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Tag: Labaran Maku

  • My tour of Benue not political, says ex-information minister Maku

    My tour of Benue not political, says ex-information minister Maku

    Former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku has said his participation in the Good Governance tour of development projects in Benue State was not an attempt to facilitate the defection of Governor Hyacinth Alia from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Maku said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, the good governance tour is a professional effort designed to shift the focus of political leaders – across all parties and at all levels – away from endless political quarrels towards the urgent need for development and service delivery, particularly to the grassroots.

    “This concept is not new. It began during my time as Minister of Information, when I initiated the National Good Governance Tour, as a non-partisan platform for assessing and showcasing development efforts by incumbent leaders across the country,” Maku said.

    He added: “Prof Jerry Gana also undertook a nationwide media tour during his time as the Minister of information and National Orientation. At that time, it became clear that our political space was dominated by power tussles and not enough attention was being paid by political actors and the media to the real needs of the people.

    “The tour helped many leaders to refocus on their core mandate, which was service to the people. As sitting Minister then, I led journalists to states governed by different political parties, and the feedback was very encouraging. Several state Governors confessed that the tour prompted them to take their development agenda more seriously.

    “Since leaving office, I have remained concerned about the continued lack of priority attention to governance. Media coverage today is saturated with political insults, inter and intra-part party wrangling, and reports about persistent insecurity, while genuine development receives little focus.

    Read Also: Navy launches Special Operations in Benue

    “It was in response to this troubling trend that I reached out to like-minded professionals, including Dr. Mike Omeri, former DG of the National Orientation Agency, to revive the good governance tour as a tool for civic accountability and public engagement.

    “We have approached political leaders across party lines, requesting permission to assess and showcase their projects and policies. A number of them have responded positively. The Governor of Benue State, Rev (Dr) Hyacinth Alia happened to be the first to officially invite us to tour his state.

    “The Governance Tour of Benue was conducted transparently and broadcast across multiple media platforms. It included a lively town hall where citizens directly engaged the government, asked tough questions, and received honest answers on development and security efforts.

    “We have since received a wave of positive feedback from citizens across Nigeria, many of whom are urging us to bring the good governance tour to their own states. The widespread enthusiasm underscores the importance of what we are doing.”

    Maku further said: “Let me be clear: No part of our mission to Benue State involved persuading Governor Alia to switch political parties. That narrative is absolute fiction. Those who know him understand that he is not driven by desperation for 2027, but by a burning desire to serve.

    “We are far more interested in promoting development initiatives and concrete service delivery by our leaders than in the endless cycle of political scheming and bitter power games.

    “I encourage Nigerians to stay focused on the tour’s real purpose: which is to showcase credible governance and accountable leadership.

    “We remain committed to keeping the Good Governance Tour transparently non-partisan, results-focused, and open to all leaders across party lines who have something to show the Nigerian people.

    “We appeal to our detractors not to use the governance tour to distract Governor Alia from the commendable work he has started in Benue State.”

  • Trust Tinubu to turn economy around, Labaran Maku appeals

    Trust Tinubu to turn economy around, Labaran Maku appeals

    Former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku has begged Nigerians to place their trust in President Bola Tinubu for effective management of the economy. 

    Maku expressed confidence in Tinubu’s ability to lead the country towards economic stability and growth, stressing the importance of unity and inclusive governance.

    Maku made this appeal to Nigerians while speaking with newsmen after he was conferred with the honorary fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in Abuja on Thursday. 

    “If we unite the nation, in our policies, in the way we share power, in the way we do our appointments in the country, and we recognize every part of the nation, there would be peace and unity,” Maku stated. 

    He underscored that sustainable democracy is contingent upon the honest management of Nigeria’s resources for the benefit of future generations.

    Maku, who also served as the Minister of Defence, reflected on the challenges faced during his tenure and expressed optimism about Tinubu’s leadership. 

    “I believe that under the current dispensation, we are looking forward to a proper management of the economy of this country. We need this. I was the Minister of Information, and I knew how difficult things could be,” he said.

