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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari, el-Rufai will return to office—Kaduna deputy gov

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El Rufai will win the coming presidential and gubernatorial elections respectively, deputy governor of Kaduna State, Arc Barnabas Bala Bantex has predicted.

    Bantex who spoke at a stakeholders meeting at Zonkwa, headquarters of Zangon Kataf local government yesterday, advised the people of Southern Kaduna to join the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

    Bantex who is also a senatorial candidate in the coming election, said that “as someone from Southern Kaduna, I don’t want us to spend another four years outside government.”

    According to him, the Malam Nasir El Rufai-led administration has been equitable to every local government in the state, in spite of political differences.

    “We have been fair and just to everyone in the last three and half years and we have been governing with the fear of God in our hearts since we assumed office,” he added.

    The senatorial candidate advised the people of Southern Kaduna to turn a new leaf and vote for APC in the next elections in order to return Buhari and El Rufai to office.

    According to Bantex, mischief makers want to put a wedge between the APC-led government and the people of Southern Kaduna, by spreading lies and rumour against it.

    Read also: Buhari vows to end illegal tax collections

    The deputy governor also promised that the administration will continue with the good work that it is executing in Southern Kaduna and the entire state if it is returned to office.

    The senatorial candidate further said that the difference between the present administration and previous ones is that PDP executed projects with an eye to winning elections. “On the other hand, we are working for the future generation,” he said.

    The deputy governor said that the present administration has been working to solve the insurgency in Southern Kaduna, which predates it. “However, mischief makers keep saying that we are the source of the crises”, he lamented.

    Bantex recalled that even before they were sworn in, El Rufai had been meeting with security chiefs to find out the real nature of the crises.

  • Buhari may pick new IGP from Southeast

    THE Southeast may produce the next Inspector General of Police (IGP) upon the retirement of the incumbent, Mr.Ibrahim Idris,it was learnt yesterday. Mr. Idris turns 60 on Tuesday,January 15. Sources said yesterday that Buhari may look in the direction of the Southeast for a successor to Idris if only to disprove claims that he has something against the geo-political zone.

    Two of the most senior Southeast  police officers are Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Peace Ibemere Abdallah, who currently serves as  DIG Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation (CIID), Abuja, and   Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Godwin Nwobodo, who is in charge of the Police Border Patrol Force. DIG Abdallah  is described as a highly effective, versatile and professional police officer.

    Nwobodo is also said to be a thoroughbred professional police officer who is highly cosmopolitan and detribalised. He grew up in the Southwest where he acquired primary,secondary and university education. Buhari met Idris earlier in the week but it is not clear yet whether the IG’s tenure may be extended.

  • 2019: APC needs no violence to win, says Tinubu

    *’Atiku failed to help Lagos when Obasanjo seized LG allocations’

     

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have to engage in violence to win the forthcoming elections,Co-chairman of its Presidential Campaign Council, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said on Friday.

    Tinubu who was responding to allegations from certain quarters that the APC was preparing ground for violence during the elections said those making such allegations were already sniffing their defeat at the polls.

    He said the cries of violence were also indications that those making the allegations had already conceded defeat even before the first ballot was cast in the election.

    The APC leader spoke to reporters after a meeting with traditional rulers from the South West in Abuja.

    The traditional rulers were led by the Ooni of Ife,Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

    Tinubu said neither the party nor its presidential candidate,Muhammadu Buhari, wanted any Nigerian to a victim of violence during the elections and therefore did not need any form of violence to win the election.

    The APC,he pointed out ,was working hard to win the elections while those alleging violence were busy looking for excuses for their impeding defeat.

    On his meeting with the obas,Tinubu said: “the royal fathers spoke of the need for a peaceful election. When you have the belief that you can get a proper result, you work hard because you want peace.

    “When you believe that you can win, you don’t want violence. We all love our children, our brothers and our followers and none of us would want our followers to become sacrificial lambs. “We won’t encourage violent disruption of any election because we are confident of winning. Those who are crying wolf before the election have already accepted defeat before the election as far as I am concerned.

