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  • Saraki, Dogara absent at independence Day parade

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara were conspicuously absent at the Eagle Square , venue the 58th independence anniversary parade.
    Saraki and Dogara have recently dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party for the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP).
    President, Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and other prominent personalities attended the ceremony.
    Also at the event were the former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
    Other cabinet members also attended the ceremony.

  • National Assembly: Ndume attacks Saraki, Dogara

    FORMER Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume yesterday scored Senate President Bukola Saraki’s leadership of the upper chamber below average.

    Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said it was stating the obvious that the Senate under Dr. Saraki, has failed Nigerians.

    Speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, the Borno senator noted that Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, had privatised and personalised the legislative arm of government.

    Ndume said Saraki has no justification to retain his seat as Senate President after defecting to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He also lauded the military for the concerted effort at eliminating insurgency in some parts of the country.

    On the Senate leadership, Ndume said: “I really want to admit that we have failed in our responsibility to the people somehow but we the members are not responsible for that.

    ”It is more of the responsibility of the leadership that shut down the Senate abruptly because of personal issues.

    ”It is very unfortunate. The Senate is the Nigerian Senate, it is not the senator’s Senate; it is not Saraki’s Senate.

    “It is very unfortunate that the National Assembly has been reduced to Saraki and Dogara.”

    According to him, Saraki and Dogara have privatised and personalised the legislative arm of government, a development he called an aberration.

    Ndume said: “They (Saraki and Dogara) have privatised and personalised the institution, and the reason we were elected to be there has been relegated to the background.

    “This is very unfortunate, but I want Nigerians to know that the Senate has not been shut down by the Senators or members of House of Representatives.

    ”The Senate was shut down by Saraki and Dogara and they should be held responsible for that.”

    He noted that the Senate, which is yet to reconvene, must move on without Saraki.

    The former Senate Leader added that he had made concerted efforts to see how the Senate could reconvene, especially to consider about five matters of national importance.

    His efforts, he said, have been without success, adding that the the matters he wanted considered were abandoned by the National Assembly before it proceeded on the long recess.

    His words: “We tried everything to get the Senate President or the leadership to reconvene the Senate, but that have not been successful.”

    On why the Senate President should quit, Ndume noted that  Saraki should know that he was not supposed to retain the position of President of the Senate, because he could not “eat his cake and have it”.

    Saraki, he said, lost all rights to retain the seat when he defected to the PDP.

    Ndume posited that the only thing that could save Saraki from being impeached remained a vote of confidence from his colleagues.

    ”I think that is the only thing he can do; may be he did that before, let him try it; let him call for vote of confidence from us, his colleagues.

    ”I assure you that he will not get the majority.”

    Ndume described the statement credited to some politicians that Saraki could only be impeached by two-third of members of the house as not only wrong, but also a total misconception.

    To him, since Saraki decided to leave the APC for PDP, he should have left the position as he could not be in a minority party and be President of the Senate.

    He recalled that as minority leader in the House of Representatives, he defected to PDP from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and resigned from the position without being asked to do so.

    The senator said it was natural that he left the position because he could not move from the minority to the majority and still be a minority leader.

    Ndume noted that there should only be one Senate President who is supposed to come from the majority political party.

    “I am still thinking and hoping that Saraki will do the right thing and the right thing is for him to relinquish that position for the majority to preside,” Ndume said.

    On the fight against Boko Haram, he said the move by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in ensuring collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and other agencies had helped a great deal.

    He said that the relocation of the operational headquarters of the military was a major factor in the defeat of Boko Haram.

    However, he called on them to concentrate on three black spots of “the deep Sambisa Forest, the Lake Chad fringes and the Mandara Mountains.

    He said the sect, which was still active in those areas for obvious reasons, must be brought to its knees.

    Ndume said: “The resurfacing of the sect is more in Northern Borno. These are the fringes of Lake Chad. I am suspecting that because of the money they got from the ransome allegedly paid, their proximity to international terrorist organisation, Nigeria bordering Mali and Niger and the open, vast and porous borders, they are buying and transporting light arms.

