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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • ‘Buhari’ll win 95 percent of Southwest votes’

    A group of grassroots farmers, artisans, politicians, non-politicians, traders, religious leaders, community leaders, youths, market men and women from the Southwest have assured not less than 90 or 95 percent of total votes in the region will be for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The group christened ‘Southwest Frontiers For Buhari 2019’ said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has no moral ground to condemn the Buhari’s administration for correcting years of PDP’s misrule.

    Speaking after an executive meeting of the group at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, it noted the less than four years of the APC has proved to the whole world the “misgovernance, misrule and plundering of the nation’s treasury, perpetrated by the PDP in their 16 years of being in power.”

    The group, however, added said another four years for Buhari was required to nail corruption and set the nation on the right path.

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    Southwest Coordinator of the group Mr. Ayodele Joseph told reporters the Frontier will battle the PDP in the forthcoming elections because of confidence in the efforts of President Buhari.

    He said the group whose membership traverse all political parties and age group are not necessarily politicians or members of any particular political party but those who believe in the integrity and good intentions of Buhari to restore the nation to the path of honour.

    Ayodele appealed to leadership of the ruling APC in the Southwest to cooperate with the group because of the makeup of its members, which he said also included non-card-carrying members of the APC.

    Explaining the strategy to achieve the massive vote for Buhari’s victory, the National Public Relations Officer, Prince Omowunmi Samuel said the group is structured to have coordinators at the state, local government, wards and voting unit levels.

    He said the group with at least 50 members at the unit level has embarked on aggressive door-to-door campaign to enlighten the people on the various efforts of Buhari to ensure its reelection.

  • Glamour as Southeast women, youths mobilise for Buhari

    The Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital was filled to capacity as women, youths and other stakeholders in President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid gathered to show solidarity. OKODILI NDIDI reports that if huge crowd could be a criterion for victory in any election, then the APC is the party to beat in Imo and in the Southeast

    Saturday, January 12 will remain evergreen in the minds of Imo electorate, especially lovers of President Muhammadu Buhari who believe he deserves a second term.

    That day, the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, the Imo State capital, was filled to its capacity as women, youths and other stakeholders in President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid gathered to show solidarity.

    As early as 12 noon that day, the expansive arena had begun to witness massive influx of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    So, for several hours party enthusiasts sang and danced to beautiful music provided by some artistes. In their chants, party faithful extolled the sterling qualities of President Buhari, even as they encouraged others to support the APC presidential candidate based on their conviction that he has achieved much within very short time.

    Nature, as if in total agreement with the frame of mind of proponents of Buhari’s second term bid, played very rewarding role. The hot scotching sun became humane. The harsh atmosphere suddenly turned out to be friendly as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.

    Expectedly, Igbo women known for their panache were a marvel to behold. Even in political gatherings, you can’t take away the shine from them.

    It was glamour and frills as thousands of women across the Southeast geo-political zone gathered in solidarity for the re-election bid of President Buhari.

    Their beautiful regalia were as distinct as the ode, so much so that one may be tempted to conclude that the gathering was for a colourful festival. This much was as a result of the fact that the rally was not as hostile and electric as some typical political events.

    Gaily dressed women from across the five states of the Southeast namely Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu, took turns to flaunt their costumes and beautiful songs, before settling down for the business of the day.

    The massive turnout at the rally organised to mobilise the Southeast women and youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC), was enough to cheer the hearts of the proponents of President Buhari’s second term agenda.

    Apparently impressed with the massive support, leader of the Presidential Campaign team for women and youths and wife of the President, Aisha Buhari advised the women and youths to protect their votes.

    She urged the APC supporters not to leave the polling units after voting on the Election Day but should wait until the votes were counted and recorded.

    The President’s wife assured that the APC will take Nigerians to the next level and they should therefore vote for President Buhari for second term.

    According to Buhari’s wife who was represented by the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, the APC is taking us to the next level. The government of President Buhari is working for men, women, youths and children. The government cares for all. Everybody should vote for the APC. Nobody should be at home on the day of elections, but should vote for President Buhari and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    Continuing, she said: “Again, do not vote and go home. Wait until the votes are counted. Nobody should fight on the day of election. The government of President Buhari is interested in the youths. I am proud to be a Nigerian woman because our women are hardworking, beautiful and successful.”

