The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Group rallies support for Buhari in Delta, South-South

    An advocacy group; the Delta Rescue Mission for Buhari (DRM4PMB), has called on Nigerians to massively vote for President Muhammadu Buhari next month, to save the country from certain and eventual collapse.

    The group, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Martins Mukoro, said it decided to go all out to sensitize Nigerians, especially in the South-South, to the vision and achievements of President Buhari because the alternative to having him come back will be taking the Nation back into socioeconomic peril.

    According to the group, President Buhari’s moral integrity is high, as he has no link to anything corrupt, adding that he is an upright man, whose words are his bond, saying “he has said he would give a free, fair and credible election and that is what he’s going to do”.

    Read Also: Buhari campaign train arrives Maiduguri

    The group also charged the people of Delta state to cast their votes for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Great Ogboru, adding that he has a political structure in place, with which he had won previous elections in the state. It opined that same would be used to deliver President Buhari in the state.

    “We must free Nigeria from bare fangs of the self-acclaimed owners of Nigeria, who are already in a coma because of their absence from Aso Rock for just over three years.

    “We must say no, emphatic no at the polls to those only occupation and lifeline for survival is preying on the resources of Nigeria and masquerading as presidential candidate of the party that led this country to her knees and who failed in their blind ambition to rule our country for 60 years.

    “The DRM calls on all well-meaning Nigerians, who wish the country well, who know that the sacrifice of transformation being currently undertaken by the PMB government is the necessary foundation for Nigeria to break away from the miserable path of economic dependence on a monoculture economy to the blissful era of economic sufficiency and multiple income regime”, the group said.

  • Breaking: Buhari removes executive secretary of TETFund

    President Muhammadu Buhari has removed Dr. Abdullahi Baffa as Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

    Baffa, who was an aide to Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, was appointed the head of TETFund alongside 14 other heads of parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Education on August 2, 2016.

    President Buhari has subsequently approved the reinstatement of Prof Suleiman Bogoro as executive secretary of the agency. Bogoro was ES between 2014 to 2016.

    Dr. Baffa’s removal is with immediate effect. No official reason was given for his removal.

    But a source who pleaded anonymity attributed his removal to a running battle with Malam Adamu.

    The source explained that Dr. Baffa, a close ally of Malam Adamu, disregarded the minister in the running of the agency.

    The source noted that the ES had been having issues with the minister as regards the 2019 interventions for public institutions.

    The source said: “Since yesterday we have been hearing rumors that the minister has been meeting with the kitchen cabinet in the presidency. Today we entered the office and found out that he has been sacked.

    “He had a misunderstanding between him and the minister that is why he was fired. Sometimes the minister will send people to meet the ES he will not give them attention or even attend to them.

    “Last month the minister sent his brother to see the ES and the ES refused to see him. That is where problem started for the ES. Since that incident last month, the ES has been having a running battle with the minister.”

    Another source stated that the former ES was neck deep in the politics of Kano, his home state, leading to speculations that he may be eyeing the governorship seat.

    There was wild jubilation at the headquarters of the agency this morning in Abuja when Baffa’s sacking was made public.

    The reinstated Prof. Bogoro was the executive secretary of TETFund under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    He was sacked by President Buhari in 2016.

    Prof. Bogoro was alleged to have misappropriated N200 billion released to the agency for special intervention projects to beneficiary institutions to fund the reelection of Dr. Jonathan in 2015.

    A source in the ministry of education explained that Prof. Bogoro was reinstated after been found innocent of the allegations.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Keyamo at 49

    The source stated that the N200 billion allegedly misappropriated under him was never released to the agency in the first place.

    The source said: “The other man has been reinstated to his position. There was an allegation about N200 billion disappearing from TETFund account. There was allegation at that time that it was used for electioneering campaign. It was discovered that the money was never released at all. It never really got to TETFund. So it was like TETFund was the victim, to say that someone misappropriated money that was never released at all.

    “We had that impression until we now saw the records after the auditing. TETFund is now requesting the money to be released to them. The man was confirmed innocent of all the charges against him and when they finally submitted the report, there was a tendency to just let it be but when it got to the attention of Mr. President he demanded for his reinstatement immediately.”

    However, Malam Adamu, in a statement by the ministry’s Deputy Director (Press), Ben. Bem, explained that Prof. Bogoro has been reinstated under the same terms and conditions as it were in his previous appointment and as stipulated in the TETFUND staff conditions of service.

