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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Giginya stadium agog as Buhari campaigns in Sokoto

    SOKOTO, seat of the caliphate is already agog and set to receive the All Progressives Congress(APC) Presidential campaign train.

    Shop owners and other petty traders have locked their places of businesses to attend the rally.

    It is all the way to the airport songs and ovation for the presidential candidate by youths, women and children.

    ” Sai Baba, Sai Mai gaskiya ” kept renting the air from all directions in the caliphate”

    However, hundreds of thousand supporters and well-wishers had since the early hours of Wednesday made their way to the Sultan Abubakar III International airport to witness the arrival of the party’s presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Accordingly, the Ginginya township stadium Sokoto venue of the rally is fast taking shape with yet a mammoth crowd of supporters trooping in their large numbers into the venue.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari resumes nationwide campaign as he arrives Sokoto

    First on arrival to the venue for the all-important rally are, the National Leader and Jagaban Borgu,.Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Director General, Presidential campaign Council, Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibueke Ameachi, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau among other party officials.

    Meanwhile, the venue is strategically given tight security with the visible presence of stern-looking military men, the police, NCSDC personnel, FRSC, Immigration among other relevant organs controlling the inflow of crowd that is fast overwhelmingly growing beyond the stadium capacity.

  • 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.

  • More knocks for Obasanjo as Yoruba leaders urge caution

    Some Yoruba leaders of thought under the aegis of Yoruba Patriots’ Movement, on Tuesday berated the former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent attack on President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The group who expressed disappointment on the outburst of Chief Obasanjo stoutly rose in defence of president Muhammadu Buhari.

    The National Coordinator, Yoruba Patriots’ Movement, Chief Oladosu Ladipo, said the comments of the former President were unbecoming of a statesman.

    They were of the view that the unsubstantiated allegations against the president have “reduced his (Obasanjo’s) value both politically and intellectually”.

    Wondering about the alleged inconsistency of the ex-president, Chief Oladipo who was flanked by the National Treasurer who doubles as the Lagos state Chairman of YPM, Dr Wale Omole and the National Secretary, Otunba Niyi Dada during his 72ndbirthday anniversary which held at his residence in Ibadan, said the aspersions had further waned the integrity of the former president.

    Chief Oladipo said, “Two things I see, making a U-turn or somersaulting in the broad daylight has reduced his value both politically and intellectually. It has reduced his integrity; reduced all his virtues and has put him as somebody whose words cannot be relied upon and who cannot mentor the up and coming generations. In fact, he is double-mouthed”.

    “Two, the history of 1999-2007 is still with some of us; the facts between Obasanjo and Atiku. I mean facts that cannot be debunked. So, I want to leave that aside for now. The other one is that democracy involves propaganda and propaganda involves truth, half-truth, total falsehood and blatant lies. I can describe the things he is saying as total falsehood, mere propaganda. Can a good Statesman make propaganda? Shagari died at the age of 93; did you hear him say anything like this? What he is doing is propaganda for post-election riot, which can be an inducement for the military to take over, and military cannot take over in Nigeria again.”

    Dr Omole who read a prepared statement to journalists said, “Those of us with genuine intention shall support these great leaders to take Nigeria to the next level. The national looters of yesterday should please go to sleep and give development a chance. We call on smaller parties to merge with APC which is now a mega party. I want to advise Nigerians not to take Chief Obasanjo serious.

    The elders described the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as a great man following the footsteps of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    “Awolowo is also back to life in the person of Asiwaju of Yorubaland. For the youths who did not know Chief Obafemi Awolowo, once you know Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. You have known Awolowo. Chief Awolowo and Tinubu remain the greatest tacticians in the history of Nigeria”, Oladipo said.

    “Consistency is very important. Look at America politics, if you have said something, many years after, they will play it back to you. Obasanjo’s book on Atiku is very recent and very current and has he made another edition to counter all those things he said about Atiku? That goes to the root of character. And before you can take whatever anybody says with a grain of salt, you have to look at its traits of character overtime, consistency from the family to the ward, to the local government, hometown, tribe and then to the nation”.

    “Obasanjo is a father of the nation, but if I were him, I will behave like a father. Danjuma is supporting political parties, have you seen or heard him making such a statement that cannot be substantiated or nearly causing chaos? The fact that you had the privilege of being the Head of State or President does not mean you are the wisest. It doesn’t mean that you are the best”, the elders said.

