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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari, Obaseki, others pay last tributes to late Chief Anenih

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State have extolled the leadership qualities of late Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih, eulogizing him as an illustrious son of Nigeria and a politician of uncommon calibre.

    Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said this during a requiem mass held as part of the state burial in honour of Late Chief Anenih, at the University of Benin Sports Complex, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    The president said that Anenih lived a great life of service, and became a bridge builder across the political divide.

    He said, “Anenih is a patriotic Nigerian, who has an unequal commitment to the Nigerian project. He is a man that believes in the growth and development of the nation.

    In his tribute, Governor Obaseki said Chief Anenih was a rare-breed politician, who was “famed for his political wizardry, an uncommon gift to weather stormy waters and masterfully deliver results from the most difficult situations.”

    “I stand here today on behalf of the Government and People of Edo State to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of a quintessential, rare-breed politician, philanthropist, a leader of leaders, statesman, an illustrious son of Edo and our father, Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih,” Obaseki said.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget: Obaseki to spend N9bn on pension, arrears, gratuity

    He added, “I commiserate with the great Anenih family of Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, the National and State leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the good people of Edo State on the passing of our great icon.

    Noting that the elder statesman devoted a better part of his life to the development of the state and the country, he said late Chief Anenih contributed to national development in the various capacities he served while he lived.

    “The whole of Edo State has suffered a huge loss with the death of Chief Anenih, the Iyasele of Esan land, who ranks as one of the most illustrious sons of the state,” he added.

    Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion said Anenih created a vast political family, adding that he was a great builder, who created a platform for unity and friendship across the political divide.

    Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, said Anenih was a great mentor, adding, “he was a great adviser and a pillar of support for the downtrodden.

    Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Mike Ogiadomhen lauded late Chief Anenih as being instrumental in midwifing democracy in 1999.

  • Buhari swears in commissioners in FCSC

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday swore in the Chairman and 12 Commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He charged them to address all obstacles inimical to the image of the service.

    The President also enjoined them to tackle issues detrimental to effective service delivery by the nation’s civil service

    The civil service, he said, must be re-positioned to enable it discharge its assigned responsibilities for efficient implementation of government policies.

    He said “In recent times government has observed some developments that are inimical to the image of the service and detrimental to efficient delivery of its responsibilities.

    “The Federal Civil Service must therefore be repositioned to enable it fulfills role in honestly executing government policies.

    “Considering your respective backgrounds your appointments were predicated on your wealth of public service experience.

    “I, therefore, have no doubt that you are equipped to reposition the civil service to respond efficiently and professionally to its responsibilities.

    “In this regard, you must ensure that government’s recruitment drive is conducted in a transparent and fair manner to attract the appropriate capacity of skilled personnel to the civil service while maintaining and motivating new recruits,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Buhari to politicians: Don’t politicize religion in Nigeria

    He stressed that the civil service is saddled with the onerous responsibility to formulate and implement policies and programmes of government through which benefits of governance are delivered to the citizenry.

    He said the civil service had remained a central institution to any government and the engine room for helping the executive to deliver good governance.

    “It must therefore put in place a sound system for appointments, promotions and discipline of personnel that will respond to the direction of government,’’ he added.

    President Buhari reminded the chairman and the commissioners of the three cardinal objectives of his administration, which he said included security, improve economic and fight against corruption.

    He, therefore, charged them to support initiatives aimed at delivering on these and shun practices that run counter to the delivery of the set objectives.

    He congratulated the chairman and the commissioners for their appointments to perform roles most critical to the success of the government.

    The chairman of the FCSC, Alhaji Yakubu Ingawa, who spoke to State House correspondents after the swearing in ceremony, pledged that the new members would discharge their responsibilities diligently.

    Those sworn in along with the chairman included Mr Moses Ngbale from Adamawa; Waziri Ngurno from Borno; ; Aminu Sheidu fromKogi; Simon Etim from Akwa Ibom andBello Mahmoud from Jigawa.

    Others were Ahmed Sarna from Kebbi; Iyabode Odulate-Yusuf from Ogun; Shehu Danyaya from Niger; Fatai Adebayo from Oyo; Ejoh Chukwuemeka from Anambra; Joe Poroma from Rivers and Ibrahim Mohammed from Kaduna.

