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Tag: Garba Shehu

  • No gang up against Buhari will stand, Says Presidency

    The Presidency on Sunday again declared that no amount of gang up against President Muhammadu Buhari towards the the Presidential elections will stand.
    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the ongoing gang up will fail like it did in 2015.
    He said “The Peoples Democratic Party is hiding in the bunker of ethnicity to avoid their inevitable defeat but that won’t change anything.
    “The current scenario resembles efforts to stop Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 by the same characters. It is an effort to repeat the old experiment that failed is 2015.
    “They failed to stop him from coming to power in 2015 and they will fail yet again on February 16th.
    “If all these groups are ganging up against one person, that is President Buhari, it tells you who is the formidable candidate in the election.
    “This gang up they forged, one more time will change nothing. It is for the people to decide.” he stated

  • I’m for all APC candidates, says Buhari

    *Welcomes cross-party support

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he is fully behind the party and its candidates in every state of the federation.

    According to him, he is campaigning for them wherever he goes.

    Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, also dismissed insinuations that President Buhari did not show full support for the APC while campaigning in Imo State on Tuesday, a state that has made headlines recently for the fractiousness within the ruling party, which has led to disagreements with the state governor, Rochas Okorocha.

    “The massive crowd that gathered to welcome President Buhari in Imo State was made up of not only supporters of the APC in the state, but also supporters of other parties who are united by their love for the President and their desire to see him re-elected, despite the local candidates they support,” Shehu said.

    He explained that President Buhari’s consciousness of the obviously-mixed crowd was the reason why he did not speak only about support for the APC during the campaign, but also encouraged the people to vote according to their consciences.

    Read Also: Ebonyi traditional rulers endorse Buhari, Umahi

    A statement by the Deputy Director of Information, State House, Attah Esa, quoted the presidential spokesman, saying “While President Buhari is fully behind APC, he welcomes endorsements from those who do not belong to the ruling party but is also sensitive to their support for non-APC candidates at the local level. It would have been insensitive of him to offend his non-APC supporters by ignoring their local affiliations.”

    Shehu noted President Buhari’s open endorsement of Hope Uzodinma, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Imo State, whose hand the President raised high before the crowd at the campaign rally.

    “President Buhari is for the APC in every state and there is no doubt about that, despite his immense cross-party support,” he said.

  • Electricity has no political colour, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday declared that electricity has no political colour.

    Buhari spoke while inaugurating the Ariara Market Independent Power Plant (IPP) in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also pledged that his administration will continue to execute people-oriented projects around the country irrespective of party differences.

    ‘‘Today with policies and programmes such as this IPP we have demonstrated that if the common good is our mutual objective, it can be achieved irrespective of party differences and constitutional limitations.

    ‘‘Electricity has no political colour,’’ the President said in his speech at the inauguration of the plant.

    He expressed delight 37,000 shops belonging to traders and small business owners in Ariara market will, one after the other, be connected to the dedicated electricity supply.

    Buhari said the feat will strengthen the Made-in-Nigeria policy for which Abia and in particular, Aba, and Ariaria market are already well known.

    ‘‘I am pleased to be here today at the milestone connection of 4,000 shops that now have dedicated power.

    ‘‘Being a market that supplies shoes, bags, clothing, trunks and many household accessories to Nigeria, many African countries like Chad, Cameroun, Gambia and Central Africa Republic, reliable power supply is critical for ease of doing business to ensure sustainability and improvement.

    Read Also: Pensioners to Buhari: have mercy on us

    ‘‘I am told that before this intervention, traders in the market only got 4 hours a day of electricity and paid exorbitantly for it, which consequently affected the viability of many businesses.

    ‘‘This is the sad legacy we inherited but which we are replacing with an all-day power supply that is cleaner and better for our environment.

    ‘‘Those who turned their backs on these problems still have the courage to campaign about unemployment and poverty,’’ he said.

    The President told delighted traders and businessmen who trooped out en-masse to welcome him to Aba that the APC-led administration is creating jobs for Nigerians through investments in power projects like the IPP in Ariaria.

