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Tag: BUHARI

  • Updated: Gunmen kidnap Abia APC chairman

    The Abia State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Donatus Nwankpa has reportedly been kidnapped by gunmen.

    Nwankpa’s kidnap, our reporter gathered was kidnapped by armed men at Aro Ngwa junction along Aba-Enugu Expressway at about 11pm on his way from Umuahia, the State capital to Aba, the commercial nerve of the state to prepare ahead of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    It was gathered that members of the party were thrown into panic following the breaking of the news of the abduction of Nwankpa.

    APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson while confirming Nwankpa’s abduction, told newsmen in Aba on Tuesday that the party got information that there were plots by the opposition to disrupt the party’s presidential rally Tuesday, but never expected that it will get to the level of planning to kidnap the state chairman.

    He said: “There was a plot on ground to disrupt today’s visit by the president, but we never expected this. He was kidnapped and up till now, we’ve not heard from him. He remains our authentic Chairman. Kidnapping Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, a foundation builder, a mover and the man who has brought this party from nowhere to somewhere cannot stop this party from winning Abia.

    “I’m telling you authoritatively that there are some persons in opposition party who might have done this in collaboration with some persons in our own party and we are telling them that this is not the right way to play politics.

    “This move cannot stop Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, a Godsend industrialist in winning Abia. People are afraid and according to our party Chairman, it’s obvious that some persons were planted into our party by the opposition to distract the party.

    “For now we are not accusing anybody, but we know that the evil people are trying their best, but they’ll fail. We are sure our Chairman will be back soon because he’s a good man and a man of God. We plead with his abductors to release him for he meant well for Abia State.”

    Also reacting to the kidnap of Nwankpa, a chieftain of the party, Hon. Acho Obioma wondered why the gunmen should go after a man that he described as easy going and friendly.

    Obioma who represented Umuahia/Ikwuano constituency at the federal house of representatives, while appealing to the gunmen to release Nwankpa also called on heads of various security agencies to ensure that the state chairman was rescued from the hands of his abductors.

  • Electricity has no political colour, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday declared that electricity has no political colour.

    Buhari spoke while inaugurating the Ariara Market Independent Power Plant (IPP) in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also pledged that his administration will continue to execute people-oriented projects around the country irrespective of party differences.

    ‘‘Today with policies and programmes such as this IPP we have demonstrated that if the common good is our mutual objective, it can be achieved irrespective of party differences and constitutional limitations.

    ‘‘Electricity has no political colour,’’ the President said in his speech at the inauguration of the plant.

    He expressed delight 37,000 shops belonging to traders and small business owners in Ariara market will, one after the other, be connected to the dedicated electricity supply.

    Buhari said the feat will strengthen the Made-in-Nigeria policy for which Abia and in particular, Aba, and Ariaria market are already well known.

    ‘‘I am pleased to be here today at the milestone connection of 4,000 shops that now have dedicated power.

    ‘‘Being a market that supplies shoes, bags, clothing, trunks and many household accessories to Nigeria, many African countries like Chad, Cameroun, Gambia and Central Africa Republic, reliable power supply is critical for ease of doing business to ensure sustainability and improvement.

    Read Also: Pensioners to Buhari: have mercy on us

    ‘‘I am told that before this intervention, traders in the market only got 4 hours a day of electricity and paid exorbitantly for it, which consequently affected the viability of many businesses.

    ‘‘This is the sad legacy we inherited but which we are replacing with an all-day power supply that is cleaner and better for our environment.

    ‘‘Those who turned their backs on these problems still have the courage to campaign about unemployment and poverty,’’ he said.

    The President told delighted traders and businessmen who trooped out en-masse to welcome him to Aba that the APC-led administration is creating jobs for Nigerians through investments in power projects like the IPP in Ariaria.

    ‘‘What is happening in Ariaria today by way of clean, independent and reliable power to markets and small businesses is happening in Kano, Lagos, Ondo and Ibadan.

    ‘‘Similar initiatives have started in nine Federal universities with a plan to cover 37 universities, through Government funding,’’ he said.

    Saluting the traders for their fortitudes over the years when no previous government attended to their concerns, the President declared: ‘‘Methodically, slowly, but very efficiently, we are cleaning up the mess.

