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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari, Obasanjo clash over election fraud alert

    A huge row broke out yesterday over the February 16 presidential election.

    Ex-President  Olusegun Obasanjo accused President Muhammadu Buhari of planning to rig the poll.

    The President rejected the allegation and advised Obasanjo to “see a good doctor for good threatment”.

    Obasanjo doubted the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which defended itself and insisted that it was confident of delivering free and fair elections.

    Obasanjo said INEC should ensure that one of its national commissioners, Hajiya Amina Zakari, stays off the conduct of the poll, especially at the Collation Centre.

    He claimed that it was obvious that Mrs Zakari was related to Buhari by marriage.

    The former president asked the international community to impose a visa ban and other sanctions, including freezing of accounts, on politicians suspected to be behind the rigging plot.

    He accused President Buhari of executing a self-succession plan like the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

    In his view, Nigeria is sliding back to the Abacha era.

  • Buhari fit for another term, says Osinbajo

    THOSE doubting the capacity of President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the country for another four years got a reply yesterday. The President is fit to steer the ship for another term, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said.

    Osinbajo, who had an interaction with some Christian youths in Lagos, debunked the insinuation over the President’s state of health and capacity to run for another term.

    He said: “Buhari is not an orator, but we need him for his integrity. I am an orator because I am a lawyer. Buhari will not allow anyone to steal public fund. He is a good keeper of public treasury.”

    Osinbajo told the audience that the Buhari administration had succeeded in eliminating grand corruption in the system. He said before now, a President can take money directly from the treasury and spent it the way he likes.

    He said few weeks into the 2015 elections, the leadership of the former regime withdrew $292 million (N36 billion) from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  and two weeks later, the bank was left without cash.

    “A lot of money were frittered and stolen when the country was earning a lot from oil and gas. Civil servants were buying government’s properties. People living in Abuja that time believe the country was rich. There was no rail, no road, no power and people were saying there was prosperity in the land. We now have to cope with the profligacy of that era,” Osinbajo said.

    He said nobody can go to Buhari and tell him to dip his hands into public treasury. “Even the money appropriated for projects are thoroughly monitored to ensure they are judiciously spent,” the vice president said.

    He explained that the war against Boko Haram has persisted because of the quality of weapons at the disposal of the troops.

    Explaining that weapons cannot be easily procured in the market like any other commodity, he said: “You can’t go to market and buy fighter jets and helicopters. It takes time because of the process the request has to pass through.

    “For instance, if you place order for jets from Brazil and even in Italy, they must get approval from the United States (U.S.) before they can manufacture them. When President Buhari went on state visit to U.S., he secured approval of President Donald Trump for our requisition, but we are still waiting. There is a lot of international politics involved. We have a better force in Nigerian Army”.

    He said what is sustaining Boko Haram is the financial and material support they are getting from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). We are working with our neighbours to prevent incursion of the terrorist group into West Africa.

    He added that four modular refineries have started operation in Delta and Rivers. He said about 30 others are still in the offing.

    The Dangote refinery with  the capacity to process 650,000 barrel per day,  would be completed in 2020, Osinbajo said.

  • Buhari condoles with Borno, family over envoy’s death

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Borno State on the death of the Chairman of Borno State Elders’ Forum, Ambassador Usman Gaji Giltimari.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also condoled with the family, friends, professional colleagues and associates of the late Giltimari, who was also the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Chad Republic.

    He lauded the late envoy’s piety, sacrifice and philanthropy throughout the period he served his community, the state and the Federal Government.

    The President expressed the belief that the late ambassador’s legacies of humility, hard work and dedication would always be remembered, and his investments in humanity evergreen.

    He prayed the Almighty God to receive his soul and comfort his family.

  • Buhari sure of 95 per cent of Ekiti votes, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated the state chapter of the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

    The governor assured Nigerians that Ekiti electorate will massively vote for President Muhammadu Buhari on February 16.

