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Tag: Kaduna state

  • PDP to El-Rufai: direct your attacks at Buhari

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to direct his verbal attacks at President Muhammadu Buhari instead of issuing threats to members of the international community and election observers.

    In a statement Thursday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party recalled how El-Rufai, had, in 2010, described Buhari as incompetent, old fashioned, corrupt, insensitive, parochial and a tyrannical leader, who should not be voted into office.

    The statement reads, “Governor el-Rufai’s venom should therefore be directed towards President Buhari, who has brought so much pain to Nigerians and of course himself, for his own insensitivity to Nigerians and his support for anti-democratic tendencies of the Buhari administration”.

    According to the PDP, the governor’s recent threat to members of the international community has raised new questions regarding those behind the killing of expatriates and aid workers in various troubled parts of the country.

    “It is quite revealing that el-Rufai, who exposed Gen. Buhari in 2010 as ‘unelectable’ is now prancing about in defence of Buhari’s incompetent and anti-democratic administration, to the extent of issuing death threats to others, just to secure his place under a dictatorial administration.

    “Governor el-Rufai had in 2010 described Gen. Buhari as ill- equipped for modern day governance. He berated Gen. Buhari of lacking capacity to comprehend current trends, to the extent that he would think that a ‘blackberry was a fruit’..

    The PDP quoted copiously from the Kaduna governor’s past attacks against President Buhari thus: “In his reply to Gen. Buhari’s response to his earlier criticisms, el-Rufai has stated: ‘Mallam El-Rufai wishes to remind General Buhari that he has remained perpetually unelectable because his record as military head of state, and afterwards, is a warning that many Nigerians have wisely heeded. His insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus are already well-known.

    Read Also: PDP members join APC in Akwa Ibom

    “In 1984, Buhari allowed 53 suitcases belonging to his ADC’s father to enter Nigeria unchecked at a time the country was exchanging old currency for new…..

    “Buhari was so high- handed that he gave himself and his officials immunity even from truthful reporting. That obnoxious Decree 4, against which truth was no defence, was used to jail journalists and attempt to cow the media as a whole.

    “That tyrannical legislation shows the essence of his intolerance. These are facts of recent history. The story of counter-trade and import licensing, the cornerstone of Buhari’s stone-age economic strategy and those whose interests it served, is a tale for another day”

    The PDP described the Buhari administration as inept and colossally corrupt, which has wrecked a once robust economy, divided the nation and instituted executive high-handedness.

    It also accused the administration of violation of human rights, incessant breach of the constitution, disobedience to court order, assaults on democratic institutions, clamp down on the media and dissenting voices. The party added that these have brought so much pain and anguish to Nigerians.

  • El-Rufai: PDP threatens to pull out of peace accord

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to pull out of the peace accord over death threats issued by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai to officials of the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union.

    Speaking in a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) live  programme Tuesday night, El-Rufai, had threatened the foreign nationals who might interfere with Nigeria’s upcoming elections  with violent death.

    El-Rufai had said, “Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags”.

    The governor was reacting to calls by the PDP a few days ago, urging the global community to keep a watchful eye on the processes leading to the general elections, with the view to ensuring free, fair and credible polls.

    At a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan described El-Rufai’s comments as inimical to peaceful, free and fair elections.

    “The PDP is left with no option than to consider a review of its signatory in the National Peace Accord, if no action is immediately taken to curb this trend”, Ologbondiyan said.

    The main opposition party called on the international community to immediately impose a travel ban on el-Rufai for the inciting comments against peaceful elections in the country.

    It also called on the National Peace Committee, chaired by  former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar to summon El-Rufai for clarifications on the threat.

    “The PDP holds that any situation that seeks to allow the APC to abuse the tenets of the accord will definitely force our party to review our signatory to the peace process.

    “We therefore call on the National Peace Committee to immediately summon el-Rufai on his inflammatory remarks against peaceful election in our country.

    “In that regard, we might have no option left than to allow our members to defend their votes with whatever that is available to them.

    Read Also: Onnoghen must go – El-Rufai

    “This country belongs to all of us and no individual or group, no matter how highly placed, can subjugate other citizens or seek to appropriate any sort of absolutism to themselves”

    The PDP has similarly kicked against what it described as an alleged plot by the police authorities to redeploy Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to Kwara State Command as Commissioner of Police.