    “We are moving our economy away from rent and arbitrage and heading resolutely to building an economy that rewards investments, enterprise and hard work.’’

    Buhari assured business owners in Ariara that under his watch they will continue to experience better days and prosperity as African markets await more of Made-in-Aba products.

    The President is on his 17th and 18th campaigns stops to Abia and Imo States for the February 16, 2019 presidential elections.

    On his arrival in Aba, the President had paid homage to Enyi 1 of Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne before attending the APC presidential campaign rally at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

  • 2019 polls: Buhari, APC senators meet to boost victory

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night met behind closed doors with the All Progressives Congress ( APC) senators towards victory for the party at the forthcoming general elections.

    The meeting, was held at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, for about two hours from 8p.m.

    Those in attendance included senatorial candidates of the APC, while serving senators were also led by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.

    Also at the meeting were the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Oshiomhole said, ” basically the meeting was for the President to meet with the caucus of the Senate and the APC senatorial candidates.

    Read also: We don’t have money to dash out, says Buhari

    “The whole idea is for the president to have a direct interaction with the senators and the senatorial candidates of the APC.

    “So, that they will work hard and ensure that on the basis of one-man, one-vote, the outcome of the 2019 elections will be in our favour.

    “This is an opportunity for some of the senatorial candidates to meet with the president for the fist time.

    “Also, to compare and share notes on the campaigns of each of the senatorial district,” he said.

  • IPOB issues sit-at-home order as Buhari visits Abia

    The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday evening asked all the members of group within the Aba metropolis to observe a mini sit-at-home ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the city.

    A release by the spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, asked IPOB members to be indoors from 6am till 4pm.

    Powerful, while warning its members to stay away from any political activity on Tuesday, said their desire was to ensure a total boycott of Buhari’s campaign with the hope he (Buhari) would meet an empty stadium.

    Meanwhile, our reporter who monitored the mood of the town Monday evening, reports that security has been beefed-up within the commercial city.

    Read also: Lagos Assembly summons Ambode over 2019 budget

    Sources from various security agencies stated that the President would use the opportunity of his visit to commission the Ariaria International power project of the federal government executed through the Rural Electrification Agency before addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

    Security as at Monday evening has been beefed up around the Ariaria Power project with the Ariaria International Market expected to be shut for commercial and business activities as a mark of respect for the visit of the president.

    The commissioner of Police and heads of various security agencies, were said to have arrived Aba Monday afternoon to put finishing touches to security arrangements.

    Reacting on the press release by the IPOB leadership, a head of one of the security agencies in the state, who preferred anonymity urged members of the public to disregard IPOB’s order to go about their lawful duties.

    He warned any group of persons who tries to disrupt the peace in Aba to rethink their actions as they would not watch anyone cause breach of peace in the state and Aba in particular.

  • Nigeria safe with my husband, says Aisha Buhari

    Wife of the President Aisha Buhari has urged Kogi women and youths to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 poll because Nigeria will remain secured in his hands.

    She spoke during a town hall meeting organised by women and youths moblisation arm of President Buhari campaign organisation coordinated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader Hajia Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma in Lokoja the state capital at the weekend.

    She spoke through the wife of the Vice President Mrs. Dolapo Osibanjo, who represented her at the event.

    She said: “Nigeria is secured in the hands of my husband because he will not steal Nigeria’s money and he is a very prudent man”.

    She who described the people of Kogi State as kind and hardworking, assuring their future was guaranteed because president Buhari was already laying a solid foundation for that through the anti-corruption war.

    Umar-Eluma challenged Kogi women and youths to begin door-to-door campaign to ensure a land slide victory for the party in the state in the forthcoming general elections.

    The APC woman leader told them to work to deliver the party hundred percent from top to bottom in the coming elections.

    She said Buhari had done so much to merit re-election come February 16.

    According to her: “We all must give him our total support by going back to our homes, communities and villages to campaign for APC”.

    She emphasised Buhari deserved a second term to enable him consolidate on the good work of rebuilding Nigeria for a better future for all Nigerians.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari: blood thicker than water

    She noted he was very concerned about the plight of the ordinary Nigerian especially women, youths and children, which was why he instituted social investment programmes that are directly impacting on them.