    Fayemi, who said the campaign council is not on a jamboree mission, stressed that the presidential election is another opportunity for Ekiti residents to prove that the state belongs to the progressive party.

    The governor described the February 16 poll as “a consolidation election” that should not be treated as a “routine election”.

    According to him, it will be the “end of discussion” for those who have ruined the country in what he called their barren 16 years of misrule.

    He said there is no vacancy in the Presidency for politicians who worship materialism at the detriment of public welfare.

    Fayemi said: “As many people would have read in the social media or newspapers that February 5 is our own day here in Ekiti for the presidential campaign train to arrive, we must demonstrate that we are in total control of this state. We shall deliver our state, by the grace of God, come February 16 and March 2.

    “For us, this election is for consolidation. It is not just a routine election, even though we already have a governor. This election is more important than any other election because it is what they call end of discussion election.”

    The governor, who said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would garner at least 95 per cent of the votes cast by women and youths, added that the party, in the last few months of returning to Ekiti, had proven that it is different from the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) reign of terror.

    He urged the Oluomo Olusegun Osinkolu-led campaign council to coordinate the activities of other support groups for an efficient and result-oriented campaign.

    Fayemi said he looked forward to the APC clinching the Presidency, the three senatorial seats, six House of Representatives seats and the 26 House of Assembly seats in the state.

    APC State Chairman Paul Omotoso, had said the party reposed so much confidence in the members of the PCC since they are men and women of untainted integrity.

  • 1,000 Interfaith Clerics  to hold Grand Rally for Buhari’s Reelection

    The National Inter-faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) is set to hold a grand rally of 1,000 clerics and faithfuls for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections. This was contained in a statement issued by the group  in Jos recently.
    It stated that since the completion of a forty days’ inter-faith fasting and prayers as part of preparations for the commencement of the 2019 general elections it was revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari is God’s choice to lead the country for the next four years.
    “Recall that at the end of this forty days of fasting and prayers, God emphatically revealed the choice was for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari. It was revealed to people of faith that President Buhari is the choice of God because of the specific assignment that was given to him. His is the assignment to end the years of locust that had made Nigeria a laughing stock among nations before his ordained first term.”
    “Our faith teaches us to back prayers with good deeds and actions. What has been revealed to us after prayers about the re-elections of President Buhari must now be backed up by actions. We have resolved to between now and the election speak truth to power in a manner that is more vocal than we have ever done in the past.”
    The group averred that it would scale up activities to ensure that that which has been said about President Buhari’s election will come to pass. “As the first step, we shall be holding a Grand Rally for President Buhari’s re-election, is the choice of God for the land. We are doing this to ensure that Nigerians do not sin against God by ignorantly voting against the choice ordained to take the country to a higher level.”
    The statement further stated that the Grand Rally would take place in Abuja on 7 February 2019 as divinely revealed during the forty days’ prayers and fasting.
    “Eight is perfection. It symbolizes material abundance and economic success. Others might have misused such opportunity to do good things for Nigeria before, but one truly ordained by God shall make the initial four years of plowing and sowing to yield great harvests in the latter years.”

    Read Also:Buhari restates commitment to fighting corruption

    “Those with an evil intention for Nigeria have seen the glory that is soon to descend on the country once President Buhari has been re-elected. They have resorted to lies, intimidation, and violence to confuse the electorate from doing God’s will, which is to vote for President Buhari. Their intention for doing this is not just because they want to win and gain power at all cost. They are trying to turn Nigerians against President Buhari so that God will be displeased with the country and visit wrath upon us.”
    NIFROP also stated that the essence of the Grand Rally is to enlighten voters to this uncommon combination of danger and opportunity.
    “We are in danger if we contravene God’s order to re-elect President Buhari while we have a great opportunity to be blessed and thrive as a people when we do God’s will and re-elect him as our leader. This is the message we are taking to Nigerians on the streets during the Grand Rally. Those who cannot make it to Abuja to be part of the rally can hold mini-versions in their respective cities and towns.”
    It would be recalled that NIPFROP assembled over 1000 clerics from various faiths to a forty days’ prayers and fasting for President Muhammadu Buhari and the general wellbeing of the country at large.

