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Tag: BUHARI

  • Retired generals’ conspiracy against Buhari’ll fail, says Oshiomhole

    Alleged conspiracy by some retired generals to frustrate the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari next month is doomed to fail,the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,vowed yesterday.

    Oshiomhole said in Minna,the Niger State capital,that the future of Nigeria is not in the hands of such generals,but in the hands of the majority of Nigerians.

    He spoke during the party’s presidential campaign at the Trade Fair complex,Minna.

    Buhari at the rally pledged that to continue to implement people-oriented policies and programmes if he was re-elected.

    But the APC campaign team was overwhelmed by the time it arrived Jos later in the day so much so that the President could not address them.

    Hitting out at the retired generals during the Minna rally,Oshiomhole said: “Many of the retired generals are ganging up against President Buhari, that he will not do eight years while they did more than eight years.

    “I remember they did it before, did it in the past.

    “But this time, the plan will not work.

    “The future of Nigeria is not in the hands of retired generals or former heads of state. It is in the hands of the general people.”

    He mentioned no names. He said such retired generals were not happy thatBuhari is fighting corruption.

    He accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of  banking on rigging to win the forthcoming election.

    His words: “everywhere PDP goes, they are saying the elections will be rigged.

    “We need to play those video recordings of where Obasanjo and Atiku said that the election is a win or die matter for PDP.”

    He said for those of them in the APC “we remain firm believers in one man one vote, one woman, one vote, and one former head of state, one vote.”

    Also addressing the rally,President Buhari promised to embark on massive infrastructural development across the country if re-elected on February 16 .

    He said that  arrangement had been concluded for the construction of modern standard  gauge rail line from Minna to Abuja, and to Baro Inland Water  Port to enhance socio economic growth of the state.

    He said a new Lagos – Ibadan – Minna – Kaduna and Kano rail line is being  constructed while Mokwa- Jebba federal road is ready.

    ” We will ensure the completion of the ongoing Zungeru Hydro Power Project and all ongoing federal government projects across the country,” he said.

    So much was the crowd that for over one hour,APC leaders pleaded in vain for them to allow the President speak. Buhari had to return to Abuja.

    He later extended appreciation to the people of Plateau State for turning out in such large numbers to welcome him in Jos.

    His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said:”so much was the turnout that the President could not eventually address the crowd.

    “After waiting for about an hour, with the melee not receding, but rather increasing in tempo and fervour, President Buhari received illustrious Plateau citizens who were crossing to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from other political parties, waved at the appreciative crowd, and left for Abuja.

     

  • APC women, youths mobilise for Buhari, Osinbajo in Southwest

    Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was practically locked down yesterday as female and youth members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered to mobilise for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. YemiOsinbajo.

    Women and youth groups from the six states of Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun stormed the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) in different customised APC uniforms to express their support and persuade others to join the second-term bid of the president and his deputy.

    To the women, Buhari’s support for the various market groups with financial aids and social investment facilities, including Tradermoni, Marketmoni and N-Power as well as the administration’s other achievements in infrastructure, security and anti-corruption make their re-election deserving.

    The delegates were led by the wives of the state governors, including EreluBisiFayemi (Ekiti), Mrs.BolanleAmbode (Lagos), Mrs.OlufunsoAmosun (Ogun), Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (Ondo), Mrs.KafayatOyetola (Osun) and Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), who doubles as the chief host and Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the group. Wives of the governors of Kebbi and Nassarawa were also in attendance alongside the national and zonal women leaders of the governing party.

    To support the women, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, represented by a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro, Governors KayodeFayemi (Ekiti), GboyegaOyetola (Osun), AbiolaAjimobi (Oyo), former and serving deputy governors, Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, among other party stalwarts, were also in attendance.

     

     

  • Buhari commissions Baro River Port

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday commissioned the Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State.  The contract, costing N6 billion, was originally awarded in 2011. Tayo Fadile, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), said the new port is fitted with a mobile harbour crane, transit shed and an administrative block. “It is equipped with facilities such as water hydrant system, water treatment plant, reach stacker, 100KVA power generating set and three forklifts of various tonnages, among others.

    “Baro Port is one of the river ports being built by the Federal Government to support the dredging of the Lower River Niger project. The Baro River Port is expected to create at least 2,000 direct jobs and hundreds of thousands indirect jobs. It will help keep off the road several heavy duty trailers and trucks, thereby extending the life span of our roads,’’ Fadile said in a statement. He added that NIWA had started upgrading the road network linking the port,” he explained.

  • Buhari condemns Tiv, Jukun clash

    •Directs security agencies to fish out perpetrators, financiers, sponsors

    President Muhammadu Buhari has strongly condemned the inter-communal violence between Tiv and Jukun communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The clash has left dozens injured and several houses destroyed. President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed deepest sympathies and condolences to the people and the government of Benue State over the losses recorded.

