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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari expresses Nigeria’s commitment to SDGs

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the faithful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

    This was contained in the President’s solidarity message on the Global Day to Act for the SDGs which coincided with the third anniversary of the adoption by Member States of the United Nations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and commitment to the implementation of the 17 SDGs.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “On this anniversary of the adoption of the SDGs, I want to reiterate our commitment to working for a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable world, ensuring that no woman, man, girls or boy is left behind.”

    He stressed that as a committed member of the comity of nations, Nigeria “will continue to work with multi-stakeholders including the United Nations System, civil society, development partners, private sector and the academia in the implementation of the SDGs.”

    He reaffirmed further that, “We are faithfully committed to our Country Transition Strategy and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, both of which are guiding our national efforts.”

    Buhari emphasized that these efforts “at promoting accountable governance and fighting corruption, will provide for institutional effectiveness and increased resources to achieve the SDGs in the medium and long terms.”

    Read Also: Buhari condemns xenophobia, discrimination

    The President, while noting that the “SDGs provide us with an opportunity to work together to give present and future generations, a world without poverty, hunger and inequalities, and a planet which can sustain lives and ensure prosperity for all,” joined the UN SDG Action Campaign to call on all stakeholders “to commit to achieving the historic 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

    Calling for collective engagement and action, President Buhari said: “Working in partnership, we have every opportunity more than before to ensure access to quality education and healthcare, to fight inequalities and ensure inclusive economic development, and to sustainably explore, manage and preserve our environment for present and future generations. Let us work together.”

  • ERGP restored Nigeria’s economy back on track, says Osinbajo

    ….Says Focus Labs identified $22.5bn investment potentials

    The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government save the nation from recession and restored the economy to the path of sustainable and inclusive growth, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has revealed.

    He also stated that the ERGP Focus Labs identified 164 projects across the six geo-political zones with an investment potential of $22.5bn and creation of 513,981 jobs by 2020.

    The Vice President stated these at the 59th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) in partnership with the African Development Bank Group, with the theme: ‘Optimizing value chain in the agricultural sector in Nigeria,’ in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    Prof. Osinbajo, who was represented by Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu, said the Focus Labs identified $10.1bn investment from the initial $22.5bn that was ready to go.

    He said: “The ERGP is responsible for restoring the economy to the path of sustainable and inclusive growth. The strategic objectives of the ERGP are restoring growth through macroeconomic stability and economic diversification, investing in our people particularly through improved human capital and socially inclusive policies and building a globally competitive economy through investments in infrastructure and by improving the business environment.

    “A number of execution priorities were identified to fast track the achievements of the ERGP objectives, namely: stabilizing the macroeconomic environment, achieving agriculture and food security, ensuring energy sufficiency, improving transportation infrastructure and driving industrialization by focusing on Small and Medium Scale enterprises (SMEs).

    “To fast track the implementation of the ERGP, the FG also launched the ERGP focus lab as a targeted intervention in the executive priority sectors to unlock medium scale and large scale investment projects held back by bureaucratic bottlenecks.

    Read Also: Peace attainable despite threats, says Osinbajo

    “On the whole, the labs were able to identify 164 projects spread across the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country with total potential investments worth $22.5bn and 513,981 jobs by 2020. For this amount, $10.1bn worth of investments was categorized as ready to go.

    “Of course, the growth of 1.5% in the second quarter of 2018 was not nearly enough but now that momentum is in the right direction, what is required is to accelerate the pace of growth. “Also, the current account was in surplus at nearly $4.5bn earlier this year and in spite appearances to the contrary, our debt GDP ratio of 20% is well within acceptable limits.”

    The Vice President said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government prioritized agriculture because the country needed to diversify its economy.

    He said the federal government through the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative had revived moribund blending plants to boost the supply of fertilizers to farmers at a competitive price.

    According to him, 11 of the 33 moribund fertilizer plants have been resuscitated, while four others are being revived with profound impacts on the ongoing revolution in the agricultural sector.

    The Vice President said: “The reasons for prioritizing agriculture in an economy such as ours are not far fetched. In addition to the need to further diversify the economy, agriculture is a source of income to small scale farmers and of job creation in larger farms.

    “We’ve also place great attention to financing the agricultural value chains starting with the Anchor Borrowers Program which started with only rice in 2015 but has now been expanded to cover other crop as well as livestock value chains.

