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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • 2019: CUPP adopt Atiku as sole presidential candidate

    The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has adopted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as sole presidential candidate for the February 16, 2019 presidential election.
    The CUPP, which is made up of over 40 opposition parties, yesterday announced the decision shortly after a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, a statement by the Coalition spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere said.
    The meeting, which was said to have been attended by over 41 political parties, arrived at Atiku’s choice after it was noted that the former Vice President, towered high on the criteria used by the opposition in arriving at the decision.
    The Coalition said it picked Atiku as consensus candidate based on national acceptability, financial capacity, spread of his political party, leadership capacity, international acceptability, experience, capacity to rebuild the economy, ability to secure the country and to unite Nigerians among other factors.
    The Coalition said it would be meeting with Atiku before the week runs out, with the view to collapsing into a single presidential campaign.
    Meanwhile, parties have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law, noting that the 30 days time window for the President’s assent will expire on Friday.
    Addressing newsmen on the matter, Ugochinyere said the refusal by the President to sign the bill might deny the nation free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

    Read Also: Atiku seeks emergency on military funding

    The spokesman said, “Today we are 72 days away from the opening of the ballot for the 2019 general elections and in less than 72 hours, the 30 days’ time limit allowed by law for the President to assent to the Bill will elapse.
    “We have credible intelligence that the design of the grand plot to derail the 2019 general elections has been completed and the implementation has accordingly commenced.
    “It is more worrisome that the government toeing this path of dishonour is a government that won an open election where the people were allowed to cast their votes freely and their votes were allowed to count.
    “It is now about twenty eight days since the National Assembly forwarded to the President and for the fourth time, necessary amendments to our Electoral Act. The President has not signed the amendment.
    “We are also sad to say this to you; that there is intelligence that the President has agreed with his kitchen cabinet not to sign the amendment into law.
    “We have been informed that after several undue delays, the President is set to communicate the National Assembly anytime from today that he would not be able to sign the amendment due to the existence of Article 2 of the ECOWAS Protocol on democracy and good governance”.
    The said Article 2 prohibits member countries from making Electoral Act amendments less than six months to elections unless there is consent of the political parties involved in the election.

  • Buhari appeals to NNMA to resolve Nigeria’s diversity

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday appealed to the Nigerian National Merit Award, NNMA, to establish new policies on how best to solve issues pertaining to the nation’s diversity.

    This statement was made on behalf of the President by the Permanent Secretary on Social Duties, Mr. William Alo, at the 11th Annual forum of the Laureates of Nigerian National Order of Merit termed ‘The Imperative of Unity in Diversity’ which took place in Abuja.

    Acknowledging the role NNMA has to play in amalgamating the diversity of the country, Alo also commended the NNMA and the 2018 sole awardee in Humanities, Mr. Olu Obafemi, declaring the forum open.

    “As we gather here, the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation is very proud of the governing board in its achievements so far since its inauguration.”

    “To harness individuals who have excelled in one endeavor or the other and have contributed a lot to the development of this country,” he said.

    “Today we are kicking off with an award lecture to be delivered by the only person to win this year’s award, Mr. Olu Obafemi.

    “The NNMA board I the only organization known for excelling in the area of transparency, organization, and in the area of identifying people who are non-questionable in character in any form.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, NNMA Governing Board, Prof. Shekarau Yakubu, solicited for the building of a multilateral car park at the NNMA in order to increase the group’s revenue base as a response to inadequate funding.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari to women: vote Buhari again

    He petitioned to the Presidency to make available “timely and adequate funding to the agency given the financial constraints faced by NNMA.”

    “It is with this in mind that the NNMA planned a project for the extension of the building with a multilevel car park so as to enlarge the revenue base of the NNMA,” he stated.

    “If approved and sponsored, it will go a long way in making the NNMA self-sufficient in the near future thereby making the NNMA less dependent on government for budgetary funding.”

    The Chairman also pleaded with the Federal Government to give legal backing to the proposed NNMA Policy Group in order to assist Federal, state, and other government agencies in the implementation of the nation’s policies and programs.

  • Super Falcons among the world’s most accomplished teams – Pinnick

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, on Wednesday described the all-conquering Super Falcons’ Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) as one of the most accomplished female team in the world football.

    The accolade from the NFF President came as he once again congratulated the Thomas Dennerby-tutored team as they emerged African Champions for the ninth time in Ghana.

    The Dennerby-tutored team emerged African Champions on December 1 in Ghana as they defeated South Africa 4-3 on penalties.

    Pinnick praised the team’s effort at winning the championships against all odds.