    He wished the injured speedy recovery. The President reaffirmed that his government will not allow any group to incite hatred and violence against others, even as he commended the army, police and other security agencies for promptly bringing the violence to a quick end. President Buhari charged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of violence and charge them to court without delay.

  • “Rig and die”’Yoruba youths back Buhari, urge those planning violence to retrace their steps

    The Progressive Yoruba Youths (PYY) has backed president Muhammadu Buhari over strict measures put in place against Nigerians plotting to jeopardise the forthcoming elections.
    President Buhari, had yesterday, during the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) caucus meeting threatened to come hard on those with plans to rig the elections.
    The president’s honest warning didn’t go down well with the opposition, who appear hell-bent on reclaiming power by any means whatsoever, even by snatching ballot boxes.
    However, the foremost Yoruba youth group has thrown its weight behind the president’s latest move to drastically halt this shameless trend.
    The Progressive Yoruba Youths offered their support in a press statement released by Kola Salawu, it’s National President.
    According to the group, the declaration was a wake-up call to  security agencies to be unrelenting and decisive in dealing with potential ballot box snatchers, an ugly practice that has been the bane of previous elections.
    The PYY added that the target wasn’t innocent, law-abiding Nigerians rather miscreants, hiding under the shade of IPOB, state government armed militias, armed terrorists and other scum of humanity that the PDP had mobilized for the purpose of snatching ballot boxes.
    “ Once these ballot boxes have been snatched the result written under the supervision of our disgraced elder, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, Ogun state would have then been substituted for the actual votes in the stolen ballots. As part of the scheme, the PDP has compromised some corrupt senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who would have gone ahead to accept the pre-written results since they have pre-thumb printed ballot papers that match the fake results they were to declare.
    “ More than the angst at the prospect of their errand boys being killed in the course of snatching ballot boxes, the critics of President Buhari’s assertion are pained that their overall plans have been thrown into a shambles because the scheme to rig cannot be implemented in the absence of violence and ballot snatching. The pre-written result in custody of the compromised INEC officials will no longer tally with the vote cast once the ballot snatchers have been put out of commission.
    “ We therefore see no reason for law abiding citizens to be concerned over the “snatch ballot box and die” comment. Those that had earlier signed up as ballot snatchers have option of refunding the amounts they have been paid to become cannon fodder. They can also opt to hold onto the money they have been paid since it is not possible for the PDP chieftains that mobilized them to sue for breach of contract as an agreement entered into in pursuit of committing a crime is non-enforceable, especially when this particular deal is with the intention to tamper with Nigeria’s democracy.
    “ It is however pertinent that we point out where our position slightly differ from that held by Mr President. It is not enough to decisively deal with ballot snatchers, who are mere puppets. It is pertinent that the hands manipulating the puppets are decisively dealt with. With the benefit of technology and forensics, law enforcement agencies should track down those that issued the order for ballot snatching and make them pay for their crimes against democracy and for insulting Nigerians in the worst way possible. So we appeal to Mr President to so direct law enforcement agents.

    Read Also:Keyamo, Melaye clash over Buhari’s ballot snatching statement

    “ Those who were to validate and accept pre-written results, made possible by ballot snatching, should be treated as accessories to this nefarious election crime in Nigeria. We understand that several of them have not only been identified but the tainted money they were paid for this coup against the country have been traced to several accounts. Persons that allowed themselves to be compromised in such manners have no business around election matters. They must therefore be immediately arrested and arraigned for trial on the strength of the evidence against them.
    “ We expected that the directive to security agencies to be ruthless should extend to those that carry out acts of violence in and around voting venues since there are indication that PDP has also recruited thugs to prevent people from voting in areas that are not its stronghold.  The point must be made for the PDP to understand that it does not have the monopoly of violence and that no individual, organization or political party can match the sanctity of the state and its legitimacy to protect citizens. Law enforcement agencies must therefore be ready at all times to prove everyone wrong that the sovereignty of Nigeria cannot be negotiated with any band of miscreants. “

  •  Atiku insists on debate with Buhari

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is still eager to debate with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Atiku was at the venue of the presidential debate only to discover that President Buhari did not show up.

    A statement Saturday night by spokesman for the PDP Campaign, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Atiku had cut short his trip to the United States and arrived in the country for the purpose of joining the scheduled debate.

    The statement said: “Atiku Abubakar insists on debating directly with President Buhari and is still ready to meet him anywhere and any time for the debate.

    READ ALSO: Breaking: Buhari stays away from presidential debate as Atiku backs out

    Quoting Atiku, the statement further said: “I cut short my trip to the United States and returned to Nigeria because I know that majority of Nigerians want to listen to me at the debate.

