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Tag: BUHARI

  • Tinubu fully in charge of my campaign- Buhari

    To avoid any bottleneck in his re-election campaign, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday disclosed the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is fully in charge of the 2019 APC Presidential Campaign Council.

    Buhari made the remark while inaugurating the Campaign Council, for which himself and Tinubu are co-chairmen.

    The President urged all the leadership of the campaign, including the field operations, the campaign trail and the Secretariat to consult with Asiwaju Tinubu whenever guidance is needed.

    He said: “Even though we have only 40 days, this campaign is going to task us all because we intend to touch all corners of our great and vast country.

    “But I must also add that, though we will all be deeply involved, I would like to assure the nation that I will do my part without making governance or my work suffer.

    “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my co-chairman, will be fully in charge, and is going to be on 24-hour vigil.

    “That is to say, the operational buck of this campaign stops at his table, and I, therefore, urge all of us in the leadership of this campaign, in the field operations on the campaign trail and in the secretariat to consult with Asiwaju whenever guidance is needed.”

    The President implored the Council leaders to resist being provoked, remain focused and civil in the campaigns.

    “Let us engage our citizens on issues and ask for reflection on the comparative difference between 2015 and 2019 on security, economy and corruption and abuse by those entrusted with leadership in Nigeria.” he said

    Buhari also acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of all stakeholders who have endeavoured to keep the APC united and making the APC governance successful.

    “I urge members of this formidable team to always keep their eyes on the ball, which is the success of our party at the polls. I wish to appeal to all members to be guided by the enduring vision behind the formation and sustenance of our party, which is anchored, on sacrifice and imperative to salvage and stabilize our great and promising nation.”

    He appealed to all members, especially those who are in the campaign council, to unite and cooperate and ensure a smooth operation.

    He added: “Needless to add, Directorates could co-opt on full or part-time basic persons who could add value to our campaign and help us to attain success.

    “To my mind, the division of responsibility is clear enough. The Leadership that has formulated the campaign policy will supervise its execution; the Director-General will have overall responsibility for all aspects of the campaign, including field operations; while the Secretary will be responsible for all administrative and treasury-related activities of the council.”

    The President also congratulated all APC men and women seeking election and those who are running on other political platforms.

     

     

     

     

  • Osinbajo: Buhari needs new term to consolidate his feats

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has urged the people of Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in next month’s election.

    He said the President needed another four years to consolidate on his achievements and reposition the country for excellence.

    The vice-president spoke on the achievements of the administration during his visits to Igbeti, Igboho, Kisi and Saki, where he was received by huge crowds of party members and supporters.

    Oke-Ogun consists of big agrarian towns and communities. They are mostly border towns with Republic of Benin and Togo.

    Osinbajo said President Buhari had served the country with fidelity, forthrightness and sincerity, adding that his programmes were targeted at the poor.

    He said: “All the social investment programmes of the Buhari administration was to empower the common man and the poor.”

    At Igbeti, where the vice-president led a street rally, he explained that the TraderMoni, MarketMoni and the N-Power programmes were designed to liberate the masses from poverty.

    He stressed: “The TraderMoni is to empower the small, small traders, it is not for big business. Those in big businesses have their own, which is called the MarketMoni. We want to reach every village so that the people here will also benefit from this government; all of us will be going up, up, up.”

    Osinbajo said the Federal Government will continue to encourage hard work by assisting artisans with money to enhance their businesses.

    He added: “Even those  who are not graduates, but can read and write will be given a stipend monthly like those in the N-Power programme.”

    Osinbajo, who joined the crowd in singing a special campaign song composed in Yoruba, urged the people to vote wisely.

    He said Oke-Ogun voters will benefit from voting credible leaders who use the nation’s God-given resources for the benefit of the poor.

    He said voting for leaders who will steal people’s money and compound their poverty is not a right step in the right direction.

    Osinbajo said Nigerians made a good decision by voting for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, adding that the Buhari administration had achieved more with less resources.

    During his visit to the Onigbeti of Igbetiland, Oba Emmanuel Oyekan Oyebisi, Ofasegbejo III, Osinbajo said the government will continue to respect traditional rulers.

    Oba Oyebisi praised the Social Investment Programme of the Buhari administration, describing it as a people-oriented intervention programme.

    The monarch urged the Federal Government to develop the mineral resources in his domain, including different types of marble, for the progress of the community and the country.

