The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Atiku to Supporters: Reject APC

    Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Monday urged the people to  reject President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress(APC) at the poll during the next month general election.

    Besides,he charged them to monitor and ensure that they vote  a competent person to run the affairs of the country

    According to the former Vice President,the coming election would determine the future of the country.

    Speaking at a campaign rally at MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, Atiku said Buhari was no more competent to rule the country.

    He said the problems that were facing the country could only be solved if the people of the nation come out massively to reject APC in the coming election.

    According to him, the nation needed someone that is competent and has experience to revive the dwindling economy of the country.

    Atiku said “We have insecurity in North West, North Central and we have problem of the
    insecurity all over the nation.

    They promised to create jobs but we have lost more than ten million jobs.They stole your jobs, do you now want them to steal your votes.

    Read Also: Buhari versus Atiku: How states will vote

    “Do you know why are said they are planning to steal your votes, it is
    because they are not talking to you.

    “But here in PDP, we are not doing that becuase our people are talking to you, and all engaging you”.

    The PDP presidential candidate reiterated his promises to channel forty percent of his cabinet for the youth and 30 percent for the woman thereby making it seventy percent

    National Chairman, Uche Secondus said the country had been plunged into crisis under the APC’s government.

    Secondus, however, noted that President Buhari has only been shying away on his responsibilities to develop the nation’s economy.

    He said” The President that we all have had been sleeping, he has been sleeping for 24 hours and that is the reasons why the economy is dwindling and the depleting.

    The Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign
    Council,Dr Bukola Saraki said there were too much sufferings and hunger under the APC

    Sakari described the anti-corruption war of the APC as a ‘total scam’, noting that it was aimed at perceived enemies.

    According to him, Ondo state remains a PDP state and urged the people to shine their eyes.

  • PCRC calls for extension of IG`s tenure

    The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Ibrahim Idris`s tenure of office.

    Idris would attain the mandatory retirement age of 60 on Jan. 15.

    The Deputy National Chairman (North) of PCRC, Alhaji Sanusi Ajiya, made the call on Monday in Abuja after a peaceful march to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja.

    He was represented by Prof. Nick Eze, National Vice chairman of PCRC.

    He said that Idris had recorded unprecedented achievements in the area of security, adding that tenure extension of any official was the prerogative of the president.

    Read Also: Adamawa to partner PCRC on peace

    “We appeal to President Buhari in the interest of Nigerians to extend his tenure of office, we need him at this critical time in the country,“ he said.

    Ajiya said that those campaigning for the removal of the I-G were enemies of progress, adding that extension would allow him to do more for the country.

    He said that under the leadership of Idris, kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling among other crimes have been checked.

    He said that it was on record that this extension was not the first time as other police chiefs have enjoyed the same benefits.

    NAN

  • ‘Atiku, PDP not committed to southern Presidency in 2023’

    The APC Women and Youth Presidential Campaign has alleged that the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar were not committed to returning power to the south in 2023, saying his refusal was creating instability in the country.

    Chairman of the Media and Strategic Communications of the campaign team, Hon. Abdulmunini Jibrin who spoke at a news conference in Abuja said Atiku Abubakar and his political party were the biggest threat to security and stability of the nation today, stressing however that the PDP candidate may however be forced to commit a commitment which he does not believe in and will not implement if he becomes President.

    Jibrin said southerners should ask the PDP and its Presidential candidate what they have done wrong that they want to take away their right in 2023.

    He said: “We all know that power should and will go to the south in 2023 and every zone in the south is entitled to it. The south-south is qualified for it, the south east is qualified for it and the south west is equally qualified. But then, it is your contribution and your ability to negotiate within the party system as well as the value you bring in board that will determine where power will go. I think this has sent an instructive message to all of us.

    “We are relaxed because we are talking within the circle of the party. One thing the party believed in is that there should be fairness and justice in this country and we all believe that by 2023, power will go back to the south.

    “As sensitive as this matter is, we have people in the opposition PDP contesting for the presidency and even the party itself who have decided to incite the North, insisting that power will not shift. That is why the PDP presidential candidate has refused to commit to one term which is a simple thing to do.

