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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • PDP faults Buhari’s position on rule of law

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s position that the rule of law could be subsumed under the “national interest.”

    In a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the opposition party said the President’s position was strange to the nation’s laws and completely unacceptable.

    The party described the President’s position as a direct trademark of despotic rulers and as such cannot find expression or accommodation in a democratic setting of a contemporary nation.

    It expressed readiness to rally Nigerians to reject every attempt by President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to introduce the long forgotten trappings of military dictatorship into democratic rule, which the party said, Nigerians laboured for many years to attain.

    The PDP further stated that it would not stop at anything legitimate to ensure that the International Criminal Court (ICC) holds President Buhari responsible for violations of the rule of law and criminal abuse of human rights committed under his rule in the last three years.

    Read Also: PDP challenges Buhari to debate on good governance

    The statement said, “It is instructive to note that contrary to claims by Mr. President, there is no pronouncement by the Supreme Court that subjugates constitutional rule of law and rights of citizens to the whims, caprices and dictatorial impulses of any President.

    “Our national interest is thoroughly embedded, protected, expressed and enforced only under the rule of law as provided by our constitution and there is no how Nigerians can allow an individual to superimpose or override the constitution with his personal whims and impulses; a pattern that is characteristic of known dictators all over the world, as expressed in the obnoxious Executive Order 6, designed to justify a complete clamp down of political opponents ahead of 2019 general elections.

    “President Buhari should therefore be made to answer for the litany of human rights violations in Nigeria, including documented disobedience to court orders, extra-judicial and arbitrary executions, unlawful arrests and political detentions, killing of persons in custody, torture and excessive use of force by security forces on innocent citizens, destruction of property, restriction of free speech, press, official corruption and lack of accountability as detailed in report by various international bodies, including Transparency International (TI), Amnesty International (AI) and US Department of States.

    “This is in addition to the quest to forcefully remove the leadership of the National Assembly, the blockade of the National Assembly and siege of the official residences of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President by Presidency controlled-security forces.

    “We know that President Buhari is apprehensive of the electoral defeat that awaits him in February 2019 for which he is seeking ways to subvert the system, but we caution that in this desperation to hold unto to power, he must not seek to again, subvert our constitutional order as he will be firmly resisted by Nigerians.

    “The PDP therefore calls on all Nigerians, particularly the Judiciary and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to speak out against this direct assault on our democracy as a nation before it is too late”.

  • Okupe tips Saraki, Tambuwal as best aspirants for PDP

    A former Presidential spokesperson and chieftain of the Accord Party, Dr Doyin Okupe has tipped Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki as the only outstanding aspirant who the odd favours to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari, among all the Presidential aspirants in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

    President Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) announced his intention to seek a re-election few months ago and he is most likely to be the party’s sole candidate as the incumbent.

    Speaking as a guest on a morning show which had discussions on the 2019 Presidential election, on Arise TV, Okupe projected that the 2019 presidential election will be between President Muhammadu Buhari on one side against Dr Bukola Saraki, former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, or Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state. The trio recently dumped the APC for the PDP.

    According to the former Presidential spokesperson, “there are two platforms on which any candidate can win a Presidential election in Nigeria; the first is by winning the Northwest and Northeast with Southern majority, the second platform is by clearing votes in the Southeast, Southwest, Southsouth and the Middlebelt. It doesn’t matter what votes come from the North, with this second strategy, a candidate will win the Presidential election convincingly.”

    He said those are the tested strategies winning presidential election in Nigeria.

    Analysing the chances of the three Presidential hopefuls, Okupe said “I see Tambuwal as a young politician from the Northwest and people have been clamouring for the return of power to the Northwest, that if you really want to defeat Buhari in an election, you need somebody from the Northwest who can divide the vote. Though he has the experience, exposure and acceptability that Nigerians can follow, but I don’t see Tambuwal in that capacity to divide the northern votes.”

    On former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Dr Okupe said “of all the aspirants, Atiku is perhaps the most ready because he’s been contesting for long. But he is not as acceptable in the North as you would have expected a Northern candidate should be. I think Buhari is faring better even in the Northeast than Atiku. That is not enough like I said earlier, if he can gather support from the South, he is good to go.  He has been dutiful in preparing for this and he has the war chest to go for it.”

    Read Also: Okupe’s exit a non-issue – Ogun PDP

    Speaking on Senate President Bukola Saraki’s chances, Okupe said “among all the three, my best is Bukola Saraki. He has a good background of responsibility, pedigree, he is well educated, extremely exposed, knowledgeable and intrinsically intelligent. He has done excellently well since becoming Chairman of National Assembly and the present NASS under him has performed better than any we’ve ever had.

    “His emergence will give us a President that could stand with President Emmanuel Macron of France and you will not be scared of what he is going to say. Someone who can stand to talk at the United Nations (UN) and you can be confident and proud as a Nigerian.”