    ”Also, they are getting money from the businesses around Lake Chad that they have taken over. They are now the ones involved in the cattle business and all that.

    “Those are the areas they get money from. With this money they are able to fund their operations.”

    On concerns that the sect had not been completely eliminated, the lawmaker said fighting insurgency was different from fighting conventional war.

    He said: “We have been fighting insurgency in the North East which is different from the conventional war where you know you have soldiers belonging to a particular group that you can identify.

    “Besides, insurgency is not happening only in Nigeria. It is happening in Afghanistan, Syria and all that. Like the case of Afghanistan, the case has been going on for some years now.”

  • I am back in PDP, Dogara declares

    As Speaker submits nomination form

     

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Thursday confirmed his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP).

    Dogara made the declaration at the national secretariat of the PDP while submitting his nomination form for his Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency of Bauchi State.

    This has ended speculations about his defection and political career in the past few weeks. The Speaker, who was elected on the platform of the APC, was silent on whether or not he has formally resigned his membership of the ruling party.

    On his decision to dump the APC for the PDP, Dogara said he had decided to come back to his original roots, adding that he did not defect to the PDP because the APC denied him a return ticket.

    The Speaker said, “I have decided to come back to my original root because the truth is that when we went into APC after the general elections, there was never an occasion in which we were not reminded that we do not belong.

    “When there are discussions, you will hear reference to the fact that those who joined us from the PDP are our problems. So, that discussion will end from today since we have left.

    “So, I have decided to join my brothers – members of this great party, the PDP so that we can chart a new frontier in our state of Bauchi and for our dear nation, Nigeria”.

    Read Also: IGP, others urged to execute arrest warrant on Uzodinma

    “I am here not because they have denied me ticket to contest in APC. And I am not bothered about contesting election; what bothers me is the state of my state.

    “The situation in which our people are and the state of this country. So, even if you give me a ticket to work in a situation where my conscience is totally not aligned with, to be candid, I cannot function effectively there”.

    Dogara said he was still in shock over happenings within the APC, particularly at the national level, adding however that he would reserve the details for another occasion.

    “When I recover from my shock, I will now tell my story in a way that is devoid of sentiments so that people can clearly understand the reason why I am taking the decision that leads me to the PDP today. And I will certainly do that.

    “But permit me to say that in the APC when we moved in, obviously they are not all devils. There are wonderful people in APC but there are equally some people who have a ravenously wayward sense of personal entitlement.

    “And this really are the problems with the APC. When it serves their interests, they said ‘the party is supreme’. When it doesn’t serve their interests, they castigate the party, including the leadership of the party.

    “These are people who are the lots of the family. They do what they will while others are required to do what they must. And in such environment, I am disabled.

    “We have a lot of bouncers in the party. And in such a situation where I had a very clear conscience, even though a lot of people were happy with me. But I can tell you that I would rather be hated for who I am than be loved for who I am not”.

    In apparent reference to the frosty relationship between him and the governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, the Speaker said he was ready for the challenge from those who said they would retire him from politics.

    Daring his political adversaries, Dogara said he would be waiting for them in his constituency, adding that he had to prove to those who said he could not move from the APC to any other political party.

    “Permit me to say that for some of us who are here and who are wondering becsuse it has been said that I cannot move from where I was to perhaps any other political party. That discussion has been ongoing. But today’s event marks the end of all speculations”, he declared.

     

  • Dogara: APC, PDP in fresh battle for control of House

    •Speaker plots taking 20 APC Reps to rival party
    •Ruling party awaits defectors from Benue, Ekiti

    The battle for the control of the House of Representatives by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  is gathering steam following the  expected formal defection  of Speaker Yakubu Dogara  to the opposition party.

    Dogara who has ceased to identify publicly with the APC for some time now was, on Thursday, presented with PDP’s nomination form by some of his constituents from Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency in Bauchi State.