    “Another value chain program to boost agricultural value chain is the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative through which hitherto moribund blending plants were revived to supply fertilizers to farmers at a competitive price. Eleven of the thirty three moribund fertilizer plants have been resuscitated, while four others are being revived shortly with profound impacts on the ongoing revolution in the agricultural sector.”

    The President of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), Prof. T.J. Agiobenebo, in his address said that: “The agricultural sector has over the years been plagued with low productivity, gross unemployment and agriculturalists have frequently been found among the poorest of the poor. It is noteworthy however that the agricultural sector has both forward and backward linkages that can power inclusive growth and shared prosperity. The optimization of the value chain in the agricultural sector in Nigeria is a bridge to resolving the many of Nigeria’s social economic challenges.

    “Value chain optimization is a crucial driver of industrialization strategy. In view of its potential for expanding production possibilities and enhancing cross border, if not global utilization of natural and human resources of the  country.

    “It provides a strategy for resource based industrialization through agro processing which can deploy local technology driven by value chains.”

  • Edo secures electricity license for Benin Industrial Park

    …as Obaseki berates BEDC 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

    At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park.  He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

    He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    Read Also: Edo orders arrest of imposter over illegal revenue collection

    The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

    Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari’s administration.

    “TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

    The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.

  • Buhari seeks collaborative efforts to fight human trafficking

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called for collaborative efforts among nations to fight human trafficking and smuggling of persons.

    Buhari made the call at the 16th INTERPOL Conference on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling on Monday in Abuja.

    He was represented by Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “Human trafficking requires our collective efforts to eradicate which destroying the future of our youths,” he said.

    The President said that Nigeria was among the first set of countries to domesticate United Nations relevant protocols on trafficking in persons and smuggling of persons.

    Buhari said that the protocols were at various times domesticated, resulting in the country’s enactment of the trafficking in persons prohibition law enforcement Act and eradication Act 2003 and the 1963 Immigration Act.

    He said that the Immigration act empowered the service to combat the smuggling of migrants.

    The president said that the country had recorded a landmark in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

    He said that the collaborative efforts of the country’s security agencies had resulted in several interceptions, arrest and prosecution and conviction of 359 traffickers and smugglers.

    He urged the INTERPOL and relevant agencies to deepen already established collaboration in order to combat this modern day slavery to a standstill.

    Read Also: Forum begins campaign for Buhari’s re-election bid soon

    Buhari said that collaborative efforts across the international borders would go a long way to identify arrest and prosecute traffickers and smugglers in their countries of origin.

    He called on the INTERPOL to consider Abuja, Nigeria for the location of the proposed Strategic Service Centre.

    “Nigeria is ready to play host to the centre and we will avail you with all the necessary assistance within the provisions of the law,” he said.

    The president said that unless the country fight corruption, the little resources budgeted for development would be stolen by few elites, exposing the youths to poverty and becoming vulnerable to trafficking and smuggling.

    In a remark, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, said that the force was at the forefront in the fight against the ugly trend.

    Idris, who was represented by DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover, said that trafficking and smuggling in persons posed a threat to both the victims and the countries of the world.

    He said that recently the force upgraded the anti-human trafficking section with the appointment of a Commissioner of police.

    Mr Jurgen Stock, Secretary General of INTERPOL said that trafficking in human beings and smuggling remained a prominent cahhlnge for law enforcement.

    He noted that the trend had opened the door for the exploitation of those simply seeking improved well-being and opportunities.

    Stock urged other participating countries at the conference to prioritise the fight against human trafficking and smuggling in persons.

    He said that INTERPOL had launched a platform consisting of 110 countries and 150 specialists from immigration, customs and investigative units to exchange information.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that 500 participants from 70 countries are attending the conference.

    News Agency of Nigeria also reports that more than 500 specialists from security agencies, non-governmental and international organizations, public and private sectors are also participating.

  • FG redeploys four Permanent Secretaries

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday approved the redeployment of four federal permanent secretaries to various ministries.

    Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    She stated that Alhaji Mu’azu Abdulkadir, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel have been redeployed to Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    “Mrs Georgina Ehuria, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) was now deployed to Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.

    Read Also: Obaseki appoints six new permanent secretaries2018/03/28

    “Mr Aliboh Leon, Permanent Secretary Special Duties, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) was also deployed to Federal Ministry of Environment.