    On the geographical strategy, Okupe said “Buhari already holds the Northeast and Northwest, and if you want to battle with him you don’t go to his stronghold and start battling with him, it doesn’t make any sense, because as it stands today, no Nigerian politician can severely damage Buhari’s electoral reservoir in the North. The wise thing to do is to go to where he is weak like the Middlebelt.

    “If Saraki emerges on the platform of the Middlebelt, all he needs to do to weaken Buhari’s northern stronghold is to gather support from Southeast, Southsouth and Southwest, since it is very clear that Buhari will lose all the Middlebelt states including Kaduna,” he added.

    “That a candidate cannot break Buhari’s stronghold of the North does not mean the candidate cannot win the presidential election, it’s a fallacy.”

    The Accord Party chieftain further explained that “Former President Goodluck Jonathan won in 2011 with Southern majority and the Middlebelt. Despite the fact that the North voted Buhari, Jonathan still won with Southern majority and the Middlebelt votes.

    “In 2015, Buhari didn’t get any substantial votes in the Southeast and Southsouth, but he won based on the votes from the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and some parts of the Middlebelt.”

  • PDP suffering from selective amnesia – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was suffering from selective amnesia, forgetting the 16 years it wrecked the Nigerian economy.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena said the PDP as a party is synonymous with impunity; institutionalized corruption and diversion of public funds.

    The party said that Nigerians have not forgotten how counter-insurgency votes were shared to political cronies and funding of political activities; illegal purchase of bullet-proof SUVs, limousines and private jet shindigs for ministers at public expense; non-remittance of $20 billion oil revenue; among other atrocities too numerous to mention, adding that such a party cannot be in a position to debate on good governance

    Nabena who was reacting to a statement by the PDP challenging President Buhari to a public debate on good governance said “The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement issued on Sunday ‘challenged’ the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to a debate on good governance. Incredible.

    “We view this request by the PDP as another laughable example of the PDP’s selective amnesia on the 16 years of locust it wrecked on Nigeria during its defunct rule.

    Read Also: ‘Defection will not affect APC’

    “Perhaps the PDP needs to be reminded of the reason why Nigerians voted it out unanimously in 2015 to give way to a progressive administration which is rebuilding the country in all facets from the foundation.

    “A Party synonymous with impunity; institutionalized corruption; diversion of counter-insurgency votes to political cronies and funding of political activities; illegal purchase of bullet-proof SUVs, limousines and private jet shindigs for ministers at public expense; non-remittance of $20 billion oil revenue; among other atrocities too numerous to mention, cannot be in a position to debate on good governance

    “A Party whose administration placed the economy on life support through its voodoo economics and fiscal recklessness cannot be in a position to debate on good governance.

    “The PDP in its desperation to position itself as the 2019 general election approaches cannot hoodwink Nigerians on who they truly are.”

     

     

  • Buhari directs army to tackle insecurity

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian army and other security agencies to tackle growing insecurity challenges facing the country and fight insurgency

    The President gave the directive on Saturday while addressing the troops fighting insurgency in the forests of Zamfara, Kaduna and some parts of Katsina states, at Umar Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina state shortly before leaving the state for Abuja after celebrating Eid el Kabir at his home town in Daura.

    He further tasked the troops to deal with any armed robber, cattle rustler and bandit as ruthlessly as humanly possible, reminding them that the present administration had at inception pledged to provide security, enhance the economy and fight corruption

    He told the troops that he was pleased with their performance adding that Nigerians deserved to live in peace.

    He said ‘’60% of the population are under 30 years and could not secure jobs after their education, my government have started addressing unemployment through several programmes’’.

    He however commended the troops for their display of gallantry in the field of operations in Zamfara, Kaduna and some parts of Katsina state.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari ‘ll win, says campaign group

    While urging them not to spare any cattle rustler, armed robber or bandit, President Buhari assured to be a worthy commander in

    The President was seen off at Umar Musa Airport by the Katsina state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari in company of his Deputy, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, as well as other government officials.

    The Nation recalled that the President had been in the state in the past 6 days where he had celebrated the Eid el Kabir and public holidays in his Daura hometown

    The President has equally been busy receiving visitors including APC Governors, Ministers, Members of the states and National Assembly, whom he had re-assured that the party will retain the government at the center come 2019 despite the myriads of political and social challenges facing the country

     

  • Ganduje empowers 8,800 youth with N275 Million

    Determined to alleviate the sufferings of the Kano youth and uplift their living standard, so as to curb  youth restiveness, the  Kano state Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has launched another empowerment programme of 8,800 youth across the 44 local government areas of the state.