    “However, I have come to the venue of the debate, I have waited until the beginning of the debate and I cannot find the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari, for whom I have returned from my trip to debate.

    “I insist that I will debate President Buhari any day, any time and anywhere, including the Aso Rock Villa”.

    The PDP Presidential Campaign Organization lamented an elected President and a Commander-in-Chief could shy away from a debate at a time Nigerians expect him to give account of his stewardship in office.

  • Breaking: Buhari stays away from presidential debate as Atiku backs out

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has backed out of the ongoing presidential debate.

    Atiku, who was one of the five presidential candidates billed to participate in the debate, arrived the Transcorp Hilton Hotel venue of the event to learn that President Muhammadu Buhari, who was also scheduled to take part in the exercise failed to show up.

    Explaining why he decided to back out of the exercise, Atiku 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.

    READ ALSO: Let’s debate your achievements in 16 years, Amaechi challenges PDP

    “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 exercise. 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 exercise 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.

    “Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

     

     

     

     

  • Presidential election: IPMAN endorses Buhari

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers  Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, gave its full backing to the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election.

    IPMAN’s National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, conveyed the association’s endorsement when he led a delegation of IPMAN on a courtesy call on the president.

    Okoronkwo said that IPMAN controlled 80 per cent of investments in the downstream sector of the oil industry with over 50 thousand members scattered throughout Nigeria having more than 2 trillion investments in the oil industry.

    He said that IPMAN was appreciative of Buhari’s immense support to the oil industry which had made it possible that in the last three years, Nigeria had not witness the incessant fuel scarcity which had dogged previous administrations.

    “This is indeed an indication of your managerial capability, sagacity and experience; by virtue of this, I want to assure you our dear President that all members of our great association are solidly behind you – one hundred percent and are unshaken in our resolve to ensure your re-election.

    “In the same vein, we are committed to ensuring that this good work continues as we pledge our own contributions to ensure the continuous free flow and distribution of petroleum products across the country without any hitches.

    “It is on record that before your emergence, petroleum products distribution was a big racket riddled with highwire scam and decadent corruption.

    “The perennial fuel scarcity was the noticeable symptom of this malaise. But when you came on board that evil network of graft in the sector was dismantled and the nation is better for it as there is unhindered products availability all-year -round.

    “This new working environment is inspiring more investment by IPMAN members and we are further emboldened to establish a refinery in the near future with your support.

    “We shall soon furnish your office with detailed presentation of our plans and timelines for the actualisation of this project,’’ he said.

    In his response, Buhari thanked IPMAN for the significant support and contributions in ensuring Nigerians had adequate supply of petroleum products throughout 2018.

    The president said he was particularly happy to note that IPMAN used its large network of petrol retail stations across  country to distribute petroleum products sustainably.

    “ I am told that your members, in many instances, went beyond the call of duty to support the NNPC and other government agencies in ensuring products are adequately available for our citizens especially during the festive seasons.

    “I am also very pleased to hear that your members are planning to invest in refinery and petrochemical facilities.

    “This clearly shows that IPMAN, like the APC, also has plans to move to the NEXT LEVEL.

    “ I want to assure you that this administration will fully support this investment which aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Security Agenda.

    “ As I commend you on the successes you have recorded so far, I also want to ask that you continue to support the government in ensuring petroleum products meant for Nigeria are not illegally taken out of Nigeria.

    “We all know this illegal smuggling of products out of Nigeria is a threat to our national economy and security and must be stopped. I, therefore, want to urge all IPMAN members to remain committed to complying with the laws and regulations that govern the Nigerian oil and gas sector,’’ he said.

    The president also urged the IPMAN leadership to fully collaborate with the Federal Government by exposing those members who participated in illegal activities.

    He commended the association for the support and confidence it had shown to his administration and pledged to continue doing his best to move Nigeria forward.(NAN)

  • Nigeria on path to development, says Buhari

    The Presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) hit Kaduna yesterday with President Muhammadu Buhari telling a massive crowd that Nigeria was on the path to development despite the myriads of problem his administration  inherited four years ago.

    The national economy, according to him, is fast recovering and agricultural production on the ascendancy.

    “Farmers in the country had a pumper harvest following the availability of fertilizers provided at a cost of N5,500 as against the N9000 it used to be, and is being provided in each of the local government areas of the country,” he said in Hausa.

    “We have stopped spending our foreign reserves to import rice, as there is self-sufficiency.”

    He hailed the Lagos, Ogun, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa  and Ebonyi  in particular for making this possible.

    While promising to do more to improve the economy, Buhari urged Nigerian youths to work harder to make the country realize it potentials.