    “I want to congratulate and also thank you once again for what you did on Saturday, making us all proud. You see, you displayed the quintessential Nigerian spirit.

    “You showed that the Nigerian flag strengthened you and that is why, even during the extra time, you were not tired.

    “I visited the team at their Starview Hotel, Abuja, in the company of the NFF General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed and Head of Women Football, Ruth David,’’ Pinnick said in a statement by the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire.

    Pinnick, on Saturday, minutes after the triumph, dedicated the trophy to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We can’t thank our father, President Buhari enough for his immense support to Nigerian Football. The President is really happy for what you have done which has never been done by any women national team.

    “Germany and America have dominated their respective confederation championships, winning eight titles each but no country has ever won nine times.

    “That is why the President wants to meet you as soon as possible,’’ he said.

    According to him, the NFF President and First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, Federation’s partners and sponsors, as well as some state governors also want to host the champions.

    Pinnick said: “We are waiting for the President to have the first honour.

    “Already our sponsors are lining up to honour you for your achievement as well as some state governors who have indicated their interest in hosting you but all that will be after the President hosts you.

    “The Federation will support the programme of Super Falcons’ Coach, Dennerby to ensure that the team is well prepared for the 2019 World Cup in France.

    “We are already working with the coach who has submitted his plans for the World Cup to us.”

    Read Also: Ikpeazu celebrates Pinnick’s re-election

    Pinnick noted that he was talking to some European Federation Presidents and the President of European Union Football Association, Aleksander Ceferin, to secure friendly matches for the team in preparation for the World Cup.

    On his part, the General Secretary of NFF commended the ladies, saying that they were the focus at a seminar on Monday in Abuja; held as a preview to the National Sports Festival.

    “Honestly, I was very happy on Saturday. I am proud of what you have done.

    “You know, at the preview of the National Sports Festival, all the resource persons focused on you (Super Falcons),’’ Mohammed said.

    The Captains, Rita Chikwelu and Onome Ebi, in their vote of thanks, pledged that the team would give their best at the World Cup.

    NAN

  • APC dismisses Kalu’s death, warns against peddling of wicked rumour

    Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State dismissed rumours of death of former Governor of Abia State and chieftain of the party in the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.
    This is even as has cautioned members of opposition parties in the state to discontinue peddling of the wicked rumour that the former governor of the state and the party’s candidate for Abia North senatorial zone in 2019 is dead.
    According to the rumour, Kalu reportedly died few weeks ago in a Wiesbaden, Germany Hospital after a major surgery, and that a lookalike has been contracted to impersonate him (Kalu) for political reasons, adding that the man parading himself as Kalu is one George from Gambia.
    However, in a statement, the state publicity secretary of APC, comrade Ben Godson said it was the height of wickedness for any person or group of persons to carry fake news about the death of someone, stressing that it amounts to wishing the living, dead.
    Godson said it was a taboo in Igbo land for anybody to wish his fellow human being dead, stressing that those members of the opposition parties have taking politics too far by wishing Kalu dead.

    Read Also: Orji Kalu and the revocation of bail: Matters arising

    “What members of the opposition in the state particularly PDP are doing is playing wicked politics by wishing Kalu dead, but that will not stop the eminent defeat that is staring them in the face in Abia North senatorial zone in particularly and the state in general come 2019.
    “Political enemies are at it again; they know there is going to be a level playing ground in 2019 election and they are aware that Kalu is going to win the Abia North senatorial district seat and they think that the best way to stop him is to continuously dish out fake news, this time to wish him dead thinking by that they will stop him.
    “The other time, the rumour was that his name was not in the APC register and when that could not work out, they came with another rumour that he was screened out by his party to contest the election and that even his name was not on INEC list of those to contest the election. When all these failed, then they came with this fake news that he is dead.
    The state APC publicity scribe reminded those wishing Kalu dead to learn from history and remember what happened to those who rumoured in the ‘80s that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was dead, adding that none of them actually lived to witness when the Zik of Africa eventually died.
    “People should learn from history, when Zik of Africa was alive, some people rumoured that he was dead, but those who ignited the rumour, all died before Zik’s death and they should know that history has a way of repeating itself”.
    Godson said he spoke with Kalu on Monday night, stressing he was live and preparing to kick off his campaign.
    A close source to the former Governor who pleaded to be anonymous while corroborating Godson’s statement added that he spoke with Kalu on Tuesday morning.
    According to the source, Kalu is concerned with his senatorial campaign and on how to deliver the state to APC and also to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari wins the 2019 Presidential election.
    “We heard stories about the cloning of OUK and before we could come out of it, another one is that he was dead. These are all fabricated stories that only represent the wishes and imaginations of the rumour mongers.
    “What I can tell you is that OUK is alive and I can also tell you that he is ready to come back and begin campaign across the Abia North Senatorial District and the truth is that his opponents are already jittery”, he said.