    The APC National Women Leader listed such programnes like school feeding, which has fed over nine million Primary school Pupils in 26 states; Marketmoni, which has so far benefited over 500,000 small businessmen and women; Tradermoni which has benefited over 2million individuals and N-Power program, which so far has provided over 500,000 young graduates with gainful employment and skills acquisition opportunities.

    She noted these programmes were deliberately designed by the Buhari administration to uplift the downtrodden.

    The well-attended meeting was also graced by the First Ladies of Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau and several other APC female stalwarts, including the former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and a former Minister Mrs Pauline Talen.

  • Remove acting CJN immediately – Agbakoba

    A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to immediately remove Acting Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad.

    He made the demand in a January 28 letter to the NJC entitled: Petition against Hon. Justice Tanko Mohammed JSC

    Agbakoba recalled that on January 25, President Mohammadu Buhari, pursuant to an ex-parte order of the Code of the Conduct Tribunal (CCT), suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghnen, and swore in Justice Mohammed as the Acting CJN.

    He wrote: “The Constitution is clear about the procedure for suspending or removing the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The Chief Justice of Nigeria can only be removed on the recommendation of the NJC.”

    He referred to Section 153 (1), Paragraph 21 (a) of the 3rd Schedule and Section 292 (1) (a) (i) of the 1999 Constitution and the Supreme Court decision in Elelu-Habeeb v AGF (2012) 40 WRN 1.

    Agbakoba said Justice Muhammad is fully aware of the state of law, yet presented himself to be sworn in by the President.

    “Incidentally, Justice Tanko Muhammad was a member of the NJC panel that removed Justice Obisike Orji of the Abia State High Court for accepting to be sworn in as Chief Judge by the Governor of Abia State without the recommendation of the NJC.

    Read Also; Protest in Calabar over Onnoghen’s suspension

    “It is a matter of regret that Justice Tanko Muhammad who participated in this process will lend himself to this constitutional infraction,” the SAN said.

    He urged the NJC to remove Justice Muhammad based on the Abia precedent.

    “We pray the NJC determine this petition in line with the decision in Justice Obisike Orji by immediately removing Justice Tanko Muhammad as Justice of the Supreme Court on grounds of gross misconduct by allowing himself to be sworn in by the President of Nigeria, without the recommendation of the NJC,” Agbakoba said.

  • Updated: Buhari, Mbaka meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with the Catholic Priest and Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    The closed doors meeting was held at the President’s office.
    Mbaka, before the 2015 general elections had predicted that President Buhari would defeat the immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan.

    Read Also; Ex-VP to Buhari: the world is watching you

    The priest, who arrived the forecourt of the Presidential Villa through the security gate in a BMW car, maroon colour, had passed through the same way and in the same vehicle at the end of the closed doors meeting.

    He left the Villa before journalists could get to him.

    No official statement has been issued on the meeting as at press time.

     

    Details soon…

  • Why Akure should support Buhari’s re-election

    Residents of Akure, the Ondo state capital have been urged to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in order to benefit from various projects already mapped out for the community especially the proposed teaching hospital to be funded by the federal government.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Tunji Light Ariyomo made the appeal while addressing people of Gbogi and Isinkan areas in Akure metropolis yesterday during a door-to-door mobilisation campaign for Buhari, Osinbajo and other APC candidates.

    Ariyomo, an engineer and cabinet member of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration who led the campaign team to ward 2 of Akure South local government, said the APC administration at federal and state levels meant well for Akure and its environs.

    The Special Adviser to Akeredolu on Public Utilities commended the executive members of the party in the Ward for standing firm.

    He highlighted various achievements Akeredolu’s led administration in the state and some of the achievements of President Buhari in the last three and a half years in office, especially the infrastructural facilities as well as the fight against corruption.

    While emphasising the presence of the Buhari-led government in their domain, Ariyomo noted that the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on May 4, 2018 flagged off the pilot project of Special Intervention in Energising Markets as Productive Clusters right there at Isinkan Market, Akure.

    According to him, the federal project was powered by the National Rural Electrification Agency and Ondo State Government’s Office of Public Utilities.

    Ariyomo charged the people to re-elect Buhari and other APC candidates to prevent the nation from being plunged back into the era of wanton profligacy.