    “I am very happy and proud of the very promising situation. When you have the endorsement of your royal fathers, it means you have the people with you and the voice of the people is the voice of God. I am elated.”

    The APC Leader appreciated the royal fathers for their support and for not giving up on the APC and for visiting the President to encourage him.

    Taking a fresh broadside at Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,the PDP Presidential candidate,Tinubu said he (Atiku) did nothing to help Lagos State as Vice President when the Obasanjo government seized its local government allocations , but merely asked them to go and comply with Obasanjo’s directives.

    He said: “Atiku was Vice President of this country when the local government allocation for Lagos state was seized.

    “When we led a protest to Atiku then, he said ‘go away. Go and comply.’ Without the allocation, you cannot bring development.

    “When we said we needed power to power Lagos and the industrial base in our region, they said no.

    “They were taking away N250 million from our allocation every month for being innovative and creative.

    “Everywhere we turned, they rejected us and punished us. But we never gave up.

    “Today, we are in that progressive development championed and led by President Muhammadu Buhari. Thank you for not looking back. Thank you for visiting and encouraging him.”

    Tinubu also spoke on his reported collapse on Monday after the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

    His words: “Fake news and whoever is manufacturing it, you better not believe them.”

    He also described as negative and fake news, reports of alleged boycott of the campaign council by APC governors.

    He said:“The point is: the governors had to stay back home because we all don’t have to converge in one place to decide certain modalities when we can easily go back to them on what was discussed and what we expect from your state. That is what we call structuring in an election. There are some jellyfish reporters around Nigeria these days.”

    At the meeting, Oba Ogunwusi said as royal fathers, traditional rulers would, therefore, continue to preach peace and peaceful coexistence.

    The Oni said :“My message to Nigerians in this time of election is peace, peace and peaceful coexistence all the way.

    “The power of every Nigerian and every electorate lies in the thumb.

    Read Also: Atiku’s campaign office in Ebonyi attacked

    “As traditional rulers, we are fathers to all and in playing that role, we pray that there should be peace in this country.

    “ That is what we are preaching and it is very important to all of us to know than Nigeria is greater than any of us. So, we should continue to preach peace and identify with good things that will be beneficial to the nation. That is why we are here.”

    The traditional rulers who had earlier visited the President also included the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Alayemore of Ido Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Oba Kabiru Shotobi; the Olukare of Ikare Akoko, Oba Akadiri Momoh 1V, and the Oloye of Oye Ekiti Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju Adugbole III.

  • Our relationship with Buhari has paid off – Obiano

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State is happy over what he calls the cordial relationship between him and President Mohammadu Buhari.

    The governor says he has no regret relating well with the President.

    Obiano who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said yesterday that the good relationship has “contributed in no small measure to the unrivalled social harmony in the state which has made Anambra one of the most competitive states in the country.”

    “Not only do we have excellent relations with all state governments in Nigeria, we also enjoy warm relations with all political parties and their members, including candidates in the 2019 general elections,” the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, quoted him as saying in a statement in Awka.

    Read Also: Buhari, El Rufai ‘ll return to office – Kaduna deputy gov

    He added: “We don’t discriminate in the state, as can be testified by the presence in our administration of members of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress and a number of non-Anambra indigenes.

    “We are proud that Anambra is today the most peaceful, the most cohesive and the most inclusive state throughout the country.”

    Obiano linked the level of cooperation among federal and state agencies in the state to his strategy to make Anambra the first choice investment destination in Nigeria, saying:“I have consistently stated that investments go first and foremost to peaceful and stable places.

    “Frankly, I think other parts of the country should come to Anambra State and see how not only how key federal agencies work together but also how national and sub-national organizations cooperate fully with one another for the benefit of the people.

    “The unprecedented investment flow of over four billion dollars in just four years in Anambra State is not fortuitous or a mere happenstance but a part of a well planned, deliberate strategy which took into consideration environmental factors affecting investment decisions everywhere in the world.”

    He commended intelligence and security agencies in the state for providing impressive security in the state, especially during the Christmas and New Year Fiesta.