    The APC remains the majority party in the House with members putting its strength between 181 and 192 and that of the PDP at between 156 and 165.

    APGA and ADC have five members each, SDP has two while UPP and Accord have one each while one seat is vacant.

    Although  the two chambers of the National Assembly are currently on recess, The Nation gathered that key players in the APC and the PDP are doing everything possible to ensure that their party is in control of the House  till  the end of the eighth session of the NASS.

    Sources said about 20 APC Reps who are  loyalists  of the Speaker are willing to switch camps with him once he moves.

    The aim is to make the PDP the majority party in the House so that Dogara can retain his position as Speaker.

    The APC is nothing relenting either.

    Sources said the party is determined to retain its majority in the House and is expecting a sizeable number of  PDP defectors mainly from Ekiti and Benue States.

    Sources close to Dogara believe it will be difficult to remove him in view of the sheer number of votes required to do so.

    Section 50 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended stipulates that two-thirds or 240 votes in the 360-seat House of Representatives are required to remove the Speaker.

    Though, the Leader of the House and of the APC Caucus, Femi Gbajabiamila has maintained silence on the matter, a number of APC lawmakers feel that Dogara should not be sitting on the chair of the Speaker when the House returns from its current recess.

    When asked to express his reaction to Dogara’s defection and the next steps being contemplated, Gbajabiamila only sent a terse text message: “No comment for now.”

     

  • Dogara undecided on defection in spite of nomination forms

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara has said that the injustice he and his supporters are suffering from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and how it is addressed would determine whether he would remain in the party or quit.

    His declaration came on the heels of reported clamour by many of his constituents that he should dump the ruling for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after presenting him with Nomination and Expression of Interest forms of the PDP at his Maitama, Abuja home on Thursday.

    Dogara’s constituents from his Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal constituency of Bauchi State as well as youths and women groups asked him to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to the high level injustice against him by the party.

    The Speaker, who had few days ago accepted the request of his supporters to re-contest after considering stepping aside, however, said the injustice meted out to him by the party could force him out.

    Listing conditions for his continued stay in the ruling party, Dogara told his constituents who presented the nomination forms: “I have listened to you and I want to say that I am not a novice in politics.

    “So, even if they do not regard us, they should know that we are in full control of our five senses.

    “We know what looks like justice and what is not justice. We also know if you want to humiliate or honour us.

    “But I must thank you all. This is not the first time we would face this of kind of threats and betrayal. Our only fault is that we have chosen not to side with injustice or wrong.

    “We always voice out when we see that we are beginning to derail from our election promises to the people, and that is why some people said they will retire us from politics and have even started celebrating that they have buried us politically.

    “But through all this, I remained unperturbed because I knew that we had our people with us.”

    The Speaker also complained bitterly about how his supporters who were allegedly denied forms during the last APC congress despite making payments on time.

    He said  the new leadership of APC failed to live up to its assurance  that all the states that had issues with their congresses would be allowed to hold direct primaries,  thereby depriving them of any hope that their supporters would have the opportunity to vote for their choice.

    “Truly, I have decided that I will not seek election again. They said they will give me ticket in APC but that I must go and beg for it. I said I do not need the ticket. In politics, I have never gone to anybody’s house to beg for ticket. My ticket is my people.

    “I have assured them that even if I run under zero party, my people will vote for me. So long as it is Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa, even if we run under zero party; we will win, by God’s grace.

    “We have thrived well in many political battles in the past and this one too, we shall overcome it. Nobody can threaten us or tell us that we cannot contest election in a political party we spent our resources to establish, only God can stop us.

    “I had heard your voices and the voice of the people is the voice of God.

    “We are in politics to serve and not to be served. As I said, if it were for myself, I will quit because truly, I am tired and even thought of stepping aside. But we must run election so long as our people say so.

    “I have seen the forms you brought. I don’t know how you got it but I must thank you for this sacrifice. Left for me, I will appeal that you give me some time to go and consult further.