    Osinbajo thanked the traditional ruler for the warm reception, assuring him that his request will be considered, if the president is re-elected.

    He described the election as critical to the future of Nigeria, urging the people to be vigilant.

    Osinbajo said: “Kabiyesi, this coming election is for progress; we have already seen it, but if we are not cautious, we may be drawn back, but God forbid it.”

    At Kisi, the headquarters of Irepo Local Government Area, the vice president urged the people to stand with the government during the poll.

    Osinbajo, who visited the Bagii of Saki, Chief Abdrasheed Gazali Adegoke, where he met with traditional rulers in the area, thanked them for maintaining peace in their communities.

    Adegoke, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, praised Osinbajo for being “a great vice president”, adding that President Buhari deserves a second term because of his impressive achievements.

    Also, in continuation of the “family chats,” Osinbajo visited the families of Alhaji Ganiyu Akere and Mr. & Mrs Sunday Kolajo, in Saki.

    At a rally in the town, the vice-president spoke on the Social Investment Programme and the “Next Level” plan of the Buhari administration.

    Osinabjo was accompanied by the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, who hails from Oke-Ogun.

    Osinbajo said that the people of Oke-Ogun, who have savoured the dividends of democracy under the Buhari administration, should continue to keep faith with the government.

    He said the government will grant their request for potable water, roads and power as part of efforts to uplift the rural areas.

    Osinbajo said the people will also benefit from the Trans-border International Market since Saki shares borders with Republic of Benin and Togo.

    At Sango, Saki, the vice president met with the Hausa community, urging them to remain committed to President Buhari’s second term ambition.

    He assured them of more people-oriented schemes that will boost their trading.

    Osinbajo said: “The next level of change is to lift everyone from poverty and provide more infrastructural development.”

    A community leader, Abdulwaheed Lawal, a lawyer, pledged the loyalty of the community to the cause of the APC, assuring the party that the people will vote for the President.

    Earlier in the day, Osinbajo attended the wedding of the son of the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    He also met with the League of Imams and Alfas in Ibadan, shortly before departing for Oke-Ogun for his two-day campaigns in the sub-zone.

  • Buhari, Amosun, Ogun APM candidate meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met behind closed-doors with Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the state governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adekunle Akinlade, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Before he moved to APM, Akinlade was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but he lost to Dapo Abiodun.

    But the Presidency said last night the President will lead the campaigns of all APC candidates but welcomed endorsement from other parties.

    Before yesterday’s visit, Amosun had, on December 24, led the APM National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, to the Presidential Villa to submit a letter adopting President Buhari as APM’s presidential candidate.

    Addressing State House correspondents after submitting the letter to the President, Amosun said: “You will recall that just last week, we made public that APM had adopted President Buhari as its presidential candidate.

    “I had promised to bring the letter they gave me to present to him; that is what we came to do today. And you know Mr. President is a very gracious human being. He is a man with a good heart.

    “He said if a party has adopted him, it is only fair he acknowledges the party and the chairman. That is why we are here…”

    “I have said that anybody who is for President Buhari is for me. We will embrace such a party, such persons, such an organisation wholeheartedly. That is what I am doing and that is what we are doing in Ogun State. Clearly, Mr. President will have a massive vote in Ogun State in the coming election.”

    Apparently to counter the APM’s romance with the President, a former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, on December 28, also led the governorship candidate of APC, Dapo Abiodun, to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    After the meeting, pictures of the President lifting the hand of Dapo Abiodun immediately hit the social media.

    Addressing State House correspondents at the end of that meeting, Osoba said: “Secondly, we have come to present our candidate in Ogun State; the candidate of the President; the candidate of APC. The President has raised his hand and told the world that his candidate in Ogun State is Prince Dapo Abiodun; that he has no other candidate. His party in Ogun State is APC. He has no other party in Nigeria other than APC.

    “He has assured us that he will personally come to Ogun State to formally present Prince Abiodun as his candidate. He assured us that this is clearing the air about any ambiguity whatsoever on any name-dropping, blackmail or misinformation that anybody may be peddling. He said all elections throughout Nigeria, not just in Ogun State, people must vote for APC and no other party.”

  • Buhari challenges NIJ Provost on setting proper standards for journalists

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Provost of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, to use his versatile experience in setting proper standards for journalists in the country.

    The president made the call in a congratulatory message by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, to the provost on his 60th birthday yesterday.

    According to President Buhari, the press remains the bastion of Nigeria’s democracy as courageous and brilliant journalists daily make sacrifices to verify, clarify and publish the truth.