  • Buhari, El Rufai ‘ll return to office – Kaduna deputy gov

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El Rufai will win the coming presidential and gubernatorial elections respectively, deputy governor of Kaduna state, Arc Barnabas Bala Bantex has predicted.

    Bantex who spoke at a stakeholders meeting at Zonkwa, headquarters of Zangon Kataf local government yesterday, advised the people of Southern Kaduna to join the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

    Bantex who is also a senatorial candidate in the coming election said that “as someone from Southern Kaduna, I don’t want us to spend another four years outside government.”

    According to him, the Malam Nasir El Rufai-led administration has been equitable to every local government in the state, in spite of political differences.

    “We have been fair and just to everyone in the last three and half years and we have been governing with the fear of God in our hearts since we assumed office,” he added.

    The senatorial candidate advised the people of Southern Kaduna to turn a new leaf and vote for APC in the next elections in order to return Buhari and El Rufai to office.

    According to Bantex, mischief makers want to put a wedge between the APC-led government and the people of Southern Kaduna, by spreading lies and rumour against it.

    Read Also: Quit Presidential race to avoid embarrassment, BMO tells Atiku

    The deputy governor also promised that the administration will continue with the good work that it is executing in Southern Kaduna and the entire state if it is returned to office.

    The senatorial candidate further said that the difference between the present administration and previous ones is that PDP executed projects with an eye to winning elections. “On the other hand, we are working for the future generation,” he clarified.

    The deputy governor said that the present administration has been working to solve the insurgency in Southern Kaduna, which predates it. “However, mischief makers keep saying that we are the source of the crises”, he lamented.

    Bantex recalled that even before they were sworn in, El Rufai had been meeting with security chiefs to find out the real nature of the crises.

    “On May 29, 2015, two people were killed in Sanga local government on the day we were sworn in. So, we had to convene an emergency security meeting on that day,” he added.

    According to him, mischief makers kept saying that “we are the cause of the problem. Sometimes, I get angry when these rumours are being peddled.”

    “However, the governor keeps consoling me that since we are doing our best and with the fear of God, we should not be worried because history will vindicate us,” the deputy governor revealed.

  • Quit Presidential race to avoid embarrassment, BMO tells Atiku

    The Buhari Media Organisation ( BMO ) on Friday alleged that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar was losing ground in the forthcoming and should therefore humbly quit the race t9 avoid an embarrassing defeat.

    Reacting to the recent defection of the deputy National Chairman of the PDP and member of the Presidential Campaign Council, Babayo Garba Gamawa to the APC, the group said the exit was “shocking and a big slap to the PDP ahead of the 2019 polls.”

    They also said the defection of former National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu whom they described as an in-law to the former Vice President was also another big blow to the PDP and the Atiku campaign.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, the group said the way and manner Atiku Abubakar, as well as his party PDP, is daily losing support from prominent members of the party to the opposition is absolutely unbecoming.

    They said further that even the party cannot deny that the loss of its Deputy Chairman amongst others, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is quite massive.

    They said “We have nothing but sympathy for Atiku at this time that he has lost some of his trusted supporters who have abandoned him to team up with President Buhari.

    “Nothing could be more demoralising than losing the number two man of your party with few days to what is almost certain to be his last attempt to clinch a seat that he had coveted since the 1990s.

    “Babayo Gamawa is not only PDP’s deputy National Chairman but also a member of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council from the same North-East geo-political zone as the former Vice President.

    “So we at BMO believe that it may be ideal for the PDP candidate to pull out of the Presidential race to save himself from what is almost certain to be a crushing defeat that would end up demystifying him as a political force”, it said.

    The group also noted the defection of the former PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu who is known in the opposition ranks as the ‘game changer’.

    “If there is any defection that is bound to hit Atiku hard it is that of the former Bauchi governor whose election as the PDP chairman just before the 2015 election was a popular choice.

    Read Also: Buhari condoles with CAN over death of Archbishop Atilade

    “Here is a man whose daughter is married to the former Vice President’s son but opted to ignore family ties to support President Buhari’s re-election bid because he clearly knows the difference between the two.