    Highlighting Tinubu’s commitment to democracy and governance, Maku said: “I believe that President Tinubu is somebody who came to governance from a point of view of making sacrifices for a democratic dispensation. God has taken him there now, which is good for Nigeria. I will particularly call on him to do everything possible to review and bring to fruition economic policies that will bring some level of respite to the people of Nigeria.”

    Maku also pointed out the critical role of monetary policies in managing the economy of a developing nation. 

    “I believe that you have to manage the policies of a developing nation to bring about development and managing the policies calls for special attention to monetary policies. It is very important for the country,” he noted.

    Read Also: Between Labaran Maku and the Brf administration

    He warned about the dire consequences of the declining value of the naira, emphasizing the necessity of stabilizing the currency to attract and retain businesses in Nigeria. 

    “If the value of the naira continues to go down, the consequences will be that nobody will produce in Nigeria. We are a capital goods importing country and whatever you want to do for the country, you must have imported machinery. We don’t produce machinery.

    “If the value of the naira is up, a lot of companies will be in Nigeria and I believe a lot are doing so. The president needs to look critically at those policies. I believe he has the experience and strength to pull Nigerians together by managing the politics and managing the economy,” he said

    Maku’s statement underscores the importance of strategic economic management and inclusive governance for the prosperity of Nigeria.

  • Maku calls for investigation into the killing of ex-CDS

    The former supervising minister of defense, Hon. Labaran Maku has called for a thorough investigation into the murder of the immediate past chief of defense staff, Alex Badeh by unknown gunmen.

    Maku wants the military to urgently investigate and unravel the immediate and remote causes of his gruesome murder.

    The former minister made the call on Wednesday in Karu while addressing a group of campaign volunteers who are embarking on door to door campaign for Maku’s 2019 governorship ambition.

    “I was shocked when I received the news of the murder of the  former CDS who served under me when I was the supervising minister of defence”.

    “Chief Air Marshall Alex Badeh (retired) was a very intelligent and technology minded officer who deployed all technical intelligence to power the first Israeli drone in the country, and later invented a locally made drone for military use”.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns slain ex-CDS Alex Badeh

    Maku however call on the military authority to swing into full scale investigation that would bring to book the killers.

    The governorship candidate of APGA in Nasarawa assured that he will end insecurity of lives and properties of citizens when elected.

    Maku observed that kidnapping has gradually become a house hold crime in the state as farmers can no longer go to their farms freely because of herdsmen attack.

    He called on the people in the state to vote APGA to end godfatherism. He assured that his administration will be the people’s driven government where the resources belong to the people.

     

     

  • APGA candidate advises electorate against selling PVCs

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Mr Labaran Maku, has advised the electorate in the state against selling their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) to desperate  politicians.

    Maku made this appeal on Friday in Doma Local Government Area after a closed door meeting held with various community groups ahead of the 2019 general elections in the state.

    He urged the  people to desist from selling their PVCs to desperate politicians for whatever reasons, so as to vote for a leader, who could guarantee peace and security in the state.

    Maku said that if voted into power,  he would execute development projects that had direct bearings with the people.

    “We are advising people not to be deceived by these politicians to sell their PVCs, selling their PVCs for N5, 000 or N10,000, cannot change their life.

    “Come 2019, by the grace of God, certain things will be changed, we will give attention to rural areas in terms of executing developmental projects,” he said.

    Read Also:‘APGA will determine who wins presidency’

    The governorship candidate expressed confidence that his party would win the governorship election, even as he assured his supporters of better days ahead.

    He said he would work tirelessly to address issues of inter-ethnic relations and restore cultural practices such as festivals to foster the bond of unity among ethnic groups in the state.

    Maku said he would bring back Customary Court of Appeal that was nullified in the state, saying that the court was still relevant in settling issues for peace to reign among the people.

    He described the liquidation of the state investment company as ill advised, saying a young state as Nasarawa State, needed a company that could pull resources together to go into partnership with national and international investors.