  • Buhari, APC plan to rig presidential election, Obasanjo alleges

     

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari have perfected plans to rig the forthcoming general elections particularly the presidential poll to favour Buhari.

    Obasanjo said he has personal doubt about the sincerity, competence and integrity of the present Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fair polls.

    Part of the plot by  Buhari and the ruling party to rig he alleged, is to declare the election inconclusive and call for a “rerun” as witnessed in Osun when APC was already down and out.

    The former Head of States spoke with reporters at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    He added that Osun election was a test – run of what lies ahead for Nigerians in the forthcoming general elections.

    The elder statesman said there could be incidences of deliberately contrived, broken or non-working voting machines or card readers, confusion of voters as to their voting stations, inadequate supply of voting materials to designated places, long line to discourage voters and turning blind eyes to inadequacies to favour APC.

     

    According to Obasanjo, INEC’s hands would be tied to enable the recruited hatchet men and women to perform their unwholesome assignment.

    In his 16 – page text titled: “Points for concern and action,” Obasanjo claimed the track record of the present INEC is fairly sordid and  called on all  men and women of goodwill who believe in democracy to prepare for the worst from the electoral body and their “encouragers.”

    He urged Nigerians to get the country out of the electoral morass that the Commission is driving her into.

    Obasanjo also called on the International community to send more people to the field as observers and work out punitive measures against INEC and security officials, especially Police and politicians who stand to gain from INEC’s misconduct, which is obviously encouraged by the Executive Arm of Government.

    He added that the International community should sound out who must be held responsible for the violence that would follow election rigging.

    The former President suggested measures that should be taken against people aiding and abetting rigging such as denial and withdrawal of visas from the people concerned and their families, accounts being frozen and taking them to International Criminal Court (ICC) if violence emanates from their action or inaction.

     

     

    Obasanjo said: “I personally have serious doubt about the present INEC’s integrity, impartiality and competence to conduct a fair, free and credible election.

    “The transmission and collation of results are subject to interference, manipulation and meddling.  If the INEC’s favourite political party wins with all the above infractions, the result will be conclusively declared and if not, there will be a ‘rerun’, the result of which is known before it is carried out.

    “I know that I am not alone in being skeptical about the integrity of INEC and its ability to act creditably and above board.  But we are open to be convinced otherwise.

    “The joke about INEC would seem real.  The INEC was asked if the Commission was ready for the election and if it expects the election to be free, fair and credible.

    “The INEC man is reported as saying in response, “we are ready with everything including the results!”  God save Nigeria!

    READ ALSO: 2019/01/20 APC to Obasanjo: Your are hunted by your past

    “It is up to Nigerians to ensure the redline is not crossed in safeguarding our fledgling democracy.  And if crossed, appropriate action must be taken not to allow our democracy to be derailed.”

    He added: “Let the INEC Chairman act boldly and impartially and prove his absolute neutrality and responsiveness to contribute to make the election peacefully free, fair and credible.  His integrity needs to be transparently demonstrated.

    “What is happening under Buhari’s watch can be likened to what we witnessed under Gen. Sani Abacha in many ways.

    “When Abacha decided that he must install himself as Nigerian President by all means and at all costs, he went for broke and surrounded himself with hatchet men who on his order and in his interest and at high costs to Nigeria and Nigerians maimed, tortured and killed for Abacha.

    “Buhari has started on the same path in mad desperation. From available intelligence, we have heard of how Buhari and his party are going about his own self-succession project.

    “They have started recruiting collation officers who are already awarding results based on their projects to actualise the perpetuation agenda in which the people will not matter and the votes will not count.

    “His henchmen are working round the clock in cahoots with security and election officials to perfect their plan by computing results right from the ward to local government, state and national levels to allot him what will look like a landslide victory irrespective of the true situation for a candidate who might have carried out by proxy presidential debate and campaigns.”