  • 2019: ‘I will win the governorship election despite Oshiomhole’s betrayal’

    Former Chief of Staff to the Imo State governor Uche Nwosu on Tuesday said that the failure to clinch the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of the injustice meted out to him by the National Chairman  of  the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, cannot stop him from winning governorship election under the platform of Action Alliance (AA).

    Nwosu who officially announced his emergence as the governorship  candidate of the AA at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri, shortly after his arrival from Abuja, disclosed that injustice, impunity, lack of respect for party’s constitution forced him out of APC.

    He stated that the entire APC structure ,except those supporting the senatorial ambition of governor Rochas Okorocha had defected to AA.

    Describing AA as a party with the ideal democratic manifesto, Nwosu added that his ambition to succeed Okorocha was driven by the fact that he enjoys the massive support of over 70 percent of the population of the state electorate .

    He said that AA will corporate with APC to deliver President Muhammadu Buhari, deliver him as the next governor of the state and  Okorocha who is still in APC as a Senator.

    According  to him,  “We are going to work with APC to deliver President Muhammadu Buhari in Imo state. We will deliver governor Rochas Okorocha as senator because AA has no Senatorial candidate in Orlu zone”

    Read Also: My integrity big challenge to the PDP, says Oshiomhole

    He continued that, “I have no problem with President Muhammadu Buhari. The problem is the National chairman of APC. He stole my mandate and administered injustice to many of us in Imo state.

    “It is a divine project and we are ready for the election.It is inter party marriage between AA and APC in Imo state. We  will work with APC to deliver president Muhammadu Buhari, governor Rochas Okorocha, myself and all our candidates”.

    He said that his resolve to defect to AA was to ensure that he respected the wish of the youths of the state who were projecting his governorship ambition.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Imo youths Council Hon. Jeff Nwoha, said that thousands of youths of the state had defected to AA to ensure that Nwosu emerged the next governor of the state.

    Nwoha said that the youths would reject any ploy to rig the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    He informed that the youths would work for Okorocha who is the APC candidate for Imo West senatorial district and Buhari.

     

  • 2019 is election between thieves, trust worthy people – El-Rufai

    …says PDP has nothing to offer Nigeria

     

    As the 69 members Campaign Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state was launched on Tuesday, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has said that, the 2019 general election is a poll between thieves and trust worthy people.

    This was as he said that, the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has nothing to offer Nigeria. Saying that, their ideology is nothing but looting.

    El-Rufai who delivered keynote address at the launching of the campaign council at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna described the Monday’s flag-off of PDP campaign in Sokoto as a gang-up of ‘thieves’, who rented crowd from foreign country.

    According to El-Rufai, “The 2019 general election is a poll between trust worthy people and thieves, between patriotic leaders and those who went to Abuja to loot our treasury. So, we have to stand up and show them that, Kaduna is not a state that will allow them cheat the people and the masses.

    “What we have done in Kaduna state in the last three years has shown that, APC as a party is the one that loves the masses and assists the masses, not party that will take public fund and share among the rich. That is why we want you people to go out and tell the people to vote President Muhammadu Buhari again.

    ”Thieves have ganged-up against President Muhammadu Buhari. Yesterday they were in Sokoto, and they rented crowd from Niger Republic just to show people that they have supporters, because Sokoto people refused to come out. So, when it is time to launch President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign in Kaduna, people should come for the whole world to see that, it not Niger Republic people that are disguising as Nigerians.

    “We must show that we are in supoort of President Muhammadu Buhari, and when is time to cast our votes, we should vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all the APC candidates. In Kaduna, we will support APC from top to bottom.

    “With the hard work of our members and the votes of our people, APC won a sterling victory in 2015. The government that we produced has anchored its agenda on putting people first. The APC in Kaduna has since May 2015 focused on running an equal opportunity government. We have tried to empower our people by anchoring our programmes on putting people first. We are making life better and reordering the priority of government to focus on human capital development. At the centre of this is education and health.

    “What we have done in the last three years is fixing the rot left behind by the 16 years of PDP’s misrule and neglect. But there is a lot more to do, to reset the country on the path of stability and posterity.