    “Alhaji Suleiman Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, OHCSF has been deployed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

    She directed that all handing-over and taking-over processes should be done on or before Friday, Sept. 28, 2018

  • Ex-presidential aide seeks dissolution of APC factions in Enugu

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dennis Aghanya, has called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to dissolve the two factions in Enugu State.

    Aghanya, a former media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari between 2009 and 2011 and Pioneer National Publicity Secretary of the defunct CPC, gave the advice in a letter to the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday.

    He said in the letter made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu that the situation was threatening the fortunes of the party in the state.

    “The situation is currently threatening the fortunes of the party to the detriment of efforts by serious candidates who are investing time and finance to ensure victory for themselves and President Muhammadu  Buhari at the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “I suggest that the National Working Committee of the APC should as a matter of urgency dissolve the two factions led by Okey Ogbodo and Ben Nwoye respectively.

    “The NWC should set up a caretaker committee to be composed of neutral persons, possibly from neighbouring states in the South East to conduct primaries for aspirants at all levels, using Direct Primary method.

    Read Also: Ogun APC: Aspirant urges members to insist on direct primary

    “The caretaker committee should go further to conduct a fresh congress for the party after the primaries so that the party can go out in pursuant of votes as a united family.’’

    According to him, ignoring this advice will amount to deliberately weakening the party to the advantage of the incumbent in Enugu State.

    He said that it would also amount to deliberately sabotaging Buhari from making inroad into the South East.

    “These are all assumptions and can only be proved wrong if only the right thing is done by the national leadership of the party now.

    “Just few days ago the acting national publicity of the APC announced that party members should go to their states and use their temporary party cards to collect their original membership cards.

    “My question now is which faction these members will go to collect their membership cards from?’’

    He said that 99 per cent assertions that“a thing cannot be done is just the unwillingness to do it’’.

    “It does not take anything to dissolve these two factions and set up a caretaker committee to reunite the APC family in Enugu State,’’ he said.

  • Forum begins campaign for Buhari’s re-election bid soon

    A political association, the National Forum for Patriotic Members of the All Progressive Congress (NFPMAPC), says it will soon start nationwide campaign for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

    Alhaji Lawal Garba, the National Chairman of the forum, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Daura on Monday.

    He said all the 36 state offices and the 774 local government offices of the association would soon begin tour of their areas to canvass for votes for the president.

    The national chairman said the association was waiting for the official lifting of ban on electioneering campaigns to swing into action.

    Garba said Buhari deserved a second term to enable him complete the numerous developmental projects he initiated and started for the benefit of Nigerians and posterity.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari’s victory dependent on Akpabio’s second term’

    According to Garba, lists of some of the ongoing projects include the N5.79 billion dollar mambila power project, reconstruction of 15 federal highways and construction of Baro port in Niger.

    Others, according to him, are the construction of thousands of kilometres of rail lines and revitalisation of the agricultural sector.

    He also said that the Federal Government had recently issued license for the construction of additional private sector driven oil refinery and a Federal University of Transport in Katsina State.

    Garba expressed optimism that these efforts would open up the economy and generate employment to Nigerians.

    He also lauded the efforts of the security agencies in reducing the instances of insurgent attacks and other related crimes.

    According to him, hundreds of thousands of the Internally Displayed Persons (IDPS) have been resettled in their hitherto devastated communities.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that NFPMAPC was formally registered as a political association aimed at promoting policies and programmes of the APC led- government at the Federal, States and Local Government Areas.

  • Bayelsa APC stockpiling arms to win elections, says PDP

    Allegation spurious to divert attention – APC

     

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State chapter, at the weekend, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of stockpiling arms in the state as part of its preparations for the 2019 general election.

    The state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Moses Cleopas, alleged in a statement that the leaders of the APC in Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, were assembling weapons to cause violence during the elections.

    But the APC in a separate statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, described the allegation as spurious and an attempt by the PDP to divert people’s attention from its plot to use violence in the election.

    Cleopas said that the PDP leadership raise the alarm to draw the attention of security agencies to the  plot of the APC leaders, whose activities he said led to the death of several innocent people in the last election in 2015.

    He called on security agencies to investigate the sinister activities of the APC members to prevent a repeat of the mayhem and bloodletting that characterized the 2015 election.

    He said that the PDP was not surprised by the strategy of violence adopted by the APC leaders because they promised President Muhammadu Buhari that they would deliver Bayelsa to him even when they lacked the support base and capacity to do so.