    The Akeredolu’s aide who until his recent appointment as Adviser was the Chief Executive of EVIS Limited promised to empower no fewer than 570 residents of the local government in a phased empowerment programme that would include interest-free loans for start-ups and small businesses as well as scholarship programmes for hundreds of indigent students.

    Ariyomo said “I want to plead with you to rise up as Akure sons and daughters and vote for Buhari, Osinbajo, Alasoadura, Olowookere and other APC candidates in the coming general elections. Let us also deliver all seats in the House of Assembly for the APC.

    “We have obtained assurances from the highest quarters possible in the APC federal government for the functional establishment of our teaching hospital in Akure kingdom which is very dear to the heart of our people.

    “Let us re-elect Buhari and Osinbajo so that the corrupt people who had in the past looted our patrimony would not find their way back in the saddle again,”

    The APC stalwart also promised the people his personal empowerment programme, saying “I want to state categorically that at least 36 people from this Ward will partake in my 2019 empowerment scheme and a total of 570 people in all Akure towns in the central senatorial district. The party executives would get theirs separately.

    He pledged that women and men would benefit from the empowerment programme equally.

    The APC Ward 2 Chairman, Boluwaji Jose appreciated the Special Adviser for his care and support for party members and supporters.

    He assured that the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party in the coming elections was not negotiable.

    Other members of the party executive including Vice Chairman, Dare Ogunsuyi, Secretary, Oluwole Fadeyi, Assistant Secretary, David Monehin, PRO, Rufus Akingbola, Auditor Tope Jesse were at the event.

  • Ex-VP to Buhari: the world is watching you

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the February 16 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday reiterated his warning that there will be no room for rigging in the coming poll.

    He spoke in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in response to the Federal Government’s warning to United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) on the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

    The former vice president warned that anyone planning to rig the election may as well be toying with the very foundation of the nation’s democracy.

    The statement reads: “Buhari’s cabal is unhappy  with the statements from the U.S., the British and the E.U. because they know that these world powers have agreed  to re-route their latest and most technologically sophisticated spy satellite, including the NAOL-47 satellite, to provide comprehensive coverage over Nigeria on February 16.  The photographs these satellites will deliver can not only show someone reading a newspaper but also which newspaper they are reading.”

    Recall that the Federal Government, had in statement through Garba Shehu, stated: “The nation’s security forces will confront any attempt to interfere with the process by elements from outside the country”.

    The PDP candidate expressed concerns over the desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the forthcoming elections. He advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the military and the police not to allow themselves to be used by those interested in turning Nigeria’s democracy on its head.

    “The truth is that there is no country in the world where a president with this appalling record could ever be re-elected. Over 100 million Nigerians cannot afford even one decent meal a day, yet their president is seeking re-election.

    “The world powers as well as Nigerians also have intelligence that Buhari will decisively lose the elections since the people are angry because they are hungry and have no jobs.

    “There is no level of rigging that this vile government could ever do to overturn the millions of Nigerians who will turn up at the polls to vote him out. We ask our dearest young population who got a job under Buhari in the last four years to vote for Buhari.

    “But all those who lost their jobs and whose relations lost their jobs and businesses to his maladministration to please come out in large numbers to elect Atiku Abubabar who is a harbinger of job creation!”

  • Buhari to get award Feb. 12

    A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Coalition for A Better Nigeria, will, on February 12, confer President Muhammadu Buhari with its ‘Architect of modern Nigeria’ award.

    The group said the gesture is to recognise Buhari’s “unprecedented record of achievements in security, anti-corruption fight, and focused revival of the economy.

    The ceremony will hold at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, chairman of the event’s organising committee, Awa Bamiji, said.

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu will chair the occasion, Bamiji added.

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai will deliver the eight pre-election national discourse titled: “2019 General Elections: Nigerian Youths as a major determinant”.

    Guests of honour are Lagos APC governorhsip candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Oyo and Ogun States counterparts Chief Bayo Adelabu and Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun.

    Afenifere Chieftain, Senator Biyi Durojaiye and Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman are father and mother of the day.

    According to the organisers, the occasion will be used by CSOs “whose members are Nigerian youths and students to publicly thank President Muhammadu Buhari for designating June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day last year, which is the 25th year after the criminal annulment.”

    Discussants at the event are two former National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Presidents Danladi Sunday Oladele (aka Lado) and Segun Mayegun.