  • ‘Buhari can’t be stampeded into signing Electoral Act Amendment bill’

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be stampeded into signing the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill into law.

    Before the latest version was submitted to the Presidency, the President had withheld his assent to the document about three times due to ‘errors’ in the amended bill.

    With the 2019 general elections fast approaching, it is feared that the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill may not meet the stipulated time if not urgently signed into law by the President.

    But speaking with State House correspondents after jumaat prayer at the Presidential Villa on Friday, Lawan advised that the President should take his time to study the document to avoid errors.

    According to him, the amended 2006 Electoral Act can still be used for the 2019 general elections.

    If properly implemented, he said that the 2006 Electoral Act can even deliver a more transparent, free and fair elections in 2019 than what was experienced in 2015.

    According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than any previous President in Nigeria.

    He said “President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than previous presidents in this country.

    Read Also: We will work for Buhari’s victory in Ondo

    “Secondly, he has read and objected to certain provisions in many bills that were eventually sent back to the National Assembly to look and then return for further legislative actions for him to look at it again.

    “Previous government of President Jonathan didn’t sign much, they kept most of the bills sent by the National Assembly. So I want to give kudos to the President for ensuring that he looks into the bills before signing.

    “Some, he said he won’t sign because of this or that provisions which are either contradictory constitutionally or maybe it will cause more harm than good, so therefore the National Assembly should look into it again.

    “The electoral bill you are talking about has been sent back twice or thrice, that is to tell you that the president is willing to sign he bill provided it meets certain conditions that will make our electoral processes better and more sane.

    “So, the President is studying this bill, its not like you will send it to him and he will immediately sign. This is a sign that he is really interested in what we sent back to him.

    “It is for him and his advisers to read through line by line and see how best the electoral process can be enhanced.

    “So, I don’t think we have ran out of time, in fact I think we should encourage the president and those helping him to complete going through the bill before he signs.

    “We still have the 2006 Electoral Act as amended that we used in 2015 for an election that was adjudged to be free, fair and an improved process.

    “We don’t necessarily put so much pressure and unneeded criticism of the president when he is yet to complete his analysis of what has been sent to him. He needs to take his time.” he said

    The Senate Leader went on “And I will advise, even though I am not one of his advisers, that he goes through what has been sent to him line by line, understand whatever his advisers will tell him and of what we have sent will make the elections in 2019 better, then he signs.

    “But if however he discovers some provisions that will bring contradictions and controversies, he can withhold assent. I’m not advocating that he withholds assent but if he does, that is his right.

    “I want to tell you that the APC caucus in the National Assembly stands with Mr. President on this.” he added

    Asked if the Electoral Act amendment bill can still be used for the 2019 elections if signed into law now, he said “Yes. The 2006 electoral act as amended, was used in the 2015 general elections. Who amongst us will tell me that the 2015 general elections was not free and fair?

    “The processes were free and fair. So if we are not able to get this bill signed, we can still use the 2006 electoral act as amended and in fact we can even achieve better than we did in 2015.

    “We can observed our deficiencies in 2015 elections using the same act and we can improve it with administrative approach to the elections.

    “So, I personally believe the president is doing what is right, nobody should push, pressurize him into signing the bill, he needs to thoroughly read and then take a decision.” he said

    On whether the new version of the bill is in good shape for the president to sign into law, he said that the National Assembly has taken into consideration the issues raised by the President.

    He said “I think we have taken into consideration the observations made by Mr. President and the comment. A society that is human is so dynamic, and an environment that is so politically charged, you cannot be sure of what you will say or judge to be okay.

    “In a minute, it could change. So, for me I believe the National Assembly, we have done what we could to ensure that we work in a way that it will look better. But the President reserves the right to study it and not to be pressurized.

    “I noticed that the PDP in their meeting of yesterday was saying the Presidency must sign the bill, was the bill passed by the PDP or the National Assembly. This kind of thing tells you a lot. I expect for members of the National Assembly to be the ones talking and not PDP national chairman or other presidential candidates.” he said

     

  • Edo Poly holds maiden convocation, as 403 bag distinction

    …Ohonbamu advocates credible leadership at Founders’ Day Lecture

     

    The Edo State Polytechnic Usen, is set to hold its convocation ceremony on Saturday, December 1, with not less than 6,563 students graduating from the institution, after 16 years of its existence.