    “Sometimes, the opportunity comes for a nation to develop, many a time the people scuttle the chance and lose that opportunity. But, opportunity always comes and goes. We lost the golden opportunities when Gen. Muritala Mohammed who came on board with clear agenda was prematurely terminated in 1976. We equally lost that chance when the great sage, Chief Obafemi  Awolowo, the man with rare intelligence and vision was prevented from ruling Nigeria. He did not lose, Nigeria lost. Nigeria missed it again when Chief MKO Abiola’s life was prematurely terminated.

    Read Also: Presidency to Obasanjo: get well soon

    “If these great leaders had been allowed to lead the nation when the opportunities presented them, certainly Nigeria would not be where it is today. We would have long been out of woods. If perhaps Buhari-Idiagbon military regime had not been cut short by the military coup of August 1985, Nigeria would have been taken to a higher ground of development because the duo of Buhari and Idiagbon were burning with passion and vision. They were ready to serve. They abhorred corruption.

    “Today, we are lucky to have Buhari and Professor Yemi Osinbajo. It is another opportunity for Nigeria to develop. We should not waste this opportunity else it becomes a curse on our nation. Nigeria should have learnt its lesson by now. Therefore, members of Yoruba Patriotic Movement have thrown our unflinching support for Buhari-Osibajo and APC.

    “With this political tactician in support of Buhari and Osinbajo the nation will witness development and growth. The trio will return Nigeria to the path of progress.  There will be jobs for the youths. Things will turn around for better for Nigerians at home and abroad.  Those of us with genuine intentions shall support these great leaders to take Nigeria to the next level. The national looters of yesterday should please go to sleep and give development a chance. It is on this premises that we, in YPM, call Nigerian youths to support this administration”, they said.

  • Babachir: PDP charges Buhari to prosecute other APC leaders

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to go beyond the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke and prosecute other leaders of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), who have allegedly been openly indicted of corruption.

    The party said that singling out Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke, for prosecution, while providing official cover to numerous other indicted APC leaders and persons close to him, President Buhari has further confirmed that he is indeed partisan and insincere in prosecuting the anti-corruption fight.

    A statement Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, faulted a statement by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that President Buhari had given the nod for the prosecution of Lawal and Oke.

    This, the PDP said, further confirmed that President Buhari has annexed the system and directly determines who is prosecuted and who is spared.

    It challenged President Buhari to immediately order the prosecution of all APC leaders, particularly members of his Presidential Campaign Council, beginning with the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the campaign Director-General, Rotimi Amaechi, other directors and zonal coordinators, who have allegations of corruption hanging on their necks.

    “Mr. President should also immediately order the prosecution of the former aide to the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, Mr. Baba Inna, who was arrested in September last year, over accusations of receiving N2.5 billion from politicians, businessmen and women on behalf of the First Lady.

    “In the same vein, he should also order the prosecution of Mrs. Amina Mohammed, who while being paraded by the Department of State Services (DSS), last year stated in public that persons close to President Buhari were involved in serial fraud and looting of public resources under the official cover of the Buhari Presidency.

    Read Also: PDP will put food on Nigerians’ tables, says Secondus

    “President Buhari should also order an open inquest into alleged involvement of some individuals said to be close to the Buhari Presidency in the N1.032 trillion alleged corrupt acquisitions in 9Mobile and Keystone Bank PLC.

    “He is also invited to order an investigation into allegations that persons close to him and serving in his Presidency took N500 million as bribe to reduce the fine imposed on a telecommunication company operating in the country, from N1.03 trillion to N330 billion.

    “Furthermore, we challenge President Buhari to allow an inquest into the N14 trillion looted oil money under his watch, as detailed in the NNPC leaked memo; the handling of the repatriated $322m that has been siphoned under the guise of sharing to the poor; the N33 billion Internally Displace Persons (IDP) intervention fund and the billions of naira already frittered through the ‘Tradermoni scheme’.

    “Until Mr. President musters the required political will to carry out these actions, his war against corruption remains a charade”, the statement added.

     

  • Buhari, Obasanjo eyeball to eyeball in the Villa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday made an unexpected appearance at the seat of power for the National Council of State meeting.

    Even as he was one of the former Presidents who were supposed to be part of the meeting, many thought that his Sunday’s 16-page letter attacking the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari, will discourage him from attending the meeting.

