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Tag: el-Rufai

  • Voter’s card, tool to sack incompetent leaders – Buhari

    Voter’s card, tool to sack incompetent leaders – Buhari

    Former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari  (rtd)has told Nigerians to go out and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), saying that is their tool to sack incompetent leaders in 2015.

    Buhari , who is the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, stated this in Kaduna on Monday, while speaking at a public declaration of former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s  governorship bid.

    He also endorsed El-Rufai at the occasion, saying, people of Kaduna State would be doing themselves a great favour if they elect the former minister as their governor.

    “Your card is your tool against incompetence in the government, and against the deception of Nigerians. We have suffered enough. You know what it takes to repair Nigeria, especially the infrastructure, security, and above all employment.

    “Lets us get the infrastructures working. Let’s get the security materially, physically and morally,” he stated.

    Speaking on El-Rufai, Buhari said, “I developed cold feet to come and present El-Rufai to you because of the sacrifices which he wanted to make on my behalf which I turned down. But he insisted that I must contest and I told him that if I must contest, he must also come out to contest because I believe he has the qualities required to make Kaduna State great again. These qualities are firstly competence, integrity and courage.

    “Whoever that is interested in the development of this country, and I have seen the way El-Rufai handled Abuja, we know that El-Rufai loves this country, and he is endowed with these three qualities I have mentioned.

    “So please people of Kaduna State, I assure you, I am not being arrogant, I am just being honest, if you vote El-Rufai, you are not doing him a favour, but you are doing yourself a favour.

    “He is a kind of person that will respect you if you respect yourself and if you don’t respect yourself, he will help you go down the drain. I am here deliberately to ask for your support and understanding for El-Rufai and for myself.”

     

  • My guber aspiration not a do-or-die affair – El Rufai

    My guber aspiration not a do-or-die affair – El Rufai

    A former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasiru El Rufai, on Friday obtained the All Progressives Congress nomination forms to contest for the 2015 governor election in Kaduna State, with an assurance that his aspiration was not out of desperation.

    He told officials of the party and supporters at the APC State Secretariat in Kaduna that he was ready to offer credible leadership if given the chance.

    According to him, he is not in the contest to enrich himself or witch hunt anybody but to bring about the required transformation in the state.

    The former minister, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, called for unity among party members and assured the people of his support to whoever emerged as the party’s flag bearer.

    El-Rufai said the state needed salvation from long years of misrule and assured that the APC would offer credible and people-oriented leadership.

    Earlier, the state’s Chairman of APC, Mr. Bala Bantex, said the party’s leadership would be fair and just to all contestants.

    He appealed to the party supporters to conduct themselves with decorum and unite to ensure victory for the party in the 2015 general election.

  • Focus on issues, el-Rufai tells APC members

    Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir el-Rufai yesterday urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members to stick to issue-based politics and shun “blackmail politics”.

    The Kaduna State governorship aspirant spoke during his tour of Southern Kaduna.

    He condemned incessant attacks on the area by gunmen, describing them as “ungodly and a desecration of humanity”.

    El-Rufai said: “The killings are troubling and stand condemned. Life is sacred and only God creates human beings. There is no reason for any man to take the life of another.

    “These killings are barbaric and unfortunate. We must defy all odds to live in peace, accommodate and respect one another. The government must stand up and protect the citizens it took an oath to protect; representatives must also take care of their constituencies.”

    Addressing APC members in Kafanchan, el-Rufai said: “We shouldn’t personalise issues. This is not about el-Rufai; it is about the state and the people. It is about getting capable leadership to run the government with justice, fear of God and vision.

    “In the name of God, don’t blackmail anyone. Don’t engage anyone in harsh words, instead, play issue-based politics. I thank you for ignoring fabricated hate messages attributed to my person. Thank you for also not replying sponsored campaigns of calumny. The beauty is, once you do thorough checks, you will realise that they are politically-motivated. They have helped this project immensely because the society knows the truth.

    “What we need is a government that must sincerely invest in education, health, good governance, economy, infrastructure, population structure and demographic dividends, so as to save the future.”

  • Defeating PDP is as simple as ABC, says el-Rufai

    Defeating PDP is as simple as ABC, says el-Rufai

    Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir el-Rufai yesterday said defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State will be “as simple as ABCD”.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant said PDP had nothing to show for governing Kaduna State.

    He spoke in Kaduna after donating 15 cars to APC state executives.

    El-Rufai said Kaduna State was being run by an incompetent administration, adding: “Defeating the incumbent government will not be difficult because the PDP did not win the last election; it was rigged. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) won the last election in Kaduna State and we all know what happened and we are going to resist it this time.