    Speaking at the Founder’s Day Lecture, which is part of activities to mark the first convocation ceremony of the institution, in Usen, Edo State, the Rector, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, said the event was a major milestone in the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

    Prof. Falodun said the 6,563 graduating students were from 2004/2005 to 2016/2017 academic sessions. A breakdown of the graduands showed that 403 graduates bagged Distinction; 2,298, Upper credit; 3,156, Lower Credit and 706 with Pass, spread across National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels.

    He said the institution runs 21 academic programmes with the objective to produce highly skilled personnel to drive industrialization, adding that in the last six months the school has deepened its internationalization drive.

    According to him, “Aside from the fact that we are improving infrastructure, we are also committed to ensuring that our students get world-class education. We have secured a partnership with a number of Nigerian scholars in the diaspora who are now visiting lecturers in Edo State Polytechnic. They include Dr. Marvin Amas-Amadasun, a software Engineer in Switzerland; Dr. Agwi Peter Odion, an Urban and Regional Planning expert in Germany; Prof Anthony Okoh in the field of renewable energy, from University of Fort Hare, South Africa and Professor Uchechukwu Nwodo in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in University of Fort Hare, South Africa.”

    Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, who delivered the Founder’s Day Lecture entitled ‘Leadership, Development and the Vagaries of Power; Nigeria in Perspective,’ said it is only good leadership that can bring about all-round development.

    Read Also: Drug barons kill informant in Edo

    He said during the military era in Nigeria, leadership was synonymous with domination, repression and marginalization, while Nigerians have fared better with the democratic system of governance.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari had made conscious efforts to put Nigeria on the path of progress, noting that the fight against corruption has recorded considerable results.

    He added, “There has been considerable improvement in our democratic institutions which has increased the confidence in our electoral process. It should be noted that President Buhari alone cannot fight corruption unless he is supported by all, including the legislature and the judiciary.”

    Ohonbamu commended the Rector of the institution for resetting the polytechnic on the path progress, in line with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision for the overall development of the state.

    He stressed that Governor Obaseki has brought hygiene into Edo State politics with sound socio-economic policies.

  • Buhari congratulates Olu Agunloye at 70

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has felicitated with the former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, and former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye, on his  70th birthday.

    The felicitation by the president was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday.

    Buhari, in the statement, joined members of Agunloye family, his friends, professional colleagues and political associates in congratulating the former minister.

    The president noted that Agunloye had over the years, contributed to national development with his knowledge and experience in science.

    Read Also: Buhari seeks renewed support against terror

    He extolled Agunloye’s visionary and purposeful style of leadership, and his advocacy for good governance, derived from participatory democracy and development, as the way forward for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

    The president also saluted Agunloye’s courage and patriotism in serving the country in various capacities, including Minister of State for Defence (Navy), and his decision to join the governorship race in Ondo State in 2016.

    Buhari prayed that the almighty God would continue to protect and guide Agunloye and his family, and grant him longer life to keep serving the country.

    NAN

  • We will work for Buhari’s victory in Ondo

    A group ‘Buhari/Osinbajo Re-Election Group(BOREG) on Friday said it had concluded plans to penetrate the nooks and crannies of the state for extensive mobilization towards the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in the 2019.

    The group which is a combination of various campaign platforms had leaders of All Progressives Congress(APC)  and campaign groups from the 18 local governments as members.

    It noted the giant infrastructural development and commitment to good governance under President Buhari which have brought a new lease of life to the Nigerian Populace.

    BOREG therefore urged Nigerians not to let off the guard,as they strive to consolidate on the gains of the last four years in the country.

    Read Also: Buhari to attend climate change conference in Poland

    In his goodwill message at its meeting in Akure yesterday, the Nigerian Envoy to the Republic of Togo, Ambassador Sola Iji eulogized the commitment of  Party leaders towards ensuring the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He urged them to be acquainted with various projects and life changing initiatives of the Federal Government as they embark on the massive campaign across the state.

    He consequently announced a donation of 14 giant billboards, 12 cars and four buses for the use of the campaign group.

    The meeting also resolved to have various sub-committees for the smooth take-off of the campaign,while appealing to many members of the Party that were  aggrieved over issues  to forget the past and forge ahead as they move to the ‘next level’.