    “I have a lot of supporters in the APC but I have not told any of them what I intend to do or where I will go because I was not given the opportunity.

    “But I will assure you that wherever you want me to go or whatever you want me to do I will obey you because you have been with me. This is leadership.

    “Even when they were talking about reconciliation in APC, we told them that even if I will be given free ticket in APC, so long as they do not do justice to Senator Sulieman Nazif, Senator Isa Hamma Misau, Hon. Ahmed Yerima, Hon. Aminu Tukur, Hon. Maryam Bagel and others, I will not accept it.

    “I even said that if they will do justice to these people I will be satisfied.

    “You have now given us another opportunity to correct the greatest mistake we did in politics, which was to bring this present government in Bauchi State.

    “This is one of the reasons we must run for election and do away with this plague, chase these termites from Bauchi State.

    “I will not disobey you. But before I fill these forms, I will have to inform all my supporters in the APC about the decision taken by my constituents, since all politics is local.”

    Earlier, Hons. Mohammed Aminu Tukur, Adamu Jambil and Amina Saleh, who led the delegation and spoke on behalf of the constituents, said their new political platform is Dogara Peoples Party as they will follow him wherever he goes.

    Aminu Tukur, to back the demand of the constituents, said APC is now plagued by injustice and dictatorship, contrary to their expectations that under President Muhammadu Buhari, the party will be fair to all.

    “The day Buhari joined partisan politics in 2002, I was the only person from Bauchi that travelled and I have been with him since then. Mr Speaker, I swear to almighty God that He spared my life.

    “I and our people will vote for you, and we urge you to heed our cries and accept this form. We pray that God returns you to your seat.

    “APC is not a religion, as it is neither Islam nor Christianity,” Tukur said.

  • 2019: Don’t run to avoid defeat, APC tells Dogara

    Defection is no House matter, says spokesman

    From the All Progressives Congress (APC) has come a piece of advice for House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara — he should not recontest his seat. “A humiliating defeat” awaits him, the party said.

    Reacting to the defection of the Speaker to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Acting National Organising Secretary Yekini Nabena said it was not surprising Dogara joined the opposition in view of his anti-party activities in the National Assembly.

    He said such activities became more glaring when the PDP won his local government of Bogoro during the recently concluded senatorial by-election in Bauchi State.

    Nabena said: “We have received several media requests for a reaction to the purported defection of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to one of the opposition political parties, as reported in the media.

    “In reacting, a recent comment by President Muhammadu Buhari aptly sums Dogara’s reported defection: The weakest people whose senses of expectation do not align with our vision have exited our party.”

    “Dogara’s reported defection has not come to us as a surprise. It was only a matter of time, judging by Dogara’s anti-party antics in the National Assembly where in connivance with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, he exploited all available avenues to sabotage and undermine the APC-led executive.

    “Dogara’s anti-party activities which enabled one of the opposition Party’s sole victory in Bogoro Local Government Area (Dogara’s council) during the recent Bauchi South Senatorial bye-election won by the APC is another pointer, among several others.

    “Indeed, all politics is local. As a party, we empathise with Dogara on his confusion and despair over his bleak political future given the fact that he is not on ground and a political paperweight in his home Bauchi state.

    “In his emergence as Speaker, Dogara was merely used by his political master to achieve their selfish political ends at the time. They have since moved on to pursue their individual political aspirations and left Dogara in the cold.

    “We would advise Dogara against his ill-advised decision to recontest his House of Representatives seat under the opposition party he is linked with because a crushing and humiliating defeat surely awaits him.

    “As a party, we remain united and committed to our progressives ideologies. We urge party faithful to consolidate on our strengths and collectively go into the 2019 general elections as a united and strong political fighting force to sustain the Change Agenda we are implementing for the benefit of Nigerians.”