    “If there are people who know Atiku well, Muazu certainly would be numbered among them and now that he has joined the governing party, there is no clearer message to undecided voters across the country that President Buhari is the better choice.

    “With Muazu’s decision to dump PDP, it is safe to say that the little chance the PDP has to improve on the 86,085 votes it had in 2015 when APC polled 931,598 votes in one of the President’s traditional strongholds has virtually disappeared.”

    BMO added that contrary to the impression created by PDP elements to water down their loss, none of the politicians who may have joined the ruling party to escape the glare of anti graft agencies would be spared if found to have pending corruption cases.

  • Buhari condoles with CAN over death of Archbishop Atilade

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended condolences to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the passing of its Chairman (Southwest Region), Archbishop Magnus Atilade.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also commiserated with the family of Atilade and members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) as they mourn the demise of their loved one and pacesetter in alternative medicine.

    Read Also:  Archbishop Magnus Atilade is dead

    As a cleric and renowned chiropractor, President Buhari believed that the doggedness, vision and strength of character of the late Archbishop inspired those who came in direct contact with him.

    Acknowledging Archbishop Atilade’s dedication and commitment to the service of humanity, the President affirmed that the cleric will be fondly remembered for his landmark contributions to the evolution of traditional medicine and for spirited advocacy for practitioners to be legally recognized in the country.

    He prayed God Almighty to comfort all who mourn the late cleric and grant the soul of the departed eternal repose.

  • Buhari to monarchs: influence peaceful elections

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on traditional rulers in the country to use their positions as the closest to the grassroots to ensure the forthcoming elections are peaceful.

    Buhari made the call on Friday during an audience with a delegation of traditional rulers from the Southwest.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “Those who fear that their persons or their policies cannot win elections might resort to incitements to violence.

    “Our young people must not be left to those who will instigate violence and cause others to lose their property or lives.

    “We are determined to keep order and I hope Your Highnesses are on the same page with us.”

    Buhari also reiterated commitment of his administration to infrastructural development across the nation:

    “In every state in Nigeria, we are doing at least one major road project. In the Southwest, we are completing the Lagos to Ibadan expressway.

    “The reconstruction of this road, which is the busiest in Nigeria, had not been given the attention it deserved till now.

    “We will complete the first phase of railway, Lagos to Ibadan by the end of this month.

    “We are also working on several power projects in the Southwest. Of importance is the imminent completion of power supply to Ondo South where many of the local governments have not had power for years,” he added.

    The President said the nation could only develop if resources were spent on the people and facilities that would promote commerce and create jobs.

    He commended the traditional rulers and especially the people of Southwest, for setting the example of religious tolerance and unity.

    According to him: “It is to your credit as traditional rulers that such harmony between religions has been achieved.”

    Read Also: Buhari meets Ooni, Yoruba monarchs in Aso Rock

    The delegation, led by the Ooni of Ife and co-chair of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended Buhari for placing the completion of the Lagos –Ibadan expressway on the front burner as well as the Lagos to Ibadan rail line.

    The traditional rulers expressed appreciation to the President for the posthumous recognition given to MKO Abiola as President of Nigeria, urging him to continue the good works.

    They assured that history will be kind to him.

    They also asked for more developmental projects in the region.

    On the delegation were: Alake of Egbaland; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti; the Olukare of Ikare Akoko; the Aseyin of Iseyin; Deji of Akure and the Alayemore of Ido Osun.

  • Buhari meets Ooni, Yoruba monarchs in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi and representatives of traditional rulers from the South West at the State House, Abuja.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, the Ooni said the meeting had nothing to do with politics.

    He said the meeting was to tell the President the importance of including more youths and women in government and to thank him for what he has been doing for the South West.

    Ooni also said the meeting was to ask for more developmental projects for the zone and appreciate Buhari for the cordial relationship between him and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is from the South West.

    Speaking further on their mission to the State House, with the general elections fast approaching, Ooni said: “We are not here for politics.