    “What does it take for him to commit and say, if I win, I will serve one term because from 2023, it will be the turn of the south to produce the President. There is nothing like that. If tomorrow he comes out to commit to it, you should know that he does not really believe in that because since he won the nomination, what has stopped him from committing to it.

    “If he does today, it will be because of pressure and not because he believe in it and at the end, he may give it a Jonathan treatment and will say it is not in the agreement. That his refusal to commit is already creating instability and is a potential threat to the stability of the country because they are determined to hold on to power in 2023. That is the agenda of the PDP and its Presidential candidate.

    “So, the south should ask them where they have offended them that they want to withhold what belong to them. In the APC, there is fairness, justice and equity and we are determined that power should go to the southern part of the country in 2023.”

    Read Also: Atiku’s campaign office in Ebonyi attacked

    He said further that “The biggest threat to the stability of this country is the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the Director-General of Atiku Campaign, Bukola Saraki who are taking Nigerians for granted by muting the idea to incite the north not to support power transfer to the southern part of the country after president Muhammadu Buhari completes his second term in a clear attempt to short change the southern part of Nigeria.

    “No wonder, the PDP presidential candidate has refused to commit to returning power to the Southern part of the country after 2023. This is even after concerted pressure by many of their stake holders.

    “This is already heating up our polity with combined negative consequences on our economy, security and general development. So, if we are talking about the politicians who are threatening the foundation of the peace and security of our country, the cap fits Saraki and Atiku.”

    On the performance of the President, Jibrin said “there has never been any government in the history of this country that has created more jobs like the Buhari administration. Even more commendable is the quantum of jobs that has been created within this period of time. In any case, I am in a position to say this because I have been in government for a couple of years and in the previous administration, we can say what we saw.

    “I have said this repeatedly that never have we seen the kind of massive infrastructural development in the history of this country like what we are expecting at the moment and you know the multiplier effect. Manufacturers, construction, labourers, employers are benefiting because a lot of jobs are being creates.

    “Then, the special intervention programmes, the N-Power, the startups that the Vice President is right now going round the country giving out. Why can’t we open our eyes and look at that? There is also the Anchor borrower scheme which has created 12 million farmers who are living in prosperity. What do you call jobs and what are the indices that you use.

    “Everybody knows that the growth rate has never been this good. The opposition can continue to hammer on that, but Nigerians will continue to remind them of their records of stealing and sharing of money. That is no longer happening.”

    On the issue of Buhari being a dictator, he said “As far as we concerned and as far as available records suggests, President Muhammadu Buhari is the most Democratic President has ever had. We have seen how previous Presidents of this country dealt with issues. Buhari is a President who follows the tenets of the rule of law and so, it is very unfair to associate the President with dictatorship. Show me one example.

    “We have seen in the past how the President dealt with the National Assembly. We no longer have that and right now, everybody is breathing fresh air and the President is seated doing his job. You can see this resonate all over the country and everywhere he goes, people are praising him unlike the opposition. So, I think we should be fair to Mr President and be objective when accessing him.

    “The reality of the matter is that President Muhammadu Buhari is not a tribalist and his policies are not ethnic based. He fought for the survival of this country and has always been a pro-one Nigeria person and has demonstrated this in so many ways.”

  • Protest breaks out in London as Nigerians ask UK to support Buhari

     

    While a small chunk of Nigerians are yet to come to terms with President Muhammadu Buhari’s courageous suspension of embattled Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, their counterparts in the diaspora have lauded the move.

    In the United Kingdom, in particular, Nigerians welcomed the removal of the judicial chief as it is a clear deviation from the several years of impunity.

    It is for this reason, Nigerians under the auspices of Arise For A New Nigeria, stormed the streets of London, exactly No10 Downing street, close to the Prime Minister’s Office, to show solidarity with their country’s leader.

    In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Theresa May, the group’s President Andrew Kobani, speaking on behalf of his countrymen, urged Britain to support the anti-corruption fight of Mr Buhari, especially concerning Mr Onnoghen’s removal.

     

    Full press statement below.