    In his speech, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha said: “In Imo State and, by extension, southeast, need Buhari more than any other zone in Nigeria because we know what President Buhari’s victory in the 2019 general elections will be beneficial for Ndigbo. It is for this reason that we therefore urge all of you, the campaigners for Buhari, not to waste your time in Imo State. Imo victory for President Buhari has been signed, sealed and delivered.”

    Continuing, the governor said: “Standing here today, is that lonely voice in 2015 that stood for President Buhari when no one believed in him. It was still on this same place that I renamed Mr. President in order to woo the votes of Ndigbo. I renamed him Okechukwu Buhari.

    “Then, most of the gladiators or those who seek interest now were never there. I provided victory when it was very difficult.”

    The governor maintained that: “We have equally consulted with other political parties, especially those with weak presidential candidates or those with no presidential candidates at all. In Imo State, we have about 47 political parties supporting the re-election bid of President Buhari.

    “The leading party in this regard with strong support for Buhari is the Action Alliance (AA) led by Ugwumba Uche Nwosu. Let me inform all of you that Ugwumba Uche Nwosu is APC in spirit and AA in dressing. He is still one of you and only using the platform to correct an injustice done to Imo people.

    “The APC leadership owes Imo people an apology. They treated Imo people poorly. There is no point bothering yourself, Buhari will win this election not because APC has supported us but because of our love for Buhari. Let me inform those from Abuja, don’t be deceived by what they tell you, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu will win the governorship election in Imo State.”

    In his speech, the Chairman of the Central Working Committee of the Presidential Campaign Council for women and youths, General Buba Marwa, said with the mammoth crowd that attended the rally; it was obvious that APC is the party to beat in Imo and in the Southeast.

    Earlier in her speech, the Southeast Director of the Women and Youths of the Presidential Campaign team, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha stated that the women and youths have agreed to vote massively for President Buhari to enable him to take Nigerians to the Promised Land, adding that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

    Some of the APC stalwarts at the rally included the Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, General Buba Marwa, wives of three governors namely Mrs. Obaseki (Edo), Nana Shettima (Borno), Zainaba Shinkafi Baguda (Kebbi) and Mrs. Chibuike Amaechi,

    Others were, Chief Uche Ogah, Senator Andy Ubah, Senator Majiri Okadigbo, Mrs. Uloma Akpabio, Chief Hope Uzodinma and the National Women Leader of the APC, Hajia Salamatu Eluma.

  • Ijaw youths march in support of Buhari’s re-election

    Ijaw youths resident in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday embarked on solidarity march in support of President Muhammadu Buhari re-election.

    The youths led by President of the Ijaw Youth Association in Northern Nigeria, Mr Eniyekeye Akasah had stormed the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) office on a solidarity match in support of Buhari.

    The association also commended the Coordinator PAP, Prof. Charles Dokubo for his good work in the programme.

    They noted the solidarity match was to galvanize support for Buhari’s re-election in the forthcoming general election.

    Akasah said the group has scheduled a Town Hall meeting for Tuesday, January 29 in Abuja to endorse President Buhari for a second term, adding that plans are also underway to hold a three-million-man march in the nation’s capital.

    According to him, since Dokubo came into office, all the moribund training centres, has been revamped. So, the whole world should disregard the sponsored petitions and protests against him.

    “We are here to tell the whole world that President Buhari and Prof. Charles Dokubo have done well. For the past nine months that Mr President appointed him, he has done enough.

    “We are saying they should give him enough space to work. Give him time so that everybody will benefit from the programme.

    “We are queuing behind President Buhari and Prof. Dokubo because they’ve done well and will move Niger Delta to the Next Level,” he said.

    Receiving the youths, Dokubo expressed appreciation to them for publicly demonstrating support for him and Buhari.

    He assured them that the office would be used under his watch to transform youths in the Niger Delta region.