    The opposition party alleged closeness of Egbetokun to a section of the leadership of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This, according to the PDP, might lead to Egbetokun taking sides in the ongoing supremacy tussle between the PDP and the APC chapters in Kwara State.

    Ologbondiyan continued, “This is in line with plans by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to effect a mass deployment of top security officers, particularly the police, to intimidate, harass and manhandle Nigerians that will not support the self-succession bid of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as aiding APC thugs to snatch ballot boxes and orchestrate violence in the elections.

    “Nigerians are aware of how CP Kayode Egbetokun was posted to Lagos State by the disgraced former Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, to serve the same partisan interest and how that posting was stopped by the new IGP Adamu Mohammed. Now, he is being redeployed to Kwara State for the same ignoble plot.

    “It is necessary to state that the PDP is a party of peace and we are committed to the peace accord. However, the deployment of Kayode Egbetokun as Kwara CP directly negates the principle of the Peace Accord and can only hurt the fragile peace that currently exists in Kwara state.

    “We wish to remind the acting Inspector General, Adamu Mohammed that his acceptability among Nigerians across party line was based on the pedigree, which was presented to Nigerians before his appointment.

    “These pedigree and exposure place on his shoulders, the responsibility to be just, firm, equitable and professional in the discharge of his duties. We therefore urge him not to allow his reputation to be mired in controversial political activities”.

    The party called on the National Peace Committee to note the alleged infractions by the APC and its leaders to the peace accord.

    It also drew the attention of the Committee to how the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje on Tuesday shut down all stadia in Kano city in order to frustrate the PDP presidential campaign rally schedule to hold in the state.

     

  • El-Rufai desperate to rig elections, CUPP alleges

    Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUPP) on Tuesday alleged that, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is desperate to use his state sponsored security operatives to manipulate and rig the forthcoming elections.

    The coalition made the allegation at a press briefing in Kaduna, noting that Governor El-Rufai in his desperation to manipulate the elections recently inaugurated a new security operatives in the guise of ‘Kaduna State Local Government Safety and Emergency Management Volunteers,’ which he intended to use as Polling Unit Guards.

    The state Chairman of CUPP, Hon. Umar Ibrahim Mairakumi while addressing pressman hinted that the governor is working hard to obtain approval from INEC and to influence the Kaduna State Police Command to accept his state sponsored Kaduna Vigilante Services popularly known as “Kato da Gora,” as part of the election security team.

    Noting that any attempt to manipulate the forthcoming elections will be resisted,  Mairakumi however  called on all security agencies and Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to ensure that the process and conduct of the 2019 general election is not only free and fair but credible and in line with international best practices.

    In another development, Governor El-Rufai, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan, and other governorship candidates had earlier signed a Peace Accord to ensure a conduct of free, fair and credible elections and a peaceful transition of political power.

    Read Also: Corruption: ‘Buhari is on the right track’

    The gubernatorial candidates signed the peace deal at the Kaduna State Police Command Headquarters

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdulrahman whom in his remarks assured that the security agents will be firm and fair while discharging their duties, told the politicians at the gathering that winning election into public office should not be a desperate task.

    The CP who called on all and sundry to partner with the security agencies in ensuring a hitch-free campaign and violence-free elections added that: “violence free election is a fundamental means to sustainable peace and development.”

    He said: “the Peace Accord signifies our respective commitment to peace and symbolizes respect for the rule of law.

    “I want to suggest that, candidates and supporters must accept the outcome as announced by the constituted authorities, rather than make trouble because the results are not in one’s favour.

    “Let us prepare our minds to accept the results for the sake of our dear nation. While those who will emerge as winners must not allow themselves and their supporters when jubilating, to tease and provoke the other sides.”

    In an interview with journalists shortly after the peace deal, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru called on INEC to provide a level playing ground for all political parties during the elections, adding that “they (INEC) should play the role of unbiased umpire and they should be free and fair to all.”

    When asked on how the party will ensure that it supporters are law abiding, he said, “our supporters have been law abiding and we have had series of visits across the state.”

  • 2019: I’ve met security chiefs over threats – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has assured that he has met with the nation’s security chiefs in Abuja in order to ensure peaceful elections in Kaduna state.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at Kafanchan town, headquarters of Jema’a local government, the governor disclosed that recent intelligence reports have indicated that some people want to foment crisis in Southern Kaduna before or during elections.