    He, therefore, urged the editor and administrator, who worked with many media houses, to use his experience to uplift the nation by ensuring that principles of accuracy, balance, fairness and humanity remain sacrosanct.

    President Buhari also commended Ogunleye for providing good leadership for “the institution that prepares future journalists and hones the skills of those already in the profession.”

    Buhari said he joined the staff members and students of NIJ, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, family and friends of the provost in celebrating the landmark age and his contributions to the development of journalism in Nigeria.

    He prayed that the almighty God would grant Ogunleye “long life, good health and further fire his interest to serve the nation.”

     

  • Buhari to inaugurate APC Presidential Campaign Council tomorrow

    President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow  inaugurate the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for this year’s  general elections.

    Mr. Festus Keyamo, Director, Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council, said yesterday in Abuja that the event would take place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, at 10:00a.m.

    Those expected at the ceremony are:

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman; Co-Chairman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Deputy Chairmen, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Others include Vice Chairman North, Senator  George Akume; Vice Chairman South, Senator  Ken Nnamani; Director-General, Rotimi Amaechi; Deputy Director-General (Operations), Senator  Adeleke  Mamora; and Deputy Director-General (Coordination), Waziri Bulama.

    Also expected are: Adamu Adamu and Dele Alake, Zonal Directors – North West: Sen. Aliyu. M. Wamakko, North East: Sen. Muh’d Ali Ndume, North Central: Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, South West: Sola Oke (SAN), South East: Sharon Ikeazor South South: Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Director, Buhari Support Groups – Dr. Mahmoud Mohammed; Director, Strategic Communications – Festus Keyamo (SAN); Deputy Director- Abike Dabiri- Erewa; Director, Contact and Mobilization – Hadiza Bala Usman; Deputy Director South -Victor Eboigre; Deputy Director North- Sen. Bashir Nalado; Director, Election Planning and Monitoring – Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN); Deputy Director I- Baba Kura Abba Jato;. Deputy Director II-Chief Emani Ayiri; Director, Logistics – Dr. Pius Odubu; Deputy Director- Sen. Umanah Umanah; Deputy Director II- Nasiru Danu; Director, Policy Research and Strategy- Prof. Abdulrahman Oba; Deputy Director- Prof. A.K. Usman; Director, Youth Mobilization- Tony Nwoye, assisted by the APC Youth Leader Sadiq; Deputy Director North-  Ismaeel Ahmed; Deputy Director South – Jasper Azuatalam; Director, Admin- Onari Brown; Deputy Director I- Chris Hassan; Deputy Director II- Abubakar Magaji Gasau; Director, Women Mobilization- Woman Leader Salamatu Baiwa; Deputy Director North – Binta Mu’azu; Deputy Director South – Adejoke Orelope Adefulire; Director Security – Gen. Abduhrahman  Dambazzau; Deputy Directors – Brigadier General Gambo and  Mr. U. Ukoma; Director Legal – Emeka Ngige (SAN); Deputy Director- Prof. Maman Lawan Yusufari; Director Field Operations- Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Director Finance- Wale Edun; Deputy Director, Alhaji Adamu Fadan; Council Members: Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Oyegun, Sen. Ita Enang, All APC serving Senators, All APC serving and former Governors, All APC Members of the House of Representatives, All members of the National Working Committee of the APC, All Zonal Women Leaders.

    All Gubernatorial candidates (who would serve as Co-ordinators in non-APC States) are also expected to attend.

     

  • We’ve put a stop to pensioners’ dehumanization, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday  in Abuja that  his administration has put a stop to what he called the  dehumanization of federal pensioners by ensuring prompt payment of their  entitlements and backlog of arrears.

    He told a delegation of the  Nigeria Union of Pensioners led by the acting president, Comrade Musa Ayuba Dallatu, at State House, Abuja, that retirees deserve timely payment of their emoluments, recognition, and respect for their work and dedication to the country during their active working years.

    ”In recent times pensioners were ignored, neglected and even persecuted.  We have put a stop to that,” Buhari was quoted as saying by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

    “As you yourselves have confirmed today, we have begun regular payment of monthly pensions and payment of backlog of arrears,” Buhari said and recalled that his administration recently released N45 billion accrued rights for the contributory pension scheme and N22.4 billion to start payment of ex-Nigeria Airways pensioners.