    But against all odds, Obasanjo at exactly 10.51 am entered the Council Chamber venue of the meeting scheduled to start by 11 am

    His presence immediately drew the attention of those waiting in the hall for the meeting to start.

    Some of those in the hall standing or sitting on his path to the former Presidents’ seats greeted him. He stood severally to exchange pleasantries with them.

    By his seat, he also exchanged pleasantries with former Head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan, who was already seated.

    He sat down momentarily and again stood up and walked back towards the entrance to greet some of those in the hall including former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Read Also: How Buhari plans to rig elections, by Obasanjo

    Obasanjo was still discussing when it was announced for everyone to settle down as the President was making his way in.

    He was not quick enough to get to his seat when Buhari entered the Council chamber.

    Buhari immediately went straight to exchange pleasantries with Shonekan, who was still seated and then Abdulsalami, who walked to him.

    By the time he finished with Abdulsalami, Obasanjo was close to him.

    So standing eyeball to eyeball and smiling, they greeted and shook hands to the admiration of those in the hall.

    The President returned to his seat and called for the rendition of the National anthem.

    After the national anthem, the President asked Obasanjo to say the Christian prayer, which he did.

  • NNPC School hike: Buhari, Kachikwu called to intervene

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to intervene on the staggering hike of tuition fees in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Leadership Academy, Warri , Delta state.

    Pupils of the school, through a representative of their parents, Mr. Patrick Edema, made the call Tuesday in Warri.

    According to the learners, who also appealed to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to step into the matter, increasing the fees mid-session may increase the financial burden on parents who had taken loans to ensure their school fees payment for the entire session.

    Describing the sudden increment as highly insensitive, considering the current economic hardship across Nigeria, they pointed out that the increase came in just two days to resumption of the present term.

    Read Also: Buhari to Ngige: end ASUU strike immediately

    The NNPC Leadership Academy, Warri, had allegedly increased tuition fees by 200%, giving parents barely 48 hours notification via SMS.

    However, the learners commended the management of the NNPC for subsidizing the school fee all these years.

    Remarking that it (school’s management) has the right to review the fees of the academy, they opined that it should be done at the beginning of a new session, adding that such way, parents will get ample notice.

    They also stated that refusal to review the decision may lead to mass withdrawal of pupils from the school which may lead to complete closure of the school.

    Further emphasizing that over ninety percent of pupils of the school are children of host communities, they charged President Buhari and Dr. Kachikwu to prevail on the management of NNPC to maintain the status quo.

  • FG shells out N2.2tr to states govts as palliatives

    The federal government has revealed that it has so far disbursed a total of N 2.231 trillion to 35 state governments from 2016 to date as palliatives measures to support States to pay salaries and continue with the functions of governance.

    Minister of Finance Mrs Zainab Ahmed made this revelation at a workshop organized by the Account General of the Federation (AGF) on process of revenue generation, accounting and reporting to Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Zainab Ahmed who was represented by Dr Mohammed K. Dikwa gave the breakdown of this huge financial intervention to states to save them from collapse.

    According to Ahmed, “President Muhammadu Buhari approved in the early 2016 that states with outstanding salary payment should access N10 billion each for bailout and the nominal value of their ECA balance. Today ‘our record shows that thirty five states (35) benefited from this gesture.”

    Under the restructuring of commercial loans intervention to benefit the states, the finance ministry who did not state the value of this intervention disclosed that “the president directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to liaise with commercial banks with the view of restructuring states’ overdrafts and other short-term loans granted to enable states meet their short term needs. That was done and had greatly enhanced states’ liquidity.”

    Zainab Ahmed further revealed that “in the year 2016, the Federal Government introduced the budget support program for states under which a special purpose funding (SPF) was incorporated. This was aimed at raising capital to finance the funding requirements of the states by investing in Bonds or Notes issued by them as a budget financing facility. A total of thirty five (35) states participated in the program, while the actual releases commenced in June 2016. The sum of N1.39 billion was disbursed by the CBN to each of the 35 participating state government for the first three months. Subsequently, the sum of N1.111 billion was released to each state monthly for the remaining nine (9) months which ended in May 2017.”

    With regards to the repayment of Paris Club over deductions, the finance minister said “the administration of President Buhari that took the bull by the horn and agreed to source for fund to pay the liabilities. This has been accomplished in three tranches of N492.505 billion, N243.795 billion, and N649.434billion respectively.”