    Cleopas said that the PDP remained the party of Bayelsans and was ready to participate in a free, fair and credible election.

    He said: “It has come to the attention of the PDP that the leaders of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, are leading other members of the party to stockpile arms to cause mayhem in our state.

    Read Also: Bayelsa warns youths against electoral violence, crimes

    “We are not surprised that the APC is contemplating this strategy of violence after having boasted to their leader, President  Buhari, that they would deliver Bayelsa when they are unpopular and have no support base to achieve that.

    “Bayelsans are already aware of the violent reputation of these so called leaders as clearly shown by the orgy of violence they unleashed on innocent citizens in the last election.

    “That is why we are sounding this warning early enough so that the security agencies can quickly wade into this matter and investigate this arms build-up, with a view to arresting those who are behind the planned mayhem.

    “The PDP is prepared for free, fair and credible election devoid of violence, bloodshed and the death of any Bayelsan. The APC should do the same as the ruling party.

    “We want the security agencies to investigate it, we don’t want a repeat of the violence of 2015.”

    Cleopas said that the PDP would not keep silent about the looming violence in the state following arms buildup.

    He said that the leadership of the security agencies had a responsibility to treat the issue with the deserving seriousness to avoid loss of lives.

    “The PDP will not keep quiet over this impending anarchy being planned by the APC for the general elections. We call on the authorities to take this critical issue seriously as it is linked to the Lives of innocent people”, he said.

    In a swift reaction, APC described the alarm as an attempt to prevent people from discovering the truth about another orgy of violence being planned by the PDP.

    Buokoribo said the ruling PDP in the state was planning a reenactment of the electoral violence its members unleashed on APC supporters in 2015 with the personal participation of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    The statement said: “We would have ignored the infantile allegation deployed in the characteristically unintelligible style of PDP in the state under Governor Seriake Dickson.

    “But we are constrained to respond just to warn our people, the good people of Bayelsa, to be wary of Dickson and his gang at a time like this. Their strategy has not changed – flying spurious allegations against the APC to try to divert attention from their demonic plots. What is uncertain is the manner of evil they want to unleash on the people this time.

    “There is an umpteen frantic attempt by the Dickson syndicate to keep the change-inclined masses of Bayelsa bound under a colourless administration bereft of imagination.

    “And the only way they can achieve that is by visiting violence on the electorate. The latest alarm, in their usual manner, is yet another dress rehearsal for the impending violence.

    “The whole world saw it in 2015, when Dickson personally led thugs to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yenagoa and other places around the state to supervise the intimidation of electoral officers and APC agents as well as direct the manhandling of innocent citizens.

    “It would be recalled that allegations quite similarly worded as the latest by PDP preceded that incident that resulted in the loss of lives. APC members were the major victims of that madness by PDP in 2015.

    “Having started with blood, Dickson wants to end with blood, hence the latest practice before the untoward event. His pitiful attempt at a cover-up of his crimes only makes him more of a laughingstock.

    “Bayelsans are not as foolish as Dickson thinks they are. They have since realised the devilish motives beneath his usual alarms, and they are prepared to confront him and his ungodly gang of lawless elements head-on.

    “APC is a peaceful party of peaceful and development-oriented people. We shall remain so, despite being victims of PDP violence, and will remain committed to seeking justice only through lawful means.

    “We call on the security agencies to follow the obvious lead by Dickson and his people in order to nip in the bud whatever nefarious plans they may have up their sleeve”.

  • Buhari leaves for New York to attend UN General Assembly

    President Muhammadu Buhari is leaving Abuja today  for New York to participate in the 73rdSession of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA73).

    The session got underway on Tuesday, September 18, with the theme “Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.”

    “The President’s presentation of Nigeria’s national statement is expected to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to international peace and security; sustainable socio-economic development; disarmament and denuclearisation; youth and women empowerment; climate change; rule of law and human rights; among others,” his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said yesterday in a statement.

    “He is also expected to particularly canvass international support for the fight against corruption; the return of illicit assets; counter-terrorism and insurgency; curbing irregular migration; re-settling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); recharging the receding Lake Chad; and calls for the reform of the United Nations, especially the expansion of the permanent membership of the Security Council to make that vital principal organ of the global organisation reflect regional and equitable geographical representation.”