    Read Also: 2019: My re-election almost a done deal – El-Rufai

    “The task in 2019 is to continue to work towards the upliftment of our people. We cannot allow the people whose ideology is looting to return to power. The PDP has nothing to offer the people of Kaduna state and they have nothing to offer the rest of Nigeria. Over 16 years, they left most of our 4,250 primary schools in terribly bad conditions; many did not have toilets, roofs, windows or doors. They left schools where more than half of the pupils had no desk or chairs. In some schools, number of children sitting on the floor was more than 90 per cent.

    “The PDP left terribly bad health indices with high maternal and infant mortality and low investment on health. Many primary health centres were left as just buildings without staff and equipment. We are correcting all these mess. We are tackling fraud and waste. We have rescued all our local government councils from bankruptcy. When we came in, eight out of our 23 local government could not pay salaries. Today, each and everyone of them came pay salaries and have at least 50 million left every month.” He said.

    The Governor who is the chairman of the campaign council himself however tasked the members to get cracking and ensure victory for the party in all the position from top to bottom.

    “The campaign council must ensure that we get every member of our supporters collect their voter’s card by the end of December. We must run a true grassroot campaign and ensure that our supporters come out to vote on election day. The campaign council must get to work immediately and bring out your workplan and budget in one week.

    Other members of the campaign council include; Minister of Finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, NPA MD, Hadiza Bala Usman, Deputy Governor, Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala, Deputy Governorship Candidate, Hadiza Balarabe, Senatorial Candidates, Uba Sani and Suleiman Abdul Kwari, Jimi Lawal, APC Chairman, Emmanuel Jekada and Alhaji Umar Gana among others.

    The campaign council was inaugurated by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Lawal Shuaibu.

  • States to receive $700m to improve governance, public finance management

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the federal government will release $700million to states to improve governance and public finance management.

    Buhari explained that this was one of the several measures to enthrone transparency and accountability in the public sector in order to deepen the fight against corruption.

    The president who was represented by Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, disclosed this at the annual conference of Auditors-General of Nigeria, with the theme: “Nigeria’s drive towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The strategic roles of Auditors-General”, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Buhari said: “At the state level, several measures have been introduced to achieve certain minimum improvements in governance and public financial management. These include the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability program (SFTAS), in which $700million will be made available as grants to states.

    “Similarly, $50million in technical assistance will be made available to key agencies with the states to build capacity.

    “At the inception of this administration, three cardinal goals were set: security, fight against corruption and revamping of the economy. Three and a half years down the line, I am pleased to report that tremendous achievements have been recorded in all three areas.

    “I must state however, that the desired level in the fight against corruption is yet to be attained.”

    Read Also: ‘Buhari deserves second term’

    He explained that his administration introduced several reform initiatives in the financial management sector to help stem the tide of corruption and waste.

    These public finance reforms, the president explained, were targeted at reducing waste and driving up revenue.

    “These initiatives include the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has tremendously reduced leakages in the system. Similarly, it has introduced the Presidential Initiative of Continuous Audit (PICA). PICA has the mandate to validate controls, assess risks, prone personnel costs, ensure compliance with public financial management reforms, detect errors and make recommendations to management for necessary actions.

    “Recently, I approved several sweeping reforms in the public finance sector so as to further reduce and drive up revenue. These reforms include: performance monitoring that will set financial indicators and targets for revenue generating government-owned enterprises.

    “New measures for expenditure controls, budgeting and financial reporting requirements, as well as financial oversight have also been set.

    “Henceforth, the accounts of government-owned enterprises shall be audited within four months after the end of each financial year.

    “The role of Auditors-General to the success of these new reforms can therefore not be overemphasized.

    “The SDGs adopted by all United Nations member states is a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity,” the president said.

    He therefore urged the Auditors-General to take their roles very seriously as it has a direct impact on our development as a nation and what we make from our limited resources. He advised them to be vigilant, independent and above politics.

    The Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr. Anthony Ayine, in his welcome address, said Nigerians must work together in order to successfully implement the SDGs.

    “The challenge of development and improving the well-being of the citizens of Nigeria is not for the federal government alone. The audit community therefore, has a strategic role to play.

    “Through audits, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAls) have the opportunity to stimulate the government to have more policy coherence among its actions. It is the duty of the SAI community to help watch over SDGs implementation and policy integration.

    “Our audits could look at specific programmes that target the poor and vulnerable groups, to assess how they work, or they could look at the whole government, to evaluate whether these issues are incorporated into a range of government policies,” he said.