    The Rt. Honourable Theresa May, Prime Minister
    Office of the Prime Minister
    10 Downing Street
    London SW1A 2AA
    Madam Prime Minister,

    SOLICITING FOR THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE UK GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR THE MUHAMMADU BUHARI ADMINISTRATION IN THE WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION

    Madam Prime Minister, may wish to note that Nigeria is experiencing a turbulent period in the fight against corruption as initiated by the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    They are sufficing to note that since 2015, the present administration has initiated measures aimed at reducing corrupt practices in the conduct of government business at all tiers of governance. This effort has yielded positive results to the admiration of the bulk of Nigerians and the consternation of a select few that have benefited from the rot in the system.

    Undeterred, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has carried on with enthusiasm and a determination to see that structural defects are fixed to curb the rot in the system for the betterment of Nigeria as a country.

    Madam Prime Minister may also wish to note that the bane of underdevelopment in Nigeria is as a result of the lackadaisical attitude of previous governments in the fight against corruption that has resulted in the wanton disregard for accountability and transparency in the conduct of government businesses and by extension governance in Nigeria.

    Since 2015 when the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari took over the affairs of the state in Nigeria, Nigeria has recorded tremendous progress in governance evident in the dividends of democracy trickling down the ladder.

    Madam Prime Minister however, the present administration has encountered numerous challenges from individuals and organisations that have subverted the system through nefarious ways and means all in the quest to portray the Muhammadu Buhari administration in poor light in an attempt to pitch the populace against the government to fulfil their personal agenda of causing unrest and disaffection in the country.

    The recent case of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen who violated the law in declaring his assets as stipulated by the law has further emphasized the level of rot in the system.

    A particular segment of the Nigerian society has cried wolf where none exist and painted a picture of political persecution, forgetting that Nigeria was on the brinks of imminent collapse due the activities of a few that have benefitted from the rot in the system.

    Madam Prime Minister, we are through this medium soliciting for assistance from the United Kingdom in the war against corruption in Nigeria as initiated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in recent times.

     

    Read Also: Boycott directive stalls Onnoghen’s case in Industrial Court

     

    A vivid example can be seen in the instance where the Chief Judicial Official in Nigeria, either by omission or commission failed to declare a part of his assets running into millions of dollars.
    The Chief Justice of Nigeria as the number one judicial officer in the country for inexplicable reasons did not declare a part of his assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau in Nigeria. The CJN cited “forgetfulness and mistake” as the reasons for the non-declaration.

    Madam Prime Minister, the non-declared items are bank accounts with balances that runs into millions of pounds sterling and dollars. This is too much to be right in our considered opinion. As the number one judicial officer in the country, it is wholly untenable for such an excuse, unless for deliberate reasons.

    This untoward display of acts inimical to the progress of Nigeria has necessitated the kind, and timely intervention of the Prime Minister and the British government is assisting Nigeria in the war against corruption. If, not, corruption will kill Nigeria at this rate. And that would not happen under the leadership of Madam Prime Minister.

    Madam Prime Minister,may be aware that political jobbers and ethnic champions have given the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria ethnic and religious actions, but in truth, it was a timely intervention aimed at saving the judicial arm of government in Nigeria further embarrassment as a result of the unethical conduct of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    This letter is an SOS, as well as a reminder to Madam Prime Minister, Theresa May and UK Secretary for African Affairs Mrs Harriett Baldwin that Nigeria would return to the brinks if steps, just like this are not taken to arrest the cankerworm of corruption that has eaten deep into governance in Nigeria.

    It is our considered opinion that the United Kingdom as an ally of Nigeria cannot afford to watch as Nigeria goes to the brinks. It must render that assistance to the government of Nigeria that has made substantial inroads in the fight against corruption.

    I have the honour to be, Madam, Your humble and obedient servant

    CC: Mrs Harriett Baldwin
    UK Secretary for African Affairs

  • Buhari expresses sadness over Ekiti truck accident

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the tragic truck accident that took the lives of several Nigerians at Iworoko Ekiti in Ekiti State at the weekend.

    On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari extended sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of victims of the tragedy, which has indeed brought great grief to the local communities.

    Read Also: Ortom denies making hate speech against Buhari

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, joined the Ekiti State Government and people in mourning those lost in the accident.

    He appreciated the efforts of the State Government in bringing timely succour to the victims in the aftermath of the disaster and assured them of the solidarity of the Federal Government.