    APC stalwarts including Dr Segun Ayodele, Wale Akintimehin, Dr Jide Owoka, Musa Kareem (MHA) Capt. Oyepata (rtd).  Rahman Rotimi (Board member, UNICAL Teaching Hospital),b  Samson Ojetayo,Chief Idris Elemeje, Peter Omoogun, Chief Demi Osedimbola and Mrs Grace Animola were at the meeting.

  • Buhari to attend climate change conference in Poland

    President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to leave Abuja on Saturday for Katowice, Poland, to attend the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

     

    The conference is holding from 2nf to 5th of December, 2018.

     

    The COP24 Summit, which will be held at the International Conference Centre (MCK) and the adjacent Spodek Arena in Katowice, is being convened under the Presidency of Poland.

     

    According to the organisers, the conference is expected to finalize the rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change under the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) – the rule book for implementation.

     

    During the Leaders’ Summit at COP24, a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that President Buhari will deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its National Determined Contributions.

     

    He will also use the occasion to accentuate Nigeria’s willingness to work with international partners to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Africa and the world over, while expecting that developed nations scale up their emission reduction activities in order to limit the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2 degrees centigrade between now and 2020.

     

    The Leaders’ Summit is expected to adopt a ‘‘Declaration on Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia,’’ – named after the region of Poland where this year’s climate conference is taking place.

    Read Also: Buhari seeks renewed support against terror

    As a member of the Committee of the African Heads of State on Climate Change – a group of 10 African countries that meets and takes positions concerning issues of climate change on behalf of the continent – Nigeria has been at the forefront of advancing policies and initiatives aimed at addressing significant challenges occasioned by climate change such as reviving the Lake Chad, halting and reversing desertification, flooding, ocean surge and oil spillage.

     

    “President Buhari will continue to champion these pressing issues at COP24 in Katowice, among others, as well as reiterate Nigeria’s position on the need for African countries to access financial resources, especially the Green Climate Fund to draw up climate change adaptation policies and actions for implementation.

     

    “The Nigerian delegation will also showcase the policy measures and actions of the Federal Government at ensuring environmental sustainability and effectively combating climate change through several side events within the Nigerian pavilion.”

     

    While in Poland, President Buhari will hold an interactive session with the Nigerian community in that country.

     

    He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

     

    The President will be accompanied by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Yahaya Bello and Abubakar Sani Bello of Enugu, Kogi and Niger States, respectively.

     

    Others on his entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

  • Buhari to politicians: Don’t politicize religion in Nigeria

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerian politicians not to politicize religion in the country.

    He made the call in his opinion on religion published in the Church Times, UK’s largest Anglican newspaper on the 30th November, 2018.

    According to him, Muslims and Christians can coexist and live peacefully together.

    Those who are bent on dividing the country, he noted, recently sponsored the tragic clashes between nomadic herdsmen and settled farmers in the central regions of the country.

    The opinion reads “In 1844, the Revd Samuel Ajayi Crowther returned home to Yoruba land (now part of modern-day Nigeria). Twenty years earlier, he had been kidnapped and sold to European slave traders who were bound for the Americas. He was freed by an abolitionist naval patrol, and received by the Church Missionary Society. There, he found his calling.

    “Crowther made his voyage home to establish the first Anglican mission in Yoruba land. He came with the first Bibles translated into Yoruba and Hausa languages. He opened dialogue and discussion with those of other faiths. And his mission was a success: Crowther later became the first African Anglican bishop in Africa.

    “Today, Nigeria has the largest Christian population on the continent. The messages and teachings of Christianity are part of the fabric of each person’s life.

    “Along with the millions of Christians in Nigeria today, I believe in peace, tolerance, and reconciliation; in the institution of the family, the sanctity of marriage, and the honour of fidelity; in hope, compassion, and divine revelation.

    “Like Bishop Crowther, I am a descendant of Abraham; unlike him, I am a Muslim. I believe our two great religions can not only peacefully coexist but also flourish together. But Muslims and Christians must first turn to one another in compassion. For, as it says in Amos 3.3: “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?”

     

    “As they are People of the Book, I believe that there is far more that unites Muslims and Christians than divides them. In fact, I believe that the messages of the Bible are universal: available for anyone to exercise, and instructive to all.