    Defending these interventions, Zainab Ahmed said that “the injection of the colossal amount of money no doubt supported our exciting recession; put the country to path of growth and enabled states met their obligations.”

    Speaking to the purpose of the workshop, the finance minister noted that revenue reporting template had been an issue for quite sometimes and she called on the revenue generating agencies to double their efforts toward surpassing their previous record and meeting their targets.

    She urged “All revenue generating agencies to ensure accountability and transparency in the collection and remittances to the federation account.”

    She however advised the AGF and the various agencies, to “as much as possible lower the time-lag between collection and remittance into federation account. The reporting template should be explicit enough and user friendly too.”

    In his address, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) of the Federtaion Mr. Idris Ahmed said President Buhari has approved a new performance management framework for Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) with the objective of boosting revenue generation and remittances inyo government treasury.

    As a first step some directors of revenue will be deployed to at least 10 revenue generating agencies with clearly spelt out revenue targets and job descriptions.

    Representing the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) at the workshop, Mr. Adewale Johnson while delivering his goodwill message disclosed that the agency recovered $200 million from legacy debt issues and generated N1.3trillion in 2018.

  • Minimum wage: Council of State okays N30000 for Fed. workers

    The National Council of State on Tuesday approved the transmission of the National minimum wage bill to the National Assembly

    The Minister of Labour Chris Ngige briefed State House correspondents at the end of the Council of State meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to him, the bill approved by the Council includes N30000 minimum wage for Fed. workers and N27,000 for states and private sector.

    The proposal, he said, will cover employers of labour with minimum of 25 workers.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Revenue sharing formula for review

    He explained that the Federal Executive Council and the National Economic Council meetings have already considered the bill.

    The bill, he said, will be transmitted to the National Assembly before the close of business on Wednesday.

    As the National Assembly is on recess, he said that the concerned committees in the National Assembly will continue work on the bill.

  • Crossfire

    The 2018 Christmas homage paid by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) community on President Muhammadu Buhari last Tuesday was meant to be more or less a religious gathering.

    But the political missiles exchanged following remarks at the brief ceremony held inside the official residence of the President was of large magnitude.

    It resulted in crossfire between the Presidency and the camp of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the Presidential flag-bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 elections.

    The comments at the religious gathering was claimed to have prompted Atiku to write the President a letter faulting his utterances at the homage.

    Buhari during the Christmas homage had told his visitors “The three fundamental things we campaigned with are still very relevant. On improving the economy, which we are still going to explore, we have done well in agriculture, and those who embraced farming are not regretting it and we have also addressed unemployment and we are very lucky, through that we are now attaining food security.

    “The third thing with which we will campaign is the issue of corruption. I told you what I did when I was in uniform but now when I have to go by this system (Democracy,) where people have to be arrested and then prosecuted, taken to court and then with evidence, we will collect back what they had taken illegally and for doing that, people are calling me Baba go slow.

    “I am going slowly but whatever the case, I will not stop pointing fingers at those who have abused trust by taking money that does not belong to them.

    “I will keep on trying to do my best for this country and get back what belongs to the country. We are going to do the roads, revive the railway and electricity with the little resources at our disposal.

    “Fighting corruption, yes, we are slow because the system is slow. It’s not Baba that is slow but it is the system so I am going by this system and I hope we will make it,” he said.

    But barely twenty four hours after the President’s remark, Atiku picked holes in the comments through open letter he wrote to the President.

    Atiku, in the open letter to the President last Wednesday said “My attention has been drawn to a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of a Christmas homage paid on him by members of the Federal Capital Territory Community in which he blamed his inability to fight corruption on the Nigerian system.

    “According to the President, his administration is slow in fighting corruption because the system is slow.

    “My immediate response to this is to commend President Buhari for admitting that he has failed in fighting corruption. The President has just corroborated Transparency International, whose latest Corruption Perception Index shows that Nigeria is more corrupt today than it was under the

    previous administration, having moved 12 places backwards in the CPI, from 136 in 2014 to 148 this year.

    “But my point of departure from the President is in blaming his failure on the system. I disagree. The system has challenges, yes, but where there is political will, the system can make progress.

    “I was Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 and we used that same system to speedily convict no less a personality than an Inspector General of Police, and several others including cabinet ministers and other high officials.