    “We are father to all, very close to our people; the only politics we understand is politics of development.

    “We are here to talk about development for our people in all the states of the south western Nigeria.

    “We are here to point out the good things Mr. President has been doing especially the cordial relationship with the Vice President who is from the south western part of the country.

    “Historically we know the issues of presidents and Vice Presidents in Nigeria, we have not experienced such.

    “We are here to further request from Mr. President good things that we want in our various states. When you are doing good, we will first of all appreciate the good things before asking for more. What is critical for us here is to champion development for our people.

    “We spoke about the inclusion of youths in the current government and also women inclusion.

    “In terms of demography of voting pattern, we know that everything rests on the shoulders of Nigerian youths, we want to see them in this cabinet.

    “So we are here not to be misconstrued for politics, we are here to be identified with development and progress of our nation more especially south west.”

    He advised youths to ensure they vote according to their consciences and not allow themselves to be used by the political class to cause trouble during the elections.

    He also said the country was bigger than any President, stressing that a President has a maximum of eight years to stay in office while the country will always remain.

    According to him: “Even we traditional rulers that are very fortunate to still be alive, we have experienced many presidents.

    “Many governors, a president cannot use more than eight years that is in the constitution of Nigeria.

    “So, Nigeria is greater than the president. Your maximum tenure is eight years.

    On the demands they made before the President, the Ooni said: “We have already passed our demands across, each state has peculiar needs.

    “What is critical is that south west accommodates everyone in the country.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Godwin Abbe at 70

    “That is the only zone that you can call a typical Nigeria because is a blend of everybody, all the tribes of this nation you will find them in the south western Nigeria.

    “So as result, we play pivotal role in anything that has to do with decision making in Nigeria.

    “As a zone we are even the second largest in terms of voting demography and numbers.

    “So critically south Western Nigeria plays a very vital role and we as traditional rulers we are the ones to douse the tension.

    “We don’t pray for any tension but we are ready, we have all decided to work together to douse any tension. Whoever that comes is the grace of God,” he said

    According to him, President Buhari recognized the pivotal role of the South West and its relevance in the nation’s polity.

  • Buhari pledges to end illegal tax collections

    Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja pledged the federal government will look into illegal tax collections with a view to encouraging more private sector businesses to thrive in the country.

    He made the promise while receiving the leadership of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers Association of Nigeria (AUFCDN) led by Alhaji Ali Tahir at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said his administration had genuine intentions to eliminate illegal taxes in the country despite the fact that ‘‘old habits die hard.’’

    The President was responding to a request by the association on the need for the federal government to rein in on the unhealthy practice of illegal tax collections.

    He said: “I am appalled to learn that these illegal tax collections still persist. Bad habits are not easily dropped.

    ‘‘But let me assure you that relevant security agencies will be reminded of their duties in preventing these bad practices and safeguarding people like you who go about their legitimate businesses.

    Read Also:  Buhari receives S/West Traditional Rulers in Abuja

    ‘‘I will take up all your appeals and complaints in due course and together with state governments, we will attend to your proposals.’’

    Describing the association as very important and strategic to the nation’s economy, the President said: ‘‘The merchandise and products you trade in are basic to any economy. The real wealth of this country lies in agriculture and livestock rearing.’’

    He pledged his administration would continue to do its best to assist the sector, noting some of the more advanced countries like Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark built their economies primarily on agriculture and livestock trade.

    On the 2019 elections, President Buhari welcomed the associations’ support for his administration, recalling they also demonstrated their solidarity for his candidacy in the build-up to the 2015 elections.

    General Secretary of the union, Alhaji Ahmed Alarama, declared they will work for re-election of Buhari because of the great strides his administration has taken to put the country on the path of sustainable growth.

    Alarama appealed to the President to ensure that the organisation is represented on the national campaign teams for the Buhari/Osinbajo re-election movement.

    On the issue of illegal tax collections, Alarama said: ‘‘Roadblocks are mounted by unknown persons on several highways including those in Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Imo and Bayelsa States and these continue to constitute a hindrance to our businesses.’’