     

     

  • Buhari greets Keyamo at 49

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

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

    Read Also: Buhari protecting the poor, says Keyamo

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

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

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

  • Buhari campaign train hits Kwara Feb 4

    The campaign train of President Muhammadu Buhari will berth in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital next month.
    The event slated for February 4th this year is part of President Buhari’s ongoing reelection campaign across the country,

    “We are pleased to announce that Mr President will arrive Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on 4 February in furtherance of his energetic reelection campaigns. The president will be accompanied by several party bigwigs, including the National Chairman, governors and ministers, among other officials,” Kwara state All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship and the state coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdurazaq has said in the statement.

    Read Also: Buhari campaign train arrives Maiduguri

    He added that “like you all did during the recent launch of the TraderMoni by the Vice President, we are again calling on all Kwarans of good conscience to come out in millions to welcome Mr President to the state in appreciation of his numerous of gestures to the people of our state. These include roads, irrigation projects and several appointments.“

  • Yobe hosts Buhari Monday

    Yobe capital wears a new look to receive President Muhammadu Buhari for the Presidential campaign on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that major streets were cleaned, while the Damaturu stadium, venue of the campaign was given a facelift.

    Similarly, security operatives have been deployed to strategic areas and other black spots.

    Some of the residents who spoke to NAN expressed excitement on Buhari’s visit to the state.

    Modu Ali, a resident of Sabon Pegi, said ”we can’t wait to welcome President Buhari to show him our love and readiness to re-elect him for a second term.”

    Hajia Bintu Mustapha of Ajari ward, said: ”APC has a perfect company of President Buhari, Mai Mala Buni for governor and our legislative candidates.”

    Aliyu Abubakar, a university student, said ”there is no alternative to President Buhari and Mai Mala Buni in the forthcoming elections.”

    Most residents who spoke to NAN, attributed the relative peace enjoyed in the state to the commitment of the Buhari administration to the fight against terrorism.

    Clerics in various mosques and churches have committed the visit to divine protection.

  • Buhari condemns Tiv, Jukun clash

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

    The clash has left dozens injured and several houses destroyed.

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

    He wished the injured speedy recovery.

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

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

  • APC women, youths mobilise for Buhari, Osinbajo in Southwest

    Ibadan, the Oyo State capital was practically locked down on Saturday as female and youth members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered to mobilize for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Women and youth groups from the six states of Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun stormed the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) in different customized APC uniforms to express their support and persuade others to join the second-term bid of the president and his deputy.

    To the women, Buhari’s support for the various market groups with financial aids and social investment facilities including Tradermoni, Marketmoni and N-Power as well as the administration’s other achievements in infrastructure; security and anti-corruption make their re-election deserving.

    The youths posited that re-electing the APC candidates is the only sure way of building and securing their future, pointing out that allowing another party to win might truncate their hopes of a better future.

    The delegates were led by the wives of the state governors including Erelu Bisi Fayemi (Ekiti), Mrs Bolanle Ambode (Lagos), Mrs Olufunso Amosun (Ogun), Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (Ondo), Mrs Kafayat Oyetola (Osun) and Mrs Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), who doubles as the chief host and Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the group.

    Wives of the governors of Kebbi and Nassarawa were also in attendance alongside the national and zonal women leaders of the governing party.

    To support the women, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, represented by a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr Femi Pedro, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) , Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), former and serving deputy governors, Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, among other party stalwarts, were also in attendance.

    Delivering a remark on behalf of the Wife of the President Hajia Aishat Buhari, the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, took time to educate the people on how to respond should the party supporters be challenged by anyone on why they are supporting the ruling party.

    She also enjoined the women and youths to shun any form of violence but only cast their votes for the APC and monitor same.

    Read Also: NASS don’t hate President Buhari – Dogara

    “Today if we say we are with the APC, it is right for anyone to ask us why. In that wise, what response are we going to give them? The response should be that, we are with good people. It is a party with integrity, it is a merciful party. APC and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is a compassionate party. This government is feeding students and has remembered and supported farmers. The food being prepared for the children are gotten from the farmers. The farmers are getting better.

    “President Buhari and APC also remembered the market women. He remembered petty traders and supported them. And more importantly, tell them you are supporting APC because we are going to the next level. We are going to the next level and we are going higher in our lives, our career, our jobs and in other areas of the national life.