  • APC reacts to Dogara’s reported defection

    The All Progressives Conference (APC) has reacted to House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s reported defection.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary Mr. Yekini Nabena said yesterday in a statement in Abuja: “We have received media requests for a reaction to the purported defection of House of Representatives Speaker Yekini Nabena

    Yakubu Dogara from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to one of the opposition parties, as reported in the media.

    “In reacting, a recent comment by President Muhammadu Buhari aptly sums Dogara’s reported defection: “The weakest people, whose senses of expectation do not align with our vision, have exited our party.”

    “Dogara’s reported defection has not come to us as a surprise. It was only a matter of time judging by Dogara’s anti-party antics in the National Assembly where in connivance with Senate President Bukola Saraki, he exploited available avenues to sabotage and undermine the APC-led executive. Dogara’s anti-party activities, which enabled one of the opposition party’s sole victory in Bogoro Local Government (Dogara’s council) during the recent Bauchi South Senatorial District by-election won by the APC, is another pointer, among several others.

    “Indeed, all politics is local. As a party, we empathise with Dogara on his confusion and despair over his bleak political future, given that he is not on ground and a political paperweight in his home, Bauchi State. In his emergence as Speaker, Dogara was merely used by his political masters to achieve their selfish political ends at the time. They have since moved on to pursue their individual political aspirations and left Dogara in the cold.

    “We will advise Dogara against his ill-advised decision to re-contest his House of Representatives seat on the platform of the opposition party he is linked with because a crushing and humiliating defeat surely awaits him.

    “As a party, we remain united and committed to our progressives ideologies. We urge the faithful to consolidate on our strengths and collectively go into the 2019 general election as a united and strong political fighting force to sustain the change agenda we are implementing, for the benefit of Nigerians.”

     

     

     

     

  • Dogara declares intention to re-contest

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has declared his intention to re-contest the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency seat, The Nation has learnt.

    It is, however, not clear on which party’s platform he is likely to contest, since he could not secure the nomination and expression of interest forms from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    While the APC deadline for the purchase of the forms has lapsed, PDP has extended its deadline to September 17.

    Dogara’s media aides, Iliya Habila, declared his intention to contest the House of Assembly seat on the platform of PDP, while Rinsola Abiola dumped APC for PDP after being disallowed to contest for the APC primaries.

    Dogara has been absent at leadership meetings of APC since the House of Representatives went on annual break in July.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Dogara greets Sultan at 62

    Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has greeted the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, at 62.

    Dogara, in a message he signed, described the Sultan as one of Nigeria’s most outstanding promoters of justice, unity, peace and harmony.

    According to him, the royal father has endeared himself to Nigerians of goodwill, regardless of cultural, religious or political persuasion, owing to his relentless pursuit of peace and ethno-religious harmony among the people.

    He said: “As a spiritual leader and traditional ruler, you have over the years, distinguished yourself as exemplary, traversing the the country, preaching peaceful co-existence and building bridges across religious and cultural divides.

    “I join your well wishers and other well meaning Nigerians in appreciating and commending your role in fostering mutual understanding, intra-and-inter-religious harmony, as well as your humanitarian services across the country.

    “You have proved yourself as a true man of peace and promoter of justice, national cohesion and global peace through words and deeds. As you mark your 62nd birthday, I pray God to grant you good health, more wisdom and peaceful reign.”

  • Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, others urge Nigerians on peaceful co-existence

    As Sallah is being celebrated today, President Muhammadu Buhari leads others in preaching peace, love and tolerance to Muslim faithful, report Ozeigbe Okoeki, Odunayo Ogunmola, Okungbowa Aiwere, Damisi Ojo, Kolade Adeyemi and Chris Oji.

    •Ambode, Aregbesola, Dakwambo, others preach peace

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to rise above personal, group, sectarian and other interests in the country.

    He urged them to promote harmony and tolerance in dealing with one another at all times.