    “We must resist the temptation to retreat into our communities, because, if we do, we can only look inwards. It is only when we mix that we can reach new and greater possibilities.

    “Whichever religion or religious denomination they choose to follow, Nigerians are devout. Anything that Nigerians believe will place impositions on their practice, and belief is therefore sure to cause widespread alarm.

    “And, unfortunately, there are those who seek to divide Nigerians — and our two great religions — and to do so for their own advantage.

    “I stand accused — paradoxically — of trying to Islamise Nigeria while also being accused by Boko Haram terrorists of being against Islam. My Vice-President is a devout man, a Christian pastor. He, too, is accused of selling out his religion, because of his support for me.

    “This is not the first time that I — nor, indeed, my Christian-Muslim evenly split cabinet — have been the subject of such nonsense. Fortunately, the facts speak differently from the words of those who seek to divide us from one another.

    “Since my administration has been in power, Boko Haram has been significantly and fatally degraded; I have befriended church leaders and church groups both within and outside our country; my Vice-President has addressed and opened dialogue with Muslims up and down our land.

    Read Also: Buhari orders troops to wipe out Boko Haram

    “In all things, we seek that which all well-meaning Christians and well-meaning Muslims must seek: to unite, respect, and never to divide. Does it not say “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2.256)? Does it not say “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us” (Luke 9.50)? This, surely, is the path that followers of both our two great religions must walk.” he said

    The President went on “Unfortunately, those who wish us all to walk apart have recently found another focus for their efforts: the tragic clashes between nomadic herdsmen and settled farmers in the central regions of Nigeria.

    “For generations, herders have driven their cattle from the north to the centre of our country; they tend to be predominantly Muslim, although not exclusively. The farmers, in certain areas of central Nigeria, are predominantly Christian.”

    He said that the causes of the conflict are not religious or theological, but temporal.

    “At the heart of this discord is access to rural land, exacerbated both by climate change and population growth.

    “Sadly, there are some who seek to play fast and loose and so make others believe that these are not the facts. When religion is claimed as the cause — and by those who know that it is not — it only makes finding a resolution more difficult.” he said

    Stressing that the government has taken action to mediate to bring the two groups together in peace and unity, he however said that there is need for all parties to follow the teachings of the scriptures, and encourage reconciliation rather than cause division.

    “As it is said: “Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear?” (Mark 8.18).

    “As our constitution codifies, politicising religion has no place in Nigeria; for it makes us turn away from one another; it makes us retreat into our communities and walk different paths.

    “I believe that there is a better way. To those who seek to divide, I still hold my hand out in brotherhood and forgiveness. I ask only that they stop, and instead encourage us to turn towards one another in love and compassion. Nigeria belongs to all of us. This is what I believe.” he stated

  • Buhari seeks renewed support against terror

     Leaders resolve to change modus operandi against Boko Haram, others 

    Towards checking insurgency in Nigeria and the neighboring countries, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday called for renewed commitment by the Heads of State and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
    He made the call during a one-day consultation with Heads of State and Governments of the  LCBC in N’djamena, capital of the Republic of Chad.
    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the meeting was called to address the recent upsurge in terrorist activities in the region.
    According to him, Buhari rallied his colleagues from Chad, Niger Republic, and Republic of Cameroon to a fresh onslaught against insurgents, particularly the Boko Haram group.
    Buhari said “Times as these call for quick interventions and measures.
    “As you are aware and have witnessed in recent times, there are new developments of security concern in our sub-region. The region in the recent past has witnessed increasing attacks, particularly on military formations by elements of the Boko Haram terrorists as well as the renewed kidnapping of people.
    “These activities are aimed at weakening our collective resolve to eradicate them from the region.
    “We must not cave in. The group’s renewed strategy of increasingly mining the general area as well as its recent deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance activities have proved to be critical factors in the resurgence of attacks in the region.” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari orders troops to wipe out Boko Haram