    Buhari and the  First Lady, Aisha, are expected to attend  a welcome reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and his spouse for Heads of State and Government and their spouses.

    The president and his delegation will participate in a High-Level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis organised by the World Health Organisation as Nigeria currently ranks seventh amongst the high TB-burden countries globally, and second in Africa.

    Besides, the Nigerian delegation will  attend the Mandela Peace Summit, which is a High-Level Meeting on Global Peace in honour of the centenary birth of the late South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela.

    Other side-events lined up for the Nigerian delegation include: High-Level Meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit; the Second Annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum; High-Level Meeting on Action for Peace-Keeping; Commemoration and Promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons; High-Level Meeting on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa; and Pathway to Localising a Global Agenda.

    During the course of his stay in New York, in addition to the audience with the UN Secretary-General, the Nigerian President is also expected to have bilateral meetings with African and world leaders including Bill Gates with a view to promoting national and African interests.

    He will also grant audience to a select group of Nigerian professionals based in the United States.

    Accompanying Buhari on the trip are Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Foreign Affairs Minister  Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney-General and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami; Health  Minister Isaac Adewole; Industry, Trade and Investment Minister  Okechukwu Enelamah; Budget and National Planning Minister  Udoma Udo Udoma; and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

    Others on the presidential entourage include: the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammad Babandede; and the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

     

  • 2019: Coalition of Ebonyi youths backs Buhari

    Coalition of Ebonyi Youths Organisation, under the aegis of 2019 Buhari /Ogbuoji Youth Support Network, on Saturday in Abakaliki, declared support to the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

    The group also said it was committed to ensuring the emergence of Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji as the next governor of Ebonyi in 2019.

    The group embarked on a solidarity road walk to mobilise the youths of Ebonyi for the re-election of Buhari and the election of Ogbuoji.

    The group said its commitment to the projects were due to Buhari’s outstanding performance and credible representation of Ogbuoji.

    The spokesman of the coalition, Mr Eseni Ukoh, in an interview with journalists after the road walk, said that Buhari has demonstrated his ability to take Nigeria to the next level.

    “What Nigerians want is good and transparent governance that will stimulate economic growth and development to improve the standard of living of the people”, Ukoh said.

    “The president promised to tackle insecurity, corruption, power, unemployment; improve infrastructure and agriculture and his achievements in these areas can be seen everywhere.

    “Ogbuoji is the only aspirant among other aspirants from the various political parties that possesses the experience, capacity and capability to wrest power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the state.

    “He is a sitting senator, a former Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation and one time chairman of the old Afikpo Local Government Area.

    “His entry into the All Progressives Congress (APC) has helped to restructure and reposition the party and the evidence is what we are witnessing today.

    “We are appealing to both the national and state leadership of APC to give him the party’s ticket and to let them know that no other aspirant that can deliver Ebonyi people from bad governance than Ogbuoji”, he added.

    The coordinator who also spoke on the alleged recall of Ogbuoji by some group allegedly sponsored by politicians in the state, described the exercise as a show of ‘shame’ and an exercise in futility.

    “They are only being afraid of the senator because they know that he is the only person that has all it takes to oust the sitting governor.

    “These people are very jittery and that is why they have employed all sorts of devious, laughable and anti – democratic means to distract the senator.

    “There are processes to follow in recalling a serving lawmaker by his or her constituents and not at a political rally.

     

    Read also:Buhari, Saraki and caustic electioneering

     

    “Ogbuoji is the only credible, experienced and competent person to lead the state and take Ebonyi people from the shackles of heavy taxation, political stagnation and general maladministration,” Ukoh said.

    The spokesman stressed that the coalition with membership drawn from across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi would not rest on its oars until Buhari is re-elected in 2019 and Ogbuoji emerged the next Ebonyi governor.

    The Legislative Assistant to Ogbuoji, Mr Ifeanyi Ogba who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended the youths for the solidarity march and urged youths to support the re-election of Buhari and Ogbuoji ‘s gubernatorial aspiration.

    “This is not a political rally, it is a road walk organised by a coalition of about five youths organisations to support the re-election of Buhari and the election of Ogbuoji as governor.

    “The road walk commenced from Ishieke park at Water Works Road through Vanco and moved down to Ogbuoji ‘s campaign office along the Abakaliki-Enugu highway.

    “I commend the youths for the orderly conduct and the display of their zeal for a change in the governance of Ebonyi in 2019.