    ‘‘What is happening in Ariaria today by way of clean, independent and reliable power to markets and small businesses is happening in Kano, Lagos, Ondo and Ibadan.

    ‘‘Similar initiatives have started in nine Federal universities with a plan to cover 37 universities, through Government funding,’’ he said.

    Saluting the traders for their fortitudes over the years when no previous government attended to their concerns, the President declared: ‘‘Methodically, slowly, but very efficiently, we are cleaning up the mess.

    “We are moving our economy away from rent and arbitrage and heading resolutely to building an economy that rewards investments, enterprise and hard work.’’

    Buhari assured business owners in Ariara that under his watch they will continue to experience better days and prosperity as African markets await more of Made-in-Aba products.

    The President is on his 17th and 18th campaigns stops to Abia and Imo States for the February 16, 2019 presidential elections.

    On his arrival in Aba, the President had paid homage to Enyi 1 of Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne before attending the APC presidential campaign rally at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

  • Buhari condoles APC in Jigawa, Sokoto over loss of supporters

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of his supporters in Jigawa State in an auto accident on their way to attend campaign events.

    Four persons reportedly died and six others were injured in an accident involving party supporters who were going to attend All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Jigawa.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also expressed his condolences to the families of two other victims who died in a stampede in Sokoto State.

    He assured that the sacrifices of the deceased will not be in vain.

    Read Also: Buhari sends new National Minimum Wage Bill to NASS

    He said “The death of any party supporter touches me because these were poor Nigerians who made sacrifices to make Nigeria a better country by identifying with my change agenda.

    “I would never forget the sacrifices of these ordinary Nigerians who travelled long distances to attend my presidential campaign rallies.”

    “These ordinary Nigerians were the pillars of our democracy because without them, we, the politicians, become irrelevant.” he said

    Meanwhile, following the unprecedented wave of popularity of the President’s outdoor events, the Presidency has ordered for increased structural integrity testing of all erections and fabrications such as dais, tents, stages, including electrical and other equipment.

  • Buhari pleased with INEC’s preparation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said he was impressed by preparations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the general elections.

    He spoke while receiving the EOM, led by the Chief Observer and member of the European Parliament, Maria Arena, at the State House, Abuja.

    The President said he was optimistic the electoral body would deliver on its mandate of a credible poll.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said he listened earlier to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, when he briefed the National Council of State.

    His words: “I am happy and impressed with the briefing he gave. I hope that the confidence he exuded and the intellect he brought to bear on the Report will be justified at the end of the day.”

    The President told the EU delegation that Nigeria had grown its electoral system incrementally, getting better year after year.

    “Having participated in elections four times in the past, I would say that since 2015, technology has helped the credibility of our elections,” he said.

    Buhari said that Nigeria with over 250 cultural groups across religions and ethnic groups, with each group canvassing for identity and primacy in the affairs of the nation, “patriotism demands that we identify the nation’s best interest and go with it.”

    Read Also: Buhari did not steal your money, lawmaker tells electorates

    He said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had the good sense of identifying the national interest to include security, peace and stability, improved economy, jobs creation and campaign against corruption.

    He noted the party was not wrong in 2015, and is not wrong going into the election this year with the same issues in its campaigns.

    The President thanked the delegation for taking interest in Nigeria’s elections.

    The EOM team, accompanied by Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, Head, European Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said that the EU had observed every election in Nigeria since 1999 and had been invited by INEC for the polls.

    The delegation promised impartiality and neutrality in the monitoring of the elections.

  • Buhari greets Keyamo at 49

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended crusading lawyer, Festus Keyamo, for having earned the “highest place and esteem” in the legal profession through his defence of the rights of ordinary Nigerians.

    In a message of congratulations to mark Keyamo’s 49th birthday Monday, signed personally by him, the President thanked the Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for bringing these qualities to bear on the ongoing campaign for elections.

    Read Also: Buhari protecting the poor, says Keyamo

    In a letter headlined “Happy Birthday, Festus,” President Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “I write to heartily congratulate you on your 49th birthday, today. The story of your life has always been to speak up for the masses of our country and at critical times in the life of our nation.