    “This gathering is for women and youths. The youths must listen to what I am saying, look at all our mothers here, they are here because of you. Even if they (the oppositions) have lied to you, as youths let me tell you the truth. All that President Buhari is doing is because of you and for you.

    “I want our youths to know that on the day of the election, they must not fight so as not to make our mothers weep. On the day of the election, we must go to the polls rejoicing because we know we are going higher to the next level.”

    In her remark, the National Women Leader/National Coordinator, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa, said: “This President has done us good and it is our turn to say ‘thank you’ by going back to bring our families to re-elect our president, our father, Baba Buhari, so that he can consolidate on the good works he has started so as to sustain a beautiful future for our children.

    “Remember, we can’t afford to leave our country in the hands of thieves, those who will sell all Nigerian assets and leave us (women and our children) stranded. Can we afford to do that? Can we afford to leave Nigeria in the hands of thieves? If that is the case, come all out with your children and then vote for President Buhari again so that Nigeria can be better, so that our children can have a greater future.”

    The Southwest Zonal Youth Leader, Mr Lawal Kolade said: “We are here today on a historical mission. Nigerian belongs to all of us. To whom much is given, much is expected. Our dear president has done much for us to re-elect him, come February 16, 2019.

    “What Buhari is doing is building the foundation for us because in the next ten years, he will be back home playing advisory roles for us. President Buhari is fixing the future of the youths and so we must help him to help ourselves. When we leave here, let us go from house-to-house, from street-to-street, local government-to-local government and from state-to-state to tell them the good job the president is doing.”

    While expressing the conviction that the rally will strengthen the capacity of the party to get o the next level, Mrs Ajimobi in her welcome address, listed the many social welfare schemes of the Federal Government to help uplift the plight of the people.

  • ‘South-South is supporting Buhari’s re-election’

    Contrary to the belief in some quarters, President Muhammadu Buhari, has been tipped to win big in the states of the South-South, in response to his works in the region.

    Giving the tip during a media chat in Warri on Saturday, a prominent youth leader in the South-South, Mr. Tamuno George, revealed that majority of the people and voters in the region are supporting the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He expressed confidence that the South-South region will vote enmass for President Buhari to enable the region demand for adequate representation and benefits in the next government.

    He also commended Senator Godswill Akpabio and Dr. Ebikabonwei Victor Ben, also known as Gen Boyloaf, who had volunteered to mobilize and sensitizing the people of Niger Delta, changing the narratives in the creeks and communities in the region.

    “Despite the fact that South South did not vote for President Buhari in 2015, the President has shown more commitment to the development of the region. President Buhari has completed the Itakpe-Aladja railway, dredging of Escravos to open up the Warri Port, Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, reconstruction of Port Harcourt International Airport, sustenance of the Amnesty programme among others.

    “The people of South South now understand and have clearly seen Buhari’s genuine commitment and good plans for the development of the region, and that is why the people of the region would cast their votes for President Buhari at the presidential election on February 16”, he said.

    Tamuno further noted that with the overwhelming outcome of the Presidential and Delta State Campaign flag off in Warri Township Stadium; it is an indication that President Buhari is sure of victory, adding that after the election the region will put forward competent and patriotic leaders to work with President Buhari to move the region forward.

  • Anambra monarch donates campaign vehicle to Buhari

    His Royal Highness, Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo, an Anambra monarch on Saturday in Abuja donated a Toyota Hilux vehicle to President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign.

    Ezebuilo said that he made the donation in appreciation of the sterling performance of Buhari since he assumed office.

    The paramount ruler of Amanuke kingdom, Awka-North, Anambra State, said that the re-election of President Buhari would consolidate his achievements.

    According to the monarch, the president has done well in the areas of infrastructure, anti-corruption, transport and economy.

    He said the donation was to help facilitate movements during campaign for Buhari, who he said, deserved a second term in office.

    Ezebuilo said that the president’s determination to ensure transparency in governance was commendable, and a path to securing a better future for the country.

    The Igwe called for massive support for the President’s anti-corruption drive, stressing that alleged corrupt public officers had been prosecuted and billions of naira in stolen funds, recovered.

    Read Also: Nigeria on path to development, says Buhari

    He said that the success of the whistle blower policy was laudable, stressing that a continuity in this direction would restore sanity in Nigeria.

    Mr Mahmoud Mohammed, the Director of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign office, who received the donation at the office in Abuja, commended the monarch and promised to ensure that the vehicle was used for its purpose.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Igwe then handed the keys to the vehicle to Mohammed. (NAN)

    His Royal Highness, Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo, an Anambra monarch on Saturday in Abuja donated a Toyota Hilux vehicle to President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign.