    “I was appointed to change the tune and narratives in the Niger Delta, so this office belongs to everybody from Niger Delta. You are supposed to benefit from it; to transform you.

    “It is not only about paying N65, 000. It is for making you to realise that you must work for the president through this office, which has been supported by him”.

    While urging them to be united and organised, Dokubo stressed his determination to ensure that the programme was refocused to achieve its original mandate and transform its beneficiaries to become change agents.

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    ”I will work hard for the Amnesty Programme; I will make sure that the people of Niger Delta benefit from this organisation. If they do not benefit, I would have also destroyed myself.

    “I am really elated. For you to have come out from your tight schedules and come to this office, I am ready to give you any support.

    “This is the support I need more than any other thing. This is your home. This is the capital of Niger Delta. So, let us work together.

    “Let us stop bringing down people. Let us work for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Dokubo appealed.

  • Freezing CJN’s accounts contemptuous, say Agbakoba, Falana, Ozekhome

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and activist-lawyers Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN) on Thursday urged the Federal Government to withdraw the order freezing the bank accounts of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Ononghen.

    They described the directive issued by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to freeze the accounts as illegal and sub judice.

    This was as activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa argued that the Executive Order 6 relied on by the AGF was inapplicable in Onnoghen’s case.

    Agbakoba believes the AGF does not have the authority to issues such directive to NFIU.

    He said: “To repeat, the AGF has no authority to issue a directive to NFIU to freeze the CJN’s bank accounts as the matter is already pending before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and is therefore sub judice.

    “The proper forum to issue the order at all would be the CCT itself and not the AGF.”

    Falana, in a statement, said since a charge is pending before the CCT, neither the prosecutor nor the defence counsel is permitted by law to resort to self-help under the pretext of preserving the “res” or the subject matter of the criminal proceedings.

    Though the Presidential Executive Order No 6 of 2018 has been validated by the Federal High Court, Falana argued that it does not authorize the freezing of the bank accounts or assets of any defendant who has been charged with economic or financial crime or the contravention of the code of conduct for public officers.

    The SAN said: “It is trite law that once a charge has been instituted in a criminal court or at the CCT, the freezing of the bank accounts or seizure of the assets of the defendant has to be anchored on the valid order of the trial court based on the application of the prosecution. This procedure accords with the rule of law.

    “For the umpteenth time, the Buhari administration ought to be reminded that even under a fascist military junta, Andrew Otutu Obaseki J.S.C. of blessed memory spoke for the Supreme Court when he said inter alia: ‘In the area where the rule of law operates, the rule of self-help by force is abandoned. Nigeria being  one of the  countries in the world, even in the third world which proclaim loudly to follow the rule of law, there is no room for the rule of self-help by force to operate.

    “‘Once a dispute has arisen between a person and the government or authority and the dispute has been brought before the court thereby invoking the judicial powers of the State, it is the duty of the government to allow the legal and judicial process to run its full course.’”

    The activist-lawyer said he was compelled to call on the Federal Government to withdraw the charge as it was inexorably designed to end in a prosecutorial fiasco.

    “Since it has now been confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari was not taken into confidence before the charge was filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau, it is high time that the Federal Government terminated the criminal proceedings and advised the petitioner to submit his complaint to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    “No doubt, the Federal Government may not like the much cited case of Nganjiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria. Personally, I have had cause to criticise the judgment.

    “But until it is set aside by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the discipline of judicial officers has to be conducted and concluded by the NJC before they are subjected to criminal proceedings,” Falana maintained.

    Ozekhome described the directive as “doubly illegal, unconstitutional, wrongful and unlawful.”

    According to him, the AGF contravened the order of a Federal High Court judgment which required the government to obtain a court order before it can lawfully deploy Presidential Executive Order No: 6.

    Ozekhome said: “Firstly, the Presidency said it was not aware that the CJN was going to be arraigned. Now, on the same Monday it was making its denial, the AGF was writing a letter, which has since gone viral, to the NFIU to freeze the CJN’s accounts, based allegedly on the provisions of Order 6.