    “I have no doubt that the PDP in Kaduna is gone; it is history. It is just a matter of time and in February, 2015, we will prove that. The non-performing government is making people poor and insecurity is growing.”

    On whether the APC was not threatened by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, el-Rufai said: “The vice-president has never won election in his polling unit, so forget about him and money politics. Kaduna people will not vote for the PDP.

    “I don’t have godfather. My only godfather is God Almighty. I have never had godfathers in my life but I have mentors who I respect, like General Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of our party. I have same for General Olusegun Obasanjo. I worked for him, but even Obasanjo cannot force me to do what is not right. I am not designed so.”

  • DSS to appeal judgment on el-Rufai

    DSS to appeal judgment on el-Rufai

    The Department of Security Service said Tuesday that it would appeal the Federal High Court’s judgment asking it to pay N2 million to former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai with an apology.

    In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the DSS, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, the Service said some facts may have been inadvertently overlooked by the court that gave the judgment.

    The statement said: “As a responsive Service, we hold the judiciary and its sanctity in high esteem, but when you disagree with certain pronouncements of the court, you have the right to appeal and in this case, we will appeal.

    “The instrument setting up the Service and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, give the Service statutory powers to detain and investigate any suspect for not more than 48 hours before recourse to a court of law.

    “In this instance, the complainant was not confined or detained for more than two hours. If we cannot intercept, detain and investigate, then we would, with due respect, be operating like any ministry of the Federal Government.

    “It is also pertinent to clarify that the Service never imposed a general restriction on movement during the elections as averred. It is the duty of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to take measures necessary for the smooth conduct of any election, and in this case they deemed it proper to restrict movement during voting hours.”

     

  • El-Rufai floors SSS in court

    El-Rufai floors SSS in court

    A Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State ordered yesterday the State Security Service (SSS) to apologise to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and pay him N2million as damages for unlawful detention.

    The SSS detained El-Rufai at Finotel Hotel in Awka on November 15 and 16 last year  during the Anambra State governorship election.

    Disturbed by his maltreatment, El-Rufai sued the SSS and the attorney-general of the federation for redress.

    In his judgment, Justice Ibrahim Bature Gafai held that the detention of El-Rufai was illegal.

    A statement by the Media Advisor to the ex-minister, Muyiwa Adekeye, quoted the judge as saying: “The SSS has no statutory powers under the 1999 Constitution or under any Nigerian law to detain El-Rufai without showing cause to a court of competent jurisdiction.

    “The court therefore ordered the SSS to publish an apology in two national newspapers for the unlawful and unconstitutional violation of his liberty.

    “In addition to the apology and monetary damages, the court also made significant pronouncements regarding the restriction of movement during elections.

    “The court declared that the respondents have no powers under the constitution or under any law to either impose a general restriction on movement or restrict the applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of movement as enshrined in Section 34 of the constitution on account of the Anambra State governorship election held on November 16 last year or any other election.

  • Professors campaign for el-rufai

    A group of professors at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the Kaduna State Good Governance Project, has urged residents to vote for former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Malam Nasir el-Rufai in next year’s governorship election.

    The group’s coordinator, Professor Adamu Ahmed of the Urban and Regional Planning Department, said el-Rufai’s “tremendous experience, vision, bravery, precision and patriotism” qualify him for the position.

    Ahmed said Kaduna was too strategic to be governed by a politician without experience, political will and the ability to make bold decisions.

    He urged residents to always vote for credible candidates, adding that el-Rufai would rescue the state from “its pathetic state”.

  • Kaduna must be saved, says El-Rufai

    Kaduna must be saved, says El-Rufai

    Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir El-Rufai has said Kaduna State, which used to be a reference point in peaceful co-existence, must be saved from further deterioration.

    In a statement on his formal declaration of interest in the governorship seat, slated to hold later this month, El-Rufai said: “Our state is now fragmented across ethnic and religious lines and cannot survive without federal allocations.

    “Our renowned educational institutions are decaying. Unemployment and youth restiveness are visible. Trust in government is low and the essentials needed to stimulate socio-economic development are lacking.

    “Kaduna State, which was once a point of reference in peaceful co-existence, progress and fairness, is now lagging behind. The situation should not be allowed to deteriorate further, otherwise, the cohesive fabric of our community may be completely destroyed.

    “Bearing these in mind and after deep reflection and wide consultations with stakeholders who cherish the importance of providing good leadership, I have resolved to contest for the Office of the Governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

    “We do not underestimate, by any means, the challenges ahead. We also appreciate the enormity of the task ahead and the potential land mines that the ruling party will inevitably place on our path. We, therefore, most humbly solicit your guidance, support and prayers as we begin the journey to rebuild Kaduna State and put our people on the road to peace and prosperity.”