    On the state assets, he said those who bought assets from the government without following due process, should know that such assets would be reclaimed.

    (NAN)

  • Maku urges Nigerians to elect credible leaders

    Mr Labaran Maku, the former Minister of Information, has advised Christians and other Nigerians to actively participate in politics in order to elect leaders of proven integrity during the 2019 general elections.

    Maku, the 2015 governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nasarawa State, made the call on Sunday at St. Sylvester Catholic Church, New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maku was in the church to attend its first service.

    The ex-minister assured the church members of his continued support to the progress and development of the church and Nigeria at large.

    He urged Christians and Nigerians to pray for the emergence of credible leaders during the 2019 general election in order for peace to reign in the country.

    “Let continue to pray to God to give us leaders that would bring peace, unity and development in the country, this is my prayer.

    “That is why I am in politics, as you know that the church for a long time taught that politics is not part of the church or for Christians; this is a great mistake because in the days of our Lord Jesus Christ ,he asked us to be loyal to all leaders.

    “If you disconnect politics from the church, it will bring a lot of limitation.

    “Therefore, I urge all of us Christians and other Nigerians to stand up and be counted.

     

    Read also: Our fears for 2019 elections, by Secondus

     

    “It is not true that politics is a dirty place to be left for evil people because those who control power have a lot of influence on your religion, political and social life.

    “When you have good people in authority, whether they are Christians or Muslims, society will be good; but when you have evil people, a lot of people will die before their time and there will be poverty, among others.

    “So, I call on all of us to show interest in politics and support those we believe will bring positive transformation to our lives,” he added.

    Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja- Soja-Ayembugu, who is the Parish Priest thanked Maku and others for contributing positively to the development of the church.

    He stressed the need to elect God-fearing leaders in 2019 in order to enjoy the much needed dividends of democracy.

  • Maku urges politicians to desist from politics of violence

    Labaran Maku, National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ), has called on politicians to desist from politics of violence and give peace a chance in the country.

    Maku, a former Minister of Information, made the call on Saturday in Lafia during his visit to communities in Lafia North to commission his billboards as an aspirant for Nasarawa State governorship election 2019.

    According to him, politicians are largely responsible for the crisis in the country was facing due to their selfish ambitions.

    Read Also: Al-Makura assures corps members of safety in Nasarawa

    He said that most of politicians who do not stand the chance of winning election often times cause crisis by using thugs and mercenaries to attack persons they perceive as opposing them.

    Maku urged the electorate to be vigilant and to avoid “bad politicians” who promote violence instead of focusing on issues of development.

    He said if elected as the next Governor of Nasarawa, he would ensure that farmers and grazers live peacefully. Maku called on the federal government to deploy more military personnel to crisis areas to check attacks.

    The former minister inaugurated ten billboards in different communities in Lafia.

    NAN

  • Nassarawa killings: Ex-minister tasks FG on IDPs

    Mr Labaran Maku, the former Minister of Information, has called on the Federal Government to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who were victims of the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen in Nassarawa State.

    Maku made this call on Monday while addressing newsmen at Wakama village in Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the call had become imperative given the plight of the people of the Southern Senatorial Zone following incessant killings in the area.

    According to him, most Tiv people from Awe, Doma, Lafia, Keana and Obi Local Government Areas of the state have deserted their homes and communities as a result of the several attacks by suspected herdsmen.

    He lamented that the killing of more than 78 people, including security personnel within just a week in the state was tragic and called for serious concern and attention.

    “In other climes, the death of such number of people is worthy of national mourning.

    “Despite these killings, things are still moving on as if nothing has happened,” Maku added.

    He called on the Federal Government and the international community, especially charity organisations to step in with relief materials in order to ameliorate the plights of the IDPs.

    “The humanitarian crisis we have on our hands with the IDPs is quite enormous and required the support of all stakeholders, especially with the onset of the rainy season,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Nassarawa State Government had donated N10 million and some relief materials to the IDPs across the affected Local Government Areas of Awe, Keana, Doma and Obi.