    “I argued last July when this order was rolled out that the order itself was illegal, unconstitutional, invalid and even immoral, because it was trying to empower the President to seize or block a citizen’s account, or prevent a Nigerian citizen from travelling without a court order to that effect.

    “The government then tried to rely on a judgment by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu which validated the order as not being unconstitutional.

    “But Justice Ojukwu’s judgment made it very clear that for the order to be valid, for any citizen’s account to be blocked, or for any citizen to be prevented from travelling abroad, the government must first obtain a valid court order empowering it to do so.

    “The judgment is there and it’s very clear, because that is the order the AGF is relying on. You cannot rely on an order beyond what the order itself provides. Therefore, the judgment directly overrode the provisions of the order.

    “In this case, it has not been shown that the Attorney-General obtained any court order, prior to allegedly directing the NFIU to freeze the account.

    “That again makes it doubly illegal, unconstitutional, wrongful and unlawful.”

    For Adegboruwa, the letter written by the AGF to the NFIU “is misplaced”, adding that CJN’s current travails “is unnecessary”.

    He said: “The Executive Order 6 has to do with those who have corruption cases still pending in court, and their names were actually listed in that order – about 155 cases. At the time the order was enforced, this case had not started.

    “The charge against the CJN is not about corruption. It’s a matter of omission to declare assets. There is nobody who has said that the assets are proceeds of crime. There is no such allegation now at all. So Executive Order 6 cannot apply.”

    Adegboruwa disagreed with those asking Chief Justice Onnoghen to clear his name, saying things must be done properly.

    “I support that nobody is above the law but I think that the current effort to demonise the Judiciary through the office of the CJN is not in the best interest of this nation. It will be counter-productive.

    “Our law accommodates everything. You must have a key to enter the courtroom. There is nothing technical about jurisdiction. It was raised on behalf of President Buhari during his certificate case. You don’t jump the gun. There is what we call condition precedent.

    “After all, judges that were taken before the NJC, like Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, has since been dismissed. We can’t bury anything under the ground but we’re saying follow due process,” the lawyer said.

    He also faulted the manner in which details about the charge was made public, saying the CJN’s family is being endangered.

    “Now we have the form filled by the CJN with his handwriting all over the social media, with his private telephone number, names of his family members, his children. Tat is not how to treat the number four citizen of this country. I don’t think the government can be fighting against itself. A house divided against itself cannot stand,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has summoned a meeting of all SANs to discuss Chief Justice Onnoghen’s travails.

    A Senior Advocate, whose views were sought on the issue, said: “The Body of Senior Advocates has scheduled a meeting to discuss the matter on Saturday.

    “So, I don’t want to pre-empt what we have to discuss. All the SANs will be there. We’ll table the issues and take a position together. If I say anything now I might undermine their position.”

  • Don’t renew BEDC license, Oba of Benin tells Buhari

    The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to renew the license of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) for its inability to provide electricity.

    Oba Ewuare II appealed to Buhari to support Governor’s Godwin Obaseki’s quest to seeking an alternative sources of providing electricity to meet the demand of the people of the state.

    Ewuare II spoke when President Buhari paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Benin City during his campaign tour of the state.

    According to him: “Electricity supply is no doubt key to the development of any society.

    “Unfortunately, over the years the people of Edo State have experienced inadequate electricity supply by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    “In fact, during one of the meetings of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, we issued a communique condemning the inefficient performance of BEDC, including its estimated billing method.

    “We also called for the withdrawal of the operational license of BEDC. In its place, Traditional Rulers appealed to the federal government to encourage and support the efforts of Edo State government in seeking alternative sources of providing electricity to meet the demand of the people.”

    The Bénin Monarch also hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the sustained fight against corruption and commended efforts at curtailing activities of Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country.

    He urged politicians to be more patriotic and concerned about the security and welfare of the people.

    “Politicians on their part should endeavor to be more patriotic and be concerned about the security and welfare of the people which of course is the primary purpose of government.

    “As the 2019 general elections draw near, it is pertinent to call on politicians to let the interest of Nigerian and Nigerians be uppermost in their mind.