     

     

     

  • Look beyond 2019, Bakare tells Buhari, Atiku, others

    The Presiding Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has urged presidential candidates to look beyond the 2019 elections and place the interest of the nation above their political interests.

    Bakare, who is also the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), gave the advice in Lagos on Sunday while delivering the 2019 State of the Nation Address in his church.

    He urged all the candidates not to see the 2019 election as a do-or-die affair or consider winning it as the only means of impacting positively on nation-building and good governance.

    The SNG convener said Nigeria was losing with the winner-takes-all politics, adding that he believed all candidates could work together in a team after the polls for the common agenda of building a better Nigeria.

    “Our country needs a uniting force that can rally our diverse strengths around a common narrative, towards a common objective, to achieve a common vision – The Nigeria of Our Dreams.

    “After all is said and done, may Nigeria win, no matter who wins or loses in this year’s elections. After the elections, we have a nation to build together.

    “I am reminded of the words of Anwar al-Sadat, ‘There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones’.

    “With our zero-sum game and winner-takes-all politics, we could be losing the ideas, the brilliance, and all the strengths required to build a nation.

    “But when, beyond the elections, the Buharis, the Atikus, the Moghalus, the Ezekwesilis, the Durotoyes, the Sowores and the likes come together to minimise our weaknesses and maximise our strengths, as one political family, with one agenda – nationhood, we can shape a new nation beyond 2019,“ he said.

    Bakare said restructuring was a precondition for the progress of the country, advising that candidates could form what he called, ‘Team Restructuring’ to address the country’s challenges after the elections.

    He said the array of brilliant candidates paraded by some of the political parties was a good development for the nation’s democracy.

    Bakare said with candidates like Mrs Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Prof. Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), voters had great choices to select from.

    The SNG convener added that President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubabakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had also made promises for a better Nigeria and that it was left for the electorate to make their choice.

    He, however, said he was disappointed by the way people in both APC and PDP had made the journey of Abubakar a big issue.

    Read also: Why Atiku cannot be trusted – Presidency

    Bakare said the issue of who could or could not travel to America had little or no relevance to governance and the nation’s development.

    The SNG convener urged politicians to face the real campaign issues and stop distracting Nigerians with things that could not better their lots.

    On the insurgency war, Bakare said the recent setbacks recorded by the country were more of declining patriotism among the troops more than other reasons.

    He said the declining patriotism was also demonstrated by other Nigerians on a daily basis, because of little hope in the country.

    Bakare urged leaders to deliver the country of everyone’s dream to change this mindset and attitude.

    “On the resurgence of terrorists activities, the president, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Defence, the Army Headquarters, and the National Assembly Committees on Defence must re-examine the defence architecture, especially the human resource factor, and address every anomaly in the interest of the vulnerable, rather than the powerful.

    “Failure to do this could undo the gains of the war on terror. The soldiers, on their part, must approach the call of duty with civility and courage; with civility because the reports and allegations of human rights violations by the military are repugnant and unbecoming of the distinguished profession.

    “Their code of conduct must be influenced by the words of Proverbs 14:31 (MSG): ‘You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God’.

    “ In addition, we enjoin them to continue to act with courage, because, in the words of General George S. Patton: ‘Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men’.

    “To our soldiers in the theatre of war, you carry the weight of the hopes of a generation on your shoulders. May God replenish your resolve and reward your courageous resilience.

    “For those who have died in combat, we owe these heroic patriots the eternal duty of ensuring that they did not die in vain.

    “Not only does the government owe their families adequate welfare packages and the assurance of a decent future, we, the people of Nigeria, for whose sake they laid down their lives, must become soldiers in our own right; we must become soldiers for good governance.

    “At crucial moments such as the coming elections, responsible choices must become our weapons in the theatre of citizen engagement, and credible leadership must become our banner of victory.