    He promised that his administration would use all the recovered looted funds for the well-being of the citizens, make life more meaningful for the generality of the people if he is re-elected next month.

    “All those funds, properties and companies recovered so far would be sold and proceeds returned to the treasury,” he said.

    Buhari vowed that  his administration would continue the fight against corruption and insecurity in the country.

    Appreciating the people of Kaduna State for turning out in large number to welcome him, Buhari said, “I have nothing to say than to remind you of the situation we met this country and the promises we made to you. So, the best we can  do for our country is to return the APC to power.

    Speaking on the militancy in the oil producing areas of the Niger Delta, the President said the Federal Government was engaging them in dialogue to make them understand that the country belongs to all of us.

    National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said that the fundamental issues of the campaign were the pronouncements by the PDP presidential candidate to sell the NNPC just as they sold out NITEL, NEPA, Nigerian Airways and other government agencies.

    He said the people should resist that move by not voting for them.

    Oshiomhole declared that “with what I have seen here today, the APC has already won the general elections.

    “I am therefore calling on you to ensure that you vote for all of the candidates of the APC from top to down during the general elections.”

    Earlier, the DG Campaign of the APC, Rotimi Amaechi, urged party supporters to vote the party all through to ensure smooth running of the APC administration.

    “ APC will see votes, but I must advise you, PDP has a rigging machinery. PDP will be happy if you make mistakes during the poll.

    Read also: I ’ll end farmers, herders incessant clashes, says President

    “President Buhari has lived all his life a hero and you owe him that duty of returning him to power,” Amaechi said.

    National Chairman  of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole said Kaduna was home to the president and himself and would put all what it would  take to return  the president to power.

    He called on the electorate in the state  to reject the PDP that was responsible for the collapse of the biggest textile industries  in Kaduna.

    He handed the APC flag to the three senatorial candidates in the state and wished them well in the February  16 polls.

    The President and Governor Nasir El-Rufai rode atop a bus round the stadium acknowledging cheers from the crowd.

  • Shehu Yar ‘Adua’s PDM backs Buhari for second term

    The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), the political group founded by the late Major General Shehu Yar’Adua, is rooting for President Muhammadu Buhari to do a second term in office.

    The leadership of the group led by its National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Maadi, yesterday met with President Buhari in Abuja and endorsed him for next month’s election.

    Governor  Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State  facilitated the meeting.

    Maadi said  the decision was taken by the leaders of the group  across the country at a meeting held on January 4.

    He said the move was based on Buhari’s giant strides in the development of the country, especially in the fight against corruption, successes against Boko Haram and improved power supply, among other achievements.

    At the meeting, the former National Chairman of PDM, Faruk Abdullaziz, presented to Buhari, the signatures of all the 36 states’ executives of the party endorsing the President for a second term.

    The President commended members of the group for remaining committed to the organization over the years.

     

    According to him, the bottomline of everything is patriotism.

    Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Governor Abubakar described the PDM as a group of “very rare breed of Nigerians. Nigerians that are basing their activities on principles.”

    He added: “This is the People’s Democratic Movement, set up by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’adua. From the time of his demise till date, they have remained together, they have remained attached to the principles of their founding fathers and even though quite a number of them have gone to other political platforms, they have never as a group succeeded in moving as a whole into a political party.

    “This is the first time that this is happening. So, for the fact that they are a rare breed of Nigerians and also the fact that for the first time they resolved on their own to join the movement of Mr. President, I think it is a very fantastic opportunity.”

    Asked whether the PDM endorsed the President for the election, he said: “They are endorsing him for the election, they are working for him to succeed in the election and this organization permeates from the national level down to the polling units level.”

    On how the President felt,  he said: “He felt very happy and emotional because the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua was his classmate, friend and  colleague in the military.”

    Elaborating on the group’s action, Mahadi said “What informed it is his (Buhari’s)  integrity and his sincerity towards public service.

    “This group was formed in  1987 by his late friend and brother, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

    “We have traversed the Nigerian political space for too long, we have never seen a president or a leader that is so focused and honest about developing the country and at same time making sure that development is key towards what should take us to the next level in this country”.

    Asked whether the PDM is fictionalized, he said: “This is a movement; it is not a political party; there is a difference between a political party and a movement. A movement is based on the principles of our founding father. It is our commitment to support the good work that this president is doing.”

    On why the group did not decide to support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who is a member of the PDM, he said: “We don’t discuss individuals.”

    Government officials in attendance included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

    Also in attendance were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, Interior Minister  Abdulrahman  Danbazzau and Education Minister Adamu Adamu.

    The PDM was founded by the late Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua in 1987 to actualize his presidential ambition.

    He died on December  8,1997 in the Abakaliki prison while serving a jail term during the Abacha regime.