    “You have also used law as an instrument to achieve these goals. This has rightly earned you the highest place and esteem in your profession as Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

    “As you apply these qualities in helping to CHANGE this nation through our campaigns, I pray that God Almighty will continue to bless you and grant you long life and good health.” he said

  • Buhari condemns Tiv, Jukun clash

    President Muhammadu Buhari has strongly condemned the inter-communal violence between Tiv and Jukun communities in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

    The clash has left dozens injured and several houses destroyed.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed deepest sympathies and condolences to the people and the government of Benue State over the losses recorded.

    He wished the injured speedy recovery.

    The President reaffirmed that his government will not allow any group to incite hatred and violence against others, even as he commended the army, police and other security agencies for promptly bringing the violence to a quick end.

    President Buhari charged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of violence and charge them to court without delay.

  • Buhari consoles Kenyans over terrorist attack

    President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the Federal Government commiserated with the government and people of Kenya on the deadly terrorist attack on a hotel and office complex in Nairobi.

    Condemning the attack as “wicked, cruel and dastardly by evil people,” the Nigerian leader assured President Uhuru Kenyatta that the thoughts of the people of Nigeria are with Kenyans at this moment of their national grief.

    Read Also: Buhari declines assent to five bills

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari called on well-meaning members of the international community to rally round Kenyans to overcome the scourge of terrorism “because any terrorist attack on one country is an attack on all countries.”

    He prayed God Almighty to console the bereaved families and quicken the recovery of the several injured people.

  • Don’t allow losing PDP sabotage Nigeria’s democracy – Presidency

    The Presidency has called on Nigerians not to allow what it described as the losing People’s Democratic Party from sabotaging the country’s democracy.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the PDP has been personalizing its attacks on President Buhari.

    “We read the various statements issued in the press by the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP with the latest personalizing their attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “This is an uncalled for attack on the administration that crosses the line in a democracy. A call for disobedience to government is a call to anarchy and should not be called opposition politics.

    “Seeing people go down as the PDP and its leaders are heading to in the elections is pitiful but to seek to bring down the roof on everyone is tragic, selfish and the height of desperation. Happily, these acts do not reflect the true feeling of citizens across the whole nation, and that is why the PDP is sinking deeper and deeper into the oblivion. They are losing memberships in droves and their campaign is just a caricature of a proper campaign.

    Read Also: PDP sets agenda for new IGP

    “It is high time Nigerians separated the chaff floating around in the air in the name of opposition from the crude and disgraceful invective being thrown personally at President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The problem of the opposition is that they are not talking about solutions. Rather, each of them, led in the pack by the PDP is an expert at counting problems. That is the reason why the voting population is coming around the Buhari-led All Progressive s Congress, APC.

    “For years, the PDP had been a bastion of corruption and impunity and it is difficult for them to change from their renter way if life in the nation’s affairs. But CHANGE has come, and has come to stay.” he said

  • Buhari greets Abdullahi Ibrahim at 80

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, on his 80th birthday.

    Describing the celebrant as one of Nigeria’s finest and most erudite lawyers, the President said that he is honoured to have enlisted the services of the dedicated gentleman as Minister of Transport and Education, during his tenure as Nigeria’s military Head of State.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said “As you mark your 80th birthday, I am proudly reminded of your remarkable record of service as my then Minister of Transport and Education during my time as military leader.

    “Your landmark achievements in law and in the public service are impressive and worthy of emulation by others,” the President wrote in a congratulatory message to the octogenarian.

    Read Also: Buhari expresses sadness over Ekiti truck accident

    President Buhari noted that “one of the greatest achievements of any individual is the ability to serve his country without compromising his reputation and integrity”, hailing the senior lawyer for “passing this test.”

    “As you celebrate your 80th birthday, the country is proud of your record of service, patriotism and integrity, and you remain a role model to others in the country”, the President said.

    “As you attain 80 in your life’s journey, I am proud to be a living witness to your shining virtues. May God continue to bless you with good health, wisdom and many more years of service to your community, country and society”, President Buhari said.