    The items delivered through the Tiv Development Association (TIDA) include: 150 bags of rice, 78 bags each of beans and maize, and 45 bags of garri among others.

    Mr Boniface Ifer, the president of TIDA, said the money and relief items would go a long way to cushioning the hardship being faced by the displaced persons.

    He, however, called on the government to do more in the area of security to enable the people return to their homes.

    NAN

  • Insecurity: DSS grills Maku for five hours

    Insecurity: DSS grills Maku for five hours

    The National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labaran Maku, was on Tuesday grilled for over five hours by the Nasarawa State command of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Lafia.

    Maku, who said he was invited by the agency to address issues bordering on his personal safety and security of the state, did not give details of his chat with the DSS.

    The former Minister of Information urged politicians to join hands and ensure peace and development in their communities.

    He said: “I was a commissioner, deputy governor in Nasarawa State and minister at the federal level. But today I am no longer in position, but I can still move around freely because I serve the country very well and refused to be corrupt.

    “So, leaders should understand that the authority and privilege of every public officer would surely end one day whether we like it or not.”

    Maku also described his invitation by the DSS as a good one, adding that it has nothing to do with the speculation in the social media that he would be arrested over the Ombatse saga of 2013.

     

  • Nasarawa killings, Maku urges govt. to live up to responsibility

    Nasarawa killings, Maku urges govt. to live up to responsibility

    Former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has called on federal and state governments to take urgent actions against incessant attacks and killings across the country.

    He told The Reporter in Lafia on Wednesday that until measures were taken to end the recurring killings by suspected herdsmen, the government would be seen as failing in its responsibility.

    Maku, who is the National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ), spoke at the backdrop of recent killings in Benue and Nasarawa State.

    He advised Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa to take steps towards protecting innocent citizens who were chased out of their communities along Nasarawa/Benue border.

    “The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property but a lot of senseless killings are going on simultaneously across the country.

    “These killings do not speak well of the government,’’ he said.

    The former minister described as “heartbreaking’’ of yet another death of Nigerians in Kadarko, Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa state on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Maku  calls for preservation of culture, tradition

    “Every life is sacred and should not be taken by another; our cities, towns and villages are vulnerable and our people unprotected.

    “Every citizen of Nigeria should be able to sleep with his or her two eyes closed; it’s a failure on the part of our government when citizens are slaughtered like animals,” he added.

    Maku explained that sending condolence message and condemnation of the act by the government was not enough, saying “I think this deaths are too many.

    “Condemnation alone won’t do, it is time to ask our leaders to protect us as they have sworn to do.’’

    He also said that if government could not protect lives and properties, it had failed in its fundamental mandate.

    According to him, we need to end this violence against ordinary citizens and build a peaceful and progressive society.

    The former minister sent his condolences to families of victims of the attacks and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    NAN

  • Maku urges Nasarawa Govt to revive cultural festivals

    Maku urges Nasarawa Govt to revive cultural festivals

    Former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran  Maku, on Tuesday urged the Nasarawa State Government to revive the cultural festivals in the state in order to promote peace among the communities.

    Maku, a 2015 governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA ) in the state, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Wakama in Akun Development Area of the state.

    According to him, the promotion of cultural festivals of the various tribes in the state would promote peace and boost the state’s internally generated revenue.

    The former minister urged the state government to emulate Egypt in developing its tourism sector.

    Read also: Maku urges restoration of Customary Court of Appeal

    “Egypt is getting more money from the tourism sector than it gets from oil. So let us promote our cultural festivals.

    “Cultural festivals among the various ethnic groups will promote unity. Peace is the necessary requirement for the development of any society. Peace is priceless and non-negotiable.

    “Cultural festival will generate huge income for the state, considering our closeness to Abuja. People will come, watch and spent money during the events if properly organised,” he said.

    Maku, however, promised to revive the state cultural festival if elected into power in 2019.

    The former minister also renewed call for the restoration of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal in order to resolve many traditional issues in the state.

    NAN