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Tag: Inuwa Abdulkadir

  • Freedom of speech: APC cautions Atiku

    Freedom of speech: APC cautions Atiku

    The North West Zonal Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Inuwa Abdulkadir has caution members of the party to be careful of their public utterances And not hide under the guise of freedom of speech to undermine the party or bring the party and the leadership to disrepute. 

    Abdulkadir who was reacting to the statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he has been sidelined by both the President and the party describe the statement as an “unguided statement” which should not be coming from a statement of his repute.

    Abdulkadir who spoke with selected newsmen at the APC national secretariat on Friday also said that the Minister of Women Affairs was practically blackmailing the President with her statement which has attracted public comments in recent times, pointing out that while she was entitled to her own opinion, she was morally bound to either keep quiet or resign from the government, rather than creating the impression that things were not working well within the government.

    He said the former Vice President gave the impression of failure on the side of both the party and the government formed by the party, pointing out that as a statesman who contributed to building the party, statements of fact were expected from him.

    He said: “Atiku Abubakar is a very important member of this party. He is one of the leaders of this party and I have no doubt about his contribution to building this party. He has also added value by his personality during the last election 

    “People of such statue and reckoning in this country, particularly being a former Vice President, of this great nation, he has attained the position of a statesman and what we expect from him is nothing less than that. By virtue of former his office and his age, he is qualified to be a statesman. 

    “But when you reach that statue and age there are certain things you have to come to terms with, most important of which is to exhibit a high sense of decorum in your conduct. What I mean is that you have to guard what you say, how you say it and when you say it because what is expected of you as a statesman is nothing but factual.

    “Secondly, the majority of the people look up to you to provide leadership in the sense that from what you say people can learn a lot.

    “Of recent Atiku has made some statements to the effect that or create an impression of the failure of the party and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. At that level, good party members, especially of his status should not be seen to be making such public statements even if those criticisms are factual, whereas in this case some of these statements were misleading and incorrect.

    “These statements give an impression as if there is a crack in the house and in the party or that the party is not doing all that which it ought to. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have  been here to responded to certain statements because as leaders, we shouldn’t be seen as joining issues in the public domain. But since he has made a public statement, the public is entitled to get the other side or be told the truth.

    “Yes, Atiku like many others made certain contributions in the 2015 elections and in building the party. But the bigger picture which he gave is not correct. I know that in the north west zone which I represent, we had eight presidential campaign rallies and Atiku did not attend any.

    “Yes, he added value by his personality, but there are so many other members of the party, who made financial contribution and added electoral value. North West is the most populous zone in terms of the APC membership and in terms of electoral victory, not only to the president, but we have seven state governors and 20 out of the 21 senators in the zone are from the APC.

    “I think we are critical and  major stakeholders in this party. So one of the reasons why I am making this statement is to calm our members in these states and not to be distracted and that APC is well on ground as all efforts are being made to solidify those gains and we shouldn’t be distanced by such unfortunate statements which are suggesting that the party is neglecting a particular person or group persons.  

    “Some of these things are processes and you don’t expect everything to happen at the sametime. More importantly, there should some decorum in what we do. People who have attained those high privileged positions should know that they have attained certain status in the society and so, they cannot afford to talk any how.

    “On the issue of consultation by the Mr. President, though I don’t work in the Villa, it is an open secret that whoever visited the president is no longer a secret. Whoever is meeting the president of Nigeria more than 20 people will know and the information will be shared. 

    “As a matter of fact, several times, Atiku Abubakar has visited Mr. President and what they discussed, we don’t know but we know that he has visited. I am sure he is not just there to greet him. Those two leaders will meet without discussing one thing or the other.

    “On party meetings, I know that immediately after convention where Buhari was nominated as the party flag bearer, there were a number of leadership meetings which he participated. Also, there were formal party meetings, some of which were held in the Villa and he was present. 

    “There were some meetings here at the National secretariat including two NEC meetings which he attended and other functions of the party. So the claim that the party only met once is not correct.

    “On his criticism of the President in the area of security and the fight against corruption, I want to say that if you critically listen to what he said, you will discover that it is not correct because we know where we were in 2015 and where we are now especially in terms of security and what the situation is now.

    “This is just a sign of caution. As a party, we caution our members from making unguarded statements that are capable of ridiculing the leadership of the party and the leadership of the government formed by this party. I think that we as a party, we will not relent in our effort in installing discipline and ensuring decorum among our members. 

    “We should always remember that this party is an institution and it is not a personal enterprise belong to one person, a group of persons or a class of people. It has its own rules and regulations. People should not hide under the freedom of speech to undermine the party or bring the party and the leadership to disrepute. We all appreciate the efforts of members of this party in producing the president. 

    “So, the party has a duty to ensure that party members e committed to the party and its principles. APC respects the right of all its members and the citizens from this country to make constructive criticism and we embrace such. 