    “We owe the memories of these soldiers a well-governed nation, a nation that is worth their sacrifice, because good governance is the soil upon which patriotism is nurtured, and a nation that is worth dying for must be worth living in,” he said.

    Bakare said the church would continue to be involved in engagements to reshape the country and awaken its consciousness for a better tomorrow. (NAN)

  • 2019: Buhari remains best choice for Nigeria – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has reiterated his position that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 16 Presidential election, remains the best choice for Nigeria to move forward to the next level.

    Cornered by journalists at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, venue of a Presidential rally, Governor Ambode said President Buhari in the last three and half years has set the nation on a trajectory of reviving its glorious days, adding it was expedient for him to consolidate on the achievements with another term of four years.

    “The choice before Nigerians is simple; to go back to the days of corruption, infrastructural decay and insecurity or continue with the trajectory of infrastructural development, steady anti-corruption war and the constant fight against territorial threats. This is what the Buhari and Osinbajo ticket represents.

    They have initiated social inclusion policies and constructed critical infrastructure across the federation which is gradually bringing back the nation’s economy in the right path and giving Nigerians a real sense of belonging. This is the way we want to go and Nigerians have shown that this is where they are going to go,” the Governor said.

    He said the unprecedented crowd that thronged out to witness the APC Presidential rally in Kaduna was a testament to the fact that Nigerians are fully in support of President Buhari’s government and are going to go all out to renew his mandate come February 16, 2019.

    “What we saw in Kaduna was unprecedented, just look at the crowd and the way they came out in droves.

    The passion, the trust and support that the Nigerian people have for Buhari is unrivalled and iconic. People just love Buhari; they trust him because he has performed well in the last three and half years, together with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, they have delivered on their electoral promises and what is in the APC manifesto,” Governor Ambode said.

    He urged supporters of the party to remain focused and not be distracted by the campaign of calumny the opposition parties have decided to harp on rather than focus on issues affecting Nigeria, saying that President Buhari has remained focus to deliver a new Nigeria that would take its rightful place among the comity of nations.

    “We are not deterred by all the false narratives the opposition are spreading; we would rather focus on the issues and these issues are basically on how to make the life of Nigerians better,” he added.

  • NASS members don’t hate Buhari, says Dogara

    House of Represen-tatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, has said that the National Assembly does not hate President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking yesterday at the launch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Bununu, Bauchi State, Dogara said the National Assembly was only interested in exercising its independence.

    “None of us hates President Buhari and we are not against him, but we are only exercising our independence as contained in the Constitution,” he said.

    “We are all looking at the plight of our people, especially insurgency, poverty and other vices that have continued to bedevil the masses.

    “You can see what is happening between American president and the legislature, which is normal.”

    Dogara said that Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammed, the Bauchi State governorship candidate of the PDP, would decentralise the local government system in the state, even without the approval of the Federal Government.

     

  • Buhari, Atiku absent at Presidential Debate

    President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that  his  “busy and hectic official” engagements were responsible for his inability to show up at the presidential debate in Abuja.

    Buhari, in a statement by the spokesman for his campaign organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), said he had taken full advantage of  several other opportunities to ” interact with the Nigerian people directly by different organisations.”

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who was also invited to the debate pulled out at the last minute, leaving  only Kingsley Moghalu of Young Progressive Party, YPP, Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN and, Fela Durotoye, Alliance for New Nigeria.

    Atiku cited the president’s absence for his own decision to back out.

    Keyamo, in the statement said: “Firstly, out of several opportunities afforded our candidate to interact with the Nigerian people directly by different organisations, our presidential candidate has taken full advantage of another town-hall meeting organised by another group which held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. He was also joined at that town-hall meeting by our Vice-Presidential candidate who is also the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Nigerians from all walks of life who were physically present and through on-line platforms asked uncensored questions which were adequately answered. It was also transmitted live by various broadcast networks in Nigeria.