    He provided them with the capital of N20, 000 each as a start-up capital for them to support their businesses, adding that, “It is with great pleasure to be here in your midst for the issuance of start-ups capital in the sum of N20,000 each to a total of 8,800 males drawn from the 44 local governments “.

    According to him, this programme is in continuation of the present administration’s empowerment schemes and tailored towards providing opportunities to our youth to embark on various businesses so that they become self-reliant.”

    Ganduje further reveals that, “In our effort to attain this goal, the state government has approved the release of N275 Million for immediate disbursement to the beneficiaries across the 44 local governments.”

    He said the empowerment programme was not meant to benefit only males, but also over 6,600 women will equally benefit from the programme, where each of them will received N15,000, out of the N132 million. Ours is to make sure that families become happier and self-reliant.”

    He made it clear that, from the inception of his administration, priority attention, as a matter of policy, has been given to such empowerment programme schemes, taking into cognisance of the state numerical strength.

    He added that, “there is the need to uplift the living standard of our citizens and by extension to stimulate the growth of the state economically. To also do away with the poverty plaguing our society, as poverty breeds restiveness, while restiveness brings religious extremism. So by doing this kind of programme we are addressing these societal ills.”

    Ganduje explained that, “If you could recall, government has undertaken programmes and projects aimed at empowering our people which include the construction of Community Skills and Development Centres at Rumfa College and Dawakin Tofa, to start with 360 apprentice in two centres.”

    Ganduje said we have trained over 5,000 apprentices in different trades under the supervision of 655 master craft persons. We are doing all these things to bring succour to an important segment of our population especially, our youth.”

    According to him, the Phase II programme will also recruit 3,000 apprentices under the supervision of 900 master craft persons in collaboration with Mafita (The Way Out) of DFID-UK.

    Read Also: Sallah: Ganduje frees 170 inmates

    Governor Ganduje also made it clear to the gathering that, “We had similar programme last year 2017, when we empowered 8,800 men from the 44 local government areas and another 8,800 female youth when we spent over N300m in all the programmes. Just similar to what we are doing now.”

    “Our dear President Muhammadu Buhari ordered all the states to always give an important concern to empowerment of our youth. What we are doing today is that we are only obeying what our President directed us to do.”

    Ganduje affirmed that, “During the forthcoming 2019 election, Buhari will floor all other not-people-oriented contestants with the widest margin ever witnessed in the history of Presidential election in the country.

    He said Kano “Will always support our dear President to come back and continue steering the ship to the promised land. As he has started already. This is our wish and we are always determined to see to its fulfilment. I urge you to go and make sure that your voters cards are much ready for the election,” he concludes.

    In his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government, Murtala Sule Garo, hailed Ganduje for his continued effort and support, to the upliftment of the teeming youth in the state, adding that, “A total number of 200 male youth were drawn from each of the 44 local governments.stressing that,recently a total number of 745 were trained and recruited as road traffic officers.”

    “Today’s event marks an indelible mark in addressing the critical issue of unemployment plaguing our youth. This is part of the critical areas His Excellency is putting extra effort to address for the betterment of our people,” he added.

    Also, the chairman of the committee on empowerment programme, and the commissioner of information, Mallam Mahammad Garba, said the state government has trained two million youths in different skills acquisition programme, in which 3million of them is targeted for training before the end of the administration.

  • Buhari congratulates Presidents Keita, Mnangagwa on election victories

    President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has heartily congratulated President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali on winning the country’s election for a second term in office.

    He also felicitated with majority of Malians for giving the incumbent another opportunity to serve them after the August 12, 2018 presidential run-off.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also urged the main challenger, Soumaila Cisse and his supporters to abide by the verdict of the people as confirmed by the ruling of the Constitutional Court, and join hands with President Keita in the interest of the country in particular and peace and stability of West Africa.

    The Nigerian leader firmly believed that the successful outcome of the election in Mali further strengthens Africa’s democratic credentials as the people are allowed to choose their leaders without let or hindrance.

    Read Also: Buhari protecting the poor, says Keyamo

    Buhari wished President Keita a successful second tenure in a peaceful and stable atmosphere.

    Similarly, the Nigerian President has congratulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe following his declaration by the country’s Constitutional Court as the lawful winner of the July presidential poll.

    President Buhari called on all Zimbabweans especially the politicians to unite and work for the progress and development of their country.

     

  • Buhari congratulates Elumelu’s mother at 90

    President Muhammadu Buhari sends warm greetings to the matriarch of the Elumelu family, Mrs Suzanne Elumelu, on her 90th birthday.

    President Buhari joins family and friends of the kind-hearted and loving mother of five, including Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu, in celebrating the milestone, which is an evidence of God’s favour and grace.

    The President commends Mrs Elumelu, who is fondly called Mama, for her strength of character and entrepreneurial spirit in raising a strong and healthy family, and her advocacy for good education and investment skills for children and women particularly in the country.