    “At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that those privileges, those rights being exercise by the members does not encroach into the reputation of the party or the party as an institution.”

    Speaking on the statement credited to the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, Abdulkadir said the action of the Minister could be interpreted to mean that she was either blackmailing the President or boxing him into a corner.

    He said while she was entitled to her opinion, she is morally bound to resign her appointment if she is not satisfied with events in the cabinet, pointing out that her statement were suggestive of things not working well within the cabinet.

    He said: “People have rights to express their opinions and express their views. But those rights are morally suspended if you found yourself in a situation where you find yourself as a member of the cabinet or as a member of the party. 

    “There are certain things that are expected from you because it sends wrong signals of your commitment to the party as well as the person you are serving. However, some of these things are within the discretion of the Principal of that Minister who is the President. 

    “The situation is that her statement is capable of creating an impression that even at the cabinet level, things are not well. As far as the party is concerned, everything is well in terms of the cabinet. But there is personal responsibility on that minister to do the right thing. 

    “As a leader and somebody who has accepted to serve in a government formed by the party, the right thing to do if you think otherwise is to honourably quit. What we have right now is a situation of blackmailing the President or boxing him which will not be accepted by the party. 

    “These two issues have come to the public domain and it is part of our responsibility as leaders of this party to ensure that the current things are known and to correct whatever wrong impression that would have been created.

    “You are making such suggestuon in respect of your principal in public, this is something that she can discuss with her principal to express to him so that he (President) will know her position. And if you feel like it should be public then you are saying that I’m no longer comfortable with this situation, if this situation should continue I’m not comfortable with it. 

    “Whether Buahri has said that he will recontest or not is immaterial, what is material as serving Minister should not be seen to be making public statement that suggest that they are not on the same page with the team because she is a more mber of a team. 

    “In order places the right thing is for her to resign, that she can no longer continue to be in this thing because my spirit ir my thought is not in conformity with this team, so we can no more work together. She is entitle to that. So, you can not you eat your cake and have it, that is the situation. 

    “As high as that office is people resign and leave on principle that if not that I’m a member of APC I would not have accepted to serve but I’m not convince still, so I think giving an opportunity to somebody else I will support him not you”.

  • APC to Atiku, others: Watch your utterances

    APC to Atiku, others: Watch your utterances

    The Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North West Zone, Inuwa Abdulkadir, on Friday cautioned members of the party to watch their utterances and not hide under the freedom of speech to bring the party to disrepute.

    Abdulkadir, who was reacting to a statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he has been sidelined by both President Muhammadu Buhari and the party, described the claim as “unguided statement” which should not be coming from a man of his repute.

    The APC chieftain, who spoke with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, also said the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, was practically blackmailing the President with her statement.

    He said: “Atiku Abubakar is a very important member of this party. He is one of the leaders of this party and I have no doubt about his contribution to building this party. He has also added value by his personality during the last election.

    “People of such standing and reckoning in this country, particularly being a former vice president of this great nation, he has attained the position of a statesman and what we expect from him is nothing less than that. By virtue of his former office and his age, he is qualified to be a statesman.

    “But when you reach that status and age there are certain things you have to come to terms with, most important of which is to exhibit a high sense of decorum in your conduct. What I mean is that you have to guard what you say, how you say it and when you say it because what is expected of you as a statesman is nothing but factual.

    “Secondly, majority of the people look up to you to provide leadership in the sense that from what you say people can learn a lot.

    “Of recent Atiku has made some statements to the effect that or created an impression of the failure of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. At that level, good party members, especially of his status should not be seen to be making such public statements even if those criticisms are factual, whereas in this case some of these statements were misleading and incorrect.”

     

     

  • Court orders arrest of Sokoto senior councillor

    A Sokoto State Sharia Court on Friday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a Senior Councillor in the Sultanate Council of Sokoto and Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Justice Umar Sifawa, gave the order in a ruling on a motion filed by the National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), North-West, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir.

    Abdulkadir had dragged Danbaba, the grandson of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, to court for alleged defamation of character.

    He alleged that Danbaba had in a publication in August, 2016, described his late father as a ” slave bought by one Gwaggo, for two shillings”.

    The complainant had told the court that Danbaba said that he (Abdulkadir) did not take adequate care of his late mother.

    The respondent had filed a notice of appeal on the ground that the court had erred by issuing a summon on March 13 and March 22, giving him only two days to appear before it for his defence.

    The motion on notice filed by Danbaba’s counsel, Prof. Yusuf Dankofa, also said the court breached the appellant’s right to fair hearing and fair trial.

    This, he averred, was in violation of section 36 ( 6) ( B), of the Constitution that states,” every person charged with a criminal offence shall be entitled to be given adequate time and facility for the preparation of the defence”.

    Danbaba had also filed a motion on notice praying for the  stay of the court’s proceedings, pending the determination of his appeal at the State High Court.