    The Federal Government, he added, also bailed out the states with the Paris Club refunds to enable them address salary and pension arrears while also authorizing schemes for the restoration of Niger Delta Steel Company, NITEL/MTEL and Biafra Police war veterans’ pensioners.

    Reviewing the actions taken so far by the administration in connection with the pension industry, the President said the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) had saved N4.9 trillion per annum as a result of payroll clean-up under the civil service verification exercise.

    He said that the directorate which supervised the payment of pension arrears to over 50,000 verified  civil service pensioners, also oversaw the payment of N917.6 million to 432 war retirees.

    According to the President, under his watch, PTAD completed full payment of N5.8 billion to police retirees in August 2018 while in November 2018,  N13.7 billion was paid to parastatal retirees and N18 billion to civil service pensioners.

    ”These few examples testify to the government’s positive impact on pensioners’ lives.  In addition, we achieved huge savings in budgetary provisions through the elimination of ghost and duplicated details.

    ”We have restored qualified pensioners arbitrarily removed from the payroll, thus bringing succour and hope to senior citizens, thereby improving the confidence of the entire county in the government and its policies,” he said.

    On the requests by the pensioners, including the implementation of the National Policy on Pension Parity and the National Policy on Social Security on Health and Other Related Matters of the Elderly, the President promised to do all within his powers to address them, subject to the availability of funds.

    The leader of the delegation had also sought the President’s intervention on the five per cent counterpart funding for the payment of local government pensioners and retired primary school teachers which was arbitrarily stopped in 2010.

    Comrade Dallatu appealed for the payment of outstanding pension arrears, gratuities and death benefits that have accrued over the years, among others.

    Noting that some pensioners receive as low as N2, 000 monthly, he urged the President to make the issue of national minimum pension for pensioners in tandem with the proposed national minimum wage for workers.

    Commending President Buhari on the regular payment of pensions, Dallatu said: ”We are bold to say without fear or favour that you have made our lives better than you met it in so many areas, which among others include regular payment of monthly pensions.

    ”It is an incontestable fact that since the advent of this government under your able leadership, payment of monthly pensions has been more regular than ever. In fact, if the truth must be told, Mr. President Sir, we have never had it so good.”

  • Buhari, IGP meet in Aso Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met behind closed doors with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.

    The meeting took place at the President’s office shortly after the Jumma’at prayer at the State House mosque.

    Idris was expected to retire from service on attainment of the mandatory 35 years in service on Thursday.

    A source yesterday said that the fate of the police boss will be known after the meeting.

    Read also: Minister charges grassroots canvassers to ensure victory for APC in Kwara

    “We are optimistic, but all will be known after this meeting,” the source said yesterday.

    Idris at the end of the meeting did not speak with journalists and no official statement yet on the latest development.

    Idris was appointed by President Buhari to replace Solomon Arase.

    The 59-year-old Ibrahim Idris enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984 after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.

  • Your prayers ‘ll make us victorious, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday played host to the leadership of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria at State House, Abuja, commending the group for praying for his government, particularly as the general elections approach.

    He said: “I am very grateful for this visit. God will answer our prayers. With your prayers, we will go into the field and be victorious.

    “Your good intentions and prayers are appreciated. This is what is expected of institutions working for God.”

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he was glad that the church lauded the good work being done by government in the areas of infrastructure, anti-corruption and security.

    “It will encourage us to do more. We have no other country than Nigeria, and we must do the best for her. I said it more than a generation ago. Thank you for identifying with our objectives,” he said

    Leader of the delegation, His Most Eminence, Prophet (Dr) Solomon Adegboyega Alao, told President Buhari to remain resolute, particularly in the war against corruption.

    He said: “We anticipate that corruption, which is killing Nigeria, may fight back, but you will prevail because majority of Nigerians are with you.”

    The visitors asked the President to use his good offices to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu being held captive by Boko Haram for refusing to renounce her faith; canvassed a level playing field for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair polls; and called for the consideration of the clamour for the restructuring of the federation.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Spiritual Father of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abidoye, said: “We are here to see our president and wish him a pleasant 2019. We are also here to offer our own suggestions on how to govern the country because if he succeeds, we will all succeed and to offer him our prayers.

    On the advice given to the President, he said: “First of all, we are aware that Mr. President is very passionate about credible and fair elections. We assured him that we would support him on that.

    “We told him to pursue the anti-corruption measures vigorously. Corruption is killing Nigeria, and we know unless we kill corruption very urgently, it will destroy this country. We assured him of our support at all times.