  • El-Rufai, Keyamo probe $9.3m cash

    El-Rufai, Keyamo probe $9.3m cash

    Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, raised yesterday posers on the $9.3million arms deal.

    He said the botched arms procurement might not be for the purpose of national security.

    El-Rufai alleged that the Boko Haram insurgency benefited President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The ex-minister, who spoke in a statement through his Media Adviser, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, asked the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, why his private jet was used for the arms errand.

    Said he: “It is pertinent that we invite the Federal Government to reflect on its role in this episode. Our country needs to bolster its military and security forces with the material resources it needs to defeat insurgency and restore security. This will require arms imports.

    “But should Nigeria violate the arms export regulations of other countries in this endeavour? Should the Federal Government recklessly impair and jeopardise diplomatic relations by conducting covert arms purchases in friendly countries without the consent of their governments?

    “Such conduct invariably leads to suspicions that such covert arms procurement may not be for the purposes of national security.”

    El-Rufai urged Nigerians to show more interest in the arms deal than the position of the Federal Government.

    The statement added: “This instance of arms procurement outside official channels amid an escalating insurgency must concern every patriot.

    “In his House of Commons statement last week, Mallam El-Rufai alluded to the clear implications of the likely link between governmental murkiness and the escalation in the insurgency.

    “The government has tried to explain away its incompetence in upholding security by blaming insurgency on the major opposition party.”

    The former FCT minister alleged that the Boko Haram insurgency was benefiting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The statement said: “But it is becoming increasingly clear to many that this insurgency is benefiting the ruling party and the incumbent president by providing them a pretext to postpone elections and, at the minimum, disenfranchise large swathes of the population that have never supported the PDP or voted for Jonathan.

    “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai urges every Nigerian to be vigilant in these troubled times. The tragedy of mindless terror should not be allowed to become an endless catastrophe because of narrow political calculations.”

    The ex-minister tackled the CAN President, Pastor Oritsejafor, on the involvement of the cleric’s private jet in the botched arms deal.

    The statement said:  “Since abuse is not argument and is incapable of displacing fact, Oritsejafor may care to answer if the jet involved in the scandal is the same one that was “donated” to him in 2012?”

    An activist-lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo and a group, Societal Rights Advancement and development Initiative (ASRADI), have described the Federal Government’s defence of the $9.3million (about N1.5billion) found on two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen in South Africa as “unjustifiable”.

    Keyamo said the government’s claim that the cash was meant for the purchase of arms to fight insurgency and that the transaction was done by cash to ensure the speed of the transaction “is a cock and bull story.”

    He said the government’s position was not only ludicrous, it was also laughable and untenable.

    “The truth is, any transaction the world over that is done by cash, in a huge volume like this and in this manner, can only point to one thing: It is an illegal transaction or a transaction for an illegal purpose that is meant to be untraceable.”

    ASRADI, in a statement by its Executive Director, Adeolu Oyinlola, demanded a full scale public inquiry into how a government department or agency would carry loads of cash in a private jet overseas, ostensibly to transact official business.

     “While we do not intend to set an agenda for the proposed enquiry, ASRADI believes the following posers would assist in unravelling how the surreptitious trip to South Africa was hatched and embarked upon.

    “How often does money get spirited out of Nigeria in this clandestine manner? How was the cash sourced? Was the money appropriated by the National Assembly? If, as we are assuming, the cash came from the Central Bank of Nigeria, how regularly does this happen?”

  • Emulate Amaechi, el-Rufai urges governors

    Emulate Amaechi, el-Rufai urges governors

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has urged governors to emulate their Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

    The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister described as “impressive” the “stunning performance and innovations” of the Amaechi administration.

    He spoke at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, after a tour of some projects executed by the Amaechi administration, including roads, model primary schools, primary health centres and the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre.

    El-Rufai said: “Anybody coming to Rivers State to see the development projects of Amaechi will certainly make positive remarks because they have a direct impact on the people. It is right for the people to embrace such a leader, who places them first and keeps the state on the fast lane of development.

    “The visionary leadership of Amaechi is something every governor should emulate, especially his sterling qualities, to guarantee better governance for the people.

    “Amaechi is impressive and a humble servant. I have seen some model schools here that are better than some universities in this country. He is using the resources of the state well. I am proud of him. I am also proud that he is a member of our party, the APC. Every governor needs to see what he is doing to improve the people’s lives.”

    The former minister condemned “destructive criticisms” by some members of the opposition, saying Amaechi has performed impressively.