    The counsel to the complainant, Mr John Shaka, on Friday urged the court to strike out both the respondent’s motion on notice and notice of appeal.

    Shaka had also prayed the court to order the Inspector-General of Police to arrest and produce the respondent before the court.

    The counsel to the respondent was, however, not in court on Friday.

    In his ruling, Sifawa refused to grant the prayers of the complainant to strike out the respondent’s motion on notice and notice of appeal.

    The Judge said,” it is premature to do so as the accused should be given another chance to present his case, if he wishes to do so”.

    Sifawa, however, granted, in part, the prayer seeking the issuance of an order to the IGP for the arrest and production of Danbaba.

    He said:” This is to the effect that a bench warrant shall be issued immediately for the arrest and production of accused before the court.

    ”But, the order is to the CP of Sokoto State and not the IGP as applied for, to arrest the accused wherever he is found in Nigeria, pending further instructions by the court.”

    The judge adjourned the case till April 6.

  • ‘Why govt can’t empower every Nigerian youth’

    The Federal Government has said inappropriate placement of youth-related programmes in some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and poor implementation of government policy are responsible for the challenges facing youth empowerment programmes.

    The Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir who made the position of the Federal Government known at the ongoing Ministerial platform in Abuja, said  the  non-implementation of the National Youth Policy is part of challenges hindering the ministry from making progress in youth related matter.

    ”The National Youth Policy provides that there will an inter-ministerial council to be called the National Youth Development Council under the chairmanship of the President.

    “It will comprise all the chief executives of the core relevant ministries, to serve as forum and clearing house on all youth policy matters of national interest, this has not been implemented,” he said.

    Abdukadir also decried lack of cooperation of some state and local government authorities in the establishment of skill acquisition centers as stated in the national youth policy across the country.

    ”Problems associated with land allocation within areas where centres are to be built, as well as lack of appropriation for the ruining of the youth development centres and personnel,” he said.

    The minister who further mentioned insufficient and late release of funds as part of challenges militating against the ministry, however, recommended “the need to refurbish and upgrade the existing the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (C&LTC) to meet up with its challenges and execute its mandates”.

    Abdulkadir maintained that in spite of challenges, the ministry would ensure “the completion of on-going national youth development centres in all the six geo-political zones of the country.

    ”Ensuring more young unemployed graduates are given required entrepreneurial, vocational and skills training in specialised vocation, so as to grow youth economy and thereby create wealth.

    ”Articulating integrating leadership and skill development modules in the training of youths as part of the ministry’s input in human capacity development for future leadership roles”.

    On the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the minister noted that “the implementation of the approved expansion of the administrative structure of the scheme has worked, as it has helped to drive the policies of the scheme, thereby enabling it to cope with the dynamics of youth mobilisation and management for national development and self-reliance”.

    He disclosed that “658 corps members were trained and empowered under the Millennium Development Goals to establish agro-enterprises and not less than 131, 659 corps members were given skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development training in the year 2012”.

    Consequently, the minister called for the “release of more funds to the NYSC scheme for the implementation of its core programmes and for the conduct of skill acquisition training/empowerment of corps members, as well as the establishment of Youth Development Fund in line with global best practices”.

  • Minister tasks NYSC board on reforms

    Minister tasks NYSC board on reforms

    The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Inuwa Abdulkadir, has called on members of the new board of the NYSC  to ensure the implementation of reforms to improve service delivery in the organisation.

    Abdulkadir made the call at the inauguration of the board of the NYSC on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, a high-powered committee has been put in place to look into the structure and operations of the NYSC with a view to recommending appropriate reforms.

    “The committee has since completed its assignment and submitted its report.

    “You have a responsibility to see to the smooth implementation of the reforms, which are designed to reposition the scheme for improved service delivery in fulfilment of its founding fathers’ dream.”

    Abdulkadir urged the board members to do their best during their tenure so that posterity would recognise their contributions to the attainment of the vision of the NYSCs’ founding fathers.

    The minister said that members should generate innovative ideas that would enrich policy formulation and reform processes.

    The minister said that there was need to provide effective access for corps members to acquire vocational skills and entrepreneurship training through collaboration with appropriate organisations, including the private sector.

    Abdulkadir also called for the resuscitation of NYSC farms and ventures with active involvement of relevant agencies.

    He listed the agencies as Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and the Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.

    “The effort will immensely increase opportunities for corps members and also contribute significantly in reducing the high rate of unemployment in the country.’’

    He noted that the scheme was facing the problem of inadequate infrastructure at the orientation camps.

    The minister lauded the Federal Government’s efforts in engaging other tiers of government to discharge their statutory responsibilities as assigned in the NYSC Act.

    Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the board, Mr Gordon Bozimo, pleaded for the cooperation of workers of the NYSC and the ministry.

    “I appeal for cooperation, no matter the zeal and determination, without cooperation little will be achieved,” he said.

  • Federal Executive Council Meeting

    Federal Executive Council Meeting