    “President Buhari’s prayers and thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy as he wishes the injured speedy recovery.” the statement stated.

  • Herdsmen/farmers clashes: How Nigerian military tackled crises – Ebute tells British Parliament

    The President of the Senate in the Third Republic, Senator Ameh Ebute, has revealed how the Nigerian military has been able to tackle the lingering crisis between herders and farmers in the country.
    Ebute specifically noted that military has been able to curtail the nagging crises between the two groups.
    Speaking at a Roundtable with MPs of the British Parliament, January 23, 2019 at the House of Commons, London, United kingdom, the former lawmaker faulted former Chief of Army Staff, TY Danjuma over his recent submission that soldiers where partial in their fight against terrorism.
    Ebute said Danjuma was wrong because any Nigerian soldier that engages in acts of brigandage or molestation of civilians is now promptly disciplined accordingly under the current administration.
    Senator Ameh Ebute delivered a position paper titled “Tackling the Violence between Livestock Farmers and Cultivators in Nigeria” before an audience that consisted of Chairmen and Members of committees of the British Parliament on Human Rights, Defense, Environment, as well as African Ministers, and a cross section of delegation from Nigeria.
    He posited that “violent clashes between two sets of farmers in Nigeria, cultivators, and livestock farmers have been a major feature of the Nigerian security landscape since 2003. These clashes escalated in late 2017 with the massacre of over a hundred people at Agatu in Benue State. 2018 witnessed a further deterioration in the violence.”
    “While a responsible government has a solemn obligation to ensuring the safety of its citizens and implementing policies and programs that engender peaceful co-existence among its ethnic, regional and religious diversities of its population, it must ensure too that crisis between any two groups of its population is not exploited for the selfish and nefarious purposes of its detractors.”
    Senator Ebute further argued that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was able to make substantial gains in the fight against terrorism. “Boko Haram was routed from its Sambisa Forest stronghold. The Nigerian military recaptured Mubi, Gwoza, Baga and other major cities and villages that had been overrun by Boko Haram. Coordinated attacks by the air force and the army seriously degraded the fighting capabilities of Boko Haram.”
    “Recognizing the regional dimensions in Boko Haram activities, the Buhari administration initiated a multilateral approach to fighting against Boko Haram by entering into a regional alliance with the neighboring states of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Republic of Benin. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who had fled to those neighboring countries in the wake of Boko Haram seizure of their towns and villages returned to Nigeria.”
    Some of the most prominent military deployments included Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Sharan Daji, Operation Awatse, Operation Shirin Harbi, Harbin Kunama I, Harbin Kunama II, Operation Crocodile Smile I, Operation Python Dance I, Operation Dokaji, Operation Egwu Eke (aka Python Dance II, Operation Harbin Kunama II, Operation Whirl Stroke. These operations are against terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnappings and robberies, banditry, and sabotage of oil facilities, theft of oil, and perpetrators of livestock/cultivators violence.
    “In addition to military operations designed to end terrorism and curtail other forms of violence, the Buhari administration has promptly deployed the police to areas of violence to curtail the violence and arrest the perpetrators.”
    On the various allegations of the complicity of President Muhammadu Buhari in fueling the farmers/herders conflict, Senator Ebute posited that there is no shortage of conspiracy theories to explain the violence between livestock farmers and cultivators in Nigeria and they range from mildly misinformed attempts to explain a complicated social situation to outright falsehoods.