    “Mr. President, the problem with your anti-corruption war is not the system. You are the problem!” he said.

    Atiku went on to list four examples where he felt the President didn’t do well including the cases of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, the former chairman of the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, the $25 billion NNPC contracts awarded without due process, and the billions found in an Ikoyi apartment.

    The former Vice President added “Based on the above statement of facts, I will not allow you to make Nigeria the scapegoat for your failure. Your failure is personal, and not national.

    “Besides, your excuse is deceptive, because you have staunchly resisted restructuring. If you really believed that the system is the problem, you would have embraced restructuring.

    “Unfortunate as your admitted failure in the war on corruption is, it is your economic policy that is the greater failure. Your lack of ideas and your politicisation of the corruption war has made your administration fight legitimate businesses and the opposition.

    “I might add that it is actions such as this that have led to an unprecedented capital flight which has caused joblessness and made Nigeria the world headquarters for extreme poverty under your watch.” he said.

    Atiku’s letter that Wednesday got at least two responses the same day from the President’s camp.

    The first to react was the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, who are said “The PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is exhibiting early signs of depression, resulting from obvious frustration.

    “Consequently, he is unable to focus on his campaign. Otherwise, he should tell Nigerians why a discredited person like him should be elected as president instead of raising puerile allegations daily.

    “President Buhari and APC, not his programmes for the country, appear to be his main campaign issues. Nigerians are desirous of a campaign that focuses on issues that matter to them.

    “For Atiku and his PDP co-travellers, the only interest is to grab power and continue where they stopped in their avarice. The APC administration is eager to showcase the impressive achievements we have recorded in the last three and half years. This is the campaign that matters to us and this is what Nigerians are interested in.

    “The trajectory is exciting as we see a brighter future shaping up. We won’t yield to the PDP’s shenanigans. The obvious strategy of the PDP is to truncate the country’s journey towards economic buoyancy and social stability. We will not play the PDP’s game. PDP is acting an anti-people’s script.

    “President Buhari remains unshaken by the desperate efforts being made by Atiku and the PDP to blackmail the APC government. Everyone who was involved in corrupt practices would be brought to justice.  PDP is not offering any alternative to the progressive course this government is pursuing.

    “It is actually apparent that the party is not contesting the 2019 elections to redeem itself, least of doing any good for the country, but simply to seize power to escape justice for the grevious crimes committed against the people of this country. Nigerians won’t be fooled by the rapacious PDP gang. Never!” he added.

    Later the same day, the Director of Strategic Communications (Official Spokesperson) of the

    President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organization, Festus Keyamo also replied Atiku.

    He said “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar disputing the assertion by President Muhammadu Buhari that the system in Nigeria allows corruption to thrive because the system is slow in tackling corruption.

    “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar further blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for perceived failure in addressing some instances of ‘corrupt practices’ under his watch.

    “Let us remind Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that he is one of the greatest beneficiaries of the failed system in tackling corruption that was in place before President Muhammadu Buhari took over in 2015.

    “We know he is aware of this, hence his latest diatribe against President Muhammadu Buhari amounts to nothing but disgusting grandstanding and an attempt to mock the system.

    “If the system in Nigeria was indeed working, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would not have acquired substantial shares in INTELS in clear conflict of his duties as a Customs Officer whilst in office. Those shares would have belonged to the Nigerian people by now.

    “If the system in Nigeria was indeed working, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would not have run a monopolistic company called INTELS all these years, ripping off the Nigerian people and the Nigerian State before Muhammadu Buhari came and broke that monopoly.

    “If the system was working, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would have been prosecuted and jailed for various acts of corruption and abuse of office after he left office as Vice President.

    “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar latest adventure in trying to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in matters of integrity with President Muhammadu Buhari is a political suicide mission from which we thought his handlers would have tried to steer him away. But alas! They have decided to test the waters. Locally and internationally President Muhammadu Buhari stands several miles away from Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in matters of integrity.

    “When the President used all his life in public office building a reputation and a name, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar used all his life in public office to build mansions and acquire personal wealth. Now Judgment Day has come when the credentials needed by the Nigerian people for the highestoffice are not the buildings and wealth but the simple quality of integrity. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar cannot eat his cake and have it.”

    What is playing out now is definitely the beginning of what to expect as the campaigns begin in earnest and the 2019 general elections rush in.