  • MTN Foundation empowers 19,000 persons with disabilities

    The Director,  MTN Foundation, Mrs. Aishatu Sadauki, said the foundation has empowered 19,000 persons with disabilities through its Disability Support Project.
    Mrs. Sadauki also said 100 young persons with disabilities have undergone skill acquisition training programmes and benefitted from a micro credit scheme under the MTN Foundation Skills Acquisition Project.
    She said these empowerment programmes were done in collaboration with government at various levels to ensure that persons with disabilities are empowered by opportunities to live fulfilled lives.
    She disclosed this during a programme to celebrate this year’s International Day of Persons With Disabilities, in Abuja, with the theme “Disability: Breaking down the barriers.”
    Mrs. Sadauki also said the foundation has awarded 833 under-graduate scholarships to blind students in public tertiary institutions and over 291 individuals have graduated from the MTNF Scholarship Scheme for Blind Students.
    “We didn’t stop there; we went further to equip these graduates with the requisite skills to thrive in today’s dynamic and highly competitive job market, through employability workshops.
    “We will continue to give our best efforts. We will continue to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to support all persons living with disabilities to break down barriers,” she said.

    Read Also: MTN sharpens youths’ ICT skills

    In her remarks, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Abubakar, said globally, disability remained one of the major challenges that continually threaten human existence and the attainment of meaningful development.
    She said her ministry has taken it upon itself to give more attention to issues relating to barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
    “Disability issues are too important to be ignored, therefore, letters have been sent to the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT), academic institutions, cultural centres and our development partners to ensure full participation in marking this year’s International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
    “This will serve as awareness creation, sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns, which are expected to bring lasting change, in line with the Change Agenda of Mr. President.
    “The Federal Government remains committed towards doing her best to cater for the needs of all her citizens, PWDs inclusive for national development, where no one is left behind,” she said.
    Senior Special Assistant on Persons Living With Disability to President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Samuel Ankeli, said the president has directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency to employ 1000 persons living with disabilities in the 36 states, including the FCT.
    “SMEDAN has been directed to empower 1000 persons with disabilities in each state in the next twelve month. I assure you that your lives are important to the president,” he said.

  • Buhari calls for calm over deadly violence in Cross River

    President Muhammadu Buhari calls for calm over deadly violence in Cross River has expressed concern over reports of violence in four communities in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The violence has resulted in loss of lives, injuries and displacement of villagers.

    Calling for calm and restoration of peace in the affected communities bordering Abia State, the President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, urged the people of the areas to allow law and order to prevail.

    Read Also: Buhari: I’ll not complain again about Nigeria’s problems

    “Our communities must be ready to live together in peace since no development can take place in an atmosphere of recurring violence,” he said.

    President Buhari, who commended the State Government for the steps taken so far towards bringing peace to the areas, also lauded the State Police Command for speedily mobilizing its personnel to the affected communities to contain the crisis.

    He urged all stakeholders to cooperate and ensure that lasting peace returned to the affected areas.

  • 2019:’Presidential election not matter of life or death for Buhari’

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, says 2019 election is not a matter of `life or death’ for President Muhammadu Buhari ­ because he will be happy to accept the verdict of the electorate.

    Onyeama in an interview the News Agency of Nigeria said that the entire president wants to do is to create a level playing field for all the political parties.

    “He is fully committed to ensuring that the next election in 2019 is free, fair and transparent and that each vote should count.

    “ I think most importantly for him, it is not a matter of life or death. That is where he is coming from. He is very happy to accept whatever the outcome is and the will of the people.

    “He doesn’t want to interfere with the process; he wants INEC to be totally independent for them to do the right thing.

    “He is ready to invest and provide all the resources for them to be totally independent,” he said.

    He recalled that Buhari almost did not purchase the nomination form but for the intervention of well-wishers.

    Onyeama gave the assured Nigerians that Buhari is going to practice what he preache.

    “He has been to Supreme Court to challenge election, he has been on the other side; he appreciates more than anyone else the importance of free, fair and transparent election.

    Read Also: Buhari: I’ll not complain again about Nigeria’s problems

    “He always said that the electronic process that has been introduced helping to take away the human element has been the game changer, something that he loves, so he believes in free and fair election,” he said.

    Onyeama said that Buhari would show good example to West African and other countries by practicing what he preaches.

    He said that the president led the intervention of ECOWAS in the Gambia and sent special envoys to Mali, Guinea Bissau and Togo to ensure democratically elected government in those countries

    “He has sent me as a special envoy to ensure that the electoral process in Guinea Bissau is on course; he sent me as a special envoy to Mali gets the opposition to accept the court ruling after the election.

    “He sent me as envoy to Togo to help them to push for a transparent and fair process as they are also preparing for legislative election.

    “He went to the International Criminal Court as a special guest of honour and delivered a speech to the world about the importance and the rule of law and fair election,” he said.