    This President’s Eid-el-Kabir message according to Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted him as urging Muslims to use the occasion for sober reflection and self-examination, and strive to be good ambassadors of their religion by upholding high moral values

    He reminded Muslims that this felicitous occasion of Eid-ul-Adha is a remembrance of the submission of Prophet Ibrahim Allaihis-Salam to Allah, his Creator, by which he taught the world the value of sacrifice in relating with one another, and when it comes to nation-building.

    He said “We must sacrifice for others and remember always those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” the President declared.

    President Buhari explained that religion is a major factor in influencing human behaviour towards good conduct and actions.

    Heexpressed regret that selfishness, greed and corruption had overwhelmed human souls to the extent that people abandon their religious beliefs in pursuit of their greed.

    The President stressed that fighting corruption is a task that must be done in order to protect the larger interests of the ordinary Nigerians who are the worst victims of diseases, poverty, malnutrition and other afflictions.

    He said surrendering to corruption is not an option because it destroys society and progress of nations.

    “Even if some people hate you for fighting corruption, you should not chicken out from the task as a leader because doing so is a betrayal of public trust.” the President added

    On the economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President reassured that such are temporary because the welfare of the people is the main thrust of the change agenda of the administration.

    President Buhari cited the many initiatives unfolded by the administration under the Social Investment Programme (SIP) among which was the decision to distribute recovered stolen funds to the poor against the past practices of re-looting such funds by some people in authority.

    The President arrived I his hometown Daura yesterday.

    He arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport aboad the Presidential jet at the airport at about 5.51p.m.

    Katsina state Governor Aminu Masari and Minister of State (Aviation) Hadi Sirika were among those at the airport to welcome the President.

    The President was conveyed from there to Daura by a presidential chopper.

    The President has been observing Eid-el Kabir at his country home in the last three years of his presidency.

    The Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu also urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence.

    In separate Eid el Kabir messages, Saraki enjoined Nigerians to increase their efforts in charitable endeavours, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation. The Senate President urged Nigerians to further devote their prayers at the Eid praying grounds to the call on Allah to restore peace in all parts of the country, strengthen the unity and rebuild the economy.

    Saraki also congratulated Muslims on the celebration of the 2018 Eid el-Kabir festival and described the special occasion as “a period that honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to show submission to Allah’s command”.

    Dogara, enjoined the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love and tolerance for the peace, unity and progress of the country.

    “While rejoicing with our Muslim brothers on this auspicious occasion of  Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, which symbolises sacrifice and obedience,  I wish to enjoin all people of goodwill to be steadfast in love for one another and demonstrate renewed commitment to the Nigerian project in order to make our society ideal for all and towards the fulfillment of the country’s great potentials”.

    “I also urge our religious leaders to take advantage of the season and preach peace, unity and tolerance among the diverse people, especially now that the country is at  critical political crossroads, with the electioneering process gaining momentum as the 2019 general elections draw nearer”.

    “On our part as lawmakers, we will continue to pursue people-oriented legislations and initiate reforms and legislative interventions that will guarantee peace and stability in the polity and the nation as a whole as well as improve the living conditions of the citizens”.

    Ekweremadu said: “The Eid-el Kabir presents yet another opportunity for the Muslim Umah and indeed all Nigerians to reflect soberly on state of the nation and pray for Nigeria’s future and peaceful elections.

    “Importantly, Nigeria is certainly in need of both attitudinal change and divine intervention as the country prepares for the 2019 general elections. Whereas the extensive electoral reforms carried out by the National Assembly manifested in visible improvements in the quality of the 2011 and 2015 general elections, subsequent elections have been gravely marred by excessive violence, vote buying, and other outrageous manipulations that threaten our democracy.

    “From the Bayelsa Governorship election to the recent bye-elections in Kogi and Rivers States, among others, the nation has witnessed intolerable levels of impunity, violence, excessive abuse and manipulation of vital institutions of democracy, which signal grave turbulence ahead of 2019”.

    ‘Embrace love,unity, sacrifice’

    In Lagos, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode urged Muslims to live in love and unity.