    “For the coming elections, we urge Nigerians to go and obtain their PVCs and come out to vote for the candidate of their choice and avoid anything that could lead to violence. We believe the INEC will give us credible elections”.

    Established in 1925, the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria is an umbrella body of all Cherubim and Seraphim churches founded in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

  • Buhari, IGP meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.

    The meeting took place at the President’s office shortly after the Jumma’at prayer at the State House mosque.

    Idris was expected to retire from service on attainment of the mandatory 35 years in service on Thursday.

    A source on Friday said that the fate of the police boss will be known after the meeting.

    “We are optimistic, but all will be known after this meeting,” the source said.

    Idris at the end of the meeting did not speak with journalists and no official statement yet on the latest development.

    Read Also: Presidency: PDP is clutching at straws

    Idris was appointed by President Buhari on 21 March 2016, to replace Solomon Arase, who retired from the police force on 21 June 2016.

    The 59- year old Ibrahim Idris enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.

    Speculations are rife that at the attainment of the Idris’ mandatory retirement age of 60 years of service in the police on Wednesday, January 3, the President may extend it for some period of time given that the country is on the verge of a national elections in few weeks time.

  • Buhari: We’ve put a stop to pensioners’ dehumanisation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said his administration has put a stop to the dehumanization of federal pensioners by ensuring they were paid their entitlements and backlog of arrears as at when due.

    The President spoke when he received a delegation of Nigeria Union of Pensioners led by the acting president, Comrade Musa Ayuba Dallatu, at State House.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also declared that the welfare of pensioners had remained a priority for his administration since May 2015.

    According to him, the retirees deserve timely payment of their emoluments, recognition, and respect for their work and dedication to the country during their active working years.

    He said ‘‘In recent times pensioners were ignored, neglected and even persecuted. We have put a stop to that. As you yourselves have confirmed today, we have begun regular payment of monthly pensions and payment of backlog of arrears.

    ‘‘The Federal Government released N45 billion accrued rights for the contributory pension scheme and N22.4 billion to start payment of ex-Nigeria Airways pensioners,’’ he said.

    President Buhari told the pensioners that the Federal Government also bailed out States to address salary and pension arrears including Paris Club refunds, even as he had authorised schemes for the restoration of Niger Delta Steel Company pensioners, NITEL/MTEL pensioners and Biafra Police war veterans pensioners.

    Reviewing the actions taken so far by the administration in connection with the pension industry, the President said the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) had saved N4.9 trillion per annum as a result of payroll clean-up under the Civil Service verification exercise.

    He said that the Directorate which supervised the payment of pension arrears to over 50,000 verified Civil Service Pensioners, also oversaw the payment of N917.6 million to 432 war retirees.

    According to the President, under his watch, PTAD completed full payment of N5.8 billion to police retirees in August 2018 while in November 2018, N13.7 billion was paid to parastatal retirees and N18 billion to civil service Pensioners.

    ‘‘These few examples testify to the Government’s positive impact on pensioners’ lives. In addition, we achieved huge savings in budgetary provisions through the elimination of ghost and duplicated details.

    ‘‘We have restored qualified pensioners arbitrarily removed from the payroll, thus bringing succour and hope to senior citizens, thereby improving the confidence of the entire county in the Government and its policies,’’ he said.

    On the requests by the pensioners, including the implementation of the National Policy on Pension Parity and the National Policy on Social Security on Health and Other Related Matters of the Elderly, the President promised to do all within his powers to address them, subject to the availability of funds.

    The leader of the delegation had also sought the President’s intervention on the five percent counterpart funding for the payment of local government pensioners and retired primary school teachers which was arbitrarily stopped in 2010.

    Comrade Dallatu appealed for the payment of outstanding pension arrears, gratuities and death benefits that have accrued over the years, among others.

    Read Also: APC crisis in Rivers will boost party’s victory chances – Abe

    Noting that some pensioners receive as low as N2000 monthly, he urged the President to make the issue of National minimum pension for pensioners in tandem with the proposed national minimum wage for workers.

    Commending President Buhari on the regular payment of pensions, Dallatu said: ‘‘we are bold to say without fear or favour that you have made our lives better than you met it in so many areas, which among others include regular payment of monthly pensions.

    ‘‘It is an incontestable fact that since the advent of this government under your able leadership, payment of monthly pensions has been more regular than ever. In fact, if the truth must be told, Mr President Sir, we have never had it so good.’’ he said