    “In addition, the busy and hectic official and campaign schedules of Mr. President clashed with this programme. Today, Mr. President commissioned the Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State and campaigned in Niger and Plateau States where his time was over-stretched by the tumultuous and mammoth crowds in both States, (as seen by Nigerians on live television) and only returned to Abuja late this evening.

    “Whilst we thank the organisers for the invitation, we want to assure Nigerians that we shall continue to hold these debate groups and Nigerians in high esteem which our candidate has demonstrated during past election debates when he honoured similar invitations. Nigerians will also recall that a few weeks ago, our Vice-Presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, also attended the debate organized by the same organisations.

    “Lastly, we note the statement of the candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who actually came for the event and left the venue when he did not see Mr. President, who is our candidate. According to him, he would not want to “attack” Mr. President in his absence.

    “It should now be obvious to Nigerians that for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, this election is all about attacking the person and programmes of Mr. President and not about proffering their own solutions to the problems they created during their sixteen years of misrule, maladministration and looting of the nation’s resources. When they cannot see President Buhari to attack, the content of their campaign becomes hollow, empty and “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”. Now that Atiku Abubakar had a unique opportunity to explain to Nigerians his own vision and mission without a President Buhari in the picture, he ran away. Afterall, he has his own eight years of crass and grand corruption as Vice President to defend before the Nigerian people.

    “On February 16, 2019 we urge Nigerians to demonstrate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, through their votes, how empty indeed their campaign has always been and to vote massively for President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN who have started the rebuilding process of our great nation.”

    Atiku, on his part, said: “We came here for a presidential debate, not a candidacy debate, and I, Atiku Abubakar cannot challenge or question an administration where the man at the helm of the affairs of the nation is not present to defend himself or his policies.

    “After all, you cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. I do not believe in attacking a man who is NOT here to defend himself.

    “As a leader and former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, let me first apologise to all Nigerians, my fellow candidates and the moderator for the APC presidential candidate’s absence in this debate. His non-appearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.

    “Secondly, with all due respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and to the moderator, Mark Sugar and with apologies to all Nigerians here and at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret that I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari’s absence.

    “I however challenge President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and I will be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.”

    Speaking with newsmen outside the venue of the debate, Atiku said, “I am walking out because I expected to come and defend with Mr. President.

    “The President has been in office for the past three and half years. He is not here to defend that record. So who am I going to debate with. If he is on his way, when he comes, I will come back.

    “In any case, I will have an opportunity to address Nigerians because there are other interviews in the plan. I came back from the US to participate in this debate but the President is not here”.

    The Senate President and Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr Bukola Saraki, who accompanied Atiku to the venue of the debate also said:

    “We have always made it clear to the organizers that our candidate is ready to debate with the President. When we were told in Washington DC that the debate will take place, we thought the President will be here. Our candidate is ready to debate with the President anytime he is ready”

    During the debate, Dr. Ezekwesili said she was not surprised that Buhari and Atiku were not present.

    She said: “I think it is time for us to acknowledge that there is a political class that needs to give way from our politics. If the two dominant parties care about the people, they would have come to give their ideas on how they will fix Nigeria.

    “We showed up for this debate not because we are new entrants into politics but because we believe that it is time for a new kind of governance.”

    Durotoye said: “this has been consistent for over the last 20 years. We have had 20 years of ruler ship and rulers do not explain to their subjects what it is that they are going to do.

    “It is time to be free, we have had 58 years of independence but not 58 years of freedom and it is time to be free from this bad coin that has two sides that were supposed to be represented here.”

    Moghalu said: “There are two reasons why they are not here.One is that they believe that the people of Nigeria have no choice; that you will always come back to them. They believe that you cannot move away from them that they have boxed you. We have been in bondage for far too long and it is time to send them a message.

    “The second reason why they are not here is because they cannot stand here to answer questions. They belong to the old class of recycled politicians who want to come to power with a sense entitlement but not a record of performance. They want to come to power with a sense of money and power but not a record of service to Nigerians.”