    Read Also:Ibeto leads former PDP gov aspirants back to APC

    “The most often encountered of these theories blame President Buhari directly alleging that his ethnic affinity with the Fulani livestock farmers either encourages the violence or makes Buhari turn a blind eye to the violence.”  He further argued that “conspiracy theories on violence in Nigeria are given credence when otherwise respectable public figures use them as an explanatory framework for what is going on.”
    He gave the example of retired Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff, as one of the purveyors of falsehood on the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in tackling the farmers/herders conflict in the country.
    “Danjuma had asserted quite incorrectly that the violence in Benue and Taraba states between cultivators and livestock farmers was a result of cooperation between members of the Nigerian armed forces and renegade Fulani groups. This is certainly true. It is probable that the type of cooperation that Gen. Danjuma had described might have taken place when he was a minister of defense and the general impression that members of his group, the Jukun, rented soldiers in their violent struggle with their neighbors, the Kutebs.”
    “It was also during Danjuma’s tenure as minister of defense that soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians at ODI in Rivers State and Zaki-Biam in Benue State killing many people and burning down the entire villages. That type of behavior can longer be authorized nor tolerated. Any Nigerian soldier that engages in acts of brigandage or molestation of civilians is now promptly disciplined accordingly under the current administration.”
    Senator Ebute consequently eulogized the international community for the assistance it has rendered to the government of Nigeria in tackling its security challenges. “the government and people of Nigeria appreciate the help it has received from the international community, but the international community can do more to help Nigeria tackle its security challenges.”
    “The Nigerian armed forces need arms, ammunition, actionable intelligence to deal with Boko Haram and other security issues. Nigeria is trying to revamp its small defense industry and cannot yet manufacture all the military equipment it needs. It is important for Britain and other international partners to supply needed weapons and materials to Nigeria. Nigeria is not calling for foreign troops on its soil. Nigerians will do the fighting themselves. Terrorism is a global problem and must be tackled globally”.

  • Buhari not fighting corruption efficiently, says Olawepo Hashim

    The presidential candidate of Peoples Trust (PT), Gbenga Olawepo- Hashim on Saturday criticized President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption.

    Olawepo-Hashim said his administration is not fight corruption to achieved positive result.

    Corruption, he said will be tackled effectively if the minimum wage is above N18 thousand.

    Olawepo-Hashim promised to pay N50 thousand minimum wage if elected.

    He spoke in Abuja at the party’s presidential campaign flag off.

    Olawepo-Hashim vowed that the party if voted into power will put an end to poverty and deal with issue of insecurity in the country.

    His words: “We are a party that is determined to build a better Nigeria. We want to put an end to poverty, and under development that has been the hallmark of the incumbent government. We will fight corruption in a way that it will be done scientifically. It will not just going to be a police action. You cannot fight corruption when majority of the people are hungry.

    Read Also: N-Power beneficiaries endorse Buhari

    “A people that pay its workers minimum wage below 18 thousand Naira cannot fight corruption efficiently. We will raise the minimum wage to N50 thousand at the first anniversary of our government. You can trust this party.

    “We will exchange instability for security. We are at the point where we will stop hatred and violence and be unity, where the lives of every Nigeria will count equally. By the time I am elected by the Grace of God, we will build a truly United Nigeria. Today 11 out of 19 states of northern Nigeria have been overrun by bandits from across the border and violent that is caused by agents of disunity and destruction.

    “The southern states of Nigeria have been over taken by kidnappers, robbers and all form of social vices and this affects the economy of the country. Now we have more youths that are unemployed than those that are employed. Our resolve is to build a new economy that will guaranty job for our youths. We will restructure the way power is organize between the state and the Federal Government.

    “We will empower the states to have their own police side by side with the federal police so that the internal security can be enhanced.”

    The national chairman of the party, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, urged Nigerian especially party faithful to voted massively in the forthcoming presidential and other elections for a new, United Nigeria.

    He vowed to make everything positively possible to ensure that the party is victorious.

    The party’s flag was also presented to candidates contesting for various political positions who came from across the country for the event.

  • Oshiomhole receives 18 PDP defectors in Bauchi

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State on Saturday received no fewer than 18 prominent members of the Peoples’Democratic Party (PDP) who had defected to the ruling party.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities marking the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    Alhaji Uba Nana, APC chairman in the state handed over the defectors to the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Nana commended the defectors for taking the right decision at the appropriate time, urging them to contribute their quota to the development of the state and the party.

    Read Also: Oshiomhole: PDP deceived Igbo for 16 years

    Receiving the defectors, National Chairman of APC, Oshiomhole, presented the broom to them as logo and identity of the ruling party.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, one of them, former governor of Bauchi, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, assured that they would ensure the success of the party during the forthcoming elections.

    He urged the leadership of the party to pardon their shortcomings.

    NAN reports that among the defectors were former Gov. Isa Yuguda, former deputy governor Abdulmalik Mahmood, as well as senators  Abubakar Maikafi and Babayo Gamawa, among others.