    Read Also: Tony Elumelu plots shindig for mom

    President Buhari believes Mama’s life story of succeeding against the odds of early widowhood  serves as an inspiration to many, while her virtues of the fear of God, discipline, integrity, dedication and hard work will continue to resonate among the communities of the less privileged that she supports and regularly encourages.

    The President prays that God will grant Mama Elumelu, the Adadioranma of Onicha Ugbo, Delta State, longer life, filled with joy and good health.

     

  • Buhari for FOCAC summit in China September

    Also to attend United Nations General Assembly next month 

     

    Barring last minute change, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to join world leaders in Beijing, China for the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) first week of September.

    The Chinese President Xi Jinping is to chair the Forum scheduled for September 3rd to 4th in Beijing.

    The summit will be themed “China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation.”

    Apart from African leaders, representatives of related regional organizations in Africa and international organizations will also participate in relevant activities of the summit.

    Objectives of FOCAC include equal consultation, enhancing understanding, expanding consensus, strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation between African countries and China.

    The FOCAC follow-up mechanisms are built at three levels: The Ministerial Conference is held every three years; the Senior Officials Follow-up Meeting and the Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting for the Ministerial Conference are held respectively in the year and a few days before the Ministerial Conference is held.

    Read Also: Buhari hails security men

    The consultations between the African Diplomatic Corps in China and the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee are held at least twice a year, while the Ministerial Conference and the Senior Officials Meeting are held alternately in China and an African country, with China and the African host being co-chairs presiding over the meetings and taking lead in implementing the outcomes of the meetings.

    The Ministerial Conference is attended by foreign ministers and ministers in charge of international economic cooperation, and the Senior Officials Meeting by director-general level officials of the competent departments of China and African countries.

    President Buhari is also billed to attend the United Nations General Assembly in the United States also in September.

  • FAAN commends Halogen officials for honest conduct

    ….. Says Security officers have written their name in gold

    Barely 48 hours President Muhammadu Buhari commended two security personnel attached to the car park of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA),Ikeja, Lagos for their honesty in returning a bag containing valuables  to an American returnee, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Wednesday honoured the duo for their acts of honesty and professionalism.

    The duo: Messrs Francis Emepueaku and Achi David are security officers of Halogen Security Limited attached to the multi storey car park at the international wing of the Lagos Airport.

    The officers found a forgotten bag containing valuables in the course of their duty. They retrieved, kept, contacted and returned the bag to the owner with all contents intact.

    Read Also: FAAN to acquire scanners to boost security

    At an event organized by Halogen Security Limited to celebrate the officers today in Lagos, the Managing Director of FAAN, who was represented by the Director of Engineering Services, Engr. Salisu Daura eulogized the virtues of the officers.

    In his words, “I will like to congratulate you both Messrs Daniel and Francis. Your act of honesty and truth is highly commendable and we are not taking it for granted at all. Today, you have written your names in gold”

    While advising the public to emulate the great virtues of the officers, he enjoined them to continue to render selfless service to humanity and they will surely attain greatness.

  • 2019: Yoruba leader warns politicians against violence

    As the 2019 general elections draw nearer, the President-General of Yoruba Community in 19 Northern states, Dr. Jimpat Aiyelangbe has called on politicians to play by the rules of the game so as to avoid the plunging country into unwarranted violence that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

    Aiyelangbe who is also the President of Ethnic Community Leaders in Kano (ECLAK), urged Nigerians to resist being drawn into unnecessary ethnic conflicts by unpatriotic politicians who are bent on destroying the unity and of the country for their quest grab power by all means.

    According to him, “As we prepare for the 2019 elections, I implore all politicians to play the game with the fear of God by eschewing those societal ills that could drag the country into chaos

    “I want to seize this opportunity to caution Nigerians, including both the religious and political leaders to shun hate campaigns and hate speeches.”

    Read Also: Politicians advised against unguarded utterances

    Dr. Aiyelangbe who is also the Medical Director of Lafia General Hospital, however, identified lack of equity and lack of employment opportunities among the youths as the basic reasons for violence and hate speech in the country.

    Aiyelangbe insisted that, “Inequity in employment opportunities among the youths directly leads to hate speech and violence. Peace is equity and the greatest manifest of violence among youths is unemployment. Credible employment opportunities can bring and restore peace in the country.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption, adding that, “President Buhari is a firm and resolute leader who is thorough and fearless in his crusade against corruption. So, there is need for us to give him support to succeed.”

    He also hailed Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for ensuring peace and harmony among various ethnic groups in the state, pointing out that the recent title awarded to him by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers was well-deserved.

    Aiyelangbe further stated that, “I commend His Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11, the Sultan of Sokoto and other Emir’s in the 19 northern states in the country for their leadership qualities and, love for other ethnic nationalities resident in the North.”