers in the three armed forces comprising Army, Navy and Air Force, on Monday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for second term.

    The Presidential election is slated for February 16, 2019.

    The retired generals comprising 13 major generals, eight Air vice Marshals (AVM), two Rear Admirals, 12 Brigadier Generals, nine Air commodores, eight Commodores and 17 former military administrators gave the endorsement on Monday.

    Read Also: ACF applauds Buhari over oil drilling in North

    They were led by former military administrator of Lagos State, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd).

    Also among the delegation are former President Goodluck Jonathan’s minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade, and former Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Jubril Ayinla.

    Details Later…

  • ACF applauds Buhari over oil drilling in North

    …silent over NEF’s endorsement of Atiku

     

    Barely 24 hours after Professor Ango Abdullahi led Northern Elders Forum (NEF) endorsed PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for presidency, mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government over the flag-off of oil drilling operations in the North.

    Though, the ACF was silent over the NEF’s endorsement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, its commendation of Buhari programme 24 hours after, speaks volume.

    The forum in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu described the oil and gas drilling operations in the Spud-In of Kolmani River-11 well in the Gongola Basin in Bauchi State, flagged-off by President Muhammad Buhari, as a welcome development.

    ACF argued that, “the political will mustered by the government to aggressively pursue the oil exploration in the Northern part of the country, clearly dovetails with the regime’s economic recovery and growth plan, which it said can boost economic benefits, particularly in the North and Nigeria in general.

    According to ACF, “The oil and gas drilling operations in the Spud-In of Kolmani River-11 well in the Gongola Basin in Bauchi State, flagged-off by President Muhammad Buhari last week is a welcome development in the sense that it will open new prospects for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

    “The political will mustered by the Federal Government (FG) to aggressively pursue the oil exploration in the Northern part of the country clearly dovetails with the regime’s economic recovery and growth plan (ERGP) which can boost economic benefits, particularly in the North and Nigeria in general.

    Read Also: ACF to Labour leaders: don’t truncate democracy

    “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), therefore, commends the FG and urges her to sustain the oil and gas exploration efforts in the other frontier basins.

    “In this respects, ACF appeals to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to courageously and fully ensure that the Presidential directive on the oil exploration campaigns in Chad Basin, Gongola, Anambra, Sokoto, Bida Basins and Benue Trough are carried out to the letter and spirit.

    “ACF also appeals to the FG to also create and provide an enabling environment that will encourage other oil companies to invest and participate in the oil and gas exploration in the North. This is because the oil and gas exploration will in no small measure add value to the nation’s economy,” ACF said.

  • Ordinary Nigerians supporting my fight against corruption, Says Buhari

    …Says all government agencies must account for public funds

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that the ordinary people in the country understand and support his administration’s fight against corruption.

    Those opposing the fight against corruption, he said, are only pretending not to know what corruption is.

    The President spoke during the swearing in of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Board members at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said “Today’s occasion is the continuation of this Administration’s fight against corruption. It is a cardinal programme in the three point agenda that I promised to pursue and will continue to pursue as I seek the mandate of Nigerians for a second term.

    “The fight against corruption is very crucial in our national development. This is why I have often said – if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.

    “We are all witnesses to the damage that unbridled corruption has inflicted on our development aspirations. Apart from deliberate and wanton looting of our national wealth and common patrimony, corruption has eroded our values and ethical foundation as a nation.

    “Corruption has negatively affected our political, economic and social life. Those opposed to our fight against corruption berate us for our focus, determination and single mindedness. They pretend that they do not know what corruption is.

    “But Nigerians know what corruption is. Ordinary people know what corruption is and they support our effort and determination to fight it,” he said.

    The President also listed the various form of corruption in the public service.

    He said “The abuse of public office for private gain represents corruption in its worst form. The circumvention of public policies and processes for competitive advantage and profit is another form of corruption.

    “The abuse of public office for personal benefit even if no bribery occurs is also corruption. The diversion of State revenue or miss-application of budgeted funds falls into the same category.

    “I am particularly delighted that the ICPC law under which you will operate is robust enough to assist government to sanitize the public sector of corruption in service delivery, public procurement, diversion of public revenue, deliberate misuse of public funds, and so on.”

    He insisted that all government agencies must give account of public funds.

    “As I have noted in recent times, despite our anti-corruption drive, some agencies of government still divert or refuse to fully account for revenue generated. Rather than obey constitutional provisions and extant rules and regulations, such agencies continue as if nothing has changed.

    “We are determined to ensure that every agency of government account for public revenue generated or expended. I am looking forward to ICPC’s support both for enforcement of anti-corruption laws and submission of policy measures and directives to prevent revenue leakage and diversion.

    “In this regard, I urge you to collaborate with other government agencies such as the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation towards mitigating wrong-doing in public expenditure. Furthermore, I look forward to receiving anti-corruption recommendations linked to e-Government standards and principles.

    “As the old saying goes – “Prevention is better than cure”. Your statutory mandate recognizes this principle. Therefore, I encourage you to come up with strong preventive policy measures and strategies for government’s endorsement to take us to the NEXT LEVEL in the fight against corruption. I am aware that the ICPC laws empower you to make proposals to assist government in this fight.

    “Just about a month ago, I opened your Corruption Risk Assessment training for anti-corruption agencies in Africa. That initiative, in support of my role as the AU anti-corruption champion is welcome, and I Iook forward to seeing ICPC distinguish itself as a leading institution in Africa in building capacity to conduct and implement corruption risk assessments.

    “But charity must begin at home. Therefore, your skills and expertise must be demonstrated in identifying MDAs highly prone to corruption and what must be done to bring about better governance.

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    “I am also aware that you have set up Anti-Corruption Transparency Unit in Ministries, Departments and Agencies. This is an important step towards corruption prevention and ensuring full compliance with government’s anti-corruption measures and our laws.”

    The President encouraged the ICPC to make effective use of ACTU in MDAs by receiving reports directly from such Units and taking enforcement measures to assist government realize its objectives of a cleaner public service.

    “I congratulate you on your appointment. My resolve to fight corruption remains unshaken. I assure you of my full support in the fight against corruption in Nigeria,” he said.

    The acceptance speech on behalf of the ICPC was made by Professor Bolaji Owasanoye.

    “We are lucky to be given this assignment because under your leadership, you are unquestionable, unequivocal and unshakable resolve to deal with corruption is very well known.

    “Therefore, the political will required to fight corruption is available.

    “I pledge on behave of the commission and members that we will do our best not to disappoint you or disappoint the country.”

    Other members of the board include Dr Grace Chinda, Okolo Titus, Obiora Igwedebia, Mrs Olubukola Balogun, Justice Adams Bello, Hannatu Muhammed, Abdullahi Saidu, and Yahaya Dauda.

  • Gang-up against Buhari won’t stand, says Presidency

    THOSE ganging up against President Muhammadu Buhari are wasting their time, his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity Garba Shehu said yesterday.

    He declared that no amount of gang up against the President in the build-up to February 16 presidential election will stand.

    In a statement, Shehu reminded the groups that are ganging up to stop the president’s re-election bid of the futility of their plans, saying their plot will fail as it did in 2015.

    He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is hiding in the bunker of ethnicity to avoid their inevitable defeat but that won’t change anything.

    “The current scenario resembles efforts to stop Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 by the same characters. It is an effort to repeat the old experiment that failed is 2015.

    “They failed to stop him from coming to power in 2015 and they will fail yet again on February 16. If all these groups are ganging up against one person, that is President Buhari, it tells you who is the formidable candidate in the election.

    “This gang up they forged, one more time will change nothing. It is for the people to decide.”