    Commending what he called the “untiring efforts” of the leadership of the LCBC, and officers and men of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), President Buhari noted that the efforts of those who strive to bring peace and stability to the region would never be forgotten.
    “We are committed to ensuring that the ideals of restoring peace, stability and viability of the Lake Chad Region to its glorious state, for which some of you have paid the ultimate price is attained,” he vowed.
    He added “We must not relent and allow the enemies of the region to succeed in their quest to destabilize the area. We must reinvigorate our collective will and commitment towards eradicating terrorism from our region.
    “We must remain focused and true to ensuring sustainable development. To this end, I have requested that bilateral and multilateral platforms of engagements by member countries affected by the conflict be revamped to ensure collective actions towards stamping out the remnants of the terrorists from the region.
    “There is no gainsaying that also fueling the crisis are the twin menaces of poverty and the continued shrinkage of the Lake Chad, which have rendered the people of the region vulnerable to terrorist activities.
    “Attention is drawn to the Lake and its resources, which have always been the source of livelihood for the millions of people that live within and around the basin.”
    He charged the Presidents and Heads of Governments in attendance to make concerted efforts to ensure the actualization of efforts to recharge the Lake, through Inter-Basin Water Transfer, from the Congo Basin.
    President Buhari stressed that if meticulously pursued, the project “has the capacity to unlock the economic potentials and provide solutions to the myriad of interrelated challenges confronting the region.”
    As Chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, President Buhari assured of his commitment to providing the required leadership and direction for the actualization of peace and security in the area.
    He reiterated an earlier promise he had made to troops fighting terrorism: “We are committed to ensuring you have the requisite and enabling equipment to optimally function. Your welfare is, and would continue to remain our priority. Together, we shall restore the Lake Chad Region to its glorious days.”
    In attendance at the consultation, apart from the Nigerian President, were, President Idris Deby Itno of Chad, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, and Prime Minister of Cameroon, Philemon Yang, who represented President Paul Biya.
    In a joint communique, the Heads of State and Governments, resolved to change modus operandi, collaborate more, and renew assault on all forms of terrorism and criminal acts, till wholesome peace was restored to the region.

     

  • Imo APC crisis irreconcilable – Okorocha

    Uzodinma, Nwosu snub APC peace Committee

    Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha,  Thursday,  gave a damming verdict on the post primary election crisis rocking the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the situation is irreconcilable.

    Okorocha told the Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje led APC Reconciliation Committee that everything has been done to resolve the issues but to no avail, heightening the fears that the party may not come out of the post primary election crisis that has engulfed it before the general election.

    Okorocha in his opening remarks at the meeting held at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), said that he honoured the meeting because of his relationship with the Chairman of the Committee (Ganduje) and former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    According to him, “there shouldn’t have been crisis in the party because of the affinity of the members, we are like one big family. When we came in 2011 it was a miracle, the who is who in Imo politics were against us but we won that election. We moved from APGA to APC because of the name of President Muhammadu Buhari which is synonymous withintegrity. I am a foundation member of the APC. I suggested the name APC.

    “When we started, we were called names, we were made to look like aliens in our state, this is the only state you have elected office holders that are of the APC extration. Those Oshiomole gave the tickets were not APC members, the worst political injustice in the history of Nogeria happened in Imo”.

    Read Also: Imo 2019: I will support Nwosu in any party- Okorocha

    He added that, “the only reason these people are here is because of Buhari,  not because they have benefitted. The issue we have is with Adams Oshiomole, he stole the mandate of the people and gave it away for reasons best known to him. The people here are concerned because the name of the person on APC ticket is not the candidate of their choice.

    “Let me make bold to say that this not about the people here but across the breadth of the state,  the name you here is Uche Nwosu.  But to me against all the speculations that I am leaving APC is not true, all the State and Local Government Executive is intact. We have done everything to resolve the issue but it appears to have gone beyond repair. The situation at hand has gone beyond what we can manage”.

    Chairman of the Committee, Ganduje,  however said that the first task of the Committee has been achieved as they have gotten the assurances of the Imo governor that he will remain in the party and will work for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, stating that, “he has done it before and he will do it again”.

    Meanwhile the APC governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma and his faction of the party, snubbed the peace parley.

    Also absent was the former Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor and the winner of the October 6 governorship election, Uche Nwosu.

    However hundreds of APC faithful loyal to the governor’s camp attended the meeting.

    Tempers rose at the beginning of the meeting when a clip of the Ahmed Gulak Committee meeting with party’s stakeholders when he cancelled the governorship primary before absconding the following morning to Abuja where he announced Uzodinma as the winner of the primary election.