    In his Sallah message,Ambode said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

    “The significance of the season should be beyond feasting, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice in the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence should be to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice”, Ambode admonished faithful.

    The governor called on all Nigerians to exhibit these virtues for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.

    His words: “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country.

    “This period requires more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all.”

    Fayemi urges peaceful co-existence

    Ekiti State governor-elect Kayode Fayemi felicitated with Muslims in the country.

    Dr. Fayemi urged the Muslims Ummah to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice which is the foundation of the festival, during and after the festivities.

    In a goodwill message, the governor-elect said: “The Eid-el-Kabir festival offers the opportunity for sober reflection and spiritual renewal which Allah demands from the faithful.

    “The Muslim faithful and adherents of other faiths in the country should make peaceful coexistence their watchword and work together for a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

    “Nigerians need to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authority as demonstrated in Prophet Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his son in deference to the will of God, which Eid-el-Kabir commemorates.

    “It is only through the love for one another and commitment to peace, security and stability that the country can progress towards the fulfilment of its great potentials as a nation.”

    Kalu sues for unity among Nigerians

    Former Abia State Governor of Abia State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)Orji Kalu  urged leaders across the country to use their positions  to advocate peaceful co-existence among Nigerians regardless of ethnic, religious and political divides.

    According to him, Nigerians should embrace patriotism, selflessness and discipline in their pursuits for the sake of rebuilding the nation.

    Stressing that Nigeria is better off as an indivisible and united entity, he urged the political class not to use sentiments to polarise the country.

    Kalu said in a statement: “I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir. It is a special season and it calls for special prayers for the country.

    “We should use this opportunity to appraise ourselves as individuals and as a people. We should exhibit piety, selflessness, patriotism and service to humanity in our activities as enshrined in the Holy Quran.

    “Let us respect other people’s religious beliefs and by so doing, there will be no rift in the society. Nigeria remains a blessed nation owing to its diversity in religion and ethnicity.”

    Atiku preaches love, tolerance

    Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar advised Muslims to take the center stage in promoting and spreading love among fellow Nigerians to consolidate unity.

    He said religion should be used as a means to advance the cause of love amongst the people.

    According to him, diversity cannot be the cause of Nigeria’s problems.He blamed the attitude of Nigerians towards one another.

    He said: “The common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger than those petty factors that divide us.

    “Intolerance, extremism and bigotry, if unchecked, could threaten peace and unity in any country.”

    He identified peace and unity as the greatest assets that should not be taken for granted, adding that interfaith dialogue would not go far enough if bigotry is allowed to defeat human reason and wisdom.

    The former vice president noted that all religions preach love of mankind, and urged Muslims to promote the beauty of their faith through positive personal conducts.

    Aregbesola to faithful: imbibe forgiving spirit

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola urged the Muslim faithful to uphold their obedience to Allah in the spirit of forgiveness for one another.

    In a goodwill message, Aregbesola described Islam as a religion that upholds the spirit of love, peace and charity and preach harmonious living relationship with other religions adherents.

    He commended the Muslim community in Osun for supporting his administration and for being good citizens.

    The governor urged Muslims to expand the spiritual benefits of Sallah by ensuring and promoting peaceful co-existence with each other and people of other faiths and shun violence and religious conflicts in whatever form they may manifest.

    He enjoined Muslims to pray for and conduct themselves peacefully before during and after the September 22, governorship election coming up in the state, noting that it is only Allah who enthrones and anyone who wants to forcefully enthrone himself can only do so in vain.

    He advised the faithful to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice which Prophets Ibrahim and his son, Ismaeel, exemplified, an occasion which is being commemorated yearly, thousands of years since.

    The message reads: “Let me congratulate all Muslim on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

    “I want you to use the occasion of the festival to demonstrate that the world is united by our common humanity.

    “You have demonstrated that you are patriotic Nigerians with your peaceful conduct, obedience to the laws of the land and invaluable contribution to development of our country.