    According to him, the reports show that the planners want the violence to spread to other parts of the state because they have sensed defeat in the coming general election.

    “I have met with the Chief of Defence Staff (General Abayomi Olanisakin), the Chief of Army Staff (Lt General Tukur Buratai) and the Inspector General of Police (Mohammed Abubakar Adamu) on the issue and they promised to strengthen security in Kaduna state before and during elections,” the governor revealed.

    El Rufai further said that the security chiefs have assured him that they will deploy new personnel to tackle the security threats.

    The governor advised parents to warn their children to be of good behaviour, adding that they should not carry weapons on election day.

    “Tell your children and wards that the only thing that they should carry with them on election day to the polling unit is their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs). The police will arrest them if they carry weapons,” he warned at the meeting.

    El Rufai further said that he has met with traditional rulers of Southern Kaduna yesterday to reiterate the warning.

    The governor, however, enjoined the people of Kaduna state to come out and vote for their preferred candidates as adequate security will be provided on election day.

    According to Governor El Rufai, election is about voting for ones preferred party or candidates and therefore there shouldn’t be a problem with this.

    “But there are some people who bring ethnicity and religion on the issue. In spite of what the government has done for the people of Southern Kaduna, they have vowed not to vote for us because they say that our party is out to Islamize Nigeria,” he argued.

    The governor pointed out that Architect Barnabas Bala Bantex has been his deputy for close to four years but he has not Islamised him.

    El Rufai also said that his administration has executed projects throughout Kaduna state, irrespective of whether or not the local governments or senatorial districts voted for All Progressives Congress(APC) in 2015.

    “Like I always say, after elections, public servants should cease to be partisan. They belong to everybody and so, they should be fair to all irrespective of whatever differences. This is what we have been doing since we assumed office,” he said.

    The governor who said that the difference between APC and PDP votes in Southern Kaduna in 2015, was just 12,000 votes, promised that the coming election will not be easy for the opposition in the area as they assume.

    The APC campaign trail went to the Kafanchan township stadium after the meeting, where Architect Barnabas Bala Bantex, incumbent Deputy Governor and APC senatorial for Zone 3, and Dr Hadiza Balarabe, El Rufai’s running mate addressed supporters at a rally.

  • Woman drags husband to court over lack of care

    A house wife, Halima Danjuma on Monday dragged her husband, Hassan Muhammad to a Sharia Court l sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna over lack of care.

    She told the court that there is a pending case against her husband seven months ago on similar offence where he promised to change, but to no avail.

    ”He doesn’t pay school fees for my children; no food and clothing for me and my children. In fact, we are all living in my father’s house and I’m the one taking care of the house,” she told the court.

    Read Also: Diezani cash: Court jails INEC chiefs for receiving bribe

    Danjuma prayed the court to dissolve the marriage as she was no longer interested in the union.

    The defendant said he sometimes provide food when he had the money, adding that he had ordered the wife to transfer their children to a public school due to his inability to pay fees for private school.

    The Judge, Dahiru Lawal, ruled that Muhammad should give his wife N5,000 before leaving the court and granted him one week to reconcile with his wife.

    Lawal later adjourned the case until February 4.

     

  • PDP plans to disrupt elections – El Rufai

    Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has alleged that intelligence reports suggest that, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to disrupt the  coming election because of the imminent defeat in the coming election.

    The governor who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting at Kudan town on Sunday, however assured the people of Kaduna state that security agents are already on the alert to ensure peaceful elections.

    According to him, the reports didn’t suggest that the opposition party will forment trouble in Kaduna state but government is not taking chances.

    In his words: “As a leader, it is my responsibility to tell you what is being planned because there are alot of PDP bigwigs in Kudan local government and they may try to disturb the peace of this area,” El Rufai argued

    The governor who said that any reasonable person will not want to cause trouble in his locality, however said that PDP chieftains are not always reasonable.

    Kudan is the hometown of Hon. Isa  Ashiru, the PDP governorship candidate. Similarly, Hunkuyi which is the headquarters of Kudan local government, is the hometown of Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, El Rufai’s estranged political ally who is the senatorial candidate of PDP.