    NAN

     

  • NITEL/MTEL pensioners laud Buhari over prompt payment of pension

    Pensioners under the auspices of NITEL/MTEL Pensioners Association in North West Zone have commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government over the prompt payment of their monthly pension and deceased members next of kin since October last year.

    The association in a statement in Kaduna at the weekend signed by its Zonal Chairman and Zonal Secretary, Comrade (Engr.) Samuel Idowu Jonathan and Comrade Yeekeen Adeyemi Suleiman said words are not enough to express their profound appreciation to the President and the government for their kind gesture which has gone a long way to ameliorate their sufferings.

    The association which comprises workers of the two organizations who were retired before privatization and those disengaged in 2006 also appeal to the Federal Government to fast track the payment of their seven years arrears to save them from sufferings. “Many of our members are dead while those alive have found themselves in difficulty situation and could not pay their children school fees, medical bills and house rent” they added.

    Read Also: N-Power beneficiaries endorse Buhari

    The association also thanked the Ministers of Finance Communications and the Management of Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) and other relevant agencies for their gesture and prays for peace and peaceful co-existence to reign supreme in our country.

    The association however distanced itself from a purported legal action undertaking by a group known as the Association of Former Telecoms Employers of Nigeria (ATEN), which they said is unknown to them adding that they were loyal to the leadership of Comrade Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande currently the Interim National Chairman of their association they concluded.

  • Fayemi seeks OPC, vigilante’s support on crimes

    Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi has solicited for support of the Pan-Yoruba group, O’dua People’s Congress(OPC)  and vigilante to rid the state of criminal element.

    He solicited for their support especially in the rampaging kidnappers perpetrating heinous acts in the state .

    Fayemi said though his government had given marching orders to the Police Commissioner, Mr Asuquo Amba and the Directorate of State Services(DSS) and other security networks to rid the state of criminals.

    He insisted  the backing of  other stakeholders  in security sector would provide a buffer  to the conventional security for the task to be realised.

    The governor spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Mobilisation, Prince Tunji Ogunlola on Saturday while meeting the leadership of the group in the state, who paid him a visit  at his office in Ado Ekiti.

    Former Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Remi Olorunleke  and the Director of Administration, Gbonyin Council area , Mr. David Jejelowo , were on Monday kidnapped along Ado-Ijan road .

    This incident occurred barely a week an accountant with Emure local government, Mr. Abayomi Ajayi was killed by gunmen along Ikere –Ise road while two other staff from the council were abducted .

    The governor had also through his mobilization unit  met the leaderships  of the Private Sector in the State, the Artisans and Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), assuring them they shall benefit  from the federal government’s tradermoni programme being advocated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Fayemi who lamented his government was not comfortable with the spare kidnapping and killings of some local government officials and other Ekiti citizens in recent time, added that all  efforts must be geared towards putting those with criminal tendencies at bay to safeguard  the lives and property of the residents.

    He said the government needs the backing of every member of the society to tackle the menace. Read Also: ‘Fayemi needs better House of Assembly’

    “We are seeking the efforts of every member of the society to tackle these evil doers. Within two weeks, over five people were kidnapped while one person was shot dead, we won’t rest until these people are either flushed out or apprehended.

    “To show how committed we are to making Ekiti safe, we have reinstated the sacked operatives of the scrapped Ekiti State Peace Corps. We intend to recruit 800 operatives to work with the police across every community.

    “OPC as a respectable pan-Yoruba security group is also welcomed in the battle to make Ekiti safe. We need you because you are credible, you understand the terrain and we have that confidence in you that you can provide supports for the police in the area of providing information for the security agencies that will help their intelligence gathering  for them to take  proactive actions.

    “However, in doing our business, we need to be guided by the laws. We need to bow to superior directive from the police and we must not take laws into our hands, all we want is you being partners in progress, necause Ekiti must be safe and nothing must be spared to actualize this”, he said.

    Fayemi appealed to the group to support the presidential aspiration of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2019 elections.

    The governor assured that all the beneficial intervention schemes and policies shall be brought to Ekiti for the benefit of all Ekiti indigenes.

    He said the benefit has started manifesting with the payment of four month salaries , including one owed by former Governor Ayodele Fayose within a spate of two months he assumed duty..