    “Consequently, they should not do anything that would undermine our collective peace, unity and progress. They should not engage in acts that could truncate our democracy”, he said.

    The Oba of Benin noted efforts should be intensified to ensure dualization of the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja highway is completed to ease the movement of goods and services as well as save lives of motorists and travelers on that ever busy road.

    Buhari commended the Benin monarch for his roles in stabilizing the nation’s politics.

    He assured him of never to relent in his fight against corruption and ensuring adequate security for the people of the country.

    He also promised to look into the request presented by the Oba of Benin.

  • Buhari campaigns in Benin

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that he will continue to work for the interest of ordinary Nigerians, urging them to vote for him in the presidential elections on February 16, so he can continue to deliver on the pledge to fight corruption, revitalize the economy and improve security, which are the cardinal policy thrusts of his administration.

    The President said this at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Rally in Edo State, which held at Garrick Memorial School, in Ekehuan Road, Benin City, the state capital.

    He assured that he will get the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to make public how much money has been recovered and what government intends to do with it.

    “We are doing our best in fighting corruption. I assure you that very soon, I will instruct the EFCC and the ICPC to address a joint press conference to tell Nigerians what has been recovered and what we will do with the recovered funds,” he said.

    The President was accompanied to the venue of the rally by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and other party leaders across the nation.

    Buhari said he is in the state to remind Edo people of the fundamental promises made in 2015, relaying what his administration has achieved in the areas of security, agriculture and the fight against corruption.

    “We have made the North-East safer than we met it. We have given soft loans to farmers to enable the nation to attain food security. We have saved a lot of money in dollars by not importing.

    “Please vote APC from top to bottom for the party to occupy the States’ Houses of Assembly; National Assembly and the Presidency,” he urged.

    Governor Obaseki said that the progress being recorded in the state was made possible by the President’s support.

    He said, “In Edo, when you see a masquerade dancing very well, you must know that somebody is beating the drum that is making it dance. Are we dancing well in Edo? Is your governor doing well? Are we paying salaries? Are we paying pensions? Are we training our teachers?

    “Are we building our industrial park? Are we going to build a River Port? The drummer who is making all of these happen is here today. He is our president, President Muhammadu Buhari. There is nothing I could have done in the last two years without President Buhari,” he added.

    Noting that the President came to the rescue of the state when the previous government almost scuttled the plan to build the Edo-Azura Power Plant, he said, “The president has done what we expected him to do. He has given us direction. I said to him, remember when you resumed office, within 60 days, former Governor Oshiomhole came to you and said you should help us with Azura Power Plant. He asked the President to give us a letter so that we can raise money to build that power Plant. The people before them refused to give us that letter. They were demanding for $20 million bribe, which we did not have.”

    National Chairman of APC, Comrade Oshiomhole commended the President on his support for the state and the governor, noting that the president’s efforts helped in paying off debts incurred by the previous administration.

    Hailing the President for his social investment programmes, he said “There are things that you have done that has shown where your heart is. Your constituency is the masses, which is why you created the social investment programme, which includes the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, N-Power and MarketMoni.”

    He said he was proud of Governor Obaseki for improving on what was done in his time as a governor, noting that the governor has added value to governance.

    Earlier, Governor Obaseki led other members of the State’s Executive Council in receiving the President at the Benin Airport, at 3.05pm. The President was on board the presidential aircraft marked 5N-FGN.

    After arriving the Airport, the President was driven to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, where he went to pay homage to the revered monarch.

    In anticipation of the President’s arrival, a mammoth crowd had besieged the Benin Airport by noon on Thursday, to receive the President for the state’s leg of his re-election campaign.

    Members of the ruling APC from different parts of the state as well as the party’s supporters were colourfully dressed to receive the country’s number one citizen at the Airport.

    Chairman, Buhari Supporters Organization, Arewa Chapter, Edo State, Abdullah Baba, said the president’s visit to the state is a welcome development.

    Baba said the organization was at the Airport to receive him because of his developmental strides across the country.

  • Mammoth crowd troop Benin Airport for Buhari

    The Benin Airport was agog on Thursday when mammoth crowd  troop the Airport to await the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign in the state.

    Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), from different parts of the state and party supporters were also seen colorfully dressed to receive the number one citizen of the country.

    The National Chairman, Buhari Supporters’ Organisation, Arewa Chapter, Edo, Abdullah Baba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the president’s visit was a welcome development.

    Baba said that the organisation was at the airport to receive him because of his developmental strides in the country.

    ‘‘We are expecting him to come and go back peacefully and we hope and pray that he would win the presidential election and the country will be changed for good, “he said.

    Read Also: PDP begs Buhari to visit Benin Central hospital

    Among those on ground to receive the president were youths, Association of Market Women and the Bini cultural dance troupe.

    Similarly, Leader, Igbo Cultural Group, Edo branch, Chief Fecus Ezekwere, said Buhari deserved second term so that he could complete his fight against corruption .

    ‘‘We are here to give our full support to President Buhari to run for second term.

    “He has done well in the areas of road project, creation of jobs, and fight against corruption among others.

    ‘‘So we decided we must give him the needed support to finish the good work he has started,” Ezekwere said.

    NAN

     

  • Buratai: A study in warfare

    The story of the Nigerian Army is such that invokes memories of exploits, especially in the Sub Saharan Africa. In times past, the Nigerian Army won countless laurels in its operations so much to the envy of other nations. At a point, the Nigerian Army was adjudged one of the best professional armies in the world.

    Nigerians were indeed proud of the Nigerian Army, and it became a thing of pride for one to be enlisted as either an officer or a soldier in the Nigerian Army. This euphoria continued until the advent of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. And that era saw to the gradual and steady decline in the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army for some strange reasons.

    We didn’t notice the decline until we were confronted with the Boko Haram challenge from 2009. So much that the Nigerian Army has lost its footing on the threats posed by evolving warfare such as cyber warfare, insurgency, terrorism, nuclear warfare and other forms of unconventional wars. It was so apparent that the Nigerian Army was still leaving on past glory. And this gave rise to the casualties it suffered during the early stages of the Boko Haram crisis.

    The Nigerian Army was at its lowest ebb. The morale of the fighting troops was at an astonishing low. And Boko Haram continued to gain grounds so much so that over 16 local government areas in North East Nigeria fell under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists. Other parts of the country too were not safe including the federal capital territory that witnessed scores of Boko Haram attacks. This was as recent as 2015. It was such a bad tale to recount in the annals of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army.

    But all of that has changed for the better as we are now witnesses to the return of the Nigerian Army to the path of glory in the past three years. In my opinion, there is no way one can talk about the return of the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army without mentioning two people. One is the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari and also the dynamic Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

    How the Nigerian Army has achieved total peace for Nigeria is still what observers and researchers are still battling to unravel despite the security threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorists and other militant groups such as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), the Niger Delta Avengers, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This is mainly on the heels of the fact that before the coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army was a shadow of its self. In truth, we had a Nigerian Army that was just some kilometres away before its final disintegration. But not anymore.

    I am of the opinion that God truly loves this country. If not for the intervention that saw the coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the subsequent appointment of a dexterous general as the Chief of Army Staff, I wonder what would have been left of Nigeria with the ferocity with which the Boko Haram terrorist carried on. The terrorists and other militant groups would have overrun Nigeria.

    That the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai was able to turn the tide against the enemies of the country is indeed an indication of capacity and strategic intelligence. I stand to be corrected. For the Nigerian Army to carry out operations simultaneously across the country and was still able to maintain peace is an indication that the Nigerian Army has been repositioned for operational effectiveness by none other than Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai. Little wonder the avalanche of awards that have come his way? Worthy of mention is the award of the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, which is the highest military honour awarded to military officers that have distinguished themselves in various military endeavours.

    Read Also:‘Army will deal with those planning to scuttle elections’

    The likes of Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai should be a topic of research for military historians on how he was able to take the deplorable Nigerian Army to an effective operational force in a record three years. In my opinion, the topic of the research should read “Army Leadership in Nigeria and operational effectiveness: a case study of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.”