    Speaking further, Governor El Rufai advised the people of Kudan local government to shun any politician who approaches them with a plot to cause crisis in the run up to the polls or during elections.

    “If any politician approaches any of you  to cause violence, ask him to bring his child so that you will execute the plot together. Politicians are fond of using the children of the masses for nefarious activities while their children are either schooling somewhere,  or are safe abroad,” he advised.

    According to the governor, “no life is better than the other. The life of a rich man’s son is no more precious than the life of a poor man’s son. Also, the life of an educated person’s son is of equal value as the life of an illiterate’s son”.

    Read Also: El Rufai’s free education, feeding policy

    El Rufai however assured that government will provide adequate security on election day for people to vote candidates of their choice.

    “Politics is about conviction. There is no compulsion in politics. Sibblings of the same family can vote for different parties or candidates. It is our duty as a government to ensure security so that people can exercise their franchise,” he pointed out.

    The governor also explained why he chose Dr Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate, arguing that his choice has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity but her competence.

    El Rufai said that, “ethno-religious considerations have always informed the choice of deputy governors since 1992 but it has not brought peace in Kaduna state.”

    The governor said that it is time to discard politics of religion and ethnicity and embrace a merit based system that will bring progress and development in the country.

    All the stakeholders who spoke at the meeting promised to vote all APC candidates in next election.

  • Presidential panel summons CP for allocating magistrate’s car to self

    The Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police has summoned former Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Agyole Abeh, for allocating to himself a car forcefully taken from a Chief Magistrate in Benue State by officials of SARS in Abuja.

    Chief Magistrate Issac Faga Ajim had petitioned the panel, alleging a team of SARS officials, led by CSP Fatai Akinyomi, stormed his home in Markudi at midnight in November 2015 and went away with his Toyota Matrix car with registration number: MGN 731 GG and its original documents at gun point, claiming it was a stolen vehicle.

    It was while investigating the petition by Chief Magistrate Ajim (who is also the Chairman, Magistrates Association of Benue State and a member of the Justice Sector Reform Committee) that the panel found that CP Abeh, who retired earlier this year, allocated the car to himself while he was the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of SARS in Abuja

    At the sitting of the panel on Thursday it was discovered that the claim by the SARS official that the vehicle was a product of robbery, was a lie.

    During it proceedings on Thursday, a member of the panel put a call through to CP Abeh, who answered and claimed to currently be in Lagos.

    When told about the panel’s finding about the car and instructed to produce the vehicle before the panel within 24 hours, CP Abeh pleaded to be given some time because he was currently in Lagos.

    When directed to appear before the panel on Friday with the car, failing which an arrest warrant would be issued, CP Abeh said: “My brother that will be impossible. I cannot make it to Abuja. As I am talking to you, I don’t have money on me. You know I am now retired.

    “Please do bear with me. I will bring the car to you as soon as possible.”

    The panel member, who engaged in the phone conversation with CP Abeh to the hearing of all, ended the call in annoyance and instructed the panel’s Registry to issue summons against the retired policeman.

    In his contribution, a lawyer to the police, CSP James Idachaba Idachaba told the panel he had told CP Abeh long ago to quietly return the vehicle because of the controversy it has generated.

    Idachaba said CP Abeh ignored his suggestion and at a time, refused to answer his calls.

    Another lawyer for the police suggested to the panel that a report about the case should be written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), requiring the IGP to compel him to produce the car should he fail to produce it on Friday.

    Read Also: Presidential panel deplores torture

    The panel is also expecting former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro to appear before it on January 25 (today) in relation to his alleged complicity in the purported unlawful arrest, detention and extortion of members of Iwewe Community in Benue State SARS’ operatives.

    Moro was expected to appear before the panel on January 21 when it scheduled further hearing in a petition by the Iwewe Community, in which it was alleged among others, that SARS’ operatives invaded their community and subjected men and women to unlawful arrest, detention and extortion based on a petition allegedly authored by Moro.

    On Monday, Moro failed to turn up but sent a lawyer, Paul Samuel Ikpe, who told the panel that his client was absent because of the burial ceremony of the leader of his political party, slated on January 24 this year.

    Ikpe said the burial date coincides with the date the panel requested his client to attend its sitting.

    He added his client was interested in appearing before the panel.