    But peace loving Nigerians will not want what is playing out now in the polity to escalate.

    They will, no doubt, want a peaceful environment to exercise their franchise and also still have a country called Nigeria at the end of the elections.

     

  • Buhari assure youths of appointment as ministers, head of government agencies

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians youths of a ministerial appointment and appointments as heads of government agencies and parastatals if re-elected for a second term.

    Director of Youth Mobilization of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. Tony Nwoye, who disclosure this at a news conference, said that his group has secured the commitment of President Buhari to positively change the involvement of youths in his administration in his second term in office.

    Nwoye however assured the President that his campaign group will mobilize over 20 million Nigerian youths to ensure a landslide victory for the president.

    “Since my recent appointed to head the Youth Mobilization Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, I had embarked on nationwide consultations with the national youth polity to reach, understand the disposition and aspirations of Nigerian youths and students towards Buhari-Osinbajo 2019.

    “During the over one week of non-stop nationwide consultations that l spearheaded, in the company of my able assistant and deputy directors, Comrade Sadiq Abubakar, the APC National Youth Leaders, Ismaeel Ahmed and Jasper Azulatam, I became convinced that while Nigerian youths deeply appreciate the improved regime of youth development and empowerment under President Buhari, from 2015 till date, the polity is ready for Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 if and only if the prestigious good leadership team is ready to take its youth development programme to the ’Next Level’ of higher youth inclusion in leadership and the economy.

    “Upon this all-important realization, I and my assistant and deputies quickly came back to Abuja to consult with Mr. President. This round of consultations happened intensively over a period of two days in which myself, my assistant and deputies were able to extract strong commitments from Mr. President on his readiness to take his youth development programmes to the ’Next Level’ of higher youth inclusion in leadership and the economy through the following:

    “A youth quota in the headship of Ministries, Departments and Agencies that is above the quota of Men, Women and Politicians. The activation of a policy targeted at Nigeria being the largest high-quality factory of the world by 2030 leading to fully legislated and well-funded youth-based programmes in entrepreneurship and industrialization.

    “The activation of another policy targeted at Nigeria being the African global hub of ICT leading to fully legislated and well-funded youth-based programmes in ICT software and hardware development.

    “After extracting these commitments from Mr. President, the Directorate quickly reverted back to the leadership of Nigerian youths and had regional consultations and engagements. Thereupon, the youths and students of Nigeria and the Directorate agreed that Nigerian youths will deliver an Avalanche of over Twenty Million Votes to Buhari-Osinbajo 2019.

    Read Also: Buhari fit for another term, says Osinbajo

    “I am today very pleased to inform you that based on the decision of Nigerian youths to deliver 20-Million votes to Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 in February, the Youth Mobilization Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council is kick-starting a nationwide youth mobilization campaign starting today.

    “It will interest you to know that this nationwide youth mobilization campaign is targeted at convincing Nigerian youths and students that they can trust Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 based on: the positive youth development credentials of Buhari-Osinbajo from 2015 till date. The solid commitments of Mr. President to take youth development to the ‘Next Level’ if voted to continue power come 16th February 2019.

    “The positive infrastructural record of Buhari-Osinbajo from 2015 till date; such as: the reawakening of Nigeria’s national Railway Network; the visible upgrade of Nigerian Airports; and, the revamping of the National Roads and Highways Network.

    “The record of visible and impactful Poverty Alleviation Strategies , such as the Traders’ Money Scheme which has empowered over 350,000 MSMEs across the nation; the National School Feeding Programme; the Anchor Borrowers Programme which has added over three million metric tonnes to our annual food supply having, so far, created over 500,000 jobs for Nigeria youths.

    “The N-Power Volunteers Scheme which has recruited 500,000 graduates; the N-Power Volunteer Corps which has trained over 200,000 youths; the N-Buiid Category which has so far trained over 10,000 non-graduates in vocational skills in 23 states of the Federation; the Special Training Programme of NITDA that has trained several hundreds of young Nigerians with disabilities on ICT skills.

    “Our directorate is fully primed to work with the leadership of Nigerian youth and students to deliver the avalanche of over 20 million votes to Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 in the patriotic interest of Nigerian national development.

    “We hereby call on all Nigerian youths and students to remain steadfast in their resolve and support for Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 despite concerted attempt by some would-be-detractors to blackmail them with share sentiments that has no grounding in our national reality,” he said.