    Ezebuilo said that he made the donation in appreciation of the sterling performance of Buhari since he assumed office.

    The paramount ruler of Amanuke kingdom, Awka-North, Anambra State, said that the re-election of President Buhari would consolidate his achievements.

    According to the monarch, the president has done well in the areas of infrastructure, anti-corruption, transport and economy.

    He said the donation was to help facilitate movements during campaign for Buhari, who he said, deserved a second term in office.

    Ezebuilo said that the president’s determination to ensure transparency in governance was commendable, and a path to securing a better future for the country.

    The Igwe called for massive support for the President’s anti-corruption drive, stressing that alleged corrupt public officers had been prosecuted and billions of naira in stolen funds, recovered.

    He said that the success of the whistle blower policy was laudable, stressing that a continuity in this direction would restore sanity in Nigeria.

    Mr Mahmoud Mohammed, the Director of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign office, who received the donation at the office in Abuja, commended the monarch and promised to ensure that the vehicle was used for its purpose.

    The Igwe then handed the keys to the vehicle to Mohammed.

    NAN

     

  • Atiku endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Chieftains of Ohaneze Ndigbo are split over the purported endorsement of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Abubakar Atiku by the organisation.

    It would be recalled that an arm of the organisation known as ‘Ime Obi’ arising from its meeting on Thursday, declared support for Atiku on the grounds that he was running with an Igbo man, Mr Peter Obi.

    This endorsement is in clear contrast of earlier stance of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation of not endorsing any of the presidential candidates.

    However, a former Secretary General of the organisation, Chief Obiora Ozobu, described the move as a hoax and personal invention of the President General of the organisation, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

    Ozobu, who disclosed this in Enugu on Thursday during a media briefing appealed to the people of the area to ignore the endorsement.

    He described it as a mischievous act aimed at causing division among Ndigbo.

    He said that Nwodo lacked the capacity to summon a meeting of ‘Ime Obi’ because his tenure as president general had lapsed.

    He also wondered why such meeting was held on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was in Anambra and Enugu States for his presidential campaign when the Zik mausoleum was inaugurated.

    He said that the leaders of the organisation were expected to participate actively in the inauguration ceremony of the project which was started 23 years ago but completed by Buhari.

    Ozobu said that the meeting could be best described as a meeting of friends of Atiku and did not represent the wishes of the people of the area.

    “The meeting is an attempt to perpetuate Nwodo in office. Granted that there were attempts to extend the tenure of Ohaneze executives to four but such has not materialised,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige described the move as unfortunate, adding that the endorsement of presidential candidates had never done anything good for Ndigbo.

    Ngige said that Ohaneze as a socio-cultural organisation had no business endorsing a particular candidate.

    The minister said that it was obvious that Nwodo had divided the organisation along party lines, adding that “we will fight this out.”

    Former Enugu State governor, Mr Sullivan Chime noted that the said endorsement was done by those that had left office.

    “It was not a meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo but a meeting between Nwodo and his friends. Ohaneze has no business doing what that group did,” Chime said.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, similarly said that it was inappropriate for such a meeting to hold at a time Buhari was in the South East for his campaign.

    Read Also:Breaking: I’ve not resigned, says Onnoghen

     

    Onyeama described the purported meeting as a calculated attempt to exclude a significant number of the people from such gathering, assuming it was a meeting of Ohaneze.

    “A significant number of the membership was not present at the meeting assuming it was a meeting of Ohaneze. So it is inappropriate to have a meeting of such magnitude,” Onyeama said.

    Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, said that such position made no meaning to the people of the area.

    “Our sons and daughters belong to many political parties and our people have never voted as a block but according to their conscience,” he said.

    Nnamani said that such position was not in the best interest of the people and would not stand.

    In a reaction, the Personal Assistant to the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Mr Emeka Attamah, said that everyone was entitled to their opinions.

    Attamah said that Ohaneze Ndigbo had endorsed who they wanted, adding that the people kicking against it were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said that it was misleading to say that the tenure of the executive members of the organisation was two years, adding that the constitution had been amended to reflect the current four-year tenure.

    “The tenure is four years and they should go to court to contest,” Attamah said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other chieftains of the organisation at the briefing are the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and Chief Osita Okechukwu among others.