    He requested the panel to do away with his client’s personal appearance, but instead, allow him to respond to panel’s questions in writing, a request the panel rejected.

    Chairman of the panel and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu said such a procedure contravenes the essence of its sitting, which is intended as a public enquiry

    Ojukwu said: “The panel would need to conduct some follow up questions that may arise from his testimonies, he needs to be here physically to testify publicly.”

    Last Monday was the second time Moro was failing to attend the panel’s sitting. On January 15 this year, his lawyer blamed his absence on some political engagements.

    Moro was accused of authoring a petition upon which SARS invaded Iwewe Community in Benue State and allegedly subjected them to Unlawful arrest, detention and extortion.

  • El-Rufa’i loses elder brother

    The elder brother of Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, AVM Ali Ahmad Rufai (Rtd) is dead.

    AVM Rufai, who died in the early hours of Saturday in Abuja, was born on 10th November 1948 in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan announced the death of the Governor’s elder brother in a statement in Kaduna on Saturday.

    Read Also: El-Rufa’i reshuffles cabinet

    He was commissioned as an officer in 1972, and retired in 2002 at the rank of Air Vice Marshall after a meritorious military career.

    Aruwan said, late AVM Rufai held different positions and commanded various formations while in service and attended several courses in Nigeria and abroad.

    He is survived by his wife, Hajiya Safiya Rufai, six children, brothers and sisters. His surviving siblings include Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and Alhaji Bashir Ahmad El-Rufai.

    The janaiza will take place at the Sultan Bello Mosque, Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna by 4pm 19th January 2019.

     

     

  • Armed Forces Remembrance Day: El-Rufai applauds Nigerian Army

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Tuesday in Kaduna described the Armed Forces Remembrance Day as significant in reflecting on the sacrifices made by the military to unite and ensure peace in the country.

    El-Rufai who made the remarks after the wreath laying ceremony as part of activities to mark the Day, commended the immense contributions of the military to national security.

    He said the sacrifices by the military and other security agencies must be appreciated by all Nigerians, especially the gallant efforts they are making to tackle insurgency and other security challenges in the country.

    Read Also: El-Rufai decries ethnic, religious politics

    ”The armed forces are sacrificing their live day and night to ensure security of lives and properties of all citizens and we must appreciate and encourage them,” he said.

    The governor expressed satisfaction with efforts being made by the Federal Government to address the welfare of legionnaires.

    Also, state Chairman of Nigeria Legion, John Tabat called for more support to families of the fallen heroes across the country.

    NAN

  • El-Rufai decries ethnic, religious politics

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has decried the manipulation of religion and ethnicity for political interests, saying that it is holding back the progress of Nigeria.

    This was as El-Rufai also explained that the choice of Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate was influenced by considerations of competence, developing the state and pulling the talents of the women.

    El-Rufai who featured in a Hausa vernacular programme of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna on Saturday, said that people in their business, travels and daily lives look for who can give them results, not the faith of that person.

    According to him, “If you are sick and in dire need of life, when you are rushed to hospital, what do you need? Life or religion of the doctor?

    “Life is what you need and you will not waste time on the religion and ethnicity of the doctor.

    “When you are flying, do you care about the religion or ethnicity of the pilot or a safe flight?

    Read Also: El-Rufai signs N157bn 2019 budget into law

    “It’s the same thing with business and investment. You hire those who can make your investment profitable.

    “But when it comes to public service, some people will not be concerned about real development but will start talking of religion and ethnicity.

    “This is a serious problem and is part of the reasons for Nigeria’s retrogression.

    “Our action was not predicated on religion or ethnicity but getting a Deputy Governor, that suits our quest for a better Kaduna State.”

    Malam El-Rufai disclosed that some elite who assume they owned the state and must dictate how it is run are unhappy that he has focused on the needs of the ordinary citizens.

    He said that he is determined that the “resources of Kaduna State must be used for the health care, security, education and economic development of ordinary citizens who have lost access to basic infrastructure for decades.

    “The barrier to progress erected by the elite and a few individuals must be broken. And we will not be intimidated or distracted from putting the ordinary citizen first by mundane and divisive politics.

    “Our trust is in God. This gives us the confidence that the ordinary citizens of Kaduna State see and appreciate what we are doing, and will support us to victory,” he said.