    “You should continue to pray fervently for those things that would promote unity of the country, and pray against things that threaten the existence of Nigeria.”

    Dankwambo: truth 

    exalts a nation

    Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has joined Muslims in celebrating Eid-el-Kabir.

    He said: “As we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, citizens must be reminded of the need to celebrate with love for one another and for our country. I must also say this: as the Holy Books teach us that only truth exalts a nation, only sacrifice by the people can sustain the nation on the path of unity, peace, progress and prosperity.

    Today is a day for sober reflection, especially as a result of the challenges facing Nigeria as a nation and the harrowing personal experience of the majority of citizens.”

    Submit to Allah’s will, Ahmed urges Muslims

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed

    urged Muslims  to imbibe the lessons of total submission and obedience to the will of Almighty Allah and promote the principle of being one another’s keepers.

    The governor emphasised the need to devote oneself to the services of the supreme being and pray for the unity, peace, progress and stability of the country

    He said: “Let’s guide against hate speech, thuggery and violence but imbibe lessons of the season and pray for a free, fair and credible elections in 2019 and beyond.”

    Dr. Ahmed expressed his gratitude to the people of the state for their supports and prayers over the years and renewed his commitment to bequeathing a worthy legacy for his successor.

    “We shall take our projects to fruition levels”, the governor said.

    Okowa urges prayers for leaders

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa urged Nigerians to put aside their religious and political differences to build a united country.

    He urged Muslims to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the prophet.

    Okowa, in a Sallah message said Eid-el-Kabir was a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice.

    Okowa said: “I enjoin you to use the period to uphold the spiritual benefit of the celebration by extending a hand of friendship and solidarity across all divides and imbibing the spirit of sacrifice and obedience to the higher authority as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and upheld by Prophet Muhammed.

    “This is an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for our nation; and for all those in leadership positions so that God in his infinite mercy will continue to guide them as they steer the affairs of the country.”

    He assured the people of Delta State that the state government would work with security agencies to ensure that all citizens celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony.

    Akeredolu: celebrate with fear of God

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu believed that the annual festival, which symbolises sacrifice and peace, will be celebrated by the Muslims with the fear of God and continued service to humanity and love of one another.

    He urged them to be moderate in their activities as they peacefully visit various places of interest to celebrate the much-cherished festival.

    The governor noted that as they go to the Prayer Ground for supplication to the Almighty, they should as usual, pray for the leadership of the state and the country in general.

    ‘Emulate Mohammed’

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike urged Muslims to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the Prophet.

    Wike described Eid-el-Kabir as a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice.

    He urged Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance which will promote peace across the country and enhance national development.

    He assured the people of Rivers State that the state government will work with the  security  agencies  to ensure that all citizens celebrate  the Sallah  in peace and harmony.

    He congratulated the Muslim community in the Southsouth state  on the Sallah celebration, assuring  them that his administration  will continue  to  partner with  them to move the state forward.

    Ganduje urges Muslims on sacrifice

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje urged Muslims to imbibe the values of sacrifice, love and keep fostering unity as they join their counterparts globally to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    Ganduje also cautioned religious and political leaders against hate campaigns, incitement or fanning embers of disunity in this period of heightened political activity in the country.

    In his Sallah message, Ganduje said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

    He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, adding that the real essence was not in the meat or the blood of the animal but to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.

    The governor called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country, stressing the need for constructive criticisms for improved governance, which he said, must be separated from incitements in order to move forward.

    Ugwuanyi calls for prayers, sustained peace

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi urged Muslems  to continue to uphold and promote the core values of Islam for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the country.

    Ugwuanyi, who felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, also wished them the guidance and blessings of Allah, calling on all Nigerians to continue to supplicate for the progress of the country, through good deeds, sacrifice and abiding faith in God.

    He noted: “The ultimate goal remains our collective ability to live in peace and harmony, to cherish one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences, for sustainable development of the nation”.