    In so doing, other upcoming officers and commanders would have something to chew on when the lot falls on them. In truth, this is what is obtainable in western climes ass it is done to the likes of General David Petraeus. It is indeed a record feat for Nigeria to have turned the tide against the Boko Haram terrorist. And it explains why the war exploits of Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai should be subject to a robust academic pursuit.

    One of the landmarks of the operations of the Nigeria Army in North East Nigeria is the creation of the Special Strike Force that has continued to lead the onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists in North East Nigeria. In my opinion, the establishment of the Strike Force was the game changer and in conformity with the famous quote by General David Petraeus that says “Life is a competitive endeavour. And there’s nothing more competitive, obviously, than combat.”

    And I could not agree less. It takes a whole lot of thinking outside the box when fighting an unconventional war. You must be prepared to assess the psychological state of the terrorist to be able to formulate an effective counter-strategy. This much I have noticed was deployed by the Nigeria Army in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and other militant groups in Nigerian from 2015 to date. And with the present state of the Nigerian Army, it is just a matter of time for the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists to be wiped completely. Need I say more? Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is indeed a study in warfare.

    Onmeje is a media strategist based in the United Kingdom.

  • Buhari declines assent to five bills

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assent to five bills passed by the National Assembly.

    The affected bills according to the President included the Maritime security Operation Coordination Board (amendment) bill 2018; the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (amendment) bill 2018 and Bankruptcy and Insolvency bill, 2018.

    Others bills which President Buhari refused to sign were the Federal Polytechnic (amendment) bill 2018 and the Energy Commission (amendment) bill, 2018.

    On Maritime Security Coordination Board bill, President Buhari said that he declined assent because the proposed amendment will create distortions and duplications with the functions and operations of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    On the RMAFC bill, the President said that the proposed amendment bill will interfere with and obstruct the smooth administration of revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government.

    On the bankruptcy and insolvency proposed bill, President said that he declined assent due to drafting issues that affected that clarity and understanding of the bill and may impair the effective operation of the bill.

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    On the Polytechnic amendment bill, the President said that Section16(1)(2) of the amendment bill, which subjects the removal of the Governing Council members and Rector of Polytechnics to the approval of the Federal Executive Council as a body, instead of the President’s approval as is obtained in the Principal Act, will make the removal process more administratively cumbersome.

    On the Energy Commission, President Buhari said that he declined assent because the proposed Section 8 of the bill for the Energy Commission to receive and annual subvention of not less than 0.5% from the Federation Account is unconstitutional.

    He said that the proposal negates the clear provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 with regard to appropriation and disbursement from the Federation Account.

  • PDP begs Buhari to visit Benin Central hospital

    The People’s Democratic Party in Edo State has begged President Muhammadu Buhari to pay a visit to the new five star Benin Central hospitals he (Buhari) commissioned two years ago.

    It urged President Buhari to not only come to Edo to campaign for votes but to see if the Central Hospital projects he was made to commission by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole is actually working.

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, in a press statement said the “5 star hospital” has neither recorded any out-patient, nor admitted any in-patient.

    Chief Orbih said the building hosts only rodents and reptiles.

    Orbih states that former Governor Oshiomole ‘cleverly executed the project as a scam to defraud the state and deny the people access to good health facilities.

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    He urged President Buhari to prevail on Edo State government to avail Edo people the dividends of democracy, particularly in the health sector.

    According to him, “Our concern over this despicable act, Mr. President, is not just that billions of taxpayers’ money was sunk into this phoney project, but you were persuaded to commission a non-existent hospital that makes it look like you were party to the deceit and fraud.

    “Mr. President we urge you to pay a second visit to the central Hospital to enable you appreciate the disappointment of the people over this central Hospital scandal of fraud and deceit. We call on you to use your office to direct relevant government agencies to commence immediate investigation and necessary action to bring the principal actors to book.

    A top government official who pleaded anonymity said Chief Orbih was not well informed about the current state of the hospital.

    The official said the hospital has been fully equipped but that the state government is looking at